Yoga Sols Nepali Trek & Retreats
Payment Amount and Deadlines
The deposit and final payment amount dates are outlined in the full itinerary that was emailed to you. If you need another copy of this, please let us know or you can find our full itinerary on our website.
Flights / Checked Baggage
You will need to arrange your own flights and visas to and from Nepal.
By booking your own flights this will give you the freedom to choose your preferred airline, and flight time. The first day in Nepal is a rest day and on the second day we begin our tours. Therefore, it is important that you arrive in Kathmandu no later than the 2nd day of the scheduled retreat dates.
We recommend China Southern Air as they offer very reasonable rates (approx. $850 – $950 return), and you have the advantage of having 2 checked-in bags at 23kg per person. Claire has been flying with this airline for many years and have had nothing but positive experiences with them. Closer to the date, we will suggest a flight time so that you are all able to travel together.
Claire or one of the Nepali team will greet you at the airport upon your arrival.
There will be men outside the airport willing to help you with your bags. They are not part of our party, and we encourage you to say no to help as they will need a tip. Please only accept help from your driver.
Road travel in Nepal is slow and sometimes hard going as road surfaces have been damaged. They are still recovering from the Earthquake in 2015 that left extensive damage to the country.
Your airline will stipulate how much luggage you can check-in without additional costs. YogaSol is not responsible for additional charges that you may incur for going over your allocated baggage weight limits or assisting in holding onto your personal effects to keep your baggage under the airlines weight limit.
Vaccinations & Health
Most airlines and countries require a minimum of 2 covid vaccinations to enter the country. Please ensure you have your vaccination certificate available for your trip.
It is important you speak with your GP/Healthcare provider to discuss any vaccinations or health concerns you may have prior to travelling to Nepal. If you have scripts that need to be filled, or important medication make sure you have enough prior to travel. Bring a script with you in case you lose your medication. There are many chemists in Nepal for over-the-counter medications. You may also find some medications that you need a script for in Australia you can buy in Nepal without.
Websites such a Travel Doctor may offer you assistance in travel vaccinations, health risks, and altitude sickness advice.
https://www.traveldoctor.com.au/destinations/nepal
Malaria is not a threat in Nepal, but precaution against mosquito bites is advised.
Claire will be carrying an extensive first aid kit with them on the trek. Emergency numbers (dental, hospital, GP) will be provided to you via email.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness can be experienced from as low as 2,500m above sea level however most people only experience this at approx. 5,000m and above.
The highest point of our trek is just over 4,000m above sea level. The risk of altitude sickness is higher if you are flown into a high altitude, and then proceed to start climbing. As we are slowly ascending each day on our trek, we have time to acclimatise to the conditions. As we are flying into Kathmandu (1,400m), it’s highly unlikely you would be at risk of developing altitude sickness. Should you have any concerns about altitude sickness please contact your GP/health care provider prior to travelling to Nepal.
Your Personal Health & Fitness Level
It is important that you consider your own health and fitness level before agreeing to partake in this trek and retreat. We encourage all our participants to consider discussing their health with their GP prior to travel.
It’s always good to prepare ahead of time and start exercising a few weeks/months in advance so your body is ready for the 7-day trek through the mountains in Nepal. The terrain is uneven and there are 2 days’ worth of stairs stairs stairs!
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not provided by Yoga Sol. We recommended One Cover Insurance however please do your own due diligence. We will need to see a copy of your insurance prior to travel. Copies of your travel insurance will need to be kept on you at all times (electronic or paper copies) in case of the event of an emergency.
Passport Renewal
This is the time to make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months on the date of departure. Failure to have 6 months left on your passport upon arrival at the airport can result in you not being able to fly.
Visas
In Kathmandu Airport there are automated booths where your visas can be obtained and paid for. You are welcome to pre purchase your Visa prior to travel: http://nepalconsulate.com.au/visa-application-form/
It is slightly cheaper to purchase your visa in Nepal, however there can be large lines and wait times.
Please bring 4 passport size photos of yourself, in case of power failure and for national park passes for the trek.
Luggage/ Hiking Packs
We recommend bringing (or purchasing/renting in Nepal) a hiking backpack for our 7 day trek and packing lightly for the trek. We recommend carrying around 6-8kg for women and no more than 12-14 kg for men. We will have a proportionate number of porters to trekkers to help with weight. We ask you to be considerate with our porters. We will have space in their bags for extras like sleeping bags but please pack lightly. We will not have our porters carry more than about 20kg each.
All poles’ bags and other Trekking equipment including warm clothes can be purchased and or rented in Nepal.
