FAQs

Mainly there are two network service providers in Nepal, Ncell and Namaste. If you want to use cellular data, you can choose Ncell, and for cheap calls, you can select Namaste.

You can purchase a Ncell/NTC sim card after you arrive in Nepal. You can even get the sim cards upon arrival at Kathmandu airport.

While purchasing the Nepali Sim at the airport or sim centres, you must submit a photocopy of your passport/citizenship. You'll get a sim card at NPR 100, with an Rs—100 balance. After the free cellular data and principal balance expire, you should buy independently.

The internet and wifi are available almost everywhere in the country. High-speed wifi is most common in cities and towns. Hotels and lodges at tourist destinations allow you to use the internet for free.

For trekking in Nepal, you'll get wifi and internet at the most affordable rates—almost every tea house en route offer wifi to their clients. However, the weather conditions often affect internet speed at higher altitudes.

Trekking in Nepal is doable all year round. However, there are only a few trekking routes feasible throughout the year. And most of the trekking in Nepal is only possible and best during Autumn and Spring.

Principally, March, April, and May are the best time for trekking in Nepal. The vibrant nature the Spring makes, the elegant outlook and the sky, snow-capped mountains, and cinematic terrains look surreal. Almost all trekking routes in Nepal have become the best for trekking.

The autumn months are the best for a better close-quarters glimpse of the elegant mountains of the Himalayas. The late Autumn can be freezing, but the early Autumn is among the best time for a trek in Nepal. The fresh outlook, post-monsoon rain greenery, snow-filled mountains, crystal clear viewing etc., makes your tour a wholesome junket.

Also, rain shadow regions like Manang, Mustang, Dolpo, Nar Phu Valley, and other destinations are suitable for monsoon trekking. Since these regions lie on the rain shadow of the Annapurna mountains, even in monsoon, these regions barely see heavy rainfall.

Winter trek in Nepal is for experienced trekkers. As the temperature in the regions like Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, and Manaslu Circuit gets covered with snow, trekking during this time becomes impossible for novice hikers.

Some places like Everest Three High Passes, Thorung La Pass, and Larke Pass require trekkers to use crampons on their boots. And during extremes, trekkers may need to hike along the fixed rope.

Nepal's diverse geography, Himalayas, Hill, and Terai, all differ in land structure, climate, and temperature. Thus, all these three topographies have varied temperatures throughout the year.

Temperature in Terai

Nepal's Terai, or flat lands, remains extremely hot during summer. And in winter, it gets covered by fog and remains cold during winter. Furthermore, the humidity level remains higher throughout the year. During summer in Terai, the temperature soars over 40℃; during winter, the temperature falls below 15℃.

Don't plan Chitwan Jungle Safari Tours, Bardiya Wildlife Tour, Lumbini Tour, and other tours in Terai during summer, from May to August.

Temperature in Hilly Region

The hilly region includes Kathmandu, Pokhara and other places below 3,500 metres. The temperature remains mild, not more than 32 ℃ during summer. However, in winter, the temperature gets colder but bearable with a down jacket and some layers.

The temperature in summer reaches 32℃, and during winter, the temperature goes below 5℃. There have been some instances where the temperature in Kathmandu has dropped below freezing.

Trekking in Nepal grades all, easy, moderate, and strenuous.

If planning for the first high-altitude trek in Nepal in 2023, you must consider more accessible trekking destinations. Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, and Khopra Danda Khayer Lake Trek are the few best trekking in Nepal for novice hikers.

But, treks like Annapurna Circuit Trek, Everest Region Treks, Manaslu Circuit Trek, and Nar Phu Valley Trek are strenuous graded trekking. If you're planning for any of these treks in 2023, ensure you have strong legs, great endurance, and at least an experience of high-altitude trekking.

High altitude sickness, fatigue, food poisoning, cultural difference, language problems, internet, and telecommunications are a few difficulties trekker experience while on a trek in Nepal.

