Nepal Travel FAQs
Some most important Frequently Ask Questions by our guests !!!
Q: What is the best time to visit Nepal and trek in the mountain?
A: The best season to visit Nepal Autumn and Spring season, the months follows mid September to end of December and March to end of May always this time is highly recommended. However some rain shadow areas like behind of Himalayan region Manang, Mustang and Dolpo areas are also good to trek in summer season.
Q: What is temperature condition in trekking?
A: Generally Temperatures could be 20-25 degrees C in day time around mid hill region and morning – evening – night time pleasant so far cold as low as -10 degrees C in alpine region above 3500m to below of 6000m elevation.
Q: What essential documents do I need to bring with me?
A: You need to bring a valid passport (must be valid for up to 6 months after you return from your tour; keep some extra photocopies just in case), a copy of your travel insurance, cash and traveler’s checks (keep numbers and proof of purchase separately); flight tickets, emergency contact numbers of T/C’s, banks, insurance and contact address of family members and personal medications etc.
Q. What is cancellation policy and Terms of Conditions of your agency?
A: If our guests are unable to make their trip or want to cancel their trip due to any unavoidable circumstances, Himalayan Mentor will refund the received amount according to cancellation policy of company as mentioned in agency’s Terms and Conditions. However, guests can postpone their travel date or make modifications to their original travel itinerary with free of cost if given proper prior notice. Please see our Terms & Conditions for further details.
Q: How can I/ we book this trip?
A: Simply make sure by conformation mail reply from our company and send us trip conformation deposit amount 30% of total cost of the package. Here with that deposited amount we will process for your advance booking of domestic flight tickets, hotel room reservation and permit issue.
Q: How fit do I have need to be for the trek?
A: You need not have any special fitness level but you should be able to walk for 5 to 6 hours on moderate trails per day. Simply trekkers need practicing yoga, jogging, swimming or tread mill exercises about one or two months before the trek may help you fit enough.
Q: Is any previous trekking experience required?
A: Not really, if you are physically fit and you have positive attitude for walking tours, previous trekking experience is not required. However we recommend that you practice jogging, swimming or walking exercise before joining a trek, specially a longer one and high passes.
Q: Shall I/we be able to deal with the high altitude?
A: Himalayan Mentor has designed itineraries so far suitable for every level of average trekkers that make you to ascend at a sensible and safe rate. The effects of altitude are felt by gentle acclimatization allows them to reach their high point without any problems.
Q: Is it possible for the old people to trek in the Himalayas remote area?
A: It is the fitness that matters not related with the age. Every year we have pensioners' groups who seem to enjoy the treks more than younger folks. Of course old age is old age but people of moderate fitness can easily complete our treks. For older people we recommend milder treks, we have a different, more relaxing itinerary with shorter walking hours for them per day and we send extra staffs for their care.
Q: What will involve in a “Typical Day” on trek?
A: The following activities regularly involves each day along the trek
- 06:00 to 7:30 AM refresh. Pack up and Breakfast
- 07:30 to 8:00 AM starts hiking
- 10: 30 to 11:00 Tea/Coffee Break
- 12:30 to 01:00 PM Lunch Break
- 04:00 to 05:00 PM arrive at lodge and rest for refresh
- 07:00 PM Dinner service
- 08:00 PM Briefing for the Next Day
- 08.30-09:00 PM Bed time for sleep or rest
Q: What happens if I get sick while on the remote mountain area?
A: We bring comprehensive medical kit for every trek and our guides will take care of you for these minor problems. But, if you fall sick or if you get a serious altitude sickness, our guide will inform us and we will send a helicopter for emergency evacuation from Kathmandu. You are recommended to have your personal travel rescue insurance that covers a helicopter rescue cost.
Q: What kind of foods and accommodation can I have during the trek?
A: All Meals on full board basis will be provided during the trek which is freshly cooked food is served at all times at eco village teahouse lodge (western, continental and Nepali meals are available in all places). Three meals a day will be provided and accommodation at local teahouse lodge managed by locals.
Q: Can I pay with credit cards?
