Frequently Asked Questions
tell me about nepal
Nepal has a diverse cultural landscape with 101 different ethnic groups, most of which practice Hinduism and Buddhism. Some of these ethnic groups are Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung, Magar, Shakya, Newar, Tharu, Chettri, Bahun and Brahmin. There are close to 28 million people living in 56,830 square miles of land, which is about equivalent to the size of Arkansas. Most of Nepal is still very rural, and mountainous, which makes it very difficult to build roads, airports, and other infrastructures. Due to the extremely mountainous terrain, being landlocked, and Nepal's poor government, the country suffers from a poor economic environment, and needs improvements in roads, electricity, hospitals, buildings, financial, agriculture, and education systems. Despite these poverties, Nepal is home to eight of the highest mountains in the world and it offers the world’s best mountain climbing and majestic views. People in Nepal are friendly, loyal, optimistic, hospitable and welcoming with a rich heritage and traditions. The English language is quite common, however, most of the Nepalese speak broken English. The men are seen as the main breadwinners of the household and women as the housewives. Generally, Nepalese people are shy but very thoughtful, considerate and helpful. There is a very strong family-oriented culture in Nepal where most of the family members live together in the same house and are very close with day-to-day lives. Most Nepalese are very social and they often gather with a big group of people to celebrate many different occasions.
communication
The best way to contact someone in Nepal is by using international calling cards recommended for Nepal, and by internet. Email is easily accessible in Kathmandu and you can readily make a call from almost anywhere in Kathmandu at a very reasonable charge. To make a call from USA to Nepal, you have to dial 011-977-1 before the local number; make sure you do not use the operator by dialing 0 in the USA or your phone bill will be very expensive. To make a call from Nepal to USA, dial 00-1-area code and then the local phone number. You can buy a cell phone at a reasonable price (around Rs. 2000), and then buy prepaid minutes. Most of the Verizon phones will not work in Nepal, but anything that can have sim card will work. If you are planning to bring a laptop or battery recharger for your camera or other things, you will need a voltage converter which you can buy in outdoor travel stores in America or in Kathmandu. Nepal's Electricity is 220 Volt and 50 MHZ (50 Cycles per Second). The electric plug is two or three round prongs, but flat prongs as found in the United States or in other countries. If your electronics use 110 Volt 60 MHZ electricity, you will need a voltage converter. Nepal's availability of electricity is not consistent. Voltage fluctuation is very common and it is advised that you use a robust power surge protector for your electronics. Nepal does not produce enough electricity so there are seasons when power may be disrupted for hours - they call it load shedding. Keep in touch with local newspapers or your hotel reception about the hours power may be off. Also, Nepal's electricity goes on and off randomly all the time. If you are working on the computers found in the hotels, make sure they have UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) otherwise save your work often. Most hotels, including our family’s home, have back-up power and you may be able to use internet at various cyber cafes if they have back up power. Our family’s lodging facility also comes with an access to high speed cable internet. There are also lots of solar units used in Nepal to heat hot water and generate other power. Electricity in trekking areas is limited and inconsistent so it is always great idea to have a flash light or headlamp at all times. During your travel in Nepal please conserve energy by using only needed water, limiting fuels, and turning off lights when you leave your room.
Payment/currency
There are two ways of making payments to us:
In USA: by mailing checks, pay pal, money orders, bank checks or by handing cash or check in person
In Nepal: by paying cash in US dollars, Nepalese currency or travelers check. We accept domestic and international wire transfers depending on the group size and amount. Please make check payable to US Sherpa International LLC. We prefer that you pay directly to Nima & Neema Treks in the form of US currency if you are using our travel services in Nepal such as airport pick-up/drop-off, lodging/meals, trekking, laundry and other services. However if you are part of a guided trip, we prefer that you pay us in the United States. We are flexible in making other arrangements depending on each situation.
We suggest that each traveler bring a bank debit card and cash. You may bring travelers checks to Nepal as well, however you will need your passport to cash it, and most financial institutions will charge a small fee. The bank operating an ATM machines may also charge a small fee to take cash out and your bank in the USA may charge a small fee as well. You will use the same pin number that you use in your home countries to take out cash and your money will be converted into Nepalese currency. There is also a limit on the amount of withdrawal per day on ATM machine in Nepal. The limit is between Rs. 10,000 to Rs.20,000 depending on each bank’s ATM policy so do not wait until the last minute to withdraw large amounts of cash. Another problem that you may run into is oftentimes ATM machines run out of cash. It is best to use the direct service at banks to withdraw cash. When traveling to Nepal, please bring new bills in mostly large denominations as they may not accept old or ripped bills. You can bring less than $10,000 in cash without declaring it at the US Customs. We suggest that you notify your bank about your travel dates and if you have to use your credit cards, use only in the reputable or major businesses. Normally US $1=Rs. 80, please check with the bank for current daily exchange rates.
