Travel Alert

Before planning your travel, you should consult with your government regarding any current travel alerts relating to the areas you are planning to travel in. On arrival you should register with your embassy or register on the relevant travel alert website depending on your country of origin. Most countries governments operate very good travel information and alert websites. You should consult and register with these prior to your departure.

Regarding Nepal, the political situation is presently regarded as safe and stable and a lot of governments are removing travel alerts for Nepal from their lists.

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Trekking Companies
When travelling to Nepal and trying to organize your trek, there are a daunting number of travel agencies out there to choose from. It can be overwhelming even when just looking on the internet, especially for the first time traveler. In order for you to have a happy and successful trip it’s important to make the right choice. Bad choices can not only ruin your holiday but also end up costing you a lot of money.

There are many examples of so called trekking companies and tour agencies offering service in Nepal taking advantage and money form unsuspecting tourists. These operators are not licensed by the government, they normally sub contract out your trek to other companies, taking commission from them and avoiding paying the correct taxes and license fees. This can also result in inflated trip prices for the tourist. These bad operators are only concerned with their own wealth and often pay their trekking staff very poorly and in most occasion don’t offer them insurance, proper equipment or any other kind of support.

To ensure that you don’t use one of these bad operators when booking your trip here are a few things you should check up on:

• Make sure the company is registered,
• Make sure that they insure their staff
• Don’t be afraid to ask around to check the companies’ reputation.
• Of course just because a company is registered it doesn’t mean they are a good operator. Other things you should check up on are:
• Is the company environmentally conscious?
• Do they support local projects?
• Is the company culturally aware and sensitive?
• Are their guides and porters supplied with proper clothing and equipment?
• Do their staff have good skills in English?
• Do their staff have first aid training?

As with all things travel related, a little bit of common sense and pre trip research goes a long way to making your trip a success. You should take advantage of traveler’s web sites and blogs and speak to as many other travelers as possible to help you make your choices about which company to use.

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Individual Trekking/Hiring Independents Guides
Some travelers coming to Nepal prefer to use the services of independent guides. If you are planning on doing this there are a number of things you need to consider. If you are sure that the guide you are choosing is highly recommended, trustable and experienced then by all means join with them. It is important for you to ensure your chosen independent guide is registered with the correct government authorities. Not only is operating without the correct license illegal, but it could cause you to run into problems obtaining permits.

If you trek alone or hire your own independent guide, you may run into difficulty should you need rescue services or emergency medical treatment. Remember that any independent guide may not have his own insurance and he/she will certainly not have the backing and experience that guides belonging to a registered company will have. Did you know that an average rescue flight cost $3000, you could be responsible for paying this should anything happen not just to you but to your guide/porter, if they don’t have their own insurance. In such emergencies, if you don’t have the backing of a reputable company you could be in serous trouble, esp. in remote areas.

If you, on your own or hiring an Independent Trekking guide, could be difficult to get the rescue services, someone in Kathmandu must guarantee the payment of the flight before the rescue.

If you are trekking alone, you should register with your embassy or consulate in Nepal prior to departing on your trek. By doing this it will greatly assist you should you require evacuation of any type. Your embassy will arrange such things should they arise. If your country does not have an embassy or consulate in Kathmandu and you are trekking on your own or with an Individual trekking Guide, you will have trouble getting rescued unless you arrange something in advance. Make sure to check this with your travel insurance scheme,

If you decide to hire a guide/porter, remember that you are their employer and thus should take full responsibility. You must make sure they have adequate clothes and other gear necessary for the trek. It is your responsibility to rent the gear for them. It is also your responsibility to take care of their medical requirements if they fall sick during the trek, you must be responsible for that as well. When trekking though a company, the company will ensure all this for you. ATC does not under any circumstances send our guides out trekking without the right gear or insurance and back up support should they need it.

Should your independent trekking guide disappointing you or disappear before completing your trip, it could create problems for you, not to mention result in you missing your flight or other planned activities you have in Nepal. We also recommend you to be careful when making payment to independent guides, we suggest you do not pay them in full in advance. It is not unheard of for independent guides to run away with your money. Where does that leave you? With a very expensive holiday

