FAQ Categories: What to expect

You need to check your quote to see exactly which costs are included and excluded in your trip cost. You’ll find that most things are included. However we suggest that you budget roughly an extra USD $250 per person to cover extra costs. These may include:

• Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu and/or Pokhara. Check your quote to see which meals are included.
• Nepal Entry Visa. Your visa will cost either $30 for 15 days, or $50 for 30 days.
• Drinking water. We don’t provide drinking water on the trek. We encourage you to respect the environment and use reusable drinking bottles and water purification tablets. It’s also a lot cheaper and it’s safe as long as the water you purify runs clear from the source.
• Other drinks. All meals included in the itinerary come with a cup of tea or coffee. You need to pay for any other drinks that you order.
• Overweight backpack. If your backpack weighs more than the maximum stated in your quote, you’ll need to pay a bit extra to compensate your porter.
• Tips for your guide and porters. We suggest that you give a tip if you’re happy with the service you’ve received. Whilst we pay our guides and porters fairly, wages in Nepal are still low.
• Optional extras at your accommodation. In some accommodation you may have an opportunity to pay for WIFI access. It’s normal for teahouses to charge extra for battery charging, since most rooms don’t have power points. Some teahouses have hot showers (or hot buckets of water), or even attached bathrooms available for an extra cost.
• Additional costs due to unforeseen circumstances. Including flight delays and cancellations (see below), also extra nights in Kathmandu.
• Shopping and gifts! You’ll find many beautiful souvenirs and gifts in Nepal. Support the locals – buy a genuine Gurkha knife, a real pashmina scarf, or a Tibetan singing bowl!

Flight Delays (Lukla Airport, Everest)

The Tenzing-Hillary airport at Lukla is in the heart of the mountains. If the weather is bad or the visibility is poor, your flight may be cancelled or delayed. If this happens, your guide will advise the best course of action and adjust your itinerary accordingly. We can usually rework your itinerary easily and still fit everything in.

It’s often possible to transfer your flight to the following day free of charge. However, in the unlikely event that flights are cancelled for consecutive days, we’ll need to make other arrangements. Your guide will advise you of the options and we’ll do everything possible to make sure you can still trek in Nepal. Any extra costs incurred will be your responsibility including any additional nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu.

Yes, we’ll organise a porter to carry your backpack. We include this cost in your quote, so you don’t have to pay extra providing your backpack is not overweight (please see below).

Trekking Nepal is challenging and even harder if you’re carrying your own backpack. It’s much easier for you to put one foot in front of the other and enjoy the stunning scenery, if you’ve only got a day pack to worry about! (That is unless you’re very fit and you’re used to strenuous hiking with a backpack).

There are many porters in Nepal. It’s the way most including our Managing Director Krishna start their careers in the very popular Nepal trekking industry. We carefully select each of our porters in Nepal (many are from Krishna’s extended family) and we ensure they’re safely up to the task. We also include porter insurance in our quotes, to protect our porters in the event of an accident or emergency.

How Much Weight Can my Porter Carry?

The recommended weight for porters to safely carry is 25kg and we assign one porter between two people (unless you pay to have an extra porter). When you think about it, 25kg is already a very heavy load to carry, especially when you’re trekking in the Himalaya! Therefore we ask that you make sure your backpack weighs no more than 12-13kg.

We’ve trekked in Nepal many times and we think you can easily take what you need and be within 13kg. Especially when you can also carry things in your own day pack. If you’re not sure about what to take on the trek, take a look at our tried and tested packing list.

You don’t have to take everything with you. It’s always possible to leave some things (including a clean change of clothes) at your hotel or at our office in Kathmandu – just ask us.

As part of our responsible trekking policy, it’s our priority to be fair to our porters and to compensate them for carrying heavier loads. So, please note that if your backpack weighs more than 13kg, we will charge you extra and this money will be paid directly to your porter.

Extra Charges to Pay if Your Backpack is Overweight

We will weigh your backpack before your trek starts. If it weighs more than 13kg (or 25kg if you’ve paid to have your own porter), we will charge you $1.50 per extra kilo per day. So, if you have an extra 3 kilos and you are trekking for 10 days, we will charge you an extra $45, which will be paid in cash directly to your porter.

If you would like to know about the cost to have one porter for yourself (to carry up to 25kg), just let us know. We’ll happily provide a revised quote. This could work out much cheaper depending on how much you plan to take with you. And it helps us ensure our porters are carrying safe loads.

