FAQ

Can I join a group trek?
We have joining group departure every Tuesday, and Saturday in peak seasons. If one of these does not fit your schedule, we can arrange a special trek for you, whether you are traveling alone or with a few friends.

Is previous hiking experience required to go on a trek?
As long as you are in good physical shape, you do not require any hiking experience for short treks. If you are planning a trek longer than a week, you should work out or do long day hikes at home.

What equipment should I bring?
Following are the a general idea of the personal items to be brought by a trekker to trek in Nepal. The personal items, in fact, are of individual interest, choice & the luxury. Besides, the most important fact he/she must consider is the time of the year, trekking days, region & altitude.

Foot wears:
– Hiking boots with some ankle support
– Training type shoes
– Flip – flop or slippers for use around the camp.

Clothes:
– Cotton shirts, T- shorts, jeans, etc. for day use.
– Socks and underwear – 4/5 that can be easily washed and dried on daily basis.
– Trekking suits, light sweater, a wind proof jacket or lightly padded jacket, down jacket
– Umbrella, sun hat, waterproof gear

In a supported trek, heavy items are carried by porters carry heavy personnel items the trekkers are required to carry minimum items only. They have to carry their personal belongings that might need during the daytime. So, they are briefed to pack their items in two different bags.

In day pack In duffle bag
Sunglasses Towels
Moistening lotion Torch/flash light
Camera and spare films Spare batteries
Water bottle Washing soap
Trek permit/Conservation Needle and thread
Toilet paper Spare clothes

What is Teahouse Trekking? And how it is organized?
A Teahouse Trekking is enormously standard even if it is local run guesthouse. Teahouse trek is very popular in the well – developed tourist regions including Annapurna, Everest and Langtang – Helambu regions where western, continental meals, Nepalese meal (Dalbhat), and good accommodation with attached bathroom with hot and cold shower are available in most of the places. This type of trekking offers you good food, good accommodation in the available teahouses & lodges. Since Teahouse Trekking is comparatively expensive than camping, it is more suitable for both small groups as well as large groups.

What is Camping trek?
Camping trek is best called as Fully Orzanized Supported Trek. As exploratory or mountaineering expeditions, camping Trek is also organized in the same style. Camping trek includes a team of guide, cook, sherpa, & porters to give you accompany. Our porters carry all trekking gears, food, fuel, & personal belongings, & our cooks & assistant prepares hot meals & carry out, supervises the whole operations. Trekkers should carry only small bag or what they might need during the day. At night, they are provided dining tents, sleeping tents, & toilet tents. They are also provided with mattresses and down sleeping bags, all of which are carried for them with the party. Even tables and chairs are carried.

How Camping trek is operated?
In a typical Camping Trek, we start trek around 6 a.m. with a cup of hot tea & you are provided a bowl of warm water for their washing & cleaning. After packing up their stuff and daypack, the trekkers are requested to leave their camp & have a breakfast. The trek begins around 7.30 – 8 a.m.

All camping equipments & gears will be packed by our our well trained staff, then the porters carry them to the next camping site. Personal belongings of the trekkers they may need for the day like water bottle, rain gear, camera, etc. should be carried by themselves.

The Trekkers decision can depend upon their own on time for viewing the beautiful landscape, taking photographs and resting or making a short pause. The walk to lunch spot will normally take 3 hours. Upon your arrival, you are served hot lunch by our cook & assistant. In the afternoon, after walking about 3 to 4 hours, you can reach at the camp around 4/5 p.m. You can enjoy tea & snacks while our sherpa pitch the camp. Dinner time is around 6/7 p.m. in the dining tent lit with a pressurized lantern & furnished with table & camping tools. You are provided high quality tents, foam & mattress, a simple toilet tent in every camp.

Our experienced cook/ assistant will prepare a variety of healthy & wholesome food taking care of your health which is carried for the entire trek.

Is a Trekking permit required?
The government of Nepal no longer requires a trekking permit for Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, and some other regions. However, conservation permit or National park permits are required for these regions. There are few restricted trekking areas in Nepal, where trekking permits are required.

Where trekking permit is applicable:
For the general trekking areas such as the Everest, the Annapurna, the Langtang & Rara, trekking permit is not required. But the following places should be obtained trekking permit:

1./ Lower Dolpo and Kanchenjunga – Equivalent to US$ 10 per person per week for the first four weeks and US$ 20 per week thereafter.

2./ Manaslu – US$ 90 per person per week for trekking during Sept- Nov and US$ 75 per week during December- August.

3./ Humla– US$ 90 per person for the first seven days and US$ 15 per day thereafter.

