Trek faqs
Q 01: Do I need a visa to enter Nepal ?
All foreign nationals, except Indian citizens, need visas to enter Nepal. You get Nepalese visa from Nepalese Embassy or consulate in your home country.
Q 02: Can I get a VISA on arrival at Kathmandu airport ?
Yes, you can obtain your entry visa at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu upon your arrival.
Q 03: What do I need to get my visa ?
You need a valid passport, two passport size photos and the visa fee.
Q 04: How much should I pay for visa ?
Visa Valid for Fee
15 days US$ 25
30 days US$ 40
90 days US$ 100
Q 05: I have a valid passport (it still has more than a month left before it expires). Can I still make a trek booking ?
Yes. You can book a trekking. For trek booking confirmation you can send scanning copy of your old passport. After issuing your new passport we will request you to send scanning copy of your new passport for air ticket reservation.
Q 06: Where are we receive after arrive at Kathmandu airport ?
You are met just outside the arrival lounge of the Kathmandu International airport by our officer.
Q 07: How do I identify your Officer ?
Our officer can be identified easily. They are standing with your name play card. After meeting you are taken to our private vehicle then transfer to the hotel. He also helps you in the hotel check in formalities.
Q 08: Do they carry their luggage themselves ?
According to airport rule as the visitors can meet our officer only outside the arrival lounge, you have to carry your luggage in the trolleys through the custom lobby up to the exit point on your own. After meeting our officer you can hand over it to him. He takes care of your luggage till your check in at the hotel.
Q 09: Where can I store the bags that I do not need to take on trekking ?
You don’t need to carry all your stuff which is not required for trekking. You can be left at your hotel or Himalayan Smile Treks office in Kathmandu. Nearly all hotels have a luggage deposit but we do not store clients valuables in our office. Also the hotel you will provide locker their you can store your valuables things. After you come back from trekking, we handover your luggage and other stuff to you.
Q 10: Whom should I contact during their stay in Nepal ?
We assign one of our officers to look after you, who constantly stay in touch with you during your stay in Nepal. We give you his mobile number. Or you may directly contact to our office number also.
Q 11: Am I fit to Trekking? Should I do prior preparation to trek ?
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.
Q 12: What is tea house trekking? How is it organized ?
Almost in all popular trekking trails in Nepal (Everest, Annapurna, Langtang), local villagers have built tea-house lodges. In tea house trek you stay at those mountain lodges and have breakfast, lunch and dinner in their restaurant. Normally the tea houses are more like hotels with hot showers, continental and Nepali food and comfortable private rooms (twin sharing). If you stay in local hotels, you will also get an opportunity to interact with local hoteliers and their family members and get information about their lifestyle and culture.
Q 13: How is the toilets on the tea house trekking ?
Toilets are usually Asian squat style and vary in how clean they are. Normally toilets are outside the lodge but now some lodges have attached or indoor toilets. Now it is improvement sanitary conditions on the tea houses although conditions are still not always perfect. Because cold the water is frozen in winter. Nearby has water tank or drum of the water with jug for toilet water. The rubbish bin in the toilet is kept for your used toilet paper.
Q 14: Can I have vegetarian meals in mountain ( camping and tea house trekking) ?
If you’re doing camping trek we offer standard meals as well as a vegetarian meal option. Just let us know if you want vegetarian meals when you book your trek. But we can’t fulfill every trekkers requirement(i.e., dietary requirements or special meals ). Also tea house trekking you will get vegetarian meal. Please tell about your trekking guide about details of your food allergy.
Q 15: If I am solo trekkers can I have my own room in tea house ?
If your solo trekkers we will provide you on single room in tea house. In peak season (October, November, December , March, April) you have to share room with a member of the same sex but it is rarely.
Q 16: What is Camping Trekking ? How is it organized ?
In a camping trek you will sleep in our tents. The tents are roomy. The sleeping pads/ mattresses are comfortable. All food are prepared and served by our camping crew. Food you get is hygienic and fresh.
Q 17: What equipments should I bring ?
You should bring your personal wear like walking boots and sand shoes, sandal, a water-and wind-proof jacket, woolen shirts, T-shirts, a thick pullover, shorts/skirts and trousers/track suits. Thermal underwear is necessary for high altitudes and cottons are best for lower and warmer altitudes. Also don’t forget a water bottle, sleeping bag, gloves, walking stick, knife and sewing kit, torch light with spare batteries, extra boot laces, sun glasses, sun cream, rain coat and personal medical supplies. Bring a duffel bag to put your clothing and equipments in. We provide you porter to carry your kit bag.
Q 18: Do I need to bring walking boots ?
We will recommend you walking boots which is support to the ankle which reduces the risk of injury especially high mountains. It is important that your boots are comfortable and well worn-in and not brand new. Many people prefer to trek in tennis shoes but extra care should be taken. We do not recommend trekking in sandals or using new boots or hiring boots prior to the trek.
