trekking permits in Nepal

A Trekking permit is a must to visit restricted areas mentioned below. To visit normal trekking areas, no permission is required. Restricted areas which have been opened for Group Trekking

The following restricted areas are open only for group trekkers. And a trekking permit will not be issued to individual trekkers for such areas. The areas and required fees are as follows:

S.N. Area Fee (per person)
1. Areas of lower Dolpa For the first 4 weeks per week per person US$ 10 and after 4 weeks per week per person US$ 20.
2. Taplejung District (Kanchanjanga Region):-Areas of Olangchunggola, Lelep, Papung and Yamphudin Village Development Committee.Sankhuwasabha District (Makalu Region):-Areas of Kimathanka, Chepuwa, Hatiya and Pawakhola Village Development Committee.Solukhumbu District (Everest Region):-All north-west area way from Thame to Nangpala of Namche Village Development Committee. For the first 4 weeks per week per person US$ 10 and After 4 weeks per week per person US$ 20
3. Rasuwa District :-Thuman and Tingure per week per person US$ 10
4. Manang District:- Areas of Nar, Phu, and Northern area of Tilche Village of Thochhe Village Development Committee For September to November per week per person US$ 90 and December to August per week per person US$ 75.
5. Mugu District:- Areas of Mugu, Dolpu, Pulu and Bhangri. For the first 7 days per person US $90 and After 7 days per day per person Us$15.
6. Baihang District:-Areas of Kanda, Saipal, Dhuli. For the first 7 days per person US $90 and After 7 days per day per person Us$15.
7. Darchula District:- Areas of Byas Village Development Committee. For the first 7 days per person US $90 and After 7 days per day per person Us$15.
8. Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpa District:- For the first 10 days per person US $700 and After 10 days per day per person Us$70.
9. Gorkha District (Manaslu Area):- For Sepetmber to November per week per person US$ 90 and December to August per week per person US$ 75.
10. Humla District (Simikot and Yari):- Areas of Limi and Muchu village village Development Committee, and area way to Tibet via Tangekhola of Darma Village Development committee. For the first 7 days per person US $90 and After 7 days per day per person Us$15.
Note : To get a group trekking permit an application form with other relevant documents should be submitted through any registered trekking agency of Nepal.

Trekking Permits Issuing Offices:
Dept. of Immigration, Bhirkutimandap, Kathmandu.

Miscellaneous Fees
a. Travel document (in case of loss/damage/theft/or expiry of the passport)-US$ 20
b. Issuance of Entry Visa from the Dept.-25% additional fee along with regular entry visa fee.
c. Certification of Arrival or Departure stamps or replacement of trekking permit US$ 1 (one).

Clothing & Equipment

                                                                       Your trek outfitter will normally provide two person waterproof tents, foam mattresses, and all cooking and eating utensils. You will need your own warm clothing, walking shoes, sleeping bag and personal equipment. During the day you will carry your camera, jacket, and water bottle in a rucksack. The rest of your equipment, including your sleeping bag, will be carried by porters. All hiking will be on trails. You will not need any climbing equipment such as ropes, ice axe, or crampons at any time during the trek. The equipment check list that follows details the equipment you will need for your trek. Most of these items are available for rent or sale in Kathmandu, but all trekking equipment in Nepal is either used equipment that was sold by other trekkers or mountaineering expeditions or locally made reproductions of internationally known brands. The local rucksacks, duffel bags and rain ponchos are inexpensive and will usually stand up to the rigors of a trek or two. Don't be fooled into thinking that you are getting a brand name item, however; most new looking rucksacks available in the bazaar are made in Nepal from imported Korean nylon.

In Kathmandu casual clothes are the rule, unless you get invited to a formal Nepal government or embassy reception.
Equipment Check List