In USA: by mailing checks, pay pal, money orders, bank checks or by handing cash or check in person
In Nepal: by paying cash in US dollars, Nepalese currency or travelers check. We accept domestic and international wire transfers depending on the group size and amount. Please make check payable to US Sherpa International LLC. We prefer that you pay directly to Nima & Neema Treks in the form of US currency if you are using our travel services in Nepal such as airport pick-up/drop-off, lodging/meals, trekking, laundry and other services. However if you are part of a guided trip, we prefer that you pay us in the United States. We are flexible in making other arrangements depending on each situation.
We suggest that each traveler bring a bank debit card and cash. You may bring travelers checks to Nepal as well, however you will need your passport to cash it, and most financial institutions will charge a small fee. The bank operating an ATM machines may also charge a small fee to take cash out and your bank in the USA may charge a small fee as well. You will use the same pin number that you use in your home countries to take out cash and your money will be converted into Nepalese currency. There is also a limit on the amount of withdrawal per day on ATM machine in Nepal. The limit is between Rs. 10,000 to Rs.20,000 depending on each bank’s ATM policy so do not wait until the last minute to withdraw large amounts of cash. Another problem that you may run into is oftentimes ATM machines run out of cash. It is best to use the direct service at banks to withdraw cash. When traveling to Nepal, please bring new bills in mostly large denominations as they may not accept old or ripped bills. You can bring less than $10,000 in cash without declaring it at the US Customs. We suggest that you notify your bank about your travel dates and if you have to use your credit cards, use only in the reputable or major businesses. Normally US $1=Rs. 80, please check with the bank for current daily exchange rates.
How do I get there?
From the eastern United States, you can fly from bigger cities like New York, Boston, and Washington DC to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, New Delhi, and Doha, and then on to Kathmandu. You can take similar routes if you live in the western United States. Please check with the Indian Embassy or airlines before flying into India as they may require a visa if you go beyond the Indian Immigration, and to go outside the airport. However, you do not need a visa if you stay at the Airport Transit area. You do need to show your ticket to Nepal to airline staff, and after getting confirmation from airline staff, they can bring you to the transit area. Once you arrive at the Kathmandu Airport, you have to fill-out an arrival card inside the airport terminal and then you proceed to a line for non-Nepalese citizens, or tourists where you have to show your passport, Nepal visa form with a photo, and pay a fee of $40 for one month. There are two ways to get a visa for Nepal: you can get a Nepal visa right at the Kathmandu airport, by filling out a form in an automated machine. However, it will be helpful if you print a form, fill it out, and print a small personal picture to place on the form ahead of arrival. If you are using our service, you can use our Kathmandu address on the visa form. For more information on getting a Nepal visa, please check out www.nepalembassyusa.org
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Your passport must be valid for AT LEAST six months after the date on which you plan to enter Nepal otherwise you could be turned away at immigration. Once you pick up your baggage, you go through Nepal Customs and then you will look out for our sherpa staff who will be holding a sign with your name. Please note that as soon as you pass through Customs, and you are out of the terminals, you will see a lot of people waiting outside. Some people might approach you and offer their help, sometimes even if you say “No”, they might still try to grab your bag, and if you are nicer and let them touch your bag, they will expect you to give them some money. Please just simply say “No” if you don’t recognize the person and if you don’t need the help. When you decide to use our service, all of the arrangements will be made in advance so that you will be picked up on time. It is only about 12 minutes drive from the airport to our lodging facility.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Your passport must be valid for AT LEAST six months after the date on which you plan to enter Nepal otherwise you could be turned away at immigration. Once you pick up your baggage, you go through Nepal Customs and then you will look out for our sherpa staff who will be holding a sign with your name. Please note that as soon as you pass through Customs, and you are out of the terminals, you will see a lot of people waiting outside. Some people might approach you and offer their help, sometimes even if you say “No”, they might still try to grab your bag, and if you are nicer and let them touch your bag, they will expect you to give them some money. Please just simply say “No” if you don’t recognize the person and if you don’t need the help. When you decide to use our service, all of the arrangements will be made in advance so that you will be picked up on time. It is only about 12 minutes drive from the airport to our lodging facility.
