NEPAL 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Trekking Through Nepal

                                                                      Photo Courtesy of 2011NepalTourism.blogspot.com 


"It's always further than it looks, it's always taller than it looks, and it's always harder than it looks."  - The Three Rules of Mountaineering

FAQ:

What should I expect when I arrive?
The city can be a bit overwhelming, and places like Thailand and Nepal just don't have the online presence to help people navigate through all the possibilities!


It is a very pushy place from the second you step off the plane. When you arrive at the airport don't let anyone touch your bags - you can carry them yourselves - or they will want money.   Even if they ‘help’ take your bag off your back and place it in the trunk directly next to you they will expect a tip. 


If you have a hotel already scheduled when you arrive they often have a pick-up service for free (although it is good to tip the driver a little bit). Otherwise good luck with the taxis! 


Everyone will be pushing and pushy trying to get you to take THEIR taxis.  Just a warning - it can be VERY overwhelming at night after a long flight!


Because the government is corrupt and being a tour guide is one of the best ways to make money (and rip off foreigners) in Nepal they will do their best to convince you to it is illegal for you to travel without a guide. Stick to your guns and don’t be bullied!


Do I need a visa for Nepal?
Yes.  You will need to get a 30 day visa upon arrival in Nepal for $40 each. You can exchange your money when you get there to rupees or if you have US I believe they take that too. 


You will need two passport photos for the visa.  If you don’t have them upon arrive there is a photo booth that will charge you a handsome fee for three passport photos, and although they have long hours they are not always open.


Is mid-March a good time to go? What is the weather like?
Mid-March is a great time to trek as it isn't monsoon season, the passes are snow free and the skies are mostly clear.


The weather in Kathmandu is really hot and it is one of the filthiest place we have ever been.


The weather in the hills and mountains is warm to hot and humid during the day and you could hike comfortably in shorts, t-shirt and tennis shoes. It gets a bit cool at night so we recommend pants, a fleece, long-johns would be nice if it gets really cold, a good jacket either down or something thick and waterproof. If you get a down you'll want a waterproof shell or a poncho for when it starts to rain although the monsoon rains should have passed by then. I personally liked having a down and a fleece for at night as I run cold, and then I had a waterproof shell, and a poncho that way depending on the weather during the day I could still sty dry without overheating. 
  
When is the best time to hike?
Nepal is beautiful all year round, but there are reasons it has its busy seasons.  Remember your camera – this is a land you will want to show others!


Autumn (September – November) is the best time to trek through Nepal, with gorgeous unobstructed mountain views, moderate temperatures, and clear skies.


Spring (March – May) is the second best time to trek while the wild flowers are blooming, but you do get the occasional cloudy day and a bit warmer temperatures.


Summer (June – August) is monsoon season, and although Kathmandu and the trails will have a lot less tourists you will have to combat the weather and the bugs (leeches!).  So bring your poncho and your patience it will be a wet and warm trek!


Winter (December – February) is good for trekking at lower levels, but not recommended for the higher hikes where there is occasional snow fall.


Is 3-4 weeks long enough, too long? How long should I plan for a hike?
12 days is what I would consider the bare minimum for Nepal, that includes two days flying in and out of Kathmandu, and 10 days on one of the smallest treks, the Anapurna Base Camp trek.  


3 - 4 weeks is a good amount of time for some of the more intense treks.


1 month - 3 months enough time for an amazing journey through multiple treks.


How much do you think I will end up spending once I am there (not including flight)?
Plan for $15-$30/day/person depending on the route that you choose. This is a really safe budget to go by (no matter what trek or season) and covers food, water and lodging and will leave you with some money for souvenirs and a 'splurge' night in Kathmandu, because you might just start craving pizza when you are on the trail!


By the way there is a great pizza place in Kathmandu across from the Third Eye Bakery and near the Kathmandu Guesthouse in the Thamel district called Wood Fire Pizza or something like that. The Third Eye Bakery has amazing cakes and food (a bit expensive at about $15 for both of us)


What is the currency and the exchange? Where can I exchange money?
The currency is Nepalese rupees, and stays pretty consistent around 79 rupees to $1USD, but you will probably exchange closer to 75 rupees to $1USD in town.


If you don't exchange enough at the airport you can change it when you get to Thamel.  There are places all over town that show the current exchange rate.  Some charge fees others don't.  While you are out shopping keep an eye on the boards and ask about fees, eventually you'll find the best deal.  They are all pretty similar in price.


