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common questions
Information
about Nepal
welcome
about Nepal
when to visit
events
activities
tourist visa
What
can we expect to pay for an independent guide?
What does the price include?
What isn't included?
How fit do l have to be?
Is Nepal similar to home?
What equipment should l bring?
Altitude sickness, will it effect me?
what and what NOT to do
rafting
Welcome
To Nepal
Nepal
is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio diversity
due to its unique geographical position and latitudinal variation.
The elevation of the country ranges from 60m above the sea level
to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest 8,848m, all within a
distance of 150km with climatic conditions ranging from sub tropical
to arctic. This wild variation fosters an incredible variety of
ecosystems, the greatest mountain range on earth, thick tropical
jungles teeming with a wealth of wildlife, thundering white water
river, forested hills and frozen valleys.
Within
this spectacular geography is also one of the richest cultural landscapes
anywhere. The country is a potpourri of ethnic groups and sub groups
who speak over 70 languages and dialects. Nepal offers an astonishing
diversity of sightseeing attractions and adventure opportunities
found nowhere else on earth. And you can join in the numerous annual
festivals that are celebrated throughout the year in traditional
style highlighting enduring customs and beliefs.
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About
Nepal
Location
Nepal is a land-locked country bordering with the Tibet Autonomous
Region of the People's Republic of China in the north and surrounded
by India in the east, south and west.
Language
Nepali is the national language of Nepal. Educated people understand
and speak English as well. There are hundreds of local dialects
spoken by people from various ethnic groups.
Climate
Nepal has four major seasons, namely,(1) Winter: December-February,
(2) Spring: March-May, (3) Summer: June-August and (4) Autumn: September-November.
Nepal can be visited all the year round.
People and Religion
Nepalese people are mainly divided into two distinct groups, the
Indo-Aryans and the Mangoloids (the Kirats). Before 2007 AD, Nepal
was regarded as the only Hindu Kingdom in the world. But after that
the Government of Nepal has already announced the country to be
secular country. The Hindu Temples and Buddhist Shrines are scattered
all over the Kingdom. Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Herald
of Peace, the Light of Asia. Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians
live together in harmony. And other nature worshippers, too, exist
here.
Currency & Foreign exchange
Nepali Rupee notes come in Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500,
1000 denominations. Coins come in Rs. 1, 2 , 5 and 10 denominations.
Foreign
currencies must be exchanged only through banks or authorized money
exchangers. The receipts of such transaction are to be obtained
and retained. Visitors can exchange foreign currency at the foreign
exchange counter at the airport upon arrival. Visitors other than
the Indian nationals have to make the payment in foreign currency
(non-Indian currency) in hotel, trekking agencies or travel agencies
and for air tickets.
Location:
Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates:
28 00 N, 84 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 147,181 sq km
land: 143,181 sq km
water: 4,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Arkansas
Climate:
varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical
summers and mild winters in south
Terrain:
Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region,
rugged Himalayas in north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m
highest point: Mount Everest 8,848 m
Natural hazards:
severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine
depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons
Environment - current issues:
deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives);
contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff,
and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions
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When
to Go
Climatic
factors are very important in deciding when to visit Nepal. October-November,
the start of the dry season, is in many ways the best time of year:
the weather is balmy, the air is clean, visibility is perfect and
the country is lush following the monsoon. February-April, the tail
end of the dry season, is the second-best period: visibility is
not so good because of dust, but the weather is warm and many of
Nepal's wonderful wild flowers are in bloom. In December and January
the climate and visibility are good but it can be chilly: trekkers
need to be well prepared for snow, and for cheaper hotels in Kathmandu
- nonexistent heating makes for rather gloomy evenings. The rest
of the year is fairly unpleasant for travelling: May and early June
are generally too hot and dusty for comfort, and the monsoon from
mid-June to September obscures the mountains in cloud and turns
trails and roads to mud.
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Events
Nepal's
festive calendar is hectic. Dasain, celebrated nationwide in October,
is the most important of all Nepalese celebrations and features
the biggest animal sacrifice of the year. Running a close second
is Tihar (November), but unlike Dasain, animals are honoured rather
than slaughtered. Other festivals celebrated nationally include
the water-tinged Holi (March) and Chaitra Dasain (April), which
is yet another bad day for animals. Hindu festivals number the Haribodhini
Ekadashi (November) and Maha Shivaratri (March), both celebrated
in Pashupatinath, the Gai Jatra (August) in Kathmandu and the Krishna
Jayanti (August/September) in Patan. Buddhist celebrations are just
as thick on the ground, and include Mani Rimdu (November) in Solu
Khumbu, Buddha Jayanti (May) in Kathmandu, and Losar (Tibetan New
Year) (February) in Swayambhunath, Jawalakhel and highland communities.
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Activities
Templed
out? Sick of stupas? Try trekking instead. The best trekking season
is between September and early December, although March and April
are also popular.
Popular
treks from Kathmandu include the Everest Base Camp, and the Helambu
and Langtang treks. From Pokhara, the most popular are the Annapurna
Circuit and the Jomsom trek. Less-travelled alternatives require
more planning, but include the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek, the
Dolpo region, Mustang and Rara Lake.
