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Mandatory Coverage & Pre-Trip Submission Proof of comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory before starting your trek in Nepal. This policy should at a minimum cover the days you are trekking however we suggest coverage that includes all of your travel time. We require all guests to email a copy of their insurance policy to their Adventure Specialists prior to arrival. This allows us to keep your coverage details on file with our local operating partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd., ensuring that the on-ground team can act quickly in the event of an emergency.
Standard travel policies often only cover medical evacuation up to 4,000m; therefore, you must verify that your policy explicitly covers "trekking" as an activity up to 6,000m. If your itinerary includes a summit attempt on a trekking peak, your policy must also cover "mountaineering" or "climbing".
Evacuation & Financial Responsibility In the event of an emergency, the traveler is solely responsible for all costs associated with medical treatment and emergency evacuations. Helicopter evacuations in the Himalayas can cost $5,000 or more. While Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd. will assist in coordinating logistics, they do not provide evacuation or medical services directly.
We strongly suggest choosing a provider that offers "upfront payment" for these services. Some insurers now require guests to pay all evacuation costs out-of-pocket in Nepal and seek reimbursement later; please ensure you have the financial means to cover such expenses if your policy does not pay providers directly.
Mandatory Medical Documentation If an evacuation occurs, it is mandatory to obtain a formal hospital report in Nepal immediately upon reaching Kathmandu. Insurance companies typically deny claims if documentation is not secured at the time of treatment. Local hospitals in Nepal currently charge a fee of approximately $150 for the official medical reports required for insurance claims.
Trip Interruption & Lukla Logistics Due to the unpredictable weather in the Himalayas, we highly recommend policies that include trip interruption coverage. This is vital if your flight to or from Lukla is canceled, requiring you to book a helicopter or rebook international travel. Our support team will assist you in obtaining the necessary documentation from local airlines to support your claim.
Insurance Providers We do not endorse or act as an agent for any specific insurance company. Travelers commonly use providers such as Global Rescue, WorldNomads, Allianz, or Travel Guard. We strongly encourage you to call your insurer to confirm specific altitude and activity limits before you arrive in Nepal.
The Reality of Mountain Flight Weather conditions in the Himalayas are highly volatile, and aviation schedules in Nepal are frequently subject to change. The flight between Kathmandu and Lukla is often delayed or canceled for consecutive days due to visibility or wind. For more detailed information on navigating these challenges, please review our guide on Flying to Lukla: What You Need to Know.
Ramechhap Diversions On an ongoing seasonal basis—typically from mid-March to mid-November—flights to Lukla may be diverted to depart from and return to Ramechhap Airport instead of Kathmandu. Ramechhap is approximately a 6 to 8-hour drive from Kathmandu depending on road conditions. Our local operating partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd., provides complimentary shuttle transport between Kathmandu and Ramechhap when these diversions occur. You can find full details on this logistics shift in our blog post: Lukla Flights Diverted to Ramechhap.
Rebooking & Flight Priority Our Adventure Specialists book your Lukla flights as soon as your deposit and passport details are received to secure the earliest possible departure. If a flight is canceled, the local team will automatically work to rebook you for the next available opening. Please note that during peak trekking seasons, rebooked passengers are often placed on lower-priority flights, as early-morning slots are typically reserved months in advance. These scheduling decisions are made solely by the airlines and are beyond our control.
The Helicopter Alternative If flights are grounded, our team will attempt to coordinate passage on a chartered helicopter
Phaplu & Overland Contingencies In cases of limited aircraft availability, helicopters may only be able to shuttle guests to Phaplu, an airstrip in the valley below Lukla. In this event, our local partner can arrange a jeep transfer from Phaplu to Kathmandu. Be prepared for a 10 to 14-hour journey on rugged mountain roads.
Dynamic Coordination Airlines and helicopter companies frequently reroute aircraft and change confirmations based on real-time conditions. While our Adventure Specialists and local partners are available 24/7 to provide updates and manage these logistics, all plans remain subject to the final authority of the aviation providers and local weather patterns.
Due to the unpredictable nature of Himalayan weather and the potential for flight delays, our Adventure Specialists strongly recommend adding a buffer of extra days to the end of your itinerary. These buffer days ensure that you have the flexibility to manage unexpected scheduling shifts without compromising your international return flights.
Recommended Buffer Days by Season The following guidelines are based on historical weather patterns and are intended to provide a sufficient safety net for your journey:
Kathmandu Accommodations If you choose to add extra days to your stay, we can coordinate additional nights for you at our preferred partner hotels in Kathmandu for $89 per night. Our team is available 24/7 to help manage these adjustments and ensure your transition between the mountains and the city is seamless.