I don’t want to go with a guide.  Do I have to have one? All the websites say you do.
You can definitely do it on your own. Every website you read will lead you to believe that you can't.  We believe that it is a lot more fun/adventurous to go by yourself and not with a guide. A lot of places and websites will lead you to believe that you cannot do it without a guide - this is not true at all.


You will need a really good guide book which you can easily pick up in Kathmandu. Make sure it includes really good maps of your specific trek. 


However, if you are travelling alone, or can’t travel light, then you might want a guide just to keep you company along the trail or to carry your extra heavy pack.  You can pay for a guide ahead of time in Kathmandu and they run about 800 rupees/day or $10.36 USD (depending on the currency conversion), and you will want to consider this into your budget, too.  You can also start out without a guide and hire one while you are out on the trail if you find you need/want one.  They are often harder to come by, and will cost more, closer to 1,500 – 2,000 rupees per day. 


The travel agents in Kathmandu will try to convince you that you will die or it is illegal to go without a guide – this is not the case, but a simply a very good sales tactic. 


If you don’t go with a guide, how do you find your way around? Are the trails easily marked?
The trek from Jiri is really beautiful, but if you do it without a guide - make sure do get a guide book, and learn some key phrase to ask the people.  The villagers are very helpful and if you ever look lost they will point the way.


It can get a little confusing and I am glad that we had a book and that Justin learned the phrases he did, but there are also signs, occasionally to help you.


You don't need a guide, but spending the money on a good book will really save you a lot of money in the end!


Can I buy/rent everything we need when I get there?
The clothing and trekking accessories are less than half of what you would pay in the States especially for their knockoff brands such as North Face. The gear is good even if you don't pay for name brands, you can pay normal US prices at the actual NorthFace and Mammoth stores etc. . .


You can rent anything you need but if you are going to be gone for three weeks you might as well buy the stuff.  They will try to hustle you there, but just start bargaining around half price and you will meet somewhere in the middle.


Are there shops in Kathmandu where I can buy warm clothes?
Yes, there are more shops than you will be able to count! Everything from the real deal (available only at the actual North Face Shop) to the knock-offs which are available in every hole in the wall.  You will be overwhelmed with how many shops there are!


Plan a shopping day, shop around and bargain.  Walk out if they try to rip you off (you’ll get an idea of how much costs by walking around – a lot of things are marked, but if they aren’t just ask).


Try to be the first customer. . . it is bad luck if you barter with them and they don't sell to you! 


Most of the shops open around 10:AM, and eventually they will all open. 


Keep in mind the city is very hot, but the mountains are much cooler - not freezing, there is no snow on the trek through Jiri, but perhaps near base camp you'll see some! :D


What should I pack?
!!!Pack lightly!!!!  We packed too much and were too prepared.  Over prepared for snow, cold weather, camping, cooking our own food, etc. . . This mistake cost us our health and we missed out on seeing as much as we would have liked too, because our packs were far too heavy for the heat, altitude, and distance that we chose. 


You don't really need much.  Only bring what you think you really need! This is what we suggest, but leave out anything you think you can live without.


Stuff to buy/bring per person: 1-pair long underwear pants


Clothing:
1-Hiking Pants
1-2 pair of shorts
1-Under Armor type of shirt (long sleeved)
1-fleece jacket/sweatshirt
1-Waterproof Shell Jacket (if not waterproof pack a light-weight poncho)
Lots of polyester socks (if you get polyester linings for underneath your socks then you can change those every day, and your outer socks when needed.  The polyester linings are much lighter and smaller for packing.
Hiking shoes (tennis shoes can work)
Pair of sandals for letting your feet air out when you get to a guesthouse - you don't want to walk around barefoot


Accessories:
Light gloves if you run cold
Sunglasses
Basic first aide kit (blisters are common when breaking in boots) or duct tape is a great way to prevent blisters from getting bad.  It sticks better than Band-Aids, costs less and is thicker so it prevents more rubbing.


