Nepal, a Himalayan country is a landlocked nation which lies between India and China. It borders China in the north and India in the south, east and west. Kathmandu is the capital and also the largest city of the country. It is a land of Yaks and Yetis, UNESCO world heritage sites, the world famous Sherpas along with some of the best known trekking trails in the world.

The coverage of a total of 147,181 square kilometers makes the country the 94th largest nation by area. Located in the Himalayas as well as partially in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Nepal is the 49th largest country by population. With a diverse geography counting the fertile plains and sub-alpine woody hills, Nepal has eight among the world’s 14 tallest mountains namely Mt. Everest at 8,848m (29,028 feet), which is the highest point on earth. Nepal is primarily a multi-ethnic country and the official language used in this country is Nepali.

Nepal is best known for being the land of the highest peak in the world, Mt. Everest as well as the birth place of Lord Buddha, the pioneer of Buddhist religion. Eight among the world’s 14 tallest mountain peaks are located in this naturally beautiful country. With the identification of more than one thousand peaks above 6000 meters/19,685 feet, Nepal has been the focus of outstanding achievements in the world of peak climbing expeditions and incredible trekking journeys.

Trekking in Nepal in Nepal Himalayas offers astounding mountain views and an opportunity to take a glimpse into the life and culture of mountainous people. By and large, Nepal is known for adventurous journeys such as Everest Base Camp trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Island Peak Climbing, Mera Peak Climbing, and Mt. Everest expedition. Wildlife Safari, White-Water Rafting, Cultural Tours, Multi Activity Tours, Family Holidays and pilgrimage tours like Kailash Mansarovar Yatra are other attractions in Nepal.

We also offer tours & treks for Solo women traveler or women group/s. Please check the details in https://www.thehimalayantrips.com/destinations/nepal/nepal-trips-for-women-travelers

Although Nepal is relatively a very small country, it has been dealing out as a spectacular host to a varied array of landscapes that rises from 200m / 656 feet in the south to the top of the world at 8,848m / 29,028 feet in the north. Nepal is a country where divine beings unite with the mortals. Glorious temples, unruffled monasteries and historical monuments are found almost on every street on every turn. If a tourist visits Nepal for the first time for trekking in the Himalayas, the second visit would definitely be accountable to the hospitable people and their distinctive culture.

Trekking in Nepal because of the picturesque mountain scenery and great hiking trails on the Everest Base Camp trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek or Annapurna Circuit Trek is probably the most popular reason why travelers visit Nepal. Along with trekking, it is also climbing small snow peaks such as Island Peak Climbing or Mera Peak Climbing and summiting Mt. Everest that brings visitors to Nepal.

Nepal’s startling beauty in Pokhara with its pristine air and the stunning backdrop of the snowy peaks of the Annapurna range is another reason why you should visit Nepal. The lake city with breathtaking lakes such as Phewa Lake, Begnas Lake and Rupa Lake add to the reason. Wildlife, diverse culture, vegetation, and ecosystem are abundant in Nepal. The national parks of Chitwan and Bardia encompass lowland tropical jungles and grasslands with a rich variety of wildlife. The ancient culture and the conventional architectural beauty of Kathmandu is another good reason to travel to Nepal. Cultural tours and visit to the temples scattered around the country, wildlife safari outing, river rafting or paragliding, Nepal has so much of the adventurous activities to offer for all age groups. Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu and Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha are the epitomes of religious affection in Nepal.

Nepal can be entered by two ways: air and land.

By air:
Nepal has Three international airports: Kathmandu, Bhairawa, and Pokhara. Currently, Pokhara airport does not handle international flights. However, there are a few flights to Bhairawa from few countries. The main international airport in Nepal is Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), located in Kathmandu. You can search TIA airport to book your International flight.

By land:
There are multiple land entry points along the borders of Nepal, India, and China. These entry points include Kakarvitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalganj, Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar, and Kerung(china border).

