Arrival & Departure information:
Upon arrival in Kathmandu’s Airport, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), kindly proceed to the immigration to apply for VOA (Visa On Arrival), custom clearing and then collect your luggage. Outside the arrival hall, please look out for our staff holding a placard stating ‘Highland Expeditions – Name of Guest’ and you will be escorted to the hotel for checking in.
Your trip leader will escort you to the Airport, if possible, depending on the time of your departure. You are advised to check-in at least three (3) hours’ prior to your flight departure. Kindly be informed you are not required to pay any departure taxes at the airport as the said taxes are levied in your ticket fare (at the current time).
Visa and Passport factor
All foreigners except Indian nationals must hold a valid passport and a valid visa. Visitors can apply for a visa at the Nepalese diplomatic missions and consulates abroad or on arrival in Kathmandu’s airport. Visa is also issued at the entry points if you are entering Nepal by land. Visa can be extended at the Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu if you wish to extend your stay. Children under 10 years need not pay the visa fee.
When applying for a visa at any of the land entry points, visitors are required to submit a completed visa form with a passport photograph. For your convenience, please click on the link below to get further information and to submit the completed online VISA application, and you are required to print out the same form for submission at the airport in order to avoid any complications.
http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa
Visa Cost:
Gratis visa for 30 days available only for tourists of SAARC countries
Multiple entries 15 days – US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entries 30 days – US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entries 90 days – US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency
To expedite the ease of the application for the visa upon arrival, kindly ensure that you have two (2) passport size photo and also the exact amount in USD or local currency to minimise the waiting time.
Tourist Visa Extension
A fee is chargeable for an extension of a tourist visa in USD or its equivalent in Nepalese rupees: – USD 30.00 for 15 days or less; USD 2.00 per day is chargeable for more than 15 days. Entry Tourist Visa can also be obtained to a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January – December).
Getting to Nepal
Nepal only has one international airport (TIA), located at Kathmandu, Nepal.  Approximately 30 international flights are operating to and from Nepal on a daily basis.  We suggest that you book your ticket at least three (3) months’ prior to the date of your intended trip to avoid any cancellations due to the high volume of travellers/visitors during the peak season.
Some of the airlines which are operating flights to Nepal are Nepal Airlines, Qatar Airways, Fly Dubai, Etihad Airways, Malaysian Airlines, Malindo Air, Thai Air, Silk Air, Dragon Air, China Eastern/Western, Air China, Turkish Air, Korean Air, Air India, Air Arabia, Oman Air, Biman Air, Bhutan Airlines.
Nepal shares a border with China on the north side and with India surrounding the east, west and south sides. Â You can obtain the entry visa at the entry points but please check the VISA formalities of the respective country from where you will be entering Nepal.
How to Book
A provisional booking will be accepted and we will hold it for two (2) weeks giving you time to promote and collect deposits.  When you are ready to confirm, just submit to us the Booking Form together with the initial deposits. The final payment can be made before or after your arrival in Kathmandu as per your convenience.
Travel Insurance and Rescue
It’s mandatory and highly recommended to get travel insurance before embarking on any adventurous trips in Nepal. We advise all our clients to get travel insurance that covers up emergency helicopter evacuation that may be needed in case of the occurrence of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness)  in high altitudes where there are no other means of transportation available. Travel protection, Medical expenses, Baggage lost, Death & Repatriation are also other important factors to include when purchasing your Insurance. It is advisable to review carefully the insurance and its coverages before making the final decision.
In case of a serious sickness or a casualty; we undertake to do everything possible to transfer you to the nearest hospital. Â Since you are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in an evacuation, kindly ensure that all expenses are fully covered by your insurance before assigning it or must be prepared to pay on your own after getting back to Kathmandu. Find out more about travel insurance
AMS – Acute Mountain Sickness  (Causes and preventions)
Altitude Sickness has the potential to affect all travellers from 2500m and higher. Your body needs time to adjust to smaller quantities of oxygen in the air at 5500m/18,044ft; the air pressure is approximately half that of sea level, i.e. there is half the amount of oxygen. Â AMS is caused by ascending too fast and can be fatal if the symptoms or warning signals are ignored. However, one needs to be watchful and take all the necessary precautions.
