Most Common Trekking Problems In Nepal & How To Prepare

FAQ- Trek

Best time to visit
What are the Best Short Treks?
Safety situation
Safe Trekking

Travel documents
 Trek permit
 Park Fees
 Trek Permit Fees
Transportation used in the trek
Communication and mail in the trek
Language and culture tips in the trail
What to wear in the trek
How long is a day walk
Flight delay in the trek
Emergency handling in the trek
High Altitude Sickness
Trek Itinerary:
Weather in the trek
What a trek is like
Clothing and equipment for trek
Medical Supplies for trek
Meals in the trek
Cleanliness and hygiene in the trek
Accommodation during trek
 Lodge
 Tent
Service provided in the trek
 Camping Equipment
 Mattress and sleeping bags
 Tables & Chars
 Cooking and eating utensils
What are included in the trek cost
Tour Guide in the trek
Camp Staffs, porters, and yaks
Helpful tips before starting your trek
 Air Ticket Reconfirmation
 Shopping-Souvenirs
 Insurance
 Valuable and money
 Water
 Photography
 Airport tax

Best time to visit

Springs (early April to May) and Autumn (early October to late November) are best time to visit Nepal. Late monsoon (September) and early December are equally nice depending upon the trekking regions.

Except monsoon (July – Sept)  when it is wet and raining , all seasons are good for short or long treks or a day hike on the foothill of the Annapurna, around the rim of Kathmandu valley and, Langtang and Helambu (north east of Kathmandu). If priority is the question; autumn comes first, second is spring and third is winter. Spring and Autumn is a peak season in Nepal . To avoid crowd and to get better facilities, if lodge trek is chosen, it is best to travel in winter. But winter is not so nice for trek in higher elevation above 4000 meters.

Because of the word Himalaya associated with trek it is most often asked if snow is encountered during the trek: The answer is “no” if you are trekking in summer and spring below 4500 meter elevation. High areas and passes in the mountain above 5000 meters are generally covered with snow during early spring.

Autumn: Monsoon rain normally ends by middle of September. Sometime it drags on to first week of October. The weather in October and November is cold and dry. Sky is clear and views of the mountain are fantastic. Major festivals happen during this season. In the beginning or middle of November weather changes with snowfall in the mountain above 2500 meter and rain in the lower region; this last for a week only and it improves. Temperature in later part of November much colder than in October. This sort of weather continues until middle of December. Generally sky remains clear in the morning and evening; during daytime it is cloudy.

Average temperature above 900 to 2000 meters is around 7 to 25 degree Celsius. Above 2000 to 3000 meter the temperature usually remains around 4 to 17 degree Celsius. Nighttime is cold and day is quite hot at the above altitude.

Spring: It is the time when wild flowers are in full bloom. Rhododendron of varieties of colours covers forest on the mountain slopes. Early March is cold with lots of snow on higher elevation above 4000 meter; there would be no snow on lower elevation. Morning and evening are clear with blue sky. Daytime is cloudy. As the season approaches end of April the weather becomes warmer and hot as it gets into May.

Summer: Short trek is still nice until first week of May. After first week the temperature gets very hot during the day. Nighttime is pleasant. Views of the Himalayan range are visible though it is cloudy during the day. This condition remains until end of June. Rain starts pouring from the beginning of July and remain until middle of September. However due to the effect of climate change , monsoon has extended till mid of October. This is the best time to visit higher plateau of the Himalayas like Mustang, Kailash and Tibet where the sky remains blue throughout.

Winter: Mid-December until end of February is usually considered as winter. It is coldest of all the season. Temperature drops to minus 2 to 6 Celsius at night. Daytime temperature remains between 12 to 18 degree Celsius; it is warm. Snow covered mountain appear brilliant during the daytime. Nice time to do short trek on the foothills of the Himalayas.

Also read latest travel updates

What are the Best Short Treks?
Kathmandu and Pokhara valley offers some of the best short treks. There are several good hotels and accommodation in these two valleys and the road network are much better than any other areas. At the most you can drive an hour or so to the nearest road head and start walking. Because of the proximity of road the selected destination are best for short trek. Most of the short treks do not involve flight. A day hike up to the ridge can be extended to 7 days.

The brief description of the area generally represents what you would be seeing throughout the trek either it is a day hike or a week trek. In the longer trek you would see more in different form and varieties and provides more opportunities to experience nature and culture. The difference is like taking a glimpse or a stare at the magnificent Himalayan range.

