Bird Watching in Nepal

No, because we have to pay for the hotel, transportation company, guide, government, and porter. For some trips, we have to book air tickets. We have to book all of these in advance. That is the reason, why we do not refund.

Only if you are doing a private tour (private trek), you can add extra days. If you are trekking in a group, then this is not possible. Because in a private tour, you have chosen your date, and you can trek in the way you have decided, we mean to say, there will be you or your family or friends, no outsiders.

There will be other people in the group, but we do not tell you about their personal information, but of course, we can say the number of people in the group.

Nepal is the safest trekking destination in the world because you will be with a trekking guide and a porter. Lodges are safe, and our guide always gives paramount importance to your safety.

There is no such age limit because we have had families who trekked with us with their kids like 9 years old as well as senior people aged 70.

If you are seriously affected by altitude mountain sickness, then you will be flown to Kathmandu for treatment.

Hepatitis A · Hepatitis B · Typhoid · Malaria · Rabies

We would like to recommend this diet rather than meat because in the mountainous regions there are no fridges to store meat.

If it is urgent, then you should find some privacy on the trail and pee.

Yes, you can charge, and you have to pay $1 to $4 an hour for charging.

C or D type outlet (adapter). Ask your guide, you can buy an adapter at a cheap price in Kathmandu.

Tea houses might charge you from USD3 to USD 10 for Wi-Fi, and another option is to get a Nepal Telecom SIM card or Ncell SIM Card. You can also use your guide’s mobile for an international if you reimburse him.

Yes, you can at a small fee, especially when you acclimatize.

In Nepal, many people still use cash; this does mean there is no ATM. You will find ATM in the main cities of Nepal, including Kathmandu and Pokhara. We would like to recommend you to exchange USD into Nepali currency before trekking.

You must be 100% physically fit, that means, you should not have acute health problem nor chronic health problem.

Most of the time, we have the first time trekkers, and they are doing good. So, you do not need to have any experience to do a trek, but we do recommend you jogging, swimming, and walking before coming to Nepal for it. Previous experience will be a plus point.

It is a sickness caused due to the lack of oxygen at a higher altitude in the mountainous region, and one of the ways to overcome it is to drink plenty of water. The other is descending to a lower altitude, and the medicine you can take to fight against it is Diamox (acetazolamide).

Yes, the trek runs. We do not charge any extra money for a solo trekker.

Insect repellent. Antiseptic cream. Anti-diarrhoeal drug Antibiotics Paracetamol Skin cream for blisters. Diamox Multi-vitamin Iodine Cotton Tape Dettol

Yes, it does, and the rescue is done through helicopter, and the cost of the rescue operation is likely to be from USD 2500 to 3000 USD per person. If there is a group rescue operation, then the cost is likely to be USD 500 per person.

Tourism is the main source of income for the guides, porters, and hotel owners in Nepal, so we believe that the Himalayas should be protected not only for this generation but also for the future generation. Every trek that TMG runs focuses on taking care of the ecological aspects and works with the Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP).

It is a sickness caused due to a lack of oxygen at an altitude of 2000 m plus. It affects some trekkers easily, but to some, it does not. Out of 10, one is affected by Altitude Mountain Sickness. It can be life-threatening. Travel Insurance is a must.

• Descend to a lower altitude
• Drink a lot of water
• Don’t go up until symptoms go down
• Eat garlic
• Take Diamox

It is an opportunity to combine challenging mountain trail, unique culture and stunning mountains that are famous in the world. It is also an opportunity to trek to the Everest Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna Base Camp, and other famous treks of Nepal are Langtang Trek, Manaslu Trek, Kanchenjunga Trek, and so on. It is also overcoming Altitude Mountain Sickness.

When you decide to trek, trek with a company that likes to take your responsibility, and that has licensed and experienced trekking guide. Please do not throw bottles in the river while you are trekking in a remote place.

