Does it matter what time I arrive or depart?

If you arrive/depart at any time on the scheduled start/end dates of your trip, OneSeed will arrange for airport transfers. Pickup will be arranged to efficiently transfer clients with flight times in close proximity (generally within one hour of each other). If you plan to arrive before the scheduled start date or stay past the end date of your trip, you will need to coordinate your own airport transfer or purchase a trip extension through OneSeed.

Do I need a visa? And what about passport requirements?

Visas are required in Nepal and can be purchased in cash at the airport upon arrival ($30 USD for up to 15 days, $50 USD for up to 30 days). You will need to apply for your visa prior to traveling. Visit the Nepali Department of Immigration site, and complete the Electronic Visa applicaion prior to departing your home country. When you land in Kathmandu, skip the kiosks and head directly to the payment counter, where you will pay for and receive your visa.

You must also bring two (2) passport sized photos for trekking permits. Your passport must be valid for six months after your country departure date. It should also have at least one blank page for any necessary stamps. Please keep your passport and visa with you at all times during your expedition.

What happens if my trip is altered due to unforseen circumstances?

Per the Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver Agreement, if your expedition must be altered at any point, you are responsible for any additional costs.Canceled flights and transportation strikes happen. We do our best to ensure that your experience is unaltered by handling the situation efficiently and smoothly. For complete terms and conditions, see here. We recommend reviewing optional trip cancellation and interruption insurance to cover expenses in these instances. Some instances that have come up are:

• A twisted ankle one week before a trip
• Power outages in the Atlanta airport leaving travelers stranded
• Burst appendix!
• Earthquakes or floods cutting a trip short

DO I NEED ANY IMMUNIZATIONS OR MEDICINE?

Talk to your physician and follow recommended CDC guidelines for Nepal. Some travelers choose to use prescriptions such as Diamox to treat altitude sickness. We recommend talking to your doctor about the use of any prescription medicine. We also recommend bringing common over the counter medications, such as Pepto Bismol, Immodium, Ibuprofen, and a decongestent.

WILL WE NEED TO FILTER WATER?

Safe drinking water will be provided to you along the trail. When in Kathmandu and other villages, be sure to only drink bottled water and do not use tap water to brush your teeth. Our goal is to reduce the number of single-use plastic water bottles on our expeditions. Your guide will be equipped with a SteriPen to purify water on the trail.

WHAT FOOD SHOULD I EXPECT TO EAT ON THE TRAIL?

REMEMBER: Avoid street food when you first arrive to Nepal! You do not want to begin your trek with unnecessary stomach issues. Food on the trail is rich in carbohydrates and protein since you'll be burning calories like a champ. Visit our blog post on tea houses in Nepal for a full list of food options. OneSeed is able to accommodate most allergies and dietary preferences. If you didn't include this information on your registration form, please email info@oneseedexpeditions.com. We recommend vegan travelers bring extra protein bars.

WHAT ARE THE ACCOMMODATIONS LIKE ON THE TRAIL?

Check out our blog post for a comprehensive overview of what to expect on your trek --> Tea Houses in Nepal: Everything You Need to Know About Accommodations on the Trail

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

• Please refer to our Terms & Conditions here: www.oneseedexpeditions.com/terms-of-service

WHAT IF THE FLIGHT TO LUKLA IS CANCELLED?

Your trip includes a commercial flight to Lukla. Flight delays due to weather conditions are common in the Himalayas. While nearly all flights leave as scheduled, your trip may be impacted.

If your flight is significantly delayed, you will have the option to wait for commercial flights to resume, or fly by helicopter to Lukla. If you choose to travel by helicopter, your original flight cost is refunded to you, and you will be responsible for the cost of the helicopter flight. You are responsible for any alternative transportation and additional lodging not included in your itinerary.

Helicopter flights to Lukla are typically $500-750 net cost per person.

We strongly recommend interruption/cancellation insurance to cover the cost of unexpected delays.

DO I NEED TO TIP MY GUIDE?

Tipping culture and etiquette vary from country to country. On multi-day expeditions, a great amount of organizational work is done by support staff who work around the clock to ensure travelers have the best possible experience. We have developed the blogpost below to act as a guide for tipping in Nepal. https://www.oneseedexpeditions.com/blog/tipping

WHAT IS THE ELEVATION? IS ALTITUDE A CONCERN?

The highest elevation you will reach on your trek is 18,219 ft. Trekking at high altitudes can become a concern above 10,000 ft. Some travelers choose to use prescriptions such as Diamox to treat altitude sickness. We recommend talking to your doctor about the use of any prescription medicine. We always advise hiking at your own pace, drinking plenty of water, and the importance of self-care on the trail.

DOES SOMEONE CARRY MY PACK?

Due to the high altitude and length of daily travel, you will carry a daypack and a porter will carry your duffle bag up to 22 lbs. The weight limit for porter transport should include your sleeping bag. Your daypack should contain any clothes needed for that day and any personal belongings like your camera or passport.

CAN I LEAVE SOME OF MY LUGGAGE IN THE HOTEL DURING THE TREK?

Yes! You will be staying at the same hotel before and after your trek in Kathmandu. Leaving an extra bag at the hotel during your trek is free of charge.

HOW SHOULD I TRAIN FOR MY TREK?

Daily mileage can range from 3-11 miles and 4-8 trekking hours per day. This expedition requires above average physical fitness. No technical skills are required and first-time trekkers are welcome. We always recommend that travelers break in their hiking boots before the expedition. Taking training hikes that mimic the mileage and amount of time you will be trekking in Nepal is highly recommended.

WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE?

Weather is always unpredictable which is why we recommend a comprehensive packing list. A sunny warm day can turn on a dime and end in rain. It never hurts to prep for both! Visit the terrain section above to see average temperatures and weather forecasts for the Annapurna region.

ANY OTHER TIPS?

We always ask that you stay safe on the trail by drinking plenty of water, eating well, and communicating openly with your guide about any issues that arise. Be sure to take care of your belongings, be respectful of your travel companions, practice your Nepali with people you meet along the way, and respect the natural landscape that you're exploring.