Food and Accommodation
You will find hotel-like teahouses established in local villages to cater to the trekkers with a place of stay and fresh, home-cooked, nutritious meals. So, the food and accommodation needs during the Gurung Heritage Trail journey will be fulfilled by the commonly available teahouses along the trekking trails.
Teahouses are generally operated by a local family, providing basic services and facilities to travelers. The teahouse accommodation is ordinary, comprising basic amenities. You can expect a simple shared living space where two to three trekkers sleep in a single room. If you prefer privacy, a private room can also be arranged at an extra cost. The toilets are usually squat styles and shared. You will find cold water in a communal bathroom. You can also enjoy a hot shower in a teahouse in payment of an additional amount. The hot showers in teahouses are usually solar generated or a bucket filled with hot water that is placed in a bathing space. For the use of facilities like WiFi and electronic device charging, the teahouses charge you an extra fee.
You will be eating a wide variety of freshly cooked and healthy local and continental dishes in a communal dining hall of teahouses. The foods are prepared from locally grown crops and vegetables. So they are fresh and nutritious. Proper nutrition helps provide sustained energy levels for long trekking days on the Gurung Heritage Trail. You will find a range of vegetarian and non-veg items in the teahouse menu. However, we recommend you to stick to the veg times as meat is usually considered not so beneficial for health in the mounatins.
Dal bhat is a staple meal served in the teahouse. It consists of rice, lentils, and pickles. Besides, you can enjoy the delicious flavors of eggs(omelets, boiled, fried, scrambled), noodles, mushroom soup, fried rice, momo, chowmein, vegetable curries, flatbreads, bread and jam, gundruk and dhindo, steaks, etc. You can also taste some popular Western cuisines such as sandwiches, pizza, burgers, and more. If you are on a specific diet, you can place a special order for meals in the teahouse according to your needs.
Difficulty Level of Gurung Heritage Trekking Trail
The Gurung Heritage Trek is considered easy to moderately difficult. It is easily doable even for first-time trekkers with sound health conditions and a considerable level of physical fitness. While the previous trekking experience is beneficial, it is not a mandatory requirement.
The Gurung Heritage Trekking Trail involves several walking days over the mountainous trails with some segments of steep ascents and descents. During each trekking day, you have to walk for around 5 to 6 hours on average. For this, you need to have good stamina and endurance capacity. You can get in proper shape and build the required strength and endurance by involving in physical workouts, including cardiovascular training. So, consider incorporating the exercises into your preparation plan a few weeks prior to the journey.
Unpredictable weather conditions, remoteness, and limited availability of facilities can be other possible difficulty factors of Gurung Heritage Trail Trek. However, these can be countered if you follow the proper plan. Carrying layered clothes, staying flexible with itinerary in case of delay due to weather changes, and making informed decisions with weather updates alleviates the problem of weather uncertainties. Likewise, being well equipped with required trek essentials and accustomed to a simple living style during the journey period will make your remote adventure a bit easier.
Essential Packing for the Journey
Trekking Gear
- A spacious backpack with a rainproof cover
- Daypack
- Small and handy waterproof bags for carrying electronics and documents
- Trekking poles
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Sleeping bags and sleeping pads
Clothing
- Sun hat
- Neck warmer/Bandana
- Beanie
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Liner and insulated gloves
- Waterproof gloves
- Half and full-sleeved T-shirts
- Moisture-wicking vest
- Breathable tops and bottoms
- Lightweight shirts
- Underwear (5 to 7 sets)
- Sweatshirt
- Sweaters
- Fleece jackets and pants
- Flexible trousers
- Shorts
- Waterproof jacket with hood
- Rain poncho (to cover your day pack)
- Rain pants
- Windbreakers
- Down jackets
- Thin and thick sock sets
- Worn-in trekking boots
- Camp shoes
- Gaiters
- Flipflops
- Woolen slippers
Hygiene Items
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Toilet paper
- Wet wipes
- Sanitary pads or tampons
- Soap
- Earbuds
- Hand sanitizer
- Hand, face, and body wash
- Deodorants
- Shampoo and conditioners
- Moisturizers
- Quick drying towel
- Small mirror
- Nail cutters
- High SPF sunscreen and lip balm
- Dental floss
- Razor and shaving cream
- Hairbrush
- Hair ties/clips
Comprehensive First Aid Kit
- Bandages
- Cotten swabs
- Diaper rash cream
- Pain relievers
- Sprain spray
- Small scissors
- Tweezers
- Antiseptic wipes
- Blister gel
- Duct tape for blisters
- Adhesive tapes
- Eye drops
- Instant cold packs
- Hand warmers
- Sunburn relief
- Gauze pads
- Oximeter
- Thermometer
- Diamox tablets (for altitude sickness)
- Oral rehydration salts (in case of dehydration)
- Antidiarrheal
- Cold syrup
- Paracetamol
Documents
- Air tickets
- Nepal entry visa
- A valid passport
- Trekking permits
- Travel Insurance
- Money in Nepali rupee or credit cards
- A few pp-size photographs
Other
- Mobile and charger
- Power bank
- Earplugs
- Eye mask
- Earphones or headphones
- Satellite phone
- Camera with extra batteries
- Binoculars
- Weather radio
- Diary and pen
- Game sets
- Refillable water bottles
- Thermos (for hot beverages)
- Water purification drops or tablets
- Navigation tools like GPS, maps, and compass
- Portable speaker
- Snacks and chocolates
- Books or e-reader
- Small locks to secure your duffel bag and day pack
- Garbage bags for dirty clothes/shoes
- Umbrella (in sun and light rain)
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FAQs on the Gurung Heritage Walking Trail
What is the Total Distance and Duration of the Gurung Heritage Trekking Trail?
