NEPAL CLIMBING
TRIP NOTES

The Himalayan Kingdom
&
Its People

Nepal fascinates the world with its beautiful and dramatic scenery. Far from the rush of the modern world, avid and non-avid trekkers are lured to its mountains and foothills to view the Himalayas and to leave their footprint on the highest mountains in the world. Yet the greatest enchanting feature of our trekking is the close interaction with the Nepalese people who ensure a long lasting memory. who are physically strong, helpful and humorous with incredibly positive attitude towards the life, their friendly dispositions enable them to endure the primitive and rugged existence which is being considered as a tough life style.

Though a majority of people are Hindus, predominantly Hindu people have been greatly influenced by Buddhism as well. The country is a mosaic of cultures with more than 40 different ethnic groups each having their own language and tradition.

Geography

The Great Himalayan Range, which runs from Pakistan through India, Nepal and Bhutan, is the result of the collision between the main Asian continent and the Indian sub-continent. Nepal bears the brunt of this collision that resulted in the string of great peaks, which run its 800-km length. Of the world’s 14 peaks over 8,000 meters, eight are in Nepal – Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Annapurna I.

Although Nepal is a small country of around 1,47,181 square kilometres, it contains a huge variation in altitude, from the Terai at near sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters. From south to north you cross from tropical jungle, through the terraced hillsides of the Himalayan foothills, up through pine and rhododendron forests, to the peaks and glaciers of the Great Himalayan Range, which form Nepal’s northern border with Tibet.

Trekking

A trek in Nepal is a wonderful experience; snow-capped peaks rising from tropical valleys, yaks grazing amidst glacial lakes, squat smoky houses on rice-terraced hillsides and colourful rhododendron forest. Nepal is a fascinating melting pot of diverse ethnic groups. Every day is new and exciting. People, who have visited Nepal, invariably wish to go back over and over again!

There are thousands of villages throughout the mountains of Nepal. Century, old foot trails link these villages that we follow on our trek. On these trails a crew of group leaders, Sherpa guides and porters accompanies us. You carry your camera and a small daypack only, which should contain the items that you will need to access during the day. Walking days are varied, depending on your chosen trek, but all treks have been structured to give you ample time to appreciate the beauty of this country. Each night we will sleep a little higher than the previous night, as part of a stringent acclimatization process. Elevation gains of 300 to 500 meters will be encountered on an average trek day although your total climbing and descending throughout the day may be much more.

A Typical Days Trekking

Days are designed so that the walking is both challenging and enjoyable. The companionship of other trekkers of a similar frame of mind, plus the barely contained excitement and positive attitude of the Nepalese staff creates great company. We always remember that your trek is your holiday and try our best to plan each day to help you enjoy it as much as possible. Our field staff will assist you while trekking by carrying your day pack or helping you over more difficult sections.

 

Each day has different attractions and is controlled by a number of factors from the availability of suitable tea-house or campsite, trail conditions and general walking pace of the group. Exact time schedules may not be always followed, as it would in fact destroy the free and easy stroll along the trails that you will come to enjoy. The following schedule is a just guideline.

 

The day begins early at around 6.00 to 6.30 am with a cup of tea. Before breakfast, pack your gear into your duffel bag by keeping some essential things like a camera, rain jackets, water bottles, sunscreen, toilet roll, appropriate warm clothes, sunglasses etc. in your day pack since you will not have access to your duffel bag until you arrive at our next tea-house or campsite. Your duffel bag will be loaded onto one of the porters’ loads along with the other members of the group gear and will head off along the trail while you have your breakfast.

After breakfast, we are usually on the trail around 7.30 to 8.00 am and following a morning walk, we stop for lunch at around 11 to 12 o’clock. About 1.30 hours for lunch break which will allow for the group meal a short stroll and a catch up on your diary or reading. We reach camp or tea-house by 3 – 4 p.m., as the afternoon walk is generally shorter than the morning one. Having afternoon tea, side trips, games or other activities (optional) are generally organized by the trekking group leader/guide or you can opt to relax, read, write in your diary, explore the surrounding area and villages or sit and chat with staff and local people or fellow trekkers. Dinner is normally served around 7.30 pm. Every evening your trekking group leader/guide will brief you about the next day program. Chatting, discussions, playing cards or singing and dancing with the crew or local people generally fill the evenings as they are from totally different socio-cultural backgrounds. Lots of the trekkers remember these evenings as one of the highlights of their trip.

