Nepal - Trekking and mountaineering in the Himalaya

The highest mountains in the world, the deepest canyons, the longest suspension bridges... the small country of Nepal boasts many superlatives! The breathtaking mountain landscapes of the mighty Himalaya, the unique friendliness and courtesy of the Nepali people and their fascinating culture are certainly among the ingredients that make a trip to Nepal a memory of a lifetime.

It’s not surprising that many first-time visitors to Nepal return to this fascinating country time and again – the charms and fascination of the Himalayas and its inhabitants, the spirituality and friendliness of the local people and the endless possibilities offered to the walkers, mountaineers and pilgrims are reason enough to return.

About Nepal:

Geography & Landscape of Nepal

Nepal is a young republic at the foot of the vast Himalayas. Wedged between the two Asian giants of India and China, Nepal forms the heart of the over 2500 km long mountain range of the Himalayas and calls eight of the fourteen eight-thousand-metre peaks, including the 8850-metre-high Mount Everest, its own.
Nepal is a country of extremes: from the ice-covered peaks via countless altitudinal and vegetational zones down to the tropical lowlands of the Terai (approx. 70 m.a.s.l.). Nepal does not only have the highest difference in altitude in one single country but it is also rated as the highest country in the world.
Although the gigantic mountains of the Himalayas in the north of the country are undoubtedly the most impressive part of Nepal, they only have a relatively small share of about 17% in terms of surface area. To the south, the middle mountain range of the Himalayan foothills - covering approx. 66% of Nepal’s total surface - stretches all the way to the lowlands of the Terai at the Indian border. The Terai - covering approx. 17% of Nepal - is the fertile and lush jungle belt bordering on India.
Taking Nepal’s geography into consideration, it is easy to guess the wide variety of vegetation zones. They range from tropical rainforests, subtropical coniferous forests and temperate zones with acacia and maple forests to pines, oaks and rhododendron forests in the lower mountain areas. Almost every trekking tour in Nepal takes you through different vegetation zones and offers incomparable landscapes: from humid, lush valleys and their characteristically terraced rice, wheat and barley fields through alpine pastures with bright flower meadows to the high alpine mountain regions dominated by rock and ice.
Numerous rivers run south from the heavily glaciated mountain ranges at the Tibetan border towards India to the south of Nepal and onwards into the Ganges, the Hindus’ holy river. Nepal’s most important rivers are the Karnali in the west, the Kali Gandaki in the central region, whose glacier-fed waters have dug the deepest gorge in the world between Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Annapurna (8091m), and the Sun Koshi in the east of the country.

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Climate & Trekking weather in Nepal

Due to its geographic location and the resulting weather, Nepal has two main trekking and mountaineering seasons. The most popular trekking season for the Nepalese Himalayas is the dry autumn from the beginning of October to the middle of December. By the end of September, the monsoon has mostly cleared and dried the air and left exceptional visibility and very stable weather conditions behind.
In the low valleys around 1000 m, hikers can expect subtropical, humid and warm conditions. In higher altitudes of around 3000 to 4000 m, the day temperatures are downright ideal for trekking and mountaineering. As soon as the sun disappears, however, it quickly becomes cold. Night temperatures around or below freezing are not unusual at altitudes of around 3000 to 3500 m.
Winter starts in mid-December, and although Nepal’s mountain regions do not get a lot of snow it gets cold. Trekking tours in low or sheltered regions are possible and even worthwhile due to the clear air, stable visibility and the few other tourists and trekkers. Spring season in Nepal begins in March. Spring is the second most popular travel season for Nepal: Warm temperatures and blooming vegetation attract many trekkers and mountaineers.
Anyone who has ever experienced the indescribably luxuriant splendour of colours and blossoms in spring is more than happy to accept the sometimes slightly poorer visibility due to the hazy air. The high passes can usually be crossed at that time of year, but snowfall cannot be completely ruled out and can make the crossings more difficult.
At the beginning of June the Indian monsoon sets in. This is Nepal’s genuine second season and it becomes humid. Especially the southern edge of the Himalayas gets intense rainfall during the summer months, lasting until the end of September. During monsoon, trekking is only worthwhile in mountain valleys which lie in the rain shadow of the main chain, e.g. Mustang. In Kathmandu, you can expect sunny and warm temperatures of 20 to 25°C. While trekking in the mountains, you’ll reach altitudes above 5000 m. Even if temperatures during the day are usually pleasant for hiking, it can be frosty on the higher passes and peaks. After sunset and in the early morning it can also be quite chilly. Therefore, when packing, also think of warm clothes (gloves, hat, warm jacket) and do bring your rain gear.
Our equipment list provides further useful information for packing.

