General FAQ about Trekking

Can I trek alone without a porter and guide?

If you are sure you don’t need any assistance to be guided or support for trekking gear, carrying bag it is possible. Except the entire restricted zone trekking, it is legitimate to trek without any local staff. We otherwise highly recommend you to hire guide or porters or both to make your trekking time safe, comfortable and local friendly.

Is it possible to rent all the stuff required for the trek if I don’t have anything?

It is possible to hire everything for the trek however trekking boots are not available all the times due to high season, size of the feet and comfort level of the shoe. It is highly suggested to have a pair your own trekking/hiking   boots beforehand.

What languages are spoken in Nepal and how far will I get with English?

Nepali language is the major language spoken throughout country where many people can speak English too. Speaking in English with locals in city area can be anticipated while very few people including family member and staff of tea house can speak English. Talking to a random local in mountain area requires interpreter which is also the duty of your guide. You will be helped out thoroughly.

How about electronic device charging and WIFI?

More than 85 percent of teahouses of Everest Region, Annapurna Region, Mustang Region, Langtang Region and Manaslu Region have charging facilities by electricity and solar power. It is roughly 100-200 Rupees to fully charge a single gadget in places where charging fees is applicable. WIFI is a trending facility provided by teahouses owners to their guests. Most of the trekking routes have been connected to internet by this time. Except some competitive areas (routes) like Ghorepani trek, you have to pay extra fees for WIFI. The price ranges from 100 to 500 rupees depending on your choice of connecting duration. But there will be no guarantee of satisfying browsing speed.

Is there hot Shower facility available during the trek?

Most of the teahouses of the Everest Region, Annapurna Region, Mustang Region, Langtang Region and Manaslu Region have solar-running showers, which is a part of their Tea house facility and often do not charged any extra fees for that. Gas showers in the other hand are expensive to run in the mountains which cost between 150 to 500 rupees per shower depending upon the remoteness of the place.

Is There Laundry Service available during the trek to Nepal?

There is laundry service only in the big towns of trekking routes.  If you have to wash your simple clothes like socks, t-shirts and underwear’s you can do it yourself. You can buy some detergent powder or washing soap in shop and then ask for bucket in the teahouse and use common tap water to wash.

How much does it cost to trek ABC (Annapurna Base Camp) and EBC (Everest Base Camp)?

You can check here on our package to know the cost. Please, note that your plan can be fully customizable if it doesn’t match our itinerary.

What happens if I get injured or sick in Mountain?

For minor sickness and injuries, our professionally trained guides sincerely handle your physical condition within their farthest knowledge and safety skills. The first step to be taken to cure altitude sickness is to go lower altitude as far as practicable. However if the health issue is too acute and needs an emergency treatment, you have to be airlift by a helicopter which can drop you to the nearest curable hospital where your treatment can be started right away. Our guides will make the key correspondent which the client to ensure feasibility of his/her emergency evacuation.

What are the essentials to pack for the trek?

Here is the list for your essentials packing list.

How will we deal with altitude acclimatization?

Acclimatization is an important strategy for a successful high altitude trek. The popular mantra ‘walk high-sleep low’ is practically the trekkers friendly tip to cope the further (potential) high altitude challenge. Please, note that we have let at least one day for acclimatization for most of the ten days plus treks. The experience of awkward effects in pulmonary and cardiac system affected by thinner density of Oxygen  usually triggers some symptoms of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) including head ache and nausea do not worry. Tell your guide about your physical feeling sometimes it could just be some awkward headaches that occurs but doesn’t last too long. But if it is happening frequently, please tell your guide. Acclimatization is a practice to make your body physiologically adaptive to the new surroundings, for example sleeping at high altitude

What medicine is necessary to be brought?

Our guides always carry a medical kit loaded with first AID pack and generally used medicines like pain killers aspirants, diarrhea pills, cold relief tablets and other major medications needed for the mountain journey, however if you have your own choice of medications you have prepared to personally use in necessary conditions, please bring with you. Do not forget to bring your regular prescribed medicine with prescription bills/papers if you are taking some.

Where do we eat our meals and what food do we get during the trek?

During the trek those are mostly tea house based, except camping trek, you are going to eat at the tea houses. And also the lunches those happen to be taken around the middle of day are prepared by local tea houses or restaurants. In terms of camping treks, all the necessary food, cooking materials and cutleries are improvised by our staff. There will be an experienced camping chef and some kitchen helpers who serve you food in the mountains. For the food guide during the trek you can read our blog about Meals and drinks guide for teahouse trekking in Nepal.

What is tea house trekking?

Tea house can be considered as local guest house in mountains that comprises simple rooms with two beds each, having their own restaurant combined and having toilet and water facility in the same compound. Trekking programs best on tea house where trekkers and trekking staff eat and sleep in those locally owned guest houses is tea house trekking.