Travel Documents

You will require a passport with at least 6 months validity on it, however we recommend 12 months.

Visa Entry Requirements

Visa on arrival is available in Nepal.
 

All nationalities except Indians require a visa for Nepal. We advise you to ensure that your passport is valid for six months from the date of entering Nepal. A Nepal visa is readily available on arrival at the International Airport in Kathmandu (or any other entry point to Nepal).

To obtain a visa upon arrival by air in Nepal you must fill in an application form and provide a passport photograph. Visa application forms are available on a table in the arrivals hall, though some airlines provide this form on the flight.

For people with electronic passports, there are now visa registration machines in the immigration hall which, after inserting your passport, will automatically fill out the visa form for you. There is often someone at these machines to help you.

However you do it, getting through immigration can take up to an hour, depending on the numbers. A single-entry visa valid for 15/30/90 days costs US$30/60/120 (all subject to change). At Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport, the fee is payable in any major currency, but at land borders, officials require payment in cash US dollars; bring small bills. We haven’t yet heard of it happening to anyone else but the last time we entered Nepal by air and asked for a ninety-day visa we were also asked to show our driving license.

Multiple-entry visas are useful if you are planning a side trip to Tibet, Bhutan or India. You can change your single-entry visa to a multiple-entry visa at Kathmandu’s Central Immigration Office for US$20.

Don’t overstay your visa. You can pay a fine of US$3 per day at the airport if you have overstayed less than 30 days (plus a US$2 per day visa extension fee), but it’s far better to get it all sorted out in advance at Kathmandu’s Central Immigration Office, as a delay could cause you to miss your flight.

It’s a good idea to keep a number of passport photos with your passport so they are immediately handy for trekking permits, visa applications, and other official documents.

It is best to bring exact change in US$ cash. However other currencies can be used.

Please also bring 2 passport-size photos just in case the machines are not working.

Nepal Visas are also available in all Nepalese Embassies and Consulates are located in several countries/cities around the world.

 

If you are connecting via New Delhi (or other ports) in India or if your travel includes India you need an India Visa before you leave your home. Please note visas are not available at the airports in India.

 

If you are traveling via Thailand you can get a Thai visa upon arrival in Bangkok for 15 days.

Hotel Accommodation

This depends on the trip you have chosen. For more basic trips we use the Harati Manor Hotel and for our luxury trips we use the 4 – 4.5 star Shanker Hotel. Upgrades on the basic hotel in Kathmandu are available for all trips.

Insurance

Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance is a requirement for all guests travelling on our expeditions. Once you have booked on an expedition we suggest booking your travel insurance as soon as possible to protect your investment. Trip cancellation insurance will reimburse you for any non-recoverable air or land expenses should you have to cancel your trip due to personal or family illness or leave the expedition early due to other reasons. 

Many insurance policies have activity limits as well as altitude limits. So on top of your general travel insurance that will cover you for the trek to and from the mountain, you will need specialist insurance to cover you for your activities on the mountain.

Global Rescue offers travel insurance without any restrictions on activities, elevation, places travelled, or nationality of its members. Contact them directly for a Travel Insurance Quote that will cover you for climbing. Click here to go to the Global Insurance website for a quote.

If you should receive an injury 12 months prior to your travel date, you must contact the Insurance Company with details to ensure you are covered for this injury whilst travelling. Should you not do this and require medical assistance for this injury whilst travelling you may not be covered by the insurance company.

In the event that an aircraft evacuation is required, No Roads Expeditions will undertake to arrange the evacuation on the condition that the expenses are reimbursed by the passenger before departing the Country.

Note: Accidents caused by the inappropriate consumption of alcohol or drugs may void your travel insurance.

COVID 19 Insurance Disruption: COVID has affected all of us and it is no different for the travel insurance market. Providers had to deal with an unprecedented amount of claims and as a result, many of them had to undertake procedure changes.

During this process, No Roads has reviewed the insurance policies of different providers to ensure we can offer our guests the best options on the market and you are covered adequately.

We are currently in the process of finalising an alliance with a new provider and will be able to sell domestic and international travel insurance to all of our guests again soon.

For all other nationalities please explore insurance providers in your country.

Again, if you’ve any questions, don’t hesitate to ask info@noroads.com.au.

Getting There (and Away)

Most people arrive in Nepal via an International flight into Kathmandu. Others arrive via the land crossing from either China or India.