Accessories (optional):
Hat - keeps the sun off your face (we didn't have hats but sunglasses - which was fine)
Fleece head warmer for my ears. (bring if you run cold)
Cocoon for at night, or a light blanket. Most of the guesthouses provide blankets (really it’s a sheet) and 'pillows' (usually very firm and full of sand, or hay).  (bring if you run cold)


Toiletries:
TOILET PAPER! Pick some up in Kathmandu, pull out the cardboard tubing (if applicable) for space-saving purposes, and don’t leave Kathmandu without it! Difficult to purchase on the trail, and very expensive.
Toothbrush and toothpaste – you will have to buy water along the way and brush wherever/whenever you can.  We were spitting outside of windows a lot.
Hand sanitizer
Deodorant and other basic hygiene necessities. . .
Baby wipes because you are not always guaranteed a shower. (optional – personally I like them)


Misc:
A plastic bag for garbage and a few plastic sacks for really dirty clothes are nice to have too – it keeps your clean clothes fresher longer, and then you don’t have to smell them every time you open your bag and believe me – it gets really strong.
Duct Tape – again: a great way to prevent blisters from getting bad.  It sticks better than Band-Aids, costs less and is thicker so it prevents more rubbing.
Camera  Remember your camera!!!  We only had a GoPro and we regret this!
Extra Passport photos.  You can also purchase these in Kathmandu if you need to.  You will need these for your permits.


How do I do laundry when I am on the trail for weeks at a time?
There aren’t very many places that will do your laundry, if any, when you are on the trail, but you can do laundry in Kathmandu (they charge by weight) and some guesthouses will do your laundry for you for a price, but then you have to wait a few days for it to dry.


What trail did you guys do? Would you recommend it?
These are some of the treks we did, and heard about from others who had been there before.  Please make sure you get your permits ahead of time (see below for where to get your permits).


Justin and I did the trail from Jiri to Everest Base Camp, unfortunately we packed too much, got really sick, and didn't make it all the way (it is the long route instead of flying into Lukla and hiking to base camp from there).


Flying into Lukla - The Everest Base Camp trek is very popular, and because of altitude sickness you really have to take your time.  Guesthouses in this area a little more expensive but you could easily stay under a $30/day budget.  Bring your own toilet paper – it is very expensive here! 20 days is doable for this trek, but you are risking altitude sickness if you don't rest a few days when arriving in Lukla.  


We also did the Langtang trail which we both highly recommend as you can see three mountain ranges the Tibetan, Ganesh and the Langtang Hymal.


We really enjoyed staying in Syabru, a high mountain village where you can get a view of all three mountain ranges. There are the holy lakes of Gosaikund that are even higher up and promise an even better view, but I can't vouch their awesomeness as we were still recovering from getting sick from some bad food and exhaustion on the last trek and the hike up there just wasn't possible.


It is a nice trek as it is a gradual climb (exception: the climb to Syabru is very steep but worth every step), the villages are well spaced and you can stay in a guesthouse whenever you want.


There are monkeys, waterfalls, gorgeous hills, valleys and mountains, and the end result at Langtang is suppose to be pretty amazing. There is a 'smaller' mountain that you can peak where you can rent a tent from the village when you get there (which is nice 'cause you don't want that weight).


This trek would be perfect for a three week time span (including spending time shopping in Kathmandu, and travelling by bus - one day there and one day back). It is also off the beat path so there aren't a lot of tourists.


You can also do treks in this area that have actual 'home-stays' where you can experience the culture and really live with the people - looks pretty amazing! We can give you more specifics on this specific trek: trails, traveling, tickets, food, clothing etc if you are interested in taking this one. 




There is also the Annapurna Circuit which is very popular for a reason it is beautiful and for all hiking levels! It takes about three weeks to hike around the mountain range so everything is new because you don't have to double back on your trail. The other way is to do an out and back to the Annapurna base camp which is also suppose to be really beautiful.  It takes about two weeks to accomplish this trek.


Other than Everest this is probably the most popular, but it is suppose to be the best trek in the world to do. Guesthouses and food in this area are a little more expensive but you could easily stay under a $25/day budget. 


How do I purchase a bus ticket to Jiri?
Justin will be adding information on how to purchase a ticket soon!


How do I purchase a ticket to Lukla?
The flights to Lukla are a little expensive because there are only a few airlines that go there. They are about $121/person/one way from Kathmandu, and another $121 to return to Kathmandu.


Here is the website we know of where you can purchase flights: http://www.hotelnepal.com/yeti_airlines/index.php


Also, just so you are aware, Lukla is the most dangerous airport in the world to fly in and out of because of the way the strip is set up. You have to fly directly toward the mountain. One plane did go down while we were there and 20 people died, but I'll be honest - I was begging Justin to let us fly to Lukla just for the experience! 


What do you recommend for lodging while in Kathmandu? Should I book in advance?
I recommend booking in advance if you are trekking during either of the two more popular times Spring (March – May) and Fall (September – November).  


