Nepal » Travel Information

A visa is required to enter Nepal. One can get a visa at the Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or at the airport upon arrival. Children under 10 years need not pay any visa fees. Two passport sized photos are mandatory for visa on arrival

1.         Tourist visa
 Foreigner who intends to visit Nepal must hold valid passport or any travel document equivalent to   passport issued by the Govt. for visiting a foreign country prior to apply  for visa.

    a)         Entry:- No foreigner is entitled to enter into and stay in the Kingdom of Nepal without valid visa. Tourist entry visa can obtained for the following duration from Royal Nepalese Embassy of Consulate or other mission offices or immigration offices located on entry points in Nepal.

b)  Chinese citizen are requested to apply in Royal Nepalese Embassy or other Nepalese                                    diplomatic missions as there is no provision of on arrival visa for them.

 1.         Free visa for all tourists who visit Nepal only for 3 days.

 Free visa for tourists of SAARC countries and People’s Republic of China.

 Facilities                                      Duration                                     Fee

Single entry                     60 days from the              US$ 30 or equivalent

                                     Date of entry            convertible foreign currency
Multiple entries                           do               US$ 50 or equivalent convertible foreign or Nepalese currency 

 2.  For Sri Lankan Pilgrims visiting to Lumbini can get single entry visa for 15 days in US$  10 or equivalent              convertible currency.

 c)         Tourist Visa Extension: A tourist visa can be extended up to 120 days from the

            Department of Immigration in Kathmandu and Pokhara Immigration Office on request.

            Then after an additional 30 days can be extended from Department of Immigration on

            reasonable ground, which ensures one’s departure from the country within 150 days in one visa year.

1.         Tourist visa extension fee and additional late fee are as follows:-
        * Visa extension for each additional 30 days - US$ 30 in equivalent Nepalese currency
        * The provision of single reentry and double entry has been revoked.
2.         Late fee for regularizing tourist vis

            US$ 2 in equivalent Nepalese currency per day for the first 30 days
            US$ 3 in equivalent Nepalese currency per day for the next 31 to 90 d
            US$ 5 in equivalent Nepalese currency per day for more than 90 days.

3.         Fee exemption of tourist vi

 Children below 10 yrs.

Descendant’s up to the age of 16 years, holding foreign passports, of Nepalese parents or either of their  parent is a Nepalese citizen.

Citizen of Nepali origin, after having obtained passport for the first time from a Nepal                                  based foreign mission, until the period of his departure to a foreign country.

Dos & Don’ts 
A tourist may stay in Nepal up to 150 days in a visa year (Jan-Dec)
A tourist must extend his/her visa before expiry of the visa validity period. A tourist who does not               comply with these regulations may be liable of fine and other prosecution as provided in Immigration Act and Rules.

 A foreigner having obtained tourist visa shall not be allowed to work with or without                                    receiving remuneration.

 A foreigner shall not be allowed to carry out any work other than that for which purpose      he/she              has obtained the visa.

4.         Transit visa

a.         A transit visa can be obtained from the Airport Immigration Office for a period of                                    
         48 hours on the presentation of confirmed air ticket.
 b.        Fee for Transit visa is US$ 5.00

5.         Other visa categories (Except tourist and transit visa)

a.         Diplomatic visa

 i.  Who may apply? : Diplomatic passport holders and their family Members recommended from the concerned      foreign diplomatic Missions and considered fit to be granted diplomatic privileges by His Majesty’s Government.
  
ii. Issuing Authority: Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For 30 days entry diplomatic missions and the                 Immigration Office at

b.         the entry points in Nepal. Study Visa
 A foreigner who wants to study, teach or conduct research works in any educational                                             institute having obtained the approval of His Majesty’s Govt.

   i.  Who may apply? : Students, Research scholars, Teachers and their family members.

  ii. What is needed to apply? :

The applicants should produce:
*  Recommendation from the Ministry of Education.

