Mani Rimdu Festival Trek 12 Days

Useful Information

Nepal Visa & Getting into Nepal:
All foreign nationals (except Indian nationals) are required to display visas while entering Nepal. A Nepalese Visa can be obtained either at the Nepalese Embassy of the respective country or can be obtained during your arrival at the International Airport in Kathmandu or from Nepal’s border entry point. However, certain nationals are requested to arrange Visa prior to arrival in Nepal. The listed countries are- Afghanistan, Iraq, Cameroon, Ghana, Somalia, Swaziland, Palestine, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Liberia, and cannot secure Nepalese Visa on arrival. 
Requirements: Traveler should have a valid passport for at least six months, recent digital photos (size: 1.5" x 1.5") and Visa fees (either US$ or equivalent) mentioned as below:

Visa Facility    Duration        Fee
Multiple entry    15 days        US$ 25 or equivalent Nepalese currency
Multiple entry    30 days        US$ 40 or equivalent Nepalese currency
Multiple entry    90 days        US$ 100 or equivalent Nepalese currency
You can also download the VISA form and fill up. Please go through the link below:
http://www.online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa 

Group Size:    
For the group, we normally run with a minimum of 2 people to a maximum of 10 in our published group departure program. However, there is no barrier to a private trip. We can run a trip for a single person and even more than 10 in a group. Normally for a group, we provide 1 main guide, 1 assistance guide along 1 porter for every 2 trekkers. Moreover, for every additional 2 trekkers, 1 more assistance and a porter will be provided making a team combination as follows:
Minimum to 2 PAX: 1 Guide and 1 porter
4-6 PAX: 1 guide, 1 assistance guide, and 3 porter
7-10 PAX: 1 guide, 2 assistance guides, and 4/5 Porter

Meals and Accommodation
During your stay in Kathmandu, we accommodate you in a 3-star category hotel in a comfortable and relaxing environment. Breakfast is included with room accommodation. Normally, based on your group size, you will be accommodated on a twin and triple sharing basis. Likewise, in case of a single room stay in a group, you will require to pay a single supplement charge mentioned in our trip cost. Also, if you wish to upgrade hotel accommodation, we can accommodate you in the respective hotels with a surcharge. On your arrival in Kathmandu and a day before your departure for the homeland, we Treks Planner Nepal Team will invite you for a Welcome and Farewell dinner. You will be taken to an authentic restaurant serving Nepali Cuisine with some cultural Dance Show. For your other day’s meals, you can get hygienic restaurants providing verities of tastes including continental, Chinese, Italian, Nepalese, and many more. 

Similarly, for your stay during the trek, we shall accommodate you in a local lodge available en-route. Normally, the rooms are basic and on a twin-sharing basis. Some lodges offer shower systems and hot water. For meals, you will be served sufficient hygienic food. Our service includes a full board meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Tea/Coffee) based on the lodge menu. Normally, for breakfast; porridge, cereals, toast or chapattis, omelets, and a range of hot drinks are served. Likewise for Lunch and Dinner; you can taste some Nepalese food (esp. rice, lentils, and curry), Sherpa food, Indian food, Italian Spaghetti, noodles, potatoes, even Pizza in some areas. It is obvious that you will receive fresh and organic food in the Himalayas of Nepal. Your breakfast and dinner will be served in a lodge where you stay and lunch on the way during the trek.

Travel Insurance
While traveling to Nepal, you are requested to have travel insurance that should cover any comprehensive expenses possible to acquire due to medical issues or accidents. Especially, your travel insurance must protect air ambulance, treatment charges, rescue and evacuation, product cancellation and refundable charges, flight delay, and cancellations. We suggest you bring your travel insurance certificate or send us scan copy and required to issue from your homeland and we do not arrange or sell insurance. 

Traveling in the Himalayas is full of adventure; hence it is wise to choose a proper insurance policy. While choosing your insurance policy, make sure that it will protect all such unforeseen expenses. Your insurer should be well familiar with the itinerary that you have booked and must have agreed to cover all activities being undertaken during the trip. Meantime, it is not compulsory that all the assigned trips are facilities with Heli-rescue. You will not require heli rescue insurance for Tibet Tour as it is not possible to provide such a facility.

