Trip Frequently Asked Questions
Q 1 : Do I need a visa to enter Nepal ?
Except Indian Nationals all are required to take VISA.
Q 2 : Can I get a VISA on arrival at Kathmandu airport ?
Yes, you can obtain VISA on Arrival at TIA Kathmandu
Q 3 : What do I need to get my visa ?
You need a valid passport, two passport size photos and the visa fee.
Q 4 : How much should I pay for visa ?
Visa Valid for Fee
15 days US$ 25
30 days US$ 40
90 days US$ 100
Q 05 : I have a valid passport (it still has more than a month left before it expires). Can I still make a trek booking ?
Yes. You can book your trekking in Nepal by sending the scanned copies of your old passport. Once you have made new passport you have to send scanned copy of new passport for reservation confirmation.
Q 6 : Where we will be received after arrival at Kathmandu airport ?
Our Representative will be outside the arrival gate holding placards.
Q 7 : How do I identify your Officer ?
Our representatives can be identifiable with name plate and we will also send his/her phone numbers in your email address during the reservation confirmation phase.
Q 8 : Do they carry their luggage themselves ?
Yes, inside the airport terminal you have to carry your luggage and once you have met our representatives he/she will take care of your luggage until you check into the hotel.
Q 9 : Where can I store the bags that I do not need to take on trekking ?
You can store your extra bags and valuables at our office or it can be stored in the Hotel Baggage Counter. It would be safe in either place.
Q 10 : Whom should I contact during their stay in Nepal ?
You can contact directly in our office number or we also provide one contact person during your entire trek with his phone numbers and other communication channels.
Q 11 : Am I fit to Trekking? Should I do prior preparation to trek ?
You don’t need to be a seasoned climber or mountaineer to do trekking in Nepal. However it would be easier for you if you conduct regular physical exercises.
Q 12 : What is tea house trekking? How is it organized ?
Tea House Trekking means for your accommodation you will stay in the lodges operated by the locals where you will get twin sharing rooms, hot shower, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Apart from this you can also interact with the local owners regarding their business, culture and traditions.
Q 13 : How is the toilets on the tea house trekking ?
Toilets are general Asian Squat style. Most of the toilets are clean but depends upon the place of the location. Some of the accommodation might have toilet not attached to your room. You have to arrange for toilet paper by yourself.
Q 14 : Can I have vegetarian meals in mountain ( camping and tea house trekking) ?
Yes, meals can be arranged as per your requirements.
Q 15 : If I am solo trekkers can I have my own room in tea house ?
Yes, you can have single room.
Q 16 : What is Camping Trekking ? How is it organized ?
Camping trek consists of accommodation in our own tents and food served by our own cooking team. The tents resembles to your room with comfortable mattress and sleeping pads.
Q 17 : What equipments should I bring ?
You should bring your personal wear like walking boots and sand shoes, sandal, a water-and wind-proof jacket, woolen shirts, T-shirts, a thick pullover, shorts/skirts and trousers/track suits. Thermal underwear is necessary for high altitudes and cottons are best for lower and warmer altitudes. Also don't forget a water bottle, sleeping bag, gloves, walking stick, knife and sewing kit, torch light with spare batteries, extra boot laces, sun glasses, sun cream, rain coat and personal medical supplies. Bring a duffel bag to put your clothing and equipments in. We provide you porter to carry your kit bag.
Q 18 : Do I need to bring walking boots ?
Yes, you need a walking boots which is very comfortable to you and remember to buy shoes from reliable brand for the durability. If the shoes are water proof then its better have it. The shoes can be hired in Kathmandu as well if you wish.
Q 19 : What kind of food will be served while on trek ?
You will be served freshly cooked food during trekking. In all tea houses/ lodges along trekking trail Western, Continental and Nepali dishes are available. Three meals a day will be provided you in full board.
Q 20 : How long do we trek per day and how high ?
