Overview
Tsum valley, unknown and undiscovered to most and finally hatched with exploration under initiation from TAAN (Trekking Agent Association of Nepal). Derived from the Tibetan word Tsombo, Tsum holds many passes over 5000m extending from the northern part of Nepal to the border with Tibet.
This beautiful, panoramic landscape can be found in Gorkha District, which has a rich history dating back to the Shah Dynasty of Nepal. It is defined by mountains, culture, traditions, landscape and adventure. Beautiful routes have just become available for exploring.
Crossing through beautiful villages, entering into the restricted area with special permit takes you to the heart of cultural and traditional hub, where you will see the real and true image of ancient habitant, untouched by many.
The altitude varies from 1905m till 5093m at Ngula Dhojhyang Pass on the Tibetan border. Traditionally Tsum valley was culturally district geographical area called ‘Tsum Tso Chucksums’, which means thirteen provinces ruled as a single territory. This hidden valley is surrounded by Mountains called, Boudha Himal, Himal Chuli, Ganesh Himal and Sringi Himal. Tsum valley includes two remote VDCs, Chhekampar (Upper Tsum) and Chumchet (Lower Tsum).
Journey To Tsum Valley
Tsum is a holy Himalayan pilgrimage valley situated in the trans-Himalayan zone of the Gorkha, Nepal. Arughat, a 7-hour drive from Katmandu, is the beginning and finishing point of the trek.
In the first part of the tour, Budhi Gandaki Valley is climbed through good roads through a mixture of dense forest, terraced fields and mountain villages. As we exit the central Manaslu trail in the Tsum canyon, we immediately get the feeling that we are really entering the secret valley.
During the ride, pass past alpine trees, glacier flowers, and indigenous peoples' warm hospitality. We go through the Buri, Machhakhola, Jagat and Philim lower Budhi Gandaki districts. The old Gombas of the city, such as Rachen Gompa, Mu Gompa, Dephyudonma Gompa, are visited as well.
Highlights
- View of majestic mountains like Himalchuli (7,893m), Manaslu (8,163m), Annapurna Range, Shringi(7,187m), Ganesh Himal, NgadiChuli (7,879m) and other mountains.
- Mu gumpa
- Tibetan people lifestyle and their unique culture (i.e polyandry)
- Tsum Valley and its epic beauty in itself
- Visit Buddhist Gomba like Milarepa's Cave, Rachen Gompa and Mu Gompa.
- Stunning mountains, deep gorges, passes, hamlets, gompas, and Mani walls.
Outline Itinerary ( 18 Days ) Expand all +
Arrive in Kathmandu at any time. Upon your arrival, representative will be picked up from airport then you will be transferred to a hotel for check in. Overnight stay at Himalayan Suite hotel.
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After breakfast, our guide will take you to different attractions of Kathmandu Valley. Today, you will visit, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Patan Durbar Square.
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Today, you will drive towards Arughat after breakfast. Upon reaching Arughat, you will start your trek to Soti Khola.
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Today, you will cross many bridges and trek through the beautiful Sal forests, then climb onto a ridge above huge rapids on the Budhi Gandaki. The rocky trail then makes its way up and down, past two tropical waterfalls on a steep, rocky trail clinging to the side of a cliff. It eventually makes its way down and past a few terraced paddy fields, then up and around to the Gurung village of Labubesi. Climb behind a rocky outcrop, where the valley opens and the Budhi Gandaki meanders among wide gravel bars. Drop to the sandy river bed and walk along rounded stones before climbing over a side ridge. Head down again to the river and traverse to Machha Khola village.
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Our trail for the day remains quite easy in the morning as we move through Khorlabesi. We stop for a while at Tatopani, to explore the natural hot water springs here and continue walking through a forested path to Dobhan. From here, our trail down into the banks of the Yaru Khola at Yaru Beshi, and continue climbing up on a high path to the fields in Jagat.
