For many, planning a weekend with a young family is daunting, let alone planning a hiking holiday abroad. It doesn’t have to be this way and with a few simple practical tips, any open-minded family can enjoy a culturally rich experience trekking with their children in the Himalayas. When planning such a trip, it may seem like there are myriad obstacles and difficulties to overcome, but if you prepare properly, the experience of hiking with your children in the Himalayas could be truly rewarding and enlightening, not to mention an invaluable multicultural experience. . life lesson for your youth.
The ideal age for children to walk is, believe it or not, as babies who are still nursing and can be easily carried and from the age of six. Although it may seem surprising to take a baby abroad, breastfeeding is actually a hassle-free and hygienic way to feed a child. Young children, as a rule, are not that easy to trek as they cannot walk the distance nor would they tolerate being carried for long periods of time.
Babies can be carried by one parent in an attachable seat or sling, or alternatively it’s quite easy to hire a porter to accompany you on the walk. “Sherpani”, or the women of the mountains in Nepal, have a natural affinity with children and it will be like having a babysitter on your journey. Although it is unlikely that you will be accompanied by a single woman, you may need to hire two women, but they can also act as porters for you. These women can carry a child or luggage up to 22 kg. Hiring women as helpers is a great way to get closer to the rich culture of Nepal and also show your support for equality between the sexes. In Nepal, local women working in the tourism industry were unknown 10 years ago, now you can find many female guides and porters, not to mention kayak and mountain bike guides.
A child should not be treated as a special member of the trekking team, they should be included like everyone else. Sit them down at the start of the day and talk to them about the way forward, let them know what is expected, how far it is, when you will eat, set it up as an adventure and you will find out that your child will. savor the day ahead. The uphill section will be the most challenging. At these points, involve your children in games, peep their eyes, count steps, sing songs, tell stories, ask them to guess and count the steps to the next town. Distractions like this will keep your child busy during the more physical climbs and you’ll be surprised how the climb flies by (for you too).
Mealtime can be difficult for picky eaters. It’s a good idea to get your child used to local foods before you leave home. In the case of Nepal it would be rice, lentils, vegetables and potatoes. Don’t make a big fuss about meal times. Encourage your children to eat local food. Try to stay in teahouses with other children and have your own children eat with them. In case you have a picky eater child, make sure you bring enough family food with you as it is very important that your child gets enough nutrition while trekking. Bring items like nuts, dried fruits and seeds, cereals and muesli bars which you can also use as a dessert reward for your child after trying the local food, you can buy most of these things in supermarkets in Nepal, along with chocolate or sweets if that’s required However, in Nepal the local food is amazing and worth trying, not to mention the cheapest option on most menus. In most tea houses you can also get items like bread, eggs, chips, mashed potatoes, noodle soups and plain pizzas.
Along the route, have your children interact with local children. Bring some simple toys like a jump rope, marbles, picture books, or a doll. Try to avoid bringing fancy, expensive toys, as this might annoy or influence village children to ask their parents for things they just can’t afford. You will soon see how the language barrier doesn’t really affect the kids when they are playing, before you know it your kids will be playing happily and you can have some time to relax. This interaction with the locals could well be the highlight for you and your children. As much as possible, you and your family should interact with the locals. Plan short days of walking to allow time in the towns to explore. Get the kids to help out in the fields, picking vegetables and preparing food. Nepalis are very family oriented and having children around is not a problem for them, they enjoy having children from different cultures around.
Taking your kids on excursions is a big decision, but as with all trips, the outcome of your vacation comes down to your own perspective and open mind. Having done family walks before, I can openly say that it is one of the most rewarding experiences, and seeing the children adjust and interact with a culture totally removed from their own is truly a joy for all parties involved.
If you plan to bring your kids, it’s best to book a trek through a reputable agent, ask them to tailor an itinerary with shorter trek days, a couple of home stays, and an extra porter to help you along the way. Some of the recommended low altitude treks for families in Nepal are:
Ghorapani and Ghandruk
the royal journey
Helumbhu and Tamang Heritage Route
Ghalegaun village home stay walk.