As most trekking destinations are above 4,000 meters, trekkers experience some signs of altitude sickness. And at the worst case, trekkers even need an emergency helicopter to descend to lower altitudes and even get hospitalised for a few days.

Unlike commercial routes, tea houses loaded with modern amenities, trekkers on routes like Manaslu Circuit and Nar Phu often develop loose motion. Diarrhea is the common problem trekker face on every trek route. Even though trekkers get healthy meals, the altitude, pressure, and cold cause health issues.

Fatigue is also a typical problem trekker face. Trekkers get tired while trekking at high altitudes. But, past 4,000 meters, even the shorter day hikes tires you quickly. The low oxygen, blazing sun, cold wind, and quick breathing tires trekkers quickly. Thus, decent physical fitness and cardio exercise help trekkers hike economically and comfortably.

Internet and communication are separate from trekking difficulties. However, getting wifi and telephone services at high altitudes is very costly. And it's not guaranteed that the internet works every day. The poor weather conditions disturb the internet and telephone services.

Apart from a few commercial routes, you only get internet services if you wish to pay. At such times, it can be challenging to communicate back home. Be prepared to be away from the internet while trekking in Nepal, at least for a week or so.

Tea house-based accommodation is the most common and preferred style by trekkers at every trek destination in Nepal. You can also accommodate in tented camps and even sleep at Everest Base Camp overnight in a tented camp.

The tea houses on every trekking route have significantly improved in the last decade as the trekking industry boomed in Nepal. Tea houses in Annapurna and Everest region are the most advanced and offer the best modern amenities, even at the base camp.

You'll get twin sharing rooms with/without attached bathrooms. Internet, hot water showers, and mobile battery recharge are available at every tea house but cost USD 4-5 for each.

The trekking routes in Nepal are filled with some standard hotels to the most affordable lodges. These lodges/tea houses are established at some strategic points where the trekkers are likely to stay for a night.

There's always an option for camping on a trek. You can enjoy indigenous people's authentic lifestyle and view the Nepalese community on the doorstep. Camping is doable but costs higher than staying at the tea house-based accommodation.

Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS) or altitude sickness is a common problem for hikers past 3,000 metres altitude. However, some may feel minor symptoms past 4,000 meters altitude.

The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, vomiting, nausea, headaches, loss of appetite, and dizziness.

Yes. While trekking in Nepal, you will likely get altitude sickness while hiking over 3,000 metres. As oxygen and air pressure drops significantly at higher altitudes, trekker experience altitude sickness.

However, with proper acclimatization and physical fitness, one can easily escape the mountain sickness and enjoy the great adventure of the Himalayas.

Trekking routes like Everest Base Camp, Manaslu Circuit, Annapurna Circuit, and others mandate acclimatization.

There's always your trek guide for your help. If you trek with a registered trekking agency, they'll employ their best trek guides to lead the trek you're in. The trek guides with years of experience help you escape altitude sickness with ideas and acclimatization stops.

And if the symptoms worsen, you'll get immediate helicopter evacuation. However, when a helicopter can't come to the rescue during poor weather conditions, your trek guide makes you descend to the lower region.

Here are some steps that you can practice to avoid altitude sickness:

1. Immediately inform your trekking guide if you feel something uncomfortable with your health, like breathing, dizziness, or nausea.
2. Descending to lower altitudes while developing symptoms is the only best thing to do.
3. Chewing chocolates, gums, and some anti-altitude sickness tablets make you less likely to get altitude sickness.
4. Frequent rehydration with oral salt solutions is a must.
5. Avoid alcohol, smoking, and coffee at all costs throughout the trek.

If you're on a guided trek through a local agency, your trek guide always carries first aid kits and essential medication. If you're with the finest trekking agency and have paid a considerable sum, you'll be accompanied by medical support personnel.

However, carrying a first aid kit and essential medicines is always advantageous. Plus, if you know how to apply first aid kits and treatments, you'll survive minor injuries while trekking in Nepal's Himalayas.

