Yoga Trek FAQs

If your question is not included here, please contact us at info@kamalayoganepal.com or through our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!

Questions before booking

Q: I am travelling alone, can I join a group? Show AnswerYes. All the yoga trek dates listed on our yoga trek calendar are scheduled departure dates which you can join as a single traveller.

Q: If none of the treks in the calendar suit my schedule, may I request for different date/route? Show AnswerYes. Please contact us with your desired dates and requirements and we will take care of everything. Unless you opt specifically for a private trek for yourself/your group, the trek will be included in our calendar so that others may join the group.

Q: Who will lead the trek? Show AnswerOur treks are led by one of our two yoga teachers/trekking guides, Karnesh or Sudip.  If the group is large, both of them may lead the trek together. 

Q: What is the minimum participant number required for a yoga trek? Show AnswerWe do not enforce a minimum or maximum number of guests. Our treks are usually around 4-5 participants, but sometimes there can be as few as 1-2 guests, or as many as 8-10, and in rare cases, more. We always make sure that we have enough guides and porters to take care of everyone in the group.

Q: Why are some routes much more expensive than others? Show AnswerFor most of our trekking routes, a trekking permit is required. Its cost varies depending on the region. The Everest region is quite a lot more expensive than the others. For treks which include flights, the cost is also higher.

Q: Do you offer tailor-made yoga treks and hikes? Show AnswerWe offer the treks listed on our website, and may offer other routes upon request. If you wish for a shorter or longer trek, this may be possible. Please contact us with your requirements.

Q: What is the best season for trekking in Nepal? Show AnswerWe offer treks from September to May.  The only restriction is that some of the higher altitude treks (such as Annapurna Circuit, Everest Basecamp, Mardi Himal) are not advisable during December and January due to the large volume of snow.

Q: Why are Kamala Yoga Nepal’s Yoga Treks more expensive than regular treks without yoga? Show AnswerOur yoga treks are very competitively priced and affordable, but they are more expensive than regular treks because they deliver more value, as follows:
Two daily yoga/meditation/guided relaxation classes: With Kamala Yoga Nepal, you benefit of the continuous guidance and support of a qualified and experienced Yoga Teacher, which results in a mindful and unique way of experiencing the Himalayas: You benefit of two yoga classes per day, one hatha yoga class in the morning, and one meditation/guided relaxation class in the evening.
Healthy meals and snacks without restriction: Your guide and yoga teacher arranges for your healthy breakfast and tea, lunch, and dinner. You may order whatever you wish from the tea house menu, as much as you would like (during most regular treks you are limited to just one item). Your guide and yoga teacher carries healthy snacks and water throughout the day.
Accommodation: The accommodation we choose in Pokhara and Kathmandu are good standard hotels. In Pokhara, we usually spend the first and last nights of the trek at Big Pillow Inn. On the trek, we ensure that we get the best teahouse accommodation in each location, by booking ahead (regular treks often just take whatever teahouses still have availability when they arrive. Without advance booking, the good accommodation is often already taken in the afternoon.)

Q: The Poon Hill trek looks nice, but I’ve heard it is touristy and crowded, should I still book? Show AnswerIt is true that the Poon Hill trek is a popular and classic trek, just like the Annapurna Basecamp trek, and some others. Some of the trails can get crowded in October and November or March and April. For us, it doesn’t matter so much because firstly, we take a different route, from Tadapani to Kotdanda, which is more secluded. Secondly, we book all our tea house accommodation in advance, so we are not in a rush during the day but will still have good accommodation even if there are other trekkers at the teehouse too. (Please note that very rarely, during the highest season this may not possible, and we have to negotiate rooms on the spot.) Third, although of course we will see other groups on some stretches of the trail, it is not usually a huge amount of people. On Poonhill itself, there can be other groups too when we get there, but there is a lot of space and this hasn’t bothered us. You might like to read our Facebook reviews from guests who have done the Poon Hill trek.

If you prefer a more secluded trek, please contact us with your dates and requirements, and we will be happy to advise.

Q: How does the deposit payment work? Show AnswerWe will send you a secure link through which you may make the deposit payment by credit card. Once we receive your payment, your booking is confirmed. Kindly note that as per our booking conditions, any transfer charges are to be borne by the guest. Our online payment system incurs only a 4% transfer charge, which is more economic than other modes of payment (such as bank or Western Union transfers).

Q: How do I pay the balance? Show AnswerThe balance is paid upon arrival (on Day 0 of the trek) in cash. We prefer US dollars. If you would like to pay your balance in advance to avoid carrying cash with you, just let us know, and we will send you a payment link. The only downside to this is the 4% fee, which can add up for larger amounts.