* Bank encashment receipt or bank balance equivalent to 3,000 US$ per year for applicants and US$ 2,000 for    each family members.
* Seven copies of application forms with photographs.
* One photocopy of passport including the copy of last Nepalese visa.

  iii.        Duration: Up to one year, however, it can be extended for the period of research or academic year.
  iv.        Issuing Authority: Department of Immigration
  v.         Fee: Nepalese currency equivalent to US$ 40 per month (In Nepalese Currency).

c.         Study Visa  
  A foreigner who wants to study, teach or conduct research works in any educational institute                              having obtained the approval of His Majesty’s Govt.

 iii.  Who may apply? : Students, Research scholars, Teachers and their family                                             
      members.
 iv.        What is needed to apply? :

The applicants should produce:
Recommendation from the Ministry of Education.
Bank encashment receipt or bank balance equivalent to 3,000 US$ per year for applicants and US$ 2,000 for each family members.
* Seven copies of application forms with photographs.
* One photocopy of passport including the copy of last Nepalese visa.

    iii.        Duration: Up to one year, however, it can be extended for the period of research or                                   academic year.
    iv.        Issuing Authority: Department of Immigration
    v.         Fee: Nepalese currency equivalent to US$ 40 per month (In Nepalese Currency).
   
d.         Study Visa :
A foreigner who wants to study, teach or conduct research works in any educational                                           institute having obtained the approval of His Majesty’s Govt.
 v.  Who may apply? : Students, Research scholars, Teachers and their family                                                members .
vi.        What is needed to apply? :

The applicants should produce:
Recommendation from the Ministry of Education.
Bank encashment receipt or bank balance equivalent to 3,000 US$ per year for applicants and US$ 2,000 for each family members.
Seven copies of application forms with photographs.
One photocopy of passport including the copy of last Nepalese visa.

     iii.        Duration: Up to one year, however, it can be extended for the period of research or                                   academic year.
     iv.        Issuing Authority: Department of Immigration
     v.         Fee: Nepalese currency equivalent to US$ 40 per month (In Nepalese Currency).

We serve you according to your requirements.
When trekking in the Himalaya there is always a real danger of mild to serious problems related to altitude. The complaints are collectively known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

It is important that trekkers understand that they will be affected to a greater or lesser extent when they ascend to altitudes over about 3000 meters. As you climb higher, the atmospheric pressure falls and the amount of available oxygen also falls. The body will adjust to cope with this by altering the characteristics of your blood in order to utilize better the lower oxygen levels available to it. This process takes time and can vary from individual to individual. Indeed, individuals can experience different rates of acclimatization on separate visits. So, having acclimatization well on previous visit is no guarantee of quick acclimatization subsequently.

 The mechanics of acclimatization are not well understood but it has been proved that a number of factors have a positive effect. By far the most important is regulating your rate of ascent when traveling in excess of 3000 meters above sea level. As a general rule you should not gain more than 400-500 meters a day and have a rest day every fifth day. Maintaining a good fluid intake and urine output has also been proved to be effective in combating the effects of altitude. The dry air of the mountains tends to dehydrate you so an increased fluid intake is necessary. Try to drink at least four liters of water a day. Prophylactic medication should not be required to aid acclimatization unless specifically prescribed by a physician skilled in the treatment and prevention of altitude sickness. Fitness may have some effect on speedy acclimatization but being young and fit does not guarantee immunity. The only age concern is for the very young who may not be able to describe their symptoms to their parents. For this reason it is unwise to take very young children to altitudes above 3500-4000 meters. Symptoms of AMS may be mild or severe and the victim can develop severe symptoms very rapidly if the mild effects are ignored. The most commonly reported complaints are:

-     Headache that may respond to pain killers but then returns
-     Loss of appetite
-     Swelling of the limbs
-     Dizziness/light-headedness
-     Difficulty in sleeping
-     Irregular breathing
-     Nausea
-     Unusual weariness
-     Poor coordination and slurring of speech

   All or some of these symptoms may be present in mild cases of AMS but they can rapidly worsen and become dangerously debilitating. In particular, as the symptoms worsen the victim will often become irrational and difficult to reason with. Their ability to make sensible decisions for themselves is increasingly impaired and their companions may be their only hope of survival. This is a compelling reason for never trekking alone at altitude.

