01 - Nepal / Le Népal
▶ What is the political situation of Nepal?
▶ Is it safe to come to Nepal ?
▶ What is the currency ? Do we have to bring much money ?
▶ What is the weather in Nepal ? How to get dressed ?
Altitude and area | Teraï 180m | Pokhara 800m | Katmandu 1300m | Namche Bazar 3440m | ||||
Month | Mini | Maxi | Mini | Maxi | Mini | Maxi | Mini | Maxi |
January | 8 | 23 | 6 | 19 | 2 | 17 | -8 | 6 |
February | 11 | 28 | 8 | 22 | 3 | 21 | -4 | 6 |
March | 17 | 33 | 14 | 27 | 9 | 25 | -2 | 8 |
April | 19 | 37 | 17 | 31 | 11 | 27 | 1 | 11 |
May | 22 | 37 | 19 | 31 | 16 | 28 | 3 | 14 |
June | 23 | 34 | 21 | 31 | 19 | 28 | 7 | 15 |
July | 25 | 33 | 21 | 30 | 20 | 28 | 8 | 16 |
August | 24 | 32 | 21 | 29 | 20 | 27 | 8 | 16 |
September | 24 | 32 | 20 | 28 | 19 | 26 | 7 | 15 |
October | 19 | 31 | 15 | 27 | 12 | 25 | 1 | 11 |
November | 14 | 27 | 11 | 24 | 8 | 21 | -3 | 8 |
December | 8 | 24 | 8 | 20 | 3 | 19 | -4 | 7 |
Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
Precipitations days/month | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 23 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Sunshine hours/day | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
▶ Is it possible to come during winter ?
▶ What time is it in Nepal?
Nepal is GMT+5:45
Check out what time it is in Kathmandu right now by clicking here: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=117
▶ What are the biggest festivals in Nepal ?
Magh Festival, Devghat (Teraï) (January)
This festival symbolizes the end of winter in Nepal Southern regions. There are lots of ceremonies, baths in Naravanj River and other celebrations.
Losar, Tibetan regions (February)
Tibetan New Year begins with February full moon. It is celebrated in Northern Tibetan regions but also in Katmandu, in Boddhanath, Pashupatinath and Swayambunath.
Maha Shivaratri, Pashupatinath (February - March)
It is Shiva’s birthday. Hundreds of sadhus join during full moon in Pashupatinath for a bath in Bagmati River.
Balkumari Jatra, Thimi (mid-April)
Bisket Jatra, Float Festival, Bhaktapur (mid-April)
Mid-April Bisket Jatra marks the beginning of the Nepali year. It is celebrated in an impressive way in Bhaktapur.
Rato Machhendranath, Patan (April- Mai)
Janai Purnima, all the country (August)
During August full moon men from highest casts (Brahman, chetri) have to change their holly string (janaï) which they wear all year long. This festival gives rise to huge gatherings of shamans.
Indra Jatra, Float festival, Katmandu (August – September)
This festival symbolizes the end of the monsoon. But we also celebrate the conquest of Katmandu Valley by Prithvi Narayan. He is the one who unified Nepal.
Dashain, all the country (September – October)
It is the most expected festival in Nepal. It lasts 15 days during which celebrations, sacrifices, dances and prays occur everywhere in Nepal. Durga Goddess’ victory on the forces of evil, represented by a cruel devil, is celebrated.
Tihar – Deepawali, all the country (October – November)
Second most popular festival in Nepal, Tihar is dedicated to animals worship.
Mani Rimbu, Tengboche (November)
▶ Which books to read before going to Nepal?
- Annapurna by Maurice Herzog
- Conquistadors of the Useless by Lionel Terray
- The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen
- A Barbarian in Asia by Henri Michaud
02 - Health / La Santé
▶ What about malaria?
▶ Which vaccines have to be made before leaving?
None of vaccines are compulsory, nevertheless some are highly recommended. Vaccines required are really depending on the trip you are planning to do. As a consequence we advise to consult specialized sites like, in France, Pasteur Institute’s one.
http://www.pasteur.fr/ip/easysite/pasteur/fr/sante/centre-medical/vaccinations-internationales-medecine-des-voyages/11nepal
▶ Which first-aid kit?
- Usual personal medicines
- Aspirin
- Adhesive and non adhesive tapes
- Disinfectant
- Sterile compress and plasters
- Small scissors
- Anti diarrhea
- Stomach-coating medication
- Broad-spectrum antibiotic
- Intestinal anti infectious
- Anti-inflammatory cream
- Eyedrops or eyewash
- Medicine for cough and for throat infection
- Antihistaminic
- Insect repellent
- Skin and lips solar screen
- Anti malaria for Southern regions
03 - Procedures / Les Procédures
▶ How to get the Nepal ?
- In Delhi with Indian Airlines and Air India (the flight can be operated by Air France)
- In Doha with Qatar Airways
- A Bahrain with Gulf Air
- In Bangkok with Thai Airways
- In Abu Dhabi with Etihad
▶ How to get a visa?
- 1 to 15 days : €25
- 16 to 30 days : €40
- 31 to 90 days : €100
▶ What kind of assurance is required?
04 - Our Tours / Nos Voyages
▶ How to contact us in France?
▶ What do you mean by « home stay »?
▶ Are they really made-on-measure?
05 - Equipements
▶ Which equipment for a trek (depending the season)?
- Trekking boots and spare laces
- Hat (warm), scarf and gloves
- Gore-tex waterproof jacket, poncho or umbrella (in case of raining, a poncho is maybe the better protection since waterproof jacket retains condensation inside and can you wetter more than the rain itself! You can easily find this in Katmandu)
- Running shoes, sandals or thongs (for the evening)
- Shorts and trousers (any long, comfortable, quick-drying trousers will do; trekkers feel very comfortable with pants with zip-off legs than become shorts)
- Wool-blend socks, liner socks and underwear (three pairs, not cotton)
- Thermal underwear
- Sunhat (with a wide brim that covers your ears)
- Fleece jacket
- T-shirts (two or three) and long-sleeved shirt with collar (avoid cotton t-shirt because they retain moisture and get cold. Polypropylene or other synthetic-fiber shirt dries much more quickly)
- 2 trekking sticks for each
- 35L or 45L back-pack that you will carry
- A lockable duffel bag
- A sleeping bag and a silk bag
- 1L plastic water bottle which doesn’t leak
- Pills to purify water
- Good pair of polarized sunglasses in a metal or hard plastic case
- Sunscreen and total sunscreen for your lips, lip balm
- Torch
- Trekking poles are helpful for stability and if you have bad knees. A small roll of gaffer/ duct tape is useful for fixing rips, tears and breakages of any kind
- Laundry soap in bar
- Antibacterial gel or pre moistened towels (or baby wipes)
- A pocket knife with a pair of scissors
- Everything to deal with blisters on hand at all times
- Packet of tissues or a supply of toilet paper with you at all time