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Our trail moves uphill and then continues through a flat leveled path trail to sandy banks. The path then gets steep near Sirdibas and as we cross a dramatic suspension bridge over the river, we further climb up to a beautiful village of Phillim. From Philim, we lose the height and enter to Tsum valley. As we head a little further with a climb, we reach Lhokpa. The views of Ganesh Himal and Shringi Himal from Lokpa is amazing.
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Today, we cross three suspension bridges in the morning and ascend up steeply for rest of the day. As we are close to the end of our journey today, we walk gradually along a nice path until we reach Chumling. Our walk for the day is short but as we have to ascend for long, the walk is quite tiring and gains a little more of elevation.
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Leaving behind Chumling, we begin our walk to Chhokang Paro. Chookang Paro is also popularly known as Chhekemper and is located on the top of the hill. Our trail for today follows one of the tributaries of the Budhi Gandaki River for the most part of the day. We pass a small monastery on the way and crosses another tributary from where we begin to ascend up to the hill to Chhekampar. Chhekampar consists of two unique settlements namely Chhokang and Paro. Being on the top of the hill, Chhekampar acts as a vantage point that offers close-up views of Ganesh Himal Range.
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The village of Nile is to the west, which is the north of the upper Tsum valley last settlement. As we pass into the grotto of Piren Phu, also known as the cave of piegeons. It is one of Tsum Valley's most holy caves. It is located near the town of Burji, at the foot of a steep hill. It was assumed that the revered Tibetan Saint named Milarepa meditated in that cave because of the cave 's footprint. The road is a perfect way to walk through green woods and the landscape can turn lush and low. Two different convents are connected to the rocky cave.
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After an early breakfast in the morning we will abandon Nile as the road progresses towards Mu Gompa. This is the region's largest monastery. The highest and most far-away in the Tsum Valley is Mu Gompa. It was established in 1895 A.D. and consists of several books, among them a Kangyur, an images of Guru Padmasambavya and Tara. Chortens rows and spectacular mountain views and houses have been developed into the monastery. One of the oldest monasteries in the Tsum valley is Dephyudonma 's ancient monastery associated with the dawn of Buddhism run by Lama on the lap of rough mountains.
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We descend down the valley to Chhule and continue walking down to Phurbe. We stay on the east bank of the Siyar Khola and cross flat boulder-covered plains and follow the power lines to Rachen Gompa/ Nunnery Gompa. We visit this ancient gompa and interact with the monks and nuns living in the gompa.
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Next day leaving Rachen Gompa we trek towards Domje villate form where the trail starts to cross over a mani wall with several flags of prayer, continuing the steep climb through a oak, junipar and rhododendron wood. It is a lovely view of the Tibetan culture. Eventually, there is a prayer flag in the forest marking the climb and passing through a large silver pine to the Gompa in Lungdang. In the mountains.
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After our breakfast we walk down to Rainjam and catch the unforgettable glimpse of the Himal Ganesh. We climb up and down to Ripchet slightly after that. The village of Ripchet is lovely with big houses. It offers you the chance to learn about the local people 's hospitality history, practices and lifestyles.
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Dobhan is situated at the meeting point of Shiar Khola which flows from the east and Sarpu Khola which flows from the west.
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After breakfast we continue our today trek to Soti Khola. Today we wander around the village of Soti Khola through terraced fields and tropical waterfalls.
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We will take early bus and drive back to Kathmandu enjoying the mountain views, rice fields and crop fields and river.
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You have a free day so you can do anything you want to do. Take a stroll around Thamel or do shopping.
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You will depart back to your country. Our representative escort you to the airport after breakfast for your flight back to your home.
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Include / Exclude
- All surface transfers as per itinerary
- Three star catagory hotel in Kathmandu (Himalayan Suite Hotel or similar category) in twin sharing bed and breakfast basis
- All meals, accommodation,insurance and other expenses of trekking crew
- Necessary permit, TIMS and national park fees
- Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu by car
- All necessary equipment ( Sleeping bag and duffel bag ) during the trek.
