Nepal trekking preparations visa fees for Nepal

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Nepal Trekking & Tours

Preparation for Ttrekking and visa

Preparing for a Trek
Introduction
The following information will assist you to get ready for a trek in Nepal. Nepal treks allow you to experience the Himalayan countryside and to meet the people of the hills with a minimum of formality and preparation. If you follow the suggestions here, you will have all the equipment and permits you need to enjoy your trek. Read this information carefully so that you will know what to expect when you arrive in Nepal.

If you are not joining a group trek, you will not have a professional trek leader. If there are more than 3 or 4 people in your party, one of you should assume an informal leadership position to act as spokesman for the group both in Kathmandu and on the trail.

There are many preparations that you can make before you depart for Nepal. Most important are your clothing and trekking equipment, medical supplies, your passport and a visa for Nepal. While some of these projects can be postponed until the last minute (by getting a visa at the airport in Kathmandu or renting your trekking equipment in Nepal, for example), it is recommended that you make most preparations in advance so that you do not waste time during your holiday satisfying bureaucratic formalities or searching for some item of equipment that is temporarily unavailable for rent in Kathmandu.

Formalities
Visa for Nepal
You can obtain a visa before you come to Nepal or upon arrival in Kathmandu. You need only to fill in a form and pay a fee (in US dollars cash only), but it takes a bit of time at the airport after you arrive. To obtain a visa for Nepal in advance, write to one of the addresses below for instructions and a form. Fill in the form and return it with the appropriate fee, photos and your passport. If you are making a side trip to India or Tibet and then returning to Nepal, be sure to get a double entry visa. Your passport with a visa stamped in it should be returned to you by mail.

The visa regulations for Nepal are a bit complex. You need to decide what kind of visa to purchase depending on how long you plan to stay in Nepal. Visa fees are:

Tourist Visa

Multiple entry,15 days
Fees:US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency

Multiple entry,30 days
Fees:US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency

Multiple entry,90 days
Fees:US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency

Tourist Visa Extension

» Visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US $ 30 or equivalent convertible currency and visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US$ 2 per day
» Tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January – December).

Other Documents
Some other items that you should carry are:

* Your passport and extra photographs
* A vaccination certificate and record of medical history
* Your insurance form (especially insure your camera)
* Travellers cheques (carry a minimum of cash)
* A US$100 bill to be used for emergencies while trekking
* A photocopy of your passport (in case of loss)

Trekking Permits
Trekking permits are no longer required for treks to the Everest region, Annapurna and Langtang.

A trekking permit is still required to visit restricted areas and far eastern and western Nepal. The permit specifies the places you may visit and the duration of your trek. It requires one full day to obtain a trekking permit and involves a lot of queuing and waiting in the Immigration Office unless your agent obtains the permit for you. The cost of the trekking permit is usually included in the trek cost. If you are going to a place where a permit is needed, your travel schedule should include two nights in Kathmandu or Pokhara before the trek so that your trekking permit may be processed. You should keep your passport and air ticket in your hotel safe in Kathmandu during your trek.

A normal trekking permit costs US$5 per week for the first four weeks of trekking and US$10 per week thereafter. Permits for Dolpo and Kanchenjunga treks cost US$10 per week for the first four weeks and US$20 per week thereafter. The exorbitant fees for restricted-area trekking permits are detailed in the section on restricted areas. You must have a valid visa extension for the full period of trekking before you can apply for a trekking permit.

National Park & Conservation Fees
If you trek in the Annapurna, Makalu or Kanchenjunga regions, you will enter a Conservation Area and must pay a conservation fee of Rs 1000 (Rs 2000 for Annapurna). This must be paid in advance in Kathmandu. A national park fee of Rs 1000 is also collected at the time you enter a national park.

Physical Conditioning
The better your physical condition, the more you will enjoy the trek. You do not have to undergo a rigorous training programme. Just do as much walking as you can up and down hills, up (and down) stairs in your office. Take weekend hikes in the mountains. Walk to work. Jogging and cycling are useful training for a trek. Whenever possible, make your hikes in the same shoes that you will use for the trek. You must remember that you are going on a hiking trip among the highest mountains on earth. The hills are steep and you may be travelling in hot weather, in snow or in rain. You will often be tired, and you must be prepared for this. However, anyone in good health can complete a trek if you hike slowly, and spend a little effort now to get into good physical condition.