Himalayan Highlights - 13 Days

Arrival and Visas

• Will somebody come to pick me up at the airport upon my arrival?

  Yes, our airport representative will pick you up at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. Our team member will be waiting outside the airport terminal, displaying “Trekking to Nepal” signboard. After meeting up, you will be taken to your respective hotel in our private vehicle.

• How do I get Visas to Nepal?

  You can obtain the Nepalese visa from Nepalese consulate in your country easily or upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. There are electronic registration machines in Kathmandu airport which read your passport, take your photo and print out visa form for immigration purposes. Further, we suggest you bring 2 copies of passport size photos (not necessary at Kathmandu airport), but it might be needed for documentation.

  You can also apply online within 15 days of your date of arrival in Nepal. For that, you require a valid passport, your hotel address and a recent digital version of passport size photo (size 1.5”x 1.5”). You can print out the confirmation receipt and show it to the Immigration officer along with visa fee in Kathmandu airport.

  A 15/30/90 day multiple entries Nepalese visa can be obtained by paying USD 30/50/125 or equivalent foreign currency respectively. For more information, please read this link about Tourist Visa.

  Also, you can follow this link- Department of Immigration to fill up online Tourist Visa form.

• Do I need special travel insurance for trekking in Nepal?

  Yes. Our company only covers insurance for our team members. We recommend you buy a travel insurance in your country. Make sure your travel insurance covers adventure activities over a certain altitude (4000 m) and covers emergency medical as well as helicopter rescue and evacuation.

  Most importantly, if you are trekking in the mountainous region of Nepal, then you should plan ahead about possible challenges, especially altitude sickness, ill related health issues, accidents, flight delays etc. In such cases, the only possible way out of the mountains is helicopter rescue. So, we recommend you to have a travel insurance policy that covers the helicopter evacuation cost and medical services in hospitals while trekking in Nepal.

• Do I need any extra documents?

  All you need is a copy of your travel insurance, a copy of your passport and 2 passport size photos while travelling in Nepal. You are required to bring photos for trek permits.

Expenditure and Travel

• How much spending money do I need for Himalayan Highlights Trek?

  Well, our Himalayan Highlights Trek 13 days cost is all inclusive of your accommodation, meals, permits and other official expenses. (see price includes and excludes for more detail). Besides, other expenses depend on your spending habits. In general, you can spend USD 10-15 per person for lunch and dinner in Kathmandu. A USD 10-15 is sufficient to buy bottled water, snacks, chocolate bars, hot and cold drinks, and showers during the journey.

• Is it possible to reserve a trip now and pay a deposit later or do I have to pay a deposit at booking/reservation?

  You are required to pay 30% deposit at the time of booking and rest of the amount prior to the trip departure date. For this trip, you need to complete an online booking form along with 30% non-refundable deposit. You can pay the remaining amount in cash, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express Card) upon your arrival in Kathmandu, at our office in Thamel. Note that a 3.5% levy will be added as card processing fee by banks. (We are not liable for those 3.5% bank transaction fee).

  Read more details in “terms and conditions”.

• What is your Cancellation Policy?

  Cancellation notice is required, a minimum of 20 days prior to trip departure. If the reason is valid the trip shall then be termed as cancelled and a cancellation charge of 30% of the trip amount would be deducted from the advance paid.

  If you do not cancel your trip prior to 20 days due to whatever reasons, you must be aware that the trip you’ve already bought is completely non-refundable as per our terms and conditions. If you cancel the trip and need to submit a claim to your insurance company, we can help with the supporting documentation such as a receipt for monies paid. If your trip is cut short due to weather/illness/personal reasons, there is no refund for unused accommodations.

  Moreover, you can postpone or transfer your booking to another person, if you have genuine reasons for not taking the trip. For instance: serious illness, death of a close relative or friend etc. In such cases, if all the requirements are met, you can postpone or change on another date, but an extra fee of $200 is required.

  For more details please read “terms and conditions”.

• Can I use credit cards in the places I visit in Trekking?