The selected treks in Annapurna Foothill are planned with overnight stay in Pokhara either in the beginning or at the end of the trek. If you want to make it easier, especially with family trek, you can also add hotel in Pokhara at either end of the trek. The selected trek in the rim of Kathmandu valley is based on your stay in Kathmandu.

Hotel accommodation is not included in the package cost to enable you to choose by yourself.

Safety situation
Nepal is a peaceful , loving and hospitable country with big warm welcoming smile. It is safe to take a walk around from morning till late in the evening, until the shops are open. You are responsible for the safety of your mobile, handbag back-pack and other valuable items

Travel documents
Trek permit Trek permit is not required to trek in normal route in Everest, Langtang and Annapurna region. However you should pay park fees (ACAP) in Kathmandu or Pokhara before trek. Park fees for Everest and Langtang can be paid at the park entrance, but it is best paid before your trek departure.

According to Government regulation issued on 17 June 2002 trekkers are required to travel in a group with government recognized trekking companies in the area specified by the government as permit area trek.

Trek Permit from Department of Immigration is required to visit Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Dolpa and newly opened areas like Olangchung Gola, Hatia, Nanagpala, Rasuwa, Nar – Phu valley, Mugu and Darchula areas.

Special Trek permit is required to visit Mustang, Manaslu, Upper (Inner) Dolpa, Humla (Simikot),Olanghunggola, Hatia and Mugu region

Park Fees:
National Park Fees – Rs per person ($13)
ACAP Permit (ACAP)- Rs.3000 per person ($30)
Note: dollar equivalent is approximate.

Mustang, Annapurna and Manaslu are under ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project). Kanchanjunga, Everest, Langtang and Dolpa are under national park.

Trek Permit Fees
Mustang and Upper (Inner) Dolpa of Western Nepal. – US$700 per person for 10 days and after that $70 per person per day. Government appointed liaison officer is required for Mustang.

Manaslu of Central Nepal – US$90 per person per week in autumn and $75 per person per week in the spring. Minimum 2 weeks is required.

Taplejung and Hatia of Eastern Nepal – US$ 10 per week per person for first 4 weeks, and after that US$ 20 per person per week. Taplejung and Hatia includes Olangchung Gola, Lelep, Papung and Yamphudin and Sankhuwasava – Kimathanka, Chepuwa ,Hathi Gola, Pawakhola

Nanagpala of Everest and Rasuwa of Langtang region – US$10 per person per week. Rasuwa includes – Thuman and Timure.

Nar-Phu and Tilche and Thoche of Annapurna – Manang Region – US$ 90 per person per week for the period September to November, and US$ 75 per person per week for the period December to August.

Mugu, Humla, Bajhang and Darchula of Far Western region – US$ 90 per person per week. Mugu area includes Mugu, Dolpu, Pulu, Bhangri and Humla area includes Limi, Tangekhola and Darma. Bajhang area includes Kanda, Saipal, Dhuli, Darchula and Vyas. A government appointed liaison is required
In this trek.

Note: Trek permit and visa regulation and fees may change without advance notice. Cost of the permit is not included in the land price unless it is specifically mentioned.

Transportation used in the trek
For long distance travel there are several bus-companies and transport syndicate that operates bus on daily basis. They operate day as well as evening bus.

To reach road head of trek starting point normally nor aircondition Indian made bus or old german made Mercedes bus are used. For trek that starts at Pokhara there are several companies that operates luxury air-condition or non air-condition bus. Check with us for detail.

To carry your personal baggage, provision, camping equipment etc depending upon the area yaks, mules and most commonly porters are used.

Read also – Pre Trek information

Communication and mail in the trek

On your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) , you can purchase a sim card for Rs 100 and activate a data package for the required amount of space you wish to purchase. With the evolve of modern technology and construction of roads, remote villages are now being connected by telephone and internet access.  Telephone in remote villages where electricity is not available is powered by solar energy. You can charge your phone and camera all along the trekking trail unless you are camping.

Language and culture tips in the trail
Nepali is widely spoken in Nepal but in remote villages they may not understand Nepali nor English. In cities if you speak in English you will have no problem in getting help and advice. Either in village or cities you might always get wide smiles for yes or no answers. Whenever you ask for direction make sure to double-check the information because you get answer anyway.

