When’s the best time to visit Nepal?

The best time to visit Nepal depends upon what you want to do. If you want to do trekking and expeditions, then the best time is from October to December. During these months, the weather is mildly warm in the lower altitudes and moderate in the higher altitudes. The skies also are clear and grant great sights of the Himalayas. If you fancy touring and sightseeing, then you can visit the country anytime throughout the year. However, for festival experiences, make sure you have ample ideas about their timing before visiting Nepal.

What’s it like during the monsoon season?

The monsoon season in Nepal starts from the mid of June and reaches its peak in the months of July and August. Due to the continuous downpour, the trekking paths are prone to landslides and there are chances of flooding as well. The trails are not much crowded, but it is difficult to trek. However, you can visit regions like Upper Mustang and Dolpo as they lie in rain-shadow areas. You can also visit destinations like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini, and Bandipur during the monsoon season.

What’s the difference between private and group trips?

Private trip refers to a trip where the services are provided by your very own personal guide and the transportation facilities are also private in nature. Although a private trip can be costlier than others, you can make your own itinerary and travel accordingly. A group trip comprises a certain number of individuals and all the participants follow the same itinerary. The group shall share the same itinerary and accommodation. These types of trips are cheaper in comparison to private trips.

How do I get my visa for Nepal?

You can apply for a tourist visa either on arrival or by applying in advance. The three ways to obtain a visa in Nepal are:

• By applying upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
• By applying at any of the land border checkpoints.
• By applying at Nepali diplomatic missions from abroad.

For more information regarding visas of Nepal, you can head to the official website of the Department of Immigration at http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/page/tourist-visa.

How much luggage can I take on domestic flights?

The domestic flights in Nepal are mostly done by smaller planes compared to that of the international airplanes. Due to this reason, airplanes do not allow much baggage. In most of the cases, the allowed baggage limit is between 15 to 20 kg. However, this may vary as per the airlines and fare class you choose. So, we advise you to receive the necessary information about the baggage limits.

How many days should I spend in Nepal?

The total days spent in Nepal entirely depends on you and the type of activity you are involved in. If you are trekking, then your stay in Nepal lasts for about 2 weeks. If you are involved in sightseeing or touring, then you stay can last for a maximum of 1 week. In the case of mountaineering, the stay may exceed a month or two. You can increase or decrease your stay in Nepal depending upon your requirements.

Are hotels included in the trip price?

In most of the cases, when you travel with a trekking company, the cost of hotels are already included in the trip price. You do not have to pay any extra accommodation fees throughout the trip. There may be contingent scenarios where you might have to pay a few bucks extra for hotels or teahouses.

Are there any extra expenses not included in my trip price?

Most of the expenses that incur throughout the trek or tours are already accounted for in the trip price. Expenses like paperwork, transportation, necessary permits, and taxes are also included. There are certain expenses which are not included in your trip price like baggage prices, emergency accommodations, visa fees, travel and rescue insurance, and expenses that are personal in nature.

Does your company help to arrange domestic flight, international flight, hotel bookings, and other services?

Yes, our company helps you to arrange domestic and international flights. We do it in the most reliable and cost-effective way. Along with the flight services, we help you to make trip arrangements and hotel bookings as well.

Are there ATM facilities in Nepal?

There are ATM facilities in major cities and towns. However, you won’t find as many ATM in villages and trekking regions so, prepare yourself accordingly. Most popular cards accepted in Nepal are VISA, MASTERCARD, and American Express. Debit cards and Credit cards are also accepted.

Do I need to bring my own sleeping bag?

A sleeping bag is a must if you are trekking in the Himalayas as the night gets pretty frosty. If it is not a burden to you then you can bring your own sleeping bag. Some of the trekking companies provide you a sleeping bag and the cost of it is already adjusted in the price you pay. You can hire a sleeping bag or even purchase it at affordable rates in Nepal too.

Are permits included in the price of the trek?

Yes, most of the travel operators do include the prices of permits on the price of the treks. These are the prices which include the costs of obtaining TIMS card and necessary permits to enter into the travel destinations of your choice.

What date does the trek start?

The date of the trek depends entirely upon the time you choose to trek. The trek starts as per the date fixed by your trek operator. The travel operator will inform you of the dates of the trek prior to the trek.

Where can I store my luggage during the trek?

During the trek, your luggage can be stored in the lodge or teahouse in which you are staying. If you need the luggage while trekking, we can arrange a porter for you. However, in Kathmandu, if you have to store any additional luggage not required on the trek, you can consult us regarding the matter. We will help you make the necessary arrangements to store your luggage at the hotel.

What trekking gear should I bring from home?

