SPECIAL EDITION SPECIAL VOL. 7 BUCKET NEPAL LISTER CONTENTS 2020, odd one this. 26 NEPALESE TEA I can’t remember the last time I spent so much time in this country, and if I hear someone WHAT’S HOUSES say “you’re on mute” one more time… Well, some things are better left unsaid. INSIDE? After ten months of confusing regulations and conflicting messages (“don’t go outside, but only meet outside!”), it only seemed apt that we use this edition of The Bucketlister to visit 28 the Country of Contrasts. 4 FAQS FROM KEITH AVOIDING ALTITUDE In true Covid-style, it’ll have to be done in spirit. But that doesn’t mean you can’t lose MOUNTAIN 18 yourself in these pages that are simply dripping with the rich traditions and snow-capped STYLE SICKNESS AT peaks of the world’s most silently stunning country. 5 MINUTES WITH DIZZYING HEIGHTS Welcome to Nepal, my friends. DAN JONES Take half an hour to forget all about Boris, Biden and baking banana bread, because here 10 What’s it really like in the begins your Nepalese love affair. THE LESSER Ngorongoro Conversation area This is a read you won’t want to miss, featuring everything you need to know about this KNOWN 32 GET TO KNOW magical land, where dreams come true and… Well let’s not go too far. MOUNTAINS A GUIDE - KITAP Should you begin with Base Camp or on the Annapurna Circuit? Are there any other TAMANG mountains worth doing, aside the world’s highest? And is there anything to do for those OF NEPAL 18 A DIFFERENT KIND who can’t think of anything worse than climbing through blizzards to a stormy peak?! OF ADVENTURE IN It’s all inside this month’s edition of The Bucketlister. And whether you’re a mountaineer NEPAL or a wildlife nerd, you’ll soon discover why travellers return to Nepal again and again. And 34 THE ETERNAL again. 14 DOLPHINS DEBATE: EBC OR So let it fill you up! We might not be able to get back to proper adventure travel just yet, but IN NEPAL?! ANNAPURNA? we can still drool. 22 HOW HARD IS NOTE WELCOME EVEREST BASE TO CHITWAN CAMP REALLY? NATIONAL PARK 38 ANDREA ON Keith Crockford A ANNAPURNA Founder 24 GOTTA GO GOKYO 2 thebucketlistcompany.co.uk | THE BUCKETLISTER VOL7 | | THE BUCKETLISTER VOL7 | thebucketlistcompany.co.uk 3 MOUNTAIN STYLE 1. WHICH VACCINATIONS DO YOU NEED FOR 3. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WEATHER HOLDS TREKKING IN NEPAL? US UP? Most trips to exciting places abroad necessitate vaccinations these It’s all about patience, my friend. Whatever the weather’s doing, days but you’re not actually legally required to have any specific we’ll always try and get you on one of the first flights of the day vaccinations to enter Nepal. Still, there are vaccinations we’d FAQS to Lukla, where the trekking starts. That way, we’ve got some recommend you have, to be on the safe side. And the good news is time to play with if a storm’s holding up the plane. that it’s highly likely you’ve already had at least a few of them: Tetanus Meningoccal Meningitis We’ll wait at the airport until it’s safe to fly and only return to the hotel if we really think it’s not going to clear up, then we’ll Hepatitus A Japanese Encephalitis try again the next day. It’s really rare for the weather to hold up MOUNTAIN Hepatitus B Yellow Fever (but only a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla for any significant time, so if you’re travelling from keep your chin up and hope for the best! Typhoid another country with Poliomyelitis Yellow Fever) Depending on which dates you choose, you’ll have at least Rabies one extra free day built into your itinerary, which we can use STYLE to make up for time lost waiting for flights. And if all else fails, Every little detail you need to know And if you’re adding a safari extension to Chitwan National Park to we can hail a helicopter (though at an additional cost – be about trekking to Everest Base Camp your trek, you might want to take anti-malarial medication too. Have warned!). a chat with your GP and they’ll be able to tell you what you’ve already 4. HOW MUCH BAGGAGE CAN I TAKE TO BASE If you’re thinking of adding this iconic trek to your Bucket List, you’ve had, what you still need and when you should get your jabs. probably got a few questions you’ll want answering first. Am I going CAMP? to be fit enough? How