Pre-departure Information

• Nepal
• Bhutan
• Tibet
• Sikkim/Darjeeling
• India

NEPAL
Visa and documentation
A 60 days visa for Nepal can be obtained from all Nepalese Embassies or consulates abroad or upon arrival in Kathmandu airport, Visa fee is U.S.$30 or equivalent convertible foreign currencies. Children under 10 years need not pay any visa fees. Visa fee is waived for the tourist visiting Nepal for a period of 3 days. Indian nationals do not need visa to travel Nepal except valid passport or citizenship card or Identity with photograph. There is provision of free visa for tourists of SAARC countries and People's Republic of China. Chinese citizen are requested to apply in Embassy or mission abroad as there is no provision of on arrival visa for them. (More: Nepal Visa Information)

Accessories
While, going to trekking you need a good pair of trekking boots, warm and comfortable clothing and a sleeping bag. It is possible to hire a sleeping bag and down Jacket in Kathmandu at reasonable prices. When visiting the lower parts of Nepal, you need loose and light clothing; the day temperatures from spring to autumn would be very high (temperature chart). Light colored clothing is recommended when visiting wild life reserves. Going on a raft you need a pair of sandals, T-shirt, pair of shirts, swimming costume (optional) and some warm cloths for evening.
(More: Equipment Check Lists)

Climatic conditions
• March to may (spring season) – The Rhododendron blooms, nice and warm days
• June to August (summer season) – Hot weather and rainy days trekking is limited rain shadowed region like Manang, Upper Mustang and Jomsom due to heavy rainfalls.
• September to November (Autumn season) – The sky clears up again offering stunning mountain views.
• December to February (winter season) – Days are cold and nights are freezing. Trekking at lower areas like Sikles Eco Trekking, Roal Trekking, Shivapuri – Nagarkot Trekking, Jyamrung Trekking, Langtang Valley Trekking, Helambu Trekking are popular in this season.
(More: Season)

Health, medicine and Altitude problems:
Any Journey will be more enjoyable with sound physical condition. Cycling, Jogging, long walks involving up and down hill in the beginning is adviced to prepare yourself to go to trekking. Trekking is possible even for old people and young children. (More: Physical Fitness)
Travelers are advised to bring medicine prescribed by their doctors at home. Common medicine is available in Kathmandu. Medicine is usually not available in remote trekking areas. So, it is advised to carry necessary medicine with you on the treks. Immunization against typhoid, meningitis and hepatitis is also advised. (More: Medicines)

Altitude problem is often known as acute mountain sickness, which is particularly a matter of important medical consideration while trekking in the Himalayas. Altitude sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevations above 3000 meters. Symptoms like headache, nausea shortness of breath; fatigue etc can be encountered as initials the sickness. Himalayan Rescue association is the major source of information for prevention and treatment of the sickness. All of our guides will follow the training conducted by Himalayan rescue association. (More: Altitude Sickness)

Electricity

Voltage: 230V
Hertz: 50Hz

BHUTAN

All Tourists must book package tours through a local travel agent To travel in Bhutan. Entire tariff are fixed by Tourism Authority of Bhutan, which covers travelers all meals, accommodations, transport, guides. This is done in order to keep the number of tourists on the level, which does not effects the natural environment or the life style of the Nation. (More: Bhutan Information)

Visa:
Visa is required for traveling to Bhutan and it is processed in Thimphu through our local tour operator. No foreign Mission/Embassies abroad grants tourist visa.
All passport details should be forwarded to the agent at least 3 weeks prior to date of travel for visa processing. (More: Bhutan Visa Information)

Visa fee:
Which currently cost US$ 20.00 for two weeks tourist visa and is issued upon arrival at Paro Airport. All applications need to reach Bhutan well in advance mentioning your intended arrival dates, tourists are not allowed to board inbound to Bhutan unless visa clearance has been obtained from Thumbu. Our agent can take care of all such formalities there. (More: Bhutan Visa Information)

Climate:
In the central valleys where most tourist activities take place, the winter is dry with temperature up to 18 degree centigrade at daytime. But early morning and evening be very cold. In spring, when the forests are vibrant with red, pink, and white rhododendrons are a beautiful time to visit. From mid March to early June, the weather gradually warms up prior to arrival of the monsoon. The end of September when the rain finished, marks the beginning of autumn clear sky and bright sunshine with temperature falling towards freezing at night. This also, is a magnificent season in which to visit Bhutan. It is worth remembering that the views of High Himalayans are only normally possible from late September to March. Best Season: March, April, May, September, October & November Monsoon: June, July & August. Winter: December, January, & February.
NOTE: April & October are high season because they are full of colorful festivals with excellent weather. (More: Bhutan Climate)

PHOTOGRAPHY: 16mm film cameras are prohibited in BHUTAN. Also photography in some of the monasteries & Djongs are not allowed.

