What to Expect
- Physical requirements:
This trip is only for very physically fit and healthy travelers and is not appropriate for travelers using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids. The itinerary involves a lot of walking, hiking, and climbing, with treks of 2.5-3 hours in length. Be prepared for elevations up to 5,000 feet. Health limitations influence how well you can adapt to high altitudes. We reserve the right for our Trip Leaders to modify participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home if their limitations are impacting the group's experience.
- Pacing:
5 locations in 17 days; early mornings. Pacing on this trip is brisk, with no more than 2 nights in most locations. We spend 2 days rafting and 3 days hiking. There are 2 internal flights. Expect delays in regional air service.
- Climate & terrain:
The hottest months are April-September; prepare for heat in excess of 90 degrees during the day, and as low as 50 degrees at night. We travel over city streets, rugged paths, and unpaved roads and trek through foothills that can be steep and slippery. We also raft down a river with Class II-III rapids.
- Transportation:
We travel by minibus, canoe, river raft, and elephantback.
- Accommodations:
Accommodations include a riverside camp with permanent tents, attached bathrooms, and solar-heated showers; basic but comfortable lodges; and modest hotels. Electricity may be unreliable, and hot water may be limited.
- Cuisine:
Our meals will be based on the local cuisine; Western food is very limited.
- Cultural insight:
For the adventurous traveler, Nepal is a uniquely beautiful and spiritual destination. However, poverty and poor sanitation can be distressing.
- Group size & leadership:
16 maximum with 1 Trip Leader.
Visa Information
U.S. citizens will need a visa (or visas) for this trip. In addition, there may be other entry requirements that also need to be met. For your convenience, we’ve included a quick reference list, organized by country:
- Nepal: Visa required.
- Bhutan (optional extension): Visa required. Bhutan departure also requires an airport tax payment.
- Tibet (optional extension): Entry permit required.
Travelers who are booked on this adventure will be sent a complete Visa Packet— with instructions, applications, and a list of visa fees—approximately 100 days prior to their departure. (Because many countries limit the validity of their visa from the date it is issued, or have a specific time window for when you can apply, we do not recommend applying too early.)
If you are not a U.S. citizen, do not travel with a U.S. passport, or will be traveling independently before/after this trip, then your entry requirements may be different. Please check with the appropriate embassy or a visa servicing company. To contact our recommended visa servicing company, PVS International, call toll-free at 1-800-556-9990.
Vaccinations Information
For a detailed and up-to-date list of vaccinations that are recommended for this trip, please visit the CDC’s “Traveler’s Health” website.