Useful Information

Camping and Tea House trekking
The trekking which includes porters, tents, sleeping bags, food, cook, trekking permit and other facilities is known as camping trek. This sort of trekking are included a detailed route description, equipment recommendation, health information and arrangement of transportation to and from Katmandu. Trekker should stay in local guest house or small lodge during the Tea House trekking and adopt local cuisine. Tea house trekking which is also called “live of the land mark trekking” is suitable for instant trekkers.


Physical Fitness for Trekking
The trekker should be physically fit as 5 to 7 hours of walking every day is the norm during the trekking period. The trekking may take place at higher altitudes and altitude sickness is one of the major problem most of frequent trekkers facing on. We recommend to those who are suffering from heart or lung ailments, not to attempt any strenuous or high altitude treks. Of course, checking with your physician before trekking is always advisable which may help to avoid unexpected risk.


Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Acute Mountain Sickness also known as Altitude Sickness, is the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevations above 3,600 m. Early symptoms include headache, loss of appetite, lethargy, and sleeplessness. Do not ignore these warnings as these are serious symptoms of AMS which can cause even death within a few hours. Being young, strong and fit does not help. Medicine is no substitute for descent. If a doctor is available, he may give medicine and oxygen. The patient must go down, however, even after treatment. If you are traveling in Khumbu region and Manang, you can contact Khunde, Pheriche & Manang respectively for altitude sickness information. Hospitals are there with good doctors. To avoid altitude sickness you should walk slowly. If you feel exhausted, you have moved too fast or too high. Take time to acclimatize to each gaining altitude and give yourself rest days. If you start to feel unwell, retreat to a lower altitude immediately. It may save your life. The only cure for AMS is to descend immediately to a lower elevation.


Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA)
HRA is a Nepalese voluntary organization registered with His Majesty's Government to run a mountain rescue service in the mountain tourist areas. The association's major role is the prevention and treatment of mountain sickness. The association's medical research work is undertaken by a team of foreign doctors at present. The Kathmandu office and information centre of the HRA is located at Thamel. The HRA information centre has expert and up to date information on all aspects of altitude sickness. All those intending to trek above 10000 ft. are advised to visit the information centre.


Visa & Trekking Permit
Unlike some countries with strict visa regulations, Nepal extends trouble- free issuance of visa to all the citizens worldwide. Indian nationals do not require visa to enter Nepal. The Nepalese Embassies or Consulates abroad and at entry point's Immigration Offices provide a visa upon the presentation of a valid passport, two passport size photos and payment of Visa fees in cash US$. Visa can be extended at the Immigration Office at Bhrikuti Mandap in Kathmandu and in Pokhara.


A trekking permit is required to trek in those areas which are declared as controlled areas by Government of Nepal. The Department of Immigration located at Bhrikuti Mandap issues trekking permit for the tourists who intend to trek in controlled areas. Controlled areas are Lower and Upper Dolpa, Kanchanjunga, Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Walungchung, Nar and Phu and Simikot where trekking can be arranged through registered trekking agencies only. There must be two participants to trek in these controlled areas.


Beside these other areas are regarded as normal trekking areas. Trekking permit to normal areas has been removed.
 

Trekking Season
Trekking in Nepal can be undertaken throughout the year. There are four seasons in Nepal. Each season has its distinct attraction to offer. The seasons are classified as follows
 

Rescue
Although ninety-nine percent of the time there won't be any need for an emergency rescue evacuation, emergency situations do arise in the Himalayas with illness, AMS (acute mountain sickness), snow storms, landslide, and avalanches being the primary cause for rescue to take place. In a non-life threatening situation, we will arrange for the porters to carry you to the nearest health post or hospital. Where the situation is more serious, one of our trekking staffs especially guide will hurry to the nearest communication center where he can request a Helicopter Rescue from our Kathmandu office.
 

Therefore, we highly recommend that you take travel insurance which will cover emergency helicopter rescue flight. To enable us to contact your insurance company in case of a rescue and not to loose any valuable time we will need the co-ordinates of your insurance company’s local representative for Nepal.