Chances are if you don’t get something before you go – there is somewhere you will be able to stay once you get there, but you won’t be able to be choosey. 


In Kathmandu we stayed at hotel called Encounter Nepal, which we recommend, because we had our own bathroom with hot water, it was clean and the staff was very friendly – like family by the time we left.  The Encounter Nepal was $25/night including breakfast (price booked online). There are plenty of guesthouses in Thamel for much cheaper and who knows they might have hot water. But the hot water luxury returned our spirits to good health after returning from the trail sick.  


We were able to leave all of our extra stuff behind at the hotel (highly recommended) because they know that you are planning to come back for another night. We left electronics, money, tons of important stuff and felt perfectly safe doing so, plus Justin's favorite part was the free breakfast and we loved the waiters at the restaurant! Really sweet guys - they actually were choking back tears when we left! 


Check www.bookings.com for good deals and to reserve a room, or www.agoda.com.


The Kathmandu Guesthouse is very inexpensive and nice, but books up quickly so you will want to book ahead of time.  They have rooms ranging from $5 and up.


You can easily walk down the main road in Thamel and get a guesthouse room or a hostel for much, much cheaper closer to the $5/night mark. But be prepared to be hassled.


What you pay is up to you and what level of comfort, security and cleanliness you want.


What can I do with my extra luggage while I'm hiking?
We were able to leave all of our extra stuff behind at the hotel (highly recommended) because they know that you are planning to come back for another night. We left electronics, money, tons of important stuff and felt perfectly safe doing - of course this will depend on your hotel.


What is lodging on the trail like? Do I have to camp?
Guesthouses are scattered everywhere and are easy to come by.  There are not many spots to camp, and often you have to pay just as much for these spots as you do for a guesthouse room.


What is the average price of a guesthouse?
Guesthouses run about $2.50 - $3.00/night (for a single or double occupancy room) and the meals were about $1.50. We planned for $15/day/person and it was easy to stay well under the limit but in Kathmandu it was more difficult. 


The price of the food and the guesthouses will go up slightly during the prime hiking seasons (Spring and Fall) or on the more popular routes like the Everest Base Camp, but they should still average under $5 and never more than $10/night.


What are the guesthouses like?
They are very small and clean.  Often only a 10’ x 10’ room with a bed or two, complete with sheet and pillow.  The beds are moderately comfortable and the bathrooms clean.  The bathrooms never had a western style toilet, but consisted of a squatter placed in the cement laid room with a bucket of water – so bring your own toilet paper – they are usually inside the guesthouse, but don’t be surprised if it is more like an outhouse. 


Sometimes you can get free board because they really make their money off of the food.  Every guesthouse has a kitchen and they will be so happy to feed you. 


It is an insult if you bring your own food.  Check the price of food before agreeing to stay at a guesthouse by asking to see their menu. 


We learned to ask if they were a good cook! You pay for your entire tab when you leave.


What are the prices in Kathmandu like?
Prices in Kathmandu are around $5 - $10 per night at a guesthouse, the food ranges (depending on how western it is) from $2 - $5 per plate, and the clothing and trekking accessories are less than half of what you would pay in the States especially for their knockoff brands such as North Face. The gear is good even if you don't pay for name brands, you can pay normal US prices at the actual North Face and Mammoth stores etc. . .


You can rent anything you need but if you are going to be gone for three weeks you might as well buy the stuff. 


How do you eat when you are on the trail? Do I need to bring my own food?
You won't need to worry about carrying or cooking food, but good hiking snacks for the trail are recommended as they get expensive along the trail (although you can get coconut crackers which are inexpensive life savers). There isn't a way to fill up your water bottles so no being green out there, you will have to buy bottled water along the way this ranges 15 rupees (in town) to over 100 rupees along the trail - so make sure you factor in your water intake.


Sometimes you can get free board because they really make their money off of the food.  Every guesthouse has a kitchen and they will be so happy to feed you.  It is an insult if you bring your own food.  Check the price of food before agreeing to stay at a guesthouse by asking to see their menu.  We learned to ask if they were a good cook! You pay for your entire tab when you leave.


Should I purchase travel insurance? It says online that it’ll cost me thousands of dollars to be air-lifted out if I get hurt.
I don’t want to tell you that you should or shouldn’t purchase travel insurance, because if something were to happen I don’t want you to be cursing my name, but I will tell you what we did. 


