General FAQs
Trekking
Expedition
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While how much to tip, whether to tip or not, is up to trekkers, climbers, and visitors, tipping is a common practice in Nepal to show your appreciation to hardworking, honest, and welcoming Nepali staff who are an integral part of Nepalese tourism and contribute immensely to making your holiday memorable. Most of the restaurants in city areas are known to add a service charge to the bills, but a little extra charge left as a gesture certainly indicates good service.
In rural areas or smaller establishments, a tip most probably has substantial differences and goes a long way. So generally, tipping may not be required everywhere; however, it is perceived as a means to express gratitude and respect and therefore worth the while to endear anyone towards the concept of tipping as being a good gesture and appreciation of Nepalese hospitality and dedication to the best services.
Yes, our agency airport representative will pick you up from the airport. We will be displaying the Mountain Ascents banner.
Also please be aware that when you go out of the airport, some Nepali people might try to help you carry your bags, and ask you to give them tips for this service. We recommend you do not accept anyone to carry your bags, except from Mountain Ascents staff. Generally, there will be a representative and a driver to receive you at the airport.
Yes, the trekking, hiking, or climbing package price can go up or down based on local government policies. However, the main factor that directly increases the cost of the expedition package is the increase in climbing and trekking permit prices. Other than that, transportation and guides, accommodations, supplies, and equipment are affected due to fluctuations in wage costs due to the Nepalese government. Adverse weather, as well as rerouting, itinerary changes, and airfare to clear remote areas like Lukla into helicopters, may cause some additional costs for alternatives.
Flights in Nepal are highly dependent on weather and on the Himalayas; they can be extremely fickle, often leading to flight delays of hours or even days and even cancellations. In such a situation, if your flight is canceled due to bad weather or other unpredictable encounters with natural disasters, you can opt to fly over from Manthali Airport in Ramechhap on the same day or the next day or wait for the next flight from Lukla on that particular day.
Additionally, you can also choose to take a charter helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla with sharing basis, 4-5 persons at some additional cost, usually from USD 500 to USD 600, and you must inform your expedition, trek, hike, or climbing operators or organizers a week before you arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal, and in addition, it is always good to have a buffer day in your itinerary for flexibility.
Yes, if Nepal is on your travel bucket list, please note that in general tourists across the globe need visas to enter Nepal. They are available on arrival at different entry points of the country at some fees, but nationals from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan might need to follow some extra procedures and obtain the visa before traveling from the local Nepalese embassy.
If you are a citizen from SAARC countries like India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka, you can get a free 30-day visa except for Afghanistan. Further, if you are Indian, you will not need a visa at all; your identity (Aadhaar) card and a valid passport with your home address do the work. Or, get your online form at Nepaliport. In general, you can pay in USD or other hard currencies. Which are:
While you are traveling to Nepal, it is advisable to carry enough cash, more specifically when you are planning to travel outside of the major cities of Nepal, like Kathmandu and Pokhara. Though cards are widely accepted at standard hotels, restaurants, lodges, and larger shops in city areas, local markets, mountain settlements, and rural regions operate on a cash-only basis. ATM booths can also get limited in high-altitude remote areas; that is why you should exchange major currencies like USD or EUR for Nepali rupees once you land in Nepal and carry sufficient cash on hand. You can bring $5,000 (USD) cash with you.
You can get them exchanged at the terminal gate of the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), banks, or other cash exchange counters in Thamel and other tourist areas of Kathmandu. Some fees may apply, and it is good to carry only smaller denominations for a smooth and hassle-free trip with peace of mind.
Nepal is a beautiful country with a lot of mountains and hills. It is ideal for spending one's holiday in. It is much more affordable to travel in as compared to other countries. However, the total cost of your visit will largely depend on the action you are taking up, the type of comfort you require, and places, though in common terms, flights, hotels, foods, and accommodation make Nepal generally budget-friendly. It continues to be one of the best budget travel ideas in Asia.
It has something for everyone who visits the country. For those who find it expensive to be involved in longer days of trekking and climbing, there are always many cultural tours of short treks within and outside the Kathmandu Valley. An expensive lodge a three-star guest house or even a five-star hotel, a transportation option, and meal options for affluent travelers can be found. In trekking areas too, teahouses in common are also budget-friendly, especially when you are welcoming to local culture, food, and accommodation options. To conclude, Nepal has it all, from low-cost backpackers to high-budget individuals.