4./ Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo – US$ 700 per person of the first ten days and US$ 70 per person per day thereafter.

Note: Only through registered trekking agencies, trekking to Dolpo, Kanchenjunga, Manaslu, and upper Mustang can be undertaken. Entrance fee is levied for visiting all National Parks, and Conservation Area. Children under 10 years are not required entrance fee.

What happens if I get sick?
The most important thing is DON’T PANIC. You should ALWAYS ensure that you have a well-stocked and appropriate medical kit as well as sufficient insurance in case you should have to be evacuated. A slight case of diarrhea is to be expected, as well as sprains and muscle aches – all a part of walking in the hills. Altitude sickness is extremely dangerous but mostly avoidable if you follow a few simple rules: trek high and sleep low, drink at least 2 liters of water per day (not including beer or soft drinks!), and BE SENSIBLE. If you feel shortness of breath, a slight headache or dizziness, tell your porter/guide and rest immediately. Lie down, drink water. If you are still feeling unwell you may consider going down a few hundred meters. Do not pretend you are okay, and do not go down alone. A descent of a few hundred meters overnight may be enough to make you fully able to start trekking again tomorrow. For more information, please visit at www.high-altitude-medicine.com. This excellent site will tell you all you need to know, and also includes a phonetic Nepali questionnaire for your porter. Porters are just as prone to altitude sickness as everyone else is.

What are your payment terms?
We prefer 20 % advance deposit of total price of a tour in order to conform your reservation before you arrive in Nepal. And rest of the payment can be made after your arrival. For further info of payment terms and conditions, please visit

Does Asia Explore Adventure & Travel Agency accept credit cards?
We accept American Express, Visa and Master cards for advance payment. If you are paying in person in Nepal, we request that you pay in cash or Travelers cheques as the bank charges for credit cards are quite high.

What is the maximum weight allowed on domestic flights?
The normal weight limit is 20 kilogrammes. While the helicopter shuttle system is operating the limit to Lukla is 15 kg.

How many extra days should I allow in case of flight cancellation?
If you are flying from a remote mountain airstrip like Lukla, Jomsom, Simikot, Taplejung and Dolpo, we should keep at least two spare days before your departure for home.

Is it possible/easy to get equipment on hire?
There are trekking shops at Thamel, in kathmandu in particular, where you can easily rent or buy items like sleeping bags, down jackets, rucksacks and duffel bags.

Is communication to home possible while on trek?
There are telephones in many villages along the popular trekking routes from which you can make international calls.

Are Asia Explore Adventure & Travel Agency’s trekking crew insured?
Our company insures all our trekking staff, including porters.

What arrangements for drinking water are made while on trek?
You should bring a one-liter water bottle with you on the trek. We prefer that you purify water yourself using iodine in order to save scarce fuel. We can provide a limited amount of boiled water that you can use to fill your water bottle in the evening.

What if the guide/porter leaves me alone the trail?
Sometimes the porter/guide may go on ahead if you are walking slowly on an easy trail, usually to find a good place to eat or stay the night. However, this doesn’t mean that you have been abandoned. Asia Explore Adventure & Travel Agency’s porters or guides will never leave you for long periods and will never steal your bag or belongings. It is Guaranteed.

What is the best season for trekking in Nepal? And can I go trekking in the months of June and July?
The best time for trekking in Nepal is October to early December and March/April. It is not very good trekking during the monsoon season from June to August except treks in the Himalayan rain shadow like Upper Mustang, Dolpo and Kailash.

What is the weather & temperature like?
Weather in the mountains is notoriously difficult to predict. Of course, at night it is generally cold, and in winter the days can be quite beautiful if the sun is out. There can be snow or rain storms any time of the year. Trekking in spring (March – April) is particularly lovely as the rhododendrons are in full bloom, and the mountains still have plenty of high snow to enhance your photos. You need to be aware that it can get pretty hot and sunstroke can be a risk. Good polarizing sunglasses or glacier glasses (not trendy fashion ones) for high altitudes/winter treks, and a large brimmed hat are a necessity. It is also important to make sure that you can stay warm and dry in just about any conditions. Expect the unexpected!

Between 1000m and 3500m the temperature could be as high as 20 deg C to 5 deg C low. At higher altitude, the temperature ranges from 20 deg C to -10 deg C. During winter it is around 10 deg colder.