While our trekking packages are designed to be comprehensive, we recommend budgeting between $300 and $400 for personal expenses and gratuities throughout your journey. It is also essential to have access to emergency funds via cash or credit card in the event that weather-related flight cancellations necessitate a helicopter charter.
Traveler Responsibilities & Exclusions To maintain transparency and ensure you are prepared for the trail, please note the following exclusions from our standard packages:
The "adventure before the adventure" sometimes includes unexpected curveballs. If your gear doesn't arrive in Kathmandu when you do, our Adventure Specialists are available 24/7 to help you navigate the logistics so you can stay focused on the trail.
Mandatory Airport Procedures To enable us to assist you, it is essential that you take the following steps before leaving the airport:
Retrieval & Mountain Transport While retrieval is subject to airline timelines, our local partner team typically will send a representative to visit the airport to secure your bags. Once retrieved, we can facilitate the following logistics to get your gear to the mountain:
Costs & Liability
Our trekking packages typically include two nights of hotel stay in the vibrant heart of Kathmandu. While specific inclusions vary by itinerary, we prioritize the Ramada Hotel in the centrally located Thamel district. Should the Ramada be unavailable, our Adventure Specialists will coordinate your stay at a partner hotel of comparable quality.
Booking Extra Nights Through Our Platform For travelers who wish to extend their stay, our team can facilitate additional reservations at the following fixed rates:
By coordinating your extra nights through our local partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd., you gain the flexibility needed for mountain travel. We do not charge for unused nights caused by logistical shifts, provided the booking was managed through our team. Please note that these rates are fixed and may differ from dynamic pricing found on third-party booking sites.
Flexibility & Logistics While we secure all rooms in advance, the unpredictable nature of Himalayan flight schedules requires a degree of flexibility. If a room at the Ramada is unavailable upon your return from the trek due to group scheduling changes, our local partner will arrange accommodations at a similar hotel in Thamel. In these instances, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd. will manage the transfer of your luggage at no additional cost. We ask for your patience as it may take a few hours to coordinate these local logistics upon your arrival in the city.
Independent Bookings You are always welcome to secure your own accommodations independently. If you choose to book on your own, you are solely responsible for coordinating any necessary changes or cancellations directly with the hotel in the event of trek delays. For those wishing to stay at our primary partner hotel, you may book Extra Nights at the Ramada here.
Understanding the risks of high-altitude trekking Trekking at high altitude carries inherent risks that cannot be fully eliminated, including altitude illness (AMS, HAPE, and HACE), which can develop rapidly, become serious, and in some cases be life-threatening. It also involves remote terrain, variable weather, and limited access to medical facilities and evacuation. By booking this trip, you acknowledge and accept these inherent risks.
Your responsibilities
Acclimatization The most effective way to acclimatize is a steady, gradual rate of ascent with sufficient time at intermediate elevations to allow your body to adjust. Itineraries are designed with this in mind. Individual responses to altitude vary widely and are not predictable, and following the planned schedule does not guarantee that any individual will acclimatize successfully.
On-mountain leadership and guide authority Your trek is led by experienced guides provided by our local operating partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd., who have extensive real-world experience trekking in these regions. Your guides are experienced trekking leaders, not medical professionals, and do not provide medical diagnosis or treatment.
For your safety, your guide has full authority to decide whether it is safe for you to continue ascending, to require you to rest, or to require you to descend. You must follow these decisions. If you choose to continue ascending or to disregard your guide's instructions against their recommendation, you do so entirely at your own risk, and you release Himalayanwonders and Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd. from any liability arising from that choice.
Recovery and itinerary adjustments If you experience symptoms that require a pause in your ascent but you wish to continue after recovering, our team and the Kathmandu office of our local partner will coordinate the necessary logistical adjustments. Where descent is appropriate, you will descend to a lower elevation as directed by your guide based on your condition.
Costs of itinerary changes Additional days on the mountain beyond your original schedule are charged at $100 per day, and arranging a private guide to travel out to meet you carries a service fee of $350, in addition to daily mountain charges. These charges are pass-through cost recovery for guides, porters, accommodation, and logistics - they are not a profit item.
Emergency descent or evacuation for a genuine medical situation is never delayed, withheld, or made conditional on payment. Your safety is handled first; any associated costs are settled separately and are typically recoverable through your travel insurance.
