Nepal Nomad FAQs
Do you have a question? You are not alone. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions. Have a read through and if you haven't found your answer, let us know and we will reply and we may add your question to the list.
Q. Q.What type of shape do I need to be in, is this trip for me?
Annapurna Circuit trek is suitable for average people who are moderately fit, thus no previous experience is required. Some physical fitness programs such as running, swimming, hiking is recommended before you embark on your journey. Persons suffering from a pre-existing medical condition or disease must seek medical advice before considering the trek. Whilst on the trek, it is common to experience some discomfort before being fully acclimatized.
Q. Q. Will somebody come to pick me up at the Airport upon my arrival?
Yes, our Airport Representative will be there to greet you outside of Terminal Hall, he/she will be displaying an Nepal Nomad Trekking sign with your name on it. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Q. What are the trips leaders like?
What are the trips leaders like?
Q. Can I get Nepal visa on arrival?
The easiest way to obtain a visa is at Kathmandu airport. Upon arrival in the KTM airport fill out the necessary forms and proceed to the visa line. New system is now applying USD$25 paying 15 days,USD$40 paying for 30 days & USD$100 paying for 90 days.Please bring 2 passport photos (one for the visa and 1 extra).
Q. What is the best air route to my destination?
Nepal is a popular tourist destination in south Asia. Several airlines have direct flights from the Middle East and Asia to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu, which is the only international airport in Nepal. Click here for details:
Q. What type of insurance should I have before come to Nepal? Can I get there?
Check your insurance to see if you have both medical and evacuation insurance. If you need insurance just for the trip then tell us we can assist you if you want to obtain it in Nepal. However we advise you to take out suitable insurance in your own country before arrival in Nepal.
Q. When should I travel to Nepal?
The Nepal Himalaya is governed by the Southerly Monsoon which brings heavy rain between the months of June and August. There are great treks available in the rain shadow during these months but if you are planning a more popular trek it is best to avoid the monsoon months. Autumn through to spring is the best time to fully experience Nepal. Click here for details.
Q. What kinds of banking facilities are there in Nepal?
Nepal has modern banking facilities and some international banks even have offices in Kathmandu. Almost all foreign currencies along with credit cards such as American Express, Visa, and Master card are accepted in Nepal. Nepal also has ATM facilities.
Q. When should I book my trip?
Because our trips book up months in advance, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. We will of course make every effort to accommodate last minute bookings.
Q. Will someone meet me at the airport? Are transfers included?
Yes, our Airport Representative will come to the airport to pick you up outside the Terminal Hall. We will be displaying a play card of Nepal Nomad trekking company with your name on it. Airport transfer is included.
Q. How much spending money should I bring?
This will depend on the destination and your spending habits. However our trip dossiers will give you an idea of how to budget for additional meals, optional excursions, and extra expenses that you might incur on any specific trip.
Q. Does Nepal Nomad trekking accept credit cards?
We accept Visa and Master Card. If you are paying in person in Nepal, we request that you pay in cash or Travelers cheques as the bank charges for credit cards are quite high.
Q. Does Nepal Nomad trekking company help to arrange domestic flights, international flights, hotel bookings and other services?
We are a Nepal based company. So, we suggest that you arrange your destination International flight from your home country. The domestic flight ticket is included in our packages tour, as well as all hotels bookings in Nepal.
Additional help will be provided for you different activities like river rafting, city guided tour, mountain flight, jungle safari etc., according to your requirements.
Q. Is trekking for me?
If you are reasonably fit and enjoy walking you will find a trek in our brochure to suit you. Normally the shorter treks tend to be easier whilst the longer ones often require a better standard of fitness. All treks in the brochure have been graded to help you make a suitable choice. It is also worth remembering if we will tailor your tour to suit you; you can choose the trek and pace to suit your experience.
Q. What level of physical conditioning is needed for trekking?
As long as you are in good physical shape, you do not require any hiking experience for short treks. If you are planning a trek longer than two weeks, you should do some long day hikes at home in preparation.
Q. How safe is it for unaccompanied women to trek with your company?
We ensure all safety and security for individual woman travelers while with us. We have considerable experience in this area and our guides are sensitive to the requirements of women travelers. We provide a personal room for you on lodge treks and a personal tent for camping treks.
Q. Is a trekking permit required?
The government of Nepal no longer requires a trekking permit for Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, and some other regions. However, a conservation permit or National park permits & TIM’s permits are required for these regions. There are a few restricted trekking areas in Nepal, where trekking permits are required.
Q. Where to stay on trek?
There are two basic types of accommodation in trekking: teahouse and camping. All the treks are lead by our professional guides, who all are well trained and licensed by the Government.
On the more popular trails (Annapurna, Everest and Langtang) there are well-established mountain lodges providing sleeping accommodation and meals. Gone are the days when trekkers had to share dormitories - almost all lodges nowadays provide private rooms and many also have solar showers and clean toilet facilities.