While on trek don’t take the answer at face value because local people as well as trek staff answer your question for ‘how long’ in their own time frame work. “Namaste” is greeting and “Dhanyabad” is thank you. Regarding photography always maintain discretion while taking photo of women, religious festival, cremation ground, inside of temple, etc. Always ask for permission.

What to wear in the trek
Weather From March to May (spring) is warm during the day and cool in the evening, dusty, rain shower (sometime). May is the hottest of all month. High mountain area has pleasant temperature.

June to August (Monsoon) is lush green and wet. Rain start from beginning of July. Heavy rain- fall is in August. Rain doe not fall throughout day and night. There are several dry days with sun in between.

September to November (autumn) is warm during the day and cool in the evening. The sky is clear. It is normally regarded as the best time for trekking, tour, festival and other cultural activities.

December to February (winter) is cold and snow in the mountain. End of December and January is very cold. In the mountain daytime is pleasant.

So bring clothes according to the season and place you would want to visit.

How long is a day walk
This is a frequently asked question about trek (long as well as short trek). On average you walk about 7 to 8 hours a day. Suitable camping site and availability of water determines duration of walk in tented trek. As for lodge trek lodging and eating facility (tea house) determines where and when to stop. At higher elevation above 4000 meter your pace of walking is slower, so in a day you would cover about 5 to 6 hours of walk.

Flight delay in the trek
Flight to remote airstrip like Lukla, Taplejung, Manang, Jomsom, Jumla, Juphal and Simikot may be delayed because of weather or technical reason. Often in the fall and winter season delay is due to early morning fog that would delay take off until 10 Am. The delay in the spring could be because of wind and in the summer cloud and wet airstrip. This delay disrupts subsequent flights to this remote STOL airstrip. However you must be at the airport at least 1 hour before departure and do not leave airport until your flight departure is announced.

Emergency handling in the trek
In the event of illness or injury, either the Sirdar / trek guide with the approval of leader (if there is a trek leader) will arrange to send someone for assistance or transport the ill person to a nearest hospital, airstrip, or road head for evacuation to Kathmandu. The Sirdar and tour leader has complete authority and responsibility in such a situation. It is up to the individual member to decide whether his assistance is required or continues the journey depending upon the situation. The only guideline in such condition is common sense. In some situation if you are not able to make any decision the guide / Sirdar/ leader would make final decision for your safety. The person who delivers the rescue message should be given full name with sex, passport number and nationality of the sick person including the name of the leader and Sirdar of the group. This would help the rescue workers to identify the sick person and act accordingly.

There are private helicopter services beside the military helicopter. Their priority is rescue request. After the request has been placed the helicopter will be at the rescue spot within 24 hours. If the weather is good and if it has sufficient time to pick up the sick person rescue request would be carried immediately. Once you send for rescue request there is no way you can cancel it. You must wait for the helicopter at the place or point from where you have asked to be rescued. You will end up paying the full charge even if the pilot failed to get you incase if you have moved from the place. Helicopter rescue charge is US$1000 per hour. Normally the helicopter operators including the military helicopter service require advance deposit to fly. However full payment must be made soon after the job is done.

High Altitude Sickness

Safe Trekking 
The main precaution that needs to be taken while trekking is not to go up too high too fast. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is caused by thin air at high altitudes starting from 2500 meter upwards and may even lead to death. So the body should be given enough time to acclimatize.

If you have not experienced walking in high altitude region before, you may feel uncomfortable with headache, nausea, and lethargy. Even if you have previous experience it is not a guarantee that you are immune. If you are in good physical shape you should slow down your walking pace as you trek above 4000 meters. Experience and statistics has shown that this measure has reduced likelihood of getting altitude sickness. This is neither an assurance nor a guarantee but caution to ask you to be prepared.

If you suffer from initial symptoms like headache, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, inability to sleep, swelling of face, hands and feet and loss of appetite, descend to a lower elevation immediately and seek medical assistance. Helicopter rescue service is available, but it is expensive. So comprehensive travel insurance is advised to cover emergencies like helicopter rescue and medical treatment in the vent of an accident on the trail.

The average altitude during a long trek or overland Tibet Tour is 2300 meters (7,500 ft) but on a strenuous trek it may reach as high as 5,400 meters (17,500ft). It is advisable to drink considerably more liquids at high altitudes than at sea level as dehydration is common. If you have heart problems or high blood pressure, you should consult your own doctor before undertaking such a trip. Headaches are common during the first days of a trip, it is best to keep away from any alcoholic drinks until you are acclimatized.