WHat do I bring?
We have partnered with a local store; Outdoor Gear Exchange for necessary travel gears. Make sure to mention that you are buying the gear for a Nepal trip with US Sherpa International and get 10% discount on your purchase. This gear list has been created to help you choose the proper equipment. Try to bring only what is necessary; this will help you and our staff. Domestic Flight Weight Limit in Nepal-maximum 30 lbs. Any gear that you do not want to bring with you in the trek can be left securely at the lodging site in Kathmandu.
Body
T-Shirts - 2 to 4 shirts, at least 1 short, and 1 long sleeve
Shorts - 1 to 2 pairs
Long Underwear (top & bottom) - 1 pair, made of synthetic material (no cotton blends)
Pajama Pants (comfy pants) - 1 to 2 pairs, for around the camp, or when you are resting
Underwear - 5 pairs, synthetic (no cotton blends)
Bra/Sports bra - 2 pairs, synthetic (no cotton blends)
Fleece Pullover & Pants - 1 pair, Polartec or Powerstretch tights and top
Jacket - 1 pair each, warm jacket with Down Fleece Jacket - 1 / a lighter for layering or daytime
Hiking Pants - 2 pairs, zip-off or other hiking pants, no jeans
Goretex/Waterproof Rain Parka & Pants - This is considered the outer layer (rain gear). The parka should be waterproof with hood, and pit zips. The pants will go over fleece pants or long underwear, and must be waterproof (side-zip style is optional) or Goretex Outer Layer(hard shell)
Gloves - 1 pair of liners/light gloves
Head
Hats - During the day you’ll need a 1 sun hat with a brim to protect your face from intense sun, and at night a fleece, or wool hat for warmth.
Sunglasses with strap - 1 pair of good sunglass, or glacier glasses
Headlamp - 1 / Bring extra batteries (lithium batteries recommended). Headlamp must be bright enough to see at night or incase of emergency. Small flash light is also useful.
Feet
Hiking Boots - 1 pair of medium weight hiking boots, well broken in and waterproofed and proven not to give your feet any blisters. Don’t bring old worn out boots that don’t have good soles, or broken shoelaces.
Camp Footwear - 1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of sandals, or flip flop, or crocs
Socks - 5 pairs of socks made of synthetic materials or wool blend. Next to the skin, some people like thin polyester or polypropylene socks to transport perspiration from the foot to the outer socks.
Personal Equipment
Sleeping Bag – Down bag with hood rated to 0 degrees F or less. If you don’t already own a sleeping bag we suggest purchasing a down bag because of weight.
Fanny Pack /Money belt-this should be very useful to carry your important belonging around your waist
Water Bottles - Two bottles/We prefer wide mouth 32 oz. Nalgene brand. Camelback type hydration system, only for hikes, not on mountain, the water tube can freeze sometime at night.
Medicine/Tablets: water treatment tablets or drops, ibuprofen or Tylenol for headache and other minor pain like cough, sore throat, vomit and zantac, tums for upset or acidic stomach and diarehea tablets
Energy/Cliff bars, Candy(chocolates), Energy Gel/Gu and Trail Mix-these are for personal use(snack food) and they stay in your pack during hike so put somewhere it is easily accessible
Bandana - 2 / since there isn’t a lot of toilet paper to go around we can use your Bandanna to blow your nose. Also is good to hear as a neck over for sunburn, and over mouth for dust.
Sunscreen & Lip Protection - 1 tube of sunscreen and 2 chapsticks, both SPF 30 and not older than 6 months/You should carry these with you during the day.
Camp Towel - 1, medium to small size quick dry towel/This will be for drying after wash or showering during trek
Hydration Mix - Purchase something like Gatorade or other powder drink mix to put into your drinking water while on trek.
Toiletries - Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, dental floss, lotion, fingernail clippers(optional), etc. Women must remember to bring sanitary napkins or tampons. Your toiletries should all fit into a small kit. Don’t bring large bottles of shampoo or other items, you can purchase small size bottle specifically for travel use. If you’re traveling on this trip with a friend, it is then possible to share things like toothpaste and sunscreen.