- Accommodation in lodge with breakfast during the trek
- All meals during the trek (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu. (Meal costs about 5$ - 8$ dollar per item depending on the place where you eat)
- Personal equipment and clothing
- City sightseeing entry fees ( NRS entrance fee cost Rs 400+250+1000)
- Cold and alcoholic drinks
- Personal expenses and tips to the crew
- Your Insurance (compulsory)
Departures & Availability
Additional Information
Best time to do the trek
The monsoon that is almost everywhere in Nepal is in the fall (October-Nember) between the mid-June and the end of September, the most popular season is the summer, where the skies are washed and the wetter looks are superior, springs (March-May) are another common time for trekkers. Likewise, most people are unwilling to walk during the winter when the temperature in high elevation is too cold and snow can block high passes. The trail is unworkable and dangerous during the summer / mountain season.
Required fitness level for this trek
Our daily trekking itinerary is 5-7 hours in lower altitude of 3500m and normally lasts from 3-4 hours daily on high mountains altitude excess of 3500 m. Steeper slope trekking is physically difficult than low latitudes trekking. This is a distant mountain trip, with long ascents, steep descents and straight roads after a straight trekking trails. For trekking, past hiking experience will be an added benefit, as it requires no technical knowledge and skills. Trekkers who can travel with a light day pack five to six hours a day at a respectable pace can take part on this journey.
Some days take longer hours of trekking so you need to be reasonably fit and ready for long days. Daily workouts and jogging a few weeks before the trip are a good time to enhance our endurance. In order to participate in the trek, all participants should be in good health with normal physical fitness and have a strong attitude, belief and determination. Before undertaking the trip it is very important to ensure that you are as fit to trek for long hours as possible. Before booking the trek, participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart and lung disorders and blood disorder should notify us.
Lodging and meals during the trek
All accommodations are on twin-sharing room BB basis. Single room will be served on request with paying the supplementary. During the trek at Lodges/Tea houses the room will be sharing basis usually with attached bath room in lower altitude but note that it might be difficult to find with attached bath room at higher altitude.
Mostly during lodge trek, we can enjoy authentic Nepalese fresh produce (Dal bhat, vegetation, curry ...) rice, lentil, along with more widely accepted cuisineYou may select from the menu of the lodge according to your preferences and at the moment our guide would be present with you to help you taste the food and decide what to eat if you have if you find the meals difficult to choose. From the teahouse, or from the lodge table, breakfast and dinner is served, while lunch is provided on the way to the next stop.
Wi-Fi and Connectivity
The internet service is available at lodges with an extra cost. You can contact your family and friends via lodges, but communication at high altitudes is via the safety phone. For any assistance during the trek, you will always be linked to Kathmandu's HSJ office. Often, the signal may be not very good before the high altitude, depending on the type of network you use. On your request, a separate local sim card can be issued for your good access to the connection (most of the places now have wireless internet services at extra costs).
Electricity and Charging of your electronic devices
Electricity for the camera and the handheld battery charge is accessible in the lodges. However extra cost shall incur. Most lodges are equipped with hydropower and some have solar panels.You can charge all your devices staying overnight in one of chosen lodges or tea houses.
Availability of drinking water during the trek
Water can be bought from nearby lodges and shops during a hike and boiled water can be filled at additional expenses. In the drinking water, a water purification pill is recommended.
Obtaining Trekking Permits
You need Manaslu special permit with Conservation Area Permit, and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) fees, Himalayan Social Journey will take care of all the necessary paperwork.
Please dont forget to bring your 4 PP sized photos for the TIMS and Permits.
