Information

Altitude Sickness

High Altitude sickness often known as acute mountain sickness (A.M.S.) in general may occur when people ascend too quickly normally in altitudes of over 3000 m. We ensure minimal risk by building in rest days into our trekking itineraries. Most people will feel some effect of altitude, shortness of breath and possibly light headaches, which is fairly common. Acute mountain sickness is very different and normally involves a severe headache, sickness and loss of awareness.

(Immunizations and Health Concerns for travelling to Himalaya Including High Altitude Sickness).

As of this writing, there is no required immunization for travel to any of the countries where we go, however, for your protection you should consider getting vaccinated against some ailments that exist in any of these countries.

To learn about prevention against malaria etc. and to find out more about the region and suggested immunizations in general, go to the following web sites: www.high-altitude-medicine.com / the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, www.istm.org / International Society of Travel Medicine.

Require – Equipment lists

Headwear

• Wool or fleece hat.
• Sun hat or scarf.
• Sunglasses with UV protection.

Clothing

• Waterproof jacket and trousers (Gore-Tex or similar).
• Trekking trousers.
• Long sleeve shirts (not cotton).
• Fleece jacket or pullover.
• Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional).
• Fleece or wool pants (seasonal).
• Sleeveless or body warmer type fleece.
• Thermals or base layer for top & bottom (merino wool or synthetic).

Footwear

• Thin, lightweight inner socks.
• Thick, warm wool hiking socks.
• Walking boots. A pair of water repellent boots with ankle support.
• Trainers or trail shoes. Can be used in camp/lodge in the evenings.

Handwear 

• Fleece gloves.
• Warms mittens and/or gloves.

Accessories

• Sleeping bag rated to zero degree-centigrade.
• Headlamp (e.g. Pletzl Zoom) with spare bulbs and batteries.
• Trekking Bags/Duffle bag.
• Basic First Aid Kit.
• Large plastic bags – for keeping items dry inside trek bag.
• Day-pack.
• Trekking Poles (We will provide)
• Water bottle (2) or camel bag.
• Ear Plug (on the trek some people can snore).
• 1 medium sized quick drying towel.
• Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable).
• Face and body moisturizer.
• Camera with spare batteries and memory cards.
• Favourite snack food.
• Books, iPod, cards etc.
• Swimming costumes.
• Insurance certificate.

Travelling

• Duffel bag or Rucksack bag for your personal gear on the trek (carried by a porter / We will provide).
• Travel clothes. You will need casual clothing for air travel days and time spent in Kathmandu.
• Toiletry bag include toilet paper, soap, towel, toothbrush, etc.

RMT & Responsible Tourism

Tourism is one of the most important and largest industries on the planet. It employs more people worldwide than any other, with millions of families relying on tourism for their daily needs. Of course there are negative sides attached.

The last few decades have been dotted with disaster stories where tourism has resulted in over-development, destruction of environments and in cultural misunderstandings and mistrust. It has also recently been embroiled in the debate about global warming and carbon emissions caused by flying. At Royal Mountain trekking   we believe that our type of small group, positive impact tourism can bring benefits to many communities, help preserve the environments we travel to see, and provide real and positive social exchanges.

Our Policy

• We comply with international environmental conventions and abide by the laws, regulations and guidelines of the countries, cultures and natural areas we visit.
• We ensure direct economic benefits from our tourism operation to the host community, thereby providing an economic impetus to environmental conservation.
• We hire local people whenever possible throughout all levels of the organization, providing them with appropriate training.
• We actively work with the host community whenever possible.
• We support local businesses and use local services whenever possible.
• We protect the integrity of local cultures and heritage by accepting their right to determine their own development and through minimizing visitor contribution to acculturation and the decline of local values.
• We assist in maximizing the retention of our clients’ expenditure in the local communities with advice in our literature and from our leaders.
• We ensure that our negative impact on the natural environment is minimized.
• We ensure that the type and scale of our operation is appropriate to local conditions.
• We use established, locally owned and run campsites wherever possible and endeavour to leave the site in better condition than we found it.
• We adhere to minimum impact guidelines pertaining to toilets, rubbish, the use of soaps, firewood, water, fuel and other items that can negatively impact the environment.
• Our group sizes are regulated to minimize cultural and environmental impact.
• We ensure that all aspects of visitors’ experience are in harmony with the cultural and natural environment.
• We help prepare our clients by providing information at all stages in order to help them minimize their cultural and environmental impact.
• We help enrich our clients’ experience by providing cultural and environmental interpretation, both through local site specific guides, and by providing our leaders with the appropriate training.
• We actively support cultural, social and environmental initiatives through financial contributions and direct participatory involvement.

