Travel Safety Tips

Local Travel

In Nepal three types of transportation service available like private, public and tourist. Private vehicles or tourist vehicles as well as taxis can be hired as per your necessity and prices are varying according to the vehicle provider. Metered taxis are available in big cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara and can be hired for both local and long distance travel. Metered taxis have black license plates; Private cars that run as long-distance taxis have red or green plates.

When you travel by taxi for a long distance, you have to fix the price before starting your journey. Public transport (Scheduled Bus, Micro or Tempo) means commercial transport providers which are run both locally and long distance as per their service schedules from the Department of Transport of Nepal. Other alternative means of transport available in Nepal are Auto rickshaws and Cycle-Rickshaws. Bicycle-rickshaws are common in the old part of Kathmandu and in the Tarai cities, and they provide an eco-friendly way to explore congested and narrow roads. Prices are highly negotiable. Nepal’s two-stroke, three-wheeled Auto rickshaw are being phase-out everywhere in favor of electric models, but a few are still hanging on in a couple of Tarai towns.

Tourist bus services provide easy transportation to major areas like Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini. For other tourist destinations, long distance day or night bus services are available from Kathmandu to all major cities. Out-of-valley bound buses leave from the new Bus Park at Gongabu Ring road near Balaju, Kathmandu. More comfortable and smaller vehicles can also be rented exclusively or on a cost sharing basis.

 

Security info

The best and easiest way to start finding your way in Nepal is to use your favorite Maps app on your mobile or other navigation device. All urban areas in Nepal are mapped out well enough to find your way, though some errors might occur. Bring an extra passport photo to get a local SIM card in the arrival halls in the international airport of Kathmandu. If you can wait a little longer or you have crossed one of the road borders to enter Nepal then there are plenty of service centers from mobile carriers where you can get a local SIM card. You can note the phone number with the Tourist Police of your local SIM as necessary as a security measure if you wish.

In Nepal, Tourist Police are a special unit of Nepal Police, which works under the Department of Tourism of Nepal. Head Office is located at Tourist Service Center, Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu. There are also complaint counters at the airport and Kathmandu Durbar Square in Basantapur. The unit works exclusively to ensure a pleasant stay for tourists, and mitigate and solve any safety and security related issues that tourists could encounter. They also assist and advise tourists on safety and security matters during traveling; trekking, rafting and hotel stay in any part of Nepal.

Therefore, we recommend that our customers pay a little more and travel with comfort. If you travel on scheduled public buses or micro it’s a big hassle for you because it will probably be quite different to what you are used to.. Your guide or Nepalese people who are your trip assistants will coordinate with driver or service provider and tourist police or local police in case any things happen on the trip.

 

VACCINATIONS:

In accordance with current Nepalese Legislation there are no necessary vaccinations required for entry to Nepal

Travel Tips

Nepal – the land of Adventure where trekking in the mountains is a rewarding and unforgettable experience. We remind you though, that it is it is very important to keep safety in mind because each traveler because weather conditions can change at any moment. In the case of an accident, medical help is not always readil available in remote areas. It is good to be prepared, both before and during the trekking trip. we have set out below, some guidelines and tips on health and safety during the trip in the Himalayas. We humbly ask that you do read this information carefully.

HEALTH RISKS:

There are always some health risks that are more acute when travelers are trekking at high altitudes.

Dehydration:

When you are trekking there it is common to lose significant amounts of fluid through perspiration, therefore it is very important to be keep hydrated. Travelers must keep several liters of water with them at all times and drink lots!

Altitude Sickness:

This occurs when trekking from lower elevation to higher elevations, especially when done rapidly. When you have shortness of breath it happens due lack of oxygen and it is proven that altitude sickness. Symptoms are included like exhaustion, loss of appetite, headache and nausea. Travelers should descend immediately if their condition worsens. In order to reduce the effects of high altitude it is important to trek slowly, and monitor your body’s reaction to changes in altitude during the trek.

Blisters:

Trekking for a long periods can cause blisters to develop on traveler’s feet so you should be prepared and bring a first aid kit with you containing the relevant Blister patches. You should try to keep your feet as dry as possible and and also be sure to “wear in” your trekking boots before you travel to Nepal.

Sunburns:

When you go higher elevation, the sun’s rays are more powerful because you are closer to the sun, therefore pack a hat, sunglasses and wear lots of sunscreen to avoid getting sunburnt.

ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS (AMS):

Altitude sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) generally occurs above 2,500 meters, but serious altitude sickness is rarely occurs below 3,000 meters. Symptoms range from suffering a mild headache and weariness to a life-threatening situation, where fluid in the lungs (HAPE) or brain (HACE) is built-up. AMS is caused by the body having difficulty adapting to the lower oxygen levels at higher altitudes. Usually this is exacerbated by ascending too quickly but could also be due to individual sensitivities. As AMS can be fatal, it is important to know about the disease, its symptoms, how to prevent them and how to treat AMS.

ACUTE ALTITUDE SICKNESS:

Acute altitude sickness is the mildest and most common type of altitude sickness suffered, patients usually have a (mild) headache and/or reduced appetite, and possibly nausea. These kinds of symptoms are quite common above 3,000 meters and yet nothing to be worried about, but it is important to tell your guide or if trekking without a guide another group member about your symptoms, and keep close watch that they don’t get worse. You should not Trek alone.

a) Ask the patient to close their eyes and bring a finger to the tip of their nose.
b) If you have doubt of AMS, ask the patient to walk in a straight line.
c) Ask the patient to put on pants (put his leg into one of the legs)

NOTE:

If a patient or person who looks like like they are suffering and is unable to do these things then the situation should be treated as serious!!.

HOW TO TREAT AMS:

a) In case of mild symptoms, stay at the same altitude. We suggest every customer ascend only when the symptoms have resolved completely.

b) In case your symptoms are getting worse while resting at the same altitude, then the patient should descend immediately.

c) In case of serious symptoms, try your level best to go down immediately and do not wait for improvement. Request Helicopter evacuation as soon as possible.

d) If the patient is unable to walk (due to severe symptoms) and cannot be taken down, an inflatable high pressure bag (Gamow Bag) may helpful. The bag restores the oxygen level and air pressure and is used as a treatment in acute situations. Some trekking groups carry a pressure bag, They are also available in some lodges, especially in the Khumbu/Everest area.

e) Never let a patient descend unattended.

f) If available, consult a doctor even if the symptoms are not yet severe.

HOW TO PREVENT AMS:

The best way to prevent acute mountain sickness (AMS) is to ascend slowly. If possible, above 3,000 meters you should not climb more than 300 meters a day. If this is not possible due to travel schedule, it is recommended to adapt to a relaxing day. Drinking lots of water can help to prevent altitude mountain sickness (AMS). Per day, you should be drinking at least,1 liter of water for every 1,000 meter altitude. That means that at an altitude of 4,000 meter, you should be drinking 4 liters of water a day or tea, juice or other fluids, (not alcohol).

More and more trekkers use Diamox (Acetazolamide) as a prophylaxis, to help the body acclimatize more quickly. You start taking Diamox shortly before you start to ascend above 3,000 meter and continue taking it until you descend again. Consult your doctor if you are considering using Diamox. Travelers with an allergy to sulfa drugs should not take the drug. Drink plenty of water, as Diamox dehydrates the body.