Up to a maximum of 5-7 hours a day with lunch breaks along the trail. The maximum altitude is depends upon which trek you are going. In Nepal normally the maximum altitude of most of the trekking falls between 3500m to 5000m.
Q 21 : What is the best season for trekking in Nepal? And can I go trekking in the months of January- February and June- August ?
The best time for trekking in Nepal is from mid September to early December and from March to April.
Beside them in other months also you can do trekking in Nepal but in selected regions.
In January and February the climate is colder. So, at that time high altitude trekking is not recommendable. For January and February, we suggest Langtang trekking, Ghorepani trekking, Jomsom Muktinath trekking.
Likewise June July August is the rainy season in Nepal. During this time here occurs heavy rain fall. Mountain views are not clear. For this period we recommend Upper Mustang, Dolpo trekking. These are rain shadow areas where rain falls very little.
June July August is also the best time for Tibet/ Lhasa Tour, Mt. Kailash Tour.
Q 22 : What happens if I get sickness during trekking ?
Our guide who is experienced in first aid treatment and high altitude sickness will advise you about any health requirements and also treat you. Altitude sickness is dangerous but it can be avoidable. Rules are trek slowly with your guide, drink at least three liters of water per day (not including beer or soft drinks),
If you feel shortness of breath, a slight headache or dizziness, tell your guide and rest immediately. Lie down, drink water. If you are still feeling unwell you may consider going down a few hundred meters. Do not pretend you are okay, and do not go down alone.
Q 23 : I have asthma / diabetes / another medical condition. Can I still do the trek ?
You have to disclose your medical condition before booking for the trekking. In trekking at such altitudes and remoteness the medical help might not come as soon as possible and we will not be responsible for such conditions. It is highly recommended to avoid trekking for heart, knee, asthma disease patients and also for pregnant woman.
Q 24 : Is there a minimum or maximum age limit for Trekking in Nepal ?
There is no government restriction on the age limit for the Nepal trekking. If the trekkers children under the age of 8 years old and adults over 70 years old special care and extra porter will be provided by Backpacker Treks & Expedition.
Q 25 : What happens in the event of an emergency?
Generally, such emergency situations might not occur and if it occurs you have to be rescued from helicopter which is very costly. So, you are advised to do travel insurance covering your helicopter rescue before going for trekking.
Q 26 : What about Travel Insurance?
It is mandatory that all Clients obtain travel insurance while travelling with the Company and this insurance must cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and emergency evacuation expenses. It is strongly recommended the coverage be extended to include cancellation, curtailment, loss of belongings and all other expenses, which might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to the Client. The Company shall have no liability for loss, theft of or damage to baggage or personal effects. We also let you know that Nepalese Insurance Company does not have travel insurance for foreign nationals. They have travel insurance only for Nepalese nationality. We advise you when you come to Nepal, please bring legal documents with you.
Q 27 : What about payment, do you need a deposit ?
To conform your tour package according to the rule of our company, to confirm any trip you have to pay us 30% of total package as advance. We charge 20% just to pay for confirming your domestic flight, hotel booking and making necessary documents. The remaining 70% amount you should pay us after you arrive in Kathmandu.
Q 28 : How far in advance do I need to make a trek book trekking ?
If Your intended to do Everest base camp trekking we will recommend you out 3 months in advance. For Everest base camp trekking we have to reserve air ticket to Lukla. On Sept to Dec the air ticket sold out first cum first basis. For your kind information the Lukla flights have few airlines in operation in Nepal so that we will recommend you to reservation your trek as far in advance as possible as soon as you know the dates of your international flights. For other region reservation can be taken one week in advance.
Q 30 : Is Backpacker Treks & Expedition Company’s trekking crew insured ?
We have insured all our trekking staff (guide, porters and others).
Q 31: Do Backpacker Treks care their porters?
Yes, we care our porters and we pay more than our competitors pay in Nepal.
