FAQs

To book your trip, please fill out our trip booking form and send it to us along with a copy of your passport and the deposit. Your booking will be fully confirmed once we have received all these details. Learn more: How to book trip

We require 20% of the trip cost as a deposit at the time of booking.

We accept payments via bank/wire transfer or card payments. We accept all major cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex). Please note that card payments will incur an additional 3.5% processing fee.

For trekking and peak climbing trips, the balance can be paid upon your arrival in Kathmandu by card or cash. Please note that card payments will incur a 3.5% processing fee, so we recommend paying by cash after your arrival to avoid this fee.

For high-altitude expeditions, the balance payment must be made 30 days prior to the expedition start date.

At the time of booking the trip, we will need a completed booking form and a copy of your passport. Additional details, such as your flight information and insurance, can be sent anytime after the booking is made.

We offer both group joining and private trips based on your preferences. Simply select your desired trip and get in touch with us, and we’ll help tailor the experience to suit your needs.

A Nepal visa can be obtained on arrival at Kathmandu Airport or through Nepalese Embassies/Consulates near your location.

For visa processing requirements, please contact the Nepal Embassy or Consulate closest to you. If you plan to get a visa on arrival, it can be easily obtained at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.

To streamline the visa application process upon arrival, we recommend filling out the visa application form at https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/on-arrival/IO01 before landing at Kathmandu airport. Please fill out the form and bring a printed copy of it so that you do not have to waste time at the airport filling out the visa application form. Please ensure you fill out the visa application form no earlier than 14 days before your arrival date, as the system will delete any applications submitted more than 14 days in advance.

Also, kindly ensure that you have the exact amount of cash for the Visa fee as the cash counter may not have spare changes every time. USD is the best but you can also pay with any major currencies (GBP, EUR, AUD, CAD, SGD, CHF, HKD) or local currency.

Gratis visa for 30 days available only for tourists of SAARC countries. For other nationals, following visa cost will be applied:

Multiple entry 15 days – US$ 30
Multiple entry 30 days – US$ 50
Multiple entry 90 days – US$ 125

Yes, we will arrange airport pickup based on your flight schedule. Please share your flight details (airline, flight number, date, and ETA) with us, and a member of our team will be there to receive you. Look for a placard with Highland Expeditions in the arrival area.

We would greatly appreciate it if you could reconfirm your flight details before arriving in Kathmandu.

For any assistance at the airport, please reach out to us at +9779708680019 / +9779708680018

Your meeting point or point of arrival is at Kathmandu’s airport, Tribhuvan International Airport. Upon arrival at Kathmandu’s Airport, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), kindly proceed to immigration to apply for VOA (Visa On Arrival), customs clearing, and then collect your luggage. Outside the arrival hall, please look out for our staff holding a placard stating ‘Highland Expeditions’, and you will be escorted to the hotel for checking in.

We highly recommend obtaining travel insurance that is suitable for your trip before you embark on your journey. Travel insurance is especially important when trekking and climbing in the Himalayas above 3,000m/10,000ft. Please refer to this page for more information on insurance: Travel Insurance for Nepal

Yes, you can purchase almost all trekking and climbing gear in Kathmandu. There are plenty of shops, ranging from international brands to locally manufactured options, so you’ll find everything you need. If you plan to buy additional gear, it’s best to arrive a day early to allow enough time for shopping.

For climbing gears, an alternate will be to hire the gears if you do not have any plans of using it soon in future.

Major foreign currencies such as USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, CHF, SGD, MYR, and HKD are widely accepted in Kathmandu, and you can easily exchange them at money changers upon arrival. Foreign currencies are also accepted in restaurants and shops, but it’s advisable to convert them into NPR first, as the exchange rate may not be favorable when paying with foreign currency. The same applies to personal expenses during your trek.

If you need to exchange your currency into local currency, there are plenty of money exchange counters in Thamel, at hotels, and at Kathmandu Airport, where you can easily convert your money into Nepalese Rupees. Most major foreign currencies are accepted, but it’s best to bring USD, GBP, or EURO.

In the city, most businesses also accept card payments.

You can also withdraw cash from ATMs, but please note that the daily withdrawal limit is approximately the equivalent of USD 750 in Nepalese Rupees. There are ATMs in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and other major cities in Nepal, and in the Everest region, you can find an ATM in Namche Bazaar. However, it’s still advisable to carry enough cash with you from Kathmandu for personal expenses.

Traveler’s cheques and other forms of payment are not recommended. It’s always a good idea to carry extra cash for emergencies during your trek or climb.

You can get a SIM card at the airport or in the Thamel area. The two main providers are Nepal Telecom and Ncell. While SIM cards work well in the city, coverage becomes limited once you’re on the trail. We recommend choosing a Nepal Telecom SIM card, as it offers better coverage in the mountains.

