Nepal Travel Information

River Rafting Trip in Nepal features in CNN’s best list

2011-12-03T10:45:00.002+05:30

CNN has included Nepal’s white water rafting trips in its ‘15 ways to see the world on water’ list. Nepal’s rafting package features in the 9th position in the list published on Nov 23, 2011. “Participants in this epic 15-day trip start in Kathmandu, and after acclimatizing to the dizzying altitude, trek for four days through scenic mountain passes from Pokhara to their river drop-off,” CNN writes, adding, “Then you brave high-grade whitewater accompanied by a world-class expert, and camp each night on virgin river banks before reaching the splendor of Chitwan National Park.” Other water trips included in the list are Explore the pristine coves of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina), Navigate the Yangtze (China), Break Ice in the Antarctic, Ride Norway’s Coastal Steamer to the Arctic Cicle (Noorway), Cruise the Mekong Delta (Laos), Motor up the Amazon (Brazil), Sail through the Alaskan wilderness (USA), Confront giant tortoises in the Galapagos (Ecuador), Watch whales off the coast of Mexico (USA), Float through the backwaters of Kerala (India), Follow the trail of the pharaohs down the Nile (Egypt), Raft the Zembezi’s white water (Zambia), Kayak from sunset to moonlight in the Florida Keys (USA), and Follow a rare canoe trail through Botswana (Botswana).

Source: TAAN

Round Annapurna Trek

2011-11-08T19:31:00.005+05:30

This long and renowned trek has been shorten to only 9 days trek because of road construction to both sides of the circuit. Though trekkers still have the charm of adventure and panorama of western Himalaya.

- Urgen Sherpa, Trekking Guide

For more info about this trek Info about Round Annapurna Trek

Flight to and from Lukla Resumed

2011-11-07T12:58:00.005+05:30

After six days continue flight delay, domestic flight have been resumed from today. According to our local friends from Lukla, more than 10 flights flew to/from Lukla this morning and brought back stranded tourists there since 6 days back due to bad weather.

Weather improved from this morning in this area and visibility was good.

It's said to have more than 1200 tourist who have returned finishing their trek to Everest base camp and Gokyo been stranded in Lukla due to flight cancellation. Some of them have been rescued yesterday by local and army heli services.

According to the weather forecast, the weather remains clear until 3 days more and then could be changed again.

- Lopsang Sherpa

Flights to Lukla have been cancelled from 6 days

2011-11-06T09:22:00.002+05:30

Domestic flight to/from Tenjing-Hillary Airport, Lukla have been cancelled for the last four days due to poor whether.

Many tourists have been stranded in Lukla as the flights could not resume their schedule flights.

Three privet domestic airline companies have been operating around 50 flights a day in main trekking season.

Yesterday on 5 day, Tara Air had operated a single flight from Lukla taking a chance of slightly clear weather but later the the thick cloud covered up the airport again.

According my friend Deepak Sharma from Lukla, the hotels & lodges are packed as the travelers are stocked due to regular flight cancellation. Most of them are the tourists who have returned from Everest Base Camp and Gokyo completing their trekking.

- Updated News

- By: Lopsang Sherpa, Adventure Tour Operator

Kanchenjunga Trekking

2011-11-02T13:56:00.001+05:30

This 21 days long and one of the challenging trekking begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar and then short flight to Taplejung. Then we we hit the route walking through picturesque villages and lush forest to Ghunsha and further up the vegetation gives up its existence due to cold, dry and frozen weather. This area is still isolated from the civilization.

Old monasteries and ethnicity of different people are the most interesting part of this trek on the route and of course the hectic and challenging trek of 2 weeks long walk will be rewarded by excellent close up views of 5 peaks of Kanchenunga, lies on the border of Nepal and Sikkim.

I have been doing this trek since 3 years continuously, at least twice in a year and love to repeat it again. Lodge accommodation enroute are rare so we have to bring our own tent and camping equipment with plenty of food supply. We need proper trekking equipment and personal belongings to protect ourselves from the cold.

Possibility of AMS (acute mountain sickness) is rare as we climb gradually up each day but to be in safe we have to have plenty of medical supplies.

- by Santosh Rai, trekking duide

Read More >> Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Photography Tour, Langtang 2011

2011-11-01T18:51:00.001+05:30

We are specialized in organizing photographic tours in the Himalaya. This time we organised in Langtang Area, it was 17 days tour starting from Kathmandu and ending in Kathmandu. Our clients were from Romania and they have enjoyed their tour and took lots of pictures. The tour started from 20th September to 6th October.

