In Nepal, trekking typically falls into two categories. Some prefer to join a company-led group trek, allowing them to revel in the best parts of the journey while leaving the less enjoyable aspects to others to manage. Others choose to embark on a solo adventure, experiencing the raw mountain trek without the structure of a group or company.
Each approach, whether trekking with a company or solo trekking in Nepal, has its unique advantages and disadvantages. This article aims to shed light on the distinctions between the two types of treks.
Table of Contents
Trekking with Company
Trekkers in Annapurna Base Camp
Mostly a travel company organizes group treks in Nepal that offer both adventure and some drawbacks. When the agency handles all parts of your trek, you can fully relish the most enjoyable parts of the journey. At Green Society Adventures, we suggest that trekkers choose agency-led excursions, despite the downsides. This approach ensures your safety and provides a concise introduction to the diverse cultures and landscapes of Nepal, making it the ideal way to experience the trek.
Advantages
Safety and Better Security
The major advantage of trekking with an agency is that your safety and security are much more guaranteed than when you trek solo. You are with a team the whole time, which results in a much better chance of you making it through the whole trek, safely and securely.
No Tedious Work (Managing Permits, Hotels, Transports, etc) / Hassle-Free Experience
When trekking with an agency, all the tedious work regarding your trek will be handled by the agency. The tedious work includes booking a hotel, managing your transport, managing permits, and so on. All these tasks will be taken care of by the agency, and you are left with the option of enjoying the best part of the trek.
Know More About the Place and People from Local Guides
When you are trekking, you will surely have many questions regarding your trek. Some, you will know along the way, whereas some, you will have no idea about it unless you are told about it. With local guides managed by the agency, you will have a richer trekking experience by knowing more about the place you are trekking to, and the people who live there.
You Do Get Help If Sick or Injured
The best advantage of traveling with an agency is that, when you are sick or injured, you have a team with you, who will help you get through the situation with much ease. Altitude sickness, sprained ankle, caught flu, all these things are avoided or taken care of, with the help of the team you are trekking with.
You Won’t Get Lost in the Mountains
You will have experienced guides, who will be taking you through well-known routes. With this, you will have next to zero chances of getting lost in the Himalayas. Once embarked upon, you are sure to reach your destiny, and in most cases, on time.
Helpful for First Timers
First-timers don’t have any experience with trekking. They don’t know what things to take with them, how to adjust their pace, to reach on time, or how to make the best of the trek. With a dedicated team, and guides guiding them, the first-timers will get used to it in no time.
Organized Trek
Do you want to know, how to best organize your trek, to get the most out of it? Then, traveling with an experienced travel company is your best option. They will have everything organized and ready for you. You just need to show up on time and follow the lead. They will allow you to enjoy the trek, in the best, most organized, and most timely manner.
Save Time
When trekking alone, you will be experimenting as you go. You might encounter some new place and might want to stay the night. While it is more enjoyable for you, it will alter your course duration. But trekking with an agency will help you save time by exactly following the trekking schedule.
Disadvantages
Can’t Have Your Own Schedule
One of the downsides of trekking with an agency is that you cannot have your own trekking schedule. You have a team to move along with, so you need to go according to the team’s schedule. While it offers other benefits, trekking with an agency will not allow you to move on your own schedule.
Share Accommodation
While trekking with an agency, all your hotel reservations will be done by the company. You just need to be there with the team. But, on the downside, you have to share your accommodation with another trekking partner (same gender). You need to stay where the team stays unless you are ready to pay extra, cancel the reservation and make one as you need.
Not Much Own Time
Trekking with an agency guarantees you that, all along the trek, you will be accompanied by your team. While it is a good thing, this will block you from having some alone time to reflect upon things. You can, however, find some alone time every now and then.