What To Bring
And What's Included

WHAT WE PROVIDE

We will provide you with a very warm sleeping bag with warm fleece liners and feather duvet jackets which are the mother of all warm clothing. We also provide you with an individual waterproof trek Duffle bag to fit all your gear in. No need to buy or hire any expensive climbing gear to join the climbing trip with us, as we will provide you with La Sportiva climbing boots, Black Diamond crampons, ice axe, ice bar, ice screw, Jumar, harness, the figure of eight, safety Helmet, plain and locking Carabiners, prussic cord and new climbing ropes, etc. We use Mountain Hardware 2 member tents, Exped down-filled mattress, and solar lights with your device charging facility. We use solar power at base camps to help charge your equipment.

ESSENTIAL ITEMS TO BRING.

  • WALKING BOOTS:  Suitable boots are made of leather or leather/Cordura, depending on the length and difficulty of your trek, and should have ankle support and a durable sole, preferably Vibram for better grip in muddy or icy/snowy conditions. Boots should be generous fitting with ample room for toes, noting that thicker weight socks are also worn in the cold and that feet can swell a little when you have been trekking in the heat, and also when trekking at altitude.

  • A PAIR OF LIGHTWEIGHT WALKING SHOES OR JOGGERS: These will be backups for your walking boots and also for clean, dry footwear around camp.

  • SOCKS: Good quality socks are equally important as good quality boots. You should have at least 3 or 4 pairs of good quality walking socks with insulative and wicking qualities. This can be a wool mix for instance – Wigwam brand, Thorlo, Mountain Designs Alpin, Ultimax.

  • CROCS or THONGS (optional): Suitable for around camp and at lunchtimes, washing and if you have to get up in the night.

  • RAINJACKET WITH HOOD: Supplied (this is a poncho so if you would like a jacket please bring your own)

  • INTERMEDIARY WARM LAYER: This is very useful when trekking in a slightly cooler climate. A good fleece top or lightweight wool jumper is very useful and can be worn under your jacket or raincoat comfortably.

  • THERMAL PANTS AND TOP: This is especially needed when undertaking treks from September onwards.

  • 2 PRS OF LIGHTWEIGHT PANTS & 1 PR OF SHORTS FOR TREKKING: Should be loose-fitting and quick-drying for instance polyamide or microfibre. Note that cotton often takes a long time to dry in the mountains. Jeans are not suitable for trekking.

  • 2 TO 4 T-SHIRTS: for trekking and travelling. Cotton is OK and inexpensive. Shirts with a collar or a scarf will protect your neck from the sun.

  • UNDERWEAR: approx 3 or 4 sets.

  • A PAIR OF WARM TROUSERS: for camp wear and on cold days trekking. Thick fleece (200 or 300wt) or wool is recommended or fleecy tracksuit pants, but these are not effective when wet.

  • WOOLEN or FLEECE HAT

  • THERMAL GLOVES: polypropylene, chlofibre or Thermax are invaluable and inexpensive.

  • GLOVES/MITTS: a thicker pair, wool, ski gloves or similar is necessary for potentially cold conditions.

  • WATER BOTTLE: We recommend two 1-litre bottles as the minimum, to ensure maximum hydration. They should be of good quality to withstand being filled daily with boiling water and will always remain watertight.
  • COTTON SCARF: to protect against the sun on the neck and dust on the trail.
  • DAYPACK: minimum of 30-litre capacity, with a comfortable harness so that a majority of the weight rests on your hips rather than shoulders. More durable fabric will be more waterproof.
  • PLASTIC BAGS or STUFF SACKS: very useful for sorting your gear and keeping things clean and dry, in your duffel bag and day pack. Ziplock plastic bags are effective at waterproofing your valuables, maps, medicines, writing materials

  • TOILETRIES: Keep to a minimum, biodegradable or germicidal soap and shampoo, comb or brush, deodorant, vitamin E cream for sunburn or cracked skin. Shaving gear for men, a battery-operated shaver is convenient. Please note that toilet paper is provided on the trek.

  • TOWEL: Small size, lightweight. A quick-drying travel towel is convenient when washing from a bowl of hot water each morning.

  • TORCH or HEADLAMP: with spare batteries.

  • SUNHAT or CAP: One that won’t blow off!

  • SUNGLASSES: Good quality with 100% U.V. filtering. Bring a spare pair if you have prescription lenses. Consider bringing a pair of SKI GOGGLES as well, they give excellent face protection against the harsh high altitude sun.