* Jeans or slacks
* Towel and toilet kit
* Underwear
* Gloves or mittens
* Sleeping bag, warm to 20 degrees F, either down or fibrefill (or you can rent one in Kathmandu)
* Parka, down or fibrefill; a ski jacket is ok
* Sweater, wool shirt or acrylic pile jacket.
* Duffel bag, canvas or nylon, without a frame (for porters to carry)
* Daypack or rucksack, waterproof, for you to carry
* Water bottle 1 litre or 1 quart; be sure that it does not leak.
* Flashlight
* Walking shoes: either boots or strong tennis or running shoes, well broken in. As there may be rain, mud or snow; boots are sometimes necessary therefore you should bring them despite the extra hassle. Many times the entire trek can be done in tennis shoes, but if there is snow, you run the risk of frostbite, or at least cold feet if you do not have boots. If your feet are small (size 10 or less), you can rent boots in Kathmandu.
* Hats, one with a brim for sun; one wool for cold weather.
* Sunglasses or goggles - very important for travel above 12,000 feet. Absolutely essential for Everest treks, optional for Annapurna treks (though they may be necessary in December and January when there is snow).
* Shorts - it may be warm during the day, especially near Pokhara. You will probably not wear shorts on Everest treks. Women should wear skirts instead of shorts.
* Socks - two pairs thick wool or wool/nylon.
* Shirts - three are recommended: two T shirts and one long sleeve shirt.
* Pocket knife (Be sure this is packed in your checked baggage to avoid hassles with airport security).
* Rainwear - a poncho; or you can buy an Indian umbrella in Kathmandu for about $2.
* Slippers or sandals for campsite wear. Rubber "shower shoes" are available in Kathmandu for about $1

This list is suitable for most 8 to 10 day treks. Although you can wash clothes during the trek, you may need extra socks and shirts etc. for longer treks. If your trek goes above 3500 metres (about 12,000 feet) for more than one day you should pay particular attention to warm clothing. If you are trekking to higher elevations or during the cold season you should carry both a pile jacket and a down or fibrefill parka.

The weight limit on treks and domestic flights is 15 kg (33 pounds); make an effort to keep your baggage within this weight limit.

why trekking in nepal

The Himalaya, the "abode of snows", extends from Assam in eastern India west to Afghanistan. It is a chain of the highest and youngest mountains on earth and it encompasses a region of deep religious and cultural traditions and an amazing diversity of people. A trek in Nepal is a special and rewarding mountain holiday.

Just as New York is not representative of the USA, so Kathmandu is not representative of Nepal. If you have the time and energy to trek, don't miss the opportunity to leave Kathmandu and see the spectacular beauty and the unique culture of Nepal. Fortunately for the visitor, there are still only a few roads extending deeply into the hills, so the only way to truly visit the remote regions of the kingdom is in the slowest and most intimate manner - walking. It requires more time and effort, but the rewards are also greater. Instead of zipping down a freeway, racing to the next "point of interest," each step provides new and intriguing viewpoints. You will perceive your day as an entity rather than a few highlights strung together by a ribbon of concrete. For the romanticist, each step follows the footsteps of Hillary, Tenzing, Herzog and other Himalayan explorers. If you have neither the patience nor the physical stamina to visit the hills of Nepal on foot, a helicopter flight provides an expensive and unsatisfactory substitute.

Trekking in Nepal will take you through a country that has captured the imagination of mountaineers and explorers for more than 100 years. You will meet people in remote mountain villages whose lifestyle has not changed in generations. Most people trust foreigners. Nepal is one of only a handful of countries that has never been ruled by a foreign power. Many of the values associated with a hiking trip at home do not have the same importance during a trek in Nepal. Isolation is traditionally a crucial element of any wilderness experience but in Nepal it is impossible to get completely away from people, except for short times or at extremely high elevations. Environmental concerns must include the effects of conservation measures on rural people and the economic effects of tourism on indigenous populations. Even traditional national park management must be adapted because there are significant population centres within Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) and Langtang national parks.

Trekking does not mean mountain climbing. While the ascent of a Himalayan peak may be an attraction for some, you need not have such a goal to enjoy a trek. As far as most people are concerned, trekking always refers to walking on trails.

While trekking you will see the great diversity of Nepal. Villages embrace many ethnic groups and cultures. The terrain changes from tropical jungle to high glaciated peaks in only 150 km. From the start, the towering peaks of the Himalaya provide one of the highlights of a trek. As your plane approaches Kathmandu these peaks appear to be small clouds on the horizon. The mountains become more definable and seem to reach impossible heights as you get closer and finally land at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan Airport.

