FAQs

Makalu Arun Social Trek (MAST) is a trekking company locally established in Khandbari, Nepal.   We offer community-based trekking and organize treks mainly in the Makalu, Arun Valley and surrounding regions.  We run this business for the benefit of the local community.

 Since every trek program we design to benefit both trekkers and the local community We like to call ourselves a social trekking organizer in Nepal. With us you will not only trek along the off-beaten trekking trails, but also about learn about local Nepali culture and traditions. You stay at local teahouses or homestays, and support local community

“Social trekking” means combining normal trekking with positive social impact. Instead of using only big hotels and outside services, we try to:

• Stay in local homestays or small lodges
• Hire local porter guides from the local community
• Support schools, students, and community projects with part of our income

With a social trekking organizer in Nepal, your holiday becomes meaningful: you enjoy real rural life and culture, and at the same time your visit helps local people in a practical way.

Makalu Arun Social Trek works closely with local communities around Makalu, Arun valley and its surrounding region. We support them by:

• using local teahouses, homestays and local lodges.
• hiring local porter guides, creating employment in the area
• helping local schools’ students with basic writing materials other needs basic need when
• Encouraging interested guests to visit local schools and learn about local educational challenges
• making trekking business more sustainable for the people who live in the mountains.

If you choose a social trekking organizer for trekking in Nepal, your trip has a direct benefit for local community. You can enjoy a safe well-organized trek and have a new travel experience

• You stay overnight local teahouses or homestays or family-run lodges
• The money you spend stays in the local villages.
• Opportunity to meet local families, farmers, School teachers and students
• An authentic lifetime travel experience.

If you are interested about responsible travel including community support and real connections with local people, a social trekking organizer is the best choice for you.

.

Yes, No problem. We are happy to customize any of our trekking programs   as your requirement.

We can adjust:

• Total Trekking length (short village walks to longer treks)
• Difficulty level and walking hours per day
• Varieties of accommodation like teahouses, homestays, camping, and lodges etc.
• Local authentic Cultural experiences like village tours, or participation of local festival celebration, volunteering as per your interest.

Simply let us know about your travel plan including your area of interests. We can design a tailor-made trekking itinerary for you for the Makalu, Arun Valley or nearby region of Nepal.

We organize both:

• Short village walks and cultural day tours for people who have limited time or prefer easier walking holiday.
• Multi-day treks along the off-the-beaten-path routes around Makalu Arun Valley regions

You don’t need to be a hardcore trekker to join us. Even a 2-3-day village trek or homestay program can give you a beautiful experience of rural life, local food, and community projects.

• Yes, no problem. Being a social trekking organizer in Nepal, we welcome and work with first-time trekkers, students, and families and friends.

  We will help you to:

  • Choose a route suitable for your fitness level
  • Plan shorter walking days if needed
  • Understand what gear and clothing you really need
  • go at a comfortable pace with regular breaks

  If you can walk comfortably for a few hours a day and are in normal health, we can find a trek that suits you.

In our program we include:

• a porter guides daily salary including his food and accommodation cost.
• accommodation during the trek (homestays, lodges or camping as per itinerary)
• Required permits and local entry fees for the trekking region

Items usually not included are: international flights, personal insurance, personal trekking gear, food and accommodation throughout the trekking route. We always provide a clear list before you book.

Yes, social trekking is very suitable for families, students, and older trekkers. Because the focus is not only on high passes and hard walking, but also on culture, villages and community life, we can adapt the pace and difficulty easily.

We can:

• Plan shorter days and easier routes
• Include more homestays and village time
• Add school or community visits for students and educational groups
• Make sure older trekkers have enough rest days and comfortable stays

Social trekking is about connection, learning and simple mountain life, which people of any  ages can enjoy.

Yes, all guests should have valid travel insurance that covers trekking in Nepal, including medical treatment and emergency evacuation (helicopter rescue if available in the region).

The Makalu Arun Valley area is very beautiful but it is also very remote part of Nepal.

Yes, we work with a local porter guides, and as much as possible we choose those who are local to the Makalu Arun Valley region.

Local guides:

• Know the trails, weather, and safety issues very well
• Can communicate in the local language with villagers
• Share real stories about culture, festivals, and daily life
• Help make sure that benefits from trekking stay in their own communities

This is an important part of being a responsible social trekking organizer in Nepal.