Useful information before joining this trip
Our Effort
Our every effort will be made to keep to the proposed itinerary, however as this is adventure travel in a remote Himalayan region, we cannot guarantee it. The health of member, weather conditions can all contribute to changes the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if necessary.
If you are delayed longer than the itinerary date we can help reschedule your international flights however there is likely to be a fee charged by the airline for this. You will also have to pay for all additional costs.
Trekking Group
Nepal has abundance of offers to establish it as a round the year travel destination. Based on this fact, many international tourists are indeed incorporating Nepal in their wishful travel itinerary. For this Annapurna Base Camp trek, in our trekking group there will be one trek leader, one assistant trek leader and one Sherpa porter for each group of two trekkers. Generally in our group the minimum number of tourist will be two and the maximum group size is ten. For single also we organize the trip with single supplement and you may join with our group in Kathmandu but make sure before you book the trip. It doesn't mean we are not operating more than 11 persons, we do on request. To keep the limit group size which means we can provide a best services and personal take care to our valuable clients.
Physical and Mental Requirements
Trekkers who are making their plan to travel in the Himalaya, most require three basic components of preparation - aerobic, strength, and mental. Aerobic conditioning is important primarily because you will trekking in thin air, up to 50% less than at sea level. With good aerobic conditioning you will be able to minimizing the potential effects of Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS). Hiking for at least two hours per day with some weight on your back is the best way to prepare yourself for trekking. Running, cycling (outdoor or stationary), Nordic track, hill climbing, or any exercise that gets your heart rate into the aerobic range for sustained periods of time.
Every day you will walk in the Himalaya around 4 to 7 hrs and reaches at highest place to 4,130m/13546 feet. So, health is a most essential part for your adventure travel. Nepal Vision treks most require your medical fitness certificate prior to your booking. Before the trip booking with us we suggest to consult with your Medical Doctor and in his/her references go for your trip booking process.
Trekking in the Himalayas is a relatively safe activity and mishaps or problems are usually minor. However, unpleasant things can occur on a long trek. You might have a bout of mild illness, not sleep as well as usual, find the trek pace too fast or slow - any number of things might be annoying or stressful during some part of your trek. Before you leave for Nepal, or for any foreign destination for that matter, think about the journey as more than just a quest to reach a destination. Try to imagine your trip as an opportunity to experience whatever happens as an essential part of the journey. It doesn't matter so much whether you actually reach Annapurna Base Camp. You should be prepared to find joy and fulfillment in all the moments of your trip, including the less pleasant ones that you hadn't expected. Preparing to keep a very positive frame of mind throughout your trip, along with good physical conditioning, will insure that you are ready to experience all the wonders of Nepal.
Our Trek Leaders and Staffs
Your Trek Leader's role is to ensure all aspects of the trip run smoothly. He will share their local knowledge, advice on how to fill your free time and co-ordinate the day to day running of the tour - although occasionally he may need your understanding if things do not go according to plan. If you have any problems on the tour, please let your Trek Leader know so that steps can be taken to put it right.
We are a well stabilized adventure company and we employed professional trek leader (who are based on English speaking and few are multi-lingual's) and required crew member (they have basic knowledge of communication). We also provide the training to our staff increasing their work efficiency. And our guides are intimately familiar with all local castes and customs along the trails and will share with you many cultural insights that are not covered in any guide book. You will have good chance to learn Nepali phrases, cultural things and more on your Trekking.
Our Experience
Nepal Vision has been operating in the Himalaya for over 15 years and specializes in responsible travel. We offer small group adventure expeditions to Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and the Indian Himalaya. Our unrivalled itineraries reflect our long experience in the region. All our treks are accompanied by a highly experienced local leader ensuring safe acclimatization at every stage. You can hike, mountaineer and climb your way through the homeland of the adventure holiday.
Nepal Vision is one of the worlds leading adventure travel company offering hundred of itineraries on this continent for small group active adventures and expeditions, walking tours and cultural journeys. The company has been operating trekking and adventure travel holidays and vacations since 1992. Each itinerary has several scheduled departure dates throughout the whole year.
Our all-inclusive, no hidden extras pricing policy combined with longer, creative itineraries and the use of quality ground services attracts people who have high expectations of their travel experiences.
Acclimatization
We are experts at operating at high-altitude. Every trip we run has a realistic acclimatization programme. Our treks are designed to allow gradual height gain, spread over a number of days. There is no way of predicting who will suffer from altitude but, for the vast majority of people, a slow ascent to height will produce minimal effects. We can provide 'Gamow Bag' as a precautionary measure as per your request on hiring basis. Acclimatizing takes time and there are no safe shortcuts. All trips to altitudes in excess of 3,000 meters carry medicines essential to the treatment of altitude illness, and our leaders are trained to administer them and to know the symptoms.
Check out "Altitude illness" by Dr Jim Duff
Acetazolamide (Diamox)
Diamox is known as one of the best medicine for the altitude sickness in Nepal Himalayas and almost of every travelers use Diamox for the safety and precaution for the Altitude Mountain Sickness while ascending up, but while descending, they usually stop to taking it.
Mostly a common advice of using Diamox is taking a dose of 125mgs every evening after dinner as a precaution. And it is advice that you should take a Diamox two days before reaching to the risk zone of AMS and continue taking till to ascent as a precaution. So, 125mgs is taking only for precaution every night but if you feel the altitude sickness, then you could add another two full tablet dose(500mgs- 1000mgs) for one day.
It is also advice that travelers should try to take Diamox at home, before heading to their altitude mountain adventure to see if they are allergic or if they have any side effect of using it.