To get a Nepal visa, you may either visit the Nepalese Diplomatic Missions in your home country or you can get your visa on arrival at the International Airport in Kathmandu.

For most nationalities, there is a provision for visa on arrival, so kindly check before flying to Nepal whether you are eligible to get your visa on arrival. When you land at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, you need to fill in an arrival card and have your photo taken at one of the automatic registration machines – to save time, you can do this online in advance (this must be done less than 15 days before you arrive). If you leave it till you land in Kathmandu, expect the process to take over an hour, with lots of queuing.

Once the paperwork is filed, you must then pay a visa fee of US$30 for 15 days (multiple entry), US$50 for 30 days (multiple entry), or US$125 for 90 days (multiple entry) at the payment counter. Children under the age of 10 do not need to pay for their tourist visas unless they are US citizens. Payment is accepted in a variety of major currencies but it’s advisable to bring small bills. Finally, head to the immigration desk with your arrival form, payment receipt and passport, and enjoy Nepal!

If you are traveling by road from India, you can get your visa from the immigration office at any of the entry points of Nepal.

The visa on arrival is available for citizens of most countries. The visa fee depends on the length of your stay in Nepal.

The visa on arrival is valid for a maximum of 90 days, and it can be extended for up to 150 days at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu, and other immigration offices as well.

It's important to note that some nationalities (Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Swaziland, Syria, and Zimbabwe) are not eligible for a visa on arrival in Nepal, and they need to apply for a visa at a Nepalese embassy or consulate.

A passport and photocopy with a minimum validity of 6 Months (180 Days). Your valid passport must also contain at least one blank visa page in it.

One recent photograph: A passport size (2x2 Inches) colored photograph with white background must be glued on the right-hand side of each application.

Visa Fee Valid till now
US$ 30 for 15 Days,
US$ 50 for 30 Days and
US$ 125 for 90 Days

Autumn and spring are considered the best seasons for trekking and climbing in Nepal. These seasons offer pleasant weather and clear skies, making them ideal for outdoor activities.

Winter, as well as autumn and spring months, are also great times for leisure tours, wildlife safaris, culture tours, and foothill trekking below 3,000m/9,850ft. However, it’s important to note that winters can be quite harsh in some areas.

Summer or monsoon months can also be a good time to visit Nepal for certain activities. City tours, volunteering work, and cultural tours can be enjoyed during these months. Some areas of Nepal fall under the ‘rain-shadow’ regions where the monsoon is much lighter, making summer a good time to travel to these areas.

Overall, the best season to visit Nepal will depend on your interests and the activities you want to do. It’s important to plan your trip accordingly to make the most of your time in this beautiful country.

Yes, there is a tourist police in Nepal. There are several tourist police stations in the Kathmandu Valley. But also in Lukla, the airstrip in the Everest Region, in a few villages in the Annapurna region, in Lumbini near the Indian border.

The emergency number is: 1144

For all locations and more information about the tourist police, please visit cid.nepalpolice.gov.np.

It is also a good idea to ensure that your routine vaccinations, such as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP), are up to date before traveling to Nepal.

Again, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or a travel health specialist for personalized advice on vaccinations and other health-related precautions to take before traveling to Nepal.

Nepal is a multilingual country and Nepali is the official language spoken by the majority of the population. It is a language of the Indo-Aryan group and is closely related to Hindi and other Indian languages. Nepali is spoken as the first language by more than half of the population and it is the lingua franca of the country.

Apart from Nepali, there are more than 120 languages spoken in Nepal. Some of the other major languages spoken in Nepal are (Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Newari, Magar, Rai, Limbu, Gurung, and Sherpa.) These languages are mostly spoken by ethnic minorities living in different parts of the country.

English is also widely spoken in Nepal, particularly in urban areas, as it is the language of education and business. Many people in the tourism industry also speak English, making it relatively easy for foreigners to communicate and travel around the country. Also other international languages such as Spanish, French, Italian and few others are also spoken.

