FAQ

Question 01.What does Makalu Arun Social Trek (MAST) offer to their guests?

MAST offers

a lightweight tea house social trekking experience around the Makalu Arun Valley Region and other parts of Nepal.
Pick – and Pay model system for food and accommodation throughout the trek route.
An opportunity to experience the stunning natural beauty of Eastern Nepal
A detailed day-to-day customizable trekking itinerary to suit your interest, time, and budget.
An experienced local Porter guide, knowledgeable about the trekking route the local culture, history, and environment.
TIMS card, National Entrance fees, special trekking permit.
Jeep/bus /auto rickshaw reservation for traveling.
Hotel booking.
Not only an unforgettable trekking experience but also an opportunity to contribute to the local development.

Question 2How much will a trekking program cost?

The cost of a trekking package depends on a variety of factors, such as the total trekking days of a trekking program, the type of accommodation to use, mode of transportation to hire, manpower to employ and other services included. Please go through the link for more information. I hope this link will give you an idea about how we calculate the total trekking package cost. Please contact us if you have any questions

Question 3What is the best time to go trekking?

The optimal time to embark on a trek varies depending on the chosen route. The recommended trekking season is specified in each trekking package. For more details, kindly review the package information.

As for the Makalu Base Camp Trek, it is one of the most challenging treks in Nepal. The best months to complete the MBC trek are from September to November and then from mid-March to May.

Question 4Where will the trekkers stay each night? What facilities are available there?

On trekking trips in Nepal, guests typically stay in local tea houses, home stays, or lodges. Accommodation and meal quality is of a medium standard along the trekking route. Basic facilities are offered, with rooms featuring simple beds and other necessities. The mattresses may be thin, making it advisable to bring a warm sleeping bag for use at night. Your guide will carry it for you. Note: Most tea houses have shared bathrooms that are located downstairs, so a flashlight may be necessary for nighttime use.

Question 05Is someone going to meet me at the airport?

As of now, we have not established a branch in Kathmandu. However, we have assigned Mr. Mohan Kumar Kafle as our representative to assist our clients in the Kathmandu valley. He is available to provide any support you may need and can even greet you at the airport.

On the other hand, at Tumlingtar airport, our company’s porter guide will be there to welcome you and guide you on your trek. A 20-minute drive by jeep will bring you to Khandbari.

Question 06Is the food / water safe to eat / drink?

The drinking water along the trek route may not be potable, therefore bottled mineral water is not readily available. It is recommended to have your tea house host boil the water thoroughly and refill your water bottle, or use a reliable water filter or purification tablets. It is important to stay hydrated to prevent altitude sickness. As for food, Nepalese cuisine such as hot and well-cooked Daal Bhat is tasty and safe to consume, with easy digestiony

Questions 07What is a porter guide service like?

Our company hires a highly experienced and capable local porter guide from the surrounding community. His English is very basic, providing informative commentary on the local geography, flora and fauna, and cultural traditions of the area.

In addition to leading your trek, he also manages a tea house that offers comfortable overnight accommodation and delicious food. He is equipped to carry your luggage, which can weigh up to 15-18 Kg. Please note that the cost of his food and lodging is included in his daily wage, so he will handle these expenses himself.

Question 08What is a typical day on the tea house trekking like?

Usually your day on Tea house trek starts around 7:00 am, You get up and wash and clean and order the breakfast like bread, omelette, potato chips, doughnut, boiled egg, tea or coffee depending on your choice. After breakfast, you set off on the day’s walk at around 8.30. After walking for 2-3 hours you will stop lunch at around midday. The afternoon’s walk is generally shorter and you usually arrive at your destination in time. After you arrive at your fixed tea house you will have time to explore the village, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. Other day activities are the same as before.

Question 09Can we somehow Reserve beds in the lodges on the way o Makalu Base Camp?

Sorry, we cannot reserve any beds in advance up to the base camp because of the lack of communication facilities. Only Sky’s (CDMA) mobile phone, which the porter guide carries with him, can work up to Dobato during the day if it is a sunny day and clear weather. We also cannot tell you that all the lodges up to Base cam will provide you with food and accommodation during this period of time. Some lodges may be full or some may be close because of bad weather.

We depend fully on our porter guides from Seduwa or Tasi Gaun. He knows which is one of the best ones, which lodge is open and which is close. He knows what he has to do in such an adverse situation and leads the trek.

Our guide also can also carry tents and hiking cooking set and can lead this trek. But I am sorry to tell you that such hiking cooking sets can only be found purchased in Kathmandu.

Question 10Will the Nepali guides be able to speak some English?

Yes, our porter guides will have some basic English knowledge and can communicate with you in English.

Question 11What trekking routes and destinations do you offer

We have been organizing a trekking program for guests around eastern Nepal. But We can also think to organize treks in other parts of Nepal when necessary.

Question 12Can trekking gear be purchased in Khandbari?

Yes, we can purchase but only minimal things. And the quality of the goods is not good but very expensive. So we always suggest our guests bring all the necessary trekking gear from their homes or from Kathmandu.

Question 13We will have breakfasts and dinners at the Tea Houses but what about he lunch? Do we need to bring our own food for this? And how about water?

While enjoying Makalu Base camp Trek you will have your big breakfast at the tea house where you stay and commence your trek of the day. You will continue walking until you get next tea house about at about 3-4 p.m. and say there and have any kinds of food you like to have.

But sometimes there may not be a palace to have lunch and so you may be hungry. You can tell the guide to carry pack lunch for you. Or you can take and have some energy giving chocolates. Your guide will boil water at the tea house and fill your water bottle. But sometimes you will have to use your water filter or water purification pills etc.

Question 14Do we need a sleeping bag even when spending nights in Tea Houses?

Yes, a Sleeping bag is necessary for you since the mattress at some of the tea houses may be thin and so you may feel cold during the night. So we suggest you bring a full sleeping bag for trekking under our company. Your porter guide will carry your sleeping bag and your luggage.

Question 15Is it possible to leave some belongings at your home during the trek?

Yes, all our guests have been doing the same. They leave their necessary goods at our house. And they take their goods after coming back from their trek.