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Health & Vaccinations

Vaccinations are currently not required for Nepal but, as with most long-distance trips, vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, typhoid fever, polio and hepatitis A and B are recommended. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for stays in the south of the country. i.e. Terai and Chitwan National Park (protect yourself against bugs, cover your entire body, impregnate clothing with insect repellent). The Kathmandu valley and the northern, higher trekking areas are considered malaria-free.
Your personal medication and first-aid kit should contain diarrhoea treatment, antibiotics, insect repellent, and a good sunscreen suitable for higher altitudes (SPF 30+). Please also think of dressing materials (bandaids etc). Please note that medical care in Nepal is poor and take this into account when taking out insurance for your trip.
Please consult your doctor in any case.

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Drinking water

Drink only boiled/filtered/disinfected water (or bottled water). Never drink water from the tap without first disinfecting (e.g. Micropur) or filtering (e.g. Katadyn) it. Brushing teeth with untreated water is usually not a problem. If you should decide to buy bottled water, make sure the seal is intact.
We kindly ask our participants to refrain from buying bottled water on the trek! In order to counteract the increasing waste problem in the mountain regions of Nepal and the global problem of plastic waste, we recommend that our customers refrain from buying water in plastic bottles but instead disinfect (e.g. Micropur) or filter (e.g. Katadyn) water taken from streams or wells. Thank you for your contribution!

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Language

Nepal’s official language is Nepali. In addition, more than 21 other languages are spoken. They, in turn, are subdivided into countless dialects. English, however, is understood almost everywhere. Especially in Kathmandu, communication in English is not a problem.

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Time difference

The time difference between Nepali time and CET is + 4h45. There is no daylight saving time in Nepal.

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Currency & Money

The official currency in Nepal is the Nepalese rupee, the current exchange rate being approx. 1 € = 128 NPR (Feb. 2020).

Since credit cards or traveller‘s cheques are not widely accepted, carry your travel money in EURO oder US dollars and exchange it on the spot. Both currencies are equally accepted and exchanged. Please note that your EURO or US dollar banknotes should have no markings or tears, or they may not be accepted. 

It is best to change money in Kathmandu at authorised institutions (banks and exchange offices), the exchange rate being better than at the airport. While trekking, money can be exchanged only rarely and if at all, at unfavourable rates. Credit cards are only accepted in larger hotels and shops in Kathmandu.
You can use your credit card or Maestro cash card to withdraw money in Kathmandu but be warned: there have been problems, e.g. amounts that were requested but not dispensed were still debited from the account... We therefore advise you to take cash with you. If you wish to withdraw money abroad, please contact your bank and have your cash card activated (GeoControl protection program). On the trekking tour, you will only need cash. Take a small rupee notes with you (NPR 50,-/100,-).

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Tipping

Our teams are paid fair wages typical for the country. However, the teams are always happy to get additional recognition for their performance. This is usually reflected in tips. It is best to pool all the participants’ tips and distribute the money at the end of the trekking tour. Gratuity should ideally be paid in local currency but can also be paid in US dollar or euro (please give only notes, no coins).

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Visa & Entry to Nepal

All foreign travellers need a visa for entry into Nepal. The easiest way to obtain it is upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. The „Visa on Arrival“ procedure is automated but there may be queues at the kiosks in peak tourist season.
If you wish to skip the queues at the kiosks, you can also fill in the tourist visa form prior to your arrival online, print the submission receipt, bring it with you and proceed directly to the cashier. The submission receipt is only valid for 15 days, so make sure you fill it out no earlier than 14 days before your arrival in Nepal. For more information, visit http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/page/tourist-visa.

The visa fee is USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, USD 125 for 90 days. Payment must be made in cash – USD or euros are accepted. No change is given for euros. Even though photos are not needed for the visa process, we recommend that you travel with at least 2 spare passport photographs.

Your passport needs to be valid for another 6 months at the end of your stay and should have at least 2 blank pages for each country you visit. It should be in good condition (to tears or marks).
Visa requirements and charges can change without notice. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate or Department for Immigration of your destination country. (Information as of February 2020)

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