  • Snow Gaiters for high altitude and winter trekking and climbing trips.

OTHER ITEMS

  • MONEY BELT or PURSE: Two can be useful, one for your valuables left at the hotel, and one for your cash on trek.
  • TREKKING POLE/S: One or a pair help reduce the strain on your legs; they are excellent for steep descents and loose/slippery terrain. It should be adjustable.
  • SMALL PADLOCKS: For travelling and storing your luggage at hotels.
  • BINOCULARS (optional) – very useful
  • READING MATERIAL, CARDS/GAMES, MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, and JOURNAL: A trek provides time to relax and enjoy your wonderful natural surrounds in good company.
  • DRINK POWDER: Isosport, Gatorade, Powerade. Well worth having a supply for the trek and readily available in Kathmandu.

SECURITY –  VALUABLE & LEFT LUGGAGE

We advise you not to leave valuables in your room at any time – keep them with you or deposit them in a safety deposit box available at the hotel reception desk. However, while away on your trek, your passport, air ticket, valuable personal things, excess cash can be left with us and our staff will provide you the deposit receipt which you should produce for the return of those valuables. You can leave excess baggage at the hotel but please do not leave anything in plastic bags; either use a duffel bag or a suitcase. It is best to fit a small lock to your bag as you travel to / from Nepal and on the baggage you leave in Kathmandu. Whilst trekking, your money and camera should be kept with you all the times. Never leave them lying around unattended.

Trek Leader and Crew

No Roads Expeditions has a policy of employing competent Local Trekking Group Leaders and Guides, who care for the fragile environment, know Nepal well and has empathy towards porters and staff. They have undergone extensive Trek leader and Guide courses, first aid, mountaineering, eco-trekking training etc to ensure that they are fully competent in all aspects of trekking, climbing, nature and conservation, first aid to high altitude medicine. All of them have years of leading experience and a dedication to providing you with quality service.

The trekking staff consists of trekking group leader/guide, cook and kitchen boys, Sherpa and porters on camping treks. The group leader or trekking guide is in charge of the whole team; the cook and his assistants prepare the delicious meals while camping, Sherpa guides ensure that you are walking safely on the right trail, helping you along the way. Porters carry all the gear and foodstuffs from one campsite or tea-houses to the next. This self-contained team will take you safely even to the remote regions of Nepal. They can be a little shy at first but a smile and a joke will soon relax them and you will find them excellent company and great fun. The time you spend with us will often provide the fondest memories of your trip to Nepal.

Meals and Dietary Requirements

We try our best to vary the menu as much as possible providing nutritious, plentiful and tasty meals every day on all our treks. In our tea-house trips, we will eat all the meals in the Tea-house. Our trained and experienced cook caters hygienic varieties of meals to enthral you, even on mountains under less than ideal conditions in our camping trips. We can also cater for specific dietary needs if you advise in advance besides our delicious mixture of Nepalese, Indian, Chinese and continental food.

Physical Preparation

Fitness is perhaps the key factor in the trek. Most people of average fitness for their age could complete most of our treks. You can take your time, set your own pace and enjoy the fascinating surroundings. Most first-time trekkers are concerned that they won’t keep up. They soon discover that a steady and moderate pace will have them in their destination well before they would have expected. These treks are not training runs for the fit, but walking holidays for people of all ages. However, the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy it, and you will have enough energy for extra activities.

 

The best physical preparation for a trekking and climbing trip is to walk. Start today. Walk on paths that go up and down or on hills and steps for 30 or 40 minutes, 3 to 4 times a week. Carry your day pack and wear the boots you plan to wear on the trek around 3 – 4 weeks before your arrival to Nepal. Jogging, swimming, gym work you do additional,  is very helpful.

Altitude

Travellers whose itineraries will take them above an altitude of 1,829-2,438 m (6,000-8,000 ft) should be aware of the risk of altitude illness. Travellers are exposed to higher altitudes in a number of ways: by flying into a high-altitude city, by driving to a high-altitude destination, or by hiking or climbing in high mountains. Examples of high-altitude cities with airports are Cuzco, Peru (3,000 m; 11,000 ft); La Paz, Bolivia (3,444 m; 11,300 ft); or Lhasa, Tibet (3,749 m; 12,500 ft).