Q 19: What kind of food will be served while on trek ?
You will be served freshly cooked food during trekking. In all tea houses/ lodges along trekking trail Western, Continental and Nepali dishes are available. Three meals a day will be provided you in full board (Gold) package.
Q 20: How long do we trek per day and how high ?
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.
Q 21: What is the best season for trekking in Nepal? And can I go trekking in the months of January- February and June- August ?
The best time for trekking in Nepal is from mid September to early December and from March to April.
Beside them in other months also you can do trekking in Nepal but in selected regions.
In January and February the climate is colder. So, at that time high altitude trekking is not recommendable. For January and February, we suggest Langtang trekking, Ghorepani trekking, Jomsom Muktinath trekking.
Likewise June July August is the rainy season in Nepal. During this time here occurs heavy rain fall. Mountain views are not clear. For this period we recommend Upper Mustang, Dolpo trekking. These are rain shadow areas where rain falls very little.
June July August is also the best time for Tibet/ Lhasa Tour, Mt. Kailash Tour.
Q 22: What happens if I get sickness during trekking ?
To some trekkers when they go over 3000 m they may feel some affect of altitude sickness like shortness of breath and possibly a light headed which is fairly common. Sometime they may also get diarrhea as well as sprains and muscle aches. In such case our guide who is experienced in first aid treatment and high altitude sickness will advise you about any health requirements and also treat you. Altitude sickness is dangerous but it can be avoidable. If your follow a few simple rules you will not suffer from altitude sickness. Rules are trek slowly with your guide, drink at least two liters of water per day (not including beer or soft drinks),
If you feel shortness of breath, a slight headache or dizziness, tell your guide and rest immediately. Lie down, drink water. If you are still feeling unwell you may consider going down a few hundred meters. Do not pretend you are okay, and do not go down alone. For further information of altitude sickness.
Q 23: I have asthma / diabetes / another medical condition. Can I still do the trek ?
You must disclose at the time of booking any medical condition that could affect your ability to do the Himalaya trekking. The Himalayan Smile Treks advise to do trek who has with heart conditions, knee problems, severe asthma or pregnant should not participate in the trek. The Himalayan Smile Treks could not be responsible in Himalaya trekking due to the lack of the medical facilities any problems due to your special dietary requirements or medical condition
Q 24: Is there a minimum or maximum age limit for Trekking in Nepal ?
There is no government restriction on the age limit for the Nepal trekking. If the trekkers children under the age of 8 years old and adults over 70 years old. The Himalayan Smile Treks recommend to hire an extra porter(our package price including one porter for two people).
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Q 25: What happens in the event of an emergency?
Normally trekkers rarely have emergency case like serious mountain sickness. Because our staff do not let you have it. Sometime if there is an emergency incident a helicopter will be called to the spot. You will then be flown with our staff to Kathmandu and taken to the Hospital for treatment. But Helicopter rescue is costly. So we suggest all trekkers do travel insurance covering helicopter rescue and medical.
Q 26: What about Travel Insurance?
It is mandatory that all Clients obtain travel insurance while travelling with the Company and this insurance must cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and emergency evacuation expenses. It is strongly recommended the coverage be extended to include cancellation, curtailment, loss of belongings and all other expenses, which might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to the Client. The Company shall have no liability for loss, theft of or damage to baggage or personal effects. We also let you know that Nepalese Insurance Company does not have travel insurance for foreign nationals. They have travel insurance only for Nepalese nationality. We advise you when you come to Nepal, please bring legal documents with you.
Q 26: What about payment, do you need a deposit ?
To conform your tour package according to the rule of our company, to confirm any trip you have to pay us 20% of total package as advance. We charge 20% just to pay for confirming your domestic flight, hotel booking and making necessary documents. The remaining 80% amount you should pay us after you arrive in Kathmandu.
Q 28: How far in advance do I need to make a trek book trekking ?
If Your intended to do Everest base camp trekking we will recommend you out 3 months in advance. For Everest base camp trekking we have to reserve air ticket to Lukla. On Sept to Dec the air ticket sold out first cum first basis. For your kind information the Lukla flight are few airlines are operation in Nepal so that we will recommend you to reservation your trek as far in advance as possible as soon as you know the dates of your international flights.
Q 30: Is Himalayan Smile Treks Company’s trekking crew insured ?
We have insured all our trekking staff (guide, sirdar, porters and others).
Q 31: Do Himalayan Smile Treks care for their porters ?
The Himalayan Smile treks has been paying our porters a wage, transportation and insurance. The Himalayan Smile treks support on porters rights and have contributed regularly to campaign such as Porters Progress for improving porter welfare. It is important porter have warm cloth and proper trekking boots. The Himalayan Smile treks paid good wage relative to other professions wages in Nepal. We are donate a few percentage of our profits to community projects in the mountain region of Nepal where the many of the porter come from.