Vaccination
It is better to follow the precaution given by the World Health Organization and other international health-related institutions that recommend having vaccines before traveling to Nepal to prevent a certain fatal illness. If possible, we suggest you bring your medical certificate however, it is not required to show but for safety. The recommended vaccines are polio, Diphtheria, Tetanus, typhoid, yellow fever, hepatitis A/B, Influenza (Flu), Japanese encephalitis, and Tuberculosis. Meantime, it is better to consult your professional doctor about your travel and he might recommend you properly. 

You can also take the suggestion of local travelers who have traveled to Nepal before and know more about the required precautions. Please note that the protection that can be gained from vaccines varies from 50% to almost 100%. So remember that even if you have taken a vaccine you might still get the disease, although you will have greatly reduced your chances of getting ill.

Guide and Trip Safety
Once, you confirm your trip, it is our responsibility to make your trip wonderful without creating any difficulties. Hence, we have prepared our itinerary in such a way that it will properly acclimatize you. Also, we request you in advance to have regular exercises and make habits to walk on a daily basis. Similarly, during the trek, you will be fully guided by our professional trekking guides and supporting team. They are properly trained in regards to safety and first aid. Even, we have every set up in case of emergencies such as high-altitude medicine and Gamow Bag (High altitude Chamber bag) - will charge an additional cost. Please note High altitude Chamber Bag is used to provide heat to your body and it is available at a certain cost. Moreover, to let you be familiar with altitude, you are suggested to walk slow and steady and ensure proper acclimatization.

For trekking, we provide a local experienced guide speaking fluent English and familiar with the local routes, landscape, flora, fauna as well as culture, and tradition of certain areas and let you feel comfortable. We do not encourage child labor, hence, our porter will be above 16 years that are living in the Himalayas of Nepal; as well as carries only 20-22 kg weight per porter. Normally, the guide and support teams are selected with proper analysis of their experience, leadership skills, and personal aptitude. Our guides are well familiar with different societies of all caste and customs along the trail and share the insight culture with you that is not even noted in the guidebook. To make our staffs more fluent and experienced, we consistently provide training. They have been participating in special training programs like Trekking guide training, Rock climbing, Ice climbing, Intensive Wilderness First Aid, and many more that have been certified and approved by Nepal Government. 

Health and Fitness
While Trekking in the Himalayas of Nepal, you will be hiking up in high altitude, hence slow and steady is the main concern that helps you to acclimatize properly with the altitude. During trekking, you will be required to walk for 5-6 hours on average. If you are planning to trek in Nepal, make sure that you are in good shape and fitness, and consult your doctor or general physicians about your health. You should be physically and mentally prepared. Before commencing a trek, we recommend you to do some regular exercises, make habits to use stairs than an elevator that makes your knees strong, and, if possible, join some aerobics, gyms and make sure about your good health. 

If you are used to these habits, you will definitely walk in the Himalayas of Nepal. Sincere preparation and strong determination for the trip are very important for making your trip a wonderful memory of your life. It is not compulsory to have any previous experience. Follow the guidance and enjoy the trip.

Best Season to Trek in Nepal
While traveling to Nepal, it is wise to know about the climatic season. Normally, the Trekking season is categorized into 4 different climatic seasons: 
Spring (March, April, May): 
During this time, a temperature is mildly warm in low lands while moderate in higher altitudes with plenty of opportunities to have astonishing views of the mountains and landscape. At this time, the blossom flowers especially the national flower of Nepal – rhododendron decorate the ascending altitudes with their generous color and beauty. Even the High altitude lodges get opened and get occupied with the mountain lovers.
Summer (June, July, and August): 
This is also the monsoon season in Nepal. At this time, the weather is hot and wet at times. It rains almost every day with occasional thunderstorms in the evening. The rain spreads the pleasantness around with lush green vegetation. If you are planning to trek in this season, we suggest choosing rain-shaded areas of Nepal. Even, if you do not mind the rain, and want to trek in this season, you should compulsorily bring an umbrella, poncho, proper waterproof hiking boots, windproof jackets, baggage wrap, and raincoat as well as a required insect repellent. Likewise, the reward of this month is the view of the lush green valley captured by small flowers. It is a wonderful time to observe the monsoon cycle of agriculture and the traditional life of Nepalese people.
Autumn (September, October, and November): 
This time is considered to be the best tourist season in Nepal with the end of summer and the winter to set in. The weather is highly pleasant so are the mountain views. The trekking routes get beautified with the presence of trekkers and expedition groups. Meantime, most of the festivals of Nepalese societies are enthusiastically celebrated at this time.
Winter (December, January, and February):  
During this time, the weather is cool and the sky is clear with occasional snowfalls at higher elevations. At this time, trekking in lower elevation is fine, however, at the high altitude, most of the lodges get closed and it will be a bit difficult to cross high altitude passes. This season is good for trekking in lower elevations. The morning and night get extreme cold sometimes reaching a temperature at (-) minus but the days are warm and pleasant.