Undoubtedly, telecommunication and internet facilities in Nepal have seen significant improvement over the years, with major internet and telecommunication service providers like NTC (Nepal Telecom) and Ncell offering reliable mobile networks across the nation, including remote trekking regions like Manaslu and Kanchenjunga. In urban centers, visitors can enjoy stable 4G coverage while Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, restaurants, and cafes.
In contrast, though Wi-Fi and the internet are available in remote regions at some extra cost, it can get spotty and slow in rural and high-altitude areas. As if they are not enough, power blackouts and calamities such as flash floods, landslides, etc. have affected most of the services offered. Therefore, it is wise for trekkers and climbers to buy a local SIM card in Kathmandu or Pokhara and purchase an inclusive data package. Satellite internet options such as Starlink can also be chosen to stay connected in exceedingly remote areas.
The food and lodging standards in Nepal vary significantly from place to place and individual budget levels. In big cities like Kathmandu (Nepal’s capital city) and Pokhara, you can find everything from budget lodges, guest houses, and standard hotels to five-star luxury resorts with a wide variety of international and national cuisines. However, on trekking routes such as the Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Hike, and others, they come in simple tea houses with simply furnished rooms. It in general provides you with twin beds, blankets, and a shared bathroom, while higher-end lodges may have better amenities like hot showers, wifi, and others.
Food on the trekking trail also usually consists of staple Dal-Bhat-Tarkari (rice, lentils, vegetables), noodles, soups, momos, pancakes, and some other local dishes, which also may be limited at higher altitudes. Nevertheless, they are usually home-cooked, freshly prepared, hygienic, and nourishing. It is good to select reputed establishments and companions like Mountain Ascents for the best of the best, especially while trekking in remote places, and it is best to avoid raw salads and unfiltered water.
The best time to travel to Nepal largely depends on your interests and preferences for the level of services. However, in general, spring (March to May) and autumn (mid-September to November) are taken as the ideal times for trekking and outdoor activities. Autumn, the season of fall and spring, “the king of seasons,” offers clear, stable, and mild weather and climatic conditions with great visibility for trekking, sightseeing, and viewing amazing panoramas of the Himalayas.
The autumn, especially, is also the month of festivals in Nepal, when people celebrate Dashain and Tihar, bringing a bustling ambiance. The spring months are perfect to see the best of the natural beauty when entire forests come alive with the fresh bloom of rhododendrons and wildflowers along with wildlife. These times are in between the monsoon (during which heavy rains and difficult travel conditions exist from June to September) and winter (December to February), when it gets cold—almost unbearably so—at most high altitudes that also have a unique charm to offer if prepared and packed accordingly.
Here are some of the must-follow health precautions while you are traveling to Nepal:
While no vaccinations are legally required to visit Nepal for any individuals from any part of the world, it is always better to be prepared than sorry later. That is why, in general, it is good to stay updated on routine vaccines like MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP), polio, and influenza. For prevention from contaminated food, water, and blood exposure, hepatitis A and B. Rabies is advisable for those considering trekking in remote areas or interacting with street animals, including Japanese Encephalitis, if your walk includes traversing through cultural land for a longer time.
Depending on your travel plans and the risk involved, typhoid, meningitis, and yellow fever are also recommended, especially in the countryside where sanitation may be poor, meningitis if you are traveling during peak seasons in crowded places, and yellow fever if you are coming from a country prone to yellow fever. Get vaccinated as per your itinerary and activities. Remember to consult with concerned professionals.
Yes, there are medical clinics and doctors available in almost all the remote trekking areas of Nepal, but facilities get limited as altitude increases compared to big cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. In popular trekking areas like Everest, Annapurna, and Langtang, trekkers can find basic and smaller health posts, clinics, and the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) aid station amongst bigger villages like Namche Bazaar, Pheriche, and Manang.
There are usually staff medical individuals trained to manage minor treatment, altitude sickness, and general illness. But it does vary in terms of care and facilities. For more severe medical emergencies, it may come down to an evacuation via helicopter to Kathmandu. In more remote and less traveled areas with restrictions, even medical resources can be nonexistent; hence, a person must be prepared with a survival first aid kit, insurance with maximum coverage, and individual medications, if any at all.