Money:
Bhutan unit of currency is called Ngultrum (Nu) with 100 chetrum=1 Ngultrum is at par with Indian rupee. Traveler's cheques (preferably American Express) is accepted but you must bring some money in US$ cash for incidental expenses on departure and return. So far only American Express credit cards are accepted and that too in limited number of establishment.
Approximately US$ 1.00= Nu. 43.00

Flight ticket:
As above package tours do not include airfare, you have choices to start from Kathmandu and end at Bangkok, Delhi, Calcutta, Dhaka or vice versa. Please inquire for the airfares for different sector. (More: Bhutan Flight schedules)

Flight Fare:
Kathmandu-Paro-Kathmandu US$ 380.00 round trip per person.
Kathmandu-Paro US$ 190.00 one-way per person.

TIBET
Transport by motorcoach coach/landrover/automobile as required, and accommodation with daily breakfast using Holiday Inn/Tibet Hotel while at Lhasa. Tibet for the rest of we uses the best available hotels and guesthouses, but these offer more basic accommodation and fewer amenities. Sightseeing Tours, Services of English speaking Local Tibetan /Chinese Guides, entrance fees to monasteries and other points of interest, Tibet permits, Kathmandu-Lhasa airfare as per itinerary and visa charges are also included. (More: Tibet Information)

Not included in the land cost
Insurance, airport departure taxes, Nepalese Visa, Passport fees, immunizations, hard and soft drinks, Photographic charges in various monasteries, gratuities and items of any personal nature that have not been specifically included above.

Surcharge
A surcharge of US$ 50.00 on Tibet visas is applicable for British, Canadian, Belgian, Cameroon, Brazilian, Irish, French and Dutch nationals.

Visas and documentation
You must be in possession of a valid passport. We obtain your visa for Tibet, and will require the following information when making your reservation: full name, date of expiry, place of issue, nationality, date of birth, sex and occupation. Two passport size photographs are also required. Additionally you must allow three full working days in Kathmandu for the visa to be fiscally stamped in your passport. A 30 day's visa for Nepal can be obtained from all Nepalese Embassies abroad or upon
your arrival in Kathmandu airport in US$ 25.00. (More: Tibet Visa)

Accessories
We recommend you to bring the following items to make your journey more comfortable: Personal first aid kid, water purification tablets, toilet kit with toilet paper, flashlight with extra batteries, sunglasses, water bottle, note book, pens, pencils, camera and film and extra batteries for electronic Cameras, binoculars, Duffel bag, rain gear, strong footwear, pocket knife, sewing kits, compass, altimeter, drinking cup, towel, plastic bags, dust mask, strong suncream, chapstic, and money belt.
From Oct - March warm clothes are required to flight the frosty cold. From April - September light clothes to shun the scorching heat. However a jacket and a sweater are advised throughout the year as the weather nay unexpectedly changes at any time. The recommended item are: A domestic first aid kit, toilet and tissue papers flashlight, sleeping bag, comfortable walking shoes, dust masks, utility knife, sun, hat, sun glasses, suntan lotion, and a limited number of clothes. (More: Tibet Equiptment Check Lists)

Insurance
We recommend you to insure yourself against sickness, emergency rescue, accident, Hospitalization, cancellation etc., as we accept no responsibility or expenses which may arise from mishaps to persons or their belongings during these tours.
Note: We will be happy to provide package programs including Nepal with any of these Tibet packages on request.

CUSTOM:
There is no prohibition on still and video cameras, tape recorders as long as they're registered with a custom official, printed matters considered unsuitable by the Chinese government are prohibited. Customs regulations forbid the export of art objects created prior to 1959 or souvenirs in amounts demed to be excessive.

FOOD & DRINK:
Tibet has only a handful of towers and Tibetan cuisine is not exactly the most varied in the world. It is handy to carry, anything that can be brewed with hot, water instant coffee, drinking chocolate, tea (bags) soup cubes, powered milk, other food items worth considering are instant noodles, vegemite, nuts and raisins, chocolate, dry foods and biscuit.

BUSINESS HOURS:
Government offices are usually closed on SATURDAY and SUNDAY.

