Important Travel Tips

Important Travel Tips

• Do not trek alone – Trekkers regularly go missing in Nepal. Most of the trekking trails have very little signage to help you find your way. Many are also at high altitude and you are at risk of AMS or changing weather. A guide will have your safety as his primary concern and you will be supporting the local economy by providing employment as well. Guide and porter fees can easily be shared by your group. If you are a solo traveler you can meet other solo’s or book onto a fixed departure with a trekking agency.
• The greeting used in Nepal is Namaste – with both palms joined together.
• Food safety – Don’t drink water that is not bottled or boiled. Bottles and purified water are readily available in Nepal. Wash fruit and vegetables with bottled or boiled water.
• Carry toilet paper and hand sanitizer with you at all times – public toilets do not have toilet paper and may require the use of squat toilets. There will not always be soap and water for hand washing.
• Do not give money to beggars on the street – although they look very sad it only encourages them to beg for more and supports the professional begging industry. If you are interested in helping out socially choose instead to donate to one of the many charities or social organizations.
• Make sure you exchange all of your local currency before you leave. It’s not possible to change it back out of Nepal and taking currency out of the country is illegal.
• Do not rely completely on schedules and times. There are many reasons why these might change. Mountain flights can be delayed easily by unpredictable weather conditions. Always allow a buffer time in case of delays if you have a fixed departure home.
• Be aware of load shedding – the power may be off for part or most of the day depending on the time of the year. Most hotels have generators and solar lights that are used in the rooms and common areas but you may not be able to charge your electronic items during those times. It is also a great idea to have a torch handy (or use your phone) at night time.
• Be aware that “Banndhs’ or strikes which force the closure of public transportation can affect your travel plans.
• Do not assume that yes means yes or a confirmation of your request. Always confirm details using simple language as “yes” often is a polite way of acknowledgment and sometimes you may not have been understood.
• Don’t assume that “ganja” (marijuana) is legal in Nepal – it is not even though it is commonly found on hillsides and roadsides.
• Stay away from dance bars in Kathmandu and Pokhara. These are tourist traps where you will be encouraged to buy food and alcohol at much inflated prices.
• There will be entrance fees payable to many of the temples and public places which apply to foreigners. Some temples will not allow foreigners to enter. Monasteries will encourage donation to enter.
• Avoid having food around monkeys at temples and stupa’s. They will quite often snatch food and water bottles and can at times be quite viscious.
• Always walk clockwise around stupa’s, and walk to the left of mani walls and stones. Be respectful of culture and religion particularly in sacred places.
• Support the no plastic initiative in trekking areas, use water bottles and refill at safe water refill stations.