Trekking in Nepal with Children
Known for the breathtaking landscapes, Himalayan majesty, and its cultural uniqueness, Nepal is a land which beckons adventure enthusiasts from all over the world to explore the trekking trails of the country.
However, while trekking in Nepal is often perceived as an activity for thrill seekers and seasoned trekkers, it can also be a great option for a family time in the lap of nature.
As more and more families uncover the joy of trekking in Nepal with children, questions might arise regarding how you can make the trek more feasible and doable for the children.
Therefore, in this blog, we discuss the know-how of trekking in Nepal with children. By the end of this blog, you will be completely equipped with all the information to help your children have the experience of a lifetime.
Why Trekking in Nepal is Great for Families?
First things first, let’s start by debunking some common myths. When you think of trekking, an image of a tired dedicated mountain explorer might conjure up in your mind. Same is the case with people who limit the trails of Nepal to seasoned explorers.
However, that is not the case. Trekking in Nepal with children can be an extremely rewarding experience for families and it is not arduous or unsuitable at all, contrary to popular beliefs.
It is in fact quite easy. All you have to do is indulge in proper research and preparation before the trek and try to take some caution throughout the trek.
Coming to why you should choose Nepal for your family adventure, there are a number of reasons. Firstly, Nepal is a treasure trove of experiences with a wide range of trekking routes and landscapes that your children can explore based on their age group.
Secondly, the vibrant cultures and hospitality of Nepal is something that you will not find anywhere else in the world. The cultural exchanges that your children will have here will be invaluable in teaching them about diversity.
Most importantly, the trekking trails of Nepal are considered rather safe for your children and the locals are also known for their care and kindness which will make you feel secure throughout your trek.
Choosing the Right Trek for your Family
The best trek for people trekking in Nepal with children is a subjective choice which can depend on family to family. It depends on many factors. Some of them are given below:
Age
Age of your children is one of the major factors to consider while opting for a trekking route in Nepal. This is the key in deciding the difficulty and duration of the trek.
While no trekking route is limited to a certain age group, children of younger ages might enjoy it more if it is a shorter trek like Ghorepani Poonhill Trek with minimum difficulty and challenges.
However, for children of the older age group, you can consider slightly challenging options with longer duration and higher altitudes, like the Langtang Valley Trek and even Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Having said that, sometimes children might surprise you. There are instances where young children have conquered the Everest Base Camp Trek. So, it also depends on the agility of your children.
Fitness Level
Assess the overall fitness level of your family well before picking a trekking route in Nepal. While trekking in Nepal might not require the fitness levels of an athlete, it sure requires a basic level of physical fitness.
And while it is possible to gain basic level of fitness with proper physical preparation, don’t expect a huge transformation within a few months. So it is best to pick a trekking route accordingly.
Interests
You can also pick a suitable trekking route based on the interests and preferences of your family. While some children prefer wildlife interactions, others might prefer cultural immersion. Pick a trek accordingly.
Similarly, if your child wants to forge new camaraderie, it is good to trek in the peak trekking seasons with a lot of crowds. However, if your child prefers silence and tranquility, you can opt for trekking in the off seasons too.
Preparing for Trekking in Nepal with Children
Select a Family-Friendly Itinerary
No matter which treks you choose, when trekking in Nepal with children, you should make sure that you are planning an itinerary which is suitable for your children.
Any standard itinerary suitable for adults might not always be ideal as it can be too fast paced for kids to catch up to. What we need to do is make the trek easy for the young trekkers to conquer.
While it is best to ask your trekking agency to customize the itinerary for you, if you are doing it yourself then place your main focus on three aspects of the itinerary- pacing, acclimatization, and flexibility.
When tweaking the itinerary, make sure that you include ample rest days for acclimatization, gradual ascent, and shorter daily hikes. Add shorter trekking days covering less distance and less altitude difference to prevent altitude sickness.
Don’t keep a tight schedule. Have a flexible itinerary allowing you for modifications, delays, and extra days in case of slow walking pace, bad weather, or any medical emergency.
If you get bored during the additional acclimatization days, you can go and explore the areas nearby which can be quite fun. However, you must be prepared to return from the middle of the trek too while trekking with children!
Physical Preparation
Trekking in Nepal is quite demanding given the diverse and rough terrains and even an adult with prior experience might struggle with it at times. To help your kids for the trek, make sure to start their physical preparation well in advance.
One mistake that you should avoid is make your kids follow the same fitness regime that is available online as these fitness plans are usually made considering adults. This might not cater to the age group of your kids.
It is best to plan a different training regime based on their stamina and endurance. Regular walks or small hikes to nearby places can be a good starting point. It is even better if the hikes feature slight altitude gain.
Besides that, cardiovascular exercises like running, swimming, cycling, and even dancing can be great for kids as it strengthens their heart and lungs while also getting them used to long hours of strenuous activities. Stair climbing is great too.