ATM lounges are very common in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. However, on your trekking route, you won't find any; even if you find one, they might not function. Places like Manang, Lukla, and Namche Bazaar, the starting points of Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp Trekking, have several ATM counters. But, who knows, on the day you'll be in one of these places, and ATM goes out of function.

Thus, we recommend you withdraw Nepali money in the cities before departing for the trekking.

Yes, there are. The money exchange counters are widely available in tourist cities. You can also get foreign money exchange counters at remote places like Lukla and Namche. However, the exchange rates here are below the standard rate. 

All exchange counters in main cities practice the standard exchange rate issued by the government on a particular day. However, they deduct some as the service charge. Check out the exchange rate published by Nepal Rastra Bank today.

The good thing, Nepal is one of the safest travel destinations in the world. Whether it's high-altitude trekking or culturally enriched city tours, the country is safe for every foreign national.

As trekking in Nepal now requires a licensed trek guide, you'll be safe on the high-altitude terrains. Nepal's highly experienced trekking guides provide the best trekking experience, with 100% safety and success.

The vocational destinations in Nepal are devoid of tourist theft and spam. You can roam in the cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara from midnight till dawn. It's safe for individuals, groups, families with kids, and everyone.

Also, Nepal Police has created a special police force called Tourist Police, especially for tourists and to solve the problems they might face during their stay in Nepal.

The diverse topography of Nepal prompts the frequent change in weather patterns. And sometimes, even on a clear weather day, the weather turns unfavorable for regular flight departures.

As Spring and Autumn are the two busiest times in the year for trekking and tours, more people take flights. The weather remains stable throughout the day as the temperature remains mild. Plus, these two seasons are rain-free times in a year as well. Thus, a maximum number of flights take off, benefiting the clear weather of Spring and Autumn.

Since there's only one airport in Kathmandu, the increased air traffic causes daily flight delays.

Several flights are delayed during spring and autumn, but most are postponed during the monsoon and winter seasons. The flight gets delayed, cancelled, or postponed with heavy rains in the lowlands and thick fog at Lukla and other high altitudes airports.

Yes, it's the most crucial document you should have if you plan a visit to Nepal. And if you're considering trekking in Nepal, this is the most critical document you must carry.

Travel Insurance covers helicopter evacuation, medical expenses, and even trip cancellation. During the loss and damage of your personal belongings, with a travel insurance policy, you can claim that as well.

Without travel insurance, paying for helicopter and medical bills can cost you some thousand dollars. Also, if you fail to provide travel insurance to the agency before departing for the trek, the agency holds every right to cancel your spot on the hike and tours with groups.

No. Trekking companies don't purchase travel insurance for their clients. However, they recommend some trusted travel insurance partners in Kathmandu upon request. They only insure their trek guides and porters.

It’s better to check/ask about the travel company's policies before you choose one.

Yes. Every meal you order at tea houses while trekking is hygienic and healthy. You may not get green leafy vegetables and fruits, but every meal is primarily fresh. At higher places like Annapurna Base Camp, Sama Gaun, and Gorak Shep, the tea house owners often bring fresh vegetables and other stuff via helicopter.

Yes. You'll have access to fresh drinking water throughout any treks and tours in Nepal. Typically, in hilly and mountain regions, tap water is the primary source of drinking. And these water are safe to drink by direct filling your refillable water bottles.

However, drinking water directly from the tap can cause health issues for some. So, water filtration tablets are highly recommended to put in water before drinking it. You can bring chlorine tablets on your own. And even if you don't, your trek guide gives you water-purifying tablets for free.

Bottled waters are also readily available at every tea house. However, the bottles of water costs expensive.

You could use water-purifying tablets to minimise the expenses of buying bottled water daily.

You can also refill the boiled drinking water on your thermos. However, it costs USD 2-3 per litre.

Yes, you'll. You can get hydroelectricity or solar-powered electricity service at tea houses. The tea houses like Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Mustang, Langtang, and Annapurna offer electricity. However, tea houses in other areas provide solar-powered electricity services.