Yes, you can take your medicines during treks and expeditions in Nepal. In remote areas, pharmacies and medical facilities can be limited; therefore, carry enough supplies or necessary medications in their packaging, followed by a doctor’s prescription or note, to avoid issues at customs and with local authorities in need.
In a waterproof and easily accessible bag, divide them from the rest of your luggage and carry them in your daypack. If you need help, it is best to inform your guide, porters, or trekking agency beforehand. It is also best to see a doctor first if you are suffering from any kind of disease: asthma, heart disease, or diabetes. Most likely, you will have to include common medications such as Diamox regarding altitude sickness into the list when consulting doctors and their effects in high altitudes.
Yes, though it is not formally essential to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions for entry or visa purposes if you are planning to trek or climb in the Himalayas at high altitude, you must inform your travel insurance providers, trekking agencies, or tour operators. It is good to discuss this with your doctor before booking the trip itself.
If they give you a positive signal, disclosing medical conditions to your travel agent or organizer, such as Mountain Ascents Pvt. Ltd., allows us to make arrangements as per your requirements and preferences for a hassle-free journey of a lifetime. If you have prescribed medications, make sure to carry them with you or a doctor’s note, which aids a lot in ensuring your safety.
Travel Insurance is mandatory for those willing to step out into high altitude mountaineering. You must submit a copy of your insurance policy before actually departing for the trip you have booked. Here are some basic elements that your insurance policy must cover:
Under this topic, the insurance covers all losses caused due to missed or delayed flights, cancellation of trips due to inevitable reasons, delayed arrival than the departure date
The Himalayas are unpredictable. So are the risks that may arise. Altitude Sickness, Frostbite, Extreme Cold temperatures are some of the reasons that may cause travelers to have poor health. Unfortunately, rescue and evacuation from remote areas are costly and difficult. Your insurance policy must cover the costs of emergency rescue and medical expenses to protect you from huge rescue costs.
While Emergency Rescue will evacuate you from the danger, you will still have some expenses at the hospital. To cover your medical expenses, make sure you are insured for medical expenses.
Sometimes due to human error, you may lose your bags causing you to miss the flights or delay them. In cases as such, your insurance policy must cover the
In some unfortunate events, one may get into accidents, disasters causing them to lose their lives. In such cases, insurance policies can help support the bereaved family with some financial assistance.
Travel and Medical Insurance Policy must include the following:
We hope you have a wonderful and safe trip wherever you go. But a proper Insurance Policy will never disappoint you especially when you are traveling in remote location.
Yes, though not mandatory for entering Nepal, comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended while you are in the country of hills and the Himalayas, which boasts eight of the mountain peaks that measure 8,000 m above sea level, including the top of the world, Mount Everest (8,848 m). It will shield you against any unforeseen events such as medical emergencies, accidents, injuries, theft, trip cancellation, delay, or natural disasters such as floods and landslides while trekking, hiking, or engaging in extreme adventure anywhere in the remote terrains of Nepal.
Besides a passport, visa, and travel insurance, you will need trekking permits and the following essential documents:
In general, for trekking in Nepal, you will need to obtain two mandatory permits called TIMS Card (Trekkers’ Information Management System) and respective National Park/Conservation Area Permits if your trek goes through protected areas like Langtang National Park, Sagarmatha National Park, or Annapurna Conservation Area.
Additionally, if your journey includes traversing through highly restricted areas like Upper Dolpo, Mustang, or Manaslu, you will have to get a restricted area permit (RAP). Usually, all of these permits are issued by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN) through registered trekking agencies like Mountain Ascents Pvt. Ltd. and RAP. Costs are slightly higher than normal TIMS and national park entrance permits and may vary from season to season and based on the duration of your trip.
In addition to the above-mentioned passport, visa, travel insurance, and trekking permits for climbing 6,000 m, such as Mera Peak, Island, Pisang Peak, and other 24 climbing peaks above 6,000 m, in a total of 27 peaks above 6,000 m in Nepal, climbers are mandated to get a climbing permit from the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA).
