Trekking Agents
In addition to normal travel agencies, Nepal has a special group of travel
agencies that are licensed as
trekking companies. In theory, a trekking company
arranges treks and does not handle air tickets and transportation, while a
travel agency does handle transportation but does not arrange for Sherpas,
porters and food for treks. In practice, either kind of company manages to
furnish all the facilities that are needed for any aspect of travel and
trekking.
There are more than 100 trekking agencies in Nepal, ranging from large
companies that operate in cooperation with major overseas agents to small
operations that support a single family. The following is an arbitrary list of
agents who have a reliable history and are likely to reply to correspondence and
faxes from overseas. The list includes the biggest and best trekking companies,
those that have office staff and can deal with correspondence and a few small
ones that have made a name for themselves.
A complete list of trekking companies is available from the Department of
Tourism or from TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal). PO Box 3612,
Kantipath, Kathmandu.
A walk through the bazaars of Kathmandu will uncover many trekking company
offices that are not on this list or even the list prepared by TAAN. Many of
these are reliable and easy to deal with in person once you arrive in Nepal, and
some can handle inquiries by mail or fax.
You can get a lot of advice from trekking companies, but remember that they
are trying to sell you their services. You will be more welcome and get more
comprehensive information if you choose one company and work with them to plan
your trek and then buy your air tickets and rent equipment through them. |