Yatra Himalaya respects the working conditions as defined by “All Nepal Trekking, Travels and Rafting Workers Union”, the labor union of the porters, guides and cooks which include weight carried by porters, walking stages, accommodation, equipment and wages of the employees.
Equipment provided by Yatra Himalaya
- Tents for two people and individual foam mattresses
- Kitchenware and cutleries
- Dining and toilet tents
Mountaineers and trekkers are expected to bring their own sleeping bags and personal belongings.
All equipment and luggage are carried by porters.
Insurance:
Porters as well as the team members of Yatra Himalaya are adequately covered.
Clients are expected to be covered by their own insurance.
Grade:
Trekking in Nepal requires a normal level of physical fitness. Unlike mountaineering, trekkers are not exposed to any technical difficulties. The walking time is usually around 5-6h and is planned to give enough time to tourists to visit the region.
Our itineraries are categorized according to the level of difficulty and the walking time. The options are:
- Easy: Altitude usually below 3500m. 4 to 5h walk per day.
- Moderate: Altitude up to 3500 – 4000m. Progressive or steep climbing (500 – 700m per day). 5 to 6h walk per day.
- Strenuous: Altitude up to 5000m. Progressive or steep climbing (500 –900m per day). 6 to 7h walk per day. Sometimes rough or snowy trails.
- Strenuous+: Altitude above 5000m. Progressive or steep climbing (up to 1000m per day). Up to 7-8h or more walk per day. Basic experience in mountaineering is required and trekkers must be able to use climbing gear such as crampons, ice axes and rope.
Tips:
Although not mandatory, it is the usage to give tips to the team at the end of the trek/trip. There is not limitation however the tip depends on the length and the difficulty of the circuit. As an indication, for a two week trek the tip for each porter should be about 30$ (25€) and 40$ (30€) for a three week trek.
Clothes, tennis shoes, pens, notebooks etc, are also much appreciated.
Belongings used for the city:
It is possible to leave personal belongings that will not be used during the trek in the hotel in Kathmandu .
Electricity:
Voltage: 220 V with frequent breaks. Universal adapter is required. However, it should be kept in mind that the majority of the villages have no electricity.
Possible change in program
Even during the dry season, good weather can never be guaranteed therefore flights can be delayed and even cancelled due to weather conditions. Similarly, landslide or bus breakdown may require the guide to change the program.
It should also be reminded that most local transportation services are not very punctual.
Water:
In the cities as well as during the trek, water (including tap water) requires to be treated with purification tablets.
Vegetables and Fruits:
Raw vegetable or fruits should be washed with treated water or cooked before consumption.
Nepal
Nepal is a democratic republic bordered to the north by China (Tibet) and to the south and west by India and by Sikkim to east. The country is about 880 km long east-west and its breath varies between 145 to 240 km north-south. Climatically, it varies between tropical and alpine depending on the altitude.
Visa
A visa is required for all foreigners except Indian citizens. It can be obtained either at the Nepal embassy in your own country or at Kathmandu airport (you need two passport photos and a passport valid until six months after your return). The visa fees are 40$ or 35€ for 30 days.
The Immigration Department of Kathmandu or Pokhara can extend the visa for another 30 days (50$ or 40€). The visa can be extended up to 120 days and, an additional 30 day visa may be granted for justified reasons nevertheless, the total length of a tourist visa cannot exceed 150 cumulative days.
Travel in Nepal
Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu is the only international airport in Nepal. TIA has direct air link to many foreign cities.
The best time to visit Nepal is between September to November and February to May, outside the monsoon period.
Language
Although there are more than 70 different spoken languages in Nepal, official national language is Nepali. It is written in Devnagri Script. This script is the same as the one used in Hindi, the national language of India.
Basic Nepalese customs
Namaste or Namaskar is used for greetings together with a gesture: join your palms together and bring them close to your chest at about 6 inches (15cm) below your chin. The word Namaste has many meanings such as Hello, How are you? I am glad to see you! Nice to meet you. Good morning, etc.
What you should know:
- Take off your shoes before entering a temple or one’s home
- Ask for permission before entering a Hindu temple
- Taking photographs inside the most temples are considered illegal
- Ask for permission before taking photographs of people or objects.
- Nepali people are friendly by nature and they appreciate when people show them their interest.
Time
Nepali time is GMT/UTC plus 5h 45m.
Currency
The currency is the Nepalese or Nepali Rupee (Rs or NRs). One Rs equals 100 Paisas. Currently, banknotes of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 2, and 1 Rs are used.
Coins are not popular in Nepal and are almost always ignored in business. There are coins of 1, 5, 10 and 50 paisa and 1, 2 and 5 Rs. It is recommended to travel with banknotes of small value in less populated areas where high value banknotes are not easily accepted and keep the higher values for touristic areas.
ATM and credit cards
Yes, in Kathmandu and Pokhara. International credit cards (Master Card, Visa Card etc) are also accepted in all leading hotels, shopping centers, bars and restaurants.
Cell phone
Contact your service provider and check if Nepal is included in their `Global roaming’ package. Please note that not all regions of Nepal are covered by the GSM Network in Nepal.
Nepal country code: 977
Kathmandu City Code: 1 (e.g. 977 1 4021890 KTM).
Health requirements
Nepal does not require any specific immunization for visitors. It is however best to take advice from your doctor before your departure to Nepal.