Manaslu Trek

Getting visa to travel to Nepal is simple and easy. You can apply for Nepali visa at your nearest Nepalese embassies and consulates in your own country. But then you can also get it on-arrival Nepali visa at Tribhuvan International Airport, the only international airport in Kathmandu. If you are traveling to Nepal overland via Tibet or India, you are able to get visas at the following border points. Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal) Immigration Office, Birganj, Parsa (Central Nepal) Immigration Office, Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border) Immigration Office, Belahia, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal) Immigration Office, Jamunaha, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal) Immigration Office, Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal) Immigration Office, Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal) Immigration Office, Rashuwagadi, Rashuwa (Northern Border) Immigration Office, Pokhara (not the entry point) The following visa rules apply for tourists: For 15 days Multiple Entry Visa, the visa fee is US $30 or equivalent foreign currency. For 30 days Multiple Entry Visa, the visa fee is US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. For 100 days Multiple Entry Visa, the visa fee is US $ 100 or equivalent foreign currency. According to the immigration regulations, a tourist is allowed to stay in Nepal only for 150 days in a year. You can extend the visa up to another 90 days. US $2 or equivalent Nepalese currency per day for extension. Additional US $ 20 or equivalent Nepalese currency on visa fee, if Multiple Entry facility is required for the extended period Recently, Nepal has also started offering Transit Visa for 3 days free of charge. Moreover, VAT amount are refunded to tourists at the time of their departure provided the latter submit the shopping receipts. Transit visa for all tourists who visit Nepal for 3 days or less visa is not required. SAARC Tourists Tourists with passport from South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations aren't required to pay visa fee for 30 days. Chinese Tourists New government regulation ensures on-arrival visa for all Chinese Citizens in Nepal.

Nepal basically has four seasons: Spring (March-May), Summer (June-August), Autumn (September-November) and Winter (December-February). However, owing to its varied geography, weather conditions of Nepal vary from one place to another. The higher you give up north, it tends to be cooler whereas the deeper the south you go the hotter it is comparatively. In the hilly and Himalayan regions, summers are cool and balmy and winters are severe, while in tropical plains of the Terai in the south, summers are tropical and winters are mild. The temperatures in the valleys of Kathmandu and Pokhara tend to be pleasant with average summer and winter temperatures. The temperature ranges from below zero to 25 degrees in the Hills and Himalayas where as it can reach up to 35 degrees in flat lands of Terai. The monsoon rain fall occurs during the summer. The average annual rainfall is 1,600 mm, but it varies by eco-climatic zones. Travelling in Nepal is possible throughout the year. There are multitudes of trekking areas you can visit in Nepal throughout the year. Nevertheless, the best time to do trekking are during spring and autumn. These are also the seasons when many of the biggest festivals of Nepal are observed.

Here is a comprehensive of list of equipments and clothing you would require whilst trekking in Nepal: - Lightweight walking boots, spare laces - Sleeping bag and down jacket - 2 Long shorts, A water proof jacket with hood or Poncho, Underwear - 2 cotton T-shirts, 2 trousers – (loose and comfortable), Waterproof pants - Thermal underwear(Top and bottom) - Gloves, Sun-hat, One pair of sandals, Woolen hat, 2 pairs of thin and 2 pairs of thick woolen socks - Flash light, Toiletries with towels - Sunglasses, Sunscreen with a high SPF factor - Lip balm with a higher SPF factor - Water bottle, Purification equipment (Boiled drinking water will be provided but further purification with iodine or purification tablets are highly recommended), Iodine for the purification of drinking water, Daypack, Rucksack

Payment in hotels, trekking/travel agencies, and airlines are made in foreign exchange. Credit cards like American Express, Master and Visa are widely accepted at major hotels, shops, and restaurants. The receipts may be needed to change left-over Nepalese Rupees into hard currency before leaving the country. However, only 10 percent of the total amount may be converted by the bank. ATM and Debit cards are widely in use in major cities such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan etc. Nepalese Rupees are found in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. One rupee equals 100 paisa. Current exchange rate US$ 1 = (Nepalese Rupees) NPR 106. The rate regularly fluctuates and is fixed and published by Nepal Rastra Bank every other day.

Below is a list of mountaineering equipment you will require for your climbing adventure. Mountaineering Equipments: Trekking poles, Crampons, Ice axe, Helmet, Harness, Carabiners, Shovel, Climbing pack, Rope Clothing and Wears: Trekking shoes with spare laces, Mountaineering Boots, Gore-Tex pants, Long shorts, Insulated Parka, Jumper, Waterproof Jackets, Down Jacket, Fleece Vest, Wool cap, Neck Gaiter, Gloves, Climbing Socks, Thermal Underwear, Sandals Essential Gears: Backpacks, Sleeping Bag + sleeping pad, Tent/Bevy, Gadgets: Map, Compass, GPS, Two way radios, Binoculars, Head Lamp, Flashlight Sun Protection Items: Sun glasses, sun scream, Lip balm Medical : First aid Kit Other Essentials: Energy Bars, Water bottle, Water Purification Tablets, Toiletries, Note: You can bring the above mentioned equipments from your home country or you can also hire (rent) in Kathmandu. Our climbing guide will assist you to select necessary equipments.

There are various permits such as trekking permits, national park permits, conservation area permits required for trekkers and tourists. TIMS: TIMs is an abbreviation of ‘Trekkers’ Information Management Systems’. TIMs is kind of a permit card issued by Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Nepal Tourism Board. TIMs is mandatory for entering all normal trekking areas in Nepal. In the TIMS Card, you will have to fill in information about the dates of your trip, the itinerary, and a contact number. These data will be inserted in the visitors’ database, where they can be accessed for park management purposes or for rescue missions in case of accidents and/or natural calamities. Trekkers and tourists can avail the card at specific counters designated by TAAN and NTB including their own head offices in Kathmandu. There are two types of TIM Cards: Individual (Green coloured) TIMS: Free Individual Trekker (FIT) or Single trekkers who are planning to trek without the help of assistants (guides or porters) are required to obtain Green TIMS card. Green TIMS card can be obtained by paying Nepali currency equivalent to US$20 per person. The form can be filled out by the trekkers themselves by visiting the nearest TIMS Center. Such FIT trekkers will have to take full responsibility of the possible risks while trekking. Group (Blue coloured) TIMS: Blue TIMS card is for those trekkers who are travelling in groups accompanied by assistants (guides and/or porters). Such groups of trekkers will be taking the service of government-authorized trekking agencies. The trekking agencies will help the groups to obtain Blue TIMS card by paying Nepali currency equivalent of US$20 per person. Please note: Citizens of SAARC countries will have to pay NRs. 200. Nepali currency equivalent of US$ 10 per person Restricted or Controlled Area Trekking permits: There are many remote and cultural and naturally sensitive areas in Nepal which are not fully opened for tourism. The government of Nepal has designated certain areas as ‘Restricted or Controlled Area’ to preserve the unique culture and nature of the area from the negative impact of mass tourism. Dolpa, Taplejung, Upper Mustaing, Manaslu, Gauri Shankar, Humla, Rasuwa and Sankhuwasabha are some of the Restricted areas in Nepal. ‘Restricted or Controlled Area’ in trekking parlance means those areas where limited number of trekkers is allowed every year. Anyone who wishes to trek in Restricted or Controlled Area will have to travel in groups of at least two people and only after paying certain royalties to the government. Such trips are usually organized by government registered trekking companies. As said before, the group size should comprise a minimum of two members. In additions, while trekking in such areas will require trekkers to be accompanied by guides and porters.