List of Equipments you will need for trek
Clothing
· Trekking boots
· Short-sleeved Trekking shirts
· Trekking pants and jackets
· Thermals underwear
· Long-sleeved Trekking shirts
· Insulating down jackets
· Woolen cap
· Trekking Gloves
· Raincoats
First Aid
· Diamox tablets
· Sanitary pads / Tampons
· Anti-nausea Medicines
· Band-aids
· Mosquito and insect repellents
Toiletries
· Soap
· Toilet Paper
· Shampoo
· Sunscreen
· Moisturizer
· Hand sanitizer
Accessories
· Sunglasses
· Sleeping bag
· Cameras
· Batteries
· Water Bottle
· Solar Chargers
· Hot water Thermos
Important Documents
· Passport
· Travel Permits
Drinking water during the trek
The Tsum Valley trek is physically exhausting and drinking a lot of water is a must. The first several days at low altitudes can be hot, so expect a lot of water to be needed. At cooler, higher altitudes, you can feel less thirsty, but drinking lots of water allows you to acclimate. Planning to have at least two liters of water when trekking every day is a smart way to start. Filling up water is quick. Taps in, out or in guesthouses mean that there are plenty of places to fill your bottles and/or your water bladders.This could be where you stay, a lunch stop, or a shared public tap used by locals. Use an efficient sterilization method to make sure your water is safe and not contaminated in anyway.Bottled water is available to buy throughout the trek, but we would advise against this for a number of reasons.You do not need them if you use sterilization method. Environment concerns are there and also buying water is expensive up in the mountains.
Travel insurance
We suggest taking out an insurance plan for your individual accountability, accidents and illnesses during the service.Regarding the type of activity, you may be asked to show a certificate of insurance for help and support, sanitation and search. This service is private and not free in Nepal, the helicopter will not take off until it is convinced to pay for the insurance.
Extra Expenses
It’s difficult to give an exact amount of money that you should bring. Costs will vary according to how much you want to spend for shopping and where and what meals (lunch & dinner) you want to eat. Trekkers find that around $20 (for lunch & dinner) a day is reasonable for the trekking days.
As for the tips, A general rule of thumb for tipping is USD 25 for the guide per traveller and USD 25 for porter between two travellers if you are fully satisfied with their service. So we suggest you allocate a minimum of USD 50 for Tipping. This is just a guideline and you may tip whatever / how much you think is appropriate for the services rendered which made your trek a memorable one.
Luggage per one person
For the trek, we'll have one porter for two people as per group size. The porter will carry 10-12 kg per person luggage during the trek. You need to carry your daypack to keep your personal belongings such as wallet, camera, water bottle, dry snack, headlight, gadgets etc.
Solo trekking
Single Supplementary
There will be two people accommodated in each room for the duration of the tour. If you prefer private accommodation, you'll find the option for "single supplement" of USD 300. Important: Please note that during the trek there are some lodges which won't have sufficient rooms to provide private accommodation. So, even if you purchase single supplement you will end up sharing a room for some days of the trek.
Travel and Transportation Modes
On Land: Touring to and from city destinations is done on a private vehicle such as a car, jeep or microbus. Luxury tourist buses, which are only hired by the company for the most part, make the long distance travel. You will may have to take a public bus on some trip, but you do not need to worry about your protection or comfort because you ride with our guides and support staff in a group.
This Tour with HSJ
Guides and Porters
Our local Nepali team is one of the most experienced, hospitable and respected trekking outfits in Nepal. The team is fully licensed and affiliated with the Trekking Agency's Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal Mountaineering Association, Nepal Tourism Board, Govt. of Nepal, Sustainable Tourism Network, Himalayan Rescue Association and Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project. You will be provided with the professional and an experienced English speaking trekking guide with the good knowledge of the place and the trek. The trekking crew is skilled with the experience of over 10 years, well-trained, friendly guide and, courteous and helpful porters, assured of a wonderfully memorable experience.
For the trek, we'll have one porter for two people as per group size. The porter will carry 12-15 kg per person luggage during the trek. You need to carry your day pack to keep your personal belongings such as wallet, camera, water bottle, dry snack, headlight, gadgets, etc. The safety and concerns of our porters is our collective responsibility. We take our responsibilities towards them and their safety concerns strictly. On your part, please carry only things that are of absolute necessities.
Other Programs and complimentary services with this trip
• Welcome and Farewell dinner
• Yoga Classes
• Spa services
How do we make sure you get the best experience of this trek?