Most fatal cases of altitude sickness (pulmonary edema) resulted from people pushing themselves beyond their capabilities when they were severally affected by altitude problems. Usually altitude problem does not occur below 3600 meter, however at least one extra day should be allowed if you have flown direct to that altitude.

There are Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) health post in Pheriche (Everest area), and Manang (Annapurna) where maximum number of trekkers pass through. This health post has foreign medical doctors (volunteers), emergency medical instrument and medicine to treat sick trekkers especially when they are affected by high altitude sickness. These post has radio to communicate with its Kathmandu office.

Trek Itinerary:
The itinerary is suggested guideline only. It may change because of weather, physical condition and other circumstances and condition beyond human control. Brief description of the trek is supplied to you after your have booked the trip.

Weather in the trek
Geographical setting of the country is so extreme that it ranges from a sea level to snow covered Himalaya. This great varieties of topography of the country creates diversity of weather as well as climate. The country experience tropical, mesothermal, microthermal, taiga and tundra types of climate.

The seasonal wind “Monsoon” is caused by the differential heating between land and sea. Monsoon rain normally arrives over the eastern Nepal during the first week of Jun. 60 to 80 percent of rainfall falls during the monsoon season (June to Sept).

In winter the major weather affecting, is the “Western Disturbances”. Due to this, north –western part of the country receives rainfall greater than that of east. At higher altitudes, most of the precipitation falls in the form of snow.

Oct Jan Apr
Temperature in Cel Max Min Max Min Max Min
Kathmandu (1332m) 31 14 19 3 29 8
1500 to 2500 meter 25 12 16 3 23 6
2500 to 4000 meter 18 5 11 -8 16 -0
4000 to 6000 meter 8 0 5 -10 6 -0

Note: Above average temperature is for guideline only.

What a trek is like
You will be intimated departure time and flight number a day before your scheduled departure. If you’re traveling by surface you will be given pick up time. Should you plan to travel Pokhara by local bus you will be given your bus ticket, location and time for reporting.

Life on the trek
You may have lunch or tea before you start to walk; it depends upon when you arrive at the trek start point. Your duffel baggage and camping equipment will be given to the porter to carry. Food will be in a wicker basket, it will also carried by the porters. In the Everest region, instead of porters, yaks are usually used. It will take about 45 minutes to organize all these. Sardar (chief guide) or none of the trek staff lead the way.

Camp staffs will always be available for any assistance you may need. They will ensure that you are always on correct trail.

When you arrive at the camp staff / Sherpas will set up the tents and lay out the mattress. On the first night choose your partner and tent, after that the they will always find your baggage put it in your tent. All tents are for two persons, unless you have requested a single tent.

After you arrive at the camp tea will be served. Drink a lot of fluid. Dinner will be served around 6 p.m. After dinner usually most trekkers retire to their tent. Give your water bottle to the kitchen staff; he will fill it and bring it to you. Candle will be provided in the tent. Extinguish the candle before you go to sleep or go out of the tent.

Usual pattern is to wake up at 6am, pack your duffel bag and have breakfast at 6.30am. While you are eating breakfast the Sherpas will brake the camp and make loads for the porters. By 7am everyone is ready to start walking. When weather is cold this schedule may be delayed. Sardar will inform you about this.

Lunch stop depends upon suitable spot for cooking spot for cooking as well as place where water is available. Usually you will stop for lunch around 11am. Meals are served in the open. A large ground sheet will be provided to sit around. If weather is cold or wet alternative arrangement will be done.

On average you will be walking about 7 hours a day. If you are at higher elevation you will walk less. It is important to walk slowly and steadily. Because of mountain terrain which is up and down it is difficult to measure distance covered in each day. Usually you will be walking about 10 km a day or in average of 6-7 hours walk.

For a family trek with children this schedule is adjusted. Your day to day schedule is arranged in such a way that you can easily cover the distance without taxing your body. Anyone in good health and sound physical condition can complete any trek that we organize. But you should be prepared to walk steep hills at times, or in hot weather or snow or rain.

For those who choose lodge trek or combination of lodge and tented trek the schedule will be based on availability of lodges and suitable eating places on the way. The headman (Sirdar) takes care of all the expenses. He fix accommodation and plan stops accordingly.