 

Travellers differ considerably in their susceptibility to altitude illness, and there are currently no screening tests that predict whether someone is at greater risk for altitude illness. Susceptibility to altitude illness appears to be inherent in some way and is not affected by training or physical fitness. How a traveller has responded in the past to exposure to high altitude is the most reliable guide for future trips but is not infallible.

 

Travellers with underlying medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, myocardial ischemia (angina), sickle cell disease, or any form of pulmonary insufficiency, should be advised to consult a doctor familiar with high-altitude illness before undertaking such travel. The risk of new ischemic heart disease in previously healthy travellers does not appear to be increased at high altitudes.

 

Altitude illness is divided into three syndromes: acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). AMS is the most common form of altitude illness and, while it can occur at altitudes as low as 1,219-1,829 m (4,000-6,000 ft), most often it occurs in abrupt ascents to >2,743 meters (>9,000 ft). The symptoms resemble those of an alcohol hangover: headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and, occasionally, vomiting. The onset of AMS is delayed, usually beginning 6-12 hours after arrival at a higher altitude, but occasionally >24 hours after ascent.

 

HACE is considered a severe progression of AMS. In addition to the AMS symptoms, lethargy becomes profound, confusion can manifest, and ataxia will be demonstrated during the tandem gait test. A traveller who fails the tandem gait test has HACE by definition, and immediate descent is mandatory.

 

HAPE can occur by itself or in conjunction with HACE. The initial symptoms are increased breathlessness with exertion, and eventually increased breathlessness at rest. The diagnosis can usually be made when breathlessness fails to resolve after several minutes of rest. At this point, it is critical to descend to a lower altitude. HAPE can be more rapidly fatal than HACE.

 

Determining an itinerary that will avoid any occurrence of altitude illness is difficult because of variations in individual susceptibility, as well as in starting points and terrain. The main point of instructing travellers about altitude illness is not to prevent any possibility of altitude illness, but to prevent the person from dying of altitude illness. The onset of symptoms and clinical course are slow enough and predictable enough that there is no reason for someone to die from altitude illness unless trapped by weather or geography in a situation in which descent is impossible. The three rules that travellers should be made aware of to prevent death from altitude illness are:

 

  • Learn the early symptoms of altitude illness and be willing to admit that you have them.

  • Never ascend to sleep at a higher altitude when experiencing any of the symptoms of altitude illness, no matter how minor they seem.

  • Descend if the symptoms become worse while resting at the same altitude.

 

Studies have shown that travellers who are on organized group treks to high-altitude locations are more likely to die of altitude illness than travellers who are by themselves. This is most likely the result of group pressure (whether perceived or real) and a fixed itinerary. The most important aspect of preventing severe altitude illness is to refrain from further ascent until all symptoms of altitude illness have disappeared.

 

Children are as susceptible to altitude illness as adults, and young children who cannot talk can show very nonspecific symptoms, such as loss of appetite and irritability. There are no studies or case reports of harm to a fetus if the mother travels briefly to high altitudes during pregnancy. However, most authorities recommend that pregnant women stay below 3,658 m (12,000 ft) if possible.

 

Three medications have been shown to be useful in the prevention and treatment of altitude illness. Acetazolamide (Diamox; Lederle Pharmaceutical, Pearl River, NY) can prevent AMS when taken before ascent and can speed recovery if taken after symptoms have developed. The drug appears to work by acidifying the blood, which causes an increase in respiration and thus aids in acclimatization. An effective dose that minimizes the common side effects of increased urination, along with paresthesias of the fingers and toes, is 125 mg every 12 hours, beginning the day of ascent. However, most clinical trials have been done with higher doses of 250 mg two or three times a day. Allergic reactions to acetazolamide are extremely rare, but the drug is related to sulfonamides and should not be used by sulfa-allergic persons unless a trial dose is taken in a safe environment before travel.

 

Dexamethasone has been shown to be effective in the prevention and treatment of AMS and HACE. The drug prevents or improves symptoms, but there is no evidence that it aids acclimatization. Thus, there is a risk of sudden onset or worsening of symptoms if the traveller stops taking the drug while ascending. It is preferable for the traveller to use acetazolamide to prevent AMS while ascending and to reserve the use of dexamethasone to treat symptoms while trying to descend. The dosage for both indications is 4 mg every 6 hours.

 

Nifedipine has been shown to prevent and ameliorate HAPE in persons who are particularly susceptible to HAPE. The dosage is 10-20 mg every 8 hours.

