Oh right. And some tips. If you’re like me, you may be considering solo-trekking or have fully committed, but aren’t finding a ton of information as a solo-female traveler. For me, I took a leap of faith trekking alone, but my hope is that these articles fill the gaps to make the same decision easier for other women. And if you do decide to go alone, hopefully I can alleviate some snafus and answer a few questions so that you can enjoy all of your time trekking.

Information, as they say, is power.

So let’s talk.

In November of 2016, I spent two weeks solo trekking around the Everest Region of the Himalayas (Solukhumbu District). I had no porter to carry my pack, no guide to show me the way, and no companions by my side. As I prepared for the trek, I found very little information written for solo women trekkers and even less written by women about what to expect and how to prepare.

First of all, let me admit that I ended up trekking alone not out of bravery or an intense need to prove something, it was really just themost sensible option. I’m practical.

So what were the other options?

Options to Trek in Nepal (besides going alone)

An Organized Tour. In an organized tour you have a set itinerary and are with a fairly large group of other trekkers. Everything from your lodging, food, pack transportation, and day-to-day activities are planned. For me, this was an easy “no.” I have been on an organized trek before and while it was a lot of fun, I knew that I was comfortable and confident enough in my abilities to leave some things to chance. I was seeking solitude and independence in the Himalayas — a tour group of 8+ strangers was simply was not the right fit for me.

Another big downside of an organized tour is the lack of flexibility. If you are not feeling well or need an extra day to acclimatize, there are very few options available in a tour’s model. A trekker will often have to push ahead, despite feeling like crap. Personally, my body struggles to acclimatize and I anticipated needing an extra day or two in Namche or Dole to increase my oxygen levels. If I was on a group tour, this would not likely be an available option.

Cost: Depending on the level of comfort, a group tour can cost anywhere from $800-$thousands$ (it can be quite costly and luxurious-ish)

Hiring a Porter/Guide. A porter/guide is someone who carries your pack and also guides your itinerary. Many people hire a porter and a guide separately, but that immediately seemed like overkill both in terms of the cost and the weight I was carrying. I had a packed a bag that was as light as possible (~25lbs) and the thought of having someone carry 10 or 15lbs just because they were there felt unnecessary.

My biggest concern with hiring a guide were all the variables. You are spending a minimum of a week and a half with someone and that person can come to define your whole experience. As I saw on the trail, trekker’s experiences with guides ran the gamut. Some people had fantastic, professional guides who really made their trip. I became friends with a few of these guides simply by running into them day after day. A top-not