The total distance of the Gurung Heritage Trekking Trail is around 60 to 80 kilometers. It will usually take about 8 to 10 days to complete this journey back and forth to Kathmandu. The duration is dependent on diverse factors, including the modes of transportation used, the routes or the itinerary chosen, weather conditions, fitness and experience of the trekker, pace of the journey, acclimatization needs, and others.
When is it Best to Embark on the Gurung Heritage Trail?
It is the best experience to embark on the Gurung Heritage Trail during the weather-favored seasons of spring and autumn. Spring and autumn provide stable weather, clear sky, dry trekking trails, moderate temperature, and unobstructed Himalayan views, making your adventure easy, smooth, comfortable, immersive, and enriching.
Can a Beginner Trekker Successfully Complete the Gurung Heritage Trail?
Yes, the Gurung Heritage Trek is possible for a starter trekker if they are well prepared physically, mentally, and logistically. To complete this adventurous and exhilarating Himalayan endeavor, trekkers need to have a basic level of physical fitness, appropriate packing, and mental resilience. Traveling with a registered trekking agency and being accompanied by experienced guides and dedicated porters will make your journey the way more smoother, safer, and easier.
What is the Highest Altitude Reached During Gurung Heritage Trail Trek?
The highest altitude the Gurung Heritage Trail Trek meets is 4,910 meters/16,109 feet at Gurung Deurali/Namum Bhanjyang. From this breathtaking elevation, you can marvel at the eye-filling panorama of the spectacular Annapurna region landscapes and towering Himalayas.
Is There a Chance of Altitude Sickness During the Gurung Heritage Trek?
Yes, there is a slight chance of being affected by altitude sickness during the Gurung Heritage Trek. The risk of altitude sickness increases after exceeding 2,500 meters in height. However, during this trek, you will be several days above 3,000 meters. You will visit Dudh Pokhari, which is at 4,585 meters, and the maximum elevation you will reach during the entire journey is 4,910 meters at Gurung Deurali. At this significant elevation, there will be less air pressure and low oxygen levels in the atmosphere. So, you are likely to experience altitude symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of Altitude Sickness and Its Preventive Measures?
The general symptoms of altitude sickness are headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, quick heart beating, sleeplessness, etc. Firstly, proper hydration is needed to avoid altitude sickness. Likewise, you should take a slow pace of ascent to allow adequate time for the body to acclimatize. Acclimatization refers to adjusting to the lower oxygen levels of higher elevations. The other preventive measures are avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol, eating healthy meals, and getting good rest and sleep.
What Permits Do I Need to Get for Trekking Gurung Heritage Trail?
The permits that you will need to obtain for the Gurung Heritage Trekking Trail are:
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) - NPR 3,000
- TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) Card - 2,000
Do I Need to Hire a Guide and Porter for the Gurung Heritage Trail?
Yes, you need to hire an experienced, licensed, and professional trekking guide, and a strong local porter for the journey. They will help make your adventure easy, safe, and enriching. The guide will help to lead you seamlessly through unfamiliar mountainous trekking trails, providing valuable natural and cultural insights along the way. Similarly, porters will carry your gravy backpacks and let you freely immerse in the pristine wilderness of the trekking region.
Are There Health Facilites Along the Trail?
Yes, health facilities are available along the Gurung Heritage walking trails, but the services are limited. You will find clinics with basic facilities to treat minor illnesses and injuries during the trek. For emergency cases, travel insurance counts to be helpful which provides you with a helicopter evacuation to the hospital. Additionally, being well-equipped with a comprehensive first aid kit and following effective acclimatization strategies is advisable to avoid unfortunate events and quick medical care in case of sudden sickness or accidents.
