BEFORE YOUR TIRP ::

Passport & Visas
All passengers must be in possession of a valid passport and the necessary visas. Visa cost are never NEVER included in the trip price featured in the website. We regret that no refund can be given if you are refused entry to a country as a result of incorrect visa. It is strongly recommended that you make several copies of your passport and visas to be carried separate from your original in case of loss or theft.

Y = YES, Visa is required. Normaly must be obtained in advance. Please check with us for more information.
N = NO, Visa not required.
A = Visa to be obtained on arrival.

NATIONALITY
COUNTRY	UK	AUS	EUR	USA	CAN	IND
Nepal	A	A	A	A	A	N
Tibet	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Bhutan	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
India	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y

A passport valid for a minimum of six months is required for all tours operated by Vertical Adventures (P.) Ltd.

Please refer “General information” for more details on Visa process country wise.

Luggage
Maximum of 20 kg baggage + hand baggage of maximum 5 kg are allowed in international / domestic flights. Storage facilities area available at the hotels.
All luggage to be stored must be marked with the passenger’s name, name of tour/trek/expedition with date of arrival must be mentioned and must be padlocked.

Health Requirements :

VACCINATION:
Nepal has no official vaccination requirement for entry. However you should make an effort to protect yourself from some serious diseases that can be prevented by vaccine or preventive measures. Vaccines for Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid and Meningitis are necessary. You can start thinking about this about two months before your departure.

Hepatitis A - strongly recommended.

Typhoid - Recommended. This disease is highly prevalent in Nepal.

Meningitis - Recommended. The risk is low in short time travellers, but the disease is serious and the vaccination is safe.

Tetanus and Diphtheria - You should have a booster if you have had one in the last 10 years.

Polio - You should have a booster if you have had one in the last 10 years.

Tuberculosis - Ask your doctor for a Mantoux test, then depending on the result, discuss a BCG vaccination.

Hepatitis B - Recommended

Rabies - If you can avoid dogs then the risk of infection is low.

Japanese B Encephalitis - This is a mosquito borne disease and is not found above 1,000m. Though cases have been reported in the Terai but not usually effecting the tourists. It is, though, a very nasty disease and the vaccine is safe and effective.

Malaria - In Nepal, malaria is limited to the lowland of far Eastern Terai region, and some western area adjoining to India. There is no risk of malaria in Kathmandu.

Suggested clothing & Equipment
Keep to a simple and practical selection of clothes for both hot and cool climates to suit the season, and because of the wide variety of temperatures, altitude and weather that can be encountered en route. We suggest you bring the following:

Culture & Family Adventure Tours / Trekking / Expeditions

Clothing:

Lightweight hiking boots or comfortable athletic or walking shoes (washable)

Extra shoes or sandals that can get wet/muddy

Socks; Wool blend socks & Polypropylene liner socks for trekking

Long shorts

Comfortable, lightweight pants

Nicer pants or skirt (optional)

Lightweight long-sleeve shirt

T-shirts, short sleeve shirts

Heavy sweater/sweatshirt or fleece

Light-medium weight jacket and/or windbreaker

Sturdy rain gear - poncho or jacket and pants

Sun hat or cap with wide brim

Bandana

Swim suit

Sleepwear

Under clothes

Additional Items for trekking trips:

Well broken in hiking boots Sleeping bag, rated to at least -5°F for winter treks, +15°F for fall and spring treks (may be rented in Kathmandu)

Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)

Wool blend socks & Polypropylene or capilene liner socks

Long underwear, insulating polypropylene or fleece

Towel & washcloth

Warm Jacket

Gloves or mittens

Warm hood or wool hat

Items for Winter or High Elevation:
(both trekking & non-trekking, including trips that go above 10,000 feet or between Nov & Feb)

Down coat with hood (may be rented in Kathmandu)

Down, wind or insulated pants (may be rented in Kathmandu)

Insulating polypropylene or down socks

Heavy long-sleeve shirt

Heavy sweater or polartec/fleece jacket

Gloves or mittens

Warm hood or wool hat

Expeditions:

1 Mountaineering boots

1 Gaiters

1 Climbing harness

1 Figure 8/belay device

1 Harness locking biner

2 Standard locking biners

3 Reg biners

1 Jumar

2 Prussikes

1 Crampons

1 Ice axe

2 Sleeping bags

Adequate Rope

All personal belongings.