Any extra luggage can remain in a locked room in the hotel in Pokhara whilst we are trekking through the mountains.
Accommodation (electricity/ internet)
We will be staying at the gorgeous Potala Tourist Home in Kathmandu. Claire has a great relationship with the Hotel Manager Ramesh and have personally stayed there for many years.
In Pokhara we will be staying in The Noble inn, a family run Hotel with a beautiful garden perfect for relaxing in the afternoon sun.
Throughout our trek we will be staying at Tea Houses. The Tea houses are basic accommodation with just a bed and a shared toilet (some toilets are western, some eastern squat toilets). Most Tea Houses claim to have “hot” showers for a small charge. Hot water is produced by solar and if there is heavy cloud coverage there may not be any hot water. There is a central eating area with a fire. Not all tea houses will have electricity in the rooms.
Wi-Fi is available at our hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara. In these two cities you can find Wi-Fi in most bars and cafes. Along our Trek Wi-Fi can be found in most Tea Houses along the way some will ask for a small charge to connect to the Wi-Fi and to charge your devices. Electricity and the internet can be a bit hit and miss in Nepal. They do experience black outs often but only really last a few minutes.
Money Transfer
Nepalese Rupee has only last year become available for ordering at your local bank or travel agent. Before this it was a restricted currency, meaning you could not obtain it outside of Nepal. Most places do not keep the currency in stock so ordering before you go is an option. The safest way to access your money is to use one of the many ATMS in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Please check with your bank the charge of using an international ATM. Some banks have a much larger fee than others. Some banks may also need to be informed of your travel overseas to avoid your card being blocked by the fraud protection agency.
Credit card payment is sparse but can be found in a few shops and restaurants. You will often find one member of staff knows how to operate the machine if they have one and they will have to unplug the phone to plug it into the wall and turn it on. So don’t rely on credit cards for your payments.
The maximum amount of money withdrawal from an ATM is around nrp 35,000 which is around Au$435
Many shops and individuals will be happy to accept either US$ or AU$ especially when tipping. Tipping is customary but not mandatory.
Cost of Living per Day
Prices are approximate and vary from establishments.
Massages: $30AU/2400nrp
Henna: $15AU/1200nrp
We have a great Barber in Kathmandu that charges around 300nrp for the full head massage, cut and beard trim.
Basic Dahl Bhat Meal: $2.50AU/200nrp
Western Continental Meal: ranges from $5-$20AU/400nrp – 1,500nrp
Beer: Nepal Ice, Everest approx: $4.36/350nrp
Soft Drink: Coke, Sprite etc: $2.49/200nrp
Average daily cost for food and drink without shopping per person: Maximum of $40AU p/person p/day if dining out in restaurants designed for Western tourists. If you choose to eat in local Dahl Bhat houses and stay within the hotel’s restaurant this will be approx. $20AU p/person p/day. Please note this is an estimate and may vary greatly.
Claire will provide you with bottled drinking water in Kathmandu, as well as tea. Please note that milk is hard to come by in Nepal, tea will be served black. However milky tea is available in restaurants and cafes, including at the Hotel. If you love coffee, there are plenty of coffee shops, and the Himalayan Café near our hotel is part of the Starbucks franchise.
Weather in Nepal
February
On average the temperature in Kathmandu in February is 12 degrees Celsius with highs of 19 degrees and lows of 4 degrees. It can drop to 0 during the nights. It’s advisable to pack warm clothing.
November
On average the temperature in Kathmandu in November is 19 degrees Celsius with highs of 22 degrees and lows of 9 degrees. It’s advisable to pack warm clothing, however it is considered a great time of year for hiking without too much heat.
Please consider the temperature can drop very quickly at altitude, when clouds settle around you the temp can drop dramatically.
YogaSol’s Waiver
Yoga Sol has guidelines, terms and conditions and a waiver form that all participants must agree to follow if they wish to travel with us.
Please read, sign and return your waiver form prior to paying your deposit. Your waiver form can be emailed or printed and delivered to our studio in Ferny Hills.
You will not be able to partake in Yoga Sol’s Trek and Retreats if you do not agree to the Terms & Conditions outlined in this waiver and fail to sign the document.
Refunds
Should you no longer be able to attend the retreat after paying your deposit, you are welcome to a refund of your deposit minus all internal flights, taxes and trekking costs.
Should the situation arise that you can no longer attend the retreat after making your final payment you will be refunded all costs minus internal flights, taxes and trekking costs.
If you have any further questions, please contact us as soon as possible.
The Yoga Sol Team.