Trip Additional Info:
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Since most of the days we need to walk for longer hours i.e. 5-6 hours in general, this trek can be quite difficult for beginners. Since this is a very long trek, this trek is actually for the experienced trekkers. Medium physical fitness is required for ones to go on this trek. We recommend all the travellers to start basic training before going to this trek.
Best Time:
The best seasons to visit the Saribung Peak are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). In the spring you can see the national flower of Nepal Rhododendron, which will make your trek even more beautiful.
During the monsoon season you need to stay very cautious while going on the trek because of the high risk of landslides and floods. This trek might be relatively easy for the experienced trekkers, but it does demand a certain level of physical fitness from the newcomers. If you’re planning to go for this trek, start exercising a little bit in advance.
Weather and Temperature:
You can never say what the weather will be in the mountains. So while going on the trek you need to choose the seasons when the weather interference and fluctuations are the least. To help you understand the basic features of weather and temperature in the mountains, here are some meteorological fundamentals.
Spring(March / April / May / June): With a maximum of 25 degrees C (77 degrees F) on bright days and a low of 0 degrees C (32 degrees F) in the morning and at night for places over 2500 meters, the average temperature is 20 degrees C (68 degrees F).
Monsoon (July / August through Mid-September): The temperature during this season ranges from 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit) in the morning and at night for areas over 2500 meters to a maximum of 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) on bright days.
Autumn(End of September / October / November): Fall temperatures range from 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) on average to 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) on sunny days, with places over 2500 meters altitude experiencing minimum temperatures of -5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit) in the morning and at night.
Winter (December/January/February): For places above 2500 meters height, the wintertime average temperature is 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit), with maximum temperatures of 17 degrees C (62.6 degrees F) on bright days and lowest temperatures of -10 degrees C (14 degrees F) in the morning and at night.
Permits: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and TIMS Entry Permit are required during the trek. We will manage the permits required and the fee of the permits is included in the cost. The permit charges varies with the season from 30-40$.
Insurance: You can never say what could happen in the mountains. So we advise you to take different health insurances to minimize the risks.
FAQs
1. What fitness level do I need to have for this trip?
This is a challenging Himalayan journey. Before considering any trek, anyone with a pre-existing illness or condition should consult a doctor. If you feel uncomfortable while doing high altitude treks you need to take some rest to acclimatize and only then continue your journey further.
You should start training at least three to four months ahead you set out on challenging treks. As a general rule, three to four times a week, one hour of strenuous exercise would be regarded as the minimum required.
2. Are the guest house heated?
There are no heaters or air conditioners in the local lodge and guesthouses. However, they do have the option of heating the dining room by supplying kerosene or metal heaters as the temperature drops above 2,500 meters. To use this service, you may need to pay the guesthouse between USD 1 and USD 3 per person.
3. What is the best season for this trekking?
We advise you do the Saribung Peak Trek in the spring and autumn during the months of April-May and September-October. These are the standard months in Nepal for the visitors to do the different treks in Nepal. The weather interference is to minimum and you can enjoy yourself to the fullest during these times.
4. Do you use porter during the trek?
For your own comfort we advise you to take a porter along with you on your trek. One porter can in general carry up to 18 kilos of weight. Our porter will look after your luggage while you are on the walk. You only need to carry a modest day bag with you to store your personal items like a camera, water bottle, sunblock, etc.
5. Can I use credit card during the trek?
You can only use your credit card facilities in big cities like Kathmandu. You need to take cash before leaving Kathmandu to the remote areas of Nepal, as there is no internet or digital facilities in the Himalayas. Before you set out on your journey, please exchange your money for local Nepali rupees.
1. Do you need to have trekking equipment for this trek?
Yes, for your own comfort during the trek you need to take all the basic trekking gears with yourself.
ALTITUDE SICKNESS
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is common at high altitudes sickness. In general may occur when people ascend too quickly normally in altitudes of over 3000 m. The symptoms of altitude sickness are due to lower air pressure at high altitudes, which results in lower oxygen levels as you breathe the air in. The air is under less pressure and this makes it harder for your body to get the oxygen out of the air and into the circulation. It’s this extra strain on the body that causes altitude sickness.
Symptoms tend to be worse at night and include headache, dizziness, and lethargy, loss of appetite, nausea, breathlessness and irritability. Difficulty sleeping is another common symptom.