Please build at least three extra days into your Nepal itinerary, or ensure you have the flexibility to change your international flights, as coordinating a new schedule or group can take several days.
Annapurna & Langtang regions If you are trekking in these regions, have your guide contact the Kathmandu office of our local partner immediately if your schedule needs to change. We will do our best to make arrangements; similar logistical conditions apply, and any additional charges will be quoted to you at the time.
Aviation logistics Our team will manage any necessary changes to your Lukla flight reservations at no additional service cost from us if your mountain schedule changes. Please note that rebooked tickets may carry lower priority than your original booking, as seat availability is determined solely by the airline.
High-altitude trekking in the Himalayas is a rewarding but physically strenuous challenge. Participants should be prepared to hike full days, as itineraries typically involve 6 to 9 hours of daily walking across varied and demanding terrain. While the journey is rigorous, we encourage a steady, personal pace — often described locally as "bistari, bistari" - to allow your body to adjust to the elevation.
How group pacing typically works Expeditions are led by our local operating partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd.. To accommodate different fitness levels and personal rhythms, trips are generally structured to allow for a range of walking speeds:
Group size, staffing, and the exact structure on any given day vary with the itinerary, season, conditions, and circumstances on the mountain, and are managed at the discretion of the operating partner. Trekkers may at times be walking between staff members along the route.
Fitness to travel
Trekking and climbing in Nepal are physically demanding. By booking, you acknowledge that:
Proper equipment is vital for a successful trek in the Himalayas.
Our Adventure Specialists love to celebrate your summits. By participating in an expedition, you grant Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd and Travel Payment Solutions LLC, and their partners a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any photographs or videos taken during the trip for promotional, marketing, or social media purposes.
Privacy Note: We respect your personal space. If you wish to opt-out of this license, simply notify our team in writing prior to your departure, or contact us afterward and we will cease the use of your likeness in future digital marketing materials where reasonably possible.
We generally do not charge supplemental fees for those embarking on a journey alone, ensuring our expeditions remain accessible to every explorer.
Kathmandu Stays While in the city, our Adventure Specialists coordinate private hotel accommodations for solo guests as part of our standard service.
On the Mountain Whenever availability allows, our local operating partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd., will secure a private room for you upon request. However, please be prepared for twin-share arrangements with a group member of the same sex in specific circumstances:
Our team works 24/7 to navigate these local conditions, ensuring you have the best possible support even when the mountains are at their busiest.
Solo Support Fee If you are not joining a group trek, or if you are the only participant booked for a specific fixed-departure date, a Solo Support Fee of $20 per day applies. This fee covers the cost of a dedicated porter provided by our local partner to ensure you have full support on the trail. We will always inform you of any applicable fees regarding solo trekking before your arrival in Nepal to ensure complete financial transparency.
We believe your investment in adventure should be protected. When you place a deposit with Himalayanwonders, you can be assured that it is secured for your future journey. If your travel plans change, our Adventure Specialists are here to help you navigate your options, whether you need to adjust your dates or choose to apply your deposit toward a different iconic destination in our global network, such as Patagonia or Tanzania.
Flexibility & Terms To provide this industry-leading flexibility, we ask that you keep the following points in mind:
Our Adventure Specialists are dedicated to your journey's success and understand that travel plans can shift. To ensure a seamless experience with our local operating partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd., we provide the following guidelines for cancellations and refunds.
Rescheduling & Flexibility
Deposit & Refund Terms
Unforeseen Events (Force Majeure) In rare instances where an expedition must be postponed due to circumstances beyond our control—such as natural disasters, civil unrest, health emergencies, travel advisories, or airport closures—our team will work with you to reschedule your journey at no extra cost. While our standard refund policy on deposits remains in effect during these events, we strongly encourage all travelers to maintain a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers trip interruption and cancellation.
Important Notes
We celebrate the grit and determination required to trek in the Himalayas. However, should you conclude your journey ahead of schedule—whether for health, personal reasons, or simply finishing faster than anticipated—please understand that we do not offer refunds for unused days or services.
Operational Commitments Our commitment to our local partners and staff remains a top priority. Our local operating partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd., has a professional and ethical obligation to pay the guides and porters for the full duration of their commitment to your trek. Because these operational costs are fixed and incurred at the start of the expedition, we are unable to recoup them once the journey is underway.
Return Logistics If you must terminate your trek early, our Adventure Specialists will coordinate with the Kathmandu office of Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd. to help facilitate your return logistics, such as arranging earlier transport or local flights. Please note:
Deposit & Final Balance To secure your expedition, a deposit is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance of your trek must be paid in a major international currency (such as USD, EUR, or GBP) at the Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd office in Kathmandu upon your arrival.