During trekking, you will spend your night in a tea house. The tea house is a lodge or a guest house. The tea house is an old name for a lodge because trekkers and climbers gave this name 40 years ago because it used to sell only tea then. Now they also sell meals as well as provide bedrooms for the trekkers and climbers. The old name tea house is still used by the trekking agencies in Nepal. Hence, the name tea house trek. Tea house differs from village to village where you are going to spend your night. Some have attached bathrooms as well as running a hot water facility, while others have only basic facilities, that is, you have to share a toilet and a bathroom with others. This is so because they are located in a high altitude and the remotest area. Some provide dormitory-style accommodation, but they also provide you a bed, a pillow, a blanket, and a bedsheet still, you must have your own sleeping bag. Homestay trek is different from a tea house trek because, in the former, you will spend your night in a home and eat meals with the family members. It is just like staying in your own home.

Yes, it will operate on the day it is scheduled, except in the event that is beyond our control, such as political issues and natural disasters that will create undesirable travel conditions.

Please read our cancellation policy on Terms and Conditions

February, March, April, May, June, September, October, and November are typically for trekking in Nepal.

Police checkpoints are numerous and unavoidable and park officers can check your permits at any time, with a fine of double the normal cost if you are caught without the proper permits. Do not try to bribe officers or police personnel; it might get you in more trouble than you think. Most of the time there will be two or 3 permits, one will belong to a conservation area or national park, another will be Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Card and the last one is restricted area entry permit. You will need one or two or all of the permits mentioned above.
1. DOLPA DISTRICT For Upper Dolpa: The first 10 days: USD$ 500 per person After 10 days: USD$ 50 per day person or equivalent foreign currency. For Lower Dolpo: Per week per person: US$ 10 or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
2. MUSTANG DISTRICT Upper Mustang: The first 10 days: USD$ 500 per person After 10 days: USD$ 50 per day per person, or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
3. GORKHA DISTRICT a. Manaslu Region: From September to November: USD$ 70 per week per person After 7 days: USD$ 10 per day per person or equivalent convertible foreign currency. From December to August: USD$ 50 per week per person After 7 days: USD$ 7 per day per person or equivalent convertible foreign currency. b. Areas of Chhekampar and Chunchet VDC (Sirdibas-Lokpa-Chumling-Chhekampar -Nile-Chhule Area) From September to November per person: USD$ 35 for first 8 days From December to August per person: USD$ 25 for first 8 days or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
4. MUGU DISTRICT Areas of Mugu, Dolpo, Pulu and Bhangri For the first 7 days: USD$90 per person After 7 days: USD$ 15 per day per person or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
5. MANANG DISTRICT Areas of Nar and Phu From September to November: USD$ 90 per week per person December to August: USD$ 75 per week per person or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
6. DOLAKHA DISTRICT Gaurishankar and Lamabagar Per week per person: USD$ 10 or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
7. RASUWA DISTRICT Thuman and Timure Per week per person: USD$ 10 or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
8. HUMLA DISTRICT Simikot and Yari (Areas of Limi and Muchu village Development Committee, and area way to Tibet via Tangekhola of Darma Village Development committee) For the first 7 days: USD$ 50 per person After 7 days: USD$7 per day per person or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
9. SANKHUWASABHA Areas of Kimathanka, Chepuwa, Hatiya and Pawakhola VDCs For the first four weeks: USD$ 10 per person per week After four weeks: USD$20 per person per week or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
10. TAPLEJUNG DISTRICT Kanchanjanga Region (Areas of Olangchung Gola, Lelep, Papung, and Yamphudin VDCs) Per week per person: USD$ 10 or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
11. BAJHANG DISTRICT (Areas of Kanda, Saipal, and Dhuli) For the first 7 days: USD$ 90 per person After seven days: USD$ 15 per day per person or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
12. DARCHULA DISTRICT (Areas of Byas VDC) For the first 7 days: US$ 90 per person After 7 days: USD$ 15 per day per person or equivalent convertible foreign currency.

