TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel Insurance is highly recommended for all of our clients who are travelling to Nepal in the near future. Before you buy Travel Insurance for Nepal, you should make sure that the Insurance policy covers the cost of a rescue helicopter from mountainous or remote regions of the country and covers all extreme activities for your trip such as rafting, expedition, trekking, canyoning etc. If you fall ill or have an accident during your trip in Nepal, the cost can become exorbitant if you lack travel insurance. Many insurance companies from all over the world are providing travel insurance services at a reasonable cost and if you are travlling in a group, you may be able to get further discounts. Finally, please always have a printed copy of your insurance policy handy while travelling in Nepal and also, save an e-copy online.

HEALTH : Visit your usual doctor or a specialist to check any recomandation concerning yourself.
Check that the usual vaccinations are on date (DTPolio type Revaxis, BCG).
Some vaccinations are advised: Hepathite A, Typhoide, Meningite (A+C).

Paludism: Nepal is classed zone 2 (max 3), mainly in the lowlands of Terai near the Indian border and particulary during the monsoon (june to september)
Above 1400 m, there is no risk; below this altitude the areas we could cross are not infected during the concerned periods,
So the risk in Kathmandu and along the treks is very low. For the more exposed areas like Chitwan or Bardia we advise to use a cream against mosquitoes.

Acute mountain sickness (AMS):
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) occurs from the combination of reduced air pressure and a lower concentration of oxygen at high altitude. Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening, and can affect the nervous system, lungs, muscles, and heart. In most cases the symptoms are mild. In severe cases fluid collects in the lungs (pulmonary edema) causing extreme shortness of breath, which further reduces how much oxygen a person gets. Brain swelling may also occur (cerebral edema). This can cause confusion, coma, and, if untreated, death. The chance of getting acute mountain sickness increases the faster a person climbs to a high altitude. The severity of the symptoms also depend on this factor, as well as how hard the person pushes (exerts) himself or herself. People who normally live at or near sea level are more prone to acute mountain sickness. Symptoms: Difficulty sleeping, dizziness or light-headedness, fatigue, headache, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, rapid pulse, shortness of breath.
Prevention: Education of mountain travelers before ascent is the key to prevention. Basic principles include: gradual ascent (400m/day above 3000m), stopping for a day or two of rest for each 2,000 feet (600 meters) above 3000m; sleeping at a lower altitude when possible, drink enough fluids, avoid alcohol, eat regularly and learning how to recognize early symptoms so you can return to lower altitude before worsening symptoms occur. Acetazolamide (Diamox) helps speed the process of getting used to higher altitude, and reduces minor symptoms. Therapy should start one day before the ascent and continue one to two days into the excursion. This measure is recommended for those making a rapid ascent to high altitudes.
People with underlying cardiac or pulmonary (lung) diseases should avoid high altitudes.

1. Personal medicine: – High protection sunscreen, lip balm
2. Antibiotic
3. Paracetamol
4. Immodium/tinidazole (diarrhoea)
5. Betadine
6. Rehydratation salt
7. Throat tablets
8. Bandages, tablets for water purification (type Micropur) Don’t drink local water if it’s not boiled (tea, coffee, soup) or purified by tablets or filter. Don’t eat fruits and fresh vegetables if they are not peeled.

VISA

Tourist who intends to visit Nepal must hold a valid passport and visa.

You may get your tourist visa in your home country or on arrival. We recommend you to get your tourist visa on arrival as it is very easy. To get your visa on arrival, you must have a valid passport and one passport sized photo with a light background.

Tourist Visa fee for visitors who enter Nepal for the first time in a visa year, from January to December:

1. Multiple entry visa for 15 days US$ 25
2. Multiple entry visa for 30 days US$ 40
3. Multiple entry visa for 90 days US$ 100
4. You may pay in Euro, Swiss Franc, Pound Sterling, US Dollar, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar, Singapore Dollar and Japanese Yen. Credit card, Indian currency and Nepali currency are not accepted as payment of visa fee.

Tourist visa extension facility:

1. Visa extension fee for the period of 15 days us US$ 30
2. Visa extension fee for the period of more than 15 days US$ 2 per day.
3. Visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a visa year (January – December) at the Department of Immigration.
4. No visa required for: Children below 10 yrs.

Any foreigner, who has stayed in Nepal up to fifteen (15) days continuously and re-enters Nepal during the same visa year.  Any tourist who is entering Nepal for three days or less.

Do’s and Don’ts:

1. A tourist may stay in Nepal up to 150 days in a visa year.
2. A tourist must extend his/her visa before expiry of the visa validity period.
3. A tourist who does not comply with these regulations may be liable of fine and other prosecution as provided in Immigration Act and Rules.
4. A foreigner having obtained tourist visa shall not be allowed to work with or without receiving remuneration.
5. A foreigner shall not be allowed to carry out any work other than that for which purpose s/he has obtained the visa.

MONEY AND EXCHANGE RATE :

In Kathmandu you can withdraw money everywhere with your bank card (cash machine). You will change money (cash or traveler cheque) easily in the exchange counters everywhere in KTM or Pokhara and also Lukla or Namche (however the rate will be much lower in Namche or Lukla ). In Kathmandu and Pokhara, the price does not include your lunch and diner (between 6 and 10 euros/day/pers), outside the cities everything is included in the cost of the trip excepted extra expenses like fresh beverage (beer, coke…) and sweet (mars, snicker…) Try not to change money at the airport where the rate is lower than in Kathmandu. Keep at least one receipt if you want to convert your rupees when you leave the country. To calculate your budget as well as possible don’t hesitate to talk with us.

Thank you !