We are your completely flexible travel partner. Want to follow different route? We have you covered. Have extra time in Nepal? Excellent! We have more add-on tours like Chitwan Jungle Safari, Cable Car ride to Chandragiri hills, Cooking and Yoga classes in Kathmandu and so on. Would like to customize the trip? Well, why not? Give us your ideas and we will prepare complete itinerary for you. Do you want to use different standard of accommodations than provided in the itineraries? Of course! You absolutely can. From your arrival until you departure, your wishes are our command. Feel free to make the request.
Last minute booking
It is best to book in advance but for those who cannot, for whatever reason, make a last minute reservation special arrangement for Himalayan Social Journey. In the case of last minute reservation, 100% tour payment will be approved within 24 hours. We try to operate a trek at any time but we are not liable for the delay in case of last-minute reservation, because of uncontrolled changes such as weather and the availability of accommodation.
Feedbacks
Throughout the years of business, we have always put the customers feedback as our inspiration towards making our company great travel partner. With many ups and downs, and good and not so good feedbacks we have reached where we are now. At the end of the trek, while you are with the crew during farewell dinner, we would appreciate if you give us your valuable feedback, account of good and bad experiences, recommendations and also your honest rating to our trip advisor page.
Essential Info Expand all +
The monsoon that is almost everywhere in Nepal is in the fall (October-Nember) between the mid-June and the end of September, the most popular season is the summer, where the skies are washed and the wetter looks are superior, springs (March-May) are another common time for trekkers. Likewise, most people are unwilling to walk during the winter when the temperature in high elevation is too cold and snow can block high passes. The trail is unworkable and dangerous during the summer / mountain season.
You need some previous trekking activities and good health. Climbing and descending are quite common walking experiences and you may also need to cross little glaciers. Walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in lower altitudes, however, the pace of the trek will vary in compensation. If you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have strong determination, you will complete this trek successfully. Exercising, particularly jogging and climbing stairs regularly for some weeks prior to your arrival is recommended to enhance your strength and fitness. Past hiking experience would be an asset, but no technical skill is required. This kind of trip gives you a lifetime experience, a breathtaking stroll around the mountains.
All accommodations are on twin-sharing room BB basis. Single room will be served on request with paying the supplementary. During the trek at Lodges/Tea houses the room will be sharing basis usually with attached bath room in lower altitude but note that it might be difficult to find with attached bath room at higher altitude.
Mostly during lodge trek, we can enjoy authentic Nepalese fresh produce (Dal bhat, vegetation, curry ...) rice, lentil, along with more widely accepted cuisineYou may select from the menu of the lodge according to your preferences and at the moment our guide would be present with you to help you taste the food and decide what to eat if you have if you find the meals difficult to choose. From the teahouse, or from the lodge table, breakfast and dinner is served, while lunch is provided on the way to the next stop.
The internet service is available at lodges with an extra cost. You can contact your family and friends via lodges, but communication at high altitudes is via the safety phone. For any assistance during the trek, you will always be linked to Kathmandu's HSJ office. Often, the signal may be not very good before the high altitude, depending on the type of network you use. On your request, a separate local sim card can be issued for your good access to the connection (most of the places now have wireless internet services at extra costs).
Electricity for the camera and the handheld battery charge is accessible in the lodges. However extra cost shall incur. Most lodges are equipped with hydropower and some have solar panels.You can charge all your devices staying overnight in one of chosen lodges or tea houses.
The Tap water supplied along the trails are considered safe for drinking and local people drink it without treating, however for the foreigners, it is best that the tap water be only drunk after purification. There are two good options for having proper drinking water during the trek. You can bring water purification tablets or fill your bottle for a nominal fee from the recognized and regulated "pure water" stations along the trek. As the last alternative, you can also purchase bottled water at the lodges but this is not recommended. It is very important that you drink at least 3 liters of pure water daily during the trek
You need Manaslu special permit with Conservation Area Permit, and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) fees, Himalayan Social Journey will take care of all the necessary paperwork.
Please dont forget to bring your 4 PP sized photos for the TIMS and Permits.
