FAQ

Where is Nepal?

Nepal, a sovereign country, lies between 80 degree 12′ east longitude and 26 degree 22′ and 30 degree 27′ north latitude. It is bounded on the north by the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China; on the east by Sikkim and West Bengal of the Indian Union on the south by Indian States of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and on the west by Uttar Pradesh of Indian Union. The length of the Kingdom is 885 kilometers east-west and its breath varies from 145 to 241 kilometers north-south. Climatically, it lies in the temperate zone with the added advantage of altitude.

How to Get In Nepal?

In order to fly directly to Nepal from your home country, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu is the only international airport in Nepal. TIA has direct airlink with Osaka, Shanghai, London, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Bombay and Calcutta. Lufthansa, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), Air India, Singapore Airlines, Thai are the airlines that carry most of the foreign travelers into Kathmandu and if you buy tickets from any other airlines, you will probably connect with one of these airlines for the final leg of your flight. Alternatively, if you have time and enthusiasm, traveling overland to Nepal via India is an option. British overland travel operators can take you from London to Kathmandu on a six to eighteen week trip. You will travel from continental Europe through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India to Nepal.

Is visa required for Nepal?

All foreign nationals, except Indian Citizens, need visas to enter Nepal.

How do I apply for visa?

Nepal entry visa, you can obtain easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (Tourist Visa with Multiple Entry for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, Tourist Visa with Multiple Entry for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100. Please bring 2 copies of passport size photos.

Is your company a recognized company with the Nepal Government? Is it duly registered?

Yes indeed our company Mountain Tiger Nepal Pvt. Ltd. is a fully registered company with the Nepal Government. It is also affiliated to various trekking and tour organizations such as Nepal Mountaineering Association, Nepal Tourism Board and Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal.

Does the company arrange domestic, international flight, hotel bookings and other services?

We can take care of all domestic flights, hotel bookings and other services. However, we suggest you to arrange international flights from your home country, but we can provide assistance.

What types of trekking can I do in Nepal?

Trekking is the only way to know the locals closely and experience the culture and hospitality. Trekking in the Himalayas of Nepal in different ways from easy trekking to challenging, where you can stay in a locally designed simple Tea House via Tea House Trek and in Camping Trek. Our experienced trekking staff has been operating Trekking in different style over the years which is primarily best suited for the trekkers over the years. You can choose any trekking style and can admire the Himalayas

What is the group size of the trek?

Our travel group generally comprises of maximum 12 members. We try to bring together a small group of like minded people to give them a memorable and insightful travel experience, coupled with an invaluable opportunity to interact with each other in a fun-filled environment. We need a minimum of 2 participants to run our fixed departure dates. For private trips, no minimum and maximum apply

How many hours do I need to walk?

Each day you can expect five to seven hours walking, covering 10 to 14 km. However, above 3500m, the times will be the same but you’ll only cover 8 to 9 km. Importantly, all our itineraries are flexible and can be altered by weather, geographical and physical condition of the individual participant.

What is Tea House Trekking?

Staying in local inns and lodges are known as tea house trekking. On lodge treks only the necessary gears are carried along with the help of porters. However, privacy, peace and quiet at night and a relaxing atmosphere have to be sacrificed for the sake of the budget. We sleep in a local lodge with effective and efficient comfortable hospitality. Fresh and hygienic food is supplied on a regular basis and is readily available on the trail. Decent accommodations are available in the Annapurna, Everest and Langtang regions and many more.

What is Camping Trekking?

Camping Trekking are the classic style of trekking in Nepal and can be arranged and conducted almost anywhere when on trail. This is a completely organized program with guide, assistant guide, cook, kitchen boys, kitchen helpers and porters who play a major role in the provision of delicious food which is vital when on off beaten treks. A challenging experience under the exhilarating wilderness of Nepal is outstanding.

What is Wilderness Trekking?

A wilderness trek gets off the beaten path, going into areas with no teahouses or lodges. While often more rewarding, such treks are much more demanding logistically, as camping and food preparation cannot be outsourced. For a wilderness trek you must bring guides, Sherpas, trained cook, kitchen staff and porters. We operate wilderness treks in many beautiful regions; visit our Wilderness.

What does grading (Easy, Moderate, Difficult, Strenuous) mean?