Travel Insurance

We highly recommended a compressive travel insurance package to all our clients. It will be assisted adequate protection trip to cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, emergency evacuation and any kind of illness will be covered.

Royal Mountain Trekking offers mainly three categories of holidays in the Himalayas, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. Those trips are Leisure Tours & Safari, Trekking & Hiking holidays and Climbing & Expeditions in the ice and snowy Himalayas.

Before buying your insurance make sure your insurer is aware of the Royal Mountain Trekking itinerary that you’re going to undertake and is agreeable to cover all trips activities.

Your insurance coverage of an air ambulance or helicopter rescue is not mandatory for the trip in urban areas, but it is better to have them with you. Again, for Tibet vacations there is no possibility of helicopter rescue, therefore it is not necessary to buy the air ambulance coverage in Tibet trips. Also, check your insurance policy to include trip cancelation.

Insurance for Safari & Leisure Trips

Safari & Leisure Trips usually do not involve travel to risky areas or high altitudes; therefore, they do not require advanced travel insurance. However, for such tours, your insurance should cover medical issues, pandemics, epidemics, flight cancelation and trip cancelation.

Trekking & Hiking Holidays

The difficulty level in different trekking areas varies mainly due to the altitude and the mountains terrain, which could pose a high risk of life. You may need an emergency evacuation in areas where roads and hospitals are not accessible.

For these types of trips, you must inform your insurance company of the maximum altitude to which you will be trekking. Accordingly, your insurance will cover for emergency search, evacuation and medical issues. Also, don’t forget to include cancelation of your trip in the insurance coverage. Please contact one of our travel consultants for more details before buying your insurance policy.

Climbing & Expeditions

Climbing & Expedition trips are very risky. In the mountain cliffs, you will climb the ice and snow ropes and there is a high risk of injury. You will need advanced rescue insurance for these trips, the premium is usually a bit higher. Insurance companies offer policies based on the altitude you will face during your trip. Remember – search, rescue and advanced medical insurance is mandatory for your climbing & expedition trips with us.

You need to send us a copy of your insurance policy details or carry it with you while you’re on the trip. If you’re unable to present the insurance that is required for the Himalaya Discovery Adventures trip, the company solely reserves the right to cancel your trip.

Note: We do not sell, coordinate or even encourage you to buy insurance from any particular insurance company. This is our recommendation and advice to you. You can find the insurance company of your choice from our recommendations below:

• Europe Assistance (For Europeans)
• World Nomads (For Canadians, American and even Asians)
• Insure and Go (For British)
• Travel insurance consultants (For South Africans)
• 1Cover Travel Insurance (Australians and New Zealanders)

TRIP TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Please read “Booking Terms and Conditions” carefully as by paying the 15% deposit (per person, per trip) you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to the following conditions. Your contract with Royal Mountain Trekking based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Royal Mountain Trekking hereinafter referred to as ‘the company’ in respect of the booking conditions which apply to all of the trips on this website.

1. When you confirmed the trip, we need a photocopy of your passport and 15% deposit of the total price for advance flight tickets and hotel booking and permit process.

2. Payments can be wired by bank transfer or PayPal, Wise please use any means of transfer according to your convenience.

3. After receiving the photocopy of your passport, and 15% advance from you, we send you the final confirmation receipt.

4. The remaining balance can be made after your arrival in Nepal. Full payment should be made before the trip departure. Be mindful, we also reserve the right to cancel your trip provided full amount is not paid in time.

Cancellation Policy

We understand sometimes unavoidable circumstances lead clients to have to cancel their trip, therefore we have the following policy in place:

For cancellations made more than one month prior to the departure date there will be a 100% refund (minus any transaction fees).

For cancellations made less than one month prior to the departure date there will be a 50% refund (minus transaction fees)

Should clients have to cancel (due to illness or an emergency at home) once they have arrived in Kathmandu and paid the full amount, there will be a refund of 80% of the balance AFTER deduction of any costs which have already been incurred (flight ticket cancellation fees, hotel cancellation fees, part payment to porters, etc).