We provide gears like sleeping bags and down jackets upon request of the clients. For camping treks, we also make the services of tents, mattresses, kitchen equipment (high quality), and other necessities as per the requirements. However, we advise you to bring your own personal equipment, trekking shoes, and climbing equipment.

What kind of trekking boots do I need?

There are a wide variety of trekking boots that you can choose. Be sure to invest in quality boots as they can either make your trip good or bad. Choose a boot that is able to withstand the rugged terrain, and it is light and comfortable. Buy a boot that is a size bigger than normal to enable free toe movement. You should also consider the boots to be waterproof as well.

How much should I tip the guide and porters?

There is a custom of providing tips to the guides and porters as a gratitude for their services. You can tip the amount that you think the guides and porters deserve for their service to you. However, normally, you can trek USD 3-5 to guides and USD 2-4 to porters.

How difficult are the treks?

The treks are categorized into easy, moderate, and difficult. The easy treks reach an altitude of around 3000 meters and you don’t need any sort of experience. For moderate treks, you need to walk about 7 hours a day and the elevation crosses 4000 meters. For the difficult treks, you need to walk more than 7 hours a day and the elevation crosses 5000 meters. You can choose the treks as per the difficulty level that you desire.

What is ‘teahouse’ trekking?

Teahouse trekking is a popular approach of trekking in Nepal. This style of trekking involves resting in teahouses or lodges that are scattered throughout the trekking route. The teahouses are mostly opened by a local with facilities of accommodation and food. Some of them also offer additional services of internet, hot water, and charging ports.

How long do we trek each day?

The length of the trek hugely depends upon the destination and the terrain you trek on. When the destinations are far or require you to traverse on difficult routes, the duration will increase. Similarly, the duration is cut short when the destination is near and easily reachable. There will be plenty of time for rest and acclimatization as well.

Do I have to carry my own gear?

You can either choose to carry your gears yourself or hire a porter to do so. We can arrange the porters for the trips to ensure that your requests are addressed properly. This service is available to you at a certain price that can be arranged between you and the porter.

How much can porters carry?

Porters are the people who will accompany you during the trek. You can either hire a porter personally or have the company arrange one for you. The weight a porter can carry depends on the agreement you have with the porter. The normal weight limit for a porter is 20-25 kgs.

What is the ratio of guides & porters to group size?

The ratio of guides to porters differ as per the trip you are opting for. In tours, you will only require guides. However, for treks, peak climbing, and expeditions, you will be accompanied by both the guides and porters. Similarly, these mountaineering ventures also vary on difficulty and the number of guides and porters will increase considerably as per the difficulty.

Who are the guides?

Guides are the individuals who will lead you throughout your trip. Your guide will be a Nepali citizen. Most of the guides are fluent in English some speak other languages as well. They will escort you to your destinations and will also offer information about those destinations as well. Most of them are from the mountain region of Sherpa, Rai, and Chhetri communities. Our guides have years of trekking experience and have undergone various training as well.

Do the guides speak English & have first aid training?

Yes, our guides speak English and some other languages too. Our guides have a deep knowledge in the matters of tourism which they will happily share with you. Our guides also have in-depth knowledge of first aid training. They will assist you if you come across any difficult situations on the trip.

What is the usual group size for the treks?

The group size of the trek tends to fluctuate depending on the nature and duration of the trek. The group size also depends upon your request of joining a larger or smaller group. A normal group for treks consists of 5-7 individuals; however, this can change as per the situations and demands of the trekkers.

What happens if I fall ill during the trek?

Our guides and trek members are adept at providing first aid services and are also equipped with the basic medications for illnesses like fever, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, etc. However, if the illness worsens and the trekker will be taken to the nearest possible hospital. If the trekker falls severely ill in mountainous regions, we will arrange immediate emergency evacuation services as well.

When do I meet my trekking guide?

The trekking guide is the most important person on the trek and will be one of the first people you will meet in Nepal. In most of the cases, you will meet your guide right before the commencement of the trek. After your arrival in Nepal, we will arrange for a meeting between you and the trek guide within the next few days.

Are the foods & water in the lodges and camps hygienically standard?

The food provided in the lodges and camps are made from the finest ingredients and are hygienic as well. The cooks in the local teahouses are fairly trained. You can get boiled water in the lodges or you can even purify them with portable water purifiers. Our team for camping treks comprises of the best-trained cooks, and they will serve you fresh and quality food.

How to stay in good health when traveling to Nepal?

Before arriving in Nepal, we advise you to take the necessary vaccinations as prescribed by your doctor. In Nepal, eating healthy cooked food and drinking bottled water will help you stay healthy. While traveling, avoid drinking from taps and other local sources of water. While walking on the dusty streets, wear a mask and avoid contact with the sick people.