Important Information

Visa

You can get a visa in Kathmandu airport upon arrival for $30 USD  (or equivalent in other major currencies) for a 15-day visa or $50 USD for a 30-day visa. Expect to have some waiting time in the queue for obtaining your visa. You can also get your visa prior to coming on the tour by contacting your closest Nepali embassy but most visitors opt for the visa on arrival.
 

Travel Insurance

It is strongly advised that you get traveler's insurance. Please consult with your travel agent to choose a suitable insurance company.  Insure and Go (click)  or World Nomads (click) are two popular insurance companies. Travel insurance is compulsory for all clients taking the EBC or Annapurna Circuit treks. It should provide adequate protection for the full duration of the tour to cover personal injury, death, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, helicopter rescue, air ambulance and adequate cover for baggage.

 

Vouchers

If you have purchased a voucher for the tour please inform us which tour date suits you as soon as you are certain. We need time to purchase your domestic air ticket and make other arrangements so please confirm your spot on a tour at least 2 months ahead of the start of the tour. Your booking on a particular tour date is subject to availability of spots so please book your place asap. Also please send your redemption code and voucher number. 

 

Cancellation Policy

For vouchers purchased from other companies, we don't offer any refund on canceled bookings. For voucher holders switching tour dates is possible up to 12 days before your starting tour date subject to availability. After that switching tour date is not possible. Your voucher will be lost.

 

For tours purchased directly from Bohemian Tours switching tour dates is possible more than one month prior to your tour. If you switch tour dates or cancel less than one month before your tour there is a $200 charge. Twelve days before the tour there is no possibility of rescheduling or canceling your tour. Your payment will be lost. Switching tour dates is dependent on availability. For full terms and conditions please refer to our book now page.

 

Booking your international flight

If you don't have a regular travel agent then you can check for international flight options at one of these sites. makemytrip.com   kayak.com   vayama.com

They usually have good offers. Plan on flying into and out of Kathmandu international airport. If you plan to arrive early or depart late please make sure you make extra hotel arrangements by contacting  thamelecoresort@gmail.com to arrange your extra accommodation. You can mention that you are with the Bohemian Tours group. After you purchase your international air ticket please email us to give your arrival and departure flight details. Include date, time, airline, flight #.

 

Vaccinations

Please consult your doctor/local travel clinic for the latest recommendations regarding vaccines in Nepal. These websites give some recommendations for maintaining good health in Nepal. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/nepal. Make an informed decision about vaccinations.

 

When and Where should you arrive?
Please book your international flight to arrive and depart from Kathmandu international airport. The tour starts with an orientation meeting in the hotel usually at 5 pm on the first day of the tour. If you don't plan on taking advantage of extra excursions (click) while in Nepal you can plan on arriving either the day before the tour or at the latest by 2 pm on the first day of the tour. 
You will be met outside the Kathmandu international airport terminal by a driver holding a BOHEMIAN Tours placard and he will escort you to the Hotel. 

Important!

Please do not give your luggage to the person holding the placard or to anyone else. There is a group of touts who offer assistance then harass newly arrived tourists for big "tips".  They sometimes even take away our driver's placard. Please just bring your own luggage to the car to avoid this inconvenience. Your airport transfer is included in the tour package cost. Do not give anyone money at the airport for the airport transfer. If you want to tip the driver after reaching the hotel that is fine.

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Trekking

The 10 and 12-day trek will be in a very beautiful part of the Annapurna region. Expect to trek about 5-7 hours daily or about 10-14 km per day. One day we trek 16 km (about 7 hours). It is recommended that you prepare for the trek by suitable training such as climbing hills or stairs, jogging, and spending some time in the gym to improve your stamina for a few months prior to the trek.  If you are quite fit and do sufficient training prior to arriving in Nepal the trek will be enjoyable, and it is suitable for fit people into their early 60's. This trek is the most popular trek for those wishing to get wonderful views of the Himalayan peaks. The highest altitude we reach is 3200 meters at Poon Hill which offers a breathtaking view of many of the World's greatest peaks. It is stunning!  Please have two passport photos with you for your trekking permit. These can be given to us at the orientation meeting on day 1.

The Everest Base Camp (EBC) (max. 5500 meters)  and 16 day Annapurna Circuit trek (max. 4400 meters) require a higher level of fitness and altitude related problems can happen at this elevation. Some trekkers take Diamox to help with this. If you have health issues or doubts make sure to consult with your doctor before going on one of these treks.Any trekking equipment such as walking poles, jackets, water bottles, rucksack are very easily available in Kathmandu near our hotel.  Important! Please bring two photos for your trekking permit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is Altitude sickness a problem?

The maximum altitude we gradually reach on the 10-day or 12-day trek is 3200 meters (Poon Hill) which is not usually a problem for altitude related problems for people with stable health. If you are joining the 16 day Annapurna Circuit trek or EBC trek we reach higher altitudes which can cause altitude-related sickness. If you have a health condition which might cause problems please consult a doctor on the advisability of doing the trek. If you begin feeling any discomfort immediately inform our guide who will take appropriate measures.