It is absolutely possible to get new mobile sim card in Kathmandu or in any other cities. Ncell and Nepal Telecom are two renowned tele-operators facilitating us with providing sim card on easy process with same day activation. You need to carry two recent passport size color photo and a copy of your passport. You can even buy sim card on arrival in the airport at arrival terminal.

If you have activated international roaming in your simcard then there is possible to get connection as network coverage is quite good in urban areas and while there may be poor connection in rural or mountain region.

The number of days to spend in Nepal is totally based on the activities that you have on your bucket list. If you travel to Nepal to see the natural and cultural delights, at least 7 to 5 days of time is an ideal holiday. During this period, you will be able to witness the cultural richness and the natural spends of Pokhara and Kathmandu. If you wish to do an easy trek and get into the Himalayan arena, then you should plan for at least 10 days. Similarly if you wish to embark upon longer trekking, climbing or multi activity tour in Nepal, then it is recommended to keep aside at least 14 to 20 days for your vacation break.

Foreign currency and credit cards are widely accepted in Nepal, and visitors can use them for various transactions.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at authorized money changers or banks in Nepal. Visitors can exchange US Dollars, Euros, British Pounds, and other major currencies. The exchange rate may vary depending on the currency and the service provider. Visitors should keep the exchange receipt with them, as they may need it when exchanging the remaining Nepalese Rupees back to their home currency. It is also important to note that the exchange of certain currencies such as Indian Rupees and Chinese Yuan is restricted in Nepal. Raj Bala Treks & Expedition helps exchanging the money and provides good rates for exchange as well.

Major credit cards such as Visa Card, Master Card, and American Express are widely accepted in Nepal, especially in hotels, restaurants, and shops. However, visitors should note that some establishments may charge an additional fee for using credit cards. Visitors should also check with their credit card issuer regarding any foreign transaction fees or exchange rate charges. It is recommended to keep a record of credit card transactions and receipts for future reference. (Bank charges 4% tax for swiping the credit cards)

Traveler's cheques are not widely used in Nepal, and only a few banks and money changers may accept them. Visitors should ensure that their traveler's cheques are in the major currencies such as US Dollars, Euros, or British Pounds, and they should also carry a valid ID and a passport when exchanging them. It is recommended to use cash credit cards or debit cards or online banking transactions.

In summary, visitors can exchange foreign currency at authorized money exchangers or banks, withdraw Nepalese Rupees using ATMs, use major credit cards for transactions, and carry traveler's cheques with caution. Visitors should also ensure they comply with the customs declaration requirements when entering Nepal.

In the city areas such as Kathmandu, Pokhara or Chitwan we will offer you a choice of hotels, depending on your requirements and your budget, we have a wide range of options and can discuss these with you. In the trekking areas we use the local lodges/tea houses/homestays if required we will arrange for all necessary camping equipment. Most properties in the trekking areas are simple with basic facilities. We use those we know to be the best offering in terms of comfort, food and facilities.

There are also available luxury lodges in more popular trekking area such as Everest Trekking Region and Annapurna Trekking Region. If you want us to book your accommodation in these lodges kindly let us know we will arrange it accordingly.

Everest and Annapurna regions are the two world-class trekking areas in Nepal. Apart from these, there are numerous trekking options in Nepal depending on various factors such as number of trekking days, grade of trekking, popularity, wilderness or remote-area trekking and so on. For example, if you are considering avoiding crowded trails, we highly recommend beautiful wilderness treks such as Manaslu Trek, Kopra Ridge Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, Tsum Valley Trek or Nar Phu Valley Trek.

Read the comparison between Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Everest Base Camp Trek.

"Grading" is a term used for rating trekking trips based on difficulty. Based on our experience, we have divided the trekking into four types, named Easy, Moderate, Difficult and Strenuous- the challenge in terms of both technicality and geography increases as we move higher in that order. Thus, Easy & Moderate Treks can be suitable for all while Strenuous and Difficult Treks are meant only for those who have certain experience and capability.

This can help you choose a trek or climb especially in the Himalayan Region that best suits your fitness level and experience. Please keep in mind that this is a general guide only. A variety of factors, including weather, may add to the challenge.

