Essential Information

Currency exchange

Our trips start with a night in Thamel unless you prefer outside Kathmandu City. You can easily find a money changer next to your hotel in Thamel. If you want a more straightforward option, let us know, and we can have it ready for you upon your arrival.

Mode of Transport for your Trekking/Peak climbing/Mountain biking

• For all the trekking and peak climbing in the Everest region, we would need to fly to Lukla either from Kathmandu or Manthali. While flying from Manthali, we would need to drive for 3-4 hrs. to Manthali at midnight to catch the morning flight to Lukla. There is an option to get to Lukla by driving to Ramailo Danda, an extra two-day walk.
• For Lower Khumbu trekking, like Dudh Kunda and Pikey Peak, we would need to drive about 8 hours from Kathmandu.
• There are no flight options for trekking to Langtang region, so we need to drive both ways before and after the trek, which would take an eight-hour drive each time.
• For a round Annapurna trek or mountain biking trip, we need to drive to Besisahar(750m) from Kathmandu, which would roughly take 6-7 hours.
• For the Mustang region trip, there is a flight option from Kathmandu to Pokhara(25 minutes) and Jomsom(20 minutes), and there is a bus/jeep the whole way and back, so it depends on which facility you choose during your trip booking.

Note: Bus travel takes longer due to unforeseen damages and maintenance work.

• Mountain biking trips around Kathmandu valley commence at 07:30 in the morning to avoid city traffic.

Altitude Considerations

• Understand the risks of altitude sickness and the acclimatization process.
• Ascend gradually, stay hydrated, and listen to your body’s signals.
• If you experience symptoms of altitude sickness, inform your local guide so he can take the necessary action, which will mostly be descending to a lower elevation immediately.
• Please talk to your doctor about taking Diamox and see if it is included in your plan.

High Altitude Sickness

Adventures at high altitudes place high demands on our bodies, especially when combined with physical exertion. Due to the lower oxygen in the mountainous air, our breathing may increase, causing possible hyperventilation, headaches, sleep disorders, nausea, and loss of appetite. This condition is called altitude sickness, affecting novice trekkers and experienced climbers. However, there are some measures with which we can minimize and treat the condition of altitude sickness, which are:

• Acclimatize slowly.
• Maintain a slow and steady pace.
• Drink enough water and fluid.
• Do not climb more than 500 meters daily above 3000 meters.
• If you experience mild or severe altitude sickness, descend immediately.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Administer Oxygen (in case of breathing difficulty)
• Take Diamox or Ibuprofen to mitigate symptoms

Weather Conditions

Be prepared for unpredictable mountain weather. Pack layers suitable for all seasons, including waterproof and windproof outerwear. The ‘gear list’ has the complete list.

Pack Essentials

Bring essentials like water purification tablets, sunscreen, insect repellent, a first aid kit, necessary medication, and high-energy snacks for your adventure. Check the ‘gear list’ for details. Your packing list might differ depending on your selected activity, as we offer Trekking, Peak Climbing, and Mountain biking in the Himalayas.

You would need a 30-40L Duffle bag, which will be sent from one place to another during your trip to the mountains. You would still need another day bag 20L-25L, in which you can carry a windproof jacket, a warm jacket, chocolates, water, a camera, toilet paper, etc.

Carry Emergency Contacts

The contact number of your next-to-kin, your insurance agent, your local guide, and the contact details of your trip organizer are important emergency contacts for you during the trip, so make sure you have them all written down.

Learn Commonly used Nepali Words in the trip

Namaste– Greeting in Nepali language in a very polite and respectful way.

Dhanyabaad– Thank You!

Pheri Bhetaula– See you Again!

Sanchai hunuhuncha– How are you?

Jam Jam : Lets Go

Guide and Helping Porters

Our Adventure group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders/guides and local porters. Some of our tours offer Jeep support instead of porters, especially for mountain biking and trekking trips in the Upper Mustang. The group leader aims to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. They are primarily guides in the traditional sense, so you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the country visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. They are locals, so they know the places better than most, as it’s their backyard on most occasions. We also use additional guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we visit (having special cultural /religious knowledge). We believe this offers the best of both worlds.

Tea House Accommodations

Tea houses along trekking routes offer basic lodging and meals. These simple accommodations provide communal areas for socializing and cultural immersion, enhancing the trekking experience with insights into local traditions. As a dedicated local trekking and tour agency, we will cover your accommodation and food as soon as the trip concludes. Please fully immerse yourself in your adventure and have a memorable experience in Nepal.

We will accommodate you in a standard hotel in Kathmandu/Thamel. On your first and last day in Kathmandu, we will offer a welcome farewell dinner and a complimentary breakfast throughout your stay.

Bedding Facilities

Basic bedding, including clean bed sheets, is typically provided. Though quality may vary, reasonably comfortable accommodations can be expected. A personal sleeping bag for added warmth and comfort is advisable, especially at higher altitudes or colder seasons.