Note: References from http://www.taan.org.np/pages/trekking-permit-fees. Please check for confirmation.

Passports

To enter Nepal, a passport valid for six months is required and a tourist visa is required with currency restrictions for entry and exit is five thousand USD.

Citizens of the following states (except officials and diplomatic passport holders) are required to apply for a visa prior to arrival in Nepal:

• Afghanistan
• Cameroon
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Iraq
• Liberia
• Nigeria
• Palestine
• Somalia
• Swaziland
• Syria
• Zimbabwe

Nationals of SAARC member countries can receive a tourist visa free of charge for 30 days at no cost. Those countries are:

• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• Maldives
• Pakistan
• Sri Lanka

Since January 1 2016, nationals holding passports issued by China Peoples Republic of China (PROC) can have their visa fees waived if they are traveling as tourists. Those jurisdictions are:   

• China
• Hong Kong
• Macau

Visa on Arrival:

Immigration Office, TIA (Tribhuvan International Airport) under the Department of Immigration has been facilitating tourists flying to Nepal by providing Visa on Arrival. ‘On Arrival’ visa procedure is very quick and simple.

First Step: Fill in ‘Arrival Card’

Fill in Online ‘Tourist Visa’ form (you can fill it up prior to your arrival visiting the official website of the Department of Immigration / fill it up using Kiosk machines upon your arrival at the airport). If you fill it from the website, you will get submission Receipt with barcode, please print it out and bring it along for acquiring a visa. It works for fifteen days and becomes invalid then after. If so, you will have to fill it up again.

Second Step: Make payment at the bank according to your visa requirement (15/30/90 Days). Get the receipt. While you can use different modes of payments (at visa fees collection counter), we advise you to carry some cash to be on the safe side.

On Arrival Visa Fee

• 15 Days – 25 USD
• 30 Days – 40 USD
• 90 Days – 100 USD

Third Step: Proceed to the Immigration Desk with your online form, payment receipts, and your passport. Hand in your documents to the immigration officer for visa processing. 

Gratis (Free) Visa

• For the first visit in one visa year (January to December), a gratis visa for 30 days is available only for nationals of South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. However, the visa can be extended from the Immigration Department on payment of visa fee as specified above.

• The main essentials to bring are:
• Sturdy and comfortable hiking boots, flip-flops
• Sleeping bag (depending on your accommodation) and -20 degree Celsius for colder regions
• Daypack, trekking bag pack, dry sack and camera bag
• Few changes of clothes for the varying temperatures
• For cold weather, hiking pants, thermals, gloves, neck warmer/scarf, beanie, a warm inner jacket and a windproof/waterproof outer jacket and down jacket are essential.
• Water purification supplies, Reusable water bottle, and CamelBak water bladder
• Sunscreen, Hat, sunglasses, moisturizing skin cream and lip balm
• Few snacks, granola bars
• A hiking stick or two
• Waterproof case, fabric bandages such as moleskin, a headlamp, altitude sickness, and other medication
• Camera and binoculars.
• Hand sanitizers, toilet paper, band-aids, wet wipes
• Extra batteries (solar chargers recommended) On the popular trekking routes, everyday supplies, such as toilet paper, soap, chocolate bars, and even basic hiking supplies can be purchased along the way, though prices rise dramatically as you go higher in elevation. Try to stock up lower down and buy locally-produced products such as fruit, biscuits, etc. Maps are easy to find in Nepal. For the more difficult treks involving mountaineering, crampons and ice axes may be required. Simpler types of crampons, which attach to the shoe using a rubber ring, are easily obtainable in the Thamel neighborhood. These are variously known as spikes, microspikes, and chains.

Trek legally. If you trek independently, you are not allowed to take any staff by law. You need for this a Trekking Agency, the sole authorized to employ staff for foreign trekkers. Do not hire staff or “independent guides” through hotels, unless they have a Trekking Agent license or offer this service through an affiliated Trekking Agent. • Please make sure you take all of your trash, including bottles and cans from goods consumed in restaurants, to the nearest dustbins. Pollution and lack of trash management in the villages on the treks – including trash-clogged rivers and mounds of discarded beer bottles.

