Frequently Asked Questions - All FAQs

For the trekking regions of the Annapurna, Everest, Langtang, Jumla Rara Lake, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Manaslu we recommend the periods February to May and September to December as the best time for travelling.

 For trekking in Mustang or Dolpo region we recommend May to September.

The Tamang Heritage Trail in the Langtang region takes place throughout the entire year.

Cultural tours takes place throughout the entire year. For the best mountain views the periods February to May and September to December are recommended.

Due to the extreme differences in altitude (from 60 m to the highest point on earth, Mount Everest 8.850m) there are many climatic zones in Nepal:

Winter - January and February. Pleasant temperatures. The nights, mornings and evenings can, however, be quite cold (approx. 0°C - 5°C. Throughout the day, it is mostly sunny with cooler temperatures (approx. 18°C - 20°C).

Spring - March to May. Hot and dry pre-monsoon season (approx. 25°C - 30°C during the day, and approx. 7°C - 20°C at night). May is the hottest month in the lowlands. June is the hottest month in the mountains.

Summer - Monsoon from June to September (approx. 28°C - 30°C during the day, and approx. 20°C at night). Strong rainfall, continuous sultriness and high humidity.

Early autumn - The monsoon season is constantly interrupted by periods with only a slight rainfall. Towards the end of August the pauses in rainfall become more frequent and longer.

Late autumn - Post-monsoon season from October to December. The nights, mornings and evenings can be relatively cool (approx. 5°C - 10°C). During the day the sun shines and it is warm (approx. 20°C - 27°C).

The Nepalese currency is the Nepalese rupee (NPR or Rs). Coins are in circulation of 1, 2 and 5 rupees and banknotes of 1, 2, 5,10, 20, 50,100, 500 and 1,000 rupees.

Any cash you have taken with you can be exchanged into Nepalese rupees at the banks, large hotels and the numerous bureau de changes.

Those of you who only wish to carry small amounts of cash have the possibility of withdrawing money at the cash dispensers using your EC card or credit card and PIN number. Please note, that since 2012 newly issued EC cards cannot be read by cash dispensers in Nepal and therefore also no money can be withdrawn.  In order to make sure your EC cards works please contact your bank before travelling to Nepal. 

Since the beginning of 2010 the withdrawal system at Nepalese banks has changed.  Using your EC card or credit card and PIN number, it is sometimes the case that NPR 10,000 (approx. EUR 100.--) can only be withdrawn stepwise. For each withdrawal bank fees are charged of approx. EUR 6.00. Cash can be withdrawn on a daily basis of maximum NPR 100,000 (approx. EUR 1,000,--).

Payment using a credit card is possible in some shops and restaurants in the tourist areas. However, a service fee is always charged.

The network coverage is meanwhile quite good in the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara and other parts of the Terai (in the rural areas it is very unpredictable).

Basically, foreign SIM cards (providers having international roaming contracts with Nepal) can also be used. However, it is cheaper to buy a local SIM card (Mero Mobile, NTC – for approx. NPR 500 or more) and top this up.

The voltage throughout Nepal is 220 Volt/50 Hz alternating current. European flat plugs are fitting. To be on the safe side it is recommended to carry an adaptor - especially for the remote areas. Please note the following: As electricity is mainly generated by hydroelectric power in Nepal, electricity cuts of several hours can occur outside the monsoon season. Good hotels and restaurants are mostly equipped with generators. Otherwise, it is advisable to have candles, a small torch or a headlamp handy.

Tap water is not suitable for drinking in Nepal and it should not be used for cleaning your teeth, either. As there is often a scarcity of water in the countryside, water should be used very sparingly.

Nepali people are very kind and friendly, but there are some things that you should be aware of:

• Do not take photos of anyone without their permission; always ask permission first!
• Do not wear hot pants/short paints or stylish clothes in the remote area! (shoulders and legs should be covered)
• Do not wear hats or caps when you enter a chapel!
• Do not touch Buddha statues or ritual offerings inside of a monastery!
• Do not kiss or hug in public places, especially in monasteries!