In case of refunds, we will process this immediately, but it might take 5 to 14 days for the process to go through the bank. Please be patient.

Early Return

Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, clients return early from their trip. If this does happen, there is no refund.  In these cases, payments are non-refundable because guides and porters have to be paid for the number of original days booked.

Domestic Flight Delay

The reason you came to Nepal was the Himalayas, right? So, while they are beautiful, Himalayas are also unpredictable!  Sometimes domestic flights get cancelled due to bad weather, particularly those flights to the mountain areas. Should flights be delayed or cancelled, the client is liable to bear the cost of any additional nights in a hotel.

Passports & Visas

All clients must have a valid passport with at least 6 months validity from the return date. Nepalese visas can be obtained from the Nepalese Consulate in your country or arrival in Kathmandu Airport. Nepalese visas costs are the sole responsibility of clients.

Travel Insurance

It is compulsory for all clients to have travel insurance before undertaking any trip, which should provide protection for the full duration of your trip to cover personal injury, accidents, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, helicopter rescue, air ambulance and basic coverage for baggage.

Covid-19

We both acknowledge the COVID-19 global crisis and accept our obligations to follow with any official guidance from governments or local officials, both at home and in destination countries (Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet).

Please note that we will not be responsible for any refunds, compensation, expenses, costs, or other losses of any kind incurred by you (including, where applicable, the cost of medical treatment) etc.

Health & Fitness

Before you set out to travel, it is advised that clients check with the local hospital regarding your health and fitness since tours and treks require a certain level of physical fitness in Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. Please notify Himalaya Discovery Adventures of any pre-existing medical condition and or disability that may affect your ability to travel.

Risks & Liability

Himalaya Discovery Adventures has directed towards the fulfilment of your every desire. We perform our duties honestly and seriously to make your journey very smooth and pleasant. However, we will not take any responsibility regarding any change & alternations in the itinerary due to unavoidable circumstances such as government restrictions, political strikes or unrest, landslides, road blockage, floods, snow avalanche, any loss, thefts or damages, altitude sickness or accident. Himalaya Discovery Adventures will not be responsible for any of the additional expenses.

Visa and Trekking permit in Nepal

Nepal visa can be easily obtained from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu upon arrival. If you are planning to get the visa from your country simply visit Nepalese Embassy there. If you are travelling by land through India then the visa is provided from Immigration office at the border. You need to have a valid passport and passport size photographs to complete the visa acquisition process. The visa fee varies according to your stay in Nepal.

• For 15 days, $30
• For 30 days, $50
• For 90 days, $125

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National Park Fee will be required to trek in major areas such as:

Special Trekking permit is required to visit Nepal´s restricted areas determined for trekking by the government. If you plan to trek in two different areas, two trekking permits are required.

Note: After 10 days US$ 50.00/per day per person for upper Dolpo and upper Mustang.

Manaslu Trekking Permit:
September-November: USD 100.00 for 7 days per person and after 7 days USD 15.00 per person.
December-August: USD 75.00 for 7 days per person and after 7 days USD 10.00 per person. 
ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) Entrance Permit. NPR. 3000.00 per person
MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area Project) Entrance Permit. NPR. 3000.00 per person

Tsum Valley Trek: 
September-November USD 40.00 / person / week. USD 7 per day after one week
December-August USD 30.00 / person / week.  USD 7 per day after one week.

Nar Phu Valley Permit
September – November USD 100.00 per week per person and December – August US$ 75 per week per person. USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week)

Dolakpa District (Lamabagar Ward No.1 (Lapchi Village) Gaurishanker Ward No. 1 (Beding 9 and Chhorolpa Lake area):
Per week per person USD 20.00

Humla District (Simikot-Yari):
Areas of Limi and Muchu VDC, area way to Tibet via Tangekhola of Darma VDC.
First 7 days: USD 50.00 and after 7 days: USD 10.00 per day per person

Kanchanjunga and Lower Dolpa:
USD 20.00 per person per week.

Notes: To get group trekking permit an application form with other relevant documents should be submitted through registered trekking agency of Nepal and Trekking fee can be paid in Nepalese currency. As for new rules, new trekking pass TIMS (Trekkers´ Information Management System) card is required for trekking in all major areas along with National Park entrance permit. Which is costs: USD 10.00/per person. We  arranges trekking permit accordingly before our trekking and tour departure.