Clothing and equipment for trek
This are essential items you will need during the trek:
• Sleeping bag – either down or fiber filled. (available for rent in Kathmandu)
• Rucksack or backpack or daypack (Water proof)
• Duffel bag (waterproof) without frame. This will be carried by the porter.
• Sun-glass or dark goggles-it is must for snow.
• Hats- Sun hat and woolen hat.
• Water bottle (1 liter) – with proper cap.
• Down jackets, wool-shirts and sweater
• Socks- Wool or wool/nylon.
• Shorts and shirts (full sleeve).
• Walking shoe: trekking boots are useful in all condition. It is must item if you’re going to snow, glacier and high altitude region. A pair of running shoe is useful anywhere.
• Gaiter (if you are going to snow, glacier and high pass) This is not required for short treks.
• Pocket- knife and flashlight.
• Rain-gear- is always useful.
• Umbrella- it is useful as a walking stick as well as to protect from the sun.

The above list is only for suggestions. You should plan it according to your requirement and past experience. Remember not to make baggage more than 15 kg. It is possible to buy or rent equipment in Kathmandu. But for this you should plan some days to shop around. Shoes are usually most difficult items to rent or buy, so bring your own shoes.

Medical Supplies for trek
These are standard items:
• Chip stick or glacier cream
• Foot powder
• Bandage and tapes
• Moleskin or blister tape
• Lomotil or medicine for diarrhea
• Decongestant medicine
• Aspirin
• Antiseptic cream
• Cough Syrup
• Water purification tablets
• Sunblock Lotion

The above list shows our suggestions. You should plan it according to your requirement and past experience.

Meals in the trek
Standard menu are:
Breakfast
• Tea and coffee
• Eggs (fried, boiled or posed)
• Bread
• Cereals (porridge-oats, rice, granola, and corn flake)
• Butter, jam, honey and peanut butter

Lunch
• Tea and coffee
• Fried potatoes or vegetables
• Sandwich or Chapati (cooked bread) – with can fish or meat
• Peanut butter, jam and tomato ketchup
• Vegetable salads
• Fruits

Dinner
• Soup (mixed, vegetable, or chicken)
• Noodle (spaghetti or chow mein), Nepalese dinner- dal (lintel) bhat with meat or vegetable, bread (chapati) with meat or vegetable curry, fried rice or meat dumpling (momo)
• Fruits cocktail (mango, pears, mixed), jelly, or pudding
• Tea, coffee, and hot chocolate

Refreshment
Before breakfast it is tradition to give wake up tea or coffee and a bowl luke warm water for washing. On arrival at lunch stop orange /lemon squash or lemon tea with biscuits is given. Same is repeated upon arrival at camp site. A bowl or water is provided for washing at the camp site.

Cook try to prepare different menu every day. Usually after a week the menu is repeated depending upon what is available. Vegetable, fruits and kerosene are bought at Kathmandu, Pokhara, Jomsom, Namche Bazar, and at various places on the way depending upon situation and availability. Usually potatoes and wheat flour are available in some of major villages but rice are bought at major cities and villages only.

Meat (chicken, buffalo, goat, yak or sheep) are bought at villages on the way.
We use soybean / vegetable oil for cooking meals. Kerosene is used for lighting and cooking.

Cook is assisted by kitchen assistants. Camp site and lunch stop are chosen by the sardar (guide) with approval from the cook. For him availability of water and
not so windy place is important and for guide good view and clean camp site wide enough to accommodate all tents is important.

Cleanliness and hygiene in the trek
It is a routine job of our trek staffs to clean tents and kitchen equipment immediately after each trek before it is handed over to the store. All members shall get clean tent. Cooks and kitchen staffs are trained in cooking food and maintaining hygiene. They use potassium permanganate to treat water for washing vegetable and cleaning. Different soaps are provided for washing hands and kitchen utensils. They are trained to prepare clean and hygienic food; this is the priority. Their past experience in trek have thought them to prepare excellent meals.

Accommodation during trek
Lodge
The central hill is dotted by several teashops, it used to serve travelers with basic meal and sleeping. Now in several places on the trail in Annapurna, Langtang-Helambu and Everest region these tea shop has been modified and in come cases upgraded to cater trekkers. They have turned up their service to cater tourist. In the “Lodge Trek” these teahouses are used for sleeping and eating.