-by Urgen Sherpa, Tour Officer

-Photo By: Paul Gabriel Pasztor, Romania

related link: Photographic Tour

Korean climbers missing in Annapurna, Nepal

2011-11-01T17:59:00.000+05:30

Three Korean climbers missing while trying to summit Mount Annapurna. According to the Tourism Industry Division of Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, the climbers have been missing since October 18, 2011. One among the missing is Park Young-seok – the first Asian climber to reach the summit of all 8,000 meter peaks in the world. He has reached both the poles and climbed the tallest peaks in all the seven continents. The other two mountaineers have been identified as Kang Ki-seok and Shin Dong-min. The three mountaineers are a part of a seven-member team that was trying to introduced a new route to the summit of Mount Annapurna in this Autumn in Nepal.

OTHER RELATED INFORMATIONS

2010-01-24T10:05:00.000+05:30

Trekking in Nepal / Peak Climbing in Nepal / Nepal Family Adventure Tours / VIP Luxury Adventure Tours / Nepal Tourism News / Photographic Tours / Everest Base Camp / Island Peak / Mera Peak / Climbing Everest / Tibet Tour / Bhutan Tour / Darjeeling, Sikkim & Ladakh / Pakistan

2008-08-30T08:37:00.001+05:30

Nepal

PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION
The Kingdom of Nepal is located in central Asia on the southern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains. This landlocked country of 500 by 100 miles is bordered by India and the Tibetan region of China. Nepal is endlessly fascinating, with scenery ranging from green, fertile valleys to sky-high mountains to desert plateaus; exhilarating trekking; venerable temples; old towns reminiscent of European castles; and some of the nicest and friendliest people on earth.

GETTING READY FOR YOUR TRIP
Passports:
- Passports are required for all countries citizens except Indian Citizens
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your trip – if not, apply or renew immediately
- Keep a copy of the picture page of your passport in a separate place while traveling
- Carry an extra passport photo in case you need to apply for a quick replacement

Visas:
- Visas are required for entry into Nepal
- We recommend applying before departure, if you have enough time
- Apply no sooner than 3 months ahead of your departure date, but with plenty of time for processing
- You may also obtain your Nepal Visa on arrival in Kathmandu, but your wait at immigration may be longer
- If traveling via Delhi, you will need an Indian visa; the Indian Embassy & Consulates are not always reliable – a visa service is highly recommended

Health, Immunizations:
- Some immunizations are highly recommended, but none are required for entry
- Recommended immunizations include: polio, tetanus, typhoid, MMR, hepatitis A & B
- A vaccination certificate for yellow fever is required for entry, if arriving from other infected countries
- SEEK INDEPENDENT MEDICAL ADVICE from your physician or local travelers health service

Time Difference:
- Nepal is 5 hours and 45 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +5:45)
- Nepal does not observe daylight saving time
- It is 13 hrs 45 min ahead of Pacific Standard Time and 10 hrs 45 min ahead of Eastern Standard Time

Customs:
- You will be asked to complete a customs declaration form and an emigration form before your plane lands in Kathmandu. The emigration form must remain with your passport until you leave the country
- If you plan to get your visa on arrival in Nepal, be sure to bring all required documents and photos
- Anything you are bringing for personal use - camera gear, video cameras, binoculars, etc. - will be
allowed
- It is forbidden to bring Nepal Rupees with you into Nepal
- Prohibited are: fire arms, ammunition and explosives; pornography; drugs and narcotics such as opium, morphine, heroin, etc.; unsanitary food items
- There are limitations on the export of Nepalese antiques and items of archaeological or historical value
- It is illegal to import or export any item made from any endangered species

GETTING ALONG AS A VISITOR
Food & Restaurants:
- In Kathmandu, you will find a wide array of international selections
- All meals while on trek are included
- Look for a restaurant where lots of locals are eating - chances are the food will be delicious and reasonable
- Eat only foods that are thoroughly cooked, and raw fruits and vegetables that you have peeled yourself
- Drink only bottled drinks where possible (or boiled water), and avoid tap water, fountain drinks and ice cubes
- Don't buy food from street vendors or stalls, and don’t eat food that is no longer hot
- Avoid fresh salads unless the vegetables are washed with purified water, and avoid dairy products that are unpasteurized or may not have been refrigerated properly