“Grading” is a term used for rating treks based on difficulty. According to Himalayan Glacier standards and experience, we have divided the trekking into four types, namely Easy, Moderate, Difficult and Strenuous- the challenge in terms of both technicality and geography increases as we move higher in that order. Thus, Easy Treks could be suitable for all while Strenuous and Difficult Treks are meant only for those who have certain experience and capability.
This can help you choose a trek or climb especially in the Himalayan Region that best suits your fitness level and experience. Please keep in mind that this is a general guide only. A variety of factors, including weather, may add to the challenge.

Easy Treks

No previous trek experience and any physical preparation are required to attempt this trek. An interest in walking will be enough to take up such treks. Such treks usually vary from 2 days hike to 5 days trekking and can reach up to an altitude of 3000 m. Treks usually on well maintained paths and passes through ridges and involve walking up to 5 hours a day.

Moderate Treks

Moderate Treks will require at least 6-7 hours of walking every day, crossing 4000 m above high altitude passes, and long and exhausting walks through often rough trails, rocks and boulders. Therefore, you will require physical and mental fitness, positive attitude and interests and previous hiking or camping experience is preferred. You should prepare to face high altitude.

Difficult Treks

Previous trekking experience and technical knowledge is essential in Difficult Treks. Besides walking through rough trails for 6-7 hours and crossing high passes as high as 5000 m, you will also be glacier crossings on snow/ice. You will be facing high altitude air with low level of oxygen and continuous walking over huge stretch of Himalayan valleys. Positive attitude and perseverance is required.

Strenuous Treks

Strenuous Treks involve long days, long hours of challenging walks, high altitude passes above 5000 m, difficult terrains and glacier and snow walking. No doubt you need to be mentally and physically fit and in excellent health condition. As part of technical requirements, you will require to have rock and ice climbing experience with the knowledge of use of ice axe and crampons. You should consider joining one of the rock climbing and glacier walking classes prior to heading for Trek.

What about AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness)?

It is certain that if you rapidly gain height you will feel a sort of sickness in high altitude commonly known as Acute Mountain Sickness. But with good planning and common sense it is easily avoided. AMS occurs as the result of a failure to adapt to higher altitudes. Fluids accumulate in between the cells in the body and eventually collect where; unfortunately it can do the most harm in the lungs and brain. As the fluid collects in the lungs, you become breathless more easily while walking and eventually more breathless at rest. A cough begins, initially dry and irritative, but progressing, in its most severe form, to the production of pink, frothy sputum. The person ultimately drowns in this fluid if he/she doesn’t descend. This syndrome is referred to as High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE).
When fluid collects in the brain, you develop a headache, loss of appetite, nausea and sometimes vomiting. You become increasingly tired and want to lay down and do nothing. As you progress, you develop a problem with your balance and coordination (ataxia). Eventually you lie down and slip into coma. Death is inevitable if you do’ it descends. This syndrome is called High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE). HAPE and HACE can occur singly or in combination.

What about the security during trekking?

Security of our clients is the foremost important for us. All our guides and other support crew are carefully chosen for your trips. Our guides hold licenses issued by the Nepal Government. They are very honest and reliable. But we would also advise you to take care of your own personal belongings. If you are on ‘camping trek’ please do not leave your bags unattended at any time for your own safety. Take your main bag inside the tent once you reach campsite. At night, put all bags and belongings in the middle of the tent. Your guide assigns a Sherpa on turn wise basis to guard the campsite throughout the night. If you are on ‘Tea house or GAP trek’ arrangement, you will be sleeping in local tea house. You have to take sensible precautions yourself at all times. Never leave your baggage unattended and keep your lodge room locked when you go out.

Who will be our guide?

Your guide will be a local Nepali, but a fluent English speaker. We can also provide guides who speak French, Spanish, Japanese, German or Italian, if you prefer. Most of our guides come from the mountainous regions of Nepal, above 3000 m. They are carefully selected on the basis of their appropriate experience, leadership skills and personal aptitude. With an objective of sustaining local communities Himalayan Glacier only employs staffs from the different groups of Nepal’s diverse ethnic community; including Sherpas, Gurung, Magar, Rai and Brahmin who have adequate knowledge about the culture, ecosystem, flora, fauna, geography, and history of Nepal. Moreover, we provide the guides who have gone through special training package program like Intensive Wilderness First Aid, Trekking Guide Training, Eco Trekking Workshop & Adventure Meet, Eco Trekking Workshop & Adventure Meet, Rock climbing, Ice Climbing and Mountaineering (for expedition leaders) etc, which are certified and approved by government of Nepal.