Accessing electricity to recharge your mobile phones and camera batteries costs NPR 300-500. And if you want to refresh your power bank to 100%, it costs NPR 1000.

You won't have a problem taking a hot water shower while trekking. Almost every tea house is now equipped with gas geysers or solar heaters. Taking a hot water shower can cost up to NPR 500 at most.

Yes. Most of the trekking companies in Nepal are well-equipped. With the rapidly changing trekking business, trekking companies in Nepal are now adopting the latest approaches to serving trekkers.

You can rely on your trek guide, as most trekking companies have experienced trekking guides with years of guiding experience. Even many trekking agency operators are themselves trek and tour guides.

Getting a trek license in Nepal requires two years of experience working in a trekking agency. Most licensed guides first work as trek porters and hike to almost every destination in Nepal. By the time they lead the trek groups, they collect immense experience and knowledge.

Trekking guides are evolving by taking additional practices like first aid, mountain medicine, navigating skills via route maps, and communication skills.

Ans: Some necessary documents while you travel in Nepal are:

1. Passport
2. On arrival Visa
3. Insurance documents (better have yourself insured in your country)
4. Medications prescriptions you’ve been following (if any)
5. Couples of PP-size photos
6. Emergency contact details

In Nepal, all trekking routes traverse through the conservation and restricted area. Hence, foreign nationals must purchase trekking permits to access the trails. And if the region you're planning to trek is a restricted area, you must also possess a restricted area permit.

If you're hiring a trekking guide for a trek in Nepal, your trek guide manages the trek permits for you. But, you must provide your trek guide with the permit cost, a copy of your passport, and passport-sized photos.

However, booking trekking with an agency comes with benefits. Once you book the trek with a local agency like us, our representatives will prepare the essential trek permits for you.

If you're curious about trek permits, read our Everest Base Camp Trek Permits and Langtang Valley Trek Permits blogs. 

For further information regarding permits and other materials, check the official site of the Department Of Immigration Nepal.

Yes. You can trek to lower altitudes below 3000 metres during the Monsoon and winter seasons. However, hiking in Monsoon is still risky, and winter is cold and snowy. The super slippery trails and snowy terrain make it even more difficult for trekkers to keep the pace of trekking.

There are some rain shadow places like Mustang, Dolpo, Jumla, Manang and so forth where you can trek during Monsoon. Moreover, the lower Everest region places, Langtang and Annapurna, are best during winter.

Typically, trekking and tours are expensive everywhere in the world, and so is in Nepal as well. Precisely speaking, trekking is more costly than tours for various genuine reasons.

First, the inaccessibility of remote regions demands helicopters to carry raw items for meals. Domestic cargo flights deliver the raw materials in lower areas like Lukla, Dolpa, Mustang, and other places.

Due to this, the cost of meals and everything transported gets expensive.

Apart from meals and accommodation, the transportation costs are also expensive. The involvement of domestic flights and private vehicle transportation also makes the trek expensive.

Despite being expensive, the services at the lodges and hotels en route are excellent. You can enjoy the quality service that comes with the cost.

It's always better to purchase your trekking gear rather than hiring. However, you can also employ trekking gear from different stores in Thamel.

Owning your gear helps you fit perfectly. Also, if you plan further trekking, you can use the same equipment repeatedly. Furthermore, even during damage, you don't need to pay compensation charges.

As trekking gears are costly, buying proper equipment all at once can be expensive. Nepali trekking gears are also much improved with the adoption of the latest making technologies.

One of the decent trekking gear manufacturers in Nepal is Aroan Nepal. Their gears are the best among Nepali manufacturers and are also affordable.

You can always find the best hotel that matches your budget while living in Kathmandu. You can get hotels at cheap rates with adequate facilities like internet, hot showers, breakfasts, meals, etc.

Hotels at Thamel and nearby places offer secured luggage storage. If you're in Nepal for weeks-long trekking, you can always leave the baggage in the hotels in Kathmandu.

However, the hotels may/may not ask for service charges.