FAQ

What are the common etiquette in Nepal?
You can greet somebody (usually higher in age or designation or stature) by saying ‘Namaste” any time of the day, but not twice on the same day. The most basic etiquette is taking off shoes before entering a temple or a house. There are many others that are globally similar; just be sure to ask if in doubt.

How expensive is traveling in Nepal?
Nepal is one of the most preferred budget destinations. If you do not wish to indulge in luxury or extravagant shopping, you can modestly spend a week with around USD 350 to 400. Having paid all expenses for treks and accommodation, you only need a small amount to purchase water, snacks and tea outside meals. Tips or donations are on your own.

What is the system of time in Nepal?
Nepal is 5 hours and 45 minutes ahead of GMT.

How ubiquitous are ATMs? What is the currency of Nepal?
ATMs are found abundantly in city areas and as the population density decreases, so do the machines. The currency is Nepalese Rupees (NRs.) or, simply, Rupee (Rs). Rs. 1 is equal to 100 Paisa (p) which is now almost obsolete. The banknotes have denominations of Rs. 1000, Rs. 500, Rs. 100, Rs. 50, Rs. 20, Rs. 10 and Rs. 5; yet you might come across a Rs. 250 note and a Rs. 25 note that were briefly in circulation a while ago.

Will my mobile phone work in Nepal? Can I call back home? What is the telephone code?
The international telephone code is +977 followed by area code and the local number. In case of mobile phones, dial +977 followed by the mobile phone number. Before coming to Nepal, you should contact your operator for a roaming package so that you can call your friends and family wherever they are in the world. As an alternative to paying roaming charges, you can use SIM cards from any of the telecom companies here in Nepal. While up in the mountains, you can use our satellite phone.

How much weight is allowed on domestic flights?
The normal weight limit is 15 kg for all domestic flights within Nepal.

What do I need to bring to Nepal?
You can bring your own clothes, lightweight trousers, tees, socks and hats and gloves, vests, disposable undies, windproof jackets, duvets, comfortable footwear, sleeping bags and sunglasses.

Is it safe for girls and women to travel alone in Nepal?
Nepal is a safe and welcoming nation. Foreigners and visitors to this country will quickly understand and see the friendliness of Nepali people. When booking a program with us,  you can be sure of safety as our team leader and other staff maintain frequent visual count of all members through out the trek.

Is it ok to take photographs?
Yes. Nepal being the natural beauty that she is, demands to be captured in photos and videos. In fact, many professional photographers consider Nepal as a prime spot for cultural, landscape and nature photography due to its majestic lighting and wonderful climate. Please take photos and share them as much as you like. However, there are rare situations and places where you cannot take photos without written or verbal permission.

How fit do I need to be to trek in Nepal?
You need a good level of physical fitness and general hiking experience. We do not recommend people who have acute issues with leg functions to have multiple-day treks in Nepal. However, there are easier treks that anyone can do in Nepal.

Do I really need previous trekking experience before trekking in Nepal?
If you have some previous trekking experience done anywhere in the world, it would definitely be a plus point. But even if you don’t have prior experience, then it is not a problem. All you need to be is physically fit with a habit of walking backed by desire to walk on uneven terrain.

What problems can arise on high-altitude?
At high altitude (generally above 4,500 meters) the most common problem for some people could be the low amount of oxygen as the atmosphere tends to get thinner as you climb higher. Hence some people can face general breathing difficulties and in some cases, acute mountain sickness. This can be avoided by keeping an appropriate trekking pace and frequently acclimatizing if needed.

What will happen if I get in to accident or suffer from altitude sickness during the trek?
We will immediately take you to lower altitude and give you extensive first aid until you get better. Generally that helps; but if the conditions do not improve, we will start the evacuation process which is generally done by helicopter.

In case of a helicopter rescue, who will pay the bill?
In an unlikely case of a high-altitude helicopter evacuation, your travel insurance company will pay for the service. Just make sure with your insurance company that it covers such expenses for you, before you come to Nepal.

