Nepal

1. Is it safe to travel Nepal?

As the battle between Maoist and the King led Royal Government ended. The Seven Party Alliance (SPA)

government and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) signed the comprehensive peace accord, ending

to more than a decade long armed conflict in Nepal. Nepal is now comparatively safer place to travel

than some years ago. However, some street demonstrations and close downs are frequently going on

during the transition peariod of peace making process. The tourists, backpackers and trekking

companies are saying it's just fine, the situation in the field is ok to travel. Please contact your travel

agent before you plan your trip.

2. How do I obtain Visa for Nepal?

All foreigners (except Indian nationals) require visas, which can be obtained in advance either from Royal

Nepalese Embassies & Royal Nepalese Consulates abroad or upon arrival. Single-entry tourist visa costs

US$30 valid for 60 days. Gratis Visa: If your visit to Nepal is for 3 nights or less, visa is free. Please

contact Royal Nepalese Embassy One passport size photo and cash dollars is required for Visa upon

arrival. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.

3. How Do I exchange money?

Both Euro and US dollar travelers’ checks are accepted in most tourist visited areas and can be cashed

easily at banks and most hotels. There are ATMs in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Visa, Master Card and

American Express credit cards are accepted in many tourist hotels, shops, restaurants and by few travel

agencies. Plan ahead and change money in the larger cities before heading out to more remote areas.

Best form of money is US dollars in cash but due to risk of losing them bring only small amounts in

mixed denominations. If you save the receipts for money exchanged, you can exchange back from local

currencies up to 15%. Exchange rates seem to be better at the Banks then in the hotels or money

exchange counters.


4. How is the weather like?

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 per cent of

the rain falls during that period, so the remaining days of the year is comparatively drier. Spring and

autumn are the most pleasant seasons in Nepal. Visitors choose to travel in this season. Winter

temperatures drops 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. The

Kathmandu Valley, at an altitude of 1310m (4297ft), has a mild climate, ranging from 19 -27ºC (67-81ºF)

in summer, and 2 -20ºC (36-68ºF) in winter.

5. What type of clothing we need to bring?

Lightweight and tropical clothes with umbrella are advised for June to August. Between October and

March, light clothes are worn in Kathmandu, with a coat for evenings and warm clothing for the

mountains. During winter, we recommend LAYERED CLOTHING ! This means that the majority of your

clothing can be worn in layers, so that you can put on more clothing if it is cold or take off layers as it

gets warmer. It’s good to wear pollution mask when you travel outside of the hotel. In out side to

valley, air is pretty much clear but sometimes dirt may disturb during dry season when traveling dirt or

graveled road. Chitwan has sub tropical climate with high temperature and humidity. You can wear light

cotton shirts, t-shirts and pants. Safari colors or dark cloths are preferred in the woods. We suggest

avoiding bright red in safari as it agitates wild animals.

6. What are the health and fitness requirements for travel?

There are no statutory requirements unless you are arriving from an area designated as infected by

cholera or yellow fever. We recommend that you update with your regular vaccinations against typhoid,

tetanus, polio and hepatitis A, meningitis and Diphtheria. Nepal was declared Malaria free in 1960’s.

However some cases of malaria are observed, and therefore we recommend taking precautions while

traveling in malaria prone areas. These areas generally lies at altitudes below 1200m in the Tarai regions,

bordering India.

Tibet

1. What permits do I need to travel to Tibet and how do I get a Tibet permit?

First it is important to remember that the terms "Tibet" and "Tibet Autonomous Region" (TAR) are two

different. The term “Tibet" generally refers to TAR by travelers, which consists only the 6 Prefecture that

Chinese government calls it “Xizang". Whereas the greater Tibet region that the Tibetan people call

Tibet is vast area that consists of all 6 prefectures of the TAR as well other regions such as 6 Tibet

Autonomous Prefectures of Qinghai, 2 Tibet Autonomous Prefectures of Sichuan, Tibet Autonomous

County of Sichuan, the Tibet Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu, Tibet Autonomous County of Gansu, and

the Tibet Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan, The Tibetan regions outside of the TAR are nearly all open

and do not require any travel permits with just few exceptions where permits are obtained from Police.

However, all foreigners going to the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) need to have a Tibet Travel Permit

along with a Chinese visa. The permit is not stamped on your passport, but it is a separate paper. This is

the general permit that you need to enter anywhere in the TAR. There have been many rumors that this

permit will be lifted soon after the start of the train to Lhasa, but as of today it is still required. The

Tibet travel permit is obtained by the local agencies in Tibet from Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB), Lhasa.

