1. Where is Nepal?
Nepal is an independent country in Asia, which lies in between China and India. Tibet borders Nepal on the northern ridge and India borders Nepal from the east, west and south. Federal republic democrat of Nepal was never under control or any other country and was always an independent nation. With only 52,827 sq miles and approximately 27 million of population, Nepal is considered as a small country and holds 93rd position in the world in terms of area. The shape of the country is somewhat trapezoidal with a length of 800 km and height of 200 km.
2. How to get to Nepal?
The easiest and most practical gateway to Nepal is through its only international airport, Tribhuvan international airport (TIA). The other way to enter the country would be via overland from the Borders of India. The major Nepal-India borders include:
Mahendranagar (Far west)
Dhangadhi (Far west)
Bhairahawa (west)
Birgunj (mid)
Biratnagar(east)
Kakarbhitta (east)
3. How can I apply for visa and how long can I stay in the country?
Visa for many Nationals are upon arrival at international airport. An application form has to be filled out and the visa is stamped in the passport. The minimum number of days stamped is 30 and maximum number days is 90, in a visa year; visa year refers from month of January to December. Any visitors willing to stay for longer period of time can do it by shortly exiting the country and returning back.
4. What is the cost of Tourist visa and what documents do I need?
The charge includes:
A fee of $25 or equivalent in Nepalese currency for multiple entry 15 days visa
A fee of $40 or equivalent in Nepalese currency for multiple entry 30 days visa
A fee of $100 or equivalent in Nepalese currency for multiple entry 90 days visa
The required documents are your valid passport for identification and registration purpose and 2 passport size photographs with the applicable fees.
5. Is Nepal safe to travel?
Federal democratic republic of Nepal homes to people of different political ideologies and at times there are clashes between these ideologies and have some disturbance. These disturbances are very infrequently happens the mountains and even if it does it never affects any foreign travelers.
6. Is Nepal a safe destination for single woman or women to travel?
There is no question about Nepal being a very safe place or one of the safest countries to travel for women. Second, when you are on a trip with us, we make sure we take the entire responsibility of our guest, when it comes to safety and security and make sure your travel is the most safest and fun in Nepal.
7. What is the best time to be in Nepal?
There is no exact time if you want to be in Nepal, you can come here at any time of the year and get the best of it. When it comes to trekking and adventure there are two prime seasons, the first one is at the beginning of the year (March-May) and the other towards the end of the year (mid September-November). If you are into flowers and blossoms and want to see patches of green along with the snow clad mountain you will surely indulge in spring whereas if you are into fall color you will rejoice the season at the end of the year.
8. Can I trek without any previous trekking or hiking experience?
Absolutely you can trek without any prior experience but a passion to explore and love for adventure. No matter how tough or easy, if you have such passion for trek we may have a perfect match for you.
9. Are you an environmentally responsible trekking company?
We are an associate partners working closely with KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project). We believe getting associated with an organization alone will not help from preventing degrading environment; we do the best possible practices within our reach to help our natural treasures get unsoiled. We also educate our guests about it as we think the first step for responsibility begins with awareness.
10. Are the staffs at your agency well taken care of?
Sad but true, time and again in Nepal revolves the stories of staffs, labors and workers not been taken care of in a proper way and especially in the tourism industry. In our organization at first we very committed to secure the rights of our guides, Sherpas, porters and all the team members according to the rules and regulations of the ministry of Labor. We also make sure that we salaried our guides, porters and our trekking team prior to the trekking where as we salaried our entire team timely and appropriately.
11. Are your team members well equipped? Are they insured?
The most beautiful part of our team is we the owners and shareholders are the part of the team, so we know how important is it to be well equipped while on the an adventure and consequences of you not being well equipped and uninsured. Without equipping and insuring our guests and our team members we do not embark on any trekking or tours.
12. What to wear in Nepal?
There are different array of climate in Nepal and make sure to look at the weather update before packing your bags. There are no such things as “not wearable clothes”, be sure you are culturally sensitive when you are in the rurals. You can wear the clothes of your choice in Kathmandu and other major cities where as you have to be culturally sensitive when you are in remote. If you forget to pack some essential stuff there is no need to panic you can buy almost everything you require in Nepal.
13. Electricity in Nepal
Nepal has hours of power outage in fall and winter whereas just couple of hours only in the monsoon. The power outage can go up to 14-16 hours in a day in winter and fall. Residential outlet power used in Nepal is 220-240 volts unlike to that of USA and other countries which use 110-120 volts. Plugging in any appliances in Nepal which requires only 110-120v may result in demolishing the device completely and in some case causing harm to you as well.
14. How to stay healthy in Nepal?
Although you may practice eating salads in your country it is suggested to eat thoroughly cooked food while in Nepal. The other prime factor to be careful about while in Nepal is water, either drink a good branded bottled water i.e. Himalayas on top, Baily or Bisleri, or drink water which is boiled and cooled off. Make sure you bring or buy a proper mask.
15. Can I bring any medications with me?
Yes, you can bring medications with you but make sure you bottle them as it was bought from a drugstore to avoid any custom hassle just in case. Please carry prescription if there is one and in case of prescribed medicine.
16. Is there anything additional that I need to know
Yes, there are many things but in general there are few and the ones important are: Nepalese way of greeting, which is done by joining their palms and bowing down their head. Nepalese eat two course of proper meal consisting of rice, lentils and vegetables. There are cultural holidays throughout the year and Nepalese people rejoice all festival with their family. Nepalese have six working days and have Saturday’s as days off.