We strongly advise that you register at your country’s national embassy or honorary consulate when first arriving in Nepal. This can be beneficial in case of sickness or emergencies.The currency of Nepal is called the Nepalese Rupees (NRs.). Check the latest foreign exchange rate to get an estimation of the value of your cash here in Nepal. It would be advisable to ensure that you have some cash with you at all times and not be too dependent on credit cards.  Use of credit cards is not widespread on trekking routes and outside of the major tourist areas.It's also advisable to use mineral water to brush your teeth or for washing your face. Tap water in some hotels and guest houses cannot be completely relied upon in Nepal.If you have an allergy or special food requirements due to health, please inform us beforehand. We also advise that you bring along your own medications as some medicines may not be available or difficult to obtain.

Passport and Visa Information

Visas are available on arrival at the international airport in Kathmandu and at all land border crossings open to foreigners. You are required to carry passport photos and can pay the visa fee in foreign currency (some crossings insist on payment in US dollars). Your passport must be valid for at least six months and you will need a whole free page for your visa.You can also get  your visa from the consulate in your home country. Tourist visa shall be granted for a period of a maximum of 150 days in a calendar year. On Arrival Visa Fee is 15 Days – 25 USD; 30 Days – 40 USD; 90 Days – 100 USD. you can  fill the online visa directly to Nepal immigration website also.

Your Travel Insurance

A travel insurance policy that covers: theft, loss and medical problems are best for traveling in Nepal. There are wide varieties of policies available, so always check the small print carefully. Make sure to be covered for adventure activities and high altitude. Since you reach above 4000 meters on quite a few treks in Nepal, it is best to choose a policy that covers medical and emergency repatriation, including helicopter evacuation for trekkers and a general medical evacuation. Also, understand that most medical treatment and facilities/hospitals must be paid for at the point of delivery of the patient. So it’s wise to choose policy paying doctors and hospital treatments directly, rather than you having to pay on the spot and get reimbursed later.

WhenTraveling Around Nepal    

For getting around the country, there is an excellent domestic air network and helicopter charter services as well as deluxe tourist coaches and a private car hire. A wide range of local buses is also available. Our team will assist you in making your preferred travel arrangements within Nepal accordingly to your trip itinerary.

Equipment for Traveling

While the trekking in himalaya you are required to have an appropriate clothing and equipment set. You can either purchase your own or hire some of the necessary items in many adventure shops in Kathmandu. Sleeping bag and down jacket are easily rented for about 1 USD a day, other items can be bought locally. Most of the gear is locally manufactured and a lot cheaper. Some branded gear is likely to be more expensive but has more quality. Remember that excess baggage is likely to be a burden for yourself and your supporting staff. “Pack light, but pack right”, is our motto. We will help you to arrange all of the necessary equipment on the second day of your arrival to ensure your comfort and safety during the trek.

When Flight Delays and Unexpected Weather Conditions

Flights by plane and helicopter are prone to unexpected delays and cancellations caused by unexpected weather in remote areas. Operational complications may also occur, which is more likely to happen in Everest region -Lukla flight, Annapurna region- Jomsom flight, Dolpa, Simikot, Jumla region etc. Most of the time, mountain flights are delayed without prior information. The flight is scheduled at 6:30 am, so you are required to be at the airport by 6:00 am. However, most of the time flight delay for more than hour, so please be prepared for that. We advise you to always carry an extra money for food and accommodation in case of an emergency. The Above Himalaya Trekking will not be responsible for additional expenses coming with unforeseen reasons. We advise you to plan accordingly.While trekking in remote areas, especially off-season, you’re advised to reserve extra days to avoid frustration in case if any delays occur. In case of delay in flight prior to trek departure or at the end of the trek, you will need to cover your accommodation and food costs by yourself.

The Currency of Nepal

 Currency is spelled as Nepalese Rupees or Rupee (Rs) or in short NRS. 100 Paisa (an equivalent of 1 cent) equals 1 Rs. Nepali Notes are: 1000, 500, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 rupees; 2 and 1 rupee coins are rarely used.The Banking and Foreign Exchange in Nepal. Payments in hotels, travel agencies, and airlines are made in foreign exchange, however major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, JCB, and AmericanExpress, are accepted in most tourist class hotels, restaurants, airlines, and major tourist merchants. There are plenty of cash machines or ATMs in cities and most will accept cards issued by any of the major international banking networks (Plus, Cirrus, etc.). The majority of ATM’s currently have a maximum withdrawal amount of 10,000Rs (although you can make repeated withdrawals). It is very common that most of the credit cards are blocked by your bank after a first use. It is done for a security reason and may put you in a problematic situation where you can’t withdraw cash from ATMs. Always inform your bank about your travel plans and get authorization to use your card in Nepal. We also advise to always have a sufficient amount of cash with you in case of any of the above issues.

Electricity of Nepal

In Nepal 220-240 volts/50 HZ power is used. Sockets usually take plugs with three round pins. The plugs can be both small and large in size. Some sockets take plugs with two round pins as well. It is advised to carry the universal electric adapter with you, however, you can also purchase them in Kathmandu and other cities, but not in remote locations. Voltage fluctuation is very common in Nepal and it is advised that you use an adapter with quality power surge protector for your electronics. Also, in dry seasons power outages are common and can last for a few hours, hence we recommend on having a power bank with you. Most hotels and businesses have an emergency backup of fuel cells and generators.

