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• lightweight windproof jacket
for open air travel at sunrise and sunset
• a shower jacket is ideal between March and October in case of
early or late rain
• fleece, trousers and warm hat (Oct-Feb) until sun is up,
especially in the hills
• hat to protect head and neck from sun
• good quality ‘wraparound’ sunglasses with retainer
• small ruck-sack to keep belongings together and dust out
• metal/ insulated bottle to keep water cool (always carry water
and a snack on longer trips)
Animals
The best advice is not to handle them at all, aside from other
risks they may carry a variety of parasites and skin disease.
Don’t feed wildlife it can encourage unnatural dependency and
disease.
Responsible Tourism
Nepal’s resources are limited, please use as little water and
power as possible. Carry rubbish away with you and decline plastic
bags (buy or bring fabric ‘shoppers’), apart from being unsightly
wildlife can be injured or poisoned. Common sense and common
courtesy should prevail in all your actions. Don’t buy animal
products, and satisfy yourself that wooden items are from a
sustainable source. Giving sweets, pens or small gifts to children
should be discretionary, bear in mind the expectancy that might
grow from such ‘kindness’ at home, it is preferable to trade names
and show some pictures from your home.
Inoculations and Malaria
Always seek the advice of your doctor at least two months before
travel. Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Polio, Tetanus and Diphtheria are
generally advised as in most of Asia and Africa. It makes sense to
get a hepatitis booster within 6 months for long term cover. A
range of anti-malarial drugs that reduce the risk of contracting
malaria is available, however avoidance of bites is the most
effective prevention. Mosquitoes are most virulent during and
immediately after monsoon. In the evening opt for long sleeves and
trousers, light coloured close woven material is ideal, avoid
perfume or after-shave and protect yourself with a good insect
repellent (we find Jungle Formula effective). At night a mosquito
net (especially an impregnated one) gives good protection, along
with mosquito coils or ‘buzzers’.
Water and Diarrhoea
Bacteria multiply quickly in a hot climate, diarrhoea is commonly
your stomachs reaction to the unfamiliar germs. When not
accompanied by other symptoms it should pass within 24 hours, but
it is essential to replace lost fluids and salts. Only bottled or
boiled and filtered water should be used for drinking, and always
check the seal on bottles. Pay particular attention to personal
hygiene, wash hands often, especially before eating, keep cuts
clean and covered, use bottled water for tooth brushing. Be wary
of salads, prepared fruit and ice.
First Aid and Medical Treatment
If in doubt concerning any medical issue you should always seek
expert advice. It is sensible to carry with you antiseptic cream,
spray or wipes, plasters, a sealed bandage, diarrhoea treatment
(always read instructions), re-hydration sachets, insect repellent
and bite soothing cream, aspirin or paracetemol. Keep an adequate
supply of any regular medication in your hand luggage.
Clothing
(See also On Safari) ‘beachwear’ away from the poolside or beach
usually won’t cause offence but will make you the centre of
attention, T-shirts are fine but even men shouldn’t go topless.
Ladies should opt for shorts or skirts no shorter than a few
inches above the knee. Roads and tracks are often unsurfaced and
uneven so trainers or all-terrain sandals are a good idea. When
visiting temples women should keep legs, chest and shoulders
covered, and men should wear trousers, always remove your shoes
before entering.
Laundry
Most hotels and lodges offer a laundry service, this is often
same-day and cheap but clothing will be vigorously washed,
delicate items should not be handed over. Socks and underwear are
often excluded.
Communications
The ISD/STD phone booths will usually be cheaper than hotel rates
and are open almost all hours in some areas. Internet facilities
are available in some larger hotels and cities, private cafes are
cheaper but tend to be slow. Post can take several weeks to reach
its destination, put postcards inside envelopes and ensure that
stamps are franked; city hotels will often handle this for you.
Cameras
There are currently no fees in National Parks for still or amateur
video cameras. Colour print film is quite widely available (except
APS) but check the use-by date and storage conditions before
buying. More specialised supplies should be brought with you from
home (remember to check your camera batteries). Lens cleaning
materials are invaluable. Ask before taking photos of people,
historic and religious sites, do not take photographs at or near
airports, military locations or of important structures and
industries.
Money
Rupees cannot be carried in or out of Nepal; a mixture of cash and
travellers cheques provides the best degree of security and
flexibility. Exchange facilities are available at the airport and
many hotels, strongly request some small notes; 10Rs, 50Rs and
100Rs, $1 bills are also useful for tips etc. US dollars and
sterling are the easiest currencies to exchange, Indian Rupees are
also viable. Exchange rate is approximately 115Rs/ £1 and 80Rs/$.
Time Difference
Indian Standard Time is 5 ¾ hours ahead of GMT and 10 ¾ hours
ahead of American EST.
Visas
Are required and should be issued by your Nepalese Commission/
Embassy before you travel.
Electricity
Many areas do not have a mains supply, the voltage is 220V AC and
some sensitive equipment may need a voltage stabiliser. Round
3-large pin plugs are common, but some hotels take European 2-pin
and even UK plugs; bring a universal adapter from home. Generators
are used in more remote locations and the supply is not continuous
and can be inadequate for higher voltage items (including hair
driers and battery chargers), some lodges offer battery charging
on request.
Lighting
Where there is no mains electricity flashlights, candles and
kerosene lamps are used. Candles should not be left unattended and
kerosene lamps should not be taken inside your room due to the
fumes. A head torch is particularly useful for walking at night or
if you wish to read.
Hot water
At National Parks the camps and lodges often use solar heated
water, during the day and evening there should be a plentiful
supply. Early in the morning you can expect only tepid water at
best, but buckets of hot water can be requested to be brought to
your room/ tent.
Road Travel
Due to the mountainous terrain there can be landslides during the
monsoon, the damage caused can lead to even major highways being
under repair for several months afterwards. In rural areas the
roads are often unsealed and the final stage of your journey may
be quite bumpy, some wildlife lodges even require a river boat
crossing. There are regular army and police checkpoints on all
roads, these do cause delays as most Nepali passengers are
checked, usually Westerners are waved on but occasionally you will
be required to open your luggage for inspection.
Domestic Flights
Check-in time is at least one hour beforehand. Departure times can
be very ‘approximate’ due to early morning fog pushing all
schedules back, ask your city representative or lodge staff to
check ahead for you. At some airports your representative will not
be allowed to accompany you inside the main building and your
tickets and bags may be checked before you can enter. The limit
for checked in luggage is generally 15kg per person and the items
must be X-rayed or physically examined before check in, usually
just inside the airport entrance. Domestic departure tax is
currently 165Rs per person and is purchased before check in.
Before proceeding to the departure gate your hand luggage (1
piece) will also be examined and you may be frisked, this is
repeated before boarding the aircraft. Some flights require you to
identify your bag on the tarmac before it is loaded on to the
aircraft.
International Flights
Allow the now ‘standard’ two to three hours before departure for
check-in, international departure tax is 1100Rs in cash which is
payable at the dedicated desk. Your representative will not be
able to accompany you inside but he can appoint a porter with
airport clearance to help you with your bags and guide you through
check-in, 100Rs is acceptable for this service.
Useful Things to Take
Torch and batteries, insulated water bottle, mosquito net,
adhesive tape, alarm clock, wet-wipes, tissues, small ruck-sack,
fabric shopping bags, padlock. |
