Write or email to International Institute of Field Studies for detailed information about the Program including Registration Form, Waiver Form. The Brochure, Registration Form and Booklet will provide you with all the information you will need to know about the program, schedule, how to register, due date, payment schedule and other necessary information.
[Program Hand Book will provide you with all the necessary information you need to know in regard to the Nepal trip. Information like, dos and don'ts, climate, what to bring, what not to bring, health related information, precautions that need to be taken, and so on. If you are looking for more information than what is available in the Program Hand Book there are may interesting web sites. You could start from government web site http://www.gksoft.com/govt/en/np.html and a private News web site www.nepalnews.com, they will link you to many other interesting Nepalese web sites.
Since the breakdown of ceasefire on August 27, 2003, between the revel group and the government, clashes have been going on in different parts of the country but mainly in the western region. However, in the last 5 or 6 years there has not been a single incident where western volunteers and experts working in the remote area or tourists have ever been physically harmed. The places we are visiting are also relatively very quite. With this background in mind, it will be fair to say that traveling to Nepal for Tourist is safe. The number of tourist this year has increased more than 30%, compared to last year.
Stretching over 2500 kilometer, the Himalayas constitute on of the most complex ecological and cultural system in the World. The Himalayas region, broadly defined, provides the life-support base for some 50 million people and an estimated 400 million in the plains.
Politically, the Himalayas include Nepal and Bhutan, parts of China, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the border region of northern Myanmar and Thailand, and many diverse part of China. In the past 30 years, unprecedented political tension have beset most of the Himalayan region, resulting in a large-scale military presence in many areas, putting special pressures on the ecology of the mountain massif.
Culturally, the Himalayas are region traversed by three of the major linguistic, racial and cultural dividing lines of Asia. In some parts there is predominance of Tibetan Buddhism culture; in other, Hindu, Nepali and Indian culture; and in still other s a splattering of Islam and Christianity. In addition, for centuries, the Himalayas - real or Mythic - have held a special sway on the minds of imagination of the people: they are part of the "Sacred geography," a "landscape of the imagination, the "abode of God," and the "original and fountainhead of spiritual and poetic fulfillment." The Himalayas are thus an integral part of the culture and spiritual heritage of millions of people on the Indian subcontinent.
The focus of the
HFSP 2002 is the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal.
Its emphasis is on “field observation.” Hence, all participants are
encouraged to do the following:
HFSP 2002 is
conducted in the central Himalayas, in the Kingdom of Nepal.
The area of study is environment, development and human ecology of the
Himalayas. All travel and other arrangements for the group are made by
IIFS, in consultation with ICIMOD, Tourism Nepal, Forest Department, National
Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Canadian Cooperation Office.
When ever possible, a number of scientists, environmental groups,
government officials, foresters, teachers, journalists, healthcare workers and
politicians will be invited to meet with the participants in the program to
share their views and life experiences, and to lead field visits to specific
sites and projects.
The Group will
under take trekking and hiking trips in the Annapurna range at heights of up to
3,000 metres. The trips are on
well-travelled routes. No
“mountain climbing” is involved and no special skills are needed.
At no stage is anything undertaken that
can be considered dangerous or risky.
The Group is accompanied by the course coordinator and an associate of
the Program, as well as by a leader employed by reputable trekking company who
is familiar with the geology, physical geography and life in the region.
The trek leader will also act as a translator and interpreter.
Most of the ground travelling of the Group will be in a specially hired
bus. The trekking company is a
private agency in Kathmandu, especially licensed by the government; it also
arranges all the meals, overnight stays in tents and transportation of all the
baggage during trekking.
In view of the above, a backpack
would be most convenient (consider the type that has zip-away or hideaway
straps). A small bag for your
passport, air ticket, cash, traveller’s cheques and other valuables, with
plastic bags to keep them dry and organized, is strongly advised.
Before you leave, reinforce your backpack to prevent having to do repairs
on the road. Treat it with
waterproofing material such as Scotchguard for water repellency.
Bring along a repair kit containing safety pins, a sewing kit, and rope
or string for emergencies or use as a clothesline.
It is also a good idea to bring along few large garbage bags.
You can easily slip your pack into one of the garbage bags, protecting it
from moisture. Overall, if you
think in terms of what one would take on a one or two week camping trip to
Jasper National Park in Alberta or Algonquin Park in Ontario, you are probably
on the right track.
