Important Pre-Departure Information
Please ensure you are well-prepared before embarking on your journey. It is crucial to carefully review all the information provided below to ensure a seamless travel experience and minimise potential problems. The Himalaya can be a dangerous and unforgiving place that can punish half-baked plans without mercy.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have provided and agreed clear, detailed and up-to-date information to your travel agent / trekking operator, who will strive to offer you exceptional service and information prior to your trip. However, travellers are responsible for certain aspects of their journey, notably the provision of timely information prior to departure, as well as journey flexibility especially while trekking, so that possible delays due to illness, weather, logistics, local elections or a host of other reasons can be accommodated.
All travellers to the Himalaya must take responsibility for arranging and obtaining the necessary entry documentation for the countries they plan to visit. Due to COVID and among other factors, entry requirements and restrictions imposed by foreign governments can change frequently, regardless of your travel plans. These regulations may be influenced by various factors such as your country of residence, passport nationality, destination, transit points, and travel history. Therefore, it is essential for travellers to conduct thorough research and understand the latest travel and health requirements and restrictions for their destination at the time of travel, as well as any relevant transit points.
- Stay informed about the latest travel and health requirements and restrictions for your destination, including both outbound and return journeys.
- Refrain from booking international flights until you have conducted your own research or consulted with your travel agent. You may need to arrange post-nights before your return flight to accommodate COVID-19 testing.
- If your itinerary includes multiple countries or stopovers, be aware that there may be additional entry requirements. Verify all necessary documentation accordingly.
- When traveling with minors (under 18 years old), additional requirements may apply.
- All trekking and mountaineering trips will be subject to change based on weather conditions and other factors. Your flexibility will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
- VISA INFORMATION Ensure you have verified all entry visa and any in-country visa and permit requirements, and that you have completed and/or prepared all the required information. It is worth checking and double checking with your trek. Click here for more information about Visa and Permits
- CHECK TRAVEL ADVISORIES Check information from your own government regarding your destination as well as that provided by the destination itself.
- VERIFY ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Check with the nearest diplomatic mission of your destination country through the nearest Embassy or Consulate.
- VERIFY TRAVELLERS’ HEALTH INFORMATION Contact your healthcare provider / Travel Medicine Clinic. While some countries require immunisation to certain diseases as an entry requirement, some immunisations are recommended due to the prevalence of some diseases at your destination. We recommend referring to the Traveller’s Health Resources from the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention when providing health related guidance. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/
- Once you have reviewed the advice of the CDC, you will need to contact your health care provider and/or a travel medicine clinic, who can provide you with advice with your personal health history in mind and advise if any exemptions apply to you.
- It is generally recommended to get in touch with your health care provider and/or travel medicine clinic as early as possible, but generally around 6-8 weeks prior to your intended travel date. Click here for more information about Travel Insurance.
- FITNESS AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS There is an enormous variety of trail conditions that may require specific fitness and/or abilities, so be sure to check with your travel agent / trekking operator for details. Click here for more information about Trek Duration and Grade.
- EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS The higher you go and the harder the trails, the more likely you will need alpine or specialist skills and/or experience, so be sure to check with your travel agent / trekking operator for details. Click here for more information about Trek Duration and Grade.
- CONFIRMING YOUR ITINERARY Flexible open-ended itineraries do offer some benefits to accommodate a range of potential delays, but you must confirm expectations regarding the duration of your stay, preferred route and timings before you arrive in the Himalaya. Otherwise, you run the risk of frustration and confusion either before starting or while on the trail.
- CONFIRMING REQUIRED EQUIPMENT Some clothing and equipment is available for purchase or hire in the Himalaya, but rarely is it as good a quality as that in your home country. Additionally, some items operate much better by being ‘worn-in’ or practiced prior to their intended use, especially alpine climbing equipment. It is essential that you confirm with your travel agent / trekking operator what equipment you are expected to provide and what they will provide, and the quality and/or features required. Click here for more information about mountain clothing and equipment.
