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HELPFUL INFO
Here is some very helpful information about Nepal trip. We recommend that you talk to your friends and family who have been to Nepal, read various travel books, online, magazine and other articles to get familiarity of the country. As we all are humans where we share many similarities, there are also many differences in economic condition, political system, trade, culture, food, and way of doing things, work, language and tradition between Nepal and western countries. We request that you as a guest respect their old culture, tradition and land. Nepal still remains one of the poorest countries in the world despite its amazing mountains, rich culture, arts, crafts and wildlife. You should be prepared physically and emotionally to get most out of your travel in Nepal.
Time Difference:
The time difference between Kathmandu, Nepal and Vermont, USA is 9 hours and 45 minutes. When the current time in Vermont is 6:04pm on Tuesday, January 1, it is 3:49am on Wednesday, January 2 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The best time to reach someone in Nepal is between 7am and 9am or at night between 7pm and 9:30pm.
Nepal Weather/Travel Season:
The best time to travel in Nepal is mid to late September to November and in March to May. Fall season is great for incredible views of Himalayas and many different festivals like the Hindu’s biggest festival Dashain, Deewali (festival of lights) and Buddhist’s Mani Rimdu festival in the Everest/Khumbu region.
Nepal’s weather is generally predictable and pleasant. There are four climatic seasons: March to May (spring), June to August (summer), September to November (autumn) and December to February (winter). The monsoon is approximately from the end of June to the middle of September. About 80% of the rain falls during that period, so the remainder of the year is dry. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons; winter temperatures drop to freezing with a high level of snowfall in the mountains. Summer and late spring temperatures range from 28ºC (83ºF) in the hill regions to more than 40ºC (104ºF) in the Terai. In winter, average maximum and minimum temperatures in the Terai range from a brisk 7ºC (45ºF) to a mild 23ºC (74ºF). The central valleys experience a minimum temperature often falling bellow freezing point and a chilly 12ºC (54ºF) maximum. Much colder temperatures prevail at higher elevations. The Kathmandu Valley, at an altitude of 1,310m (4,297ft), has a mild climate, ranging from 19-27ºC (67-81ºF) in summer, and 2-20ºC (36-68ºF) in winter.
Communication:
The best way to contact in Nepal is by using international calling cards recommended for Nepal and by internet. Emails are easily accessible in Kathmandu and you can easily make a call from almost anywhere in Kathmandu at a very reasonable charge. To make a call from USA to Nepal, you have to dial 011-977-1 before you dial the local number and make sure you do not use operator by dialing 0 in USA then your phone bill will be very expensive. To make a call from Nepal to USA, dial 00-1-area code then local phone number. If you are planning to bring a laptop or battery recharger for your camera or other things, you will need a voltage converter which you can buy in outdoor travel stores in America or in Kathmandu.
Nepal's Electricity is 220 Volt and 50 MHZ (50 Cycles per Second). Electric Plug is two or three round prongs, but not flat prongs as found in use in the United States or in other countries. If your electronic uses 110 Volt 60 MHZ electricity, you will need a voltage convert. Nepal's electricity is not smooth. Voltage fluctuation is very common and it is advised that you use a robust power surge protector for your electronics.
Nepal does not produce enough electricity so there are seasons when power may be disrupted for hours - they call it load shedding. Keep in touch with local newspapers or your hotel reception about the hours power may be off. Also Nepal's electricity goes on and off randomly all the time. If you are working on the computers found in the hotels, make sure they have UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) otherwise save your work every now and then.
Payment Method/Currency:
There are two ways of making payments to us:
-In USA: by mailing checks, money orders, bank checks or by handing cash or check in person
-In Nepal: by paying cash in US dollars or in Nepalese currency
-SometimeS we accept domestic and international wire transfers depending on the group size and amount
-please make check payable to US Sherpa International LLC
We prefer that you pay directly to Nima & Neema Treks in the form of US currency if you are using our travel services in Nepal like the airport pick up/drop, lodging/meals, trekking, laundry and other services. However if you are part of our guided trip, we prefer that you pay us in the United States. We are also flexible in making other arrangements depending on the each situation. You can also bring bank debit card and travelers check to Nepal however most financial institutions charge a small fee to cash travelers check and there might also be a small fee to take cash out of the ATM machine in Kathmandu. Please note that you can use the same pin number that you use in your home countries to take out cash and your money will be converted into Nepalese currency. We suggest that you notify your banking institutions about your travel and use your credit cards only in the reputable or major institutions. Normally US $1=Rs. 74, please check with the bank for current day exchange rates.
Political Strikes:
Nepal has always welcome and shown great care and hospitality to the travelers coming from all over the world. Even though, there has many on going political problems between different parties wanting to control and take over the power, their view towards the international guests remain the same: people in Nepal have always loved having guests and travelers from all around the world with a passion and long lasting friendships. Generally, it has been very safe to travel in popular tourist destinations and there have been very rare cases where the tourist was harmed. We do recommend you talk and check with various experts before you depart Nepal about the current situation and specific condition of the area where you will be traveling. While you are in Nepal, we strongly suggest that you talk and check with locals daily about the frequent political strikes like Nepal Bandh, Chakka Jam and other protests. When there is Nepal Bandh announced, almost everything will stay close for that day and during Chakka Jam, public and private transportations will not be operating.
Travel Insurance:
We highly recommend that you have a travel insurance which covers international travel like airline tickets, lost baggage, trip cancellation, medical sickness, injury, death, remote travel, helicopter or other rescue/evacuation and so on. Please consult with your travel insurance companies for coverage and costs.
