The Govt. of Nepal has revised trekking permit fees for the controlled areas, in a bid to attract more trekkers to these areas. The notice was published in Nepal Gazette (Volume 58 No 10) which states that the revised permit fee will come into effect from 16th July , 2008.

As per the new provision, a trekker in Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo will now have to pay US$ 500 or equivalent foreign currency per person for first 10 days. For trip extensions, the extra fee per extra day fee per person has been fixed at US$ 50 or equivalent foreign currency. The fee for trekking in Manaslu region has been fixed at US $ 70(per person) for a week and US $ 10 per person for each extra day during September to November. However, only US $ 50 is charged per trekker per week from December to August and additional US $ 7 per trekker per each extra day. Similarly, permit fee for Humla (Simikot-Yari) has been fixed at US $ 50 per person per week and US $ 7 per person per extra day.

Permit fee for Kanchanjunga, Lower Dolpa and Gaurishankar and Lamabagar has been fixed at US $ 10 per person per week. However, permit fee for Chekampar and Chunchet of Gorkha district (Sirdibas-Lhokpa-Chumling-Chekampar-Nile-Chule) has been fixed at US $ 35 per person for eight days during September to November and US $ 25 per person for eight days during December to August.

The government has also revised existing tourist visa fee to be effective from 16th July, 2008. As per the new fee structure, US $ 25 or equivalent foreign currency is required to obtain Tourist Visa with Multiple Entry for 15 days. Likewise, Tourist Visa with Multiple Entry for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, Tourist Visa with Multiple Entry for 100 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100.

The government has also revised the fee required for extended stay in the country and visa renewal. According to the revised fee structure, Tourist Visa can be extended by paying US $ 2 or equivalent Nepalese currency per day. Likewise, Multiple Entry facility can be obtained only for the extension period by paying an additional US $ 20 and visa fee for the extended period. Similarly, tourists can renew their visa by paying Nepalese currency equivalent to US $ 3 on the regular visa extension fee.

For high altitude trekking and mountaineering expeditions, Explore Himalaya recommends the use of a special fuel known as Primus Power Gas. We have used the gas during some of our trekking and mountaineering trips and found it easy to carry (light and compact), efficient and powerful too. Primus Power Gas can be used with Primus Omni Fuel stove (see pics). It is smoke free, odorless and easy to use. There’s no hassle of the fuel spilling (like kerosene) or blackening the cooking utensils.
Primus is a Swedish company, and according to the company’s brochure Andree, Amundsen, Hillary and Tenzing are some of the famous adventurers who have chosen to use products by Primus.

Primus Power Gas canisters comes in two sizes: 220gm which costs Rs.400/- and 450gm which costs Rs.750/- on retail price, as of December 2007. The canisters are equipped with self-sealing safety valves and international standard screw threads.  According to the factory’s specification, if one burns the gas for an hour per day, a 220gm Primus Power gas canister will last for a week, during summer season at lower altitude. Whereas during winter, at high altitude, if one uses it for 1 hour per day, the gas will last for five days. Primus Omni fuel stove costs Rs.3,600/-.This stove is a multi-fuel stove which means it works with LP gas, gasoline/petrol, diesel and kerosene- even aviation fuel. The flame could be adjusted using the separate knob to provide the exact heat.

If you plan to go on a trekking or climbing expedition and want to use the Primus Power Gas and Stove during the expedition , you can contact Explore Himalaya .We have direct link with the local distributors in Nepal and can procure the gas as per your needs. We assure you about the good standard and quality of Primus Power Gas (Explore Himalaya will ensure that you receive the real stuff – no imitation or refilled canisters!).

220g Primus Power gas canisters – compact,light and powerful

A 220g and a 450g canister of Primus Power Gas

A clean,compact and efficient fuel alternative – ideal for camping ,trekking and mountaineering expeditions

Primus Omni Fue Stovel- smart stainless steel body and fold away legs , gripping pot supports and efficient fuel drainage

The stove fixed to the fuel canister

Beginning of an Adventure

Technically, trekking is an adventurous walking journey that brings you out from your locality and takes you to remote wilderness allowing you to recreate your body, brain and soul.

The definition of trekking might vary considering the experience trekkers get during their treks. However, the real pleasure of trekking can be obtained when one decides to go beyond the boundaries made by someone else.

A trekking is a desire; desire to reach the ultimate destination one sets prior to the beginning of the trek. However the meaning of trekking changes and gets even broader once you start it.

Satisfaction of Getting Closer to the Goal

A trekking is to start walking with mindful of passion, walking for hours with hope to reach to the particular day’s destination, which at many points never seems to be achievable. The experience of getting lost and finding strangers on the way to figure out the right course is the fun and precisely trekking is all about that relief you feel at that moment.

