Up to a maximum of 5-6 hours a day with lunch breaks along the trail. The maximum altitude reached during the trek will be 7,000 feet or 2,100 meters. Altitude sickness will not affect you at these heights as it is only a concern above 10,000 feet or 3,000 meters. However, everyone suffers shortness of breath on some uphill sections.
You will require a light weight pair of boots that have rubber soles with thick tread and good ankle support. Hi-Tech and Nike produce good walking comfortable shoes.
A general idea will be: Breakfast: Cereal/Muesli/Porridge/Eggs/Tomatoes/Toast/Jam/Honey/Tea/Coffee. Lunch: Salad/Spring Rolls/Pizza/Quiche. Dinner: Soup/Curry/Pasta/Dumplings/Vegetables/Cake/Fruit Fritters.
Consult your local doctor who will have an updated list. However, most important are Gamma Globulin (for Hepatitis) and Tetanus. Do not go over the top otherwise you will end up cholera, rabies, malaria tablets and many others. In case, it is always worth talking to two doctors and then using your own judgement.
On trek, a helicopter will be summoned which will take a maximum of 6 hours to reach you. You will then be flown with your guide to Kathmandu where you will be met by our office staff and taken to the International Hospital. If necessary, an onward International medical flight will be arranged. Anywhere else on the trip, you will be taken by road to Kathmandu where the same process will occur. Ensure that your insurance policy covers you for such unlike eventualities.
As general rule, it is hot enough during the days to wear an open-neck shirt with shorts and you will not be cold. During the evening, it gets cold so, long trousers and a warm jersey are essential.
Mid October/November: Very clear skies, flowers in bloom, hot during the day and cold evenings. Temperatures steadily decrease during these months. October high and low temperatures about 80/55° F, 26/13° C. November highs and lows are about 66/37° F, 19/3° C. In the Terai, October high and low temperatures are 88/72° F, 31/22° C; November high and low temperatures are about 83/72° F, 28/22° C. December/January/February: Clear skies, frosty mornings, warm days but cold at night. Day time highs in the mid 60's F, 18° C. and lows dip into the mid 30's F, 2° C. throughout the country, except for the Terai Plain, where average daily high and low temperatures are about 10° F, 5° C, warmer. March/April: Some times hazy skies, flowers in bloom, hot during the day, warm at night, Daytime temperature reach the low to mid 80's F, 28 C. and lows range from about 50° F to 60° F, 10° to 15° C. The Terai plain is very hot at this time, with daytime temperatures are consistently in the 90's F, 32° C. and the low in the mid 70's F, 23° C. June/July/August: This is Nepal's rainy season, although fascinating for those interested in the flora and fauna of the country. Daytime temperatures are consistently in the mid to klupper 80's F, 30° C. through out Nepal during these months, with low around 70's F, 21° C. May/September/Early October: These are the transition months between the wet and dry season. The rain is not as frequent as the summer months; however, it is unpredictable. The temperatures, flora and fauna are the same as the summer month. Note: The Terai Plain, where the Royal Chitwan National Park is locate, is about 400 feet, 120 meters, lower in altitude than Kathmandu and is consistently warmer than the rest of Nepal.
We suggest that you bring a suitcase to Nepal in which you have a zip-down duffel bag and small duffel overnight bag. The suitcase can be left in Kathmandu with your town cloths. The duffel bags travel with you to your trek/rafting and jungle clothes. The small overnight bag is used for the rafting.
Walking boots, tennis shoes for evening, 3 T-shirts or short sleeved shirts, 2 pairs of shots made from strong cotton, (women can wear shorts in Nepal or skirts if they prefer), 2 long sleeved shirts for evenings, I long pair of trousers, one track suite, one extra sweat shirt or sweater for evenings, wind-breaker, warm sleeping wear for Dec/Jan/Feb; 5 pairs of thick walking socks underwear, personal toiletries including a small face towel, sun cream, sunglasses camera with approximately 20 rolls of film, binos if you'd like walking sticks, sun hats, cotton scarves, rain ponchos, umbrellas, and gear bags which the porters carry, You can leave any town clothes at your hotel in Kathmandu and a set of clean cloths, as well as rafting/safari clothes in Pokhara. For rafting: Flip-flops, sandals, or booties while rafting (barefoot is OK too), tennis shoes with socks for evening during Dec/Jan/Feb otherwise flip-flops or sandal are warm enough. T-shirt bathing suit, and light-weight shorts during the day (they will get wet so nylon shorts dry the fastest); track suit or trousers and a sweat-shirt for the evening (warm sweater or jacket during the winter months); an overnight bag to bring these clothes to the campsite, Note: all your belongings will be transferred from Pokhara/Kathmandu to rafting and on the Chitwan. What ever you don't need at the campsite will be kept in our vehicle which is guarded at all times. For Chitwan: Your walking boots and evening shoes; light-weight long trousers and long-sleeved shirt for safaris; short sleeved shirt and shorts for daytime in between safaris; casual clothes for the evenings. About the river: It is an excellent introduction to rafting. There is only 1 grade III rapid and about 5 to 6 grade II rapids. For those who are already experienced, they can try guiding or our guide can aim to get you wet.
You will need very little during the activity phases of the holiday : says USD 200 This should be carried in small denominations as change is hard to come by in the villages. There are good deals to be found in the hills, on jewelry especially. However, when shopping in Kathmandu, there are many items to buy (wall hangings, carvings, artifacts, clothes, etc.) Credit cards are only accepted in some shops.
The current is 220V/50 cycles and is available in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Sockets have either three round pairs or two thick round pains. If you are traveling with electrical appliance, an international converter kit and a set of adapter plugs will be required. Alternatively, it is more practical to travel with battery-operated appliance, where possible. While on trek, you can recharge your batteries in some lodges as they use generators. However, no electricity is available on the river on in Chitwan.
Nepal produces different types of bottled beers, which are excellent. They are very much like a lager. Some lodges have a good supply of local as well as foreign whisky, gin vodka, rum and soft drinks. A local "wine" is produced in the hills which is served hot and resembles sake. If you have a special preference, buy it at a duty free shop on your way to Kathmandu.
Yes, you can obtain your entry visa at the Kathmandu airport upon arrival or at a consulate in your home country. In either case, you need 2 passport size photograph and the visa fee. To date, the fee is USD 30 for up to 60 days. Check with your travel agents for an update. Please bring 3 more photos for rafting.
For guests on full itineraries (Kathmandu, rafting Chitwan Trekking), your international tickets will be collected from you for reconfirmation on arrival at your hotel in Kathmandu by our staff. Your tickets will be returned to you upon arrival from Chitwan, Trek or Rafting.
How FIT do I have to be to trek ?
If you enjoy a day's walking and can walk up and down hills, you will be fine. If you participate in any sport, you will be fine. The trek has an easy grading although everyone will be out of breath at times. We would suggest some program of exercise starting one to two months prior to your arrival in Nepal. Step classes/stair master best prepare one for the hills.