What do I do to prepare for the Trip?
Some "Dos and Don'ts" for the trip.
All HFSP
participants are expected to act in a manner that does not, in any way, hamper
the harmonious functioning of the Program or interfere in the life and pursuits
of anyone else in the Group. Specially,
the following Code of Ethics shall be adhered to:
It should be noted
that in the past all Groups have worked harmoniously and with great enthusiasm,
a sense of cooperation and good will.
What are some health concerns ?
1.
Shots:
To travel in Nepal or any other tropical country, you need certain vaccinations.
Travel clinics can advise you as to which vaccinations are recommended
and at what intervals before travel they should be taken.
2.
Meningococcal
meningitis: This shot
requires one injection about 4/6 weeks before departure.
3.
Typhoid
fever:
Two injections are required about 4 weeks apart.
If you are in a hurry they can be taken as soon as 2 weeks apart, but
this is not recommended.
4.
Hepatitis
A: One injection shortly before travelling.
5.
Malaria:
Malaria tablets could be obtained by prescription.
They are essential. Instructions
for use are provided with the tablets. (Other
precautions, such as use of mosquito netting or insect repellent are also
advisable.) However, the Himalayan
region we will be travelling in is a relatively low-risk area for malaria.
6.
Avoiding
dirty needles:
A kit of sterile needles and other medical supplies designed to minimize
risk of infection for travellers in Third World countries would be helpful.
Each participant is also advised to have the following information
available: blood type, any health
problems, any allergies or reactions to any drugs, name of your family doctor in
Canada, medical insurance number, etc.
7.
First
aid kit:
A basic first aid kit should include:
Band-aids, gauze pads, cotton bandage, sterile dressing, adhesive tape,
antiseptic and burn creams, a low reading thermometer, scissors and tweezers.
8.
Medical
kit:
You may never need it, but you are advised to take along medication for
headaches, a general course of antibiotics, a solution to cure severe gastro
problems, moleskins (for blisters), UV and blockout (sunburn) cream, lip seal
and heat rub for aching limbs. (Refer to: Medicine for Mountaineering,
ed. James Wilkerson. Publisher: Mountaineers, Washington, DC.)
9.
Sickness
prevention: While trekking,
it is very important that certain precautions be taken at all times.
These are:
a.
DON’T
DRINK WATER from the
streams, however “clear” the water may appear.
You must use your water purifier all the time, without fail.
Bottled water is generally available along the trekking routes but one
back-up plan to access pure water is strongly recommended.
b.
WASH
YOUR HANDS thoroughly before
each meal, and wash you body every day to counter prickly heat or skin infection
(during treks, bathing might not be possible).
c.
DONT
PUT YOUR FOOD (bread,
cookies, etc.) on any surface before eating.
What is the appropriate clothing to bring?
In summer months, most of southern and central Nepal gets quite hot, and in some places extremely hot. So bring light clothing for the hot days. However, the Himalayas have a very different climate from the lowlands. At the height of 1,500 m (about 5,000 ft.) or more it is never very hot. In fact in the evening it gets quite chilly. June to August is the rainy season, when there can be heavy rains for many hours. The program ends before the rainy season (monsoon) starts, but during the month of May occasional pre-monsoon rains are quite common. So, having a raingear can be very helpful. Since we trek up to the height of 3,000 metres, it can be very cold at night, possibly with temperatures of 5 degrees Celsius. So be prepared. In view of all these weather conditions, in addition to usual personal clothing your travel clothing should include a sweater or pullover, shorts, long skirt/dresses (for women), a light jacket and a warmer jacket (ski jacket), swimwear, walking/hiking shoes, a bush hat or baseball hat, a boy-scout whistle, a mask against dust, and some semi-formal clothing for special occasions. As far as possible, clothes should be washable drip-dry. For emergency washing, a bar of soap would be useful. Take along fairly tough clothes. Dress well and modestly. In general, women participants should avoid too much revealing clothing. During trekking, shorts and sleeveless shirts are generally acceptable. In towns, women are advised to keep their upper arms, chest and back covered at all time. By paying close attention to local standards of dress, many problems can be minimized. When invited for dinner or tea, participants are advised not to be dressed too casually, or in a dishevelled manner. Please always take your shoes off before entering any temple, Stupa, monastery and private home unless instructed otherwise.