  Most places in trekking route doesn’t accept credit cards. So, we highly recommend you to convert currencies into Nepalese Rupees or withdraw money from ATMs in Kathmandu or Pokhara before going to Ghorepani Poonhill Trek. Also, note that money exchange does not accept credit cards in Nepal. Besides, few shops in Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara accept credit cards for your purchases.

Preparation and Fitness Level

• What type of shape do I need to be in? Is this trip suitable for me?

  Himalayan Highlights trip is ideal for travelers who want to enjoy the natural and cultural beauty of Nepal in a short period of time. This trip includes several adventurous activities like white water rafting and trekking in the foothills of Annapurna region. You need to hike for 5-6 hours along the Ghorepani Poonhill trail. Besides, the trip is accompanied by an experienced guide to visit Chitwan National Park, sightseeing around Kathmandu valley and Pokhara. Certainly, you need to have a good fitness level to enjoy the whole trip. If you are in good physical shape or do some sort of physical activities like running, swimming or cycling on a daily basis, then you will get the most out of your journey. On the other side, if you have pre-existing medical conditions or using medicines, we recommend you to inform us when booking the trip or consult with a doctor before the trip.

Accommodation and Communication

• Is camping allowed in the trek?

  No. There is no need for camping as we can find many tea houses for food and lodging in the trek.

• What kind of accommodation can I expect on this trip?

  We use three star hotel accommodations during your stay in Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara. You will be accommodated in a standard room on a twin sharing basis. Enroute Ghorepani Poonhill Trek, we use tea houses/lodges for our meals and overnight stay. Usually, tea houses are managed by local families. The accommodation can be very basic, and functional. The rooms are clean, either twin sharing or a dormitory style that include mattress, quilt or blanket for your convenient stay. Furthermore, if you need to stay extra nights in the hotel or need upgraded to 4 star and 5 star Hotel accommodation, we can arrange it as you wish for an additional cost.

• What type of toilet/bathroom facilities are available in the teahouses/guesthouses?

  You can find western style flushing toilets as well as adjacent squat toilets in the teahouses/guesthouses. Mostly, the bathrooms are not attached to the individual rooms and are shared.

• Where do we go toilet along the trail?

  You can use the toilet facilities provided by guest houses along the trail. Otherwise, if you arrive in places without guesthouses or public toilet in those regions during the trek, then you need to find some privacy and experience outdoor toilet adventure.

• Are there any means of communication and internet access while trekking to Annapurna region?

  Yes. There are telephone services and 3G coverage available in the Annapurna region. Most trekking routes have been equipped with internet access and telephone services. However, being a remote mountainous region, there may be poor internet connection and uninterrupted coverage cannot be guaranteed. Likewise, our trekking guide has a cell phone from which you can make a phone call. Also, we recommend you to buy a local sim card, Ncell in Kathmandu and use it for communication and internet access during the trek.

Foods and Drinking Water

• What kind of food can I expect on the trip?

  We provide standard meals- breakfast, lunch and dinner during Himalayan Highlights Trip. Usually, we provide typical Nepali food: dal (lentils), bhat (rice) and tarkari (vegetable curry). Besides, other typical meals include delicious vegetarian foods such as pasta, noodles, French fries, boiled eggs, pancakes, omelets, toast, momo, garlic soup and many more dishes. Also, you can find meat dishes on the menu at guesthouses. Most importantly, it is mandatory for all trekkers to take breakfast and dinner at the tea house where you stay overnight in the Annapurna region. In addition, lunch will be served at tea houses en route where you can order food as per your choice. Likewise, you can have a cup of hot drinks like tea, coffee; hot lemon included in all 3 meals during the trek.

• Is the food in the mountain region prepared to international standard in terms of safety?

  Yes. The food provided at tea houses during the trek are very safe and hygienic. We recommend you to eat local food, vegetarian meal and avoid meat for your health reasons. Please follow the suggestions of our trekking guide when ordering food in the tea houses.

• Is it safe to drink water in the trekking region?