Travel Insurance
To be adequately protected in terms of insurance, you will need specialist travel insurance for participation in the hazardous activities. A travel insurance policy that covers cancellation, injury, death, lost baggage, theft, liability, medical treatment and expenses is strongly recommended. Make sure the insurance covers all the activities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal such as trekking and climbing. If a client becomes ill, all hospital expenses, doctors' fees and repatriation costs are the client's responsibility.
If you are injured and unable to travel, you can ask for a rescue helicopter from a remote area only if you have definite proof you can pay for it. Nepal Vision Treks have an agreement in Kathmandu that guarantees payment for helicopter evacuations. They pay a cash deposit to the helicopter operator and collect the money from you once you have been rescued. Be sure your policy specifically covers mountaineering or alpinism or you may have a difficult time settling a claim.
Climate and Weather
The climate of Nepal is as varied as its geography. The low-lying Terai has a sub-tropical monsoonal climate. The Himalayan foothills, where most of our treks take place, are best in the cool dry season from September to May. The traditional trekking season in Nepal is late September to May, with October and November generally recognized as having the best weather. Spring is also a popular time of year with warmer weather and the advantage of seeing spring flowers and rhododendrons in bloom. The visibility is good, days are pleasantly warm, although nights can be cold, and snow is possible above 3,000 meters.
Annapurna Base Camp trek is likely to have a wide range of temperatures depending on the altitude and the time of day. In the mountains up to 3,500m the nights will be cool, normally around 5 Degree C, and during the day temperatures sometimes rise to 25 Degree C. At higher altitudes temperatures range from about 20 Degree C to -15 Degree C.
Passport and Visa Requirements
All foreigners require a visa for entry into Nepal (except Indian nationals). It is your responsibility to obtain the entry visa. You can get from a Nepalese embassy overseas or on arrival in Nepal. Most people will obtain their visa on arrival to Kathmandu airport.
You will need one passport photo and the following fees dependent upon the duration of the multiple entry visa:
In Nepal you will require a visa which can be obtained in advance from the Nepalese Embassy from your country or you can get on arrival at the airport in Kathmandu.
- Multiple entry 15 days US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency.
- Multiple entry 30 days US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency.
- Multiple entry 90 days US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency.
You will require visa fee in cash (this is payable in any major currency but NOT travellers cheques) and 2 passport photos to purchase a Nepal visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport or at the Nepal entry point.
If you plan to obtain your visa in your country, you can download the application form from the website at: www.immi.gov.np
Please note regulations and costs do change frequently so it is advisable to check the current rules with your nearest Nepalese embassy or consulate.
Permits and fees
In Nepal, you most require permits and fees to enter a certain areas such as World heritage sites, National Park, restricted areas along climbing as well. All the trip prices are including the cost of relevant permits and entrance fees. Incase of any such conditions we will inform you if required any additional permit fees before you make a booking with us.
Health and Fitness for trekker
We strongly recommend our clients for consulting the doctor before planning your holidays. You should obtain professional advice from a travel clinic or your local GP about which vaccinations to have before you arrive in Nepal. Your doctor will advise current inoculation requirements. If a doctor has recommended against travel or indicated travel may be inconvenient then inform us of the details. On all trekking and exploratory trips technical experience is not required, hiking/camping experience is an advantage, but by far the most important thing is a positive attitude and a generous amount of determination. We strictly maintain hygiene foods on the trek. We carry extensive medical kits and, if the need should ever arise, we are able to evacuate seriously ill group members by helicopter. We run regular first aid courses for our all trekking guides and Sherpa helpers.
Meals and Accommodation
In Kathmandu we use deluxe hotel to ensure a comfortable stay and relaxed environment before and after your adventure. All breakfasts are included at the hotel in Kathmandu. Rooms are generally twin share - depending on group size and room availability, triple share may be offered to your request. A single supplement room is available at an additional cost. And on request single supplement will be charge US$200.
While on the trek, the lodges provide good quality food in sufficient quantities. For breakfast you are likely to get porridge, cereal, toast or chapattis, omelet and a range of hot drinks. We will provide all meals on full board (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and tea & coffee) from the teahouse menu during the trekking period. Whilst trekking on the Annapurna, the accommodation is in guesthouses which are basic structures, generally with shared facilities. In some guesthouses, showers are available; where there are no showers; there are private facilities in which you can sponge bath.
Ethical and Environmental considerations
The Nepal Vision Treks is committed to adopting a responsible attitude to the areas we visit. We are guests of the communities visited and with some thought and care we can ensure that everyone benefits from the experience. We have developed a Responsible Tourism policy which aims to ensure that The Nepal Vision treks and its clients act in a way that is socially, environmentally and culturally sound.
- On this trip: Our policy of staying in locally owned accommodation, having local group members and using transport owned and operated by local people wherever possible is continued in Nepal. Our small groups (maximum of 10 people) have a minimal impact on the Himalayas' fragile environment as we explore predominantly on foot. All trek guides are responsible for ensuring that the guests understand the nature of the environment that they are in and minimize the impact that they may have. Our porters in Nepal are equipped with suitable clothing and footwear for the type of trek they are about to work on, and this is recorded at the start of the trek.
- Our Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us.
- Charity: We work in partnership with rural village communities. We work with some of the world's poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems.
How to Book
To join a Trekking adventure, please contact us and advise which adventure you'd like to book.
We'll send you the relevant booking form (along with our terms & conditions) which you'll need to complete and return to us.
A completed booking form and non-refundable deposit of 20% (per person) is required to confirm a place on your selected adventure.
Please don't hesitate to contact us in relation to any questions you may have regarding our booking process.
We wish you a wonderful Himalayan adventure with us!
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