Packing List during your trip to Nepal

When packing for any trip overseas we suggest that you write yourself a list of what you need to bring and re check this list, nothing is worse than arriving in a foreign country to realize that you have forgotten your favorite pair of jeans or your most comfortable shoes! Here is a suggested list of things that you should bring along and some hints to help you with your packing. Clothes: when packing clothes minimal is best, first check the weather conditions to help you pack accordingly. You should pack dark colored clothes or patterned clothes as they don’t show up the dirt. Also you should choose outfits that can be mixed and matched so you have a variety of outfits. It’s a good idea to use space saver bags, they not only save space but help to keep your clothing dry, clean and crease free. Bits and Bobs: some things that you might find handy on your trip - Sewing kit Swiss army knife Laundry soap Small zip lock bags for keeping soap and the like Note pad/dairy Pens Binoculars Small torch Spare passport photos Spare shoe laces A good water bottle Water purification tablets A sleeping bag liner (in case your bedding is undesirable) Reading material Important stuff: when travelling of course you need your passport and relevant visa. You should also make copies of these, one to bring with you and one to leave with family or friends. Keep these separate from your passport. Other things you should have copies of are insurance policy, birth certificate, a record of bank details and traveler’s cheque details. You should also have contact numbers for your bank and insurance company and your travel agent/ flight booking office. Toiletries: soap, razors, shampoo, nail scissors, hair products, tooth brush and tooth paste, tissues, sun cream, chap stick, antiseptic hand wipes, face washer and what ever else you use in your daily routine, when packing these items make sure they are all sealed properly as there is nothing worse than arriving in a place and finding your favorite jumper smeared in toothpaste! Also remember when flying doesn’t pack sharp or pointy objects in your hand luggage. And ladies should note that feminine products can be difficult to buy in remote areas, so be prepared. A good first aid kit: it should include bandages, non abrasive tape, band aids, joint supports, antiseptic cream, rehydration salts, Imodium, travel sickness pills, panadol, scissors, and a record of your allergies and current vaccinations. Back pack: for travel in Nepal a back pack is more convenient than a suit case. If you plan on trekking, a sturdy and comfortable back pack and day pack is essential. You should have your back pack expertly fitted to you before your departure. Your back pack should also have a water proof cover. Footwear: of course comfortable and well broken in trekking shoes are essential for Nepal, light sandals and a pair of comfortable trainers are generally enough. Camera: what better way to record your memories than a camera? Please insure you bring along the relevant batteries/charger with an adaptor suitable for the country. Also you should bring along adequate memory cards/ film. These things are not available in trekking areas. (Please make note that Toiletries and first aid items can be readily brought in Kathmandu.)

Equipment & Clothing needed during your trip to nepal

Equipment needed depends largely upon where, when and how you are trekking. The main emphasis while trekking is on keeping warm and dry while not over weighting your pack.

• For lower altitude trekking, fleece jackets and pants are adequate,
• While at higher altitude, down jackets are advisable.
• Waterproof, wind-proof, jackets and pants are essential as they keep you dry and warm. In some places the wind can be very strong and cold.
• Well broken-in footwear- when trekking you need to be comfortable and there is nothing worse than blisters. It is also recommended to bring some sandals or light trainers for wearing around camp or tea house.
• Good quality socks, preferably woolen for your hiking boots, and also some thin cotton socks
• Head covering are also recommended a woolen hat for the cold and a sun hat.
• Good sleeping bag it should be light weight and rated to zero.
• Sun glasses with UV protection and goggles for higher altitude.
• Drinking water bottle
• Torch or headlamp with spare batteries and bulb
• Water purification tablets
• Water bottles, two is best
• Walking poles, not necessary, but recommended
• Sturdy and well fitted back pack and day pack with water proof cover
• Gaiters
• Thermal under clothing i.e. Long pants and short and long sleeve
• T-shirts, micro fleece jumper and trekking trousers they should be light and quick drying.
• Gloves, preferably with a water proof shell
• A good first aid kit
• Sun block for lips
• Sun lotion
• Light scarf or neckerchief
• Spare shoe laces
• Padlock or combination lock
• Large plastic bag for lining your back pack