Money and Currency Exchange:
- The monetary unit in Nepal is the Rupee (NPR)
- It is a good idea to bring newer dated currency that has no rips, marks, folds, or holes
- Check the current exchange rate at http://www.xe.net/ucc/
- Kathmandu and Pokhara have ATM’s, but may or may not work – do not rely on them
- Most major currencies can be exchanged at many hotels and banks in the major cities of Nepal
- You may need to show your passport when you exchange money or travelers checks, so keep it handy
- Be aware that you may need to show your passport when using a credit card. Also, credit card companies are now charging a 3%+ surcharge on all foreign currency purchases (purchases of goods made outside of the US). Check with your credit card company before you travel as the charges change frequently without notice and vary with card and destination.
- Airport departure tax is 1695 NPRs ($25 USD)

Emergency Services:
- Medical treatment is available in Kathmandu at small clinics & hospitals
- There are clinics that specialize in the treatment of altitude sickness
- Medical facilities and services in the countryside are restricted
- Prevention of injury is always the best policy
- Your guide will advise you in the case of urgent medical need during your tour

SPECIAL REMARKS
People:
- You will find the Nepalese to be very open and friendly
- It is best to ask permission before entering houses, or before taking portrait photos
- If in doubt, ask the guide
- Your old clothing (in good condition) is an excellent and appreciated gift idea to your guides and the local people

DON’T:
- Point with a single finger
- Touch holy men
- Eat with your left hand
- Smoke in religious settings
- Offer pens, toys, stickers, etc. to children unless it is to the children of your guide(s)

DO:
- Respect religious customs
- Remove your shoes when entering a home, temple or monastery
- Cover yourself when entering a temple or monastery
- Make donations to monasteries

Time:
- Relax and enjoy the easy-going rhythm of Nepal
- Do not expect everything to happen on time; remember that in some places time is not as important as it is back home, and there is often little concern for punctuality
- Despite best efforts, departures and arrivals could be a little before or after the time given. This applies particularly to aircraft movements. Operating requirements, weather and terrain sometimes present problems, and on these occasions, to ensure your safety, flight times may vary

Restroom Facilities:
- It is a very good idea to carry your own small supply of toilet paper. In cities where there are flush toilets you will usually find a wastebasket next to the toilet - most sewage systems can’t handle paper.
- Most bathrooms will neither look nor smell as sanitary as those you are used to

Safety:
- Observe the same precautions taken at home
- Do not flaunt a bulging wallet, always lock unattended vehicles, do not leave baggage unattended in public
- Make use of security facilities provided for valuables in your accommodation
- In towns, the best place to carry your passport and money is in a pouch worn around the neck inside of the shirt or in a money belt around the waist
- It is highly recommended that you buy travel insurance that covers your baggage before you leave
- Don’t take anything you can’t afford to lose or can’t replace

Climate:
- Nepal’s climate varies with its topography and altitude ranging from tropical to severely cold winters
- Best time to travel to travel to Nepal is from September to November and March to May
- The wet season (monsoon) lasts from June to August
- June and early July are the hottest months
- The cool and dry season is from October to May
- December and January trekkers should be particularly prepared for frigid temperatures
- Every trek to the Himalayas can potentially have nights with frost. November through February, trips above 10,000 feet may have temperatures as low as 10˚ Fahrenheit. In December and January, treks above 12,000 feet may have temperatures as low as -10º Fahrenheit.

Equipment & Packing:
- A good goal is to fit everything into a single piece of checked luggage and a carry-on daypack
- For treks you will need a durable, water-resistant, soft duffel bag without wheels as your luggage – bags are carried by people/porters or on horseback and wheels may get broken off
- On cultural and non-trekking trips, a lightweight soft-sided suitcase or duffel with wheels would be fine
- A small backpack or hip-pack is ideal for carrying bottled water, camera, extra sunblock, etc, while on excursions where the terrain requires your hands to be free
- You should also take sturdy rain gear, especially if you are trekking from April-October
- Choose a distinctive, easily identified bag, and use a VERTICAL ADVENTURES luggage tag for bag identification by staff, and your name and address should be also indelibly affixed inside the luggage.
- Keep in mind that synthetic fabrics dry faster than natural fibers like cotton, especially in humid areas, so you can pack less if you are able to wash and dry your clothes easily, if you need to wash out some clothes en route
- Casual clothing is appropriate at all times

For further information please contact Lobo779@gmail.com and also refer to http://www.verticaladventures.biz/