 

Sleeping Bag

For the 10 day and 12-day tours between mid-October and mid-April, a sleeping bag is required.  If you don't mind renting a used one they are available for about $1/day. If you are very sensitive to using the blankets provided by the lodges we recommend you bring a sleeping bag. For the EBC and Annapurna Circuit trek it's required to bring a sleeping bag. On some itineraries, we provide a sleeping bag.  

 

Drinking water on the trek

There are two good options for having proper drinking water during the trek. You can bring water purification tablets or fill your bottle for a nominal fee from the recognized and regulated "pure water" stations along the trek. As a last alternative, you can also purchase bottled water at the lodges but this is not recommended. It is very important that you drink at least 3 liters of pure water daily during the trek. 

 

Who will be leading the tours/treks?

Our local Nepali team is one of the most experienced and respected trekking outfits in Nepal. The team is fully licensed and affiliated with the Trekking agency's Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal Mountaineering Association, Nepal Tourism Board, Govt of Nepal, Sustainable Tourism Network, Himalayan Rescue Association, and Kathmandu Environmental Educational project. With over 18 years of experience, 26 well trained, friendly guides, and courteous porters you are assured of a wonderfully memorable experience. 

How many people in each room?
There will be two people accommodated in each room for the duration of the tour/ trek. If you prefer private accommodation or we cannot match you with a roommate there is a single supplement fee. The single supplement amount depends on the itinerary. 

Important:  Please note that during the trek there are some lodges which won't have sufficient rooms to provide private accommodation. So, even if you purchase single supplement you might end up sharing a room for 2-3 days of the trek.

Luggage, backpacks, and porters
Extra luggage that is not required for your trek can be stored for free in our Kathmandu or Pokhara hotel. For the trek, you will be required to have a backpack (preferred) or duffle bag with good straps. You can give your backpack with up to 10kgs for the 10 days and 12-day trek to your porter. The allowance for the EBC and 16 day Annapurna trek is 14kgs. In addition to this, you can carry a daypack with water, camera, toiletries, snacks etc... For some of our treks, we supply a duffle bag. Please check the inclusions of your particular trek to see if we are supplying on your trek.
 

If I would like to spend extra time in Nepal what is there for me to do?
 Please click here for a list of extra excursions. We can also tour of India, Bhutan, and Tibet but this must be booked several months in advance.

What type of plug and what is the voltage used in Nepal? 

Please click here for details.

Which currencies are accepted in Nepal? 

 Some major currencies (USD, AUD, EURO) are accepted for both visas and in general. There are plenty of ATM's in both Kathmandu and Pokhara and credit cards are accepted in limited shops and many restaurants. Please note that only Nepali rupees are accepted on the trek.

Is there laundry facility on the trek?
There will be a laundry facility in Kathmandu and Pokhara but not while on the trek. 

What Clothes shall I bring?
Depending on when you plan to travel it's important to have the proper clothes and be prepared for unexpected weather. Fairly well-worn hiking boots/shoes are a must! For tours between November and the first two weeks of March bring a jacket suitable for zero degrees Celcius. Although it's often sunny and pleasant during the day, the trek to Poon Hill (3200 meters) in the early morning will be cold. For tours at other times please bring a jacket suitable for 4 to 6 degrees Celcius, again mainly for the Poon Hill part. Otherwise, the daytime weather will tend to be warm or pleasant. 

Better to be on the safe side in preparation. The porters are available to carry the bulk of your items. Kathmandu and Pokhara are filled with stores selling discounted trekking clothes. You can easily and cheaply purchase your jackets, hats, daypacks, backpacks etc..  BUT, bring your hiking shoes from your country. The Nepali ones are not very good quality.
 
Is there an Orientation program?
 The orientation will be at the Kathmandu hotel after your arrival and before starting trekking. The orientation meeting is scheduled for the evening on day one of the tour. Generally, the orientation meeting will be at 5 pm unless otherwise announced.
 
How large is each tour group?
For each tour date, there are sometimes several separate groups. Each trekking group will have a  maximum of 16 people with its own experienced English speaking guide. During the trek, there will be a suitable number of porters to carry your luggage. Certain activities such as traveling, farewell dinner, and yoga might be done in larger groups.

Where will I stay during the tour?
In Kathmandu, we will be staying at a Nepali standard 3-star hotel. We generally use Thamel Eco Resort. These places come highly recommended but please don't expect a European standard of hotel. These hotels are good, clean tourist hotels and are a good quality by Nepali standards. In Pokhara, we usually use Pokhara Eco Resort or a hotel of similar quality depending on availability.  On the trek, we'll be staying at simple lodges run by Nepali families. During the trek, the bathrooms are outside the rooms and hot water is dependent on solar panels so don't count on many warm showers.

