Question 1

Are COVID-19 vaccinations required for my Indico Travels tour?

Accepted Answer

To help protect our travellers, employees and local communities on our tours, we require all participants to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Indico Travels may request official documentation of vaccination, which will be required as a part of the booking process.

Are there exemptions? If for some reason you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you can apply for exemption, which will be assessed on a case by case basis.  To apply for an exemption, please contact us.

What proof of vaccination may be required? Official documentation of vaccination either in paper or digital format are required. Here are some examples including but not limited to: EU travellers - EU Digital COVID Pass, UK travellers: NHS card, USA traveller - CDC vaccination record.

How will you ensure the safety of my data/vaccination records? Your vaccination status and documentation will be stored in our secure CRM system that is fully compliant with German data protection rules.

Question 2

COVID regulations in Nepal

Accepted Answer

Fully vaccinated travellers to Nepal are eligible for a visa on arrival. They dont have to quarantine. Upon entering the country, foreign nationals need to produce proof of their vaccination: at least 14 days need to have passed since the final dose.
Regular surgical masks have to be worn in crowded public spaces.

Check with your airline if you have to take a PCR test
The Nepalese government is currently not requiring a PCR test, however some airlines do require one. (for some airlines, it’s 48 hours - check. In December, Qatar Airlines said 72 hours is fine). If you have to get a test, ask your test centre to supply the results in English, as other languages aren’t necessarily accepted. Print a copy of the results to take. (Status: March 28th 2022)

Complete COVID Health form online
Before your flight, you need to complete a COVID health form (status: March 28th 2022). Complete it online here: https://ccmc.gov.np/arms/person_add_en.php . Your temporary address is Hotel Shambala. Street Name: Bansbari Road. Ward Number 03. Municipality: Kathmandu. District: Kathmandu. Telephone: +977 1 4650541, Email: info@shambalahotel.com Download your health form once complete, including the bar code (important). Print a hard copy to take.

Question 3

Can I cancel my trip?

Accepted Answer

You may cancel your place on our tours at any time. If you have booked our [Flexi fare](https://www.indicotravels.com/flexible-booking-conditions), you can cancel for free up to 65 days before your departure. 
You may also choose to rebook to a different date or tour, which costs 50 Euro, if no other irredeemable costs have been incurred by us.

a) General cancellation fees (as a percentage of the booking price):

**For bookings in the CLASSIC fare:**

- up to 65 days before departure 20%
- from the 64th to the 30th day before departure 25%
- from the 29th to the 15th day before departure 45%
- from the 14th to the 7th day before departure 60%
- from the 6th day before departure 80%
- on the day of departure and in case of no-show 90%

**For bookings in the FLEXI fare**

- up to 65 days before departure 0%
- from the 64th to the 30th day before departure 20%
- after 29 days before departure, cancellation fees are identical to those in the CLASSIC fare

Indico Travels reserves the right to claim a higher, specifically calculated compensation instead of the above cancellation flat rates if Ventura can prove that significantly higher expenses were incurred than the applicable cancellation flat rate.

For more information on our cancellation policy, you can have a look at our [Terms & Conditions](https://www.indicotravels.com/terms).

Question 4

Can you help with booking flights?

Accepted Answer

Weve found our travelers prefer to book their flights themselves as they can choose their local departure airport, and decide themselves whether to prioritise by cost of the flight, duration, airline etc. Were vry happy to give you tips on how to get the best flight deals - just drop us a note!

Question 5

How do I get my visa for Nepal?

Accepted Answer

Tourists visas are available on arrival for: EU nationals, nationals from the USA, Switzerland, Norway, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand as well as the large majority of other nations.

In order to speed up the process at the airport in Kathmandu, we strongly recommend you pre-apply for the visa online. You can do this via this [link](https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/onlinevisa-mission/application) no earlier than 15 days before entering the country. This will save you time at the airport.

This information is just for guidance, please check for updated regulations or information before traveling!

Last updated on: September 26th, 2022

Question 6

How do I pay in Nepal?

Accepted Answer

The Nepalese rupee (NPR) is the official currency of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The Nepalese Rupee is subdivided into 100 paisa.

You can easily exchange a wide variety of currencies in cities and towns frequented by tourists in Nepal. There are many money changers in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan. You can also exchange your money in hotels, guesthouses; you won’t be getting the best rates, though. The most readily accepted currencies are US Dollars and Euros. Major currencies can be used to buy souvenirs and other such items feared at foreigners, but its advisable to keep some local currency on your person for drinks and food.

While credit cards can often be used to pay for services, carrying some cash will make paying a lot easier. Credit cards can typically be used to withdraw money from ATMs, which can be found across Kathmandu and Pokhara.

While youre at the airport, you may want to consider changing some cash to local currency if the queue at the money exchange is short (your driver and fellow passengers will be waiting for you). You will get another chance to withdraw or change money at a better rate later during the tour, but it can help to have some cash for the beginning of the tour.

Question 7

How does tipping work in Nepal?