When you are preparing them, keep in mind that the preparation can be quite challenging and new for them. So, make sure to keep it fun and interesting to the liking of your children. Add in a bit of stretching and yoga here and there.
Start these preparations at least six months prior to the trek so that they get accustomed to the dreaded soreness that follows after strenuous physical activity.
Mental Preparation
Keep in mind, as important mental health is for adults, it is equally important for children too. Being in such new and difficult conditions of trekking can take a toll on even an adult, so it is quite probable for kids too.
So along with physical preparation, you should also start preparing them mentally for the challenges of the trek. Start with small steps.
Give them regular information as well as a reality check about the trek as it allows them to set realistic expectations about the experiences they will have and the people they will meet.
If they know about the challenges of the trek including the cold, the basic living conditions, the daily long walks, and the insufferable soreness that follows, they will not be caught off guard on the trek.
Showing your children different videos and images of the trekking routes in Nepal can be a great option as it allows them to visualize better. Indulge them in breathing exercises and practices of mindfulness like meditation to keep them calm.
Nutritional Needs
To maintain the energy levels of the kids and prevent any unwanted illness and even altitude sickness, it is important to be watchful about their diet and nutrition during the trek.
The teahouses provide nutritional food at the Everest Base Camp trek. Therefore, you should encourage your kids to eat the delicious local cuisines which help them to achieve a balanced diet.
Besides that, ensure that they are well hydrated. Carry oral rehydration salts and give them as much water as possible throughout the day as dehydration is very common during high altitude treks.
Also pack in some extra nutritional snacks like dry fruits, protein bars, nuts, and chocolates for quick energy supply.
Gear essential for Kids
Carrying the right gear is important to ensure the safety and comfort of your kids. While the standard packing list for Everest Base Camp trek usually suffices for it, you might need to make a few changes based on your kids.
The basics of packing should always include clothes suitable for layering and items like thermals, fleece jackets, waterproof pants and jacket, and a warm hat to combat the cold temperatures.
Make sure the hiking boots are comfortable and well broken-in because sore feet and blisters can make this enjoyable adventure a painful one.
Tips for a Smooth Trek
While the things listed above might have made the overall trek management somewhat easier for you, the tips listed below can enhance your experience ten folds:
Pacing the Trek
The key to having an enjoyable trek with your children is having enough patience. You cannot expect the trek to go on your pace as children have lower stamina compared to you.
Therefore, you need to set your trekking pace accordingly. Don’t rush your kids as your ultimate goal is to not just cover more distance everyday but also to have an enjoyable experience with your children.
Also, allow the kids to take more frequent breaks while trekking rather than rushing them as they have low endurance as compared to adults. Give your children the opportunity to explore and interact with the locals.
Health and Safety Considerations
The most common problem that might arise while trekking in Nepal is altitude sickness, and more so in children. So, watch out for any kind of symptoms and be careful about the ascent profiles of your trek.
Take other precautions too like acclimatizing well and encouraging your children to have a proper nutritious meal and drinking lots of fluid as these are the keys to preventing altitude sickness.
When trekking in Nepal with children, you have to be prepared for any kind of emergency that might arise, mostly medical and even otherwise. So, make sure that you or your guide has a proper communication device.
Hire local guides and partner up with local travel agencies who are experienced in dealing with family treks and are trained for emergencies. If you are traveling with a guide, make sure that they have first-aid training.
And while they have the training, at least one person from your family should also be well trained in terms of first aid. Learn how to treat basic injuries and conditions like hypothermia along with other basics like CPR.
Carry a full-fledged first-aid kit with every important medicine and ointment keeping in mind the potential hazards that might come your way. Make sure to carry prescribed medicines, if any.
Get comprehensive travel insurance for all the members with emergency evacuation in case of emergencies. Keep a track of the weather ahead throughout your trek so that you can plan your next day accordingly.
Keeping the Kids Engaged on the Trek
The challenges while trekking in Nepal might at times take a toll on the spirit of the young trekkers. Therefore, it is important to keep them engaged at all times throughout the trek.
You can do so by playing basic games like ‘I Spy’ or a scavenger hunt. Besides that, you can make a list of flora and fauna or interesting birds and ask your children to spot them.
Another trick to make the trek fun is to divide the trekking trail into small segments and reward the children as they complete each segment. If they achieve a big milestone, make the reward bigger.
Trekking in Nepal can also be a way to inculcate extra skills in your children by asking them to do basic things like photography or journaling on the trek. Besides that, you can also teach them map reading, basics of first air, and wilderness skills.
Show the clear skies of the trek and indulge them in stargazing where they can learn about different constellations. Encourage your kids to indulge with the locals and participate in their festivals, rituals and traditions.
Tell them about the local legends and myths to make their experience mystical. Teach them a few Nepali phrases and make sure to visit the monasteries along the way.