MONSOON Newsletter – June 2026 Namaste! The Spring trekking season was unexpectedly a good one for us at Crystal Mountain Treks. Crystal Mountain Trek’s trekkers plan their trips months (and even years) ahead; and almost all of them did not cancel their trip even after trouble began brewing in West Asia. At the beginning of...Read More
PERMITS FOR SOLO TREKKERS According to new rules, trekkers can now trek the restricted areas of Nepal as a SOLO trekker. The previous requirement that there must be a minimum of two trekkers has been revised. Earlier, trekkers and trekking companies skirted this requirement by making permits for a second “ghost” trekker. But this still...Read More
My Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek Plans are made to be changed. Last year, after my Teri La pass trek, I had planned to do the Upper Dolpo Trek in 2026. Instead, the Dhaulagiri trek was written in the cards. So, as part of my ritual of trekking two routes every year, I trekked the Dhaulagiri Circuit...Read More
PROGRESS IN ELIMINATING FAKE HELICOPTER RESCUES In March 2026, the Nepal Government indicted 32 individuals for involvement in rescue scams. They include owners of helicopter charter companies, owners of trekking companies, employees of helicopter companies and staff/owners of clinics based in Kathmandu. Read this article by Ratopati which has a list of those accused of...Read More
Winter Newsletter – December 2025 Namaste! We’re slowly winding down after an eventful but relatively busy Autumn trekking season. The Gen Z uprising happened just before trekking groups began to arrive in early September. Bill S was trekking with Rajbir in the Langtang region at that time. Bill did complete the trek, made it safely...Read More
MY TREK FROM NAR PHU TO UPPER MUSTANG It had been two years since my last long trek into the Himalayas – my last trek was to Makalu Base Camp in 2023. Usually, I would go on one or two treks every year. Just me and a few of my guides. From these treks, I...Read More
TIPPING ON TREKS IN NEPAL A tip is a gratuity paid to show appreciation for EXCEPTIONAL service. Over the years tipping trek staff after a trek in Nepal has become common and, unfortunately, expected. While some nationalities like the Americans tip quite generously, others like Australians don’t have much of a tipping culture. This is...Read More
NAMASTE!!! The Spring trekking/climbing season has just concluded. There is nothing much interesting to report on the trekking front but, like always, interesting things did happen in the mountaineering world. Kami Rita Sherpa, 54, completed his 31st ascent of Mount Everest. Oh, and 4 British climbers reached the top of Everest in under 7 days...Read More
Vaccinations for travel to Nepal: No vaccination is REQUIRED for travel to Nepal; some are recommended. A majority of the travelers to Nepal who get infected with disease are because they consume contaminated food and water. All travelers should however be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters. Click links for vaccinations recommended by...Read More
Dengue in Nepal If you are planning to go on a trek in Nepal, it is important to be aware of the recent proliferation of dengue in Kathmandu and Pokhara. While cases spike in the post-monsoon months in Autumn (October and November), the virus has become endemic and cases are reported all months of the...Read More
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