Do not step across someone’s feet, cups or cooking gears!

A tourist visa is required for entering Nepal. The tourist visa can be applied for, for different lengths of stay. A visa is required for children under 10 years but no fee is charged. The entry to Nepal must take place within 6 months of issuing the visa.

The visa can be applied for upon arrival at the airport in Kathmandu. This will require payment of the visa fee (in US $, NPR or EURO), a filled-in visa application form and 1 passport photo.

If you do not wish to risk long waiting times for being issued a visa at the airport upon arrival in Kathmandu, a visa can already be applied for in advance at the Nepalese Embassy or the consulate responsible in your home country.

For further information and in particular, the visa application form, please visit the website www.immi.gov.np (Department of Immigration).

The fees for the tourist visa (fees valid since 16.07.2008) are staggered as follows:
(a) 15 days (several entries possible)  $ 25 (approx. EUR 20.00)
(b) 30 days (several entries possible)  $ 40 (approx. EUR 35.00)
(c) 90 days (several entries possible)  $ 100 (approx. EUR 85.00)

An extension of the visa to a maximum of 150 days is possible (per year - January to December). The extension must be made at the Immigration Office in Kathmandu. A fee of $ 2.00 is charged in Nepalese rupees (NPR) per day of extension.

For entering Nepal no vaccination protection is stipulated.
Nevertheless the following are applicable:-

• Hepatitis A + B (Twinrix):- An active vaccination is advisable.
• Tetanus/polio/diphtheria:- A vaccination or booster is absolutely advisable.
• Malaria:- There is only a risk of catching malaria in the rural districts of the Terai (e.g. Chitwan). A malaria prophylaxis is not recommended.
• Rabies:- There is a large number of stray dogs and monkeys in Kathmandu, but they are not dangerous if you keep your distance and do not try to provoke them. It is possible to get injections against rabies in Kathmandu (US $ 600 or more). A vaccination is only recommended for longer stays in Nepal and in very remote areas.
• Japanese encephalitis:- Japan. Encephalitis is mostly restricted to the jungle areas in the Terai during the monsoon. A vaccination is recommended for a longer stay in Nepal. 

For further advice please ask your medical doctor and/or check the websites of the Foreign Office and of different Travel Vaccinations.

It is recommended taking the following medication with you:-
Aspirin, broadband antibiotic, medicine for gastrointestinal disorders (diarrhea), plasters, elastic bandage, wound disinfectant, cream for sprains/bruises, medicine for colds, eye drops, medical products for treating itching caused by insect bites, and other personal medicine.

CIWEC Clinic with western doctors is located in Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Tel. +977 1 442 4111, info@ciwec-clinic.com.

It is recommended taking out a travel and health insurance covering the following risks:- Emergency and personal accident transport/emergency evacuation (helicopter rescue, rescue costs in a case of illness or accident), medical and personal accident risks, repatriation, tour cancellation, damages and theft of baggage.

There are no requirements for special high-altitude training. Nevertheless, it is important to have a good physical condition for endurance training. Before the tour you can improve your physical fitness by going jogging, etc. and strengthen your back by doing back exercises.

In case of emergency rescue our company requests the required helicopter instantly.
As the helicopter company has deposited our payment guarantee for any occurring expenses regarding the rescue, the helicopter starts immediately to fly.

In general the costs are covered by the insurance. If not, the traveler has to bear all occurred expenses. A helicopter use in the Everest region is approximately about US $ 6,000.

During check in it is necessary to show the flight ticket, passport or passport copy and airport tax receipt. As the airport tax (in 2012: NPR 200 per person) is not included in the flight ticket price, it has to be paid at Nabil Bank counter or other Bank counter before check-in at the airport.

On domestic flights seat reservations are not possible.

Free Luggage allowance on domesitc flights (especially Kathmandu - Lukla - Kathmandu and Pokhara - Jomsom - Pokhara) with a Twinotter is 15 kg/per adult and 7 kg/child (included hand luggage)

There is virtually always a possibility of a flight delay or postponement owing to highly unpredictable weather conditions that may occur in Himalayan regions, in particular, in the Everest region (Lukla), Jomsom, Dolpo, Simikot and the Jumla region, etc..