The lodge is a small Inn, which serves travelers with food and bed. Usually it has attached restaurant that prepares meals according to order. The quality and standard of the meals and accommodation varies at every place. Food menu is long and varied but it is difficult to predict if all meals can be prepared. The guaranteed meals are local staple- dal- bhat and noodle soup. Coffee and tea are available.

To avoid delay in serving food we suggest trekkers to request same meals for all. The hygienic condition is not guaranteed though professional people in hospitality industry train some of the lodge owners. Simple beds with mattress in a dormitory are available in most lodges. We suggest you to bring your own sleeping bags (it is available on rent in Kathmandu). There are some good lodges on the trail that provides double room. In peak tourist season like in April and October services at lodges are rather stretched to its limit.

Overnight stay has to be planned according to availability of good lodge on the trail. A trekking guide is provided with a group. Depending upon the size of the group assistance guides are assigned. Porters carry all personal baggage. Guide takes care of all the expenses and situation on the trail. They are always at hand to provide assistance. In-groups of more than 5 person the guide always send advance Sherpa staff to get best place in the lodge. The advantages with lodge trek is the trek can be fixed with the short notice. Most important is to get reliable and competent guide and Sherpa assistants and confirmed flight if flight is involved.

Tent
Alternative method of trekking is organized trek. In the organized trek private 2 person tent are used. Depending upon group size a separate dining tent and toilet tents are provided. There are camp staffs including trek guide, cook, kitchen helpers and Sherpa assistance to look after the trekkers. Porters carry all personal equipment of the trekkers. Camping equipment-cooking and eating utensils and food are taken from Kathmandu; porters carry these. The guide and cook plan lunch stop and camping place. Normally these stops depend upon availability of water and good camping place.

The advantage in the tented trek is it provides privacy. You can enjoy hot meals cooked by the cook. Meals are hygienic. Staffs take care of every need. You don’t have to sleep crowded lodge. You don’t have to wait for your meal. Your are called for dinner at schedule time. Tea, coffee and refreshment are provided during break, you don’t need to order every time.

Staffs, porters and group members work as a team. Everybody learns from each other. At the end of the trek you all feel very special to each other. The only drawback is cost. It is higher than lodge trek but not prohibitively higher if it does not involve flight.

Service provided in the trek
Camping Equipment -Tents: We provide good quality ‘A’ frame two-men tents on all camping treks. All our tents are new. Though zips are constant problem during its use no matter how good they are we check this after each trek and change or maintained this whenever problem are recorded by trek staffs. Unlike standard tents our tents are specially designed to our requirement so its bottom is thick and waterproof. Size of the tent is 5 ft x 7 ft x 5 ft. A large dining tent (10 ft x 12 ft x 8 ft) is provided for members above 6 persons in a group. This is used for dinner and in the night for porters to sleep. Toilet tents are provided for members to use. Staffs are provided their own sleeping two men tents and porters in large tent where shelters are not available.

Mattress and sleeping bags: We provide 4 inch thick foam mattress. If you have your own insulated mattress we suggest you to bring along. We do not provide sleeping bag. Most people prefer to use their own sleeping bag for privacy and cleanliness. However if it is requested in advance we can help rent sleeping bags (cost about $1.5 per day)

Tables & Chars: Usually we do not provide table and chair/stools. Instead of this a large tarpaulin is spread on the floor during meal time. If there is special request we do provide tables and chairs/stools. Additional cost for this would be $1.5 per day per person.

Cooking and eating utensils: We use only kerosene for cooking food and boiling water. For light in the evening patomax (pressure lamp with kerosene) is used. Sufficient pots, pens and kitchen equipment are taken by the cook. We use stainless steel eating utensils. These are easy to clean and it is light. We found this much better than melamine and other materials.

What are included in the Trek cost
Cost Includes: All meals, accommodation during the trek, camping equipment trek guide, staffs and porters, and their accident insurance, ground transport (local bus) , domestic airfare and airport transfer. Warm clothing for porters in high altitude trek is included in the cost.

Does not include: Park fee and trek permit (unless specifically mentioned in the programme), member insurance, airfare international, all expenses of personal nature, emergency evacuation, accommodation in Kathmandu, private transport and services that are not specifically mentioned.

Tour Guide in the trek
English speaking tour guide are included in the guided trek above 10 persons in a group. This guide act as a trip leader of the group. He is responsible for the welfare and logistics of the trek. He is the link between the staffs and the trekkers.