The terms hiking, trekking and mountain climbing are all similar in the sense that you go out and walk in nature. But, there are certain significant dissimilarities between them. The easiest amongst them is hiking which means walking on well-marked trails of easy to moderate difficulty. The duration of hiking usually ranges from half-day, full-day up to two days. Hiking does not require climbing skills or any specific equipment.

Likewise, trekking is a multi-day hike with long hours of walking up and down in the high mountains above 3000 m with difficulty level somewhere between hiking and mountaineering. Trekking also does not require technical skills and deep knowledge.

Mountain climbing or mountaineering is a technical adventure requiring high technical skills, climbing gears and a good fitness level. Among the three, mountaineering is by far the most challenging as it involves walking on steep sides of the rock, snow, and icy mountain terrains. It requires having an experience of high altitude walk, rock climbing, technical skills of handling gears such as crampons, ice-axe and pinpoint navigations. Mountaineering is a more technical variation of trekking that takes climbers to higher peaks that are over 5000 m.

On all our Nepal Trekking trips the accommodation is in lodges for the whole of the trek. On peak climbs there are a number of days around summit day where you will be camping.

The standard of accommodation still varies hugely but on the most popular routes there is generally plenty of clean, well kept accommodation. Lodges nearly all have inside toilets and for a modest fee you can even get a warm(ish) shower. Rooms are normally twin shares with two pretty hard wooden beds and a thin foam mattress. They may even provide blankets but we would certainly recommend bringing your own good quality 4 season sleeping bag unless you are used to sleeping rough in freezing conditions.

Dining in the lodges will be in a large open room with tables round the outside. Our guides try to make sure we secure you a spot away from the door and nearer to the fire but can't always guarantee this.

There are now a small but increasing number of "luxury lodges" - these are not on a par with a normal 3 star hotel but they will have heating, en-suite bathrooms and other home comforts. Upgraded accommodation can be provided on request and subject to availability on private treks only.

Yes, you can change the lodge if you feel it is not in order by consulting with your guide, (provided there are other lodges with better rooms in your trekking area).

Most of the villages/guesthouses/lodges in trekking trails have telephones services. They provide the WIFI service with some extra charge which helps to get updated with social Medias, friends or family. All our guides carry the local mobile phone. You can use his or her mobile phone to make any local or international call from trekking trails by paying him directly. You can even pass him number to be connected with your family or friends.

We highly recommend taking local SIM card for call and internet services during trekking. Local SIM cards are easily available in many stores and in airport. You need to provide two copies of your photographs and your passport copy to get local SIM CARDS of NCELL & NTC (only these two companies provide telephone services in Nepal).

The standard voltage of electricity in Nepal is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. If the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 & 240 V, as it would be in the UK, Europe, Australia, and most of Asia and Africa, you can use your electric or electronic appliances in Nepal without a converter. However, if the standard voltage in your country is n between 100 & 127 V, as it would be in the US, Canada and most South American countries, then you will need a voltage converter before using your appliances. If you are not sure about the voltage thing, you can check on your appliance where you will find a label. If the label states something like “INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz, your appliance can be used in any of the countries in the world.

The power plugs and sockets used in Nepal are of type C, D and M, usually with three round pins with either small or large pin sizes. Type C is known as the standard Euro plug which also works with plug E and plug F. Type D sockets are mainly used in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and many African countries and it works only with plug D. Type M is same as type D but has larger pins and it works only with plug M.

We are members of the Nepal Mountaineering Association and all our guides have passed the "Basic Mountaineering Course". All our guides also have annual first aid training and specialized training in managing altitude sickness.

For peak climbing, our guides have as a minimum, passed the NMA's "Advanced Mountaineering Course" and most of them are qualified as members of the International Federation of Mountain Guides (IFMGA), this is the highest standard of guide qualification worldwide.