Environmental Issues in Nepal

ATC is committed to the preservation of the environment. We understand that Nepal is a unique destination much sought after by travellers, by safeguarding the ecological balance that is found in this breathtaking paradise we hope to preserve the future of Nepal for the local people, the wildlife and travelers alike. We also feel strongly that the culture and religion of the local population represents a treasure to our country and it is also our objective to promote understanding between the traveler and the local people by creating culturally sensitive travel programs. We truly want you, the traveler to experience the heartfelt warmth of the local people and open up your imaginations to the local people’s way of life. General advice to trekkers is to leave only footprints and take only photographs; however, recent developments along trekking trails have been of concern to environmentalists and locals alike. The sprouting of teahouses along trekking trails demand wood for construction and fuel, which has led to deforestation. In addition, the amount of waste has increased without proper mechanism for disposal, making some of the popular trails both unsightly and unhealthy. With increased awareness on the part of trekkers and local people, this trend is changing. However, the message still needs to be passed across for more environmentally sound trekking. For eco friendly trekking the following rules must be followed. Ensure that your trekking company supplies sufficient kerosene or gas for cooking. So as not to place demand on dwindling wood supplies. Dispose biodegradable waste properly and carry non-biodegradable waste out of the area or get your trekking crew to Construct a waste pit. Waste pits should be well away from natural water course. Ensure that campsites are left clean and that toiler pits are properly filled in after use. If using toilet paper, you should bury or burn it. Bring along your own water bottle and treat water yourself instead of buying plastic bottles along the way. When staying in Tea houses, choose those that use gas for cooking and solar power for hot water. In order to save energy and fuel you should order your meals as a group and eat at the same time and order similar food items. When washing or showering you should use biodegradable soaps and shampoos. In remote and dry areas you should limit your water usage. Do not drop your litter along the trail and discourage fellow trekkers from doing the same thing. Dress appropriately and respect the customs of the local people. Always ask before taking photos, entering homes or passing on peoples land.

Safety & Security

Nepal is a safe country to trek provided the basic rules are observed. When with us most contingencies are handled by agency staff. However, one could get lost or hurt and have no one to ask for help when trekking alone. Therefore trekkers going alone should either trek with us or hire reliable guides if trekking in smaller groups. Women guides are available for women trekkers who do not feel comfortable trekking alone with male guides and porters.

The best way to avoid risk while trekking is through planning, playing by the rules and realizing human limitation. If you do plan on going alone you should have sound mountain experience and be well advised on trail and weather conditions. Also you must register at various check points along the way to help record your progress with the relevant authorities.
When trekking with our company, in case of misfortune a short detailed message will be dispatched to a reliable source. After which the individual will be immediately rescued. If communication facilities are unavailable, Normal first aid principle will be implemented by our highly trained guides till help arrives.

Some of the safety rules we suggest you to abide by are:

• do not trek alone
• do not make a display of wealth
• keep belongings secure and within sight
• Make arrangements for handling emergency situations before hand.
• Register personal information and trekking details with respective embassies.
• Buy a traveler comprehensive insurance policy that covers helicopter rescue cost.
• Leave a copy of details with us in Kathmandu.

Travel Insurance

Personal travel insurance is a must when travelling to Nepal. In most cases you cannot go trekking without it or partake in other activities such as rafting and paragliding. Please, when you take out your insurance policy, make sure it covers trekking in mountain regions, evacuation and any other activities you may want to undertake in Nepal. Look around on the internet; there are some really good companies that provide comprehensive insurance for adventure travelers. Please make sure you bring a copy of your policy with you when you travel to Nepal.

Nepal Jungle Safari

Not only does Nepal offer glorious mountain trekking and raging river rafting, but it also has a fine selection of pristine national parks. A Jungle Safari in Nepal can be a very exciting experience. You can trek into the jungle by foot with an experienced tracker, by elephant back, by dugout canoe or by jeep. A safari in Nepal is a fun filled package ideal for anyone. The national parks offer a range of accommodations form lush resorts to basic tent style. The resorts make a package for you that included everything from you sleeping arrangements to meals to days full of activity. Means Nature walk or Jungle walk overlooking or observing the enthralling beauty of Jungle vicinity. Actuality jungle walks bestows close-up chance to analysis different categories of animals as well observe their track, sign and sounds. The most gripping and attention- grabbing program offered by Nepal not found elsewhere in the world is regard as jungle safari. In Nepal you will discover the ideal situation of viewing the jungle scenery, birds and animals and the indigenous local people, their colorful tradition, unique dress and languages. Nepal attracts visitors from all over the world for jungle safari in the Terai region. In fact, a visit to the jungle involves game-stalking by a variety of means-: foot, dugout, canoe, jeep, elephant back etc. Far beyond one’s imagination, jungle safari in Nepal offers one of the finest experiences and opportunities to see a variety of wildlife, flora and fauna species. Going on a jungle safari is a great way to relax after trekking .any time of year except the monsoon season is a good time to visit the national parks. The best time to do jungle safari are: The are four main places in Nepal which have jungle safari lodges and facilities for tourists. Royal Chitwan National park Baradia National park Rara Jungle safari park Koshi Tappu jungle safari park