We did look into getting travel insurance before we left, and Justin found some really great deals. Message us if you would like some good websites for purchasing insurance. You are probably looking at around $250 for the month, but I can't remember if that was each or together for us.


We didn't end up purchasing travel insurance (my mother would kill us if she read this!). The worst that happened to us was that we got too sick to carry our ridiculously heavy bags (I’m talking 75lbs for Justin and 50lb for myself!), so we hired a porter for two days to carry our stuff for us back to Jiri. I don't think that you guys will be in such dangerous situations where you will need a helicopter. The worst that will probably happen is food poisoning for a few days - so you rest up and wait it out.


The danger level isn't so high that you'll fall off a cliff and break something, the trails are quite wide and established for the most part.  People do go missing, get hurt, and do have to be airlifted out, but you can decide how risky you will be while trekking.


When we talked to someone about getting a helicopter out (this was on the Langtang trail heading to Kathmandu) they said it was a few hundred dollars - not thousands like you read on the internet (we read the same thing). We considered getting a helicopter or small plane out at one point because we wanted to go further into the trail and we didn't have enough time to hike back out, but we decided against it and did an off shoot trail to Syabru (highly recommend).


You talked about leeches a lot? Any recommendations?
Bring salt or a lighter just in case you get a leech. . .I never trek without them anymore!, although you probably won’t need it during the prime hiking season or on the more popular routes like the Annapurna or Lukla to Everett Base Camp.


You don’t want to pull the leech off because it will leave its teeth inside your skin and you risk an infection.   Simply put salt on it until it shrivels off, or burn a twig and then stick it to the leech.


Do I need any permits for these treks? Where can I purchase them?
Yes, you will have to buy permits when you get there.  It was 2,000 rupees each ($25 each) for us to go to the Langtang district and the Jiri trek, and it can be even more costly in other areas.


You can get your TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) card (or pass) which you can get at most Kathmandu travel agencies (they will try to convince you that you will DIE without a travel agent - they used these scare tactics on us every day we were in Kathmandu). But we just got to the check point (bring extra passport pics for less hassle - 2 each) and said we didn't know anything about it, filled out the paperwork (didn't have pics -ooops!) and paid the fee. They seemed slightly annoyed but it wasn't bad at all - it did hold up the bus a little. But you get to avoid the travel agencies in the big city which is a definite plus!


You can check to see if you need one for the area you are going to or what other permits you will need: www.taan.org.np or www.timsnepal.com or www.welcomnepal.com.


You can pick up the TIMS card from those (see links) offices as well (just tell them you already have a guide if they ask - they didn't ask us at the check point). They have an office located in Kathmandu.


Will I get sick while I’m in Nepal?
They say everyone gets sick at least once in Nepal, whether it is from the food or the altitude - it usually only lasts 24 hours.  We had four days of pure hell, but we were completely exhausted from having too much weight in our packs! Keep it light!  


Will I need any medications?
Yes! But, I recommend getting your diarrhea pills ahead of time! You can't get them at any pharmacy here in Thailand or in the U.S.  Justin had to run to the next town over to get pills - while he was sick, and I ended up being allergic to them.  


Will I get altitude sickness? How will I know? What do I do?
Altitude sickness is very serious, and can be life threatening, but if you know the signs you can adjust your trek immediately and accordingly.  Altitude sickness is not about whether you are healthy or not, young or old, weak or strong – it hits everyone differently and some not at all.


We know a couple in their mid-60s who hiked the Anapurna Circuit.  There pace was slow and steady, but they finished their route and saw everything that they came to see.  A few of the young people that they met along the way didn’t have the same luck.  Because they were so fit and eager to accomplish the trek faster than the books suggested they fell victim to altitude sickness.  They ignored the symptoms and pressed on only to have to stop their trek and spend many days back tracking to lower altitudes and resting.


It is important to take it slow and listen to what your body is telling you.  Please, go the pace that is recommended in your guide book, or slower if you need to – there is no shame in taking it easy on these treks.  Altitude sickness is very serious so please be aware of the symptoms, and stop to rest when they occur.