What do we eat during the trek?
During the trek tasty vegetarian meals  (veg curry, Dal soup, noodles, pasta, tea, etc..) are available in the lodges. Depending on which itinerary you have joined a certain number of meals are included on the trek. Meals that are not included will typically cost you between $4 - $10 depending on which items you order.

Will we see Everest?
 If you want to get right up close with Everest and the mightiest Himalayan peaks we can arrange an Everest plane tour. The plane leaves in the early morning and it is typical to take this flight on the early morning of day 1 or the last day of your tour. If you are on the EBC trek you will, of course, go right up to Everest Base Camp and have great views of Everest.

What is the weather like in Nepal?
The width of Nepal is only about 200 km on an average, but within this short distance, the altitude of the land rises from 60 m up to 8,848 m. Hence the weather depends upon the altitude of the place in Nepal. However, in general, Nepal has four climatic seasons: Spring, summer, autumn, and Winter.
Spring starts from March to May. The temperature of this season fluctuates between 20C to 30C (68F to 86F). Summer starts from June last to August. These are also the monsoon months with occasional evening-thunderstorms and hot temperature. Autumn starts from late September and ends by November. During this period, the climate is generally dry and mild with temperature fluctuating between 20C to 30C (68F to 86F). Winter starts from December till February. The mornings and evenings are very cold while the afternoon is pretty sunny. The temperature during these months rises from 10C to 20C (59F to 68F). At higher altitudes, it is cold during the winter months. 

How much money for my personal expenses?
It’s difficult to give an exact amount of money that you should bring. Costs will vary according to how much you want to spend for shopping and where and what meals (lunch& dinner) you want to eat in the city. It is advised that you change at least $100 USD into Nepali rupees to bring with you for the trek and for your meals in Pokhara and Nagarkot. Only Nepali rupees are accepted on the trek

Porters
For the trek, we will provide a suitable number of porters to carry your luggage. The weight limit for the shorter treks is 10 kgs per person or 14kgs for EBC or Annapurna circuit trek. If you want to bring more than that (camera equipment etc.) you'll need a private porter for an additional cost of $127 USD. Before the trek, you can store all your excess baggage free of charge in our Kathmandu or Pokhara hotel and only take what you require on the trek.

Tips
Tips to the Nepali drivers, porters and guides are appreciated and common practice. It is standard practice to offer a total of $8 - 15 per day in tips.  Please tip according to your means and inspiration. The tip can be offered at the end of the trek.

What should I bring?
For EBC info please click here.

- Daypack (rucksack)
- Backpack (our porter will carry it) Recommended size: Sufficient to carry about 10 kgs of clothes and supplies for shorter treks and up to 14 kgs for EBC and ACT trek. If you are traveling with a friend you can share one large pack between the two of you for one of the shorter treks. A soft duffle bag with good straps is also OK. Note: on some itineraries, we provide duffle bags.
- Well worn Hiking boots or shoes
- A pair of sandals
 - Sleeping Bag ( If you want to go to Trekking in winter which is from Mid October - Middle of March) Note: We provide bags on some itineraries.
- Yoga mat if your itinerary includes yoga (we provide used mats)
-  2 passport photos for trekking permit
- A one-liter hard water bottle to be filled up along the trekking trail
- Warm  jacket for zero Celsius (during winter months)
- Jacket for poon hill trek {3200 meters}    (be ready for possible 4-6 degrees Celcius during the non-winter season and down to zero during the winter months)
- Light-weight cotton clothing 
-  Waterproof jacket (a fold -away windcheater is fine)
- Light sweater
- Bath towel
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunscreen
- Knee supports (optional for the downhill portions of the trek)
- Trekking Poles
- Chapstick
- Water purification tablets or some other technique for purifying water 
- Small First-aid-kit ( Bohemian Tours will also provide one)
- Headlamp (preferable) or Flashlight (torch)

- Camera
- Loose stomach and nausea medicine
- Toiletries for the trek (toilet paper, soap, shampoo etc...)
- Optional: School supplies (pens, notebooks, colored pencils etc..). These gifts can be directly turned over to our Nepal tour coordinator who will arrange for them to be distributed through the proper channels. 
  
Much of your trekking clothes and supplies can be easily purchased in Kathmandu near our hotel at good prices. Bring hiking boots/shoes from your country. The Nepali ones are not recommended.
 

Risk & Liabilities

We are committed to providing the best services which will give you a once in a lifetime journey. We perform our duties honestly & seriously to make your journey very smooth & pleasant.

Bohemian Tours and its related organization shall not be responsible for any changes in the itinerary due to unavoidable circumstance such as govt. restriction, Land slide, road blockage, flood, snow, political unrest, cancellation of flight, delay, sickness or accident, Any extra cost incurring there of shall be born by the clients on the spot.

If you ever have any questions don't hesitate to email us at info@bohemiantours.com