A: Yes we do accept all recognized major credit cards and travel cheques as well. Visa and master cards are more widely accepted than other credit cards in Nepal. However we prefer cash money over credit cards and travel cheques, the reason is that some banks take long time for the money to be deposited on our account and hence less convenient for us.
Q: Do I need extra days for my holiday in case of flight cancellations on the mountain?
A: We are highly recommend that you should keep two three days extra for your Nepal holiday. Sometimes unfortunately unavoidable circumstances can be occurred which are caused by bad weather forecast or other natural condition which are beyond of our control. If your trek involves remote airstrips like Jomsom, Lukla, Dolpo, Simikot, Taplejung and Tumlingtar extra reserved days are much better.
Q: Is it possible to hire or buy equipments in Kathmandu?
A: Kathmandu and Pokhara have several trekking equipment shops so trekkers could buy or hire everything both real and local products.
Q: Do you have insurance for your trekking staffs? Do they have proper trekking cloths and other gear?
A: Our Company’s each and every guide, porter and field staffs are insured and we make sure all of them have proper gear for the high altitude adventure. It is our very serious concern and care for our staffs which makes us sure that they deliver you proper good service.
Q: How much weight do you allow for my porter?
A: We allow 20-25 kg luggage for your personal porter including his own gear such as his torch, clothes and other items as he feel essential for his trek. Trekkers need to bring two backpacks-a smaller day pack for yourself to carry your water and favorite snack bars, and the bigger pack with a maximum 10-12 kg including sleeping bag which will be carried by personal porter. The porter ratio will be 1:2 for the trek.
Q: Do I have to tip my guide/porter?
A: Generally guide, porter and other staffs should not ask you for anything, however at the end of your trek tip is always expected for their good job done.
Q: What about the drinking water on the trek?
A: We request to all our guests have to bring personal drinking water bottle so that one can buy the bottled water and fill it in to carry which helps to control pollution. You can also bring purifier portable filter or iodine or your choice of purifier solution.
Q: Is it ok to take photographs of people of Villages?
A: Yes, but it is better to take permission from them before t taking photographs. Sometimes they may angry in taking photos without asking them. So if you take photographs, please take copies and post them back that will make sure they get delivered back to the people on one of your treks.
Q: Can I charge Camera batteries along the trek?
Yes, most of the places, you can charge batteries along the trek (per hour US$ 2-3 for charging) while you are doing trek in Everest, Annapurna and Langtang regions.
Q: Do I need to join with group?
A: Well, it is not necessary that you need to follow our fixed group departures dates, because private trip departs your requested date which are best suited to couples, families and small groups of friends. We have no any difficulties and happy to organize your holiday according your suitable date and timeframe covers.
Q: Can I extend my holiday?
A: Of course you can extend your holiday as you wish, we have no any difficulties to arrange other activities for your interests. Following trips are suggested for your holiday extensions.
- Everest mountain flight
- 2 nights / 3 days Chitwan Jungle Safari
- Sightseeing tour in Bhaktapur, Patan and Kathmandu
- 1night/2 days Trishuli, Seti or Bhote Kosi river rafting or longer rafting trip
- Combine the Bhutan tour or Tibet tour
- Sightseeing tour to Buddha’s birth place Lumbini
Q: How can I enter in Nepal?
A: Nepal is one of most popular touristic destination in South Asia. Several Airlines have direct flight connections. Please find out for your convenience from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Doha, Osaka, Shanghai, Moscow, Bangkok, Singapore, Hongkong, Karahi, Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta, Paro, Dhaka, Lhasa, Varanasi as available.
Q: Where do I apply to get my Visa?
A: The best way to apply for visa is from the Nepalese diplomatic missions in your country. The other choice is to get it from Immigration office at the entry points of Nepal up on arrival at airport or entry points of India and China boarder. To apply for a visa you will need a valid passport, two passport size photos and US$ 30.
Q: Where and what should I do to extend my Tourist visa?
A: The Immigration department of Kathmandu or Pokhara can extend the visa for another 30 days and the charge for this is US$ 50.Indeed the visa can be extended for a total of 120 days, an additional 30 days visa may be granted on reasonable grounds from the Immigration Office. Nevertheless, tourist cannot stay in Nepal under tourist visa for more than 150 cumulative days.
