Diwali in the Himalayas a Nepalese Adventure - Additional information

Visa on Arrival
At Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport, you will need a valid, intact passport with validity of at least 6 months after your travel, as well as 2 empty pages to fit the visa.
To pay for a visa on arrival, you will need one of the major international currencies (notes only) – USD, AUD, Euro and GBP are all accepted. The cost of a Tourist Visa on Arrival on 1st of October 2024 for 15 days is 30 USD/ 30€ / $50 AUD. Bring some extra currency from home for “just in case” purposes.

Continue to monitor www.smartraveller.gov.au for the most up-to-date information.

 

Weather
The weather in October is traditionally dry and sunny, which makes this the perfect time to visit Nepal. Daytime temperatures are warm, reaching 25+’C, evenings are cooler with temperatures dropping down to 10 - 15 °C. Nights can get cold, especially up in the foothills, so bring something warm to keep you comfortable. There should be very little rain around, which means that we’re unlikely to encounter leeches or landslides, and the skies should be clear for the mountain views. Inner cities can get dusty. Sadly, as we have been witnessing everywhere, Climate Change is tampering with the seasonal predictions in Nepal as well, so please come prepared for any weather.  

The sun rises around 6 am in October with first light around 5:45, and that’s when life starts in Nepal. You will quickly adjust to getting up early to the life around you. The sun sets around 6 pm, when everything slowly becomes quiet again.

 

Altitude
We will not reach an altitude higher than 2000m, which is completely safe.

 

Drinking water / food
Please don’t drink tap water in Nepal. You can brush your teeth, but for drinking, always use filtered/purified/boiled water. Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are common. These include typhoid, cholera and hepatitis. Drink only boiled or bottled water. Avoid raw or undercooked food.

 

Wi-Fi and mobile phone use
Please don’t depend on WiFi – but as the global trend has it, nowadays developing countries and remote places will often have wi-fi before they have safe drinking water! 
Mobile Devices - please note that Nepal Telecom does not offer reliable roaming services for international mobiles. Prepaid SIM cards are readily available to purchase at a kiosk. You will also find a Wi-Fi connection in every guesthouse, café and restaurant in the main cities of Kathmandu and Pokhara.   

 

Money
AUD or other major international currency (notes only) if you’d like to exchange money in Nepal. You can’t exchange Nepalese rupees abroad. A credit card that works overseas to withdraw money from an ATM in Nepal (and a backup credit card in case something happens to your card). Please note that in Nepal, very few places accept credit cards as a form of payment.  
 

$1 AUD is roughly 80 Nepalese rupees.

 

Language
Nepalese, Hindi and English are all commonly spoken 

 

Health
Vaccinations up to date, and on time (Polio, Tetanus and Diphtheria - also Hepatitis A and Typhoid are strongly recommended for Nepal). For further information, please seek professional medical advice.  

 

Suggested Packing List
*Please note that this list is not exhaustive (nor imperative) but aims to work more as a guide, and will hopefully have some useful tips and reminders for you!
It’s also comforting to know that during the years Nepal has become increasingly tourist-friendly and nowadays caters for most tourist needs, with excellent pharmacies, general stores and laundry services available. You can also hire any trekking gear in Pokhara before we set off. However, if there are things that you can’t live without, please pack them - always better safe than sorry..

*No hard suitcases please/soft duffel bags or backpacks only (weatherproof material/rain cover)

*Pack light and practical

*Please leave all valuable items at home

• Comfortable, light clothing, some that covers your shoulders and knees – for women, scarves are practical
• Sturdy, yet comfortable pair of (trekking) shoes, with a proper, firm grip
• Good quality, breathable trekking socks, designed for a warm/sweaty climate
• Shoes to relax in. Slippers or slides are recommended
• Blister gear/band aids
• Walking poles/knee support (if you or your knees would like some extra encouragement)
• Day pack
• Camel Pack/hydration “bladder” or a large reusable water bottle
• A weatherproof jacket or a light poncho
• Warm clothes for cool nights in the mountains (beanie & woollen socks)
• Pillow case for comfort
• Sleeping bag or sleeping bag insert for comfort. Teahouse doonas during trekking can feel musty. Bed sheets can look worn and stained as the laundry facilities in Nepal are compromised but you can rest assured that sheets are washed after every use.
• Earplugs and a sleeping mask (especially if you’re a light sleeper)
• Small towel for showers during trekking
• Swimming costume (for a dip in the pool in Pokhara)
• Canvas bag for daily use in the cities
• Sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, lip balm
• Insect repellent (to protect from dengue fever spread by mosquitoes – cases are extremely rare)
• Wet wipes for face and body (biodegradable)
• Personal toiletries, including any specific hygiene/sanitary items
• Antibacterial handwash & face mask (which can be helpful with bad air quality in Kathmandu)
• Iodine tablets for purifying drinking water (e.g. Aquatabs), Hydralyte, diarrhoea treatment (e.g. Imodium/Gastro-Stop)
• Probiotics can be taken 2 weeks before travelling (in an attempt to ‘seal’ your gut)
• Small torch/head torch (+spare batteries)
• Portable power bank
• Chargers for ALL your appliances (phone, camera, watch, iPad etc)
• Power Adaptors (for European / Indian plugs)
• Your favourite snack/energy bars, if you prefer specific ones. In Nepal, you can find basic muesli bars, trail mix and nuts but some comfort food from home might be nice at times
• “Proper” instant coffee/tea bags to soothe any severe caffeine addictions. Nescafe and Himalayan tea/coffee are typically served weak
• A good book, your journal, music, a magazine, sudoku or a set of cards for the quiet moments
• Anything you can’t live without 

 

Travel Insurance
It is mandatory for travellers to have comprehensive travel insurance; please ensure you have provided Sisterhood Womens Travel with a copy of your policy, including 24/7 Emergency Contact Number.

 

WhatsApp Group
Please make sure you download WhatsApp onto your phone prior to departure.  This App will be your communication tool whilst on tour and your tour hostess will contact you prior to departure to set you up in your tour WhatsApp group.  It’s also a lovely way to share photos and remain in touch with friends upon your return.

 

Changes to Itinerary
We do our best to give Sisters an enjoyable, trouble-free tour experience but occasionally, even the best-laid plans can go awry. We cannot rule out any operational changes to the itinerary and ask that you maintain a positive, upbeat and flexible attitude and be supportive of your tour hostess if she has to implement any changes.

 

Updated: 12 June 2025