Please note there is a minimum of two participants required per departure date. If you are the only person booked for a particular departure, you have the option to either pay a fee of $150 to maintain your solo departure or postpone the trip to a different date at no additional charge. If the two person minimum has been met, then there is no additional fee. Do not make travel arrangements until you receive confirmation from Ace the Himalaya.

Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu, Nepal where you’ll be met by a representative from Ace the Himalaya and transferred to your hotel.

Yes, you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. A Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 15 days can be obtained by paying $25 USD or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, a 30 day visa can be obtained by paying $40 USD or equivalent foreign currency and a 90 day visa can be obtained by paying $100 USD. Please also bring a copy of your travel insurance, a copy of your passport, and three photos (passport size) with you for your trip to Nepal (you'll need photos for trekking permits).

Accommodations include shared rooms in 3- to 4-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and guesthouse accommodations along the trek. The guesthouses provide basic, clean facilities with a mattress and quilt or blanket. You should plan to bring your own sleeping bag, although Ace the Himalaya can provide one for the trip if necessary (please let them know in advance).

If you would like your own room for the entire trip, you'll need to pay a single supplement fee of $300 directly to Ace the Himalaya.

This trek is suitable for average people who are moderately fit, thus no previous experience is needed. Physical fitness programs such as running, swimming, and hiking are recommended before the trip in order to prevent injury and maximize enjoyment.

The trekking season extends from September to May. From early September, the monsoonal rains decrease. By the end of September to December, the weather is usually stable with mild to warm days and cold nights. Autumn temperatures range from a maximum of about 80 F to lows around 25 F, with a daily average high of 68 F. Autumn is a very popular time for trekking as the clear blue sky offers amazing views from almost any angle. Winter lasts from mid-December to February in this region, with temperatures ranging from the low 60's F during the day to about 15 F at night. There are fewer trekkers in winter than other times of year, and will appeal to those who want to avoid the crowds. Spring is from March through early June, and temperatures range from around 80 F to 32 F, with a daily average high around 68 F. Clear skies and abundant wildflowers at lower altitudes make this a very popular time to visit.

Most guesthouses cook a delicious range of primarily vegetarian fare. Pasta, tuna bakes, potatoes, eggs, dhal bhat, bread, soups, fresh vegetables, and even some desserts are common. You’ll find a lot of garlic on the menu, as it assists with acclimatization. In many larger villages, you may find meat on the menu. You can always get hot chocolate, tea, hot lemon drinks, soft drinks, and sweet treats.

In most places, bottled water is readily available to purchase from the guesthouses. If you wish to drink tap water, you’ll need to bring your own purification system.

It depends on your spending habits. Generally, in Kathmandu and Pokhara you can allocate $10 to $15 USD for a lunch and a dinner. $10 to $15 USD per person a day will be enough to buy bottles of water, chocolates, and pay for a hot shower and a few drinks during the trekking portion of the journey. In Kathmandu and Pokhara, credit cards are accepted to some extent. Once you are out of the cities, cash is best. Please change your currency to local Nepali Rupees before you go into the mountains.

Tipping is not required, but a small gesture of thanks to your guides and local porters is appreciated. The level of the tip should reflect the level of satisfaction from and personal involvement with your guide. It is fairly standard to budget a minimum of 10% of your total trip cost for tips. Guidelines for tipping guides and porters will be given to you at the pre-trip meeting in Kathmandu before starting the trek.

Yes, Ace the Himalaya insures all of their trekking staff, including the guides, cooks, sherpas, and porters. All guides have also completed the 45-day Trekking Guide certification from the Hotel Management and Tourism Center in Nepal, as well as high altitude first aid training from KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project).

While on the trek, a porter will take care of your luggage. Two clients share one porter. Ace the Himalaya will supply you a trek duffel bag where you can keep your heavy items - this bag is carried by the porter. You'll need to bring your own daypack which you'll carry yourself. In the daypack, you can put money, important documents, a water bottle or hydration bladder, camera, toiletries, sunscreen, notebook, and anything you want to be easily accessible. The weight limit for each porter is 33 pounds (15 kg) for each client, so it is recommended you pack as carefully as you can and not exceed the weight limit. You can leave your non-trekking luggage at the locker facility in the Kathmandu hotel.

The following is a suggested packing list to use as a guide:
- 4-season sleeping bag (sleeping bags rated to 14 deg F are available to borrow from Ace the Himalaya)
- Day pack
- Down or synthetic (Primaloft or equivalent) insulated jacket (can be borrowed from Ace the Himalaya)
- Sun hat
- Beanie or watch cap to cover the ears
- Sunglasses
- Neck warmer
- Liner gloves
- Winter shell gloves
- T-shirts
- Thermal tops
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Waterproof, breathable shell jacket
- Thermal bottoms
- Trekking pants and shorts
- Waterproof pants
- Casual pants
- Liner socks
- Heavyweight socks
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Light shoes/sneakers/sandals
- First aid kit to include extra strength Excedrin for altitude related headaches, Ibuprofen for general aches and pains, Immodium or Pepto Bismol capsules for upset stomach or diarrhea, anti-infection ointments, Band-aids, lip balm (at least SPF 20), sunscreen (SPF 40 or greater)
- Passport and extra passport photos (3 copies)
- Airline ticket (please make a copy and leave one at our office in Kathmandu just in case you need to change the date of your flight)
- Durable wallet/pouch for travel documents, money & passport
- Water bottle
- Water purification Iodine tablets
- Toiletry kit (be sure to include toilet paper stored in a plastic bag, hand wipes, and liquid hand sanitizer, towel, soap, etc.)

Optional items:
- Adjustable trekking poles
- Favorite snack foods (no more than 2 pounds)
- Paperback books, cards, mp3 player
- Binoculars
- Cameras (memory cards, chargers, batteries)
- Pee bottle for men and pee funnel for women

Note: Tight fitting, figure-hugging clothing can often be offensive to locals, especially to women. If you find these items comfortable as a base layer, please pack something to wear on top of them.

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for all trips. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement if you are forced to cancel your trip for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to cover medical help, emergency transport, and/or theft or accidental damage while traveling. For travel insurance, we recommend World Nomads.

We recommend you visit the local government websites where you plan to travel and review the required documentation for entry, current restrictions, and general recommendations for travel within the area. We encourage you to also visit your home country's embassy website if you are traveling to a foreign country. Requirements can change rapidly. Please be sure you stay abreast of the requirements and restrictions for anywhere you plan to visit. You can also enroll in the U.S. government’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and you will be sent updates if the situation in your destination changes. You can find the program link at https://step.state.gov/.

Book confidently with Free Cancellations within 72 hours of booking. After 72 hours, cancellation fees will apply. Cancellations are subject to the full discretion of Ace the Himalaya. For more information on our Travel Cancellation Policy please Click Here.