What if I take more or less time on my trek than I had planned and paid for?
A trekking holiday should never be about making it to the final point quickly. In fact, most of the time it isn’t even about the end point. Walking in the mountains is about enjoying the beauty of the people and places. You pay the porter/guide per day, and any differences can be made up on your return. Remember, it’s your holiday and so long as you enjoy your trip the time taken is mostly irrelevant. You may find that weather or illness means you have to turn back, sit it out or take another route. No problem!

Will somebody come to pick me up at the Airport upon my arrival?
Yes, our Airport Representative will come to the airport to pick you up. Outside of Terminal Hall, he/she will be displaying a play card of Asia Explore Adventure & Travel Agency with your name on it. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to hotel or our office.

Is it necessary to take precautions against Malaria?
It is not necessary to take Malaria prevention medicine unless you will be visiting a Jungle Lodge.

Mountain Bike Tours FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

  1. What’s a typical biking day like?
  2. How fit do I need to be?
  3. What sort of accommodations used on the tour?
  4. What about altitude sickness?
  5. How Qualified are the guides?
  6. What do I need to take?

Q. What’s a typical biking day like? 
A typical day starts with an early morning brew served in your tent. After a hot breakfast, during which camp will be packed and the support vehicle or porter loaded, we start cycling in the pleasant cool of the morning. Lunch is usually taken at about 12 noon and takes about an hour or so. We aim to pitch camp for the night by 4 or up to 5 p.m., i.e. well before dusk. During the day you are free to cycle at your own pace, enjoying the scenery and stopping to take as many pictures as you wish.

On our Tea House Trekking days are similar to camping treks apart from your meals and sleeping accommodations are provided by lodges on route.

Q. How fit do I need to be?
Biking in Himalaya, each and every trip is different, some are hard and technical, and some are easy. But it’s for sure all involve biking from 5 hrs to 7 hrs a day, the trails vary from wide dirt tracks, to steep rocky ups and down but we advice to take your time and ascend slowly. So generally you must be fit.

Q. What sort of accommodations used on the tour?
Generally we have on offer two types of accomodations in our biking tours, camping or tea house. Tea houses are generally locally built with unique local design and are reasonably comfortable. Depending on region they provide single, double or dormitory room. Generally the toilet facilities will be outside but some place they might offer attached as well. Most tea houses provide a mattress and a quilt or blanket so it’s always advisable to take your own sleeping bags.

On our camping tours, we will use tented accommodations, our staffs will set all up for you sleeping tent, toilet tent, shower tent, kitchen tent and dinning tent, generally camping tours are with more personal services and we will take care everything by ourselves.

Q. What about altitude sickness?
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), commonly known as altitude sickness, is an extremely serious, potentially fatal condition.  It can occur at altitudes above 2,000m, more usually above 3,500m.  There are simple and effective steps to control the risk of AMS.  All our guides are fully trained and experienced in dealing with AMS.
The main thing is to drink plenty of fluids, take your time, avoid straining yourself, keep an eye on each other and always enjoy the beauty, culture and friendly. And avoid drinking alcohol and too much of smoking.

Q. How Qualified are the guides?
Our guides are loyal employees of the company, so you can trust on them fully. They are fully licensed to lead any mountain biking tours. We as a professional, every year manages various training to give updates to our guides like English Language, first aid, high altitude sickness, emergency handling or problem solving techniques etc. Our guides are not only guide; they are also professional Mountain Biking racers, advisers, officer on national mountain biking issues.

Q. What do I need to take?
The weather in the Himalaya is unpredictable and it’s always advisable to fully gear up. See below for help list.

  • Cycling jersey (Half & long sleeves)
  • Cycling shorts (Half & long sleeves) Baggy shorts are great for visiting temples etc.
  • Cycling Shoes SPD or light weight running shoes)
  • Cycling gloves (Half & full fingers)
  • Wind breaker or stopper
  • Waterproof jacket & trousers (Breathable are great for biking)
  • Small day bag with bag cover for rain
  • Helmet & Headband
  • Sun glass with extra lens for different weather.
  • Cycling socks
  • Ear warmer for winter in Nepal & Tibet
  • Camelbak (good for riding in Nepal) or Water bottle for cycling
  • Specific tools (e.g. Disk brake, suspension, and wheel)
  • Extra specific disk brake pads & oils for disk brake with spare housing and pins.
  • Power bar & powder (Hard to get in Nepal, Tibet, India)
  • Leg & arm warmer (Good option for long sleeves)
  • General tools e.g. pump, multi tools
  • Extra tubes & Tyre for long tour.
  • Any special tools for your bike if require.

Other A ccessories: Personal toiletries, personal first aid kit, sun block, lip cream, shampoo, soap, shavers, moisturizer, passport copies, pocket knife, camera and film.