Q. What is teahouse trekking?
A teahouse or mountain lodge is a locally run guesthouse. In popular areas such as Annapurna, Everest and Langtang Region--there are many nice accommodations and one can trek with a minimum of equipment.
Tea house treks are often very pleasant, serving excellent food and providing many different services such as hot showers and laundry.
In this arrangement overnight halts with dinner and breakfast will be in teahouses (lodges) and lunches in local restaurants en-route.
Teahouse trekking allows you to be more in contact with local people as well as other trekkers from different countries
In our package programs we take our clients to some of the nicer places in the regions. Despite their remoteness, we think most people would be impressed with just how nice some of these places are!
Treks begin from 7 to 8 am. Before we start, we provide hot drinks tea/coffee/hot chocolate and then a nutritious breakfast. Lunch is provided between 11 to 12 am and the day’s walking usually ends around 3 to 4 pm.
These tours can be booked at any time and there is no minimum requirement to the number of people. For a teahouse trek, we provide a guide as well as a sufficient number of porters so that our clients are relieved of carrying the majority of their gear, leaving you free to enjoy the magnificent surroundings.
In teahouse package trip, meals are included with hot drinks tea and coffee, accommodation, ground transportation, permits, flight tickets (depending on the area), guide and porter etc.
Q. What is camping trekking?
Camping treks are organized in the same style as exploratory or mountaineering expeditions. This trek is also known as a fully organized supported trek. In a camping trek, a team comprising guide, cook, Sherpa, Sardar and porters will accompany you. Our porters carry all trekking equipment, food, fuel, and personal belongings, and our cooks and assistant prepares hygienic and tasty meals. Trekkers need carry only what they personally need during the day. At night, they are provided with dining tents, sleeping tents, and toilet tents. They are also provided with mattresses and down sleeping bags, all of which are carried for them with the party. Even tables and chairs are carried. A guide supervises the whole operation thoroughly for the success of the trek.
Q. How is a camping trek operated?
In a typical Camping Trek, the day starts around 6 a.m. with a cup of hot tea or coffee followed by a bucket of warm water for washing and cleaning. After packing up their stuff and daypack, the trekkers are requested to leave their camp and meet at the dining table for breakfast. The trek starts around 7.30 - 8 a.m. and the kitchen staff goes ahead of the group.
Our well-trained staffs pack all camping equipment and gear, and the porters carry them to the next camping site. The trekkers need carry only personal belongings that they may need for the day like water bottle, rain gear, camera, etc.
The trekkers can decide on their own on time for viewing the beautiful landscape, taking photographs and resting or making a short pause. The walk to the lunch spot normally takes 3 hours. Our cook and assistant serve hot lunch upon arrival. The afternoon walk takes about 3 to 4 hours to reach at the night camp around 4/5 p.m. Tea and snacks are served while our Sherpa’s pitch the camp. Dinner is served around 6/7 p.m. in the dining tent lit with a pressurized lantern and furnished with table and camping utensils. We provide high quality tents, foam and mattresses, and a simple toilet tent in every camp for ones comfort.
Our well - trained and experienced cook and assistant prepare a variety of healthy and hygienic food which is carried for the entire trek. Fresh fruit and vegetables may be added along the trek.
Q. Are the food / water safe to eat / drink?
Hygiene when trekking generally has improved considerably over the last ten years; our guides have the local knowledge to choose the lodges which maintain a high standard of hygiene. All meals are prepared to high standards, fruit and vegetables are soaked in iodine before preparation. Most lodges serve boiled and filtered water, which is generally safe, we suggest a drop of iodine to be totally sure. It is also possible to buy bottled water at most teahouses.
Q. What equipment should I bring?
Often this is about getting the balance right. You need to have enough gear to be warm and comfortable but without overloading. Usually you will experience warm days and cold nights depending on altitude and the time of year. Most treks to around 3000 m are really quite comfortable, especially in springtime. Please refer to our web site for a suggested list of items to bring or email us for our equipment list. It is worth remembering that you can buy or hire a lot of what you will need in Kathmandu before your trek, at very reasonable prices. Footwear is best purchased at home before your arrival to ensure it is comfortable and worn in. We can provide you with a down jacket and four season sleeping bag, if you do not have them. Click here for more info
Q. what is altitude sickness?
Altitude sickness - often known as acute mountain sickness (A.M.S.) - may occur when people ascend too quickly, normally at altitudes over 3000 m. We ensure minimal risk by building rest days into our trekking itineraries. Most people will feel some affect of altitude, shortness of breath and possibly light headedness; this is fairly common. Acute mountain sickness is very different and normally involves a severe headache, sickness and loss of awareness. Our guides will recognize the early symptoms if they occur. In almost every potential case there are enough warning signs to take appropriate early action. Descending to a lower altitude will generally be enough to prevent any further problems. Click here for more info:
Q. What happens if there is an emergency?
All of our guides are trained in basic first aid and can deal with the basic ailments that may occur on trek. In the event of an emergency Nepal Nomad trekking will cover initial expenses of any rescue operation. It is a condition of booking that you are adequately insured for such an event as these expenses will need to be recovered from your insurance company. In the more frequented regions there are health posts, which have been established by foreign doctors and many are staffed by overseas personnel. Unique Path trekking is an associated member of The Himalayan Rescue Association.