Toilet Paper – You can buy this in Katmandu. Hotels will have toilet paper, but during the trek it’s nice to have a couple of soft rolls. (Keep in zip-lock bag)
Ear Plugs - 2 pair / Good for blocking out barking dogs or a snoring tent mate
Trekking Poles - One pair telescopic poles with baskets at the bottomWaterless
Hand Cleaner/Sanitizer optional
Camera - If you’re thinking of purchasing a new camera, try to buy one that takes double A over the counter batteries, not rechargeable ones (during trek you can charge batteries in Namche, but it will cost you).
Books, Walkman/Ipod, Journal, Cards, - On all treks there will be time to read, listen to music, and reflect on your day. Because of weight allowances make sure whatever you bring is lightweight and won’t break
Luggage & Backpacks
One Large Cargo/Duffel Bag w/TSA approved lock – one large 6000 cubic inch bag. All your gear should fit inside this bag. Make sure your bag has no holes or broken zippers.
One Carry on Bag-to put your important belongings during flight and when you walk around the city
One Day Pack w/rain cover - Your daypack should have some type of internal support to help carry the weight, Medium to small size back pack: just enough to put your essential gears during trek, all the other trekking gears will be carried by porters in their packs. Backpack should have places to strap on your trekking poles and for your water bottles. Your pack must fit you correctly and feel comfortable with a weight of 10 - 15 pounds. We suggest you go for a hike with some weight inside your pack to make sure it fits properly.(Optional) Compression stuff sacks - These help to maximize space one for hiking clothing, technical clothing and socks and underwear. In addition, this protects your clothing from getting that popped bottle of shampoo all over everything.
Other Things To Consider
Battery charging station - for cameras or personal electronics Plug adapter - from Nepal - 2 round peg to US - 2 flat peg Voltage converter - from Nepal 220 to US 110Altimeter Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, a change of clothing, and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
Culturally sensitive dressing tips: Women - pants or a skirt with tights underneath are fine. Tights, shorts and sports tops are not advised unless worn under other clothing.
Men - pants are best, or wear knee-length hiking shorts. Men should never go shirtless.
You may want to consider using an extra large duffel so that you have space to carry home all the great gifts and souvenirs you may be purchasing. Be sure to with your airline's baggage size and weight restrictions. Additional charges may apply if you exceed their limits. Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool or synthetics. If you like to use a hydration system while hiking, please note that you will need to also bring at least one 1-quart water bottle. Our method of water treatment involves boiling, and hydration systems may not hold up well when water is heated to high temperatures. A water bottle will give you a place to cool very hot water before it is safe to add to your hydration system's bladder. If you do not bring with you the medications that you wish to have on hand and decide to purchase medications over the counter in Kathmandu or elsewhere in Nepal, you cannot be guaranteed that the medication you are purchasing is authentic. Please consult with your travel doctor about any and all medications you may wish to have on hand and bring those medications with you to Nepal. You may find that you will not use every piece of clothing that is on this gear list. However, the list has been created to provide for the full range of weather conditions that you MAY encounter during your trek. Should the weather be unseasonably cold or wet, you will appreciate having this gear. Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding or bunching up. Make sure boots are broken-in. Bring moleskin for foot treatment. Thin liner socks worn under regular hiking socks may minimize the risk of blisters. The liner sock should be synthetic, not cotton. Test your sock combination before you go on the trip. Travel clothes, extra gear, and purchases will be left in a storage room at our Kathmandu hotel or office. Please bring a small bag, luggage tag, and a lock for this purpose. It may be difficult to obtain feminine health supplies while in Nepal. Women are advised to bring these items from home. Gifts: Trekkers are always amazed at the helpfulness of our support staff and the hospitality of the Nepalese families met along the way. Clothing or gear recently used on your trek make great gifts. Please don't bring extra gifts, as these are a burden to you and the staff while trekking.