When trekking in remote areas or those described above, and especially outside the trekking season, the clients are strongly advised to reserve extra days for making  allowance for possible delays, and thereby avoid any frustrating consequences. In the case of a delayed flight prior to commencing the tour, or at the end of the tour, the participants shall pay for their own accommodation, food costs, etc..

There are some different possibilities:
- wait till the weather conditions allow further flights and a seat is available (standby time can be quite long- sometimes several days)
- if available, take another means of transportation (e.g. jeep, local bus or private vehicle)
- return the flight ticket to the agency and get refund of the ticket price

The following transportation is available in Nepal: local busses, simple tourist busses, taxis, rickshaws, private cars/vehicle, and private jeeps.

For Vegetarians it is very easy to find meals in tourist areas or during the lodge trek. All restaurants and lodges offer beside of meat dishes a large number of vegetarian foods.

There are a large number of restaurants in tourist areas (especially in Kathmandu and Pokhara) where you can find all kinds of Nepalese or International meals.

There are a large number of hotels, ranging from 5 star hotels to simple hostels or backpacker hostels in Nepal. 

As electricity is mainly generated by hydroelectric power in Nepal, electricity cuts of several hours can occur outside the monsoon season. Good hotels and restaurants are mostly equipped with generators. Otherwise; it is advisable to have candles, a small torch or a headlamp handy.

All the trekking articles and items of equipment can be bought at favorable prices in Kathmandu. In most cases, these are not genuine brand-name products, but nevertheless of relatively good quality. 

As a rule there is the possibility before commencing the trek, of depositing part of the baggage in the hotel in Kathmandu or in Pokhara.

During the trekking tour only a copy of your passport should be taken with you. The original passport should be deposited either in the hotel safe or with our trekking agency. 

The facilities in the lodges in Nepal, are simple and practical. That is to say, the double rooms usually have wooden bedsteads and a simple foam mattress. If required, you can also borrow blankets at the lodges. The WC and/or washing facilities are outside the rooms. There are often solar showers available but not in all the lodges. An extra charge has to be paid for using the "hot shower". If there is no shower facility available, a bowl of hot water can also be ordered for washing, if required. Those who are particularly sensitive to noise during the night should remember to take earplugs with them. The rooms are divided by simple wooden partitions and they are often not soundproof.

In the lodges there is a guest room that is heated in the evenings.

Since it is not possible to book the lodge in advance, the porters walk on ahead each day, and reserve the rooms at the lodges. If a lodge happens to be fully booked, it may well be the case that several lodges have to be asked, and that unpleasant circumstances occur.

At some of the lodges, rooms are offered with attached bathroom/toilet. As these room prices are more expensive, the extra price as opposed to the price of a normal room – if such a room is in fact available – has to be paid at the lodge directly. For booking requests, please consult the guide. Please note, that sometimes the equipment of the attached bathroom/toilet is very poor and the running water is frozen or mould formation due to humidity and coldness appear.

There is a large selection of dishes, e.g. noodles, rice or potatoes with vegetables or meat (chicken, water buffalo (buff) or mutton, spaghetti with tomato sauce, momos (dumplings filled with minced meat or vegetable), pizza, dhal bhaat (national Nepalese dish) consisting of lentil soup, potato curry, chicken or vegetables, chicken curry with rice or flat bread, marmalade with flat bread, butter, honey, porridge, muesli, pancakes with honey, boiled eggs and scrambled eggs, etc..

If someone has problems with the stomach or is very sensiitive, it is not recommendable to eat meat and egg dishes above 3,500 mtrs. Meat items and eggs will be often stored long time without refrigeration.

Trekking guide and porters pay their meals by themselves. They get an extra payment per day for food from us as employer.  Nevertheless the trekking guide and porters are also delighted to receive sometimes a Cola or bar of chocolate. Moreover the trekking guide and porter are also delighted about the invitation to a welfare dinner at the end of the trek.