can I make sure my phone lasts long enough 2. CAN I GET A SHOWER ON THE TREK? While you’ll be able to take 23kg of hold baggage for your to capture some truly epic photos? And when should I go!? We’re not complete animals – of course you can! You’ll have plenty international flight, it’s just 15kg that’s allowed on the internal of opportunities to get a good wash throughout the trek. Only thing If these questions are sounding familiar, you’re not alone. We get flight to Lukla. You could buy additional weight, but this is is, some of the showers are solar-powered, so if it’s been a cloudy asked all sorts of stuff about each and every trip we run, so here’s a Nepal and there’s no guaranteeing that your extra weight will couple of days and we haven’t seen much sun, you’re going to want quick round-up of the most frequently asked for Base Camp. end up on the same flight as you! to keep your shower pretty short. Generally, we advise our Bucketlisters to bring an extra bag Tea houses also charge a few £’s for a shower, but many of these are to leave at the hotel in Kathmandu with their surplus weight warm showers! inside, and only take the things they really need for the trek But are you sure you don’t want to go hardcore and only shower to Lukla. It’s also worth thinking carefully about how you pack. once you’re back in Kathmandu after the end of the trek?! Now that’s Make sure you don’t use your day sac as your hand luggage for a shower. However you choose to play it, just make sure you bring the international flights – no one wants a dirty, dusty bag with some wet wipes because, well, you know. them on a claustrophobic aeroplane! 4 thebucketlistcompany.co.uk | THE BUCKETLISTER VOL7 | | THE BUCKETLISTER VOL7 | thebucketlistcompany.co.uk 5 MOUNTAIN STYLE MOUNTAIN STYLE 5. HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE DO I REALLY NEED 8. WHEN’S THE BEST TIME TO TREK TO EVEREST more and book accordingly! FOR BASE CAMP? BASE CAMP? 9. HOW HIGH IS EVEREST BASE CAMP? SOMETHING ELSE ON YOUR The short answer? Not a huge amount. As long as you’ve got a Trekking season in Nepal runs from September to November and Pretty high! Perched on the Khumbu Glacier, 5,600m above sea level at the MIND? good level of basic physical fitness and you take a decent number March to May. foot of Everest’s south side, Base Camp awaits with arms wide open. So there you have it, the ten hottest of long walks in the run-up to your trek, you should be fine. That’s You’d have to be very brave to tackle the mountains during questions we get asked by Bucketlisters the beauty of doing Base Camp rather than the summit! (If you 10. HOW DO I GET A NEPALESE VISA FROM THE UK? the winter months! dreaming of Base Camp. want the long answer, head to page 22.) People of all nationalities need a Visa to travel to Nepal. We expect there’ll be Got any questions of your own? Don’t a return to pre-Covid regulations once international travel restrictions ease, hesitate to send an email to letsgo@ 6. HOW MUCH SPENDING MONEY DO I NEED? which would mean that you can simply apply and pay for your Nepal Visa thebucketlistcompany.co.uk and fire away! Might I ask where exactly you’re planning to spend this money?! upon entry. All you need to take with you is the money to pay for it. All your food and accommodation during the trek will be included The last time we checked, a 30-day Visa was $40 and a 90-day was $100. with your spot on the Bucket List adventure. If you want to buy But don’t forget that Visa requirements and charges are subject to change extra snacks to keep you going during the trek, make sure you without notice, so keep an eye on the Government page for travel to Nepal stock up lower down the mountain, as things get pricier the higher in the run-up to your trip. you go. There’ll be the odd meal in Kathmandu to pay for and, of course, you might be lured into buying some souvenirs in the market. Other than that, you might need a little cash to pay for charging your devices or if you want any extra Wi-Fi. But there are ATMs in Namche Bazaar if you get desperate! 7. CAN I REALLY CHARGE MY PHONE ON MY WAY The Autumn months are the most popular thanks to the full days TO BASE CAMP?! of blue skies and sunshine that appear once monsoon season’s finished.