MOGAMBO TREKS AND EXPEDTIONS

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How can I be a responsible trekker?

One of the most disheartening things about the advent of tourism in Nepal is the destruction of the natural environment and local traditional cultures. Nepal is a country heavily dependant on tourism for employment and creating a travel or trekking experience that is socially and environmentally responsible will have a positive effect on not only your travels but the lives of the locals as well. By choosing Mogambo you’ve already made an effort to help. We pay our guides and porters livable wages that are fair and equal. We also train and certify all our guides and porters to make sure they are well qualified and skilled. We teach them English and provide them with stable and reliable employment opportunities. The allure of freelance guiding for income generation has left a competitive market of unskilled, untrained young people in Nepal vying for customers. This forces guides to bargain down to virtually nothing to get clients. While shopping around for guides and porters some travelers bargain for the absolute lowest fee and this creates an unfair advantage to those who want to work for fair and equitable wages. Making sure your impact on the environment is minimal is also critical. While in Nepal and Tibet your guide will give you information about being environmentally responsible while on your trek, safari or rafting trip. We ask you to follow these guidelines seriously. Another important role you can play is by educating yourself about the local culture and customs. We provide you a list of cultural considerations before you begin your journey. Leaving both a positive impact on you and the local economy, culture and environment is of the utmost importance to us.

What should I bring?

There are a few critical items to bring along from home or purchase in Kathmandu or Pokhara before setting out on your trek. We recommend you buy your gear here to help support local businesses. Quality clothing, gear and equipment is available at good prices.

Good comfortable shoes. If you’ll be ascending to heights above 4000m or through snowy areas it is wise to have a comfortable warm pair of hiking boots. For lower elevations a pair of light, breathable trainers or running shoes with a durable sole is sufficient.
Absorbent soft hiking socks
Comfortable, breathable, waterproof pants
Long underwear if you plan to trek in winter or at high elevations
Short sleeved shirts (synthetic, moisture wicking material preferable)
A warm hat
A torch (headlamp or other variety)
A warm sleeping bag and cotton liner
Sarong or small towel
Good quality backpack with nylon rain cover
Small collapsible umbrella
Leak proof plastic water bottle
Iodine tablets
Fleece jacket or sweater (jumper)
Rubber flip flops
Waterproof jacket
Down filled jacket (for winter and high elevations)
Sunglasses
Gloves
Comfortable cotton underwear
Toiletries ( shampoo, soap, hand cleaner, moisturizing cream, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, lip care, talcum powder)
First aid kit (diamox, ibuprofen, paracetamol, ciproflaxin, anti fungal cream, antibiotic ointment, oral re-hydration salts, gauze bandages, decongestant, bandage tape, tweezers, pepto bismol or antacid tabs, thermometer, antihistamine)
Utility knife, sewing kit, books, camera

A small warning about bringing your ipod. It’s been our experience that ipods experience some difficulty working at high altitudes so you might want to think twice about bringing your ipod on a trek.

When should I go?

Trekking season is dependant on the climate patterns of the Himalaya. Generally treks are most enjoyable in the autumn. From mid-August to

the end of November, the mountain views are spectacular, the forests are busting with color and the weather is cool, sunny and pleasant. This is however the time when most trekkers hit the trail so crowding at these times is likely in guesthouses and flights fill up quickly. Another option is to trek in the spring time. From March until May the mountain views are clear and the weather is warm and pleasant. Forests are blooming with Rhododendron, Nepal’s national flower. Trekking in the winter is also possible but days are shorter and heavy snows at high altitudes can cause difficulties on a trek. From June until mid August the monsoon rains turn most of the trekking trails into slippery slopes and the heavy rains wash away some trails. Although unlikely to affect a trek, landslides are also common during the monsoon. The benefits of trekking during the monsoon are that the landscape is a lush, bright green and the sight of the clouds cradling the mountains are magical.

Visas and permits

Foreign Nationals, with the exception of SAARC Nationals (India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Pakistan and Nepal) and Chinese Nationals need a visa to enter Nepal. Visa’s can be obtained at the Kathmandu International airport upon arrival or at all border crossings. To get a visa you’ll need a passport size photograph and $30 USD for a 60 day visa. You can renew your visa for up to an additional 90 days if necessary. For travel to Tibet you need to obtain a Chinese visa. US citizens need to pay $50 for a single entry, $75 for a double entry within six months. All other foreign nationals must pay a $30 fee for a single entry and $45 for a double entry within six months. You can obtain a Chinese visa in your home country or from the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu. You’ll need blank pages in your passport and photographs as well as photocopies of your passport. To travel to Tibet you need a special permit. This permit can only be arranged through a tour operator. Mogambo will arrange the permit when you book travel with us.

Additionally to trek in Nepal you need permits to enter conservation areas. Below is a list of fees for trekking permits:

Everest Regions : SAARC 100, Other 1000 Nrs

Annapurna Region : SAARC 200, Other 2000 Nrs

Langtang Region : SAARC 100, Other 1000 Nrs

Kanchenjunga Region : $10 per week and 1000 Nrs.

Restricted access areas

Dolpo Region $10 per week permit

(Shey Phoksumdo National Park) 1000 Nrs. entrance fee

Inner Dolpo (Northern Dolpo) $700 per person for 10 days

Mustang Region $700 per person for 10 days

Manaslu Region $90 per person per week (Oct/Nov) and $75 for other months +2000 Nrs entrance fee

Humla/Mt. Kailas $90 per person one week ($15 per person per day thereafter)

Hotels and Accommodation

Mogambo can offer you a wide variety accommodation from five star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara to modest guest houses and family homes. We will work with you to reserve comfortable and affordable accommodation to suit your taste during your travels.

Health and safety

While in Nepal and Tibet it’s important to follow some simple guidelines to stay safe and healthy. If you are undertaking a trek, mountain expedition or white water trip your guide will give you information about specific hazards. Some of the most common problems associated with travel to Nepal and Tibet are:
Altitude sickness

Bacterial Infections in the stomach

Mosquito and insect bites

Sprained or strained muscles or joints

Sunburn/Windburn

These can be easily prevented by taking special precautions and bringing along some basic first aid. First aid and medicine is readily available in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lhasa. We provide a list of recommended medicine to bring along on a trek in the What to Bring Section.

Packages

Whether you are traveling alone, with family or children or in a group we can arrange packages that include multiple activities to get the most of your time in Nepal and Tibet. We never force you to go on any kind of organized tour group. You will be trekking with your friends but if you want to join a group we are happy to find others to join your trek.

Transportation in country

Once you arrive we will ensure you have adequate, reliable safe modes of transport. We can book domestic flights, bus tickets, helicopters, and private vehicles for overland travel. We will work with you to determine the most cost effective and reliable means of transportation to reach your destinations.

Flights to Nepal and Tibet

Fights to Nepal are serviced through Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). The following airlines provide flights to Nepal.

Air Arabia Biman Bangladesh Druk Air

Air China China Southern Jet Airways

Air Sahara Indian Airlines Cathay Pacific

Austrian Airlines Qatar Airways Korean Airlines

Thai Airways Nepal Airlines Gulf Air

The airlines above fly to Kathmandu via their worldwide partner airlines from all over the world. We also book domestic flights within Nepal and recommend you book in country flights once you arrive here.

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