The long awaited Interim Government in Nepal has been formed marking it an important milestone in the ongoing peace process. This day will be remembered as a red letter day in the annals of history......
Some helpful information to assist you with planning your trek
Consider
the experience and fitness level of the members of your group
carefully. We can advise you about difficulties & challenges
relating to each route as well as the scenic & cultural highlights
of the relative regions.
Give yourself enough time to allow some flexibility in your schedule
for acclimatization, side-trip or extra rest day, if needed.
Remember Nepal may not be just like it is at "home". That is one of the
reasons most people come here. Savour the differences and enjoy. Our
staffs are knowledgeable and happy to answer your questions about
Nepali culture and customs.
Pack
carefully. Ask about seasonal changes and temperature. Be prepared for
cold nights at high altitudes at any time of the year. Layered clothing
works better than one heavy layer and gives more flexibility for warm
mid-day. Good and comfortable boots will be your best friend.Try to
keep your daypack as light as possible. Maximum weight – 8 to 10 Kg. is
suggested.
Each porter carries
20-25 Kg. Although dokos (wicker carrying baskets) are more
picturesque, we now recommend our clients put their personal gear in a
backpack with a good hip-belt to ease the porter’s load. Packing gear
for two clients plus their personal equipment is a usual practice. (An
alternative to the above suggestion is the use of a zippered duffel
bag).
Respect the environment.
The advice "Take nothing but photographs. Leave nothing but footprints"
remains true. Nepal has suffered environmentally in the past. Help us
to change the trend and preserve our beautiful land.
Airport representative:
Kathmandu airport (officially known as Tribhuwan International Airport)
is the only international airport in Nepal. With advice on airport
facilities and to ensure hassle free from public transport, brokers and
much more, our airport representative will help you to take the stress
out of your trip.
On the day
of your arrival to Kathmandu airport our airport representative will be
expecting to warmly welcome you to this Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal with
a signboard (placard) in his hand as shown below:
FIRST ENVIRONMENTAL TREKKING (P.) LTD. (YOUR NAME)
If you think to take the advantage of this awesome reception you need
to provide us your flight details with the time of arrival to Kathmandu
airport. You will find everything you need for the beginning and the
end of your journey.
Currency Converter
Use currency converter to convert your holiday funds instantly. Simply
type the amount of currency you would like to convert, select the
currency you are converting from and to, and then just click on the
currency converter button to perform currency conversion.
Note: The currency rates are subjected to have constant change depending upon the exchange rate of Government bank. click here
Food, Water and Medical supplies
Food and Water:
Many, if not most, travelers to Nepal are likely to get stomach
problems at some point during their visit. It is generally caused
simply because of a change in diet and climate, drinking contaminated
water and eating contaminated food. In Nepal you should drink only
treated water and eat only freshly cooked food. You should always wash
your hands before eating, especially if you eat things like biscuits
and bread with your fingers. If you follow these simple rules, you
should not experience any severe stomach problems. If, however, you
come up with any serious health problem or in need of additional
medication the crew of “First Environmental Trekking” will always be
there to take care of you.
Some conservative physicians recommend that you drink boiled water or
the water treat with iodine. The bottled mineral water available in
Kathmandu is the safest water to drink. Do not drink tap water under
any circumstances. If you eat in restaurants outside the hotel, you
should follow the cooked foods rule. We recommend you not to eat
open-air sweets and snacks from the local shops which can be unhygienic
and that may cause upset to your stomach and ruin your trek. The most
important consideration for staying healthy is to take extra care with
your own personal hygiene. Keep your hands clean by washing them
frequently in the washing water that we provide.
Suggested medical supplies
· Suntan lotion or sun blocking cream
· Lip salve (Chapstick, Blistex, or Glacier Cream)
· Foot powder
· Band-Aids (plasters) and tape
· Moleskin or other blister pads
· Elastic (Ace) bandage
· Antiseptic cream
· Aspirin
· Throat lozenges or cough drops
· Decongestant tablets
· Iodine - small bottle for water purification
· Toilet paper & matches or a cigarette lighter to burn used TP
· Bactrim, Norfloxacin or other diarrhea remedy
Recommended Injections
· Typhoid
· Tetanus
· Polio
· Malaria (only if you will be visiting a jungle lodge)
· Hepatitis A
· Meningitis Meningococcal A/C vaccine
Altitude sickness?