Q. What happens if I need to leave the trip early?
Communication is sometimes difficult in the mountains. However our guides and local staff will make the necessary efforts to obtain the necessary transportation and reservations to get you home as quickly as possible if for any reason you need to depart early.
Q. What if I arrive early or depart late? Can you arrange extra night lodging? Is there a single room option?
We are happy to make arrangements such as personalized tours, extra hotels rooms, airport pick ups and arrange for private rooms. Please indicate that you would like a private room on your application and we will contact you with information on single room supplement costs.
Q. What are your payment terms?
We prefer 25 % advance deposit of total price of a tour in order to conform your reservation before you arrive in Nepal. The rest of the payment can be made after your arrival.
Q. Can I bring some food from home?
You may bring power bars, Power Gel, cereal bars or similar high energy foods. Powder Gatorade is also recommended to counteract dehydration.
Q. Is there any telephone available while we are on trekking?
There are telephones in many villages along the popular trekking routes from which you can make international calls.
Q. Is the Nepal Nomad trekking staff insured?
Our company insures all our trekking staff, including guide, cook, Sherpa and porters. Please, click here. We take pride in the fact that every single porter and guide employed by us is not only well paid but also protected by a life insurance policy. They are provided with warm clothing and proper shelter on all high altitude treks. All our treks benefit the village economics by using local services (manpower, produce, lodges and other services).
Q. What is the weather & temperature like?
Weather in the mountains is difficult to predict. Of course, at night it is generally cold, and in winter the days can be quite beautiful if the sun is out. There can be snow or rain storms any time of the year. Trekking in spring (March – April) is particularly lovely as the rhododendrons are in full bloom, and the mountains still have plenty of high snow to enhance your photos.
You need to be aware that it can get hot on the trail, and sunstroke can be a risk. Good polarizing sunglasses or glacier glasses (not trendy fashion ones) for high altitudes/winter treks, and a large brimmed hat are a necessity. It is also important to make sure that you can stay warm and dry in just about any conditions. Expect the unexpected!
Between 1000m and 3500m the temperature could be as high as 20 deg C, to a low of 5 deg C. At higher altitude, the temperature ranges from 20 deg C to -10 deg C. During winter it is around 10 deg C colder.
Q. Is it necessary to take precautions against malaria?
It is not necessary to take malaria prevention medicine unless you will be visiting a jungle lodge.
Q. Can I charge my digital camera or other batteries on my trip?
These facilities will be available in most of the places in your hotel reception by paying some service charge.
Q. What sort of transportation you use?
Nepal Nomad Trekking is all about providing you with local insights as well as adventure. With that in mind, where we think you will get more out of your holiday by using different means of transport, then that is what we will do. Using a variety of private transport is an integral part of our Himalayan tours and enhances the experience!
We use private tourist vehicles for sightseeing, city tours and pickups. Depending on the group size we use cars, minibus, and van or land cruiser. These small light vehicles are more maneuverable and flexible, enabling us to take you through the narrow roads of Nepal. All the vehicles are usually air-conditioned unless we are travelling in cooler areas.
For the internal flights from Kathmandu - Lukla - Kathmandu, the airlines we use are Yeti, Sita, Gorkha and Agni and helicopter is Fishtail Air.
Q. What type of shape do I need to be in, is this trip for me?
Annapurna Circuit trek is suitable for average people who are moderately fit, thus no previous experience is required. Some physical fitness programs such as running, swimming, hiking is recommended before you embark on your journey. Persons suffering from a pre-existing medical condition or disease must seek medical advice before considering the trek. Whilst on the trek, it is common to experience some discomfort before being fully acclimatized.
Q. What type of shape do I need to be in, is this trip for me?
Annapurna Circuit trek is suitable for average people who are moderately fit, thus no previous experience is required. Some physical fitness programs such as running, swimming, hiking is recommended before you embark on your journey. Persons suffering from a pre-existing medical condition or disease must seek medical advice before considering the trek. Whilst on the trek, it is common to experience some discomfort before being fully acclimatized.
Q. Will somebody come to pick me up at the Airport upon my arrival?
Yes, our Airport Representative will be there to greet you outside of Terminal Hall, he/she will be displaying an Nepal Nomad Trekking sign with your name on it. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.
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