We suggest taking out an insurance plan for your individual accountability, accidents and illnesses during the service.Regarding the type of activity, you may be asked to show a certificate of insurance for help and support, sanitation and search. This service is private and not free in Nepal, the helicopter will not take off until it is convinced to pay for the insurance.
There will be two people accommodated in each room for the duration of the tour. If you prefer private accommodation, you'll find the option for "single supplement" of USD 250. Important: Please note that during the trek there are some lodges which won't have sufficient rooms to provide private accommodation. So, even if you purchase single supplement you will end up sharing a room for some days of the trek.
Yes, Himalayan Social Journey is flexible travel partner. It is possible to organize the private trip or private group trip to Tsum Valley Trek. The minimum people for the group is 2 however supplementary charge will be applicable for the solo traveler wanting to do private trip.
In the average, you will be walking for 6-7 hours each day during the Tsum Valley Trek
Insurance of the guide and porter is covered by the company. All our guides and porters are properly insured.
Yes, children are allowed to do the trek, however it is safe to not bring children under the age of 12 to do the trek as they may find it difficult and not able to walk. This could affect your trekking experience as well.
No, there is no age limit to do the trek. If the person is healthy and physically fit, they can do the trek.
Liquid needs and usage of our body is about 3-5 liters a day (13-21 cups). Several findings suggest that drinking carbohydrate and electrolytes (such as sports drinks) in a liquid is safer than moisturizing water at altitude alone. There is also a study done on the effect of tea in reducing the fatigue and mood boosting. Results have been positive. This being said apart from water, you can drink green tea, masala tea, and ginger tea and garlic soup.
No, the company does not provide trekking poles, you will have to manage it on your own or our guide can help you buy it when you are in Nepal. The pair of trekking poles cost from $10-$15.
Yes, we do provide sleeping bags. The sleeping bags we provide are of good quality. They help you sustain the colder climate in Nepali mountains up to -25 degree Celsius of temperature. However if you need the one of your own, you can buy one here. Your guide shall assist you to get it here. Keep the track of the weather forecast of the area and pack your clothes accordingly. This would help you be prepared for the type of weather Nepali Mountains are accustomed to.
Important Information Expand all +
There are three ways to get a visa for Nepal
- Visa on arrival: You can get a visa on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu or other designated entry points. The visa fee is USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, or USD 125 for 90 days.
- Online application: You can apply for a visa online through the Nepal Immigration website. https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np .The visa fee is the same as for visa on arrival.
- Nepalese Embassy or Consulate: You can also apply for a visa at a Nepalese Embassy or Consulate in your home country. The visa fee may be different, so check with the embassy or consulate.
Visa requirements
- Passport valid for at least six months from your planned entry date into Nepal.
- Visa application form.
- Passport-sized photo (Bring 4 )
Gratis Visa (Visa for Free)
Gratis Visa is issued free of cost in case of following categories of Visa applicants:
- Children below 10 years except US citizens
- Up to 30 days for SAARC Citizen - Bangladesh , Bhutan, India , Maldives , Pakistan , Sri-Lanka (except Afghanistan) visiting Nepal for the first time in a given visa Year. Afghan citizen are eligible for Gratis Visa on Arrival only upon the recommendation of Department of Immigration. If you are an Afghan citizen, you can request concerned institution inviting you to Nepal for necessary paperwork with Department of Immigration to get you Gratis Visa 'On Arrival'.
- Non Residential Nepalese(NRN) card holder ( issued by MoFA /Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad)
- Chinese Nationals for 150 days
Nationals of following countries are requested to acquire Visa prior their arrival from their nearby Diplomatic missions (Embassies/consulates) of Nepal Government.
- NigeriaGhana
- Zimbabwe
- Swaziland
- Cameroon
- Somalia
- Liberia
- Ethiopia
- Iraq
- Palestine
- Afghanistan
- Syria
- Refugees with travel document
If your passport is not valid for at least six months, you will need to renew your passport before you travel to Nepal. You can renew your passport at your local passport office. The process of renewing your passport can take several weeks, so it is important to start the process early.