Do the guides and support staff speak English?

Yes, primarily all our guides are well versed in English. Everything is taken care of; you need no worry about communicating for essential supplies or any kind of trek information or general inquiries, precise explanation will be provided by our well trained guides and support staff.

How long do I need to walk on average days trekking?

Each day you can expect five to seven hours walking, covering 10 to 14 km. However, above 3500m, the times will be the same but you’ll only cover 8 to 9 km. Importantly, all our itineraries are flexible and can be altered by weather, geographical and physical condition of the individual participant.

Can I trek in the Himalayas even if I haven’t done any trekking before?

Absolutely, in fact it’s a great place to start. As part of our job, one of the most important things we do is ascertain your experience and ambitions, and find the trek to best match these. However hard or easy you’d like it, however much or little experience you have, we have the perfect trek for you.

Is your company environmentally responsible?

Of course, we are and running a business doesn’t mean that we have the right to hamper environment. Our environmental record is better than any other trekking company in Nepal. In partnership with the Kathmandu Educational Environment Project (KEEP) and the Dhaulagiri Association France, we have spear-headed a number of successful clean-up campaigns and awareness program. While it’s sad fact that tourism is taking a toll on these stunning areas, we believe that the two can co-exist and committed to being a part of the solution.

What equipment do you provide? What should I bring myself?

We provide sleeping bags, down jackets for the Lodge to Lodge trek (Teahouse) and tents, mattresses, kitchen equipment (all of the highest quality) during the Camping Treks. However, trekking shoes, personal equipment and climbing equipment is up to you. See our equipment list or email us for a specific list.

Are your staffs fully equipped? What about the insurance?

Yes! Our guides, cooks, Sherpas and porters are fully equipped. Actually we are working in a team. We all are boss and we all are workers. We are the partner of Himalayan Explores Connections (Porters assistance project) we supply enough good clothes from this project, that’s why we are different then other companies. Please compare yourself. Moreover, we believe that without the assistance of good staff’s existence of Mountain Hawk Treks & Expedition. Mountain Hawk protects and advocates for the rights of all our staffs and fully insured.

How to stay in good health while traveling in Nepal?

Before coming to Nepal you are advised to take one or two vaccine for common diseases like Japanese encephalitis. When in Nepal, eat thoroughly cooked food. Drink only the reputed brand of bottled water, while in a trip our company will provide pour drinking water. Soft drinks like Coke, Pepsi are fine to drink. Avoid Fast foods and salads. If you are planning to travel during the period of June to September you may caught by Cholera. But this will not be a big problem if you will follow our advice like not drinking contaminated water like tap water and avoiding uncooked food. Wear a mask (if possible) when walking in the dusty and polluted streets, especially during the summer season in Nepal it can be tough to walk in the streets. Many private clinics and hospitals are open during the day. Drug stores near the hospital regions are open 24 hours (Bir Hospital, Teaching Hospital, Patan Hospital, etc). Of course the other rules apply; a) Quit smoking! b) Drink less.

Should I bring my medication with me?

Yes, and make sure to bring prescriptions and the medications in its original containers to avoid custom inspection hassle.

Are the food & water served in the lodges and camps meet the hygienic standards?

Very good questions. Yes! Absolutely your foods and water are safe while you are in the lodge and camp trek. We served only when it is hygienically prepared on the lodge. Moreover, our guides are the cooks while you are on the lodge trek, they will checked the goods before preparing in the kitchen & make sure everything are Okay. Most of the cooks in the local teahouses are simply trained but experience has made them perfect. If the group requires our well trained 5 star class cooks with the crew even on the lodge trek we are more delighted to take with an additional cost. We will provide boiled with purified by tablet and bottled sealed water in case of insufficient even though we are conscious about current environmental issues. On Mountain Hawk Treks& Expedition’s camp crew we have good combination of Guides, Sherpas, Cooks, Kitchen staffs and Porters. Guides and cooks are technically, practically and theoretically well train where as kitchen staffs and porters are practically well train. While on the camping trek our best cooks prepares you with the varieties of foods, which is hygienically prepared. You will find out very rare repetition of food items on your entire trek duration. As far as drinking water is treated by boiling and water purification by medicine or with filtered.

Are their any tourist police in Nepal?

Of course there is tourist police located near the Nepal Tourism Development Board’s Office. Also, there are complaint counters at the airport and Basantapur Durbar Square. Tourist police are specially trained in English and have detailed local knowledge to assist tourists. For security and travel related assistance, you can reach any of the officers from telephone 4-247041, 4-4268969 during 11 am to 5 pm

Electricity in Nepal?

