1) What is the best season for a trip to Nepal / Trek to Nepal?
the trip to Nepal can be done all year round. For trekking there are two best seasons: in autumn (September to November) and in spring (March to May). The top mustang can be done in August. September is a good month because the monsoon does not arrive in this region.
Spring (March to May): wild flowers bloom enormously in the mountains. At the beginning of March there can still be snow at the high pass at 5500m, most of the high passes are open from mid-March. All high mountain expeditions are organized in April and May.
Summer (June to August): it is the monsoon in Nepal. Fair weather is rare. It is very humid in Kathmandu as well as in the south where there is a lot of flooding every year. The mountains experience a lot of landslide so the roads can be blocked for several days.
It is still possible to do some short treks of 5 to 10 days in the middle of the mountain and cultural visits but this is not considered to be the best season.
Autumn (mid-September to mid-December): the best months are October and November for a trek in medium and high mountains. The monsoon begins in September and can sometimes extend over the entire month. At the end of November the temperature in the mountains decreases but it is still possible to do treks until mid-December.
Winter (late December to late February): heavy snowfall in the high mountains. The days are quite sunny and clear when the weather is nice. But you cannot cross passes in the high mountains and do long treks like in autumn or spring. In the middle mountains it is possible to make rand ski but it is not yet a very developed activity. You can do short treks (around 8 to 10 days) in the middle of the mountain. The mountains seem even more gigantic with the heavy amount of snow. This season allows you to take even more beautiful photos with these unique colors.
2) How long to plan for a trip to Nepal?
If you don’t have much time 15 days may be the minimum. If possible, favor a stay of 3 to 4 weeks. In 15 days it is possible to trek 9 to 10 days in the mountains and the rest of the time to discover Kathmandu and its culture. If you want to trek 15 to 20 days in the mountains, you should allow 5 to 6 more days to visit the city.
3) What can I visit in Nepal? What to do in Nepal?
If you are a mountain lover, you will find in Nepal the most beautiful in the world. The possibilities of trek being numerous, we advise you simply to choose according to your desire and your level. The city of Kathmandu allows you to discover the very rich culture of Nepal. The town of Pokhara is a great place to observe the Annapurna chain, go paragliding, etc.
You can follow a cultural route of 5 to 8 days between Kathmandu, Pokhara and the national parks of chitwan, bardia, etc.
4) What are the regions where you can go trekking?
The entire northern part of Nepal is part of the Himalayas. There are regions like Everest, Langtang, Annapurna, Manaslu, Mustang, Dolpo and Kanchenjunga. Each region is different.
Everest: unique in the world, high altitude steps of a sporty level, possibility of making several passes at 5500m. Explore the Sherpa ethnic group and Buddhist monasteries via Taksindu. Treks are more expensive there than in other regions due to the additional transport and the higher quality of life.
Annapurnas: very nice trek, very beautiful chain of high mountains but avoid the high season if possible. The construction of roads to remove part of the trek trails but there are other alternatives such as Lake Tilicho, Nar Phu or Mardi Himal.
Manaslu: a more isolated region than the Annapurnas and Everest. Roads are under construction as in the Annapurnas, that’s why you should not delay too much if you want to do these circuits.
Langtang: less high mountains and more accessible level. A beautiful exploration of Tamang culture and beautiful landscapes, like that of Gosaikunda Lake. It’s a less touristy area.
Mustang: a region very different from the others. Allows you to immerse yourself in Tibetan Buddhist culture with monasteries and historical festivals, especially in Lomanthang. It is a very desert region and less touristy because the permit is more expensive.
Dolpo: trek at a more sporting level, very beautiful region with very few tourists. A wilder and more adventurous trek. Costs more due to transport, logistics and more expensive permits.
The other regions such as Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Dhaulagiri are also adventure treks, wild, cultural, whose durations exceed 2 weeks.
5) How long is a trek in Nepal?
The shortest treks last 5 to 6 days and the longest 20 to 25 days. The most common treks last 10 to 15 days. For example, the Annapurna tour offers 12 days of trek, the Langtang helambu, 13 days; Gokyo and Everest base camp, 16 days; the 3 passes in the Everest region, 18 days.
6) Do I need a trekking permit? A visa?
There is a trekking permit for each region. We take care of getting them for you. If the trek goes through national parks it is also necessary to take the park permits. The licenses for Mustang and Dolpo are the most expensive.
The visa can be taken at the Nepalese consulate in the country where you reside. Another option is to take your visa when you arrive in Kathmandu, the airport, or the Nepalese border if you are arriving by land from India or China.
To make your task easier, fill out this form and present it at the counter when you arrive in the territory, you will save time!
http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa
If you cannot complete this document in advance, you can complete it at the airport.
7) Do I need to take out travel insurance? What type of insurance?
Yes, it is compulsory to take out travel insurance. In the event of a problem during the trip you may have significant unexpected costs to settle and only the insurance can cover these costs. You have to look at the insurance contract and take a repatriation option in case of health problems.
You can take out these travel insurance policies from mondial assistance, chapka, etc.