 

Newer medications have recently been tried to help prevent AMS and HAPE. In two small trials, ginkgo biloba, a herbal remedy, was shown to reduce the symptoms of AMS when taken before an ascent. Gingko has not yet been compared with acetazolamide, although a study is planned. Inhaled salmeterol (a beta-adrenergic agonist) was demonstrated to help prevent HAPE in a small group of climbers who had previously shown susceptibility to HAPE. Whether salmeterol will prove beneficial in a more general population remains to be seen. The mechanism of action of salmeterol suggests that it could be of benefit in treating already established HAPE, but there are no studies yet to confirm this.

 

For trekking groups and expeditions going into remote high-altitude areas, where the descent to a lower altitude could be problematic, a pressurization bag (e.g., the Gamow bag), can prove extremely beneficial. Persons with altitude illness can be zipped into the bag, and a foot pump can increase the pressure inside the bag by 2 lbs. per in2, mimicking a descent of 1,500-1,800 m (5,000-6,000 ft), depending on the starting altitude. The total packed weight of the bag and pump is approximately 6.5 kg.

 

For most travellers, the best way to avoid altitude illness is to plan a gradual ascent, with extra rest days at intermediate altitudes. If this is not possible, acetazolamide may be used prophylactically, and dexamethasone and nifedipine may be carried for emergencies.

No Roads Expeditions trip itineraries have been professionally designed to minimize the effects of altitude sickness. Extensive medical kits are carried on all our trips. In addition, Portable Altitude Chamber (a life-saving device in case of AMS) is being carried as a precaution on high altitude treks and climbing expeditions. All our group leaders/guides are well trained in Wilderness First Aid Course to recognize any symptoms and to act accordingly on the very spot.

Best Time To Travel To Nepal

The temperate climate in Nepal is affected by the monsoon, which sweeps up from the Bay of Bengal every summer making mid-June to mid-September wet and humid. During the monsoon time, Nepal Himalayas is not ideal for trekking with an exception of a few remote valleys in high terrain.

Autumn (mid-September to November): This is usually considered the best and most popular time for trekking in Nepal. During this season generally, the clear skys and mild to warm days / cool nights enhance your stay in all these fascinating mountains, as the countryside gets lush and green. Gradually it gets cooler later in this season, as the winter approaches.

Winter (December to February): This is considered an ideal time to visit Nepal by a large number of experienced trekkers despite the colder conditions. It usually gets clear skys, magnificent views with cool days and even colder nights. There are few trekkers at this time. Occasional winter storms may bring snow to an altitude as low as 2500 meters.

Spring (March to mid-June): By March the cold and dry season begins to give way to milder, moister spring conditions. Mornings are usually clear giving enough time to comprehend and photograph the mountains; occasionally cloud builds upbringing afternoon rainstorms with a gradual increase of daytime temperatures. This season has clear weather at the higher altitudes. This is the rhododendron season.

Average Temperature

Kathmandu 16C / 28C

1000 m 20C / 28C

2000 m 13 C / 22C

3000 m 11C / 19C

4000 m 1C / 13C

5000 m -3C / 10C

Average Temperature

Kathmandu 14C / 26C

1000 m 16C / 25C

2000 m 10 C / 21C

3000 m 6C / 18C

4000 m -4C / 12C

5000 m -9C / 8C

Average Temperature

Kathmandu 7C / 22C

1000 m 11C / 22C

2000 m 4 C / 17C

3000 m 1C / 15C

4000 m -8C / 8C

5000 m -13C / 6C

Average Temperature

Kathmandu 1C / 20C

1000 m 6C / 20C

2000 m 1 C / 14C

3000 m -2 C / 13C

4000 m -10 C / 6C

5000 m -15C / 4C

Average Temperature

Kathmandu 1C / 18C

1000 m 5C / 19C

2000 m 0 C / 13C

3000 m -3C / 12C

4000 m -12C / 4C

5000 m -20C / 3C

Average Temperature

Kathmandu 4C / 20C

1000 m 8C / 20C

2000 m 1 C / 14C

3000 m -1C / 13C

4000 m -10C / 5C

5000 m -15C / 5C

Average Temperature

Kathmandu 7C / 25C

1000 m 11C / 25C

2000 m 4C / 18C

3000 m 2C / 16C

4000 m -7C / 9C

5000 m -10C / 7C

Average Temperature

Kathmandu 12C / 28C

1000 m 15C / 29C

2000 m 8C / 22C

3000 m 5C / 19C

4000 m -3C / 12C

5000 m -7C / 11C

Average Temperature

Kathmandu 16C / 30C

1000 m 17C / 30C

2000 m 12C / 23C

3000 m 8C / 20C

4000 m -2C / 13C

5000 m -3C / 12C

Immunization

Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B are all recommended vaccines for Nepal as well as a Tetanus booster.

