With basic requirements, treking in Nepal is comparatively easy. In this blog, we have listed all the basic requirements that one must have before heading for any trekking journey in Nepal.
Trekking certainly is one of the best outdoor activities for anyone who love to be around nature. Around 400,000 people visit Nepal for trekking every year. Nepal and its people also heartily welcome all the guest arriving here to experience the beauty of the nature and most importantly, the Himalayas. However, there are some basic requirements for trekking in Nepal that all the guests must know about.
Are you planning to visit Nepal for trekking but have no idea about the rules and requirements? Don't worry, this blog is written exactly for the same purpose. By the time you finish reading this blog, you'll have the knowledge about each and every requirements and essentials for trekking in Nepal.
Basic Requirements for Trekking in Nepal
Before actually starting to trek in Nepal or even before leaving your country to visit Nepal and enjoy trekking here, there are several requirements that you must double check. From papers to fitness and other many essentials, we recommend trekkers not to miss any of them.
Trekking is a challenging and strenuous task to do for anyone. So proper planning and preparation can help a lot to experience the best out of walking besides the Himalayas in Nepal. To do so, trekkers need to know, remember, and fulfill all the basic requirements listed below:
Essential Paper Works and Permits for Trekking in Nepal
When it comes to essential paper works and permits, the first thing that any tourist needs to visit Nepal is a VISA (if you are not from India). So let's learn a little about Nepali VISA before anything else, shall we?
The Visa for Nepal is not very expensive, so, if you are looking to visit Nepal, you can acquire a VISA in three different rates as per the time period of you stay here:
- $30 for 15 Days
- $50 for 30 Days
- $125 for 90 Days
Remember that for trekking in Nepal, you need the tourism visa out of the six different types of visas; tourist visa, transit visa, work visa, student visa, relationship visa, and tourist visa. To know more about the Nepali visa, you can check out Nepal Visa.
Nepali VISA Process
Applying for Nepali Visa is very easy as you can simply fill online form and there are two ways to acquire the visa and they are:
- On arrival at the Nepal airport or a land border crossing
- At the nearest Nepal diplomatic abroad before traveling
Once you fill up the visa form, you can acquire the visa and pack your bags to come to Nepal. However, there are some more things that you need to know more before arriving in the country of Himalayas.
Besides, there are several other paper works and permits that you need to acquire before starting the journey other than the VISA. There are basically three types of trekking permits that you need to have (not compulsorily all of them):
- TIMS (Trekking Information Management System) Card
- Entry Permit for any destination that you choose to go
- Restricted Area Permit for certain destinations
Other than these three permits, there are also municipality permits to enter different municipalities. If you book your trekking package with Alpine Wonder Treks and Expedition, all these permits are purchased by the agency and prices are included in the package payment itself.
Besides, you also need to carry health insurance papers. Registered trekking agencies like Snow View Trek itself, asks for your travel insurance before starting any trek in Nepal. Regarding the above-mentioned permits, each of them have different cost. If you want to know more about the essential paper works and permits for trekking Nepal, feel free to contact Alpine Wonder Treks and Expedition.
Gears You Must Have for Trekking in Nepal
Gears are also one of the basic requirements for trekking in Nepal. Once you have acquired all the permits, you are legally eligible to trek. However, until and unless you have gathered all the necessary trekking gears and equipment, you are still not physically eligible to start trekking. Here is a list of some of the trekking gears that you must double check before getting started with the trekking journey:
- Trekking Boots
- Warm Clothes
- Wind and Water Proof Jacket and Trousers
- Some spare light-weight t-shirts
- Headlamps
- Sleeping Bags
- Sunscreen
- Sun Glasses
- Cap
- Gloves
- Trekking Sticks
- Energy Bars
- Water
- Gaiters
- A carry bag to fit all of these.
Some of the gears and equipment might vary as per the trek that you choose to go. For example if you are going for a shorter or luxury trek, you might not need sleeping bags or even headlamps. Nevertheless, we recommend you to confirm all the gears from your trekking agency and guide before starting the journey.
Wait! Here is also a list of some expedition requirements in case you want to reach the top of the mountain while in Nepal:
- Crampons
- Helmets
- Headlamps
- Harness
- Oxygen cylinder
- A lot of warm clothes
- Ice Axe
- Tape Sling
- Ice Screw
- Strong Mentality and Physical Strength
We have just pointed out some of the major requirements or the equipment that you must have while going for any expedition in Nepal. However, this will be discussed descriptively in our upcoming blog.
