Nar Phu Valley and Annapurna Circuit Trek - 18 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 Nar Phu Valley and Annapurna Circuit Trek 18 days?

  Well, our Nar Phu Valley and Annapurna Circuit Trek 18 days is inclusive of your accommodation, trekking permits, transportation, meals and other official expenses. (see price includes for more details). Besides this, the extra money you need during 18 days trek depends upon your spending habits. You can spend USD 10-15 per person for lunch and dinner in Kathmandu. In addition, you can allocate USD 15-25 per day to buy snacks, water bottles, chocolates, wifi, hot showers etc. during the trek.

• 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 on the trekking route don'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 heading to Nar Phu Valley and Annapurna Circuit Trek. Also, note that money exchangers do not accept credit cards in Nepal. Besides, few shops in Kathmandu and Pokhara can accept credit cards to some extent for your purchases.

Accommodation and Communication

• What kind of Hotel accommodation can I expect while trekking in the Annapurna region?

  We use three-star hotel accommodations in Kathmandu and Pokhara while trekking in Annapurna region. You will be accommodated in a standard room on a twin sharing basis including breakfast. 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.

  During the trek, we use teahouses/lodges for our meals and overnight stay. Usually, local families manage teahouses in Annapurna region. The accommodation can be very basic, and functional. The rooms are clean, standard or a dormitory style on a twin sharing basis that include mattress, quilt or blanket for your convenient stay.

  Having your own sleeping bag is a good alternative to sleep comfortably as well. Sleeping bags as well as Down jackets are available for renting (USD 35) per item with us on a returnable basis in our office, Thamel.

• Is there a possibility of getting separate rooms on the trek? If so how much extra will this cost?

  The single supplement cannot be guaranteed earlier due to overflow of trekkers in peak season. Again, when there is a decline in the number of guests, the teahouses can easily provide a private room without any additional cost. In particular, the accommodation during the trek will remain very basic, comfortable on a twin sharing basis and sometimes dormitory. On the other side, we can assure a separate room in major cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara on the trek.

• Will there be a place to store items/clothing not required for the trek?

  The hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara provides free locker facility. So, you can place all the luggage/clothing items you don’t require in the hotel during the trek.

• Are the guesthouses heated?

  The guesthouses are not enabled with the heater or air conditioner in all trekking regions. However, most guesthouses provide bonfires or heating facilities in the dining area using kerosene or metal heaters. Also, note that some guesthouses charge an additional cost for the heating services.

• 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.

• Is there a possibility of getting separate rooms on the trek? If so how much extra will this cost?

  The single supplement cannot be guaranteed earlier due to overflow of trekkers in peak season. Again, when there is a decline in the number of guests, the teahouses can easily provide a private room without any additional cost. In particular, the accommodation during the trek will remain very basic, comfortable on a twin sharing basis and sometimes dormitory. On the other side, we can assure a separate room in major cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara on the trek.

• 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.

• Do I need to bring toilet paper for the trek?

  Yes, we suggest you bring toilet paper along with hand sanitizer and towel for your conveniences. Indeed, toilet papers are available to buy on the guesthouses. So, no need to worry about it a lot.

• Are hot showers/wash facilities available on the trek?

  Well, it depends on where you stay. Most teahouses in the trekking region provide hot showers at considerable cost. At higher elevation, the water gets frozen most of the time. So, you can get a bucket of hot water by paying an extra $2- $5 for hot showers.
  

• Are there any laundry services available on the trek?

  Some teahouses provide laundry services for payment of an extra charge. But, it’s not guaranteed that your clothes will dry on the same day. There is a possibility that you can wash some clothes during acclimatization days. However, we suggest you pack enough clothes on the trek and wash them after returning back to Kathmandu.

• Can I charge my electronic gadgets during the trek?

  Yes. There are tea houses and lodges that provide charging facility for electronic gadgets upon paying extra fee.

  Note: The power plugs and sockets used in Nepal are type C, D and M. The standard voltage and frequency of electricity in Nepal is 230 V and 50 Hz respectively. This means if your electronic appliances state ‘INPUT: 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz’, you can used to recharge in every country all over the world. Otherwise, make sure you bring universal travel adapter that is compatible for all kinds of devices in the trek.

• 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 foods are offered on the trek?

  We provide breakfast, lunch and dinner on the Trek. Most importantly, it is mandatory for all trekkers to take breakfast and dinner at the teahouse where you stay overnight. Likewise, lunch will be served at teahouses en route where you can order food as per your choice.

  Usually, the typical Nepali food: dal (lentils), bhat (rice) and tarkari (vegetable curry) are served on the trek. These foods are highly nutritious and give you sufficient energy for the trek. 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. In addition, we let trekkers choose hot drinks from the menus at the tea houses. Also, you can find meat dishes, but we suggest you to choose vegetarian meals for health reasons as the local meat available is not hygienic.

• 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. We embark on our journey by 4WD vehicle from Kathmandu to Jagat via Besisahar. After completion of hiking, we take a domestic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. Next, we use a tourist bus while returning from Pokhara to Kathmandu.

• 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.

• What is the weight limit for Jomsom flight?

  The weight limit is 15 kg/ 33 lbs for Jomsom flight including both your duffel bag (10kg/22 lbs) and backpack (5kg/11lbs). If you exceed the weight limit, you need to pay an additional cost, $2-$5 per kg in the airport. So, we suggest you to pack your bag carefully considering the weight limits for Jomsom flight.

Season, Weather and Temperature

• What is the best time to do Nar Phu Valley and Annapurna Circuit Trek?

  The following months are the best time to do Nar Phu Valley and Annapurna Circuit Trek: February, March, April, May, June, October, November, and December.

• 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.

• Do you guys have a Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC)?

  Yes, we do have PAC. Annapurna Circuit Trek is around 4,000 m level (mostly), so it may not always required. Surely, we can provide PAC if necessary with additional fees on payment. Otherwise, you can hire oxygen cylinder from guest houses also. Please note: if you are using oxygen cylinder in the Annapurna region, it can be expensive. So make sure that you have travel insurance that covered your emergency medical expenses at higher altitude.

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?

  Surely, you can add extra days during Nar Phu Valley and Annapurna Circuit Trek. You need to pay extra cost that includes additional cost to cover food, accommodation, guides and porters. If you are interested in adding extra days for the trek, you can consult with your guide so that he will update us in head office, Kathmandu. After getting all the details regarding your individual choices from our guide, we can make the necessary arrangements accordingly. This option is more convenient and feasible for a private trip. On the other hand, if you are in a group, this option is limited, and often should be arranged properly. So, we highly encourage you to ask us in advance or talk with your guide or trekking group members so that we will manage it accordingly.