Plan ahead for getting your vaccinations (seriously, vaccinations are one thing that should NEVER be left until the last minute when TIME can truly be your enemy). Some of them require an initial shot followed by a booster, while some vaccinations should not be given together.

Money

Your Trip Cost Includes:

  • Arrival & Departure transfers on both Domestic and International flights.

  • Accommodation at the Harati Manor Hotel (or Shanker for Luxury Lodge Treks) in Kathmandu and Pokhara as applicable on a twin share BB basis for the nights as in itinerary.

  • Full board meals on camping, lodge trek, rafting and jungle safari.

  • Accommodation in comfortable Tea-house or lodge in Tea-house trek and tented camp in a camping trip

  • Welcome dinner with cultural program as listed in the itinerary.

  • Camping equipment (camping trip)  – 2 person tent with mattress, dining tent, kitchen tent, staff & porter tent, toilet tent with commode, dining table with backrest chair.

  • Free use of quality trekking gear (for both tea-house and camping trip) – sleeping bag, fleece inner liner, down jacket, duffel bag & Toilet paper.

  • Half-day guided city tour as listed in the itinerary.

  • All Domestic flights and airport taxes as listed in the itinerary.

  • Private transportation from Kathmandu to and from the starting and ending points of the trek/rafting, safari by bus as applicable.

  • Comprehensive pre-departure information and trip dossiers.

  • A Kathmandu city and respective trekking map.

  • Professional local trekking group leader well trained in Wilderness First Aid.

  • Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) on high altitude and climbing trips.

  • A comprehensive First Aid Kit.

  • Cook, Sherpa guides/escorts, raft men/crew and other support staff.

  • Porters and pack animals to carry all personal gear and group equipment.

  • Insurance of all staff including porters.

  • Porter Clothing: Gortex jumper, trousers, fleece jacket, fleece pants, woollen gloves, woollen hat, woollen sock, blanket or sleeping bag, trekking shoes, climbing boots and crampon on a climbing trip.

  • For rafting trips – all rafting equipment – life jacket, helmet and windproof jacket and trousers (in winter).

  • Climbing gear including rope, ice axe, carabineer, harness, zoomer, ice bar etc

  • No Roads Expeditions t-shirt or seasonal gift.

  • Trekking/rafting permit, national park entry fees, conservation fees,

  • Peak permit royalty fees on climbing expedition trips.

Trip Cost Excludes:

  • Your Travel Insurance

  • Visas fees

  • International Airfare and Airport Tax

  • Drinks and main meals in cities.

  • Tips, Items of personal nature like postage and laundry etc.

The equivalent of US$100 – US$150 will generally be enough for the duration of your trek, although for longer treks you could carry as much as US$200.  The amount required in Kathmandu for meals, sightseeing and transport would normally be covered by about US$ 30 per day. Shopping will vary greatly from person to person.

TIPPING

Tipping is an accepted part of overseas travel although it is a completely personal matter. In Kathmandu allow Rs. 20 -25 per bag for bellboys and porters. It is also an indication of your satisfaction with the job done by trek crew on your trip as they work hard to make your holiday the most memorable one. Your Group Leader will assist you to collect what you wish to give/ contribute at the end of the trek. As a guideline, average tipping is around 10% of your trip cost. For example, if your trip cost $2000 an average tip per trekker would be between $180 and $200, which is shared among the whole crew including porters. If you wish to tip your group leader, do it separately.

EMERGENCY FUNDS

Please also make sure you have access to an additional US$ 300, to be used when unforeseen incidents or circumstances outside our control (e.g. a natural disaster) necessitate a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence but it is well worth being prepared.

We are here to help!

If you would like to discuss this trip in more detail please do not hesitate to contact via the following means.

NO ROADS EXPEDITIONS

In Australia Office : (03) 95988581

24 Hr Access:
Irene Miller + 61 430 705 222
Peter Miller + 61 425 726 623

EMAIL: info@noroads.com.au