Yes there is the CIWEC Clinic – travel medicine centre. They have comprehensive information from immunisation to High Altitude sickness. www.ciwec-clinic.com. Lazimpat near British Embassy, PO Box 12895, Kathmandu, Nepal. Tel: (977) (1) 442 4111. Fax: (977) (1) 441 2570. CLICK HERE to download the booklet on TRAVEL AT HIGH ALTITUDE. This booklet is written to help you understand some of the ways your body may change as it has to cope with high altitude and the 'thin air'. It is full of information, tips and stories to help you enjoy your trip and stay healthy. Most importantly, it also covers the serious altitude illnesses.
What kind of weather can I expect in Nepal?
The weather in Nepal is variable from very hot to very cold. The higher you go the less it rains and possibility of snow increases. While the southern flat region (Terai) is very hot during summer. Please refer to the chart below for average temperatures in Nepal:
| Month |
Minimum °C |
Maximum °C |
Rainfall (mm) |
| January |
2.7 |
17.5 |
47 |
| February |
2.2 |
21.6 |
11 |
| March |
6.9 |
25.5 |
5 |
| April |
8.6 |
30.0 |
5 |
| May |
15.6 |
29.7 |
146 |
| June |
18.9 |
29.4 |
135 |
| July |
19.5 |
28.1 |
327 |
| August |
19.2 |
29.5 |
206 |
| September |
18.6 |
28.6 |
199 |
| October |
13.3 |
28.6 |
42 |
| November |
6.0 |
23.7 |
0 |
| December |
1.9 |
20.7 |
1 |
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Treks that range from easy to medium are suitable for people who are moderately fit, no previous experience essential. Medium-hard treks are for people with previous mountain walking experience. Hard treks should only be undertaken by real adventure seekers as ropes may be required. A fitness regime which includes hill walking, running and swimming is recommended a few months before you set out on your trek. Persons suffering from pre-existing medical conditions or disease must seek medical advice before considering trekking. It is common to feel some discomfort during acclimatisation.
No, you can't. You need to have local currency for your personal expenses in the mountains. Please note that foreign currencies are not accepted in the mountains.
Credit cards can be used in the cities but once you are out in the country all you will need is cash.
You will need around US$10 per day to pay for personal items such as chocolate, drinks, showers etc.
Yes, we advise you to get immunised in your country before you leave. We recommend you are covered for TB, tetanus, polio, typhoid, diphtheria, hepatitis B, malaria and MMR. You should always seek the advice of your GP before departing on any trek. For more information visit
www.ciwel-clinic.com
Not in Kathmandu as it is above the malaria zone. Malaria has also been eradicated in Chitwan. However if you are planning to visit any lower elevations in Nepal we strongly recommend that you are immunised for malaria.
Tea-House: Very basic hut style shelter with limited comfort (heating stove, common sleeping platform, etc.), and reduced service (basic food, etc.) - for example, popular on the Mera Peak trail.
Lodge: Comfortable Alpine style inn with separate rooms and facilities (toilets, etc.), and service (varied menus, etc.) - for example, popular on the Everest Base Camp trail.
The simple way is to 'do as the locals do' and minimise the use of plastic bottles, canned food and rely on safe purified drinking water. Dispose of waste in the proper manner. Please discuss these methods with your guide during the trip.
Yes, you can. All kinds of equipment are available for hire in Kathmandu.
Most tea-houses/lodges cook a delicious range of mostly vegetarian food although Nepal's staple, Dhal bhat is always available. Noodles, pasta, potatoes, eggs, bread, soups, fresh vegetables (seasonal), rice pudding, and apple pie, are just some of the choices. Often menus are agreed by local Lodge Management Committees. They print common menus and the prices are the same in lodges in that locale. If you are provided with a menu in advance and order early, your dinner will usually arrive when promised. Sometimes at higher altitudes dishes are limited to locally grown produce. Choosing the same dish as your companion will help speed the delivery of your meal.