Food in Tea Houses

During our trek, we can enjoy authentic Nepalese food and the more common international cuisine (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian, etc.). Breakfast and dinner will be served from the teahouse or from a lodge menu where we spend the night, whereas lunch will be served on the way to the next destination.

Most Common Food in Himalayan Trails

Momo, Daal Bhat, Veg fried Rice, Apple Pie, Thukpa, Noodles, Fried Potatoes, Tibetan bread, Chapati, Pancake, Omelette, etc.

Drinking Water Sources

Tap water is available in developed areas like Annapurna and Everest; purification is recommended. Trekkers can use boiled water from tea houses, purification tablets, or portable filters for water from streams.

Toilet Facilities

Most tea houses or basic accommodations offer attached or shared toilets. Although they may not meet urban standards, trekkers should carry essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer and practice proper waste disposal.

Hot Showers

Some tea houses offer hot showers heated by solar, wood-burning, or gas systems. Availability may vary based on weather and demand, with additional costs.

WIFI and Charging Services

While some tea houses provide WIFI, the service quality may vary. Charging electronic devices may incur a fee in some remote areas, with electricity often generated through solar power. Trekkers should expect intermittent internet and limited charging hours. It is advised to carry a portable power bank along with you.

Laundry

Most of our hotels in the city offer laundry facilities for a charge. However, there is not enough time during the trekking days (except the rest day), and local tea houses do not offer washing services. Sometimes, you may want to or have to do your laundry, so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Responsible Travel

Being a responsible tour operator is at the heart of what Avventura Himalaya is all about. From the start, Avventura Himalaya has been committed to offering low-impact tours that benefit travelers and hosts alike. While our sustainable tourism policies constantly evolve, our commitment to socially conscious, grassroots-style travel has never changed. We work with local communities, businesses, and individuals to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts.

Tips to Travel Sustainably

• Please bring rechargeable batteries, a battery charger (and a plug adapter if necessary). Batteries are incredibly toxic, and many places we travel do not have proper disposal facilities. Rechargeables are best, but if this is not possible, we recommend returning any used batteries home for appropriate disposal.
• Please ask before taking pictures. Just as you would not like a stranger to come up to you and take a picture of you while sitting on your front porch, neither do the locals of the places we visit. As you can imagine, pictures of their children are also not appreciated.

Local Culture and Tradition

Respect local culture and traditions by dressing suitably/modestly, removing shoes before entering temples or homes, and asking for permission before taking pictures of individuals and kids.

Local Dress

In Asia, the dress standard is more conservative than back home. When packing, try to pick loose, lightweight, long clothing that will keep you cool in the usually hot and humid climate of Asian summers. In predominantly Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim countries, we ask that you dress respectfully and avoid very short shorts/skirts and singlets/tanktops when visiting temples, monasteries, mosques, or other holy sites.

Altitude Sickness Emergency Plan

In the Himalayan wilderness of Nepal, ensuring the well-being of our clients during their journey is our top priority. We kindly request our valued travelers promptly communicate any altitude sickness symptoms they may experience, enabling us to provide timely and vigilant monitoring. If symptoms become severe, we can arrange a descent to lower altitudes. This descent can be facilitated through walking, a horse’s assistance, or a porter’s support, ensuring a safe transition for our clients.

We can provide helicopter rescue services for urgent situations where a rapid descent may be required. Depending on favorable weather conditions, these services typically operate until midday.

Moreover, certain regions along the Himalayan trail are equipped with local clinics strategically positioned to serve as our first response in case of altitude-related concerns. These clinics serve as vital resources in addressing any health issues promptly and effectively. The Langtang trek has a clinic at Mundu village, a 30-minute walk from Langtang village and a 1.5-hour walk from Kyangjin village. Similarly, there are health clinics in the Manang-Annapurna region, Jomsom-Mustang Region, and Namche in the Everest Region.

Tipping

In Asia, including Nepal, tipping service providers like servers are customary, typically around 10%, depending on the service. While not compulsory, tipping expresses satisfaction and is significant to those assisting you. Opportunities to tip local guides and drivers will arise during your trip. You can tip individually or have the tour leader collect and tip as a group. At the end of your trip, tipping your tour leader is appreciated if they did an outstanding job, but it is optional.

Leave Us Your Comments

Please leave us your valuable comments at the end of the trip to help us improve our service for future clients.

Final Words

• Your safety is our top concern while traveling in the mountains.
• Your guide can change or cancel the trip in any part if any serious inconvenience occurs, considering the safety.

We aim to stick to the plan, but changes might happen since we are in remote areas. Weather, health issues, and unexpected events can cause changes to the plan. Your guide will try to keep to the schedule, but please be ready to adjust if needed.