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| Mount Everest 8848m above sea level as seen from Kalapatthar during sunset of 20th November 2012. |
"The highest of the world's mountains, it seems, has to make but a single gesture of magnificence to be the lord of all, vast in unchallenged and isolated supremacy."
-George Mallory, 1924
Paradise for mountain lovers
Wedged between the high wall of the Himalaya and the steamy jungles of the Indian plains, Nepal is a land of snow peaks and Sherpas, yaks and yetis, monasteries and mantras.
Ever since Nepal first opened its borders to outsiders in the 1950s, this tiny mountain nation has had an irresistible mystical allure for travellers. Today, legions of trekkers are drawn to the Himalaya’s most iconic and accessible hiking, some of the world’s best, with rugged trails to Everest, the Annapurnas and beyond. Nowhere else can you trek for days or even weeks in incredible mountain scenery, secure in the knowledge that a hot meal, cosy lodge and warm slice of apple pie await you at the end of the day. Nepal is nirvana for mountain lovers.
How to get to Nepal
Getting Tickets
There are limited flights into Kathmandu these days, and bargain fares are few and far between. You may find that the cheapest flights from Europe or the US east coast fly into New Delhi, to connect with final short flight to Kathmandu.
Likewise, though you may find Kathmandu as part of a round-the-world ticket, you'll most likely find it cheaper to go overland from Delhi or Kolkata (Calcutta).
From the west coast of North America or from Australasia, Bangkok is the usual transfer point, although there are also flights to Kathmandu from Hong Kong. Thai Airways and RNAC share the popular Bangkok-Kathmandu route.
Many fares from Australia or the western USA allow stopovers in Bangkok or the hub airport of the main airline (eg Hong Kong for Cathay Pacific). This effectively allows you a multicountry trip to southeast Asia at no additional cost.
Getting Visa
You can apply for tourist visa online here http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/?page_id=86 or when you arrive, just before immigration, there is a bank that's open for flight arrivals and has decent exchange rates. Next door is the visa counter where you pay for your visa if you haven't got one already. There is a hotel reservation counter as soon as you get out of customs at the airport.
When departing for an international flight check in at least two hours early, preferably three in the high season, as the check-in desks can be a bit of a scrum. You need to show your ticket as you enter the departure hall, where all baggage is X-rayed and tagged. The X-ray machines that screen cargo baggage are not film safe, so insist that the security officers physically inspect your film.
You pay your departure tax at the airport branch of Nabil Bank. It is possible to re- exchange Nepali rupees into US dollars at the Nabil Bank, if you have your unused foreign-exchange encashment receipts; commission is Rs 50, or 2%. Also here is a sporadically open post office and telephone office.
After immigration there's a VAT refund booth and a café, where you can blow your last rupees. Next comes another X-ray and a manual inspection of luggage, before everyone crams into a hall far too small for the purpose.
Hotels, Hostels & Accommodation
In Kathmandu there is a wide variety of accommodation, from rock-bottom fleapits to five-star international hotels. Prices are rising, especially in Kathmandu, but it’s still possible to find a place with pleasant gardens and decent rooms for less than Rs 1500 (US$18.50) a night, including private bathroom and hot water.
Getting Trekking Permit and TIMS card
You must get Trekking Permit and TIMS card to enter national parks of Nepal.
For Sagarmatha National Park trekking permit fee for the first 4 weeks per week per person US$ 10 and after 4 weeks per week per person US$ 20, Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. You can apply online for trekking permit here http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/trekking-permit
Obtaining a TIMS Card
Free Individual Trekkers:
Free Individual Trekkers can obtain TIMS cards at the offices of Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu and Pokhara, TAAN Secretariat at Maligaon and TAAN Pokhara Secretariat in Pokhara upon filling the TIMS application form.
Organized Trekkers:
Trekking companies will collect trekkers’ data and enter it in the central database and will provide trekkers with a TIMS card after paying fee prescribed above.
Opening Hour/s:
- TIMS counter at TAAN follows regular working hours (10am-5pm) and 365 days a year
- NTB Offices follow government working hours and days.
- Trekking agencies open 12 hours a day seven days a week.
Documents Required:
To obtain TIMS Card you need copy of:
- Passport
- Two (2) Passport-size Photographs.
Suggested Bag Packing
Miscellaneous : Sunglasses, Travel-sized hand sanitizer, Whistle, Headlamp, Energy bars/Snickers, Quick-drying travel towel
Toiletries Kit : Deodorant, Toothbrush, Contact lens case + extra contacts, Eyeglasses, Face moisturizer for those who have dry skin
Clothing : Shower sandals, Wool socks x 2, Liner socks x 2, Sun hat, Fleece ear covers/winter hat
Gloves, Buff/bandanna, Rain jacket, 1 pair of comfy pants and undergarments for tea house evenings, Thermal underwear, Fleece pullover, Down jacket
Gear : 3-liter Camelbak water bladder, 1-liter water bottle, Trekking poles, Sleeping bag, Sleep sack (only necessary if you are renting a sleeping bag)
Travel Folio : Passport, Trekking permit, TIMS card, Cash, Airline tickets
Day to day Itinerary
Day 1 Fly to Lukla and trek down to Phakding
Day 2 Trek to Namche
Day 3 Trek to Tengboche
Day 4 Trek to Lobuche
Day 5 Trek to Everest base camp and climb Kala Patthar for amazing sunset view on mount Everest
Day 6 Trek to Pangboche
Day 7 Trek to Gokyo
Day 8 Trek to Lungden via Renjola Pass
Day 9 Trek to Thame
Day 10 Trek to Namche
Day 11 Trek to Lukla
Day 12 Fly out to Kathmandu
Trip cost
It will cost an average of USD 30 for bed, breakfast and lunch per person per day. Two way flight tickets for Kathmandu - Lukla will cost USD 250. You can hire a porter if you want for 8 USD per day
Best Season to explore Everest region
Nepal is best to visit during September, October, November in the Spring and March, April, May in the Autumn.