Q 32 : Can hire an extra porter in Mountain ?
In our trek packages one porter is including for two people. The one porter can carry 20-25 kg your luggage( per person 12 KG). If you're interested to hire extra porter just let us know and we will arrange that for you.
Q 33 : What alcoholic beverages are available in ?
Nepal produces different types of bottled beers, which are excellent. They are very much like a lager. Some lodges have a good supply of local as well as foreign whisky, gin, vodka, rum and soft drinks. A local "wine" is produced in the hills which is served hot and resembles sake. If you have a special preference, buy it at a duty free shop on your way to Kathmandu.
Q 34 : What kind of footwear will I need ?
You will require a light weight pair of boots that have rubber soles with thick tread and good ankle support.
Q 35 : How hot/cold does it get in a day ?
As general rule, it is hot enough during the days to wear an open-neck shirt with shorts and you will not be cold. During the evening, it gets cold so, long trousers and a warm jersey is essential.
Q 36 : Is a Trekking permit required ?
Yes you need the permits which we will arrange for you.
Q 37 : Should I bring my own medicine ?
Please consult your local doctor and follow his advice. However, if you are taking any particular medicines, it would be best to bring them with you.
Q 38 : Is it possible/easy to get equipment on hire ?
There are trekking shops at Thamel, in Kathmandu, where you can easily rent or buy items like sleeping bags, down jackets, walking sticks, rucksacks, duffel bags and other equipments on reasonable price. We can assist you on this.
Q 39 : How warm sleeping bags I have to buy / rent for trekking ?
Backpacker Treks provides sleeping bags which can be warm upto -20 degree Celsius temperatures.
Q 40 : How many extra days should I allow in case of flight cancellation ?
If you are flying from a remote mountain airstrip like Lukla, Jomsom, Simikot, Taplejung and Dolpo, you should keep at least two spare days before your departure for home.
Q 41 : Is communication to home possible while on trek ?
Trekking areas like Everest, Annapurna and Langtang, all most tea houses/ mountain lodges have telephone facilities. From there you can make international calls to your home and friends staying any part of the world.
Q 42 : Will my tickets be reconfirmed while I am on trek ?
Now most of international airlines tickets do not need reconfirmation. If your tickets require reconfirmation, please inform our representative before you go trekking or tour. He collects it for reconfirmation and return to you after you come back from trekking or tours.
Q 43 : Is this trip safe? Are there any dangers in the trip ?
Nepal is absolutely safe country to travel. Our staffs do take every precaution to ensure the comfort and safety of the trekkers. Before 2006 when Maoist movement was going on, there was a kind of fear in few trekking destinations. But today they have also come to peaceful political stream. So there is no more any fear.
44 : How will be our trekking guide and porter, up to how much one porter carry ?
We offer you an experienced trekking guide. He is in charge of your overall trekking. This is the person you should go to with all problems, concerns and questions. He is well trained in all aspects of trekking, high altitude medicine, first aid and emergency procedure. He is selected in terms of his professionalism. Remember that trekking guides are local citizens and their English may be basic and limited to trek related topics. About porters, they carry your luggage. They are also local citizens. Normally one porter carries 20 to 25 kg of stuff. Normally we provide one porter for every two trekkers.
Q 45 : What kind of Accommodation in Kathmandu you will provide ?
We have chosen accommodation options based on the following criteria: standard of hygiene, standard of service, location, food standards and cost. Normally for trekkers we give three star level hotels in Kathmandu as well as in Pokhara (For Annapurna Trekking). All accommodation is based on twin sharing with breakfast.
Q 46 : How many hours prior to the departure flight are we picked -up from the hotel ?
You are picked from your hotel 2-3 hours before the time of your departure flight.
Q 47 : How are we assisted in our transfer?
During the day of departure at the appointment time our officer meets you in the lobby of the hotel where you are staying. He will help you to transfer to the airport.