Nepal
What to know before you travel to Nepal: getting there, visa and money, plus the season and details of each of our trips.
Before you go
Almost everything starts in Kathmandu. From there you fly or drive to the starting point of each trip.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Getting there | International flight to Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport). From the UAE there are also direct flights from Dubai to Pokhara. |
| Visa | Most nationalities can get it on arrival at the airport. It currently costs USD 30 (15 days), USD 50 (30 days) or USD 125 (90 days). Check before you travel on the official Nepal Department of Immigration website. |
| Currency | Nepalese rupee. There are ATMs in Kathmandu and Pokhara, but bring cash for the trek. |
| Accommodation on the trail | On the treks you sleep in mountain lodges (teahouses), not tents. |
| Monsoon | From June to September it rains a lot and the mountains are hidden in cloud, so we don’t run trips to Nepal in those months. |
| Weather | In Kathmandu, mild temperatures in spring and autumn. On the treks, sunny days and cold nights, below freezing above a certain altitude. |
| Plugs | Types C, D and M, 230 V. Many hotels have universal sockets. If yours are a different type, bring an adapter. |
Every trip has its own story
Everest Base Camp
Best time: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).
You fly to Lukla, a very short mountain airstrip, and start walking from there. Depending on the season, flights are diverted to Ramechhap, several hours by road from Kathmandu, unless you book a helicopter, which is an extra.
Annapurna Base Camp
Best time: spring and autumn.
It starts in Pokhara, about 25–30 minutes by plane from Kathmandu or 7–10 hours by bus. From the UAE you can also fly direct from Dubai to Pokhara.
Langtang Valley
Best time: spring and autumn.
The closest to Kathmandu: about 6 hours by road to Syabrubesi, where the walking begins.
Lobuche East
Best time: spring and autumn.
It’s on the way to Everest Base Camp, so you can go up to Base Camp to acclimatise before the summit, at 6,119 m with fixed lines. It requires technical gear: see the gear page.
Pokhara and yoga retreat
Best time: October to May.
Short getaways, with no altitude and no special physical preparation needed. From the UAE you can fly direct from Dubai to Pokhara.
All dates are in the departure calendar.
Health, altitude and insurance
- Altitude: our trips are designed to give you proper acclimatisation. Safety comes first, and with altitude we don’t take chances. If you have any questions, just ask us. More in altitude sickness and acclimatisation
- Vaccines: book an appointment at a travel health clinic in good time, as recommendations change
- Insurance: it’s mandatory. It must cover the activity you’ll be doing, based on the maximum altitude and whether technical gear is involved, as well as helicopter rescue and evacuation and repatriation. Before departure you’ll also sign a waiver
- Water: never from the tap. Use a filter, purification tablets or boiled water
- Stomach: on the trail, stick to hot, cooked food. It’s the safest option
- Physical preparation: you don’t need to be an athlete, but arriving prepared means you’ll enjoy the trip much more. If you need it, we can help with a training and nutrition plan tailored to you. See how it works
Got a question?
If you’re thinking about travelling to Nepal and aren’t sure which trip suits you, write to us and we’ll reply by email.
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