Altitude Sickness is the effect of altitude on those who ascent too
rapidly to elevations above 3,000 meters. The basic early symptoms of
altitude sickness are headache, loss of appetite and sleeplessness. One
shouldn't ignore these early symptoms as these symptoms may lead to
more serious warnings and cause death sometimes within few hours.
Medicine is no substitute for descent. If a doctor is available, he/she
may give medicine and oxygen. However, the patient must go down to
lower altitude even if treatment is given. In the event of a real
emergency, the guide will do his best to get you transported quickly to
a qualified physician or call us from the trek so that we can arrange a
helicopter rescue service where you may be evacuated to Kathmandu.
When to Trek in Nepal
There
are two major factors to weigh as you decide when to go to Nepal:
crowds and weather. As a general rule, the better the weather, the more
people come to Nepal to go trekking.
During
autumn the nights are cold in the mountains, but the bright sun makes
for pleasant day temperatures - in the high 20s° C, falling to 5° C at
night, between 1000 metres and 3500 metres. At higher altitudes
temperatures range from about 20° C down to -10° C. Mornings are
usually clear with clouds building up during the afternoon,
disappearing at night to reveal spectacular starry skies. During winter
it is about 10 degrees colder.
Early December usually has a lull, but this is also a good trekking
season. The Christmas period is cold, but this is the holiday season in
Japan and Australia. High passes, especially Thorung La on the Around
Annapurna trek and Laurabina Pass on the Gosainkund trek are usually
closed from late November to March. February is still cold, though less
so as the spring trekking season of March and April approaches.
What is trekking?
Though,
we have different activities, trekking is the ultimate way of enjoying
the scenic magnificence and knowing people with great cultural heritage
in Nepal. You will see the great diversity of Nepal during your
trekking. The vast landscape of this country has been studded with
mighty Himalayas, mysterious monasteries and temples, ancient cities,
various endangered species and highly fascinating flora and fauna,
which offer you the most spectacular trekking and touring in this part
of world. Trekking allows you to walk through villages, which are yet
to be influenced by the 21st century. You can either choose the virgin
tracks or the beaten trails to reach the lofty Himalayas, "the Stairs
of Heaven." For our customers' amusement and adventure, we do offer the
treks to many regions depending upon their time and interest. Some
people have misconception that during the trekking they have to climb.
But trekking does not mean mountain climbing, trekking always refers to
walking on trails.
You can
always take plenty of time during the trekking to cover distance. We
allow ample time for photo stops and for answering individual
questions. If you have a good physical condition, a trek should prove
no difficulty. Previous experience in hiking and living outdoors is,
however, helpful. Mountaineering experience is not necessary, but you
must enjoy walking.
Trekking in Nepal will
take you through a country that has captured the imagination of
mountaineers and explorers for more than 100 years. You will meet
people in remote mountain villages whose lifestyle has not changed in
generations.
What makes us different from others…
24
hours customer assistant: all clients on arrival are handed along with
their total program, vouchers and 24 hours emergency assistance
numbers.
Prompt response: We give assurance
that your messages/ inquiries are answered the same day within 24 hrs
of its receipt.
Competitive price
we operate holiday trips with a deeper commitment and culture heritage of Nepal.
We feel very honor for our contribution in the field of Environment conservation.
We have well trained, educated, equipped and insured staffs
Finest transportation throughout your tour.
We provide good equipment for our clients.
Preparing for a Trek
General information:
The following information will assist you to get ready for a trek in
Nepal. Nepal treks allow you to experience the Himalayan countryside
and to meet the people of the hills with a minimum of formality and
preparation. If you follow the suggestions here, you will have ideas of
equipment, visa and physical condition that you need to enjoy your
trek. Read this information carefully so that you will know what to
expect when you arrive in Nepal.
There are many preparations that you can make before you depart for
Nepal. Most important are your passport and a visa for Nepal, your
clothing and trekking equipment, medical supplies. While some of these
projects can be postponed until the last minute (by getting a visa at
the airport in Kathmandu or renting your trekking equipment in Nepal,
it is recommended that you make most preparations in advance so that
you do not waste time during your holiday.