Credit Card Identification: Charges on your statement will appear as TPS - Travel Pay. This is an abbreviation for Travel Payment Solutions LLC, our US-based booking facilitator.
Processing Fees & Local Taxes To maintain transparency regarding transaction costs and regional tax obligations, the following fees apply:
Invoicing & Confirmation Our Adventure Specialists will provide an updated invoice within 24 to 48 hours of receiving an online payment. For bank transfers, your invoice confirmation will be issued once our team has verified that the funds have cleared.
Payments for Indian Guests To secure your expedition, a deposit is required at the time of booking. Deposits can be made via our online payment gateway or directly to our dedicated Indian bank account; please contact our Adventure Specialists to request these account details. The remaining balance of your trek must be paid in Indian Rupees (INR) or another major international currency at the Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd office in Kathmandu upon your arrival.
Base Pricing All expedition costs are displayed and calculated in United States Dollars (USD).
Online Payment Exchanges When making payments through our online platform, the final exchange rate is determined solely by your credit card issuer or financial institution. Our Adventure Specialists do not control these bank-specific rates or any foreign transaction fees your bank may apply.
Local Currency Payments If you choose to pay your remaining balance in a local or alternative major currency at the Kathmandu office of Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd, the conversion will be calculated based on the real-time market rates provided by xe.com at the time of the transaction. This ensures a fair and transparent exchange process for all travelers.
The journey to the Himalayas begins with the right paperwork. To ensure a smooth entry into Nepal, our Adventure Specialists recommend checking your documents as soon as you book your trek—trust us, it is no fun to figure these things out at the last minute.
Passport Requirements
Nepal Entry Visa Fees The following visa fees are applicable upon arrival in Nepal. While the visa desk may sometimes accept credit cards, we strongly recommend paying in cash using a major currency (USD is preferred) to avoid technical delays at the airport:
Expert Support As part of our commitment to transparent planning, please note that Nepal entry visa fees are not included in your trek package price. If you have further questions or need the most up-to-date regulations, our team is available 24/7, or you can reference the official publication from the Nepal Visa Office.
We are committed to fostering an environment of mutual respect, safety, and camaraderie among all trekkers and staff. To ensure the well-being of the group, our local operating partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd, reserves the right to refuse service or terminate participation for any individual at any time—whether in Kathmandu or on the trail.
Conduct Expectations We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that compromises the safety or dignity of the expedition. Grounds for immediate removal from a trek or city program include:
Consequences of Termination If a traveler is removed from a trek due to a violation of these conduct standards, the following terms apply:
Respect for Local Legends Our partners' guides and porters are the heart of your journey, bringing years of expertise to every mile. We ask that you treat these professionals and your fellow travelers with the respect they deserve. By maintaining these standards, we ensure every team member can focus on a safe and successful journey to the roof of the world.
Payment Processing Charges on your credit card statement will appear as TPS - Travel Pay, which is operated by Travel Payment Solutions LLC. Travel Payment Solutions is a United States-based entity that provides booking coordination and customer support services for the local operator.
Operational Responsibility All treks, expeditions, and on-ground services are run and operated solely by Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd, a local Nepal-based company (Reg. No: 113079/69/070).
Travel Payment Solutions LLC and its employees, shareholders, and officers neither own nor operate any person or entity which provides goods or services for these trips. Travel Payment Solutions LLC assumes no responsibility and cannot be held liable for any personal injury, death, property damage, or other loss, accident, or delay which may be occasioned by reason of any wrongful, negligent, or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd or its agents.
By submitting your deposit, you formally accept these Terms in their entirety. This creates a binding agreement with Travel Payment Solutions LLC for booking coordination and with Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd for on-ground services. Any legal disputes regarding booking shall be governed by the laws of Utah, and any disputes regarding field operations shall be governed by the laws of Nepal.
By submitting your deposit, you formally acknowledge and accept these Terms of Service in their entirety. This acceptance creates a binding agreement between you and Travel Payment Solutions LLC for the coordination of your expedition and with Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd for the on the ground services in Nepal.
Policy Updates We reserve the right to modify or update our Terms of Service at any time to reflect changes in local regulations, operational requirements, or global safety standards. Any such modifications will be effective immediately upon posting to our platform.
Open Communication Transparency is a cornerstone of our service. If you have any questions, concerns, or need clarification on any of our policies, our Adventure Specialists are available 24/7 to provide the answers you need to book with total confidence.