Since we do not book flights into Nepal, you will have to secure that on your own. You can purchase your plane ticket from your local travel agent, or you can save money purchasing through the discount air travel companies or through on-line ticket agencies. Once you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, where you will be greeted by a member of our staff, you will be taken to your hotel. (This, of course, is at no charge.)

Kathmandu is filled with accommodations which can be a little "dodgy", if not downright uncomfortable. This is why, as part of most of our trek and tour program options, your stay in Kathmandu (for the duration of your Karnali Excursion program/itinerary) is part of the program price. However, if you have made other arrangements for accommodations, no problem. We will adjust the program cost accordingly.

DOCUMENTS: You will need to have your valid passport and entry visas. Although obtaining a 2-month entry visa for the Kingdom of Nepal can often be done upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you might find it more convenient to obtain this visa in your own country as to prevent delays and potential problems. If, however, you elect to obtain your visa at Tribhuvan airport, you can reduce the time in the immigration lines if you follow these steps:

If you plan to visit India, Bhutan, or Tibet with us, we will assist you with the visas but you will have to budget this in your schedule. For India visa transit visa, add 1 day. For Indian tourist visa, add 10 days. As for Tibet visa, add 10 days. For Bhutan visa, please see Bhutan Itinerary page.

If you have any questions whatsoever about obtaining your visa(s), please do not hesitate to contact us for advice.

RECOMMENDED CLOTHING (most items can be purchased in Kathmandu at a good price.)
(TK = for Trekking, TR = for Tours)

The series of immunizations for overseas travelers is not the daunting task you may think it is. Most of the time it is done in two sessions. Although ONLY YOUR DOCTOR can recommend which immunization is right for you and where you're going, we have provided a standard list for your consideration. (Your HMO may provide them to you free of charge.) Be sure to get the International Certificate of Vaccination yellow card which lists all of your vaccinations and the date you received them. The Certificate is approved by the World Health Organization and is provided to hospitals and clinics. If you don't have a health plan, you can call your local or county health department for information or consult your local telephone directory.

PROTECTION AGAINST MALARIA: Most medical professionals agree that the best way to avoid getting diseases like Malaria, which are transmitted by mosquitoes, is to avoid being bitten. Wear as much clothing (long sleeves, pants and socks) as you can because clothing is the best and healthiest protection. On exposed skin, use DEET (Diethylmethylbenzamide). Even just a 20% solution is very effective, but can irritate skin if used too often or improperly. (Consult a health guide for specifics.) When you sleep, use a mosquito net and/or burn a mosquito coil. Aside from protecting yourself from bug bites, there are prophylactic pills you can take, such as Chloroquine Phosphate or Mefloquine. These medications are widely recommended, but provide only partial protection and can have side effects. Many travelers, because of the side effects, choose not to take the pills and accept the risk. Treatment for the disease in areas where it is prevalent is often good because of local doctors' experience with the disease. Malaria tablets are very expensive in countries such as the U.S., but are far cheaper in Nepal. In some parts of Asia, anti-malarials simply don't work and many medical professionals say that if you contact Malaria while taking the pills, it can be more difficult to treat. The prevailing wisdom of taking anti-malarials is that if you plan to be in a Malaria area for three months or less, then go ahead and take the pills. If you experience severe side-effects, you may want to discontinue use. However, note that these medicines are not effective if taken intermittently. Also, the exact medicine recommended is different for different places due to resistant strains of the Malaria parasite. It is strongly recommend you research this subject further, consult your Immunologist, and books like Staying Health in Asia, Africa & Latin America.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: It is highly recommended that you take out a personal travel insurance policy, which contains emergency evacuation protection (helicopter rescue) and for repatriation in case of an accident. There are several good, inexpensive policies out there on the Internet and through your guide book.