Remember
to minimise your impact on the environment by avoiding use of non-biodegradable
items, disposing of your garbage responsibly, staying at lodges
that use kerosene instead of firewood, and by not using toilet paper.
Rafting
and kayaking are incredibly popular, especially on the Trisuli River
near Kathmandu and the Sun Kosi in Dolalghat. More remote challenges
include the Karnali (a two-day trek from Surkhet) and the Tamur
(a three-day trek from Dobhan in eastern Nepal). Other activities
include mountain biking in the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara and near
the Tibetan border; and safariing in the Terai. A range of language,
spiritual, medicinal and yoga courses can be taken in Kathmandu
and at various temples and monasteries.
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Tourist
Visa for Nepal
Tourist
entry visa can be obtained for the following duration from Nepal
Embassy/ Consulate or Mission offices abroad, or at the following
immigration offices in Nepal:
» Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
» Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
» Birganj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
» Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)
» Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)
» Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)
» Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)
» Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal)
Fee
Multiple
entry 15 Days US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple
entry 30 Days US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple
entry 90 Days US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency
Tourist Visa Extension
Visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US$30 or equivalent convertible
currency and visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US$2 per
day Tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days
in a single visa year (January – December).
Gratis
(Free) Visa
Gratis visa for 30 days available only for tourists of SAARC countries.
Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal.
Transit
Visa
Transit visa for one day can be obtained from Nepal's immigration
offices at the entry points upon the production of departure flight
ticket via Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal, by paying US$5
or equivalent convertible currency.
price
depends on many factors, but as a rough guide for a one or two person
trek staying in tea houses expect to pay $45 per person. This reduces
if the numbers go up.
For
the longer camping treks, the price starts at $75 and reduces if
the number increase
Price
for Camping Trek Package includes:
All
surface transportation to the starting point of the trek and from
the ending point of the trek.
All
the necessary documents for trekking.
- Trekking Permit where applicable.
- National Park/Conservation Entry Permit.
All
meals three times a day (freshly cooked vegetarian / non-vegetarian).
All required equipment : tent, mattresses, sleeping bags. cooking
equipment
Guide, cook and required porters.
All the camping charges.
Insurance, Medical Assistance and Equipment for our staffs.
Lodge
Trekking
Price
for Tea House / LodgeTrekking Packages:
All
surface transportation to the starting point of the trek and from
the ending point of the trek.
All
the necessary documents for trekking.
- Trekking Permit where applicable.
- National Park/Conservation Entry Permit.
All
meals three times a day (freshly cooked vegetarian / non-vegetarian).
Guide and required porters.
All the lodge charges.
Insurance, Medical Assistance and Equipment for our staff.
What
isn't included
Confectionery, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks
international flights
transfers
visas
How
fit do l have to be
Consider
your experience and fitness levels carefully. We can advise you
about difficulties & challenges relating to each route as well
as the scenic & cultural highlights of the relative regions.
Give
yourself enough time to allow some flexibility in your schedule
for acclimatisation, side-trip or extra rest day, if needed.
Is
Nepal similar to home?
Remember
Nepal may not be just like it is at "home". That is one
of the reasons most people come here. Savor the differences and
enjoy it.
On
the trek you will find some of the lodges are fairly basic and do
not have the same facilities as you may find at home. Running water
is often channelled from off the mountain, and hot water is only
produced by heating on a wood burning stove, toilets are generally
speaking continental in style (Holes in the ground that you crouch
over).Nevertheless, most are exceedingly clean and well cared for,
although there are always exceptions to the rule.
We
are local Nepalese so we are happy to answer any questions about
Nepali culture and customs.
What
equipment should l bring?
Pack
carefully. Ask about seasonal changes and temperature. Be prepared
for cold nights at high altitudes at any time of the year. Layered
clothing works better than one heavy layer and gives more flexibility
for warm midday.
Footwear:
Well broken-in walking boots(Good and comfortable boots will be
your best friend.), thick socks, light socks, shoes for relaxing
in.
Clothing:
Down or fibre filled waterproof jacket and trousers, sweater or
fleece jacket, underwear, warm and cotton trousers not jeans, shirts
and T-shirts, shorts, long underwear, wool hat, sun hat, gloves,
bathing suit, track suit.
Other
equipment: Sleeping bag (4 seasons), trekking holdall or stash sack
with lock, day pack, water bottle, sun cream, sunglasses, flashlight
with spare bulbs and batteries, lip salve.
Other
items: Insect repellent, toilet articles, diary, toilet roll, laundry
soap, pocket knife, tie cord, towel, sewing kit, plasters, binoculars,
camera, film, cards and personal medical kit.
Try
to keep your daypack as light as possible. Maximum weight –
8 to 10 Kg. is suggested.
Each
porter carries 20 Kg. Although Dokos (wicker carrying baskets) are
more picturesque, we now recommend our clients put their personal
gear in a backpack with a good hip-belt to ease the porter’s
load. Packing gear for two clients plus their personal equipment
is a usual practice. (An alternative to the above suggestion is
the use of a zippered duffel bag).
