As many of you already know, trekking anywhere is a completely different experience on its own. It is more rigorous and more challenging in nature.
And Nepal as a trekking destination lately, is getting more and more popular among the adventure-enthusiasts and visitors.
My two cents: Although trekking in Nepal doesn’t require you to learn the medieval survival skills, you need to be mindful of what you need in the journey. Trekking can be an exciting and thrilling experience, provided proper precautions are taken and you carry the essentials with you.
Besides being an essential piece of technology, phones at present, are pretty much the solution to everything!
While trekking routes of Nepal aren’t completely devoid of your charging stations, it might be harder for you to charge your devices with the growing altitude. This is because the areas may be suffering from frequent power outages.
The two major problems that you might face:
- The tea houses will charge you 100-200 for charging your devices.
- Frequent power cut-offs in the area.
- The power slots may not match your charger.
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SO HOW CAN YOU CHARGE YOUR PHONES WHILE TREKKING IN THE HIGHER ALTITUDES OF NEPAL?
It’s not rocket science!
However, it all comes down to being familiar with these two steps to keep your phone charged while backpacking:
- Make sure that your battery doesn’t run out/ reduce power consumption
- Pack the gears needed to charge your phones on the trail.
DON’T FORGET TO PACK YOUR CHARGER
You must remember that your phone isn’t going to hold its charge like it did when you were back home. Plus, as you travel to colder regions, your battery has lesser battery life. So make sure that you pack a charger along!
Most of the trekking routes in Nepal offer teahouses with charging stations. You might need to pay a minimal fee of around Rs. 100 to Rs. 200 but if it means your phone is alive, all is well right? Turn on the battery/power saving mode in your device and plug it in to charge. Also, pack back-up batteries, just in case.
Disclaimer alert: Since a lot of such teahouses face power outages on a daily basis, don’t expect to charge your device every other day!
ADAPT TO GoPro
If you want to keep your device’s battery intact for longer, you might want to opt for a GoPro camera. They are really great for taking time-lapse and action shots and they are also compact. It would be even easier to attach it to your hats or set it on a tripod.
If you’re seeking convenience, GoPro can be your go-to tool!
BRING ALONG AN ADAPTER PLUG
The power adapter is cheap, light and plastic adapters that permit a power outlet in Nepal to accept a power plug from a foreign region. Many hotels and tea houses accommodate different kinds of plug types but it can’t always match the one that suits your device. For that reason, carry your own adapter plug. The best power adapter for Nepal will be a Type D plug adapter. It is compact and also allows you to use any 230-volt appliances or devices. One of the famous adapters is Pors-Ela International Travel Power Adapter or you might want to get something along this line.
SOLAR CHARGERS/ POWER BANKS
Having to charge your phone in the middle of nowhere can be a hassle. But keeping it out to charge in the open, can be an addition to your worries. While many of the lodges offer you charging facilities, it might also depend on the weather and demands from other trekkers. So self-sufficiency is your only option. Pack a solar charger and see the magic. It’s wireless, convenient, and compact enough to attach on your backpacks. So let the sun do its work while you trek without care. Instead, you can use solar backpacks if you’re going hike to nearby mountains. You can easily find it at online stores and trekking based outlets within the valley.
TIPS TO KEEP YOUR ELECTRONICS CHARGED (REDUCE YOUR POWER CONSUMPTION)
You might already be an expert on this but taking a look once never hurt anyone, right?
- Put your device on airplane mode.
- Take fewer photos and videos (practically impossible but helps you save some storage too)
- Turn your screen brightness down.
- Don’t expose it to the cold for long/ Keep your device near room temperature.
- Turn your device’s battery save mode and turn off the sync mode, until necessary. (let’s be real, who will ever send you a mail on a trip and will you even reply when you’re wandering off in the middle of nowhere)
- Carry a reliable power bank and additional batteries.
- Pack a lightweight battery pack, most of the battery packs nowadays come with built-in cable or wall charger. They might be heavier and pricier but consider it worth all the trouble.
With these at hand, you are good to go. So go conquer your fears.
Most importantly, don’t forget to take a breath and have fun. Safe journey!
(Last Updated on March 20, 2022 by Sadrish Dabadi)