Residential electrical outlets in some countries including the United States use 110-120 volts of electricity, and accept very specific shaped plugs. Many other countries including Nepal use other voltages, 220-240 volts to power their appliances, as well different plugs. If you try to plug an American appliance such as a shaver or hairdryer into an outlet of a different voltage, you may destroy the appliance and cause yourself injury. There are few things you should know about other countries (here Nepal) before you travel.

What happens in case of emergency?

In the case of a serious sickness or a casualty, which we believe will not happen; you shall be rescued by a helicopter. Since you are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in evacuation please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back in Kathmandu. Ask your guide to arrange a runner to the nearest communication point and inform office about requirement of a helicopter. While asking for the helicopter, please send name of the sick person and give exact location from where helicopter can airlift you. Do not leave the place although you are getting better once you have ordered Helicopter.

How should I dress during a trek?

The clothing you bring will need to allow for both the warmth of the days and the chill of the nights. While trekking during the day at lower altitudes, lightweight trekking trousers and T-shirts are recommended. It’s always a good idea to carry a waterproof jacket and some warmer clothing with you though as mountain weather is notoriously unpredictable. For the cold nights, thermal underwear, a warm fleece jacket and even a down jacket will help to keep you warm. Good shoes are of great importance. They must be sturdy and comfortable. For higher altitude treks where you may have to tread snow for long hours, good boots are available for rent in Kathmandu. In view of local customs, try not to wear too skimpy or revealing clothes. Your reception by locals can vary greatly on the way you dress.

What is the weather & temperature like?

Depending on the season. In the summer time the weather is hot and sunny during the day with occasional storms in the evening. In winter at high elevations the temperature is very cold, but the days are normally bright and sunny. September through to November is ideal for the warm days and cool nights and clear weather.

When is the best time to visit in Nepal?

We recommend anytime between 15th February to 15th June in spring & 15th September to end of December in autumn however, rest of the months are okay and trek can be done but not as much as nice comparing those season due to winter & raining respectably.

Can we change the itinerary?

Depending on the prevailing situation, you can modify it to some extent after consulting with your guide. However, the date of trek completion should always coincide with the original itinerary. You should keep in mind that this is an adventure trip into the remotest region, where many unforeseen events may contribute to the need for a change in itinerary. In such cases, we or your guide will suggest the best alternative similar to your original itinerary.

What are the cancellation policy and terms and conditions?

If our clients are unable to make their trip or want to cancel the trip due to unavoidable situations or circumstances. Mountain Hawk Treks & Expedition can refund only 70% of the total cost. However client can postpone their traveling dates further and can make up for the dates indulging in different activities, can also revive or reschedule the trip dates providing prior information to the company in order to avoid any further hassles. Conditions do apply.

Is Nepal safe? Is a woman traveling alone safe with your company?

Absolutely Nepal is safe for traveler. Firstly, Nepal is considered as one of the peaceful countries in the world (chances are it’s safer here than your home-country). Secondly, while you’re on one of our trips, we take personal responsibility for your well-being, a responsibility we commit very seriously.

What time is it now in Nepal and what is the ISD code?

Nepali time is GMT/UTC plus 5 Hours 45 minutes. Area code for dialing to Nepal: Country Code: 977 Kathmandu City Code: 1 (e.g. 977 1 4414 000 First three digits is the country code, second is the area code, the last digits are telephone numbers.

Are there ATM outlets and services available?

Yes, in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and other major cities in Nepal. International credit cards (Master Card, Visa Card etc) are also accepted in all leading hotels, shopping centers, bars and restaurants in Nepal.

Is Nepal approachable enroute to Tibet?

The crossing between Nepal and Tibet via Kodari is only open to organized groups but not to individual travelers heading north. Be prepared with alternative plans if you’re thinking about using this route, because landslides regularly make it impossible during the monsoon.

What is the national language of Nepal?

Nepal’s national language is called Nepali. It is written in Devnagiri Script. This script is the same as the one used in Hindi language – the national language of India. There are more than 62 different spoken languages in Nepal. It is also official language of Nepal.

What’s the common form of greeting in Nepal?

It is called Namaste or Namaskar. You can say the greeting in words as well as do it using a gesture. Join your palms together and bring them close to your chest and about 5 to 7 inches 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.