Personal Items:

Sunblock (waterproof, high SPF)

Lipbalm with SPF

Insect repellent with DEET content

Biodegradable bar soap

2 spare passport photos (in case of lost passport)

Wrist watch and/or travel clock

Sunglasses (with strap, case)

Money belt or pouch for valuables

Small flashlight with extra batteries

Copies of all important documents

Day pack (can also serve as an airline carry-on bag) Camera, memory cards, film, batteries, charger

Underwater camera (disposable kind is very handy)

Lead bag/containers to protect film in X-ray machines

Lightweight binoculars

Plug adapter (if needed)

Soft duffel with shoulder strap or durable suitcase

Luggage tags

Ziploc-type bags for packing shampoo or other liquids

Stuff sacks or plastic bags for organizing inside luggage (also useful for dirty laundry)

Thread, needles, safety pins for minor repairs

Small packable umbrella

Footwear
Comfortable shoes with good ankle support will make all walking more enjoyable. We strongly recommend a pair of walking shoes or boots.

Thermal underwear, gloves, and hat can also come in handy. Better to

Be too warm than too cold!

Climate & Weather:
Weather is generally predictable and pleasant in all our trip destinations except in Ladakh & Tibet. Below are four climatic seasons (best tour seasons "V") and classification suitable for tours destination wise:

Best seasons
Country	Spring (Mar–May)	Summer (Jun-Aug)	Autumn (Sep-Nov)	Winter (Dec-Feb)
Nepal	V		V	V
Tibet	V	V	V
Bhutan	V		V
Sikkim & Darjeeling	V		V
Ladakh		V

The monsoon is approximately from the end of June to the middle of September. About 80 per cent of the rain fall occurs during that period in Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim & Darjeeling except in Tibet and Ladakh. However, being a part to Tibetan plateau and situated behind the Himalayan range, some part of Nepal like Mustang and Dolpo posses pleasant weather in the summer but sever cold winter starts early and last for long in these areas. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons in Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim & Darjeeling; winter temperatures drop to freezing (-15ºC minimum & 12ºC (54ºF) maximum) with a high level of snowfall in the mountains. Summer and late spring temperatures range from 28ºC (83ºF) to 40ºC (104ºF).

Altitude Sickness
PLEASE NOTE: The information below is provided to increase awareness of symptoms that some travelers experience, and is not meant to be alarming. Most people experience few, if any, symptoms.

Altitude sickness is caused by abrupt change from low elevations to high altitudes. Mild symptoms include: headache, shortness of breath, light-headedness, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, mild nausea or vomiting, and fatigue.

Take it easy the first day or two upon arrival at high altitude. Be sure to drink fluids, avoid alcohol, eat regularly and get plenty of rest. Your body will soon acclimatize and you will feel fine.

Trekkers hiking up to high elevations may feel the continuing effects of altitude as they make their ascent. Our itineraries are planned to allow for a slow pace and plenty of time for acclimatization to minimize these effects. Our guides will not allow you go too high too fast and are prepared to adjust the pace if necessary, so the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is extremely low. On rare occasions, extreme symptoms may manifest themselves. If this occurs in yourself or if you notice symptoms in a fellow trekker, please tell your guide immediately.

The first response to severe symptoms should be a quick descent to a lower altitude. Most cases, if they occur, are mild, and symptoms improve promptly with a return to lower altitude.

Some travelers ask us about Acetazolamide (Diamox), which can help to speed acclimatization and reduce minor symptoms. Be aware that some people have a severe reaction to Diamox. Consult your physician for further information about this drug.

Medical
We provide basic first-aid kit for all the trips, but you should bring your own sunscreen, insect/mosquito repellent and any special medication you may require for upset stomach and so on.

Those who going for long and remote trek are suggested to bring a sufficient supply of personal medication with you to last your entire trek.