So, stay tuned trekkers and climbers!
Personal Hygiene Items
Remember that wherever you go, your personal hygiene means the most. If you neglect on your personal hygiene while trekking such long distance, you might suffer several illness and even might not be able to complete the circuit because of weakness and other reasons.
Some of the basic personal hygiene items that we recommend you to carry while trekking in Nepal are:
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Hand Sanitizer (because as you ascend the height its colder and playing with water might not be what you want to do)
- Soaps and shampoos (in case of allergies otherwise you can get in the lodges itself)
- Some basic medicine and energy drinks
- Wet Wipes
- First Aid Kits
- Necessary medicines
- Clean water bottles of filtration
Don't forget to include these basic health and hygienic requirements for trekking in Nepal. These things help you stay healthy, active, and strong throughout the tiring walk for so many days.
Physical and Mental Preparation
Physical and Mental Preparation is also one of the basic requirements for trekking in Nepal. No matter the distance or steepness of the trekking route, not being physically and mentally prepared might cause you to return without completing the track.
We recommend you to start with short and easy treks before heading out to some serious trekking adventures like Everest Base Camp trek and Dhaulagiri Circuit. However, even if you are planning for comparatively easy treks like the Poon Hill trek, remember to do as much exercise as possible. Run some extra miles, work out for some extra hours, check out previous blogs, communicate with the trekking agency, and try grasping as much information about the trek as possible.
Making yourself both physically and mentally strong can help you achieve the best experience throughout the trek. We recommend you not to go for trekking if you are taking serious medications like asthma spray, blood pressure medicines, sugar medicines, etc. Furthermore, travelers must also consult a doctor before starting the trek and carry the doctor's certificate along with them as a proof that they are perfectly ready for trekking in Nepal.
Registered Trekking Agency and Guide
As per the new law passed by the Nepal Tourism Board and Nepal Government, effective from April 1, 2023, no tourists can go for solo trekking on any of the trekking routes of Nepal. Therefore, if you are planning a trekking vacation in Nepal, selecting a registered travel agency and getting a professional guide is also one of the basic requirements.
However, as you are reading this blog, let me give you a easy way out from this: Choose the Snow View Trek and Expedition. We are a legally registered trekking agency in Nepal with many professional guides and several other services to make your Nepal visit one of the best experience. Besides, many trekkers have chosen Alpine Wonder Treks and expedition as their trekking partner and trust us, we did not disappoint any of them. Therefore, you can book your favorite trek in Nepal with us and enjoy the unforgettable and outstanding journey.
Some Extra Tips for Successful Trekking in Nepal
As you have read the blog so far, we felt that it is necessary to provide you with some extra tips. These tips can make you trekking adventure even more fun and exciting.
Take it easy
Take your time and try to complete the trek as easily and steadily as possible. If you feel like you need some rest, tell your guide and take some rest, if you feel like you cannot continue, return, and try again the next time. Don't think trekking as a competition that you must win; instead think of it as a outing plan that you are enjoying.
Respect the Nature
Try being humble and respecting to mother nature throughout the trip. Avoid littering and keep the trekking area as clean as possible for the other trekkers. Think of the trekking area as you house and please be responsible.
Follow the Guide
Guides are mostly the local residents of the trekking areas so, no matter how professional of a trekker you are, please follow the trek guide. You might know a lot about trekking but the guides know more about the place. Therefore, we request you to listen and follow the guide.
Interact with the locals
One of the best things to do while trekking the rural parts of Nepal is interacting with the locals inhabitant there. They follow a lot of traditions and cultures that you might not find in the rural areas. Especially if you are there in the festive season, be a part of the celebration and believe us, you won't regret at all.
Conclusion
Regardless of the difficulty level, there are several basic requirements for trekking in Nepal. If explored in an ethical and well-managed way, Nepal certainly is a heaven for nature lovers. We hope that this blog has helped you a lot in planning your next trekking journey to the Himalayas of Nepal.
Choose Alpine Wonder Treks and Expedition for better trekking and adventure experience in Nepal and keep reading our blogs for more valuable information.