By air:
Nepal has Three international airports: Kathmandu, Bhairawa, and Pokhara. Currently, Pokhara airport does not handle international flights. However, there are a few flights to Bhairawa from few countries. The main international airport in Nepal is Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), located in Kathmandu. You can search TIA airport to book your International flight.
By land: There are multiple land entry points along the borders of Nepal, India, and China. These entry points include Kakarvitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalganj, Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar, and Kerung(china boarder)
If you've booked a multiday tour or trekking package with Himalayan Social Journey, we'll pick you up from the airport. Upon arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our representative will be there to greet you with a sign displaying your name and our company's name. We'll then take you to your pre-booked hotel.
To make the pick-up process smooth, kindly share your flight details, including flight number and arrival time. If there are any changes to your arrival plans, please inform us as soon as possible so we can arrange your pick-up accordingly. Travel with us for a hassle-free experience!
Please keep this thing in your mind that there are some airport touts and scam artists who take advantage of tourists. They might offer to carry your luggage and they want a large amount of money. Sometimes they intimidate our drivers and even take away their signs. Anyway...if you want someone to help you with your luggage you can give them NOT MORE THAN 1 - 2 DOLLARS. This is a small hassle that tourists sometimes face upon arrival at the airport. Do not stress about this but just be aware not to give more than a few dollars for their luggage handling if you choose to take someone's services. Nepalese in general are very kind and hospitable people.
The official currency of Nepal is the Nepalese rupee (NPR). Major foreign currencies such as USD, AUD, and EURO are accepted for VISA.
There are plenty of ATMs in these major cities, so you can easily withdraw cash from your foreign currency bank account. Credit cards are also accepted in some shops and restaurants, but they are not as widely accepted as cash.
On the trek, you will only need to use Nepali rupees. You can exchange your foreign currency for Nepali rupees at your hotel, money exchanges, or the airport. Himalayan Social Journey representatives will also be happy to help you exchange money.
If you have booked a trekking or multi-day tour with Himalayan Social Journey, the orientation meeting usually happens at your Kathmandu hotel around 4 or 5 pm. Our team will provide you with the specific details upon your arrival.
If you're arriving early or leaving late, please ensure to arrange extra hotel accommodations by contacting [email protected]. Let us know if you'll be extending your stay in Nepal, and we'll book your additional nights. Also, kindly share your flight details with us to facilitate a smooth pick-up and drop process.
When you book a trip with us, the standard accommodation arrangement is on a twin-sharing basis. This means two people will be staying in each room throughout the trip. However, if you prefer to have a room to yourself or if you're traveling alone, you can choose the "single supplement" option. By selecting this option, you'll have a private room during the trip, but please note that there will be an additional cost for the single room arrangement according to tour / trek.
For each tour date, there will be several separate groups, each with a maximum of 14 people and their own experienced English-speaking guide. During the trek, there will be a suitable number of porters available to carry your luggage. Additionally, if you prefer to do a private tour or trek with your own group, that is also possible.
Nepal has five main seasons: summer, monsoon, spring, autumn, and winter. Each season offers unique experiences and weather conditions.
Winter (Late Dec - Feb): Cold temperatures, great for festival tours and special highlights.
Spring (Mar - May): Magical rhododendron blooms, ideal for trekking and peak climbing.
Monsoon (Jun - Aug): Low season with rain, but perfect for nature lovers and discounts on hotels.
Autumn (Sep - Nov): Peak season, clear weather, and popular trekking regions fill up fast.
You can check the live weather condition via this website https://www.accuweather.com
The hotel in Kathmandu where you'll stay during the trip offers complimentary storage services. You can leave your luggage and extra clothing that you won't need for the trekking / tour. Rest assured, you can collect them once the trek and tour are over.
Don't forget to bring both TWO and THREE-pin travel adapters! If you don't have them, you can purchase them at supermarkets or electronic shops in Kathmandu. Our guide will be there to assist you if needed. You can get information about plug and voltage in below link.
