Everything you need to know before trekking in Nepal — answered by our local guides.
Nepal has two prime trekking seasons:
Winter (December–February) is possible on lower altitude treks like Poon Hill but EBC and other high passes may be snowbound. The Monsoon (June–August) brings heavy rain and leeches on lower trails — we generally advise avoiding high-altitude treks during this period.
We recommend booking 3–6 months in advance, especially for the peak seasons (March–May and September–November). Popular treks like Everest Base Camp fill up quickly during these windows. However, if you're flexible on dates, we can often accommodate bookings with 4–6 weeks' notice. For restricted area permits (Mustang, Nar Phu), book at least 3 months ahead as permit quotas are limited.
Most nationalities (except Indian citizens, who enter visa-free) can obtain a Tourist Visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, or at major land border crossings. Fees are:
You can also obtain a visa in advance from your nearest Nepal Embassy. Bring passport photos and USD cash. We can provide a support letter for your visa application if required.
Most Nepal treks require at least two permits, which we arrange for you as part of your package:
All required permits are included in our trek prices.
The EBC trek is rated Hard — not due to technical difficulty, but due to altitude and the cumulative effect of 14 days of trekking. You don't need mountaineering experience, but you do need:
We recommend starting your training 2–3 months before departure: regular hiking (with elevation gain), cycling or running. The key challenge is altitude, which no amount of gym training fully prepares you for — our acclimatisation schedule manages this.
There is no legal minimum age for trekking in Nepal. However, for high-altitude treks above 4,000m, we recommend a minimum age of 10 years, and children should be physically fit and experienced walkers. For lower altitude treks like Poon Hill (3,210m) or Annapurna Base Camp, families with children as young as 7–8 years have trekked successfully. We assess each family's situation individually — please contact us to discuss.
Solo trekking is permitted on most Nepal trekking routes. However, we strongly recommend trekking with a licensed guide, especially on high-altitude routes, for the following reasons:
Note: Since 2023, all trekkers in Nepal's national parks are required to be accompanied by a licensed guide.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) occurs when you ascend too quickly and your body doesn't have enough time to adjust to lower oxygen levels. Symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and loss of appetite.
Prevention tips:
Serious AMS can develop into HACE (cerebral edema) or HAPE (pulmonary edema) — both life-threatening. Immediate descent is the only cure. Our guides carry emergency oxygen and are trained in high-altitude first aid.
Nepal has no mandatory vaccination requirements for entry. However, the following vaccinations are recommended by most travel health clinics:
Consult your GP or a travel health clinic at least 6–8 weeks before travel to ensure you have time to complete any multi-dose courses.
Yes — travel insurance is mandatory for all our treks. Standard travel insurance is not enough. You need a policy that specifically covers:
We require proof of insurance before departure. Recommended insurers for Nepal trekking include World Nomads, True Traveller, and Global Rescue. Always read the policy carefully to confirm high-altitude and evacuation coverage.
The key principle is layering. Temperatures can range from +20°C in the valleys to -15°C at high camps. Essential items include:
See our full packing guide on the blog for the complete list.
Yes — Thamel, Kathmandu has excellent gear rental shops. You can rent or buy almost everything you need at a fraction of Western retail prices. Quality has improved significantly in recent years. Items commonly rented include:
We recommend bringing your own trekking boots (they must be broken in) and personal clothing layers. We can arrange gear rental through our trusted partner shops in Thamel before your trek begins.
Our trek prices include everything you need for the trek itself:
Not included: international flights, Nepal visa, travel insurance, personal gear, beverages, hot showers/WiFi on trail, tips for staff, and any personal expenses.
We accept the following payment methods:
A 20% deposit is required to confirm your booking. The balance is due 30 days before your trek start date.
Our cancellation policy is as follows:
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes trip cancellation cover. In the event of natural disasters, government travel advisories, or other force majeure events, we will offer credit towards a future trek. Treks cancelled by us due to safety concerns will receive a full refund.
Teahouses (also called lodges) are family-run guesthouses along Nepal's trekking routes. They vary considerably by location and altitude:
All teahouses serve meals including dal bhat (rice and lentil soup — the staple trekker meal), pasta, noodles, eggs, soups and porridge. At lower altitudes you'll find surprisingly varied menus including pizza, pancakes and apple pie. Food is always freshly cooked. Vegetarian-friendly. Expect to share a dining hall warmed by a central stove in the evenings.
Our team is happy to help with any questions not covered above. Reach out anytime.