Essentials to Keep With You

You still need to carry a day pack, as there are some essentials you need to keep with you including:

• Water.
• Water purification tablets.
• Hand sanitiser.
• Toilet roll.
• A snack to give you a boost when you need it!
• An extra layer of warm clothing.
• Rain jacket if there’s a risk of rain – your guide will let you know.
• A hat (warm hat if it’s cold, sun hat if it’s sunny and hot!).
• Sunglasses (all year round) – the glare from the snow in winter can be quite literally blinding.
• Sunscreen (all year round).
• Any fragile items – see ‘note about fragile items’ in our Packing List.
• Camera to snap all those incredible mountain views!

Each morning, pack these essentials in your day pack and put everything else in your backpack.

Please note that often your porters will walk ahead of the group, so you may not have access to the contents of your backpack, until you arrive at your destination.

There are many different types of accommodation in Nepal. However, there is a big difference between the standard of accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara, compared with the teahouses on the trekking trails.

Accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara

Kathmandu and Pokhara offer many options from budget to luxury accommodation. We always book comfortable and clean minimum 3* hotels with an en-suite bathroom, warm/hot shower and flushing toilet. These are things you’ll learn not to take for granted once you start trekking!

When you contact us for a quote, you’ll have the option to request a city hotel upgrade (for an extra cost). We have relationships with several accommodation providers in Kathmandu and Pokhara, which means we can negotiate better deals for you!

Accommodation in Teahouses (During Your Trek)

One of the most common types of accommodation in Nepal is teahouses. With the introduction of teahouses along many of the trekking trails, it’s easier than ever to trek Nepal. We always reserve the best teahouses available, but the standard can vary greatly. The usual sleeping arrangement is a solid bed and foam mattress. If a blanket isn’t provided you can ask your guide to get you one. You’ll be sleeping in your own sleeping bag (you can hire a sleeping bag in Kathmandu or Pokhara), yet an extra layer always comes in handy.

Most teahouses have shared toilet facilities, which are usually located outside and are often extremely basic (see below).

Additional washing facilities are not always available, hence biodegradable hygiene wipes are our ‘go to’!

Most teahouses are supplied with cold water from an outside tap, which you can use to wash your hands, feet (after a long, hard trek!), and face. Sometimes you can pay extra for a bucket of hot water or a warm (solar) shower. If you’re at high altitude and it’s very cold, we advise against this. Your body can get cold very fast when you’re wet and it’s hard to get warm again. You don’t want to risk getting sick during your trek.

Attached Bathrooms

The standard of teahouses is slowly improving and some have started offering attached bathrooms for approximately $10 extra per night. Talk to your guide if you’re interested in upgrading where there is availability. However we strongly recommend you check the facility first. Some attached bathrooms don’t have running water. Just a toilet and bucket of water to flush. Whilst others have a cold tap, or even a shower (most likely with cold water).

Toilets in Nepal (During Your Trek)

Toilets in Nepal, like many in Asia are usually holes in the ground that you squat over and flush with a jug of water. The key is to squat and relax all the way down until you’re resting on your calves! If you’re fit enough to trek, you’re probably fit enough to squat low!

The cleanliness of toilets really does vary. Some are sparkly clean and others will turn your stomach. But when you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go. So be brave and get it over with quickly!

The first time you sit on a ‘normal’ toilet once back in Pokhara or Kathmandu will be delightful. It makes all the squatting well worthwhile, unless you’re used to squatting that is!

There are other types of accommodation in Nepal as you’d expect. Including luxury retreats, village home-stays, and just about everything in between. If you’d like to spend some time in a different type of accommodation in Nepal, let us know. We can build it into your itinerary!

I’m Anna, Co-Founder of Nepalorama. I’ve trekked in Nepal myself with and without a guide. Having experienced both options, I’ll never trek Nepal without a guide again – here’s why…

The Benefits of Trekking With a Guide and Why we Recommend it!

• When you walk out of Kathmandu airport, you’ll discover a sea of people waiting to offer you their services. It can be quite daunting and I find it’s much easier to simply look for my guide (who is holding a sign). Once I’ve found my guide I know I’m in safe hands and everything will be taken care of including transport to Thamel and my hotel accommodation. I can just relax and enjoy the crazy sights of Kathmandu!
• I don’t have to worry about, or spend lots of time organising trekking permits, because my guide has already organised them for me.
• My accommodation on the trek is guaranteed. This is really important in high season, as the demand is higher than the availability. When you trek with a guide/company, they make the reservations in advance to make sure you have a bed. It’s not possible to book ahead without a guide, you just have to turn up and hope for the best.
• Your guide takes your food orders and settles the bill (a standard option from the menu at breakfast, lunch, and dinner is included in your travel plan; then you can order extra if you want). It’s much easier than trying to do these things yourself. Instead, you can sit back and relax after a tough walk!
• Your guide will organise trustworthy porters to carry your bags. Again, it’s more difficult to make arrangements yourself, but not impossible! When I’ve trekked without a guide, I’ve carried my own backpack.
• Most importantly for me, when I trek in Nepal, I’m on holiday! It’s a challenging adventure, as opposed to lying on the beach! But I still want to feel looked after. I don’t want to think about where I’m going to eat and sleep each day. Instead, I want to focus on the trekking itself and the stunning nature in the Himalaya, which for me, invokes a sense of deep self-reflection.