Others are a detailed itinerary, emergency contact details, and a medical certificate for a more enhanced experience. Additionally, it is always better to be under the guidance of a professional mountain guide and hire a porter so your packing does not hinder your journey. For up-to-date permits and regulations, stay in touch and learn the names of 27 Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) peaks above 6,000 m; it provides climbing permits, which are:
If climbing a 7,000m peak in Nepal is your primary goal, besides the usual mandatory documents of a passport with at least six months of validity, visa, trekking permits, travel insurance with helicopter evacuation, and related climbing permit, you must submit proof of your proper high altitude climbing experience.
In addition, you must book through a government-licensed and trusted expedition operator, hire a licensed mountain guide and liaison officer, and coordinate with a trekking agency to ensure all permits and logistics are properly managed.
Climbing peaks above 8,000 m, such as Manaslu (8,163 m/the eighth highest mountain in the world) or Mt. Everest (8,848 m/the highest peak on the earth) demands extensive preparation and proper documentation. Along with the usual passport, visa, trekking permits, comprehensive travel insurance with high altitude coverage above 8,000 m sea level, climbing permits, proper proof of high altitude climbing experience, skills, and use of climbing gear and equipment, you will need to be in the care of highly experienced and reputed expedition operators.
Given the extreme nature of the adventure, unlike lower peaks, an official liaison officer and garbage deposit fee are also essential.
Yes, if you wish to extend your stay, visit, or holiday trip to Nepal, you can apply for an extension at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or Pokhara, which is an extra USD 3 per day and is available for 15, 30, or 90 days at the same rate as your first Nepal tourist visa, and it is a must that you apply before your current visa expires.
Follow the same procedure as you did before: submit your valid passport, a completed application form, a passport-sized photo, and the required fee. To avoid penalties of USD 5 per day on overstays, it is always good to apply early.
To get a Nepal visa, fill out the essential arrival card, or you can also fill out the online application in advance within 15 days of arrival at Immigration Nepal, pay the visa fee, and submit your documents including a valid passport for at least 6 months, a printed visa application if applied online, and a passport-sized photo, and wait to get your visa stamped, which may take 15-30 minutes or can take longer during peak trekking and climbing season in Nepal from March to May (Spring) and September to November (Autumn).
If you are opting to get your visa in advance, you can apply at a Nepalese embassy or consulate in your locality. To fill out the visa application online form, submit a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity, passport-sized photos, and the visa fee in local currency or as per embassy rules. In 3-5 business days, your visa for Nepal travel will be in your hand.
Nepal’s communication facilities are getting day by day, and most portions of trekking routes have mobile phone coverage. In case of a climb, VHF or satellite phones are available at the base camp. In both cases, weather can play an important role in communication.
Neither your potter nor your guide will ask you for a tip apart from the payment that he’s actually agreed on. However, if his work impresses you, you are free to tip as you please.
It depends upon the difficulty level and height of the peak, weather and individual’s ability to cope up with the environment. Normally, the ascent and descent between base camp and peak will take one to two days.
During your stay in base camp, you will be provided a tent. You will also be provided food appropriate to your upcoming endeavor. Before you reach the base camp, you will be placed in a Hotel, lodge or tea house.
March to May (Spring Season) and August to November (Autumn Season) are the best seasons for both trekking and climbing.
You’ll be provided a well trained and experienced guide during the climb.
Yes. Everyone intending to climb a peak requires a climbing permit.
Climbing permit is the legal document issued by the Government of Nepal validating a climber’s attempt to climb a definite peak or a route.
Climbing a peak requires certain preparation. Although some of small peaks are easy enough for even regular trekkers to climb, others require high degree of training, preparation and experience. So, the bottom-line is, if you want to climb it, of course you can climb it. But it all depends upon the degree of preparation and experience. Hence, it’s wise to start with smaller, easier peaks, and train yourself for harsher ones.
Experience or no experience, it requires certain level of fitness to climb a peak. Depending upon the altitude and difficulty level, some training might also be necessary. However, there are certain mountains that can be climbed by a trekker or someone with no experience at all.
Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) classifies certain peaks between altitudes of 5800m to 6500m that can be climbed in a day as trekking peak. The total accent from basecamp to the peak and the decent back to the base camp can be accomplished in a day. The license for those peaks can be obtained from NMA.
You can obtain “VISA” to Nepal through embassy or other diplomatic mission to your country. You can also obtain visa at entry points to Nepal or at the airport in the immigration for merely $40. The extension of visa requires an additional payment of $30. Do not forget to carry some passport size photos with you.