Preparing and packing for your yoga trek

Q: How to I prepare my body and fitness level for the trek?  Show AnswerFirst, doing regular cardiovascular exercise and increasing one’s capacity before the trek allows the body to better cope with higher altitudes. Depending on the trek difficulty and altitude, moderate to strenuous cardiovascular training 2-3 times per week is ideal.
Second, we recommend eating 2 pieces of raw garlic per day, starting 1,5 months before the trek. One way to do this is to mince/press it and add to salad dressing. Why? In the mountainous regions of Asia, garlic is considered an effective antidote for altitude sickness. The garlic compounds assist in relaxation of the vascular smooth muscles. They help in reducing vasoconstriction of the pulmonary blood vessels. Hence, breathing problems at higher altitudes become less severe by chewing garlic. Garlic helps thin the blood and enhances its flow.

Q: Do I need travel insurance? Show AnswerYes, travel insurance is compulsory. It is your responsibility to ensure adequate insurance for both yourself and your belongings before you travel to Nepal. The coverage must include high altitude helicopter rescue (check the altitude of your trek, e. g. if you are trekking to Annapurna Basecamp you need to have coverage up to 4300 meters above sea level), medical treatment cost and air ambulance. Kamala Yoga & Adventures Pvt. Ltd. cannot be held responsible or liable for loss, damage, or theft of personal luggage and belongings, nor can we be held liable for personal injury, accident or illness.

Q: What kind of equipment is needed for trekking? Show AnswerChoosing the right equipment to pack for trekking is very important. Please familiarize yourself with this before your trip.

Q: Should I bring trekking gear from home, or can I buy or rent trekking equipment in Nepal? Show AnswerIt is important that you have shoes that fit well, and you may want to purchase the key parts of your equipment in your home country. There are plenty of shops in Kathmandu and Pokhara which sell trekking equipment, but the quality is generally a bit lower than in Western countries for instance. Some items such as sleeping bags, trekking poles, and down jackets can easily be rented during the preparatory day (‘Day 0’) of our trek.

Q: We would like to bring things for the people in need, what can we bring? Show AnswerIt is very kind of you to want to bring something! Clothes and stationery for children is always welcome and needed in Nepal, this can really help. Much better than giving money.

On the trek

Q: What hotels/guesthouses will I stay at before and after the trek? Show AnswerAll yoga treks in the Annapurna and Mustang regions depart from Pokhara. Here, we usually spend the first and last nights of the trek at Big Pillow Inn.
Everest and Langtang region yoga treks leave from Kathmandu, and in such case your accommodation will be provided at a good standard hotel in central Kathmandu for the first and last night of your itinerary.

Q: What is the teahouse/mountain lodge accommodation like during the trek? Show AnswerThe accommodation on the trek is basic, which is often an adjustment for our guests. Beds are very simple with thin foam mattresses. Two trekking guests will usually share a room, and bathroom facilities are shared with several people. In some locations, only squatting toilets are available. Depending on electricity/hot water supply, hot showers may or may not be available.

Q: I am vegetarian/vegan etc. Is there food available to meet my needs? Show AnswerYes, most of the food on offer during the treks is vegetarian, in fact, in some of the higher altitude locations the consumption of meat is frowned upon or even prohibited for cultural and/or spiritual reasons.
The teahouses we have breakfast, lunch and dinner at usually have a good, wide range of food on offer: from traditional dal bhat (lentil and vegetable curries with rice) to more western dishes such as hash browns with fried eggs, many choices are available. The teahouses receive regular deliveries of fruit, vegetables, rice, potatoes, and noodles etc. which allow them to produce this range of food options. Snacks such as biscuits, candies, chocolate, and soft drinks are also available in many places.

Q: What is the best way for me to stay connected to the internet during the trek? Can I charge my phone and camera during my trek? Show AnswerMany of the teahouses have WiFi and most have electricity, however, this is not guaranteed and depends on many factors, including power supply. WiFi and phone/camera charging, where available, are usually offered for around 2.00 USD.

Q: If my family needs to reach me during the trek, is this possible? Do you have an emergency number I can give my family where they can call and reach me? Show AnswerWe will provide our mobile contact number, which you may pass on to your families. The reality is that there isn’t mobile coverage everywhere in the mountains but it is now more than it used to. An excellent way of reaching us is also through the email address. Incoming emails are continuously monitored by several colleagues.