  In the final stages of altitude sickness severe problems start to appear which can rapidly lead to loss of consciousness and death if untreated. Two forms of AMS are generally recognized. One or both may be present and either is extremely serious.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
This is caused by an accumulation of fluid in the lungs. As the complaint progresses more and more fluid builds up until the victim literally drowns. The symptoms include difficulty breathing and rapid pulse rate even at rest, coughing pink, frothy sputum and, occasionally blueness around the lips.

High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)
This, the most serious of the forms of AMS, is caused by a build up of fluid around the brain. The previously mentioned symptoms of mild AMS rapidly worsen, particularly the headache along with slurring of speech and ultimately unconsciousness and death. The advance of the problem can be very rapid and death can occur in twelve hours if treatment is not given.

  Treatment of AMS
 There is one simple treatment for AMS and that is DESCENT. Stopping the ascent for a day can treat very mild symptoms of AMS. After this the symptoms will often disappear and the trek can be resumed. If the symptoms are such that the victim is obviously suffering then descent, to a point at least 500 meters lower must be commenced. The descent should not be delayed even if it means going down in the dark. If the victim is still able to walk it makes the treatment easier but if necessary they may have to be carried either by a companion or by horse or yak.

If it is available, bottled oxygen can help the patient but descent should still not be delayed. A portable hyperbaric chamber (Gamow bag or PAC bag), if available, can be used to raise the atmospheric pressure experienced by the victim and can temporarily ease the symptoms of AMS. The relief will only be temporary and descent is still necessary.

On the Everest Base Camp route and on the Annapurna Circuit route there are clinics, operated by the Himalayan Rescue Association, that specialize in treating trekker’s health problems, particularly AMS. In the Everest region the clinic is at Pheriche while the one on the Annapurna Circuit is at Manang. Skilled western doctors who can help treat and advise victims of AMS staff both of these clinics. It must be remembered that these clinics are only open during the main trekking seasons of 1st October to 14th December and 7th March to 20th May.

Travel Insurance
Trekking and Travel agents can offer a travellers insurance policy. Coverage will vary from policy to policy, but will probably include loss of baggage, sickness and accidental injury or death Most policies also cover the reimbursement of cancellation fees and other non-recoverable costs, including losses due to advance purchase plane tickets, if you are forced to cancel your trip because of accident or illness of yourself, or illness or death of a family member. It is probably worth purchasing this inexpensive protection. 

Such a policy can often cover helicopter evacuation and other emergency services in Nepal. Be sure that the policy does not exclude “mountaineering & alpinism” or you may have a difficult time settling a claim. Although you will not be engaged in such activities, you may never be able to convince a flatlander insurance company of this fact. It would be prudent to check the policy especially to be sure that helicopter evacuation is covered. 

Read your policy carefully and be sure you understand all its conditions.

If you purchase insurance and have a loss or need helicopter evacuation, We Sherpa brothers Treks & Expeditions (P) Ltd. will kindly assitant you with the detailed procedure for claiming.

Emergencies and rescue
Trekkers should be aware that there is very little in the way of rescue organization for handling trekker’s emergencies in Nepal. We are a SBT. Trekking agency has cooperation with helicopter rescue operating airline, so we manage rescue helicopter service on emergencies, high altitude sickness and then our experts’ trained staff will be handling most contingencies. If you are traveling independently then you will have to rely on your own initiative to handle any problems. This is why trekking alone is foolhardy in the extreme.

We provide assitant service registering your details and intended plans with your embassy in Kathmandu

 CURRENCY: Credit cards such as American Express, Visa and Master card are accepted There are now several ATM machines in  Kathmandu.Convertable currencies are as follows:
Dollar US, Euro, Australian, Hong Kong, Canadian, Singapore; Franc- Swiss, French, Belgium; Kroner Danish, Swedish; Sterling Pound, Netherlands Guilder, German Mark, Japanese Yen, Italian Lira and Austrian Shilling Chinese Yuan.
Indian currency is accepted in Nepal for all transactions. However, Indian currency Rs 500 note is not allowed to be brought into Nepal and will not be exchanged and will not be accepted for transactions of any kind.