During a trek, the Himalaya disappears behind Nepal's continual hills, but dominates the northern skyline at each pass. Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang, Gauri Shankar and Everest will become familiar names. Finally, after weeks of walking, you will arrive at the foot of the mountains themselves - astonishing heights from which gigantic avalanches tumble earthwards in apparent slow motion, dwarfed by their surroundings. Your conception of the Himalaya alters as you turn from peaks famed only for their height to gaze on far more picturesque summits that you may never have heard of - Kantega, Ama Dablam, Machhapuchhare and Kumbhakarna

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to the northern parts of the following districts of Nepal (as shown on the map):

• Gorkha (including the Manaslu trekking region)
• Rasuwa (including the Langtang Valley trekking region)
• Sindhupalchok
• Dolakha

Disagreements arising from Nepal’s new constitution have led to protests and strikes in Nepal with many turning violent in the Terai districts, leading to multiple fatalities. All curfews have now been lifted. Listen to announcements from local authorities and take advice from your tour company.

Protests can occur at short notice and turn violent. Clashes between protesters and police may occur anywhere, including at border crossings. Stay away from protest areas. Delays at border crossings have caused a fuel shortage and may affect travel.

Delays at border crossings have caused a severe fuel shortage which is affecting travel and provision of some emergency services. Consult your tour operator before you travel.

Major earthquakes on 25 April (epicentre Gorkha district) and 12 May (epicentre Sinhupalchok district) caused extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure. Main roads across Nepal are open, but road conditions are poor.

Nepal is in a major earthquake zone and remains at risk from further earthquakes, aftershocks, landslides and flooding. You should familiarise yourself with safety procedures in the event of an earthquake; the risks to personal safety are likely to be higher in the areas to which the FCO advise against all but essential travel.

The monsoon season normally runs from June to September. Flooding and landslides often occur during this time. Road travel anywhere can be hazardous, particularly in rural areas and in those parts of the country to which the FCO advise against all but essential travel. See Natural disasters

Seek local advice from your tour operator, the tourist police or the Nepal Tourism Board on whether it’s safe to travel, particularly on remote trekking routes away from the main roads. Make sure any vehicle you travel in is equipped to deal with the risk of landslides (eg winches, ropes).

Never trek alone. Use a reputable agency, remain on established routes and walk with at least one other person. Take note of weather conditions and forecasts, and come prepared. Altitude sickness is a risk in all trekking regions. See Trekking in Nepal.

All airports are open and both international and domestic flights are operating as normal. All air carriers from Nepal have been refused permission to operate air services to the EU due to safety concerns. See Safety and security

There is a general threat from terrorism. See Terrorism

Around 40,000 British nationals visited Nepal in 2013. Most visits are trouble-free.

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel. If you are intending to travel at altitude, check that your insurance policy provides cover.

Nepal history

The first civilizations in Nepal, which flourished around the 6th century B.C., were confined to the fertile  Kathmandu Valley where the present-day capital of the same name is located. It was in this region  that Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born c. 563 B.C. Gautama achieved enlightenment as Buddha  and spawned Buddhist belief.Nepali rulers' early patronage of Buddhism largely gave way to Hinduism, reflecting the increased influence  of India, around the 12th century. Though the successive dynasties of the Gopalas, the Kiratis, and the  Licchavis expanded their rule, it was not until the reign of the Malla kings from 1200–1769 that Nepal assumed the approximate dimensions of the modern state. The kingdom of Nepal was unified in 1768 by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who had fled India following  the Moghul conquests of the subcontinent. Under Shah and his successors Nepal's borders expanded as far west as Kashmir and as far east as Sikkim (now part of India). A commercial treaty was signed with Britain in 1792 and again in 1816 after more than a year of hostilities with the British East India Company. In 1923, Britain recognized the absolute independence of Nepal. Between 1846 and 1951, the country  was ruled by the Rana family, which always held the office of prime minister. In 1951, however, the king  took over all power and proclaimed a constitutional monarchy. Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah became king in  1955. After Mahendra died of a heart attack in 1972, Prince Birendra, at 26, succeeded to the throne. In 1990, a pro-democracy movement forced King Birendra to lift the ban on political parties. The first free  election in three decades provided a victory for the liberal Nepali Congress Party in 1991, although the  Communists made a strong showing. A small but growing Maoist guerrilla movement, seeking to  overthrow the constitutional monarchy and install a Communist government, began operating in  the countryside in 1996. On June 1, 2001, King Birendra was shot and killed by his son, Crown Prince Dipendra. Angered  by his family's disapproval of his choice of a bride, he also killed his mother and several other members of the royal family before shooting himself. Prince Gyanendra, the younger brother of  King Birendra, was then crowned king. King Gyanendra dismissed the government in October 2002, calling it corrupt and ineffective.  He declared a state of emergency in November and ordered the army to crack down on the  Maoist guerrillas. The rebels intensified their campaign, and the government responded with  equal intensity, killing hundreds of Maoists, the largest toll since the insurgency began in 1996.  In Aug. 2003, the Maoist rebels withdrew from peace talks with the government and ended a  cease-fire that had been signed in Jan. 2003. The following August, the rebels blockaded Kathmandu  for a week, cutting off shipments of food and fuel to the capital.King Gyanendra fired the entire government in Feb. 2005 and assumed direct power. Many of the country's politicians were placed under house arrest, and severe restriction on civil liberties were instituted. In Sept. 2005, the Maoist rebels declared a unilateral cease-fire, which ended in Jan. 2006.  In April, massive pro-democracy protests organized by seven opposition parties and supported by the  Maoists took place. They rejected King Gyanendra's offer to hand over executive power to a prime  minister, saying he failed to address their main demands: the restoration of parliament and a referendum  to redraft the constitution. Days later, as pressure mounted and the protests intensified, King  Gyanendra agreed to reinstate parliament. The new parliament quickly moved to diminish the king's  powers. In May, it voted unanimously to declare Nepal a secular nation and strip the king of his  authority over the military.