•  The Symptoms of Altitude Sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS):
Everyone experiences these symptoms to varying degrees:


Normal Symptoms (the beginning stages but not serious):
•         Loss of appetite
•         Wild dreams
•         Tiredness
•         The need to catch your breath or shortness of breath


Mild Symptoms (you only need one of these symptoms to have AMS):
•         Headaches Sleeplessness or Dizziness
•         Increased Urination
•         Constant runny nose
•         The need to sleep more than 10 hours
•         Nausea
•         Excessive tiredness


Serious Symptoms (do not go any higher if you suffer from any of these symptoms):
•         Vomiting
•         Severe Headaches
•         Feeling of being drunk
•         Loss of consciousness
•         Persistent cough
•         It sounds like there is liquid in your lungs
•         Difficulty Breathing
•         Breathless even while resting
•         Rapid heart beat
•         Lethargic
•         Coughing up of blood


AMS may set in at any time it can happen within hours or even days after you have reached a higher altitude.  It is important to watch for early warning signs.  If you are excessively tired it is not because you are sick or are not fit enough, it is because you need to get use to or down from the high altitude.


•   What you should do if you are experiencing symptoms of AMS:
You won’t feel completely normal at altitudes above 3,000m, but if you have mild symptoms stop, get out of the sun, and drink as many fluids as you can.  Do not continue to ascend if you have any of the Mild symptoms.  If have mild symptoms stay at the same level and rest, take an asprin for your headache, drink plenty of water, and sleep.  If you feel better the next day, you should still rest – enjoy the village around you, and continue on the next morning.  If you do not feel better you need to descend to a lower altitude until the symptoms go away.


You cannot tell the difference between a headache caused by dehydration or AMS just by how they feel, but whereas ascending upwards with a headache caused by dehydration won’t have serious consequences, ascending with an AMS headache can have dire consequences, even death.


Justin will write more on how to avoid altitude sickness with a simply formula on how much to hike per day/1,000m.  And sleeping in high altitudes.


What are some of the phrases I should learn?
Here are some of the phrases we learned (and Justin nailed) while in Nepali, although they do speak some English in Kathmandu as they are used to dealing with tourist.  Most of the more remote villages will not speak any English however a lot of the guesthouses speak the basics that you need to get by with. 


You can pick up phrase book in Nepal as well, or your guidebook should have some of these.  You can also write these into your guidebook if you don’t want to carry around two books.


Useful Terms:
Thank you - Dhanyabaad (don-ya-bod)
How much does it cost? - Yasko Kati ho? (yas-koe ka-tea-hoe)
Yes. - Ho (hoe)
No. – Hoina (hoe-e-na)


Greetings:
The basic greeting in Nepali – Namaste (nam-a-stay)
How are you? – Tapaain laai kasto chha?
Fine, and you? – Theek chha tapaain laai?
How old are you? – Tapaain kati barsa ko hunu bhayo?
Where are you from? – Tapaain ko baata aauner bhacks?
I am from . . . – Ma . . .  baata aaeko hun.
My name is. . . – Mero naan . . . ho.
What is your name? Tapaain ko naam ke ho?


Directions:
IMPORTANT TO LEARN WHEN TRAVELLING WITH OUT A GUIDE: Which trail goes to (name of town)? – Samma kun bato jaanchha?
What is the name of this town? – Yo gaau ko naam ke ho?
Where does this trail go up to? – Yo baato kahaasamma jaanchha?
How far is it? – Kati taadha chha?
Where is the bathroom? – Charpi kahaan chha?


Inquiries:
I am looking for. . . – Ma . . . khojdichhu.
May I ask a question? – Eutaa prasna sodhnasakchhu?
When is breakfast? – Naashtaa kati bajyo?
How much does it cost? - Yasko Kati ho? (yas-koe ka-tea-hoe)
I would like to wash these clothes. – Ma yo lugaa dhulaauna chaahanchhu.


Food and Drink:
I would like. . . – Malaai . . . chaahiyo.
It is good. – Yo raamro chha!
A glass of water. – Ek paani.
Hot water – taato paani


Descriptions:
I have a headache. – Malaai taauko dukheko chha.
I am . . .
hungry – Malaai bhok laagyo.
Tired – thakaai laagyo.
Cold – jaado laagyo.
Hot – garmi laagyo.
I need medicine for. . . – Malaai . . . ko ausadhi chaahi yo.
Where is the nearest pharmacy? – Majikmaa ausadhi pasal kahaa chha?
Diarrhea – disaa laagne; jhaaraa pakhaalaa


Numbers:
1 – ek
2 – dui
3 – tin
4 – chaar
5 - paanch
6 – chha
7 – saat
8 – aath
9 – nau
10 - das

This information is based upon our trip and experiences.  You are trekking through the mountains - expect the unexpected!