What is trekking?
The best way to experience Nepal’s unbeatable combination of natural beauty and cultural riches is to walk through them. One can walk along the beaten trails or virgin tracks. Either way you are in for an experience for a lifetime. Along with forests of rhododendron, isolated hamlets, and small mountain villages, birds, animals, temples, monasteries and breathtaking landscapes, you will also encounter friendly people different cultures - offering a fascinating glimpse of traditional rural life

 When to Trek?
As with most of the trekking areas in Nepal, the best times to visit are during spring and autumn. Spring is the time for rhododendrons while the clearest skies are found after the monsoon in October and November. At these times the weather is generally mild and there is little rainfall. Unlike other parts of Nepal, the monsoon, from June to September, is the ideal time to visit parts of the region that falls in the rain shadow. In particular, Upper Mustang is the perfect destination during the rainy season. The winter months provide good trekking conditions throughout the foothills but some of the higher passes will be closed due to snow.

TREKKING TYPES
Camping (organized) Trek which means the trekking agency providing Guide, cook, kitchen staffs and of course porters including all equipments Kitchen tents, food, fuel stove etc. The kitchen staffs will be served you tea, breakfast, lunch, and dinner tea, Coffee, while on the trek after lunch, dinner, our trekking staffs fill your bottle boiled drinking water the guide will play the role of trekking ambassador, and Sherpa- Assistant will support along the way in difficult situation. That means you will completely independent and well outfitted with us. If you do not wish to carry your weighty day back pack our porters support back pack Those agree to carry 30 Kg. Per person all the gears including your beddings so you just have to carry your day bag, camera the things which you just need on the way.                                                           

Tea house/Lodge trek:-                                                                                                                                                                                                     

The other kind of trek is Tea house Trek which means you will be provided accommodation and food in hotels along the way. We can make this kind of trek only in the area where there is accommodation available on the way. Tea House Trek can be done in Everst regions, in some parts of Annapurna region and in Langtang/ Helambu region. Some people make this kind of trek by themselves but it is not wise as they may not get less hygienic food in hotels and have to come back because of bad health. Sometimes they will miss the proper route and if you filling sick on the way, then you will have trouble. So using a legal registered trekking company is highly recommended for your safely, good health and success your holidays. Because of the carelessness in hotels/restaurants kitchen staffs, our guide/cook supervises their kitchens. We, Sherpa Brothers Treks & Expeditions had understanding cooperation all area popular lodge trekking routes and they are well trained for your hygiene.

WHAT WE PROVIDE
2 man tent ,foam mattresses , kitchen tent ,dining tent ,kitchen utensils & cutlery, mountain guides, cooks ,porters , permits ,all applicable meals ,all government  taxes  and fees , transport ,& internal  flights, hotels, first aid kit , boiled drinking  water for  food preparation .

WE DO NOT PROVIDE
Insurance of any natural for clients; meals in Kathmandu, except  breakfast and daytrip meals ;international  flights and airport tax , alcoholic drinks , cigarettes, personal medical kit , laundry  services, visa .

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING 
 Lightweight walking boots .if new ones are being bought walk them in to avoid blisters.
 Also bring spare laces.
 A pair of trackshoes to wear in the camp at night or when the boot is wet 
 Warm jacket Fibrefill or down should be adequate this is especially necessary during winter (Dec _Feb)
A rainproof jacket with hood should be guaranteed waterproof.
Woolen shirt and thick sweaters .In winter (Dec_ Feb ) these are essential .
A pair of lightweight \heavyweight trousers Jeans are unsuitable to wear on treks Heavyweight trousers are useful higher up in the mountains in the morning and at night .
Windproof \waterproof trousers Necessary on some treks.
Thermal underwear. These are excellent to sleep in at night .
A tracksuit. For wearing in camp and in the tent .1_2pairs loose -fitting long shorts \skirts .
2 cotton T-short.
A woolen hat to wear in the morning and at night. In winter it is an essential item. A sunhat to protect the face    and neck form the sun
A pair of gloves lined leather or woolen are best.
1 pair of sandals to wear in the city in camp.
2 pairs of thin and 2 pairs of thick woolen socks.

Central region