Body
T-Shirts - 2 to 4 shirts, at least 1 short, and 1 long sleeve
Shorts - 1 to 2 pairs
Long Underwear (top & bottom) - 1 pair, made of synthetic material (no cotton blends)
Pajama Pants (comfy pants) - 1 to 2 pairs, for around the camp, or when you are resting
Underwear - 5 pairs, synthetic (no cotton blends)
Bra/Sports bra - 2 pairs, synthetic (no cotton blends)
Fleece Pullover & Pants - 1 pair, Polartec or Powerstretch tights and top
Jacket - 1 pair each, warm jacket with Down Fleece Jacket - 1 / a lighter for layering or daytime
Hiking Pants - 2 pairs, zip-off or other hiking pants, no jeans
Goretex/Waterproof Rain Parka & Pants - This is considered the outer layer (rain gear). The parka should be waterproof with hood, and pit zips. The pants will go over fleece pants or long underwear, and must be waterproof (side-zip style is optional) or Goretex Outer Layer(hard shell)
Gloves - 1 pair of liners/light gloves
Head
Hats - During the day you’ll need a 1 sun hat with a brim to protect your face from intense sun, and at night a fleece, or wool hat for warmth.
Sunglasses with strap - 1 pair of good sunglass, or glacier glasses
Headlamp - 1 / Bring extra batteries (lithium batteries recommended). Headlamp must be bright enough to see at night or incase of emergency. Small flash light is also useful.
Feet
Hiking Boots - 1 pair of medium weight hiking boots, well broken in and waterproofed and proven not to give your feet any blisters. Don’t bring old worn out boots that don’t have good soles, or broken shoelaces.
Camp Footwear - 1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of sandals, or flip flop, or crocs
Socks - 5 pairs of socks made of synthetic materials or wool blend. Next to the skin, some people like thin polyester or polypropylene socks to transport perspiration from the foot to the outer socks.
Personal Equipment
Sleeping Bag – Down bag with hood rated to 0 degrees F or less. If you don’t already own a sleeping bag we suggest purchasing a down bag because of weight.
Fanny Pack /Money belt-this should be very useful to carry your important belonging around your waist
Water Bottles - Two bottles/We prefer wide mouth 32 oz. Nalgene brand. Camelback type hydration system, only for hikes, not on mountain, the water tube can freeze sometime at night.
Medicine/Tablets: water treatment tablets or drops, ibuprofen or Tylenol for headache and other minor pain like cough, sore throat, vomit and zantac, tums for upset or acidic stomach and diarehea tablets
Energy/Cliff bars, Candy(chocolates), Energy Gel/Gu and Trail Mix-these are for personal use(snack food) and they stay in your pack during hike so put somewhere it is easily accessible
Bandana - 2 / since there isn’t a lot of toilet paper to go around we can use your Bandanna to blow your nose. Also is good to hear as a neck over for sunburn, and over mouth for dust.
Sunscreen & Lip Protection - 1 tube of sunscreen and 2 chapsticks, both SPF 30 and not older than 6 months/You should carry these with you during the day.
Camp Towel - 1, medium to small size quick dry towel/This will be for drying after wash or showering during trek
Hydration Mix - Purchase something like Gatorade or other powder drink mix to put into your drinking water while on trek.
Toiletries - Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, dental floss, lotion, fingernail clippers(optional), etc. Women must remember to bring sanitary napkins or tampons. Your toiletries should all fit into a small kit. Don’t bring large bottles of shampoo or other items, you can purchase small size bottle specifically for travel use. If you’re traveling on this trip with a friend, it is then possible to share things like toothpaste and sunscreen.
Toilet Paper – You can buy this in Katmandu. Hotels will have toilet paper, but during the trek it’s nice to have a couple of soft rolls. (Keep in zip-lock bag)
Ear Plugs - 2 pair / Good for blocking out barking dogs or a snoring tent mate
Trekking Poles - One pair telescopic poles with baskets at the bottomWaterless
Hand Cleaner/Sanitizer optional
Camera - If you’re thinking of purchasing a new camera, try to buy one that takes double A over the counter batteries, not rechargeable ones (during trek you can charge batteries in Namche, but it will cost you).
Books, Walkman/Ipod, Journal, Cards, - On all treks there will be time to read, listen to music, and reflect on your day. Because of weight allowances make sure whatever you bring is lightweight and won’t break
Luggage & Backpacks
One Large Cargo/Duffel Bag w/TSA approved lock – one large 6000 cubic inch bag. All your gear should fit inside this bag. Make sure your bag has no holes or broken zippers.
One Carry on Bag-to put your important belongings during flight and when you walk around the city
One Day Pack w/rain cover - Your daypack should have some type of internal support to help carry the weight, Medium to small size back pack: just enough to put your essential gears during trek, all the other trekking gears will be carried by porters in their packs. Backpack should have places to strap on your trekking poles and for your water bottles. Your pack must fit you correctly and feel comfortable with a weight of 10 - 15 pounds. We suggest you go for a hike with some weight inside your pack to make sure it fits properly.(Optional) Compression stuff sacks - These help to maximize space one for hiking clothing, technical clothing and socks and underwear. In addition, this protects your clothing from getting that popped bottle of shampoo all over everything.