  For health concerns, it is unsafe to drink all types of natural sources of water in the trekking region of Nepal. So, we suggest you drink bottled mineral water, boiled water, and use purification tablets or iodine for tap water. Another possible option is using SteriPEN for water purification.

  You can purchase bottled water and boiled water at the tea houses in the trek region. As you sweat a lot when hiking to higher elevation, you must drink plenty (4-5 liters) of drinking water, hot drinks and soups each day. So, make sure you are hydrated well to avoid altitude sickness and muscle cramps in the trek.

• Is there any problem regarding foods for vegetarian during the trek?

  This is not a problem at all because mostly the mountain teahouses serve vegetarian meals. In addition, all the meals we serve during the trek include vegetarian dishes. Moreover, we highly suggest our trekkers to avoid meat dishes as the local meat is not hygienic and refrigerated properly.

  Note: Please inform us if you have any diet restriction prior to the trek start.

Transportation

• Do we book our own international flights to and from Nepal?

  Yes. You should book your own international flights to and from Nepal.

• What mode of transportation do you use?

  For Kathmandu airport pick up and drop off, we use our own private vehicle. Moreover, it depends on group size,and we mostly use cars, minibus, vans or 4WD SUV as means of transportation for reaching domestic airport and city sightseeing tours. In addition, we use tourist bus for travelling to and from Kathmandu to Chitwan, and Pokhara. Similarly, we use private vehicles for driving from Pokhara to Nayapul (the starting point of Ghorepani Poonhill trek) and while returning to Pokhara.

• Do you use yak/porter on the trek or do we carry all of our own gear?

  During the trek, we provide 1 porter for 2 people each. The weight limit of a porter is 15 kg/33 lbs for each person. During the trek, our porter will carry your duffel bag. Similarly, you need a backpack for carrying your personal belongings like cameras, water bottles, sun cream and other daily essential items. So, we suggest you pack your equipment carefully without exceeding the weight limit.

Season, Weather and Temperatures

• What is the best time to do Himalayan Highlights Trip?

  You can do Himalayan Highlights trip in all 4 seasons of a year.

• What is the weather and temperature like when trekking in the Annapurna region?

  One of the most unpredictable elements of the mountain is the weather. If you’re not properly prepared for the twists, turns and volatility of the conditions that can occur in this breathtaking region, you might find yourself in an uncomfortable and unpleasant situation. Here are some weather basics to help ensure that you come to the Himalayas as well equipped and prepared to face anything.
  Generally speaking, the nights are much cooler than the daytime hours in the Annapurna region. Many first-time trekkers are surprised to learn about the incredible range that may occur in a given day. During the day, the thermometer could reach temps as high as 25 C (77 F), only to dip down as low as -5 C (23 F) in less than 24 hours. While there’s no way to know exactly what each day in the mountains will bring, the weather and temperature ranges tend to be somewhat predictable based on the month and season.

  Spring – March / April / May / June

  Spring happens to be one of the best times of the year to visit the Annapurna region, although because of this, it can become somewhat crowded. The beautiful clear blue sky can be seen and the many different species of flower are visible in the lower altitude.
  During springtime, the average temperature is 20 C (68 F), with a maximum of 25 C (77 F), during sunny days and a minimum of 0 degrees C (32 F), in the morning and at night for areas above 2500 meters.

  July / August Through Mid-September is Monsoon Season

  This season is not really recommended to travel as it rains in the lower altitudes. There are positive sides of trekking during the monsoon months as the excess rainfall can provide ample chance to see spectacular views of the waterfall and it’s also the best season to avoid the crowds.
  During this time, the average temperature is 25 C (77 F), with a maximum of 30 C (86 F), during sunny days and a minimum of 5 C (41 F), in the morning and at night for areas above 2500 meters.

  Autumn – End of September / October / November

  Similar to springtime, autumn in this region is also a crowded season, but it’s one of the best times to trek. While it lacks the beauty of flowers, the clear blue sky can be seen, affording incredible views from just about every angle. The average temperature during the fall is 20 C (68 F), with a maximum temp of 25 C (77 F), during sunny days and a minimum of -5 C (23 F), in the morning and at night, for areas above 2500 meters altitude.

