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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Seasonal Climate

Daytime temperatures vary from about 28°c at lower elevations to around 10°c higher. The temperatures will be considerably lower during the early mornings, evenings, and nights, possibly dropping as low as -10°c in the higher elevations.

Visa Requirements

Nepal offers visas on arrival for most nationals (except a few African citizens). Chinese and Indian tourists get a visa fee waiver upon arrival in Nepal. Learn more about visa requirements for specific countries here.

Vaccinations and Protection

Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against Malaria, Infectious Hepatitis, Typhoid, Tetanus, and Polio. Consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on different prophylaxis against malaria. In addition, although not compulsory, travellers may wish to take immunisation against Menningocal Meningitis and Japanese Encephalitis.

Special Note: acclimatisation visa and Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be reconfirmed before departure.

Packing for a Trip

Luggage:

Airline Allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. (Some Asian Airlines now allow 30KG, please check with the relevant airlines)
Trek Allowance: 22lbs/10kgs Maximum.

Walking Grades and Fitness:

Grading is somewhat tricky depending on the individual’s perception of their abilities. The following is intended as a general guide to our hiking grades.

Treks:

Treks are for the more severe hill walker, and a higher level of physical fitness is required. Although we have designed our hikes so that the most reasonably fit person can participate, some walking days usually are 6-8 hours (with plenty of rest) and may involve up to 900 meters (occasionally) or more of ascent and descent. You should be prepared for several consecutive days of walking, often at higher altitudes, so stamina is essential.

Altitude:

The altitude of most treks makes our trip more suitable for the serious walker with a hillwalking experience. This is because we have acclimatisation, and extreme cases of altitude sickness are rare. But if it becomes necessary for someone to abandon the trek in the interest of safety, the trek leader’s decision is final.

Experience:

Bearing the above in mind, we ask for a synopsis of recent walking experiences from people intending to make the trip.

Medical Examination:

It would be best to visit your GP and specifically mention the altitude the trek reaches, sometimes up to 5550 meters.

Luggage for Tours

One central piece of baggage and a daysack. You will find it more convenient to travel light outside Kathmandu. Any extra luggage can be stored in Kathmandu or other cities (according to the tour itinerary, your leader/guide will advise you on this).
Total Allowance: 15kgs.

Clothing:

You can expect to wear short-sleeved shirts and T-shirts during the day in the spring and autumn months, but it does get chilly in the evening, so bring some warmer clothing as well (especially in Dec/Jan as these are the coldest months). It is worth obtaining a good quality waterproof jacket for that reason. Refrain from wearing bright-coloured clothes in Chitwan. Do not wear Lycra tights, leggings, or very short shorts, as locals might find this offensive.

Footwear:

Comfortable shoes (e.g., trainers), sandals, and lightweight boots if you wish to participate in any walks. Also, bring an old pair of trainers if you want to do the optional rafting.

Equipment:

An umbrella to protect against the intense sun or rain. A torch. Binoculars for animal & bird watching or looking at mountains. A universal bath plug.

Luggage for Treks

Your baggage should consist of three main pieces:

  • Main Luggage – The bags used to carry all your belongings in the plane’s hold and for Kathmandu storage.
  • Trek Kit Bag – Used while on the trek for clothing and sleeping bag carried by porters.

Main Baggage:

You will arrive in Kathmandu with everything you need to be packed for the entire trip in a piece of luggage (usually a suitcase or rucksack). This central piece of baggage will become the receptacle for anything you will not need while on the mountains trek, which is stored at the hotel in Kathmandu. Items you will need while on tour should be repacked into your trek kit and your daysack/rucksack. Advice on how and what to pack for the trek will be given in Kathmandu, but it may be helpful to do a trial pack before leaving home. Please bear in mind the airline weight limit for luggage (usually 20kg) when doing your initial packing.

Trek Kit Bag:

Before leaving Kathmandu, you will have time to re-sort luggage into what you need on the trek and what can be left in Kathmandu. The porters or pack animals will carry your trek luggage, including your sleeping bag. The weight limit for this is 10kg, but you will probably find that you will not need this much. The pack needs to be strong enough to handle rough handling; we recommend ex-army kit bags, which can be obtained relatively cheaply, or a nylon or canvas bag with a zip along the top. Rucksacks are unsuitable. We advise that you line your kit bag with a large plastic bag (heavy-duty bin liner) to keep the contents dry.

Rucksack/Daypack:

You do not have access to the luggage during a trekking day that the porters are carrying. The weather can change rapidly in any mountain region, and you must be equipped for this eventually. Your daypack, which is carried by yourself, should, therefore, be large enough to take the following: waterproof jacket, extra fleece/jumper, long trousers (if walking in shorts), warm hat and gloves, sun hat, sun cream, water bottle (minimum one litter). Most people usually find this adds up to 2 to 3 kg. Camera equipment can be cumbersome, so think carefully when deciding what to take. Remember to carry spare film/s with you during the day. It is usually more comfortable to bring a bigger pack than one which is overfull, with bits tied to the outside – aim for a 30-35 litre capacity pack. We advise you to line the sack with a plastic bag to keep the contents dry. Other optional items in a daypack might be a diary or a book to read at lunchtime. On a few occasions, it is also necessary to carry your packed lunch. Your daypack could be used as hand luggage on the flight to Nepal, bearing in mind that shoulder bags are not practical for the trek.

Equipment to Bring

Being adequately equipped is one of the keys to a successful trek. For information to help you select the best type of clothing and equipment for your trip. Please see our Clothing and Equipment Guide.

Also, see our Links page for details of specialist retailers who will offer further advice and assistance with purchasing new clothing or equipment.