Other Things To Consider
Battery charging station - for cameras or personal electronics Plug adapter - from Nepal - 2 round peg to US - 2 flat peg Voltage converter - from Nepal 220 to US 110Altimeter Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, a change of clothing, and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
Culturally sensitive dressing tips: Women - pants or a skirt with tights underneath are fine. Tights, shorts and sports tops are not advised unless worn under other clothing.
Men - pants are best, or wear knee-length hiking shorts. Men should never go shirtless.
You may want to consider using an extra large duffel so that you have space to carry home all the great gifts and souvenirs you may be purchasing. Be sure to with your airline's baggage size and weight restrictions. Additional charges may apply if you exceed their limits. Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool or synthetics. If you like to use a hydration system while hiking, please note that you will need to also bring at least one 1-quart water bottle. Our method of water treatment involves boiling, and hydration systems may not hold up well when water is heated to high temperatures. A water bottle will give you a place to cool very hot water before it is safe to add to your hydration system's bladder. If you do not bring with you the medications that you wish to have on hand and decide to purchase medications over the counter in Kathmandu or elsewhere in Nepal, you cannot be guaranteed that the medication you are purchasing is authentic. Please consult with your travel doctor about any and all medications you may wish to have on hand and bring those medications with you to Nepal. You may find that you will not use every piece of clothing that is on this gear list. However, the list has been created to provide for the full range of weather conditions that you MAY encounter during your trek. Should the weather be unseasonably cold or wet, you will appreciate having this gear. Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding or bunching up. Make sure boots are broken-in. Bring moleskin for foot treatment. Thin liner socks worn under regular hiking socks may minimize the risk of blisters. The liner sock should be synthetic, not cotton. Test your sock combination before you go on the trip. Travel clothes, extra gear, and purchases will be left in a storage room at our Kathmandu hotel or office. Please bring a small bag, luggage tag, and a lock for this purpose. It may be difficult to obtain feminine health supplies while in Nepal. Women are advised to bring these items from home. Gifts: Trekkers are always amazed at the helpfulness of our support staff and the hospitality of the Nepalese families met along the way. Clothing or gear recently used on your trek make great gifts. Please don't bring extra gifts, as these are a burden to you and the staff while trekking.
Where will I be staying?
Trek lodging is much different than the lodging facility in Kathmandu due to the remoteness of the area. That’s why you will find limited access to day to day things like electricity, television, telephone, hot water, bathroom, heater/fan or air condition, food and many other things. Our trek lodging can be two different types: one is for Tea House Trek where you would be sleeping at small lodges and guest houses and the other one is Camping Trek where you would sleep in the tents. Even though bedding, mattress and other supply is provided by small lodges, we highly recommend that you bring your own sleeping bag. Please note that generally the size of bed in Nepal is smaller than the United States and most of the lodges in trekking tend to be smaller, like four to ten rooms. Some lodges might have the bathroom inside the building and some might have outside, this is when the headlamp becomes very useful.Not all the lodges have hot shower available and there might be an extra fee for taking a hot shower. For camping trek also, we recommend that you bring your own sleeping bag and you can bring your own tent and mattress if you prefer to do so.In the tea house trek, food is eaten at small lodges and restaurants which will be prepared and supervised by our trekking staffs and it is served three times a day. Most meals like breakfast, lunch, dinner, hot/boiled water, hot tea, hot coffee and hot chocolate are included in the trekking price. Due to the remoteness of the trekking destinations, it is likely that some food items would be hard to get so we request your cooperation and understanding. Please note that even the lodge or restaurant menu shows a lot of varieties of food, there might not be lot of ingredients available. It can also take a long time to prepare certain meals. That’s why when you are trekking all day, it is a good idea to get nutritious food that are easy to cook or make and which doesn’t take a long time to prepare. Some food items that we serve in the trekking are bread, eggs, potatoes, noodles, soups, rice dishes, vegetable and meat curries, lentil soups, pickles, peanut butter, jam, honey, pancake, butter, milk tea, instant coffee, momos, fruits, canned meat, juice and so on. Most of our offered treks are tea house style treks. Please check under our Treks home page to find out more about what is covered and what is not.In the camping trek, most equipment and supplies will be transported from Kathmandu to wherever the trekking destination is. It is like an expedition where we would need staffs to carry tents, camping chairs, tables, cooking pots/pans, dishes, mattresses, fuel, food and many other items. The prices for this kind of trekking tends to be higher since it requires much more logistics and support so please consult with us for details.