Visa and Immigration
Do I need a visa to enter Nepal?
All foreign nationals, except Indian Citizens, need visas to enter Nepal.
What do I need to get my visa?
You need a valid passport, two passport size photos and money (cash in US Dollars).
Where do I apply to get my visa?
The best way to apply for visa is from the Royal Nepalese diplomatic missions in your home country.
The other choice is to get it from Immigration office at Kathmandu
international airport or other entry points of Nepal.
Now, what are the entry points of Nepal?
They are:
Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
Kakarvitta (Jhapa) (Eastern Part of Nepal that has border with India)
Birgunj, (Parsa) (Central Part of Nepal that has border with India)
Kodari (Sindhupalchok) (Northern Border with Tibet)
Belahiya, (Bhaieahwa) (Rupandehi, Western Part that has border with India)
Jamunaha (Nepalgunj) (Banke, Mid-western Part that has border with India)
Mohana (Dhangadhi) (Kailali, Far Western Part that has border with India)
GaddaChauki (Mahendranagar) (Kanchanpur, Far Western Part that has border with India)
If you decide to obtain visa upon your arrival to Kathmandu. You need
only to fill in a form and pay a fee (in US dollars cash only), but it
takes a bit of time at the airport after you arrive. You could save
time when you arrive to Kathmandu airport. Fill in the visa application
form before you arrive and go straight to the head of the line. Carry
US dollar cash for the visa you want.
If you are making a side trip to India, Bhutan or Tibet and then
returning to Nepal, be sure to get a double entry visa. The visa
regulations for Nepal are a bit complex. You need to decide what kind
of visa to purchase depending on how long you plan to stay in Nepal.
Visa fees are mentioned at the visa application form.
Note: According to new rule if you have already visited Nepal within the same
calendar year of your visit then you do not have to pay for visa fee.
Nationals of SAARC countries and China do not have to pay for visa
fees.
What if I decided to stay more than 60 days in Nepal? Where and what should I do to extend my Tourist Visa?
The Immigration Department of Kathmandu can extend the visa for another
30 days and the charge for this is US$ 50. Indeed the visa can be
extended for a total of 120 days, an additional 30 days visa may be
granted on reasonable grounds from the Immigration Office.
Nevertheless, a tourist cannot stay in Nepal under tourist-visa for
more than 150 cumulative days.
My son/daughter is nine years old. Do I need to pay for my child's visa?
Any child below the 10 years of age has visa fee exemption. So the visa
fee for your nine-year old child is free.
Suggested equipment for trekking in Nepal
Trekking shoes (boots)
One pair of sandals
Warm Jacket, fiberfill or down should be adequate.
Sleeping bags and down jacket (we also provide from here)
A rain proof jacket with hood.
Heavy weight trousers are useful for high up in the mountains in
morning and night. Wind proof/water proof trousers are necessary on all
treks going above 10,000ft.
Thermal underwear
2 pairs of loose fitting long shorts/skirts
2 cotton T-shirts
A woolen hat and sun-hat
A pair of gloves, leather with lining and woolen is best
2 pairs of thin and 2 pairs of thick woolen socks
Personal medical supplies
Flash light
Toiletries with towels
Snow glasses and sunglasses
Suntan cream
Water bottle
Daypack
Rucksack
Things of your personal interest
Other Documents: Some other items that you should carry are:
Your passport and extra photographs
A vaccination certificate and record of medical history
Your insurance form
You can carry credit card or travelers cheques (but we would suggest you to carry a minimum of cash)
A photocopy of your passport (in case of loss)
Physical Conditioning:
The better your physical condition, the more you will enjoy the trek.
You do not have to undergo a rigorous training program. Just do as much
walking as you can up and down hills, up (and down) stairs in your
office or home. Jogging and cycling are useful training for a trek.
Whenever possible, make your hikes in the same shoes that you will use
for the trek. You must remember that you are going on a hiking trip
among the highest mountains on earth. The hills are steep and you may
be traveling in hot weather, in snow or in rain. You will often be
tired, and you must be prepared for this. However, anyone in good
health can complete a trek if you hike slowly, and spend a little
effort now to get into good physical condition.
