Update Jan 18th, 2023: Coronavirus Updates
Nepal officially reopened to tourism on Sept 24, 2021 and is issuing visas on arrival to all travelers including those that are unvaccinated. Unvaccinated travelers still need to get a covid test 72 hours before their departing flight. Vaccinated travelers do not need a Covid test but need to show proof of vaccination that was completed at least 14 days prior to departure.
Pre-Arrival:
- A vaccination certificate that shows your vaccination was completed at least 14 days prior to arrival in Nepal.
- If you’re unvaccinated you will need a Negative Covid test within 72 hours of your first departing flight.
On Departure from Nepal:
- Check with your airline to see if you will need a Covid test prior to departing Nepal. We can help arrange this. Please arrange an extra day at the end of your trek to accommodate for testing if needed. We will help you organize and arrange covid testing but the cost is not included in our packages. Please expect taxi charges and $15 to $25 for each covid test.
Safety Protocol in Nepal
Our guides and office team in Nepal have been fully briefed on Covid-19 safety. We will be taking the following steps to ensure your safety during your trip.
- All team members have been trained in Covid-19 prevention protocol.
- Cleaning and disinfection of all trekking gear and equipment after every trek.
- Proper hand sanitization of crew members and guides.
- All food packaging and cooking areas will be properly cleaned and sanitized.
Current Situation Updates
We are closely monitoring the situation in Nepal and will be updating this blog post on a regular basis as new information becomes available.
We take our guest’s safety very seriously and always recommend following US State Department and CDC travel guidelines. The latest updates can be viewed on the following links:
US State Department Updates
UK Foreign Travel Advice
Nepal Immigration & Visa Updates
2023 Trekking Season :
There are several factors we are encouraging our guests to consider while they plan their trek:
1) Visa Requirements, Quarantine Requirements & Covid Testing – As updated at the start of this blog post.
2) Flight into Nepal – International flights have resumed to Nepal. If your flight schedule is changed we will work with you to make sure that your trip runs as smoothly as possible.
With the travel restrictions in place many airlines are offering free cancellation or adjustments for your flights if your travel dates are impacted. Please check the terms on your ticket and consider getting supplemental travel insurance to cover any delays or cancellations if this situation impacts your trip.
We recommend watching your flight plan closely for any updates, and please keep us advised of your current flight status so we can arrange your airport pickup. You can call our 24/7 support number (+1 385 297 0396) with any last minute changes.
3) Covid-19 Testing Details – During weekdays (Sunday to Thursday) you can get rapid test results on the same day as long as you take the test before noon and if after 1pm or on weekends (Friday & Saturday) you can get the test result the following day.
Note: Transfers to the hospital and testing costs are not included in our trekking packages. Tests cost between $15 and $25 and we can assist with the arrangements.
4) Travel Insurance – We require travel insurance on most all treks that covers evacuations up to 6000m. Given current circumstances it’s a good idea to also make sure that your insurance covers trip interruption or changes to your international flights. Some insurance companies offer a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade for an additional cost that may be worth the money. Keep in mind that your travel insurance will not cover your cancellation without a valid reason.
Rescheduling Policy
The situation with the Coronavirus has many travelers very nervous and is a common question from our guests. We understand that personal safety concerns or country specific travel restrictions may make travel currently impossible. So, what are your options if you need to cancel?
Reschedule Free of Cost. We will apply your deposit to a new date. You don’t need to decide on the date now. We will hold your booking deposit until you’re ready to plan whether it’s later this year or even in 2024. Please notify us of your cancellation at least 30 days before your trip.
Travel Insurance. Many travel insurance policies cover lost trip costs including deposits. We will help you with any necessary documentation for your claim.
Choose a Different Trip. We lead treks and tours to Tanzania, Patagonia, Antarctica, Bhutan, Peru and Ecuador. If you would like to change your destination we can apply your deposit towards a different trip.
We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during this time of crisis.
To check our entire policy view our: Terms of Service
It can be hard to plan for an international trip while conditions are uncertain, but we are happy to help with any questions you have. We have been leading treks in Nepal for over a decade. Our team is experienced in managing logistics and ensuring our guests are safe and comfortable during situations like this.