Respect
the environment. The advice "Take nothing but photographs.
Leave nothing but footprints" remains true. Nepal has suffered
environmentally in the past. Help us to change the trend and preserve
our beautiful land.
Dress
standards
Cultural
sensitivity is the hallmark of considerate travellers. Dress standards
vary considerably around Nepal - button-popping halter tops and
loincloth-clad saddhus to the Victorian ankle standard, but foreigners
are judged differently. Tidy with covered shoulders and long pants
earns the most respect, while skimpy tops and tight leggings can
invite unwarranted attention, both trekking and in Kathmandu. Skirts
are not required for women (most Khumbu Sherpa women wear either
their local 'ungi', sweat pants or jeans).
In
Kathmandu
From
April to the end of October, it is warm, even hot during the day.
Cool, light clothes are best, and longer shorts are acceptable.
November
thru to the end of March, it is still usually warm during the day
and a single layer will often do, but in the evenings you will want
a fleece jacket, and during late December thru to February, a light
down jacket is better for eating/drinking outside.
Normally
the hotel stores free of cost or at very little cost, whatever you
don't take trekking, and of course they have a laundry service.
You might want to plan with a clean set of clothes for your return
from the trek.
Who carries what
You
carry a day pack with your camera, jacket, water and snacks. The
porters (or sometimes yaks) carry everything else, so pack this
in a duffel/kitbag rather than backpack.
Altitude
sickness
No
one knows if someone will be effected by alltitude sickness,the
pleasures of trekking in the world's highest mountain ranges cannot
be overstated. Neither can the dangers. Altitude sickness can occur
in some people as low as 8,000 feet, but serious symptoms do not
usually occur until over 12,000 feet. Even then it is not the height
that is important, rather the speed in which you ascended to that
altitude.
Acute
mountain sickness (AMS) is actually more common in fit young men
because they are more likely to attempt a rapid ascent by racing
up the mountain like some indestructible super hero! As a general
rule, it is far safer (and more enjoyable) to avoid altitude sickness
by planning a sensible itinerary that allows for gradual acclimatisation
to altitude as you ascend, (you can race back down as fast as you
like!).
Harri
and Lila are both excellent judges of individual abilities and will
monitor individuals stamina and ensure that all accents are done
gradually so as to minimise any effect of altitude sickness.
Climb slowly, frequently rest and drink plenty of fluids.
Best drug (Diamax) 500mg 2 days before ascending 3000m
Symptoms -Headaches, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea.
Severe symptoms - vomiting, racing pulse, extreme lassitude, abnormal
speech, swelling of the body, progressive delirium and coma.
Sickness develops slowly, manifesting itself two or three days after
reaching high altitude. The cure is to climb no higher until the
symptoms have disappeared.
Pulmonary edema (water logged lungs) is characterised, even when
resting, by breathlessness and a persistent cough, accompanied by
congestion of the chest. You must descend immediately.
Cerebral edema (water on the brain) This is less common . Extreme
tiredness, vomiting, severe headache, staggering when walking, abnormal
speech and behaviour, drowsiness, even coma.
Return to lower altitude and abandon trek.
What
and what not to do
Nepal
is here to change you not for you to change it.
The
tourism boom in Nepal, as in other countries, has had a mixed blessing.
It has generated a sizeable share of Nepali’s foreign currency
revenue but few people in the tourist destinations have experienced
an improvement in their standard of living.
In
fact, for many communities, the influence of visitors has come at
a considerable cost. In numerous places, trekking groups have left
littered trails and degraded forest in their wake. Against this
alarming backdrop, the practice of eco-tourism has been gaining
increased momentum – both in Nepal and around the World. This
alternative type of tourism seeks not only to preserve the environment
and culture of a tourist destination but also to be of benefit to
the local population…. By fostering environmental awareness,
both among locals & visitors and by linking tourism to social
and economic development, it is possible to preserve the natural
and cultural heritage of an area through the promotion of sustainable
tourism. This not only enhances the positive experience of those
on holiday it also helps to increase the standard of living of the
local residents.
Respect
local traditions, customs, values and sentiments to help them protect
local culture and maintain local pride.
•
Respect privacy when taking photographs
• Respect holy places
• Refrain from giving money to children as it encourages begging
• Respect for the local etiquette earns you respect
• Let the Himalayas change you - Do not change them
• Protect the natural environment
• Leave the campsite cleaner than you found it
• Limit deforestation - make no open fires
• Burn dry paper and packets in a safe place
• Keep local water clean and avoid using pollutants
• Plants should be left to flourish in their natural environment
Nepal
Rafting
Interesting
and justifiably famous, not only for its proximity to the world's
highest mountain, but also for its Sherpa villages and monasteries,
the Everest, or Solu Khumbu area is the second most popular trekking
destination in Nepal. The primary objective of Everest treks is
either the Everest base camp, about 5.340 meters, or Kala Pattar,
an unassuming 5.545 meter hump on the southern flank of Pumori (7.161
meters), which provides a fine view of Everest (8.848 metres).
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