Walking for hours to reach to the place where you are going to stay for the night, where you might have to cope and accommodate yourselves with the limited resources available is rare experience only trekkers enjoy. Forgetting all the comforts back home and sharing a small room with the friends you might have just met but the sound sleep you enjoy out of tiredness is what trekking is all about.

A fresh new day to begin the walk again where you know long walking day is ahead of you could be boring start but as the rewards begin to unfold, trek again becomes wonderful.  A trekking is about the want to give up but at the same moment, it is also about the continuity to carry on the adventure.  You want to give up cause you’re legs are hurting or every part of your body is paining. But that one simple desire to get up to the top and scream aloud because of the rewards trek caters every now and then keeps you motivating to move on.

Tiredness along with Happiness

A trekking is being close with nature and understanding the beauty of the silence. It is being lost within yourself while your friends and family are worried not being able to contact you.

A trekking is a start of the friendship, start of a bond, which is very strong that remains forever. A person who was a stranger few days back will be the one who will listen to your nonsense story from your past as a true friend. A trekking is not about capturing moments but about creating memories.

The Joy of Achieving the Desire

Finally, a trekking is getting to the top of pre determined destination, which allows you to forget all the pain and suffering you’ve taken to make it up there and scream that feeling out of yourself for achieving something that you have always wanted. Trekking is all about the priceless feeling, which you will cherish for your lifetime.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), led the team of Nepalese Travel delegates while participating in the Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) held in Bangalore, India.

During India’s largest Travel Show TTF, nine Travel  Companies of Nepal accompanied NTB. The Travel Trade Fair was held from January 3 to 5. According to NTB visitors at TTF, made inquiries about Nepal´s prime touristic highlights as well as the pilgrimage destinations like Pasupatinath, Muktinath and Manakamana among others.

The statement of NTB says “Visitors also inquired about pilgrimage tour to Kailash Mansarovar via Nepal. The soft adventure holidays like trekking and rafting, leisure tour of Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan, and entertainment segments are also found popular among young travelers of India”, NTB statement adds.

News source: Republica

A view from a camp accommodation on the Nepalese middle hills of Nuwakot

Nepal is a paradise for trekkers and climbers. Options are plenty! The wide section of 800 kilometer long Nepalese Himalayan section offers the best of Himalayan Adventure. Become an admirer, while scaling the peaks of varied elevation (5000m- 8848m), trekking along the pleasant middle hills of Nepal for the breathtaking views of the Himalayas, experiencing an adventurous glacial walk along the trial to the Base Camps of mighty 8000ers or while encountering the rural lifestyles of indigenous Nepalese communities in the far-flung hamlets. 

However, in such isolation where people say “nature here has remained raw and intact for centuries”, the facilities to address the necessities of the trekkers are considered the best  in the global trekking industry. Basic services while on trekking to Nepal like, food and accommodation are surprisingly of International standard considering the geographical conditions.

Food during the trek

Food during the treks in Nepal is considered the best as English trekkers taught western cooking styles in the ancient trekking days and is well practiced till the day. Menu of the food is available as in the restaurants in Thamel based, on American and European food course i.e. breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Himalayan carrier yaks and a group of trekkers camping during a Fully Organized Trek in Nepal

Best time to Trek in Nepal

The best time to trek to Nepal is during the spring (March to May) and during the autumn (October to December). The days during these times have bright sunshine, blue sky, pleasant morning, warm evenings and windy days. The views of the Himalayas are exceptionally perfect during these times of the year. Though the temperature during the days in the Himalayan region is between 15 to 20 degree centigrade the nights are still cold with subzero temperature.

Setting up the sleeping tents as well as  a kitchen tent for the yummy meal!!!

Accommodation during the treks and peak climbing

If your trek is based on tea houses or GAP you will be enjoying the nights in the warm rooms of the tea houses. Considering the location, the rooms in the tea houses may not be equally comfortable to the rooms in the cities but you will be provided with the basic necessities required for you to keep warm and comfortable enough. However, while rising higher instead of single room or twin sharing room sometimes you may have to end up at the dormitories for one or two nights because of very limited tea houses in the high altitudes beyond 5000m of the Himalayas. If your trek is fully organized trek (FOT) you will be provided the A- shaped Nepalese tents below the base camps which are considered to be the best in these areas and above the base camps while climbing a trekking peak and expeditions you will be provided the luxurious accommodation inside the Dome tents.

Every cloud has a silver lining- A wonderful view of a Himalaya on a bright sunny day