Before the departures check that your travel insurance covers trekking activities and the conditions. Be aware that some insurance companies view even walking in the mountains as “mountaineering” and will not provide coverage. Most reputable trekking agencies will require proof of rescue insurance before you start on your trek. It would be very costly to pay a helicopter rescue at 5000 meters. Some insurance policies, in fact, most, will not cover you over 4000m.

Always carry a head torch/lamp, water, some food, and a mobile phone with helicopter evacuation number, local police station and nearby health post in case of emergencies.

Please read up extensively on Altitude sickness. Be familiar with the symptoms and do not ignore them. Be sure to keep to a conservative ascent schedule and drink plenty of fluids. If you or anyone in your party begins to experience symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS), do not ascend any further, and if they do not improve, then descend to a lower altitude. Carry some Diamox (acetazolamide) pills, easily found in pharmacies in Nepal. Diamox forces the kidneys to excrete bicarbonate in the urine, therefore making the blood more acidic, which stimulates breathing, increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood. But note that Diamox is not an immediate fix for acute mountain sickness; it speeds up part of the acclimatization process which in turn helps to relieve symptoms. This may take up to a day or two, and requires waiting without any further rapid ascent. It is often advisable to descend if even mild acute mountain sickness is experienced. If serious sickness is encountered or symptoms of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) occur, descent with another trekker is A MUST. Please consult the pharmacist when purchasing Diamox and do your own research. One major thing to remember is that the body requires large amounts of water at altitude to counteract sickness so be sure to drink more than you are used to!

The treks in Nepal are suitable for a wide spectrum of experience and physical fitness. If you can walk uphill for a few hours each day, then you can find a suitable trek in Nepal. An easy trek with Nepali support (guide/porter) and teahouse accommodation is quite attainable for anyone who is reasonably fit. A longer trek, crossing high passes and into remote regions demands a higher degree of endurance. For Trekking Peaks, i.e. summiting a mountain of 5650-6500m, it is desirable to have some alpine climbing experience.

Few of the common accommodation options while trekking in Nepal are Tea Houses (Lodges) which can be found at various points on the trek. They offer dorm room accommodation and simple basic meals reflective of what the local people in the area eat. Although many tea houses and hotels in the hills and mountains are reasonably comfortable, some may not be comfortable, so it makes sense to bring a sleeping bag even for teahouse treks. Camping is another option for trekkers and it can be conducted almost anywhere in the country. Camping treks can be fully organized and supported with a team of guides, cooks, and porters to accompany you. Homestays in local villages can also be organized in few treks.

There are 33 mountain peaks in Nepal of 5,650-6,500m height classified as trekking peaks. Climbing permits for these peaks cost USD 350 for one to four members, an additional USD 40 each for the next four members and USD 25 each for the final four members. Trekking peaks require a qualified climbing guide, permits and deposits to cover camp waste disposal.

The best seasons for trekking are the dry and warm seasons, March-June and September-November. The temperature is bearable and skies are usually clear in these seasons, although the skies are foggier and the rain begins in May-June. It is possible to trek out of season, but you have to be ready for the occasional rain and leeches along the way. During the monsoon season and winters, the treks are virtually emptier.

Trekking is the most popular activity in Nepal, and travelers will be bombarded on the streets of Kathmandu and the trekking hub, Pokhara, with guides, organized tours, and gear for sale or rent. The huge variety of options allows for people of many ages and capabilities to attempt a trek in the country. While you could spend a year planning an expedition to wild and lofty places that few would dare attempt, you could also arrive in Kathmandu with no plans and be on the trail in a matter of days. With eight of the top ten highest summits in the world and some of the most beautiful landscapes which are only reachable on foot, trekking in Nepal is one of the unique experiences.