How long do we walk each day?

It depends particularly according to the route but keep in mind that you have to walk 5-6 hours roughly including a lunch break in the middle of the walk.

What is the best trekking season in Nepal?

Autumn and spring seasons are generally the best time to trek regarding temperature, clarity of the sky and impressions of landscape colors. In Nepal, autumn season runs between early September till late November while the spring season is duration between March and May. Trekking trails are tough and also potentially dangerous due to wet terrains and landslides risks in summer which last till of end of August from June. However, if you are a botany enthusiast, this is the best time to watch rare Himalayan flora blooming up. Having adequate monsoon gears and being updated to the weather forecast can definitely help you throughout your wet-trails. Winters are undoubtedly the coldest time in the year and specially travelling to high altitude mountain trails are expected to be extra ordinarily chilling. If you are good at enduring cold, trekking in Nepal Himalaya is still feasible till the half of January when average minimum temperature is -17 degree Celsius at night. Not to mention, but thanks global warming which is changing the climate of Himalayas making the surroundings warmer and cloud- free during the first 4-5 weeks of winter. Get some wind proof/snow blocking outfit and crampons if you are going to cross high passes above 16000ft.

What type of insurance shall I obtain?

Travel insurance is compulsory and getting an ideal insurance policy according to your holiday plan is suggested. Some policies cover only up to 13500ft. for emergency evacuations while a few of them cover up to 19685ft. rescue including a helicopter and medical fees. Logically, it is practical to obtain a policy that covers for 17000ft. plus evacuations if you are trekking higher than 13500ft. If you haven’t made any travel-insurance deals before coming to Nepal, we can support you to buy one for you in a reasonable cost before your trek starts.

How difficult is trekking?

It all depends on your choice because we offer all kinds of treks regarding distances, time and geographical conditions. It ranges from easy short hikes to strenuous high altitude treks.

Is hiring a guide compulsory/necessary?

Except some restricted trekking zones in Nepal, there is no legal requirement to hire a guide. You are travelling through remote country side wilderness and high elevations. An aspect of safety concerns doesn’t suggest you to do it alone. Not many local inhabitants of mountains are able to communicate in English or other foreign languages which may be troublesome for you while handling a big deal of problem. Hence, it is highly suggested to travel with a professional guide who is going to take care of you throughout your mountain journey.

What kind of toilets are there during the trek in Himalayas?

There is the basic toilet facility during the trek to Himalayas. The most common type of toilets is Asian squat toilets. However at least one third of the tea houses have installed western style toilet set for trekkers comfort. They may lack of toilet paper and hand washing soap most of the times, so it is better to have your own soap and toilet paper to use restrooms in Mountains.

Is there any age limit to do trek in Mountain?

There is no such age limit for trekking in Nepal. Anyone who has strong will power, healthy body and the dream to trek in Himalayas are capable. You can carry your infant during the trek and you can take your grandpa/grandma over 80 to do the trek.

How cold does it get during the trek?

Trekking hours can be hot as 20 Degree Celsius till 3500 meters during autumn season. As far eve nights, might’s and early mornings it can go freezing, sometimes as low as -25 degree Celsius in high altitude. The average minimum temperature in Mountains is around 5 degree at night.

Tipping

Tipping is practiced in trekking to thank the trekking staff for their good service during the trek. The normal practice for tipping is giving 20 persent of the wages. You can give them more if you are extremely happy because of extraordinary service or if you have a terrible experience due to their fault, you are not required to tip; which they do not deserve.

Currency and payment method

While in Nepal, the best and most practiced method for payment is cash. Many places such as travel companies, shopping mart hotels, restaurants are widely practicing the acceptance of cards those days but you have to pay 3 to 4 percent of bank charges.

 

Visa Nepal

Nepal visa can be obtained to the Tirbhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu. Kodari and Rasuwagadhi at Nepal China Border And at border entry points in Birgunj, Kakadvitta, Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa, Gaddachowki on the Nepal-India border.

A visa also can be obtained at nearest Embassy or diplomatic mission outside of Nepal.

To renew a visa visit the department of immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu.

REQUIREMENTS for VISA

 Valid passport and one passport-size photo with a light background.

Visa can be obtained only through payment of cash in the following currency: Euro, Swiss Franc, Pound Sterling, US Dollar, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar, Singapore Dollar and Japanese Yen.

Credit card, Indian currency and Nepali currency are not accepted as payment of visa fee.

The following visa fees will be effective from 17 July 2019 (as per the Nepal Government’s decision made on 26 May 2019. Source: http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/post/notice-regarding-visa-fee-updates):

Visa Fees for Tourist visa

For 15 days (Multiple Entry) USD 30.

For 30 days (Multiple Entry) USD 50.

For 90 days (Multiple Entry) USD 125.