Camp Staffs and Porters
Camp staffs: We employ staffs Sardar (guide) and cook on permanent basis. Staffs are recruited based on the comment of our customers. Those who get highest recommendation get priority in the job. Best among them are given jobs in the expedition and group alternatively. This provides wider opportunity to get good expedition equipment and recognition. Kitchen staffs and assistants (sherpas) are employed directly by the sardar (guide) and cook to make a working team.

Porters, yaks or horse: Sardar (guide) hires them directly depending upon the requirement. We allow 15 kg for each member as their personal baggage. We provide warm woolen blankets, shoes, woolen gloves, woolen socks and dark glass on trek that crosses high pass and traverse through snow. Special allowance and food are given to porters on high altitude trek over 5000 meter. Our staffs are instructed to take care of porters as much as members in difficult trek condition.

Government Liaison Officer: Special permit areas trek like Mustang and Humla (Simikot) require government officer to accompany the group. They are appointed by department of Immigration. They are supposed to work to help tourist to protect the area and provide assistance when required. Trek group are required to bear all their expenses throughout the trek.

Helpful tips before starting your trek
Air Ticket Reconfirmation: You should reconfirm your onward journey. You should do this yourself or ask your representative to do this for you. Do not changed your confirmed schedule of your onward journey, if you do, it will be at your own risk.

Shopping-Souvenirs
Shopping can be fun if you just know how to do it. General rule is not to start asking price if you do not want the item. If you think it is good you may start bargaining but make sure you don’t start with the price the sellers takes it. Normally it is good to start at 50% less than offered price. If it is expensive items, best to compare prices. Remember that it is prohibited by law to export antique items. But there are several items like jewelry, semi precious stones, Tibetan and Nepali style Thangka painting, wool carpets, woolen sweater and jacket, pashmina shawls, handicrafts, wooden and metal crafts etc. Normally shopkeepers do not give receipt of the payment. All these items are best available in Kathmandu.

Insurance
We strongly recommend that you are insured against accident, emergency evacuation, loss of or damage to baggage and personal effect, and trip cancellation due to personal or family health/illness, etc. Emergency and medical insurance are now available in Kathmandu.(for detail check with us), however it is best obtained at home.

Valuable and money
Do not take valuable and travelers check on the trek. Leave it behind at the safe deposit box. It is available in most hotels.

You need money for soft drink, beer etc and tips to porters and Sherpa staffs. In a short trek Nepalese rupees worth US$50 to $100 is sufficient, and on longer trek $150 to $200 on rupees of smaller denomination would be alright unless you want to buy some souvenirs.

You should take Nepalese rupees/local currency in the trek. If your trek is prepaid you need not worry about purchasing food on the trail. Take currency in small denomination of Rs 5 and Rs 10 and Rs 50, Credit Card, travelers check and large denomination notes are no good in the mountain.

Water
It is one of the major source of stomach problem. While in Kathmandu you have choice to drink bottled mineral water but on the trek you should bring small bottle of iodine crystal to treat your drinking water. Or check with your chemist the best method to treat water. At camp you will get plenty of tea or coffee to supplement your water requirement; this is safe. Generally water provided in the hotel is safe. But we suggest not to drink water direct from the tap and pitcher kept in your bedroom. Food in the trek is treated with potassium permanganate (pink water) and water are boiled.

We advise you should drink only boiled water and eat freshly cooked food. Maintain basic hygiene while eating food. Do not get nervous if you get mild diarrhea of change in diet your system takes time to adapt.

Photography: Bring your own films and batteries. Video cameras are permitted but 16 mm. movie cameras are not allowed; this camera is considered as professional equipment therefore it is subject to very high custom duty. Photography inside the religious monuments and generally not allowed.

If you’re planning to bring movie camera, etc and need some one to carry, you should request a staff to carry this in advance. If you have not requested earlier your Sirdar will hire someone to carry for you. This cost is not included so you are expected to pay the cost direct to the Sirdar or the porter. Camera (even broken one) and valuable should not be but in the duffel bag.

National park charge fees for movie camera for taking the camera insie the national park. Special permit is required for professional movie camera to film 16 mm movie or documentary. Please check with us for detail.

Airport tax: Domestic airport tax is included in the tourist airfare. Please note after Sep 11 the airlines have started charging insurance tax of US$2 on air ticket.

I hope you found this travel information on Nepal useful for the next time you visit Nepal.