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Nepal Travel Tips
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Kathmandu | On The Trail | Trekking Gently | Cultural Considerations | Photography
Kathmandu
- Flying in from the east (Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong), select seats on the right for a view of the Himalaya.
- A local tour operator can arrange flights over Everest (video).
- The new Patan Museum, housed in a renovated palace, is worth a trip for its elegantly displayed Hindu and Buddhist sculptures.
- Pilgrim’s Books in the Thamel district has a great selection of books about Asia and Nepal.
On The Trail
- One of the best ways to physically prepare for a trek is to climb stairs before you leave home.
- Avoid bringing new hiking boots unless you have time to break them in beforehand.
- Pace yourself. Slowing down to between one-half and two-thirds your normal hiking speed will allow you to cover long distances without becoming overtired.
- Don’t bring cotton clothing for the trail. Fabrics made of synthetic fibers that wick perspiration away from your body are best.
- Drink only purified water, and always wash your hands before eating. Bring antibacterial hand cleaner—soap and water are not always available.
Trekking Gently
- Bring a plastic container that can be filled with boiling water and carried with you.
- Water must be boiled or treated with iodine before it is safe to drink.
- Avoid purchasing water in nonbiodegradable plastic bottles.
- Bring longer-lasting lithium batteries and take them home with you.
- Remove unnecessary packaging before leaving home and store items in reusable containers.
- Choose a reputable trekking agency and ask about their conservation practices (video: our head Sherpa on responsible trekking).
Cultural Considerations
- Revealing clothes are not acceptable for women, and men should always wear a shirt.
- Pass religious sites and prayer flags on the left.
- When you sit, avoid pointing your feet at any sacred objects or at another person. Feet are considered unclean.
- Do not pat anyone on the head, not even children. It is considered the spiritual apex of the body and therefore sacred.
Photography
- Always ask permission to take someone’s photograph.
- Do not promise to send photographs unless you intend to follow through.
- When in doubt about taking a picture, ask yourself if it would be appropriate in the same circumstances at home.
- In Nepalese airports carry your film with you and ask that it be inspected by hand. Despite what you may be told, not all x-ray equipment there is safe for film.
- Lighting conditions in Nepal are extreme. For best results, shoot in the early morning or late in the day.
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