When to travel in Nepal?

Nepal has four seasons; spring, summer, autumn and winter as it has varieties of climates in its territories so you may have chance to visit there throughout the year.

• The period of mid-September to the end of November is the best season to go for trekking and small peak climbing, there is no rain but sun shining and blue sky as well important festivals.
• From December to February is winter in Nepal and high mountains are covered by snow but still the looks sky blue and sun shine. You may visit valleys, jungle safari and trekking except high passes.
• March, April, May and early June, are really beautiful, The sky is clear, the flowers are beautiful, especially the rhododendron. This is time of expedition and trekking.
• From mid-June to mid September is monsoon period and it rains in the almost parts of the country. You may have best view of vegetation and beautiful water fall. Still there are special parts for trekking in Nepal like Mustang, Dolpo and Tibet.

HOW TO GET TO KATHMANDU?

There are more than 20 international airlines flying to Kathmandu. There is no non stop flight from Europe and America but very easy connection from UAE, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Delhi, Karachi, Dhaka, Bangkok, Thailand, Lhasa. Also possible to enter by bus from various cities Via India. There is still no connection by train to Nepal.

Tips for your personal expenses

The local currency is the Nepalese Rupee. On arrival at the Kathmandu airport, you have the opportunity to exchange Euros and Dollars into the Nepalese Rupees, or in Kathmandu city you may find banks or money exchange counters easily. Never follow an individual person who offers high rate to you and keep exchange receipt with you till you return back to your country.

Banks, hotels and travel/ trekking companies accept your credit card as well and also there are ATM machine around Kathmandu and other major cities for your comfort.

Passport

The passport must be valid at least 6 months after the date of your entry in Nepal. It is recommended that we assign, for security during the stay. If you are making a trek, a photocopy of your passport or a permit to trek that you keep with you.

TO GET INFORMATION ON NEPAL

• Nepal, Lonely Planet
• Nepal, Eric Valli (Hachette)
• Tintin in Tibet Hergé (Casterman)

INSURANCE

We suggest you travelling in Nepal with full option medical insurance as well If you are going trekking in the mountain your insurance should cover the rescue by helicopter from the Himalayan region and bringing to Kathmandu, treatment and medication.

Attention, hikers should check the validity of policy, amounts secured by their insurance policy (the price of a helicopter evacuation of at least € 2400), Keep the full address of insurance company and give the copy of your card to your local agency for emergency rescue. If it is possible notify to your concern embassy before leaving for trekking.

Pay the cost of Helicopter by your credit card and keep the original bills to claim to Insurance Company. If the rescue arrangement is done by your local agency; help them to pay back from your insurance company as the expenditure of them.

HEALTH

Before you go to Nepal, better you see your doctor and your dentist. This can avoid potential health problems during your trip. While in Nepal, you have to be careful about water and food:

Drink only safe water like bottled mineral water or treated yourself or boiled. Do not eat raw vegetable, ice cream or ice cube in your drinks.

You must have your personal pharmacy, here are some tips to feed it:

• Disinfectant for water (type Micropure, Hydroclonazone ....)Paracetamol
• Intestinal antiseptic (type Imodium, Smecta ...)
• Anti-Inflammatory
• Anti-Allergic
• Broad-spectrum antibiotic (type Clamoxcyl ...)
• Eye Drops
• Steristrips
• Sunscreen (index above 25)
• Biafine
• Anti-inflammatory cream
• Elastoplast, bandages and antiseptic
• Your usual medicines
• Regarding vaccines, none is required, however:
• Make sure you're up to date for reminders Tetanus-Polio
• It is advisable to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A, B, and Tiphoïde meningococcal meningitis

While trekking above 3000 m you can be affected with Acute Mountain Sickness (headaches, nausea, vomiting, and tiredness). It can be dangerous if you do not care of it. You must walk slowly with enough acclimatization and drink enough liquid and keep warm. You may carry some medicine with you and if you are affected by AMS do not go further and return back from your trip.

Malaria is present in the Terai region, southern Nepal, along the border with India. If you're traveling in this region, it is necessary that you follow anti malaria treatment (ask your doctor).

Think of the mosquito repellent and wear long clothes at night specially while going to Jungle safari in Terai between April to October.

FOR TREKKING

EQUIPMENT

For trekking to an altitude below 4000 m:

Good trekking shoes and walking shoes / sun hat / scarf / sun cream / sun glasses/ rain coat / warm sleeping bag / toilet paper/ personal pharmacy / flash light/ water bottle/ enough and warm Inner clothes etc. A day pack for your personal things.

You may buy or rent them in Kathmandu and Pokhara as well.

FITNESS

Trekking Information:

You do not need to be a professional mountaineer to trek on the hills of Nepal. But it is always beneficial to explore something more if you are physically fit. Perhaps the most enjoyable part of our trek will be the cool air of the mountains and magnificent views of the mountain peaks.

Your trek will begin after breakfast. The morning walk is usually 3-4 hours and lunch will be served around noon. The camping site is reached around 4 p.m. and in the evening there will be plenty of time to relax. Each day is planned so that if you are a slow or a fast walker, there will be a lot of time to spare.

If you are trekking in the higher altitudes, and feeling unwell please tell your group leader immediately. Do not ignore headaches as they are the first sign of the altitudes sickness. Your inability to complete the trek is nothing compared to your health. Remember that your guides are responsible and professional so feel free to tell them about your health condition.

Trekking with a guide & porters:

Even those who are self-sufficient and experienced trekkers, better to hire a guide and porters from an authorized trekking company. One major advantage to hire a guide and porter from a company is the reliability and responsibility. This approach suits for those who can take all responsibility like arranging entry permits, transfers, food, accommodation, and other emergency leading etc. However this option is not very convenient for the travelers because they need time to arrange all the logistic and every concern of the trips before and during the trek. It is better to choose the package deal either tea house or camping to relax on holiday and free enough time to enjoy with natural panorama and lively people.

Trekking preparation:

Trekking seems to be a physical work. Of course it is some sort of physical work as well. Trekking in the trails of Nepal is adventure too. However, you do not need to be a best athlete or a well trained mountaineer to trek in Nepal. A few weeks of soft training and mental preparation is a bonus before your arrival to Nepal. The best way is a long walk is always rewarding. What is most important is to be in good physical and mental condition before you start trekking. Take few hours of walk in a day on the road. Walk upstairs rather than using the elevator. Those who are planning to climb the peak need to be physically very fit. For more information please ask with us, we are pleased to help you.