Q 32: Can hire an extra porter in Mountain ?
In our trek packages one porter is including for two people. The one porter can carry 20-25 kg your luggage( per person 12 KG). If you’re interested to hire extra porter we will recommend to hire in Lukla for Everest base camp trek. The porter cost approximately USD 15. If you want to hire a porter then please let us know at the time you make your trek booking. After Lukla it is very difficult to get porter. if your hire porter above the Lukla or Namche bazaar the porter cost USD 20 to 30 but they cannot always be reliable.
Q 33: What alcoholic beverages are available in ?
Nepal produces different types of bottled beers, which are excellent. They are very much like a lager. Some lodges have a good supply of local as well as foreign whisky, gin, vodka, rum and soft drinks. A local “wine” is produced in the hills which is served hot and resembles sake. If you have a special preference, buy it at a duty free shop on your way to Kathmandu.
Q 34: What kind of footwear will I need ?
You will require a light weight pair of boots that have rubber soles with thick tread and good ankle support. Hi-Tech and Nike produces good walking comfortable shoes.
Q 35: How hot/cold does it get in a day ?
As general rule, it is hot enough during the days to wear an open-neck shirt with shorts and you will not be cold. During the evening, it gets cold so, long trousers and a warm jersey is essential.
Q 36: Is a Trekking permit required ?
The government of no longer requires a trekking permit for Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, and some other regions. However, conservation permit or National park permits are required for these regions. There are few restricted trekking areas in Nepal, where trekking permits are required. But for trekking in any area you require to get TIMS Card. TIMS means Trekker’s information Management System. It costs USD 10 if you make it through trekking company. Otherwise it costs USD 20. We manage TIMS card to all trekkers going trekking with us.
Q 37: Should I bring my own medicine ?
Please consult your local doctor and follow his advice. However, if you are taking any particular medicines, it would be best to bring them with you.
Q 38: Is it possible/easy to get equipment on hire ?
There are trekking shops at Thamel, in Kathmandu, where you can easily rent or buy items like sleeping bags, down jackets, walking sticks, rucksacks, duffel bags and other equipments on reasonable price.
Q 39: How warm sleeping bags I have to buy / rent for trekking ?
We will recommend you to rent or buy sleeping bags as low as -30 °C. This temperature is suitable for Everest base camp trekking(above 4000m). We will suggest to buy /rent sleeping bags and so you can try it out. Also you can rent /buy sleeping bag in Kathmandu trekking store.
Q 40: How many extra days should I allow in case of flight cancellation ?
If you are flying from a remote mountain airstrip like Lukla, Jomsom, Simikot, Taplejung and Dolpo, you should keep at least two spare days before your departure for home.
Q 41: Is communication to home possible while on trek ?
Trekking areas like Everest, Annapurna and Langtang, all most tea houses/ mountain lodges have telephone facilities. From there you can make international calls to your home and friends staying any part of the world.
Q 42: Will my tickets be reconfirmed while I am on trek ?
Now most of international airlines tickets do not need reconfirmation. If your tickets require reconfirmation, please inform our representative before you go trekking or tour. He collects it for reconfirmation and return to you after you come back from trekking or tours.
Q 43: Is this trip safe? Are there any dangers in the trip ?
Nepal is absolutely safe country to travel. Our staffs do take every precaution to ensure the comfort and safety of the trekkers. Before 2006 when Maoist movement was going on, there was a kind of fear in few trekking destinations. But today they have also come to peaceful political stream. So there is no more any fear and need to give donation for any party.
Q 44: How will be our trekking guide and porter, up to how much one porter carry ?
We offer you an experienced trekking guide. He is in charge of your overall trekking. This is the person you should go to with all problems, concerns and questions. He is well trained in all aspects of trekking, high altitude medicine, first aid and emergency procedure. He is selected in terms of his professionalism. Remember that trekking guides are local citizens and their English may be basic and limited to trek related topics. About porters, they carry your luggage. They are also local citizens. Normally one porter carries 20 to 25 kg of stuff. Normally we provide one porter for every two trekkers.
Q 45: What kind of Accommodation in Kathmandu you will provide ?
We have chosen accommodation options based on the following criteria: standard of hygiene, standard of service, location, food standards and cost. Normally for trekkers we give three star level hotels in Kathmandu as well as in Pokhara (For Annapurna Trekking). All accommodation is based on twin sharing with breakfast.
Q 46: How many hours prior to the departure flight are we picked -up from the hotel ?
You are picked from your hotel 2-3 hours before the time of your departure flight.
Q 47: How are we assisted in our transfer?
During the day of departure at the appointment time our officer meets you in the lobby of the hotel where you are staying. He will help you to transfer to the airport.