8) What budget should I plan in addition to the trek. What are the price differences of the treks? I don’t have a big budget for a long trek, what can I choose?
Tours to Kathmandu and food in the city are not included. You need to plan around 200 euros in pocket money. There is a tip for the trekking team, it is usually around 12 to 15 euros per day.
Trek prices vary depending on the route. A 7 to 8 day trek at the foot of the Annapurnas costs around 600 to 800 euros. A 15-day Annapurna tour can cost 1,200 to 1,400 euros. The Everest region made in 15 days, around 1600 to 1700 euros.
Consult us for a precise itinerary and its price.
9) What temperature is it in the mountains depending on the altitude and the month?
Temperatures often vary in the mountains, the higher the altitude, the colder it is. The day can be spent in a T-shirt up to 3500m when the weather is nice. At this altitude in October it can be 12 to 14 degrees. On the other hand, the nights are cold, at 4000m the temperature can drop to -1 or -2 degree. At 5000m it is 6 to 8 degrees during the day and -10 at night.
10) What equipment is needed for an 8 to 15 day trek?
If you are going on a 6 to 8 day trek, you will need to bring less clothing than for a 15 day trek because you will go lower in altitude.
You can download our trekking equipment list here (coming soon).
11) What treks are available for beginners? What level must you have to be able to make a circuit? Lots of people can’t finish it?
We advise beginners to start with a 7 to 8 day trek. The longer the trek, the higher the difficulty. Among our treks for beginners we recommend the balcony of Annapurnas, Helambu, Mardi Himal, Pikey Taksindu, etc.
For beginners circuits, there is no minimum level required, treks are accessible to everyone as long as you have no particular problems.
Most people arrive at the end of the route, it is nevertheless important to choose your trek relative to its level and do not hesitate to ask us for advice. You can contact us here
12) How long do we walk per day?
We will have 4 to 7 hours of walking per day. Often, to cross a pass, the walking time will be longer. The walking time and the kilometers traveled are not fixed and vary depending on your level.
13) Does trekking present dangers (accident, malaise, …)?
Trekking remains a safe activity but outdoors there is no such thing as zero risk. You have to be careful on the cliff paths, pass, glacier, in landslide corners and on suspended walkways crossing animals (yak, mules, etc). The guide will inform you of all this in detail before the trek.
14) Should I take medication? Which ? Can I trek with my health problems?
You must consult your general practitioner before leaving and prepare a pharmacy kit for the trip because in the trek there is no dispensary (medicines for headache, stomach ache, …).
If you have specific health problems, it is important to let us know in advance. It is also very important to choose your trek based on its difficulty and your physical and mental condition.
15) I have never climbed aloft, am I likely to get acute mountain sickness? Have you had such experiences? Would I be able to trek through 5000m?
The best prevention against this type of problem is acclimatization. So that it goes smoothly, you have to give the body time to acclimatize to the altitude and climb gradually. Remember to drink lots of water before and during the climb, avoid trying too hard in addition to walking and keep your energy for the next stages of the journey. There are cases where some people may have a headache before or in the collars. In the event of very pronounced high altitude sickness, it will be necessary to descend to altitude. By following these tips it is quite possible to do a 5000 m even if you have never done 4000 m before.
16) What happens if a group member has to stop for any reason? Can the others continue?
If a participant in the group is sick, the trek will be interrupted. If the situation is not alarming, we will remain in a refuge to observe the development of the situation. If this improves, the trek can resume. If, on the contrary, the situation does not improve, the person will turn around or be evacuated depending on the situation. The group can continue, but it is of course possible to interrupt the trek in order to stay with the sick person.
From 4 people, the group will be accompanied by an assistance guide, he will be responsible for accompanying the evacuee, otherwise one of our carriers will take care of it. In the event of a major problem, we plan to evacuate by helicopter to a hospital in Kathmandu.
17) How is our arrival? Are we met at the airport?
If you arrive by plane at TIA Kathmandu airport, after passing immigration you will collect your luggage and at the exit you will be greeted by a Panorama Himalaya guide who will wait for you with a sign bearing the name of the agency and your name. We then drive you to your hotel. You will need to note the airport arrival times when you complete the registration form. If these hours change, you will have to inform us.
18) How do we reach the starting point of the trek? What are the means of transport?
Departures for the Everest region are most often made by plane. We take care of all transfers to the point of departure and return, according to your itinerary. For small groups / FIT (Free Individual Trekkers) we take local transport for ecological reasons, and if the number of participants is large enough we will reserve a private vehicle for the trek departure.
19) Will we sleep in a tent or refuge?
We sleep in lodges (with the inhabitants most of the time). Before the trek starts we reserve the mountain lodge. We organize camping treks in the most isolated regions (for example Dolpo, Nar Phu, Kanchenjunga or for 6000 to 7000m).
20) How are meals organized during the trek, should I plan my food? What type of food is consumed during the trek?
The three meals morning noon and evening are included in our service (full board). Teas and coffees are also included. All cold bar drinks (beer, cola, cappuccino, etc. are excluded from the service. During the trek the meals are varied: noodles, soups, dal that,…
21) How is the water supply organized during the trek?