Solo Trekking in Nepal
Mount Ama-Dablam and Kangtega, Everest Base Camp Trek
You might love exploring nature alone, wandering into the unknown to discover something new. If you feel this way, then you are a solo trekker. But trekking solo comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. And if you wish to travel alone, then you should know all about the pros and cons of it.
Advantages
Hike Whenever You Want
When you travel solo, you can choose the best time for you to travel. You will have no obligation regarding the timing of the team. You will have the freedom of choice, as there is no one else you need to be accounting for. Whenever you wish, you can pack your bag, and get going.
Learn A lot About Yourself
As you wander into nature alone, you will get to know more about nature, and yourself along with it. You will have all the time you need to clear your mind and be at peace with yourself. You can think about, how nature remains a mystery to the wise and old, and how it continues to inspire many young souls.
Become More Independent and Resourceful
Imagine yourself trekking in the middle of the jungle, and suddenly your compass breaks. You will have no one for your help. But the good part is that you will learn how to use the resources now you currently have. You can use the time of the day and the position of the Sun, to navigate your way. And, going through many situations like this, you will know how to make things work, with whatever little you have. It will make you more independent and resourceful.
Hike at Your Own Pace
Another good thing about trekking solo is that you can travel at your own pace. You don’t have a team you need to match your pace with. You can hike slowly whenever you feel tired, and catch on to some pace when you feel like it. You don’t have any obligation to anyone.
Outdoor Skills
As you slowly unravel the beautiful nature on your own, you will know how to make use of different tools. You will have more knowledge regarding how to use them and when to use them. You will learn how to make your requirements meet, with not much, but just enough resources.
Meet Your Fears
All of us are afraid of something. Some have the fear of being alone, and some are about the unknown humans and animals on the way. Some might have fear regarding, getting lost, whereas some about being in unpredictable situations. You will experience all these things while trekking alone. This will help you get over your fears and achieve something you will always be proud of.
Disadvantages
Personal Safety
The major disadvantage regarding trekking alone is personal safety. As you will be going into unknown places and the people are unknown too, your personal safety is not fully guaranteed. You might encounter robbers on the way or even encounter some dangerous wildlife. So, your personal safety is more compromised while trekking solo.
Chances of Getting Lost
There is a good chance of you getting lost when you are trekking alone. You might have the map and be fully prepared. But still, there is a good chance that you can get lost and there is no one to help you.
Human and Animal Attacks
Trekking into unknown places, makes you encounter unknown people. And you can never be sure about their intentions. Even someone who seems friendly, might not have the best intentions for you. They can rob you of your possessions or might have some other bad intentions for you. Similarly, wandering into the unknown alone also increases the chances of getting attacked by wild animals.
Injuries
Injuries can happen regardless of whether you are traveling alone or in a group. But, when you are trekking alone, you will not get any help from anyone. You can get sick, or have some other injuries, but there is no one else to ease your pain and help you along the way. You need to keep going until you get some help.
Unpredicted Situations
There are many situations you do not account for when you plan your trip. Some situations can be handled easily whereas, some are very difficult to handle. When trekking alone, you are your only help, to handle those unpredicted situations.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision between a trekking company and solo trekking in Nepal depends on personal preferences, level of experience, and desired level of support during the trek. Either way, you can plan to go on a Himalayan adventure in Nepal and experience the amazing journey of a lifetime.
Raj Kumar was born and raised in the mountain town of Gorkha. He is an enthusiastic traveler who enjoys discovering new places. His passion for exploration knows no bounds, driving him to seek out new trails and experiences. He has successfully traveled and explored most of the trekking routes in Nepal, mastering their intricacies.
Raj Kumar started his career as a guide at the end of the year 2006. His dedication to this field has been unwavering, surpassing 17 years and counting. He established his own company, Green Society Adventure, in 2013, fueled by his expertise and entrepreneurial spirit. He has a vision to share the beauty of Nepal’s landscapes and cultures to the world. As both a guide and a leader, he inspires people to explore the world with curiosity and respect.