In some of the major places guesthouses do have showers but otherwise it is a water bucket provided for a shower. All showers cost extra about US$3-4 per shower.
Yes. The main tourist centres like Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini are connected by good roads and all main routes are well serviced by tourist buses. However, roads to other towns for example Jiri and Dhunche are steep and narrow and only local buses are available. We advise you to hire a private jeep (4WD) to travel these roads safely. Typically tourist buses are driven with more care than local buses.
These facilities are available at most of the places for a small fee. You will need an adaptor.
There are telephones in some villages and in the major places you can access the internet. Mobile phones can be used but you have to have the correct sim card and cannot be totally relied upon.
Yes. You will need a visa for Nepal.
No. You can be issued with a tourist visa upon arrival at the airport immigration counter. However if you have bought your visa through the Nepal Embassy in your country (for the UK you can apply for a visa at the Nepalese Embassy in London
www.nepembassy.org.uk ) you will definitely avoid unnecessary delays at the Immigration Counter on arrival. For more information on visa rules, please visit
Nepal Immigration (At the Airport the current Tourist visa fee is US$ 40 for 30 days).
Yes, we strongly advise you to register your name with your respective diplomatic office in Kathmandu. If you ask us for the form provided by your embassy and complete the necessary information, we will deliver it to your embassy in Kathmandu. Don't forget to mention your insurance details on this form. If you are a British citizen you can register on line with the British Embassy at
www.britishembassy.gov.uk/nepal and follow the links for Consular Registration.
Yes, most people involved in tourism can speak and understand English. Nepalese can speak a variety of languages e.g. French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and Japanese. Given notice, we can provide you with a guide who can speak your own language during your tour in Nepal.
No. Of course you are free to wear any kind of clothes in Nepal. There are no strict cultural codes of dress sense. But a conservative dress code is respected. We don't have a cultural dress code for tourists. But we suggest you be aware of your dress sense. We kindly advise you to go through the book: Himalayan Adventure Trekking Gear. The book advises on dressing and your equipment checklist for the entire trip in Nepal. The book has listed some sensible suggestions which can be found in bookstores around the world.
Yes, you can. Please keep in mind that you are among a society who mostly wear full sleeve clothing especially the women.
Yes there are numerous ATMs in Kathmandu. The main tourist market, Thamel has an easy access to ATMs run by different internationally collaborated banks. They accept all major credit cards including MasterCard and Visa. Please note that cash is dispensed in local currency only.
Yes. Nightclubs are safe places to visit.
Yes, there is. During your departure to domestic cities, a tax of NRS 170/person, to India/Bhutan/Pakistan/Bangladesh NRS 1335/person, and to the rest of the countries NRS 1730/person is to be paid.
Advice on tips is always a sticky subject. Many of the workers you encounter on the mountain either in your lodge or in a tea-house survive on a tiny income, if at all. If you enjoyed a meal and the service was friendly a tip is a welcome reward. There is no need to be inflationary, but 10% would be regarded as a small meal tip. Your guides and porters will often work beyond the call of duty for the success of your trek. If you enjoyed yourself, then your guide and porter will have worked hard. Ask yourself if you would be satisfied with the price of a bottle of beer each day as reward?
Yes. There are numerous internet cafes in Thamel and around Kathmandu. Costs vary and typically reflect the service available.
Yes. But being aware of your surroundings and the people around you is always a must - Just be Streetwise! If you are carrying valuables; cameras, gifts or large amounts of money, we advise you to return to your hotel by early evening to deposit them, before going out for late meals and drinks.
Yes. We reconfirm return flights free of charge.
A valid passport, ensure that it is valid for up to six months at return date.
Travel insurance and emergency rescue insurance.
Fight tickets / flight details.
Cash and travellers cheque – keep a record of travel cheque numbers separate
Visa.
Emergency contact numbers.
Keep a copy of all documents and leave a copy of all documents with someone at home.
It is advisable to take your own personal first aid kit.
Yes, in the UK it is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.