Can I go trekking in the months of June and July?
It is not very good trekking during the monsoon season from June to August except treks in the Himalayan rain shadow like Mustang and Kailas Dolpo etc.

Nepal is extremely close to the mountains. Is it cold all the time?
Depends on the season of course and generally its comfortable tours/treks. Please ask for more details based on the tour of your preference. You could be trekking in a T-shirt or with a wind breaker, but mostly the days are fine and the evenings cool to chilly. For Kathmandu valley it is just perfect for most of the time. If you are doing treks above 4000m in winter then it could get -10 degree Celsius at the most.

What is the best season to trek in Nepal?
Post-monsoon period from September to December and pre-monsoon season from February to May are the best period for trekking in Nepal. In winter, December till February, at high elevation is very cold and heavy snowfalls may impede crossing of high passes but trekking in low elevations below 3000m is accessible all year round. In summer, June till August is a monsoon season and trekking is very wet, however in rain shadow areas such as Upper Mustang trekking in monsoon season is feasible and pleasant.

Can I trek on my own, without a guide?
Theoretically, yes you can. The country is safe and many trekking routes are easily navigable with the help of a map. However, having a guide who knows the landscape intimately is highly recommended. In fact, we almost always arrange a guide should you come into situations of emergency. Besides, having a native will definitely help you in terms of language at least.

Is there an age limit for trekking in Nepal?
Children below 18 years of age are required to be accompanied by parents or guardians.

What will I need to carry on the trek?
While a porter or a group of porters will carry your luggage for you, you will be expected to carry your own bottle of water, a camera if you wish to bring it and your windproof jacket plus undergarment or purse.

What should I bring for trekking in Nepal? Any special shoes or boots?
It depends upon the nature of your trek. Based on altitude and duration, you may require fleece jackets, thermals, shorts, sleeping bags, first-aid kit and comfortable trekking shoes. We recommend you to do a bit of research or inquire with us before departure.

Are trekking permits mandatory?
Not everywhere. Some areas require you to have a special trekking permit such as conservation-area permits, national park permits, protected-area permits or restricted-area permits. TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) Card, however, is mandatory for all trekkers in Nepal.

How difficult are the treks?
Many treks require you to be fit and healthy with a good habit of walking. Due to multiple-days involved in trekking, the real test is of persistence where you will be required to walk around 6 hours a day on average in rugged uneven terrain. A range of trekking routes are available in Nepal - those that are easy and those that really test your physical endurance!

Do guides and support staff speak English and other languages?
While we mostly arrange English-speaking guides, they might not be fluent. They will, however, be able to converse at all situations. The same applies to guides speaking other languages.

How much is a porter allowed to carry? Is tipping mandatory?
It depends on trekking route and altitude. Typically a trekking porter carries a load of 15 kg to 20 kg and those carrying camps or tents can do it up to 40 kg. Having to work hard at high-altitude, and against gravity, porters and guides tend to expect and appreciate a tip.

I want to join a group trek. Is it possible?
We do have schedules for group departures. Please consult our website or contact us to request your seat in a group.

Can I recharge batteries for my devices such as cameras, phones and lights along the trek?
Yes you can. Many villages and hamlets offer recharge facilities, but you need to pay around $3 per hour of charging.

What communication options are available on the trek?
Many locations have cell-phone coverage; and where cellular network is unavailable, a satellite phone is the most viable option.

What is the best season to trek in Nepal?
Nepal is, per se, a destination for all seasons. Be sure to avoid locations at higher elevations during December to February due to snowfalls. Monsoon starts from around mid-June to late August, so trekking during this time can be limited to areas of rain-shadow such as Upper Mustang. Otherwise, Nepal is pretty much frequented by visitors during September to June.

Nepal is extremely close to the mountains. Is it cold all the time?
It depends on the season. Please ask for details. Mostly the days are fine and the evenings cool to chilly. At all costs, avoid treks above 4,000 meters during December to February. As for the capital Kathmandu, it is nearly perfect all the year round, if you can do away with the air pollution.