Plastic bottles causing too much pollution, we plan to refuel in natural sources. However, this water is not drinkable, which is why we advise you to buy filter gourds and coals beforehand.
22) Will we be able to shower each evening?
It is possible to take showers regularly up to 3500m, but beyond that it becomes rarer, in particular because one does not sweat much any more and to preserve the heat of the body. Showers are chargeable and can cost 2-4 euros per shower.
23) Will it be possible to charge our devices? Will we have internet access?
Today it is easy to charge your devices on a trek, you can also buy external batteries with several days of autonomy for passes etc. There are also small portable solar panels. There are many internet access points on the courses. You can easily send emails and messages to your loved ones and family.
24) I would like to do a very sporty trek through the 5000m passes. What options are available? I would like to do a 6000m, what are the options?
If you want to do a more sporty trek, you can fall back on an 18 to 20 day trek in the mountains, like that of the three passes in the Everest region, the kanchanjunga trek, Nar Phu tilicho, Manaslu Tsum valley, etc. We can also work with you on the routes in order to lengthen and make the trek more complex. If you want to integrate a 6000m as an extension of your trek, it will take 3 more days. In the Everest region, the most accessible 6000m are Lobuche peak and Island peak Mera Peak. On the contrary the most difficult are Amadablam, Baruntse, Tsolatsé, Himlung, Amotsang, etc. For these summits, a minimum of 10-12 days will be required from base camp, with rest days for acclimatization. You will be accompanied by a Nepalese guide specialized in high mountains.
25) I would like to avoid the tourist region like the Annapurna tour and the Everest base camp. What do you recommend ?
The Annapurna and Everest regions are often visited during the high season. To avoid this frequentation you can do your trek at the start or end of the season. Tell us your dates precisely if you want to know our advice on this. To avoid more touristy areas, you can go to the treks of Ganesh himal base camp, Paldor base camp, Nar Phu, Pikey dudhkunda, Rolwaling, kanchungenga, etc.
26) I am very athletic and I do not need a porter for the trek or I do not like the idea of having a porter, is it possible that I carry all my things myself?
If you are very sporty and you already have the habit of carrying your things at altitude, exceptionally, we will let you carry them. However, you become fully responsible during the trip. This decision can lead to important consequences which could lead to the end of the trek and health problems and should therefore not be taken lightly.
27) When do I book my trek with Panorama?
If you wish to go on a trek with us, you will need to book at least 4 months in advance. Some people reserve up to a year in advance. The sooner you contact us, the more we can be precise with regard to your expectations, however demanding they may be.
28) On what dates do we have to book the plane tickets if we leave in group or group FIT (Free Indivuduel Trekkeurs)?
As soon as you have fixed your trekking date with us, we advise you to book your plane tickets as soon as possible. By picking up in advance you can find your tickets at more attractive prices. Do not hesitate to choose an arrival date a few days before your trekking departure in order to enjoy Kathmandu.
29) I don’t want to trek but I would like to discover Nepalese culture and cities, what do you offer me? What are the sites to visit in Kathmandu?
For those who do not wish to do a mountain trek there are of course many other possibilities including cultural visits, which we offer here on our site.
Places to visit in Kathmandu include Bhaktapur, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Pokhara, Chitwan, etc.
30) How difficult is it to get food and water in the city?
There is a huge choice of food in town. You can easily find all kinds of world cuisine: Thai, Mexican, Italian, Indian, Chinese, Nepalese etc. Nepalese food is close to Indian food.
You will have to be very careful with the water in town. You will not be able to drink tap water, buy bottled water in one of the many shops in town.
31) How to choose accommodation in Kathmandu? which neighborhood do you recommend for staying outside the trek?
The Thamel district is very nice if you only stay a few days in Kathmandu. This is the tourist area of the city, where you can find all kinds of outdoor equipment, many handicrafts, various restaurants, hotels and bars. You could say it’s the ALL IN ONE neighborhood. When you return from trekking, if you want to stay longer in Kathmandu, you can go to a quieter area like Bouddhanath or Bhaktapur which are also very nice to visit. You can also find a lot of homestay (among locals) if you are staying for a longer period.
We can assist and advise you in booking your hotel.
32) What happens if I want to cancel or postpone my trek? What are the cancellation fees?
If you cancel the trip after you send the registration form and pay the booking and booking fees, you will not be reimbursed for your deposit.
If you cancel the trip less than 5 days before departure, you will not be reimbursed. In the event of health problems requiring you to cancel your trek, you can be reimbursed by your insurance. To see according to your insurance contract.
33) We want to know the opinions of other travelers before committing. Do you have a dedicated section on your site or other where we can consult them?
You can visit our page dedicated to traveler reviews as well as the reviews on our facebook page, trip advisor, etc. 99% of our customers are satisfied over our 3 years behind the organization of treks. Here are the links to our page and our Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/PanoramaHimalayaTrekkingExpeditionPLtd/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/panoramatrekkers/?source_id=441720609186291