This article is a travel topic

With eight of the top ten highest summits in the world and some of the most beautiful landscapes which are only reachable on foot, trekking in Nepal is one of the unique experiences of Asia.

Trekking is the most popular activity in Nepal, and travellers will be bombarded on the streets of Kathmandu and the trekking hub, Pokhara, with guides, organised tours and gear for sale or rent. The huge variety of options allows for people of many ages and capabilities to attempt a trek in the country. While you could spend a year planning an expedition to wild and lofty places that few would dare attempt, you could also arrive in Kathmandu with no plans and be on the trail in a matter of days.

Despite what many may perceive, trekking in Nepal is not necessarily wandering alone through an uncharted wilderness. As they walk along the well-marked trekking paths, travellers will often discover quite the opposite; hundreds of locals passing through each day as they haul food, water and other odd necessities back to their tiny villages, along with dozens of fellow trekkers. The regularly-spaced villages and teahouses allow trekkers good opportunities to rest and recover, either for a few minutes or the night. The strong culture and unreserved friendliness of the Nepalese people can also be witnessed as one traverses the hill tracks.

trekking in the himalayan

H

indu scriptures say that in "a hundred ages of the gods" you could not do justice to the Himalayas. So where do mere mortals start? Knowing where to go in an area 10 times the size of France is daunting, especially when just getting there is expensive. Everest gets most of the headlines, but the Himalayas are vast, especially when you include mountain ranges west of the Indus – the Pamir, Hindu Kush and Karakoram.

This 4,000km crescent, stretching from Kyrgyzstan to Burma, is a geography of superlatives – the highest mountains, the deepest gorges, tracts of wild forest, the rolling high plateau of Tibet plus, in Bhutan and the Indian state of Assam in the eastern Himalayas, some of the greatest biodiversity on the planet.

Then there are the people. It is true that in some areas the Himalayas are wild and barely populated, but in most there is an incredible diversity of cultures that have adapted to surviving in an environment that can be exceptionally hostile as well as incredibly beautiful.

These huge peaks are also the meeting point for three of the world's great religions: Islam in the west, Hinduism to the south and Tibetan Buddhism to the north.

It's an incredibly dynamic region. New roads and airports are making some areas more accessible, while diminishing the appeal of others, like the famous Annapurna Circuit in Nepal.

700 × 525 - himalayanmagictreks.com

Political change has also altered horizons. Mountains along the northern border of Burma have recently become accessible for the first time in decades, while visa restrictions and unrest in Tibet have made travelling there more difficult.

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Trekking is also changing. Many assume walking in the Himalayas is only for rugged types who enjoy roughing it. That was true in 1953, when Everest was first climbed and trekking tourism didn't exist. Now there are new ways to experience the Himalayas: luxury lodges for those looking to take in the views with a bit of comfort; treks that focus as much on culture as scenery; and new lodges and homestays for those who want to relax and get beneath the surface of Himalayan life.

The walking itself is usually not too difficult, no more so than in the Lake District – apart from the altitude, of course. It's the altitude, along with problems of travelling in one of the least developed regions of Asia and fears about hygiene, that put some people off. Staying healthy in the Himalayas is certainly more difficult than it is at home, but if you're used to walking and are cautious about gaining altitude then you're unlikely to have any problems. And the rewards are spectacular.