Trekking notes
Trekking Team Description
All our trekking trips are accompanied by one experienced local trekking guide and porters. We provide one porter for carrying luggage of two trekkers. Trekking guide will provide information on the places you are trekking through, offer suggestions for things to do and see. Actually he is the leader of your trekking.
Silver Price and Gold Price
We offer you two prices: Silver and Gold. The different between these two prices is only on one service. In Gold price during trekking we provide you all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). But in Silver price the trekkers should pay by themselves the expenses of their meals in trekking days. But other services which are included in Gold price are also included in Silver price. The reason of making two prices is some trekker they want to choose restaurants by themselves and want more budgeting flexibility although there are no many restaurants in trekking trail.
Visas
All foreign nationals (except Indians) require a visa to enter Nepal. Visas are obtainable from embassies abroad or on arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan airport. If getting the visa at the airport is prepared for standing in queue. You will also need to provide one passport photo and the following fees in US dollars cash only: single entry visa valid for 15 days – US $25: Single Entry Visa for 30 days – US $40 and multiple entry visa valid for 90 days – US $100.
Arrival Complications
We don’t expect any problems to traveler in the airport. Travelers are met just outside the arrival lounge of the Kathmandu International airport by our representative. Our representative can be identified easily. They are standing with the traveler’s play card displaying the name of the group (individual in case of one). After meeting you are taken to our private vehicle and then to the hotel. Our officer also helps you in the hotel check in formalities.
Fitness for Trekking
In fact you don’t need to be a mountaineer with rippling muscles to enjoy trekking. If you are reasonably fit, have a spirit of mountain journey and like walking, you are always qualified for any trekking in Nepal. You do not need any previous experience. However we suggest you some physical fitness programs such as running, swimming, hiking before you embark on journey.
Health
Please consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. We advise you to carry sufficient drugs which you are taking daily for specific health problems.
Spending Money
Every traveler is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travelers may drink more than others while other travelers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Money Exchange
A currency exchange rate fluctuates daily in Nepal. We suggest you to visit our central bank website: www.nrb.org.np for day by day exchange rates. As of December 28th exchange rate was 1 USD = 72 NPR (Nepalese Rupees). There are many ATM machines that accept both Visa and Master Card but these are limited to major cities. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops but they may charge a 2-4% transaction fee.
Emergency Fund
We advise to carry at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an ’emergency’ fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster, flight cancellation) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.
Walking hours
Up to a maximum of 5-6 hours a day with lunch breaks along the trail. The maximum altitude is depends upon which trek you are going. In Nepal normally the maximum altitude of most of the trekking falls between 3500m to 5000m.
Local Flights
All local flights are included in your package cost in both silver and gold if there is domestic flight in the itinerary. It is important that we need your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.
Single Traveler
If you are a single traveler, you can do any trekking tour. We provide you single room and offer one guide and porter. Since you occupy single room, single car you have to pay single supplement charge but that charge will be reasonable. We do not quote high price for single traveler.
Emergency Contact
We assign one of our tour executives to look after you, who constantly stays in touch with you during your stay in and they keep informing/briefing you about your itinerary including sightseeing and every other information. After you arrive in Kathmandu we introduce you with him and also give his mobile number. We also give you our office number. During a situation of dire need during trekking you can contact to our tour executive or to our office. Then he will do proper initiation according to your situation.
Tipping
Tipping is expected – though not compulsory. It shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Recommendations for tipping guides would range from $5-$10 USD per person per day depending on the quality and length of the service, for porters during the trekking portion of your trip, the recommended amount is 300-500Rs (4-7USD) per day. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as the above amount is only guideline for you.
Laundry
Laundry facilities are available in Kathmandu. In trekking trail very few hotels/ tea houses in certain places offer these facilities. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.
Feedback
After your travels, we want to hear from you. Your feedback information is so important to us that will help us to evaluate and improve our services. At the end of any trip we give you feed back form, please write your opinions in it and give to us.
Travel Forum
In our official site: www.himalayastrek.com you find travel blog. It is open travel forum. There you can share your travel experience, stories; upload photos of Nepal travel and also write your comments on other’s post.
Typical Lodge Trek
A typical trekking day means hiking from morning to afternoon only. Each morning after packing bags and having a good breakfast, we set off on the day’s walk. We will recommend you to carry is a small day pack containing water bottle,sun cream, hat, raincoat, camera and warm jumper just case. Rest of your materials the porters will carry. The walk will be 3-4 hours in the morning until for lunch in midday. We stop one hour for simple lunch on the way to destination in tea house at small village. Here you can rest (readbooks, write your diary) or you can explore the village
After lunch you will hike 3 to 4 hours in the afternoon. You will usuallyreach Tea house /lodge around three to four PM. Our guide will provide you best accommodation (Tea house) in village. On some days we reach our destination by lunch time and the entire afternoon will be free. After tea and coffee remaining period you can be spent by exploring the village, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book.
The dinner will serve evening around 6 to 7 P.M. the dining room (Restaurant) is inside the tea house. For dinner the tea house owner will request you to order dinner before one hour.After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day’s adventures or writing diary if you habitual of it before heading off to bed for well-earned sleep.