Do i need vaccinations?
This medical information’s source is Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. So please check out their website www.cdc.gov/travel and US Embassy, Nepal for further information www.kathmandu.usembassy.gov You can also call 1877-394-8747 or your local community hospital for further medical information.See your doctor at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect. If it is less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see your doctor. It might not be too late to get your shots or medications as well as other information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling.
The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to South Asia. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.
Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
Hepatitis B, especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
Japanese encephalitis, if you plan to visit rural farming areas and under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis.
Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in these countries, including cities. See your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to South Asia.
Rabies, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
Typhoid. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors Vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region. There have been recent reports of typhoid drug resistance in India and Nepal.As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles, and a one-time dose of polio for adults.
Required Vaccinations:None
The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to South Asia. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.
Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
Hepatitis B, especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
Japanese encephalitis, if you plan to visit rural farming areas and under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis.
Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in these countries, including cities. See your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to South Asia.
Rabies, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
Typhoid. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors Vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region. There have been recent reports of typhoid drug resistance in India and Nepal.As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles, and a one-time dose of polio for adults.
Required Vaccinations:None
Sherpa guides
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to trek in Nepal when you can see the real beauty of Nepal, and of course the Himalayas! If you are in Nepal for business or other reasons, we highly recommend that you put aside at least 5 days for trekking or other activities outside of Kathmandu. If you prefer to do an individual trek, city tour, or climbing with just a sherpa guide, we can provide a sherpa guide to help you with designing trek itineraries, arranging trek lodging, food, trekking and national park permits, and transportation. The suggested minimum tip to a sherpa guide for trekking is $14 times the number of trekking days, and $30 for a day tour around the Kathmandu valley. Please consult with us in advance regarding details and rates for hiring a sherpa guide.
Kathmandu Accomodations
We provide lodging and food service in our family’s house in Kathmandu, which is located only about 12 minutes from the Kathmandu International Airport. The house is close to famous ancient Buddhist and Hindu temples, monasteries, museums, hiking areas, major hospitals, universities, shopping centers, internet cafes, and major arts and crafts centers. Our lodging facility comes with seven clean, cozy, and comfortable rooms with hot showers and private attached clean bathrooms with a sink and mirror in most rooms. The room may house double occupancy during the busy season, based on the availability of the rooms.
Travel insurance
We recommend "Travel Select" as the right insurance plan for our trips.
US Sherpa International has partnered with Travelex Insurance Services for all our Nepal travel insurance needs. Travelex Insurance is a world leader in travel insurance and has over 55 years of experience protecting travel investments from the unknown. Having travel insurance is one of the most important components in this kind of international trips and we highly recommend that each member get protected with the travel insurance. Encountering the unexpected is often a part of travel; ranging from the inconvenient to a truly serious emergency. Travel insurance protect you from things like Trip Cancellation & Interruption, Trip Delay, Baggage & Baggage Delay, Emergency Medical Expenses, Emergency Medical Evacuation, 24 Hour AD&D, Travel Assistance & Concierge. For getting travel insurance, please click on the link below, OR call at 1800-228-9792 and make sure to use our LOCATION NUMBER 45-0013.
US Sherpa International has partnered with Travelex Insurance Services for all our Nepal travel insurance needs. Travelex Insurance is a world leader in travel insurance and has over 55 years of experience protecting travel investments from the unknown. Having travel insurance is one of the most important components in this kind of international trips and we highly recommend that each member get protected with the travel insurance. Encountering the unexpected is often a part of travel; ranging from the inconvenient to a truly serious emergency. Travel insurance protect you from things like Trip Cancellation & Interruption, Trip Delay, Baggage & Baggage Delay, Emergency Medical Expenses, Emergency Medical Evacuation, 24 Hour AD&D, Travel Assistance & Concierge. For getting travel insurance, please click on the link below, OR call at 1800-228-9792 and make sure to use our LOCATION NUMBER 45-0013.
where can I find an Application
An application form will be sent upon purchasing a trip. Along with a copy in out Helpful Information tab.