MAJOR SYMPTOMS OF ALTITUDE SICKNESS
INITIAL SYMPTOMS
- Periods of sleeplessness
- Runny nose.
- Extra tiredness
- Occasional loss of appetite
- Feeling laziness
- Wish to vomiting
- Periodic breathing
Above are normal symptoms which may occur into your body that you should not be worried. Every trekker will experience some or all of these, no matter how slowly they ascend.
ADVANCE SYMPTOMS
- Headache and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Racing heartbeat
- Exhaustion
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of apatite
- Weakness
- Hard to breath
- Extra tired
- Dry Raspy cough
- Sleeplessness
When above symptoms will occur into your body, these symptoms usually resolve by spending one or two extra nights at the same altitude or using medicine. Even you are resting at the same altitude or using medicine, if symptoms are becoming worse, then it is necessary to descend.
SERIOUS SYMPTOMS
- Worsening headache and vomiting
- Swelling of hands and face
- Reduced urine output
- Walking with a staggering gait
- Confusion
- Increased tiredness
- Breathing irregularity
- Visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not real)
- Changes in the ability to think
- Changes in normal behavior
If above serious symptoms will occur into your body, these extremely dangerous symptoms are called High Altitude Cerebral Edema (or HACE). They can lead to unconsciousness and death within 12 hours. Increasing shortness of breath, cough and tiredness may also be signs of High Altitude Pulmonary Edema or HAPE. HAPE can also be rapidly fatal if ignored.
TO PREVENT ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS
- If possible, don’t fly or drive to high altitude. Start below 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) and walk up.
- If you do fly or drive, do not overexert yourself or move higher for the first 24 hours.
- If you go above 3,000 metres (10,000 feet), only increase your altitude by 350 to 500 metres (1,000 feet) per day
- Climb high and sleep low! You can climb more than 300 to 500 metres in a day as long as you come back down and sleep at a lower altitude.
- If you begin to show symptoms of moderate altitude sickness, don’t go higher until symptoms decrease.
- Drink plenty of water, tea or juice etc (at least three to 4 liters per day). Urine output should be copious and clear to pale yellow.
- Eat high-carbohydrate foods (rice, pasta, cereal) for more energy.
- Take it easy and don’t overexert yourself when you first get up to altitude. But, light activity during the day is better than sleeping because respiration decreases during sleep, exacerbating the symptoms.
- Avoid alcohol as it may increase the risk of dehydration, and don’t smoke.
- Don’t push yourself when climbing up to passes, rather take plenty of breaks.
- Avoid taking sleeping pills.
- Avoid active movements and try to relax in the first one or two days upon arrival at the high altitude areas.
- Bring adequate medicine.
- If nothing else works, return to the areas with the lower elevation.
- Allow sufficient time for acclimatization (After 3000 meters).
- Don’t make rapid Ascent. Don’t go too far too fast.
- Do not trek/travel alone, take guide/porter.
- Follow the advice from your guide, hotel, local, guide book.
- Descent if mild symptoms rapidly getting worse.
- Never leave or descent sick person along.
- Avoid getting cold.
- Take an easy and comfortable trekking route even if its longer
MEDICINE
Following is a list of items you should consider including in your medical kit – consult your pharmacist for brands available in your country.
- Aspirin or paracetamol – for pain or fever
- Antihistamine – for allergies, eg hay fever; to ease the itch from insect bites or stings; and to prevent motion sickness.
- Antibiotics consider including these if you’re traveling well off the beaten track’ see your doctor, as they must be prescribed, and carry the prescription with you.
- Loperamides or Diphenoxylate ‘blockers’ for diarrhea’ Prochlorperazine or metaclopramide for nausea and vomiting.
- Rehydration mixture to prevent dehydration, eg due to severe diarrhea; particularly important when traveling with children.
- Insect repellent, sunscreen, lip balm and eye drops.
- Calamine lotion, sting relief spray or aloe vera-to ease irritation from sunburn and insect bites or stings.
- Antifungal cream or powder – for fungal skin infections and thrush.
- Antiseptic, such as povidone-iodine for cuts and grazes.
- Bandages, band-aids or plasters and other would dressings.
- Scissors, tweezers and a thermometer (note that mercury thermometers are prohibited by airlines)
- Cold and Flu tablets, throat lozenges and nasal decongestant.
- Multivitamines – consider for long trips, when dietary vitamin intake may be inadequate.