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, we will provide you with a waterproof duffel bag to pack all your clothing and gear for the trip. This duffel bag will be carried by the porter or yak during the trek.

Additionally, you should bring a daypack or small rucksack, large enough to carry your valuables, water, energy bars, camera, waterproof jacket, and fleece.

Any luggage or items you don’t need for the trek or climb can be safely stored at your hotel in Kathmandu.

Walking distance/hour varies as per client’s fitness and also due to the altitude, terrain and gradient. In general trekking term, the walking distances are measured in hours rather than miles. On average, you will walk about 6 hours every day on our trekking trips in Himalayas. Morning walk, which is after breakfast till lunch will be 3-4 hours and after lunch couple of hours to reach our overnight place

If you are in good health and enjoy regular exercise such as jogging, tennis, or even long hikes then with proper itinerary and acclimatization you can embark on Himalayan adventure. Previous experience is not required to trek in the Himalayas although it will be beneficial to have some. Trekking to Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit don’t require previous experience but being physically fit are basic requirements as you will be walking 6 hours every day on average on ups and downs terrain over 5000m altitude above sea level.

For climbing trips, it is essential to have some previous experience. On our climbing trips we have a climbing course at the base camp before the actual climb, where the guides will teach you skills and techniques along with the demonstration of proper use of equipments.

If in the case of single by default then we will provide single room without extra charge. However, if someone wish to have single room then single supplement will be charged.

Though tipping is not compulsory but gratuity is appreciated. A suggestion of an allocation of USD 5.00 per day per person for teahouse/lodge treks & USD 10.00 per day per person for camping/climbing trips – this can be handed to the leader/Sirdar at the end of the trek in the presence of the staff for distribution as gratitude. You can also give away your trekking equipment such as boots, jackets, trekking poles, head torches to the crew.
On the last day of the trek, we will have a celebration night with all our trekking crew and we suggest the gratuity to the staff be given only at the end of the trek.

Rooms are basic, normally just a bed with a pillow and blankets but with a wonderful view from your window. All the teahouses/lodges have a spacious warm dining room-lounge. We will arrange for you and your group to stay in local lodges daily. Please remember that some of them are very basic and a sense of adventure is necessary.

Meals are included in our package and you can choose your meals from the menu. Meals are served in Teahouses/Lodges located along the trail. You can find a wide variety of Nepali and Western food as well as drinks (coffee, tea, milk, soft drinks, and beer)

On our camping trip, for every 2 persons a tent is provided and beside that we will have a dining tent, kitchen tent and more for your comfort.

On our camping trips, we have an experienced chef to cater the group needs. Our Chef will prepare exceptional meals and ensure its quality preparation. He will be with us and is responsible for all meals during our trekking days. You can and is encouraged to bring along comfort food which you enjoy eating – chocolates, power bars, dry fruits, candies, other snacks etc.

Yes, Hot shower, washing facilities and battery charge are available on treks with an extra cost. Hot shower is available at the teahouses/lodges where you will stay at an extra cost of USD 1-2 per person. For battery/Phone charge we recommend you to bring a travel adapter with you. Batt charge will cost USD 1-2 depending upon the places. Along the way there are chances to do the laundry as some days are short duration walk and also, we have a rest day on all our trips.

Trekking poles are not essential but are beneficial especially on a long day’s trek where the terrain are ups and downs. If someone has knee problem then trekking poles are of a great help. Having trekking poles while walking downhill will reduce the stress on your knee and thus helps you in getting down easily.

This entirely depends on your trip how much cash should you bring but since meals and accommodation on treks/climbs are all included on our trip, you will need cash for meals in Kathmandu, personal expenses, tipping and shopping.

We are known for providing the highest staff to client ratio on most of our trips. We provide 1 assistant guide to every 4 clients, 1 porter to every 2 clients and a local experienced trip leader and a Sirdar at camping trips.

If you have any special dietary requirements or allergies/intolerance with foods then kindly let us know and we will pass it to the trip leader. But kindly note that we are not able to provide special diets as it can be very difficult especially while travelling to high altitude areas.

Communication on trek especially in Everest/Annapurna region are fair with WIFI available on most of the teahouses/lodges, but please note that the connection may be disrupted at times. If you wish to get a local Sim card, then you can easily get it in Thamel and you will need to have 2 passport size photos along with a passport copy (Make sure that your phone is unlocked)

In the case of an emergency, they can contact Highland Expeditions directly and we will pass the message to your trip leader.

We strongly recommend packing as light as possible however the specific requirements for clothing depends on your trip mode and where you are travelling. Kindly refer to the trip dossier as it contains the equipment check list.