If You Choose to Trek Nepal Without a Guide

• Make sure you’re fit to trek. Trekking is challenging and trekking guides are skilled to look after all members of a group, providing encouragement when needed. Without a guide looking out for you, you want to make sure you’re in peak condition to trek.
• You must carry a very good map with you and pay attention to it. You also need to keep a close eye on the weather and know when to stop for the day.
• Make sure you have all the equipment you need including a good first aid kit.
• You must build sufficient time to safely acclimatise into your itinerary.
• Have some knowledge of altitude sickness symptoms and what to look out for. In the event that one of your group is sick, you must take immediate action.
• Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance and a way to contact your insurance company in the event of an emergency.
• In peak season, it’s sensible to carry a tent with you in case you’re unable to find accommodation.

Trekking Nepal with Nepalorama

When you trek with us, you trek on your terms, with your own guide. Whilst we agree your itinerary before you go to Nepal, you still have a lot of flexibility once you’re there. For example, if you want an extra rest break, just ask your guide! If you want to start a bit later one morning, just ask your guide! If you want to walk further one day, just ask your guide! You get the idea!

We may not be able to fulfill every request, but we’ll explain why and of course our guides will do everything possible to make sure your trek feels just right for you!

Trekking Nepal is a big deal! You put your complete trust in a stranger to guide you in the mighty Himalaya. Not a decision to be taken lightly. If you trek with a guide that isn’t very good, or that you don’t get along with, it could ruin your trip. That’s why it’s critical for you to trek with a trustworthy Nepal trekking guide.

We’ve been there and we understand how important it is to have the very best possible trekking guide. Your guide needs to speak good English, be very experienced, knowledgeable and friendly. But if he’s no fun to be around, your trip won’t be the same!

That’s why Krishna carefully selects all our guides himself.

“I choose the very best guides who are just like me! They all have lots of experience trekking all over Nepal. They are very professional, but they are also very kind, friendly people.” Krishna – Managing Director, Nepalorama Trekking

We know our clients love Krishna, they’ve said so in many client reviews on our website and on Tripadvisor! So, thanks to him, we know what makes an excellent trekking guide, and we make sure all our guides tick these boxes!

Krishna has known all our guides for many years. In fact one of our guides Ramesh is Krishna’s brother! Krishna has trekked with each and every one of our guides, so he knows exactly how they operate. For us, service is everything. Both before and during your trek. It’s really important that your guide provides great service, as well as being experienced, knowledgeable and fun!

How do we Choose a Guide for Your Trek?

We consider the average age of the people trekking. All our guides are wonderful, but sometimes a younger group may prefer to trek with a younger guide. Likewise an older group may prefer an older guide!

It’s important to make sure your guide knows your trekking route intimately. Some guides have spent more time guiding treks in particular regions than others. So, we select a guide who knows your trek and the business owners along the trail exceptionally well!

Our Commitment to You

We guarantee that with us, you’ll trek with a trustworthy Nepal trekking guide and be in the safest hands. Your guide will do everything possible to make sure you have an amazing, authentic experience in Nepal.

Meet our Nepalorama Guides!

Read our Nepal trekking guide interviews with Krishna, Bibek, Ramesh and Buddhi. More interviews coming soon!

There are so many trekking companies in Nepal, and all with varying standards and experience. It’s understandable if you’re not sure who to trust.

Trekking Nepal is a big deal! So, you need to make make sure you’re dealing with a trustworthy Nepal trekking company like Nepalorama! You don’t want to be let down, disappointed in your guide, or feel unsafe at any time. Quite the opposite – you need to have confidence that you’re in the best and safest hands, both before and during your trek!

So, how do you know if you can trust us?

• We hope our website and all the comprehensive information we provide gives you some confidence in our level of experience and professionalism.
• Nepalorama Trekking is a registered company in Nepal. You can view our legal documents here. You can also check our registration on the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal website.
• We are registered on Tripadvisor and have a growing list of amazing client reviews! Try sending a message to any one of our reviewers to ask them about Nepalorama Trekking.
• You can also find us on Facebook and see that we post regularly – even if things have slowed down a bit with the pandemic.
• You can judge a lot from a response. So request a quote and make up your own mind!

What Does Your Gut Tell You?

We aim to give you every confidence in our service and we really hope you feel it! So, what does your gut tell you about us?!