  Winter- December/ January/ February

  Winter start from mid December till mid February in this region. People still like to trek in this month due to fewer crowds.
  The average temperature during the winter is 10 C (50 F), with a maximum temp of 17 C (62.6 F), during sunny days and a minimum of -10 C (14 F), in the morning and at night, for areas above 2500 meters altitude.

  The above temperature is based on outside of the guesthouse temperature. No need worry about the cold temperature as we provide the sleeping bag plus the extra blanket to make sure our clients are warm enough during the time of need.

Health and Safety

• What safety measures are in place? What safety equipment do your guides carry with them on trek to deal with sickness/accidents?

  Our trekking guides are highly experienced, professional and well trained for higher altitude first aid training and related problems. They can measure your oxygen level in blood using oximeters and provide first aid if needed. Our guide carries medicine and a first aid kit during the trek. Besides, our guides carry a cell phone and keep on updating about the trek in our head office Kathmandu every day. If you deal with sickness or accidents, our guide will accompany you throughout the trek and ensure your safety and wellness. In case of emergency, our guide will manage helicopter rescue for your medical treatment in Kathmandu. However, the cost of helicopter charter is solely borne by trekkers.

  Make sure that your insurance policy covered medical expenses and emergency helicopter rescue in high altitude regions above 4,000 m; otherwise the cost is expensive in the mountain region. Only if you have purchased a valid travel insurance policy that covers helicopter charter and medical evacuation, then you can claim for reimbursement with your travel insurance company. In that case, we can help you with providing money receipts for your claim.

• What immunizations will I need?

  Vaccinations are not mandatory for this trip. Still, we recommend you are vaccinated against diphtheria TB, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, *malaria, typhoid, polio and tetanus for your safety. We suggest a dental check up prior to the trek and be aware of your blood group type. Likewise, if you have any pre-existing medical conditions we recommend you to inform us while booking the trip.

• If I am sick can I continue the trek next day after a day rest?

  Well, it depends on your sickness level. You should talk with your guide about your health and take necessary measures. If you get sick at a higher altitude, you need to descend at a lower altitude and take rest (3-7 days) for recovery. Depending upon your situation, our guide will put you in the next trekking group coming up in the trek. Your health matters, so you can take a rest until recovery and catch up with the next group.

Trekking Guides

• Do your guides have trekking guide certificates from the Hotel Management and Tourism Center? Have they received first aid training for high altitude?

  Yes, all our guides have received a 45 day training from Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management. Also, they have received Intensive Wilderness First aid Course from Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP). Furthermore, they are highly experienced, skillful and speak English fluently.

• Are Trekking to Nepal staff insured?

  Yes, all Trekking to Nepal staff are insured that includes trekking guides, cooks, Sherpa and porters.

• Do I need to tip my guide and porter? How much would that be?

  Well, tips/gratuity is customary in Nepal and highly appreciated. Moreover, it’s personal and a great way to show admiration for all those members involved in the trek, their hard work and devotion to make your journey a pleasant one. We have seen our previous clients tipping from USD 20 – USD 1000 per person for trekking crews. In general, we suggest to spend at least 10% of the cost of the trek for tipping guides and porters.

Trip Departure and Extension

• All your departure is guaranteed to run?

  Yes, all our trips are guaranteed to run. We never cancel the trip due to not having enough participants. Also, we make arrangements for one person and a private trip as well. You can make inquiries while booking the trip.

• I would like to extend my holiday, any recommendations?

  Yes. There are so many options and choices available to extend your holiday before or after the trek. Please visit our website for more information about treks and tours in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Tibet.

• Can I add extra days to my trekking trip?

  Certainly, you can add extra days during the trek. You need to pay an extra cost that includes additional cost to cover food, accommodation, guides and porters.

  This option is more convenient and feasible for a private trip. On the other hand, if you are in a group trek, this option is often limited and should be arranged properly. So we highly encourage you to ask us in advance or talk with your guide or trekking group member so that we do our best to manage it accordingly.