Tour Operator such as ours obtain your passport copy with Chinese Visa and send them to our counter

part in Lhasa for this permit. There is a fee and lots of paper work to obtain this permit but no one will

just do the permit alone, unless there is travel service. This permit is handed over to your before your

travel into TAR in one of the major cities in mainland. Your names name and passport information

should be correct. People are almost always checked when flying into Lhasa or certainly for sure when

traveling across the border from Nepal and you could also be checked taking the train. If you are caught

trying to sneak into the TAR without a permit, you can expect to be detained at the police station, fined

and sent back. In addition to this Tibet Travel Permit, Alien travel Permit and Military permit may also

required for travel in many other places beyond Lhasa.

2. What is an Alien Travel Permit?

An Alien Travel Permit is needed in addition to a Tibet Travel Permit for going areas of the TAR outside

of the Lhasa municipality with exceptions of few places like Namtso Lake, Nagchu, Ganden monastery,

Shigatse and a few other smaller places. If you book a trip with us or travel agency, the Alien permit is

included in the price. Forms are completed and obtained in Lhasa in advance or with one or two

working days. Several checkpoints are there to check for this permit and sometimes there are random

inspections too. Licensed Tour Guide must be there with you and he will have the permits required with

him. Rules of compulsory Guide accompanying you are lenient at certain times. In addition to the Alien

Permit, Military Permit is also required for certain sensitive areas.

3. What is Military Permit?

For travel in or through sensitive border areas of the TAR, Military Permit is also required. Particularly

along the southern and western boundaries of Tibet with India, there are many military posts or

stations. Military permits are therefore required for travel through them. Examples include, for travels in

Mt. Kailash, Guge Kingdom, overland to Kashgar, Nyingtri prefecture and other areas. This permit can be

obtained only through the travel agencies.

4. What do I need to know for entering the Tibet (TAR) from Nepal?

You cannot enter the TAR from Nepal on a regular Chinese tourist visa; it must be a group visa. Only

though travel agencies, the group Chinese visa can be arranged. You can't get it on your own. There is

no other way around this. Group Visa can be arranged for any number of people and even for single

traveler. Even if you have obtained a Chinese Visa in your passport, it is cancelled when group visa is

obtained and therefore you will have wasted your time and money. The group visa is usually a piece of

paper. It is not stamped in your passport like a normal visa. The group Chinese visa is valid for the

period of travel with us and you have to enter and exit China together. From Kathmandu, Nepal you

cannot even buy a ticket to Lhasa on your own. After TAR, if you wish to split with your group, group

visa can sometimes be changed into a standard Chinese visa once you leave the TAR. It is not possible

to change or split your visa in Lhasa or anywhere in the TAR. PSB office in Chengdu, Xining, and Beijing

could change group visa into individual Visa, but there is no such guarantee. So it is much easier to

begin your trip in China and then go to the TAR rather than starting from Nepal. (April 15, 2009 - Visa

fees update) Please note the revision of Visa fees for Tibet/China when applying for it from Kathmandu,

Nepal in US Dollars. US Nationals cost per person: Regular fee $142, Urgent $164 & Same Day Visa $198

Other Nationals cost per person: Regular $058, Urgent $80 & Same Day Visa $114 Regular or normal

processing fee requires 4 working days, Urgent visa is take between 2 but less than 4 working days and

Same Day Visa is provided in the afternoon of the same day, when submitted in the morning of that day.

The working days of Chinese Consulate in Kathmandu remain same as earlier, i.e Mondays, Wednesdays

& Fridays.

5. If I plan to fly into Mainland China from Kathmandu, what type of Visa do I need?

Please note that if you are flying from Kathmandu to any city in China outside of the TAR (i.e. Beijing,

Chengdu, Shanghai, Group Visa rules don’t apply. You will need a regular Chinese tourist visa that can be

obtained at home or in Kathmandu.

India

1. Do I need a Visa to travel to India ?

Yes, you need to have a visa to travel to India. Visa cannot be obtained upon arrival unlike some

countries. If you arrive in India without Visa, you will have to return. Airline will deny boarding without

the Visa stamped on your passport. The Airlines are supposed to ensure that you have a Visa before

boarding the plane but sometimes they forget and when you arrive after a long flight in India, you will

discover that you have to make the journey back.

2. How do I obtain Visas for India ?

Indian Visa can be obtained from Consulate or Embassies in your country or near your city. Most of these

mission and consulate will accept your passport by mail along with a picture and appropriate visa fees.

They will also want the cost of sending the passport back or you can send a return pre-paid express mail

or courier Envelope.