Each morning of a trekking day begins with an early morning tea or coffee as early as 5 or 5.30am in your bed. The teahouse will provide you hot water for washing and freshening up and after breakfast you will pack your belongings.

Generally, you will start trekking at around 7 or 7.30 am, but on certain days and areas, you may have to begin trekking bit earlier. One of the main reasons to begin trekking early in the morning is to avoid too much activity in the mid-day heat, reach your next destination early and get ample rest for next day’s trek. Also, in the morning time you will be able to catch up with clear weather and best views of the surroundings. You will stop for tea after a couple of hours of trekking and then again stop for lunch at a teahouse en route at around 12 noon or 1 pm depending on the pace of your hiking ability.

Mountain-wind in the afternoon may make you feel cold during cloudy weather. So, during lunch don’t forget to take out your windproof jacket and warm hat from the luggage. The porter may not always walk along with you; he may be much ahead towards the next destination. After walking for 5 to 6 or 7 hours, you will reach the next stoppage to rest for the night.

You will have plenty of time to explore the local surroundings or lie back at your room at the teahouse and read books or play card games with your guides and porters, or even sing and dance to the local tune with other trekkers and their group. However, if you want to just relax, you may get connected with your friends, share photos on Facebook or Instagram or update your travel diaries. Dinner will be ready between 6 and 7 pm and you will eat in the heated communal room that is warm enough. There is nothing else to do for long after dinner as it gets colder. So before retiring, your trek leader or guide will brief you about the next day’s wake up time and hiking program.

Private groups are the groups who travel independently, or with friends, families & colleagues. They either customize or choose any of the trips at their own convenient timeframe for any number of people (minimum 1 & maximum 50 at a time).

Group trips are ‘fixed departure trips’, and travelers are likely to join people from different countries of any age group except minors. The size of the group varies. Minimum no of persons required to operate a trip is 2 and the maximum number is 12.

To few trekkers when they do trekking over 3000m, they might feel some influence of altitude sicknesses like dizziness, shortness of breath, diarrhea, sprains, and muscle aches, and possibly a light headache which are fairly in common. In these cases, our guide who is skilled in the first-aid treatment and high altitude sickness will instruct you about any health requirements and also take care of you. Altitude sickness is dangerous but it can also be avoidable, if you follow some simple rules, it can be avoided, and will not suffer from altitude sickness.

The Rules are to trek slowly and do not exhaust yourself, drink at least three liters of water each day, and if you feel some kind of symptoms of altitude sickness, inform your guide and take rest immediately. If it goes worse and cannot be avoided, immediately consult with your guide and try to go down rather than going up. However, our rescue team is up-to-date for any emergency evacuation or Helicopter rescue if required. But, Helicopter rescue is costly and we recommend all trekkers do travel insurance covering all the Chopper evacuation and medical expenses.

There is no problem at all with asthma sufferers trekking in Nepal. If your asthma is triggered by pollution or dust, you may find that your condition improves in the clean air of the Himalayas. However, if cold temperatures are a trigger, your symptoms may become worse. There is some great information on the Asthma Society website - which would be worth reading. However, it's always best to speak to your doctor about the trip, as your travel insurer may also require medical approval.

In this type of situation, we always refer our clients back to their doctors, as they are the only people in a position to judge whether the trek should be attempted given their medical condition. We do not take any qualified medics on our treks. Our guides are only certified First Aid responders, and trained in identifying and managing AMS (altitude sickness).

We would only be able to allow you to trek with us under the following conditions:

Most of the villages/guesthouses/lodges in trekking trails have telephones services. They provide the WIFI service with some extra charge which helps to get updated with social Medias, friends or family. All our guides carry the local mobile phone. You can use his mobile phone to make any local or international call from trekking trails by paying him directly. You can even pass him number to be connected with your family or friends.

We highly recommend taking local SIM card for call and internet services during trekking. Local SIM cards are easily available in many stores and in airport. You need to provide two copies of your photographs and your passport copy to get local SIM CARDS of NCELL & NTC (only these two companies provide telephone services in Nepal).