High Altitude Sickness 
At the higher altitude, you will feel a decrease in the availability of oxygen, and shorten in oxygen causes altitude sickness. If a person walks at a high altitude particularly climbs up too quickly, he might suffer from High altitude sickness. Hence, proper rest is required at that altitude. You can cure at right time knowing certain symptoms of Altitude Sickness. Common symptoms are a headache, loss of appetite, tiredness and nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and difficulty in sleeping. The best remedy that locals believe in and take is taking garlic, or ginger in the mouth. Eat dry food and take liquid as much as possible. We recommend Diamox if there are no options.  Also, we provide an experienced guide and staff in dealing with the effects of higher altitudes. As they are natives of Nepal, they easily acclimatize and therefore can care for their clients. They are equipped with necessary medical supplies and will assist with basic first aid treatment. We design our tours to ensure clients are ready for high altitude and arrange alternative itineraries for those at risk

Acclimatization
While, trekking in the Himalayas, you will walk in the Ups down trail taking you to an elevation over 2500 m. Hence, you might feel difficult to breathe or your breathing speed up. Hence, it is most important to familiarize yourself with the altitude and let you adjust to the decreased availability of oxygen at high altitudes. Our itinerary is designed with sufficient days to acclimatize. In case of gaining a certain height, there is a rest day when you can explore the area as well as walk to high altitude and sleep at low land. Likewise, you are suggested to walk slowly and carefully without getting any stress. Also, for proper acclimatization, you should care about your eating habits. Don’t focus on Junk food and eat as much liquid as possible. Hard drinks are not recommended. The right way to acclimatize properly is to walk high, sleep low. 

Diamox (Acetazolamide)
Diamox, mostly recognized drug for altitude sickness prevention and treatment. It allows you to breathe faster so that you metabolize more oxygen, thereby minimizing the symptoms caused by poor oxygenation. This is especially helpful at night when respiratory drive is decreased. While using a Diamox, it is advisable to start taking it 24 hours before you go to altitude and continue for at least five days at a higher altitude. The recommendation of the Himalayan Rescue Association Medical Clinic is 125 mg. twice a day (morning and night). (The standard dose was 250 mg. but their research showed no difference for most people with the lower dose, although some individuals may need 250 mg.) Possible side effects include tingling of the lips and fingertips, blurring of vision, and alteration of taste. These side effects may be reduced with the 125 mg. dose. Side effects subside when the drug is stopped. 

It is more appropriate to contact your physician for a prescription. Since Diamox is a sulfonamide drug, people who are allergic to sulfa drugs should not take Diamox. Diamox has also been known to cause severe allergic reactions in people with no previous history of Diamox or sulfa allergies. Frank Hubbell of SOLO recommends a trial course of the drug before going to a remote location where a severe allergic reaction could prove difficult to treat. Highly recommended to take a trial course before going to a remote location where a severe allergic reaction could prove difficult to treat if it occurred.

Alternative Drugs:
Dexamethasone (a steroid) is also a prescribed drug that decreases brain and other swelling reversing the effects of AMS. The dose is typically 4 mg twice a day for a few days starting with the ascent. This prevents most of the symptoms of altitude illness from developing.
ADVICE: 
Dexamethasone is a powerful drug and should be used with caution and only on the advice of a physician and should only be used to aid acclimatization by sufficiently qualified persons or those with the necessary experience of its use.
NOTE: 
It is more advisable to take drugs taking proper suggestions from Personal Physicians and in case there are no options. In the Himalayas of Nepal, the mountain dwellers believe in taking some garlic or ginger along with Red Pepper to produce heat for fast breathing.