The Climate in Nepal

 It is notoriously difficult to predict weather in the mountain. At night, it is generally cold and the days are generally warm. There will be snow during the month of December and February. It is important to make sure that you can stay warm and dry in just about any conditions. The fluctuation in temperature is an unavoidable feature of Himalayas. The seasons in Nepal are pretty much the same as in Europe, opposite to the Australian seasons. Nepal’s climate is moderate, which means: winters are cold and dry and summers are hot and humid. However, because of the huge range in the altitude and landscape, the climate of Nepal differs significantly throughout the country. Generally, monsoon season lasts from around the end of June to the end of August. About 80 % of the rainfall occurs during this period throughout the country but the remainder of the year is dry. May and June can be very hot and humid until the monsoon rains. In spring (March to April) and autumn (October to November) the temperatures are pleasant with occasional short bursts of rain, while November to February is dry, but can be very cold, especially at night.

Best Seasion to visit for  Nepal   

Spring (March, April, May) and autumn (Sept, Oct, Nov) are the best months of the year to visit Nepal. During this time, the weather is pleasant with loads of warm sunlight. The sky is clear so you can truly enjoy the remarkable Nepalese landscape and the Himalayan views. During the monsoon (June, July, Aug) although there will be no problem with trekking, lower visibility and rain could be an issue. However, for nature lovers, the monsoon is a blessing, as the higher valleys, mountains, and meadows blossom with flowers and abundant vegetation. You can trek in winter (Dec, Jan, Feb), especially in the hilly regions, yet as you reach higher elevations you can expect low temperatures and a heavy snowfall. If you don’t necessarily enjoy crowds, trekking during the monsoon or winter or choosing more solitary trekking destinations could be your options. Note that due to global warming there has been a change in the regular climate worldwide and Nepal is no exception. Please be open to unpredictable weather conditions as well.

Health Guidelines:

Trekking in Nepal is a wonderful experience and doesn’t involve many risks. However, we suggest that you carry out a standard health check and advise your doctor about your travel plans prior to arriving in Nepal. Immunizations or vaccinations, if required, should be taken at least 6 weeks before arrival. Always make sure to have a valid health insurance for the whole period of your trip.You can enjoy your vacations only when you feel healthy and spirited from inside. And, if your health does not support you these enjoyable vacations to a great destination, become a burden and nothing else! So, here we present you with tips on staying healthy, before you go on a trip and while you are away.

Before You Pack to Nepal 

We strongly advise that you register at your country’s national embassy or honorary consulate when first arriving in Nepal. This can be beneficial in case of sickness or emergencies.The currency of Nepal is called the Nepalese Rupees (NRs.). Check the latest foreign exchange rate to get an estimation of the value of your cash here in Nepal. It would be advisable to ensure that you have some cash with you at all times and not be too dependent on credit cards.  Use of credit cards is not widespread on trekking routes and outside of the major tourist areas.It's also advisable to use mineral water to brush your teeth or for washing your face. Tap water in some hotels and guest houses cannot be completely relied upon in Nepal.If you have an allergy or special food requirements due to health, please inform us beforehand. We also advise that you bring along your own medications as some medicines may not be available or difficult to obtain.

 Time zone of Nepal is GMT +5:45.

A)Immunizations or vaccinations if needed should be taken least 6 weeks before you leave. Some vaccines need about 6 weeks after you get the shots to reach to the highest protection level. B)Medical and dental check-ups are important before your trip, to be aware of problems if any. Then accordingly you can find out about medicines you might need to take along. C)Enquire fully about your health insurance, in case you might see a doctor while you’re in another country. Carry enough of your regular medicines in their original containers, along with extra prescriptions for them. Also bring your eyewear prescriptions. Do bring a first-aid kit along.

Vaccines you Might Get   

Nepal doesn’t officially require any immunizations to enter the country. However there is several major disease that can be prevented, or the risks significantly decreased, by immunizations.

Consult your doctor once before your trip, so that he can decide if you need any vaccinations, but the vaccinations you should consider for a Nepal trip include the following.

A Hepatitis A

B Hepatitis B

C Japanese Encephalitis

E Meningococcal meningitis

D Polio

E Rabies

F Tetanus and diphtheria Toxoids

G Typhoid fever

Low impact and Sustainability 

Soul Himalaya Treks & Tours is committed to low impact, sustainable tourism. We realise that large scale tourism can have a high impact on local environment and culture. The effects of tourism can be even more pronounced in the unique and fragile environments of the Himalaya. It can also profoundly disturb the way of life of the villages and small hamlets along major trekking routes. Our treks our designed to be as low impact as possible by keeping group numbers small and by abiding by the rules and regulations set down by the government of Nepal to protect the environment and local communities. This is especially important to us because it is our families and communities that have much to gain and also much to lose from tourism. 

Supporting local communities 

We want our tours and treks to have a positive effect in preserving and protecting village life and communities. The majority of the money you pay for trekking with Soul Himalaya directly supports the local communities through payment for food and accommodation, local guides and support staff. We are also donate 5% of our profits to local school projects.