CURRENCY:
RENMBI, the people's money used by millions of Chinese everyday, circulates in notes of 1,2,5,10 and 50, 100 yuan, 1,2 and 5 jiao; There are also coins for 1,2 and 5 fen. With the Chinese currency Renminbi, one yuan is divided into 10 jiao, into 10 fen (US$ 1= 8 yuan approx.)

AIRPORT:
Lhasa Gonggar airport is approx 96kms away from Lhasa

AIRPORT TAX:
The airport departure tax at present is US$ 12.00 Per Person (Subject to change)

AIR TICKET RECONFIRMATION:
Your guide will reconfirm the air ticket upon payment of RMB 30, which is reconfirmation fee charged by China Southwest Airlines.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
A cancellation charge of 50% for reconfirmed booking up to SEVEN DAYS before departure to TIBET will be charged after which NO REFUND will be entertained. Further under no circumstance will there be a refund on NO SHOW UPS and DELAY in ARRIVALS.

HEALTH & ALTITUDE PROBLEMS:
Tibet remains one of the most interesting, remote and undeveloped part of the world, situated at an average average elevation of 5000 (16,000ft) above sea level. Its facilities for tourists are only now approaching a reasonable standard.
A trip to Tibet is not for the faint hearted; the traveling can be hard, adventurous and often unpredictable. Due to Tibet's high altitude travelers with a history of heart, lung or anemia problems should consult a doctor before even thinking about a visit.
Visitors should also understand before taking this trip that Tibet was only opened to tourism 19 years ago. The infrastructure of the tourist industry is still very basic in this remote country. Please do not expect the standards you are accustomed to in the West. However, every efforts will be made under the circumstance to ensure a smooth and pleasant trip.

(More) The Tibetan Plateau lies over 12000 feet, most people will experience some of the minor symptoms and discomfort of altitude sickness, until their body adjust to the elevation. This can take from a few hours to couple of days, depending on the individual.
Traveling in Tibet involves high altitude and can be strenuous. Clients with heart and lung problems or blood diseases should consult their doctor before booking the trip. Very rare cases of altitude sickness have been reported. Simple headache, fever, loss of appetite and stomach disorders can happen before the acclimatization. Advised, drink approx. 3 litres of water per day, do not strain yourself, move slowly, breathe deeply and take regular rests please do not smoke & do not drink alcohol

Sikkim / Darjeeling

Entry Formality
Along with the Indian visa, foreigners are required to obtain "Inner Line permits" for Sikkim, which are valid for 15 days at a time and can be extended for a further 15 days once in Sikkim. However no special permits are required for traveling to Darjeeling and Kalimpong. The permits are available at all Indian missions/consulates abroad and Sikkim Tourism Offices at Delhi, Calcutta, Siliguri and Gangtok. Recently Sikkim has introduced issuing permits at its' border (in Rangpo) valid for 3 days. While applying locally you must provide 2 passport size photographs and photocopies of the passport pages with the copy of valid Visa. We advise you to obtain this before departing for India to avoid wasting valuable holiday time here.

To get there
Air: Bagdora airport There are regular flights to and from Delhi, Calcutta and Guwahati etc. There is also nearby airport of Bhadrapur and Biratnagar in Nepal.
Rail: New Jalpaiguri (NJP) 4km away from the main city of Siliguri (NJP station) has regular trains from many parts of the country (Delhi, Calcutta, Varanasi etc.) Trains to Calcutta take about 8-10 hours, to Delhi between 17- 26 hours depending on the train.
By Road: The road in the region is fairly good, passing through very picturesque tea gardens, forests and hamlets. With flowers lending added charm. Jeeps or small coaches are provided on your tours.

Climate and Clothing
Whichever season you do come to Sikkim, carry some woolens, an umbrella for sun or rain and some light and warm clothing as the weather is very changeable at anytime of the day.
April to September : Light woolen clothes
October to March : Warm woolen clothes

INDIA

Passport & Visa: Citizens of all countries need to have a valid passport and an entry, transit or tourist visa obtained from the Indian Mission in their country. Tourist visa is normally valid for 120 days. Applying to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi can get visa extensions. The letter should then be handed over at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office at Hans Bhawan, Tilak Bridge, near ITO. Delhi. Those wishing to visit neighboring country like Nepal, and then coming back to India, should obtain a double/multiple entry visa.

Registration: All foreigners are required to get them registered with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, which is situated in Hans Bhawan, Tilak Road Near ITO Delhi.

Health Regulations: Yellow fever inoculation certificate is compulsory for those who have traveled across Africa or Papua New Guinea in the last six days. The certificate becomes valid 10 days after the inoculation. No immunization against small pox or cholera is required. Those without the yellow certificate are liable to be quarantined for up to six days.