Most places in Nepal are covered by mobile network providers, especially Ncell and Nepal Telecom. You can use data services for communication. You can buy a SIM card at the airport counter. There are also free and paid Wi-Fi services in most tea houses in Nepal during trek.
Here are some tips for staying connected while you are in Nepal:
- Buy a SIM card as soon as you arrive in Nepal. This will give you access to data services and allow you to make calls and send text messages.
- Check the coverage map of your mobile network provider before you travel. This will help you to know where you can expect to have good reception.
- If you are planning on visiting remote areas and need to be in connected on Internet , you may want to consider renting a satellite phone. This will give you access to communication even in areas with no mobile network coverage.
- There are many free and paid Wi-Fi hotspots in Nepal. You can find these at hotels, tea houses, restaurants, cafes, and even some temples.
If you would like to book extra activities such as Paragliding, Bungy jump, Mountain flight, Heli Tour , Bhaktapur Sightseeing many more programs. You can find updated price and program detail in this link: https://hsj.com.np/tourtype/daytours. You can book by contacting us at [email protected] For longer excursions such as Bhutan, Tibet, India, and any other treks also, we can help but please contact us immediately at [email protected]
If you have purchased a voucher from any deal company, please come in contact with us with the voucher code (redemption code) so that the voucher can be redeemed on time. Since we need time to purchase your domestic air ticket and make other arrangements, kindly confirm your spot with your suitable date at-least 2 months prior to the commencement of the tour. Your booking on a particular tour date is subject to availability of spots. You can redeem you voucher through this link too : https://hsj.com.np/voucher-redemption
A typical suggestion for tipping is to allocate around USD 50-60 for the guide and porter if you're happy with their service. However, the amount you decide to tip is entirely up to you, and you can give whatever you feel is appropriate based on the excellent service they provided during your tour / trek
Packing List for Tour:
Pack appropriate clothing for the weather conditions during your visit. Include comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Don't forget essential travel documents, a camera, and any necessary medications.
Packing List for Trekking
Hiking
- Trekking Poles - 1
- Daypack - 1
- Backpack - 1
- Packcover
- Water Reservoir - 1
Sleeping
- Sleeping bag - HSJ will provide
- sleeping bag liner
Clothes
- Underwear - 3
- Socks - 3
- Bra - 3
- base Layers pant - 1
- Trekking Tshirt - 3
- Trekking Pants - 2
- Rain Pants - 1
- Hiking Shoes/ Boots - 1
- Gloves - 1
- Hat - 1
- Down Jacket - 1
- Wind Breaker - 1
- Sandles -1
Miscellaneous
- Sunglasses - 1
- Books or E-reader (optional)
Hygene/Saftey
- Microfiber towel - 1
- Toothbrush - 1
- Toothpaste - 1
- First aid kit - 1
- Medicine kit -1
- sunscreen -1
- sewing kit -1
- Soap/shampoo - 1
- Comb or brush - 1
- Period supplies - 1
- Toilet paper - 1
- sanitising gel - 1
Electronices
- Camera
- Phone
- Extranel Hardrive (optional )
- Head touch
- Power bank for charging Phone
If you cancel the trip for any reason, the 20% deposit amount will not be refunded. If you have paid the full trip amount and need to cancel, you will receive your money back, but a cancellation charge of 20% will still apply.
For voucher holders who purchased vouchers from deal companies, we must adhere to their cancellation policy. However, under both circumstances, we are flexible and can reschedule your trip for a later date. To cancel any trip, please make sure to provide written notification of your cancellation.
Sometimes travellers are unable to finish the scheduled trek/tour due to the various reasons or they ended up not completing the trek/tour for health or personal reasons. In this case please realize that we cannot offer you any refunds for unused days on the tour. You have to understand that our costs are the same as we have an obligation to pay our guides , porters, drivers for the time they have committed.
Our commitment is to offer you an unforgettable journey with the best services. We take our responsibilities seriously and conduct all programs in Nepal according to the rules and regulations of Nepal Goverement. If needed, we can provide alternative itineraries for a delightful holiday experience. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns. We're here to help!
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