3. What is the best period for travel in India ?

India is a large country with varying altitude and climate and as such travelling to Himalayas may not be

the best in Janaury, it is the best for the lowland. In general it is best to travel from October till March.

4. What is the general climate of India ?

Climate varies greatly, from the arid deserts of Rajasthan to the cool highlands of Assam, allegedly the

wettest place on earth. But basically India has a three-season year - the hot, the wet and the cool. The

heat starts to build up on the northern plains around April and cools off by September. The monsoon

rains begin around June and end August. India's northern cities start getting cool by October and

become crisp at night in December. In the far south, it never gets very cold, the temperatures are

comfortably warm rather than hot.

5. Do I need to take any vaccination before arriving at India ?

We urge you to discuss health precautions for your exact travel itinerary with a qualified health

professional at least six (6) weeks before you depart. No vaccinations are currently required for entry

into India when arrival is directly from North America or an Asian or European country. Immunization

against polio, tetanus and typhoid is recommended. Visitors arriving from yellow fever area require valid

vaccination certificates. Malaria is endemic in certain parts of India; consult a doctor for anti-malaria

prescription. Additionally carry any anti-mosquito cream or lotion for local application. Modern hospitals

exist in all major cites of India but visitors are advised to travel with sufficient quantities of prescription

drugs.

6. What are the formalities regarding Visa & Passport ?

Each traveler must be in possession of a valid, signed passport that will remain valid for six (6) months

beyond the completion of his/her trip. Visas : All foreign nationals require visas for India. You also must

obtain a MULTIPLE-ENTRY visa for India if you are entering the country more than once on your

itinerary. Indian visas cannot be issued on arrival.

Bhutan

1. Bhutan Visa: Do I need to get a VISA for Bhutan? How can I get a visa to travel to Bhutan? Are there

any countries from where I can get a visa? How long does it take?

All tourists (except Indian national with valid travel document) need visa to enter Bhutan. Tourists Visas

are all processed in Thimphu via a local travel company such us Wind Horse Tours. No embassies abroad

will issue Bhutan tourist Visa. In order to process your Visa, first your trip duration and itinerary must be

confirmed. Then once you send the passport details, tour payment, your visa is then ready within a

week. However, Department of Tourism (now Tourism Council), will only issue visa about 1 month prior

to the start of the trip in Bhutan. It is possible to request an expedited visa, if your trip is coming up

soon. The processed Visa paper is faxed/ scanned and emailed to you. This confirms your visa for your

arrival to Bhutan. When you arrive at Paro airport or at the border in Phuentsholing (for those using the

land option), you need to show this copy and then passport is stamped with visa for duration of your

stay in Bhutan. Visa is pre-paid and so you do not need to pay for it.

2. Where do I start if I wish to go to Bhutan?

You can start a dialogue with us and we can walk through the steps. Or If you know the trip that suits

you, you can book online, e-mail request, fax or call us. If you need a customized trip, you need to first

decide on the approximate duration you wish to spend in Bhutan, then check with the Druk Air flight

schedule to make your entry and departure dates; the duration of stay in Bhutan will determine your

package costs.

3. Do I need to get a VISA for Bhutan?

Unless you are of Indian nationality holding a valid Indian passport, you need a visa for entry into

Bhutan.

4. Why is there a fixed cost for travel to Bhutan? And why is it relatively more expensive than

neighboring destinations?

The fixed cost that you pay is not just a fee for entry to Bhutan. This cost is a package tour cost that

covers all your hotel, meals, transfers to and from the airport or border, transport for sightseeing, one

knowledgeable local guide, all inland permits and fees. And if you are trekking this covers all expenses

for the treks such as horses/yaks, guide, all tenting/camping equipment, meals and transport. The only

way to visit Bhutan is by purchasing a tour with a reliable and licensed travel agency.

5. Can I travel as an individual with a tour guide?

Individual travel is possible in Bhutan; costs for single only travel is US$ 30 extra per day, and it includes

(one guide with private car/transport).

6. Can I travel on my own without booking the trip with travel agent in advance? Do I have to buy a tour

package for traveling in Bhutan?, Can I not travel on my own, choose any hotel I wish, plan my own tour

itinerary as I go along?

All tourist to Bhutan must travel in a pre-booked tour package. It is not to censor your movement but to

manage tourism in a sustainable way, to grow sensibly without taxing on the environment and its rich

and intact culture. Having paid for a package tour, you can be flexible in the tour program, change the

tour to see or do what most interests you to an extent feasible and possible.