Books To Help You Prepare To Trek

Prior to departing for our trek, we prepared intensely by planning out the logistics and educating ourselves about trekking and Nepal. As a novice trekker, I wanted a guide that would orient me to trekking and to the Annapurna region of the Himalayas in Nepal. If you are planning a similar trek, I highly recommend Lonely Planet Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya.

The book is written in a plain and easy-to-read fashion. It is written in chapters by various experienced trekkers who have spent many years in Nepal. The medical section is also well-written, authored by a doctor familiar with both wilderness and high-altitude medicine. The book includes many pictures and maps to make your trip easy to navigate. Additionally, local culture is discussed extensively, which helps you better acclimate to your surroundings and act in an appropriate manner.

The book also does an excellent job discussing the history of trekking in general and specifically in Nepal. For example, it describes the history and structure of the Annapurna Conservation Project, also known as ACAP. The group regulates the heart of the Annapurna region, helping conserve the space, going so far as to even set the menus for each teahouse! The standardization has been highly beneficial though, as it has helped visitors understand the expectations both of them and their hosts. By reading the book before your trip, you feel much more comfortable about your health, your lodging, and your ultimate destination: Annapurna Base Camp!

Another book to consider getting is the country guide: Lonely Planet Nepal.

I did not have as much time to read through this guide, but I found the section on Kathmandu and the Thamel district very instructive. Like the trekking guide, it has good tips and maps to help you find your way around. Furthermore, I feel Lonely Planet Nepal has a good balance of historical detail to help you understand the context of your sightseeing and why the places you visit are places of interest. Lonely Planet Nepal complements Lonely Planet Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya quite well.

There is a list of items to take on the trek in Lonely Planet Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya, such as clothing and health-related items. A future post will discuss more specifics about the appropriate equipment to get prior to your trek.

Update: If you love the Lonely Planet series of travel guides, check out this podcast interview with the founders Maureen and Tony Wheeler, and their journey to creating Lonely Planet: How I Built This.