Best time to visit Nepal
Nepal is one country one can visit the whole year-round. Â Due to its unique geographical layout, the altitude and the climate range from place to place. A good time to visit Nepal solely depend on the activities that you are interested to do on your trip. Â For example, any time of the year is a good time for local tour programs incorporating your interests for outdoor activities such as paragliding, bungy jumping, wild-life safari and so on.
The best seasons to do trekking in Nepal are in Autumn (mid-September till the end of November) and Spring (Mid-March until May). Temperatures will drop considerably as you ascend higher each day. The nights are cold (between -10C to 5C) but the days are sunny and hot (between 10C to 20C). Â Mornings are usually clear, with clouds building up in the afternoon and disappearing at night. Trekking during monsoon seasons and winters are not recommended, as the visibility is poor and limited while upper parts and high passes could be covered with snow.
March, April, October and November are the most favoured months. Please choose the date that is convenient for you. Find out more about the best time to visit Nepal
Health/Safety/Vaccinations
As vaccination requirement changes frequently, we strongly suggest you consult your doctor at least 2 months prior to your trip. We recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis and polio.
Accommodation
We use hotels from the 5-star category to the standard ones depending on the clients’ preference and request. However, we patronize 3-4 star hotels which are centrally located in the most popular tourist hubs.
Trek crew
We offer options in leadership to match your requirements:
1) Trained Nepali Trek leader (experienced and knowledgeable)
2) Sherpa Guide (handles the logistics and guides you and your team on the trek)
The Sherpa guide (commonly called Sirdar) will be accompanied by a crew of porters. Treks with full camping facilities, each member of the group will be allotted, 2-3 porters. Treks with tea-house accommodation facilities, every 2 members will share 1 porter.
Teahouse Trek/Camping trek
Teahouse/Lodge in Nepal, especially in most popular trekking regions (Everest and Annapurna) has improved widely and has facilities like WIFI, Hot Shower, electricity to charge their gadgets, Bars and Bakeries.
Other trekking regions, Lodges will be, although simple but is good enough to provide shelter and warmth and are managed by friendly local families. The lodge or tea house treks are less expensive as oppose to the camping treks and are largely suitable for small groups.
Our camping treks,  we will have a full crew that will comprise of a Leader, a Sirdar, a Cook, an Assistant guide, Helpers and Porters. We will provide a tent for every 2 persons, however, a single tent will be provided upon request at the cost for a single supplement which is stated in trip costing.  We consider hearty and delicious meals to be a key component to the overall success of our trip.  Our Chef will prepare exceptional meals and ensure its quality preparation. He will be with us and is responsible for the preparation of all meals during our trekking days. You can and is encouraged to bring along comfort food you enjoy eating – chocolates, power bars, dry fruits, candies, other snacks etc.
JOIN A GROUP OR PRIVATE TRIP
We offer trips on both fixed departure and private basis. If you are alone and would like to join any of our trips, please check our ‘fixed departures’ section on every trip for availability, dates and price.
Alternatively, if you enjoy independent travels, or with your friends, families & colleagues you have the option to choose and decide on the convenient timeframe for any number of people (minimum 1 & maximum 12 at a time).
But if you like to do something that is not included in our trip list, we invite you to tailor a trip to suit your preferences. Â In summary, we will try to accommodate your requests and requirements to give you a trip as and when you want.
Important note:
Our liability is indicated in the itinerary and the list of services. If the holiday is cut short or is completed earlier than the projected period upon client’s wish, we will not be held responsible nor refund for aforementioned days or services. The Client is liable to pay any extra for Hotels/services incurred in Kathmandu or elsewhere in such cases.