The Lodge Trek is the most popular way of trekking in Nepal. During the Lodge Trek you walk from one lodge to the next. You also sleep overnight and eat at the lodges that lie along the trekking route. The guide takes the meal orders and payments in the lodges. The catering depends on the respective menus provided at the lodge. The Lodge Trek offers several advantages due to the accommodation and meals being organised directly at the lodge. You can walk at your own speed and according to your own time schedule and as a result, you become acquainted with the real lifestyle of the rural population.

On the Camping Trek all the equipment necessary for camping such as tents, mattresses, WC tents, kitchen tents and kitchen utensils, etc., is provided on the one hand, and a certain number of helpers and guides - depending on the size of the group - on the other.
A Head Guide (Sirdar) organises and plans the entire trekking program. All the meals are freshly prepared en route. The camping/trekking day starts in early morning around 6.00 h and a Wake-up Tea is served at the tent.  After that a bowl with warm water for washing.  Before breakfast the tents should be cleared empty to dry and pack them for transportation. The luggage and other staff are loaded on the Mules.  Hiking/Trekking begins after a breakfast around 7.30 h to 8.00 h.  The kitchen team precedes and prepares lunch on the way – sometimes also a packed lunch is given.  The Sherpa and the Mules come later with all the tents and remaining luggage.  Mostly the trekking group is overtaken however of the Mule caravan so that the tents and the entire equipment arrives first at the camping place.  If it is possible, the tents are already constructed in arrival of the trekking group.  Otherwise it is desirable and very welcome if the participants support the camping team in the construction. 

Due to weather conditions that would jeopardise the safety, time lags in the public means of transport and consideration that needs to be taken for group members - who for unforeseen reasons, such as illness, their weak condition or similar are unable to meet the tour requirements - delays and changes in the travel route scheduling may occur.

The electricity supply can be very limited during the trekking tour. In lodges with solar energy it is possible to recharge camera batteries for a fee. The fees for recharging camera batteries or mobile phones are not included in the tour/trip price.

In lodges that are equipped with solar showers, these can also be used for a fee. It should be noted, that not all the lodges have solar showers. In such cases, a bowl of hot water can similarly be ordered, for a fee. The fee for a hot shower or bowl of hot water is not included in the tour/trip price.

In order that the porters do not have to carry too much weight during the trekking tour, a piece of luggage (backpack, bag) should not weigh more than 12 to 13 kg. You can save a lot of weight by taking sample packs of toothpaste, sun cream, washing powder, etc.. These are offered at most chemists' and are more than sufficient for the duration of the trek.

a) Leave the camp site cleaner than you have found it.
b) No open fires.
c) Burn dry papers and packets in a safe place.
d) Keep local water clean and avoid using pollutants.
e) Plants should be left to flourish in their natural environment.

As fire wood in Nepal is very limited, the teahouses/lodges are not heated thoroughly in the afternoons and in the evenings. Often the oven will be fired only once between 5 pm to 6 pm. Also the rooms in the teahouses/lodges are not heated. Please note this for the selection of your equipment and cloths for the trekking tour.

The easiest way would be to pack the trekking stuff in a trekking bag. As one porter carries the luggage of two people, two trekking bags are bind together. The bags are carried with a band across the forehead. This type of carrying is very typical in Nepal. If one porter carries the luggage of one person, it is easier with a bagpack. 

The trekking guide and the porters eat generally later than the trekking group. The lodge owner is cooking Dal Bhat for all guides and porters.  These food is served in the kitchen. Therefore trekking guide and porters are sitting not together with the group. If you wish you can invite the trekking staff to sit together with them playing games or talking. Please do not wonder when the invitation sometimes will be accepted and sometimes not. Trekking guide and porters are also happy to talk and chat with their Nepalese colleges.

Normally the meals (full board) and the typical hot drinks like coffee and tea during the trekking tour are included in the tour price (unless the booked service is another). The food (full pension) contains 3 meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and will be paid in the lodges/teahouses by the trekking guide. If alcohol, soft drinks, mineral water, further meals or snacks are consumed, the payment has to be done by the participant.