Accepted Answer

Nepal is a country where tipping is common. We recommend setting up a tipping kitty for the group, if everyone agrees - where you put money together at the beginning of the tour and one elected person tips on behalf of the group, for ease and speed.

At hotels, USD 1 per room would be average for the hotel porter and housekeeping staff.
Small activities like boating/ canoe ride/ rickshaw ride: It is customary to leave some small change.
At restaurants, 10% of service charge is included on most of the bills you pay. Check if the service charge is included. Is it is not, 10% of the total bill would be a normal amount for a tip.
Drivers/porters/helpers: An average tip would be 8 USD per day per group, larger if the group is bigger. 
Guides: General guidelines for tipping guides would be upwards of 15 USD per day per group, larger if the group is larger or if you felt especially well taken care of.

All of the above is just a suggestion. It all depends on your generosity and the service and attention that youve received.

Question 8

How fit do I need to be to hike the Himalayas during my Nepal trip?

Accepted Answer

Although the trek we do is considered the lower end of the moderate trek, the experience may differ as some have different paces and physical abilities than others.

We suggest that you prepare yourself during a few weeks before the start of the tour: Go for longer walks and include different heights if possible. Use the shoes you will bring to Nepal so that you get used to them.

Be aware that some sections of the trek consist of uneven stone steps without a handrail.

Question 9

Id like to arrive a day/some days earlier, or add a few days to the end of my trip. Can I?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely - we encourage that! We can help you extend your stay at the groups hotels, book an airport pickup, and give you tips for things to do regionally if you drop us a [message](https://www.indicotravels.com/contact). For some trips, there are also pre-planned excursions - check your trip itinerary.

Question 10

Ive never traveled with a tour group before - how do I know this is for me?

Accepted Answer

Many of our clients have never traveled with a travel group before - we hadnt either! Weve specifically developed our trips with solo travelers in mind, meaning we give you some spare time and space in which you can do our own thing, but you can also buddy up with people in the group if you like. Traveling with a tour group has great benefits: you get access to locations and communities you wouldnt get on your own, you travel with a local expert and everything is organised for you on the ground, so you can just relax into enjoying your new experiences. Plus, you get to meet a bunch of new people your age who are up for shared adventures!

Question 11

If Im not in my 30s & 40s, can I still join the trip?

Accepted Answer

Our trips are made specifically for people in their 30s and 40s, as we know there are many other travel brands out there catering to other age groups. If youre under 30 or over 49, do check out our sister brands Galapatours and Polartours, who offer boat excursions. If you speak German or French, we also have group travel sister brands that offer trips for all ages. Find our about them here: https://www.venturatravel.org/brands

Question 12

What is the best time to travel to Nepal?

Accepted Answer

There are benefits to visiting Nepal during many months of the year.  Mid-February to May is spring season the weather is mild and grass is low in Chitwan National Park. October and November is autumn and the temperature is pleasant and air clear - great for trekking. December/January is winter, so it can be chilly (down to 4 degrees at night), but if you dont mind wrapping up, the skies tend to be clear, which is great for Himalaya views. On the flip side, the grass is a bit higher in Chitwan in those months, so wildlife may be less easy to spot - you may be able to spot animals anyway, though. June-August should be avoided due to the monsoon.

Question 13

What other vaccinations are recommended or required for my trip?

Accepted Answer

Please check our COVID-19 FAQ regarding COVID vaccinations. Aside from that, as a tour operator, we are not allowed to give specific vaccination recommendations for liability reasons. We strongly recommend that you consult your local doctor or, even better, a qualified doctor specialized in tropical diseases in good time before your trip. Here are some relevant links for residents of several countries: UK: [Gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice), USA: [U.S. Centers for Disease Control](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list/) and Germany: [Auswärtiges Amt](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/reise-gesundheit/gesundheit-reise-laender/1609092).

Please note that for our Colombia tour, a yellow fever vaccination is not mandatory.

Question 14

When can I book my international flights?

Accepted Answer

As soon as we have confirmed that the minimum number of participants for your trip has been reached and the trip is therefore guaranteed to take place, you can book your flights. The trip will be confirmed or cancelled at least 45 days before departure. We will be happy to give you tips on booking flights! By the way: it is in our interest to fill the trips as soon as possible, so we do our best to confirm them as soon as possible.

Question 15

When is a trip guaranteed to take place?

Accepted Answer

A trip is guaranteed to take place when the minimum number of participants has been reached. If you have already booked before the minimum number of participants has been reached, we will let you know, so you can book your flights. We will confirm or cancel the trip no later than 45 days before the scheduled departure date. If a trip has to be cancelled unexpectedly, you will of course receive a 100% refund of your deposit or any other payments made.

Question 16

Where does the Nepal trip start & end?

Accepted Answer

The tour starts and ends in Kathmandu.

Question 17

What language are the tours led in?

Accepted Answer

We are an English speaking company based in Berlin. Our tours are led in English and co-travellers are international English speakers.

2 Weeks in Nepal

Join others in their 30s and 40s on this trip to the Himalayas

Nepal: Hiking the Himalayas

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