FAQ

Q: Do I need a visa to enter Nepal?

Yes. Nepal visa is easily available on arrival at Kathmandu airport and other official border entry points. Make the process easier by downloading & completing the application form in advance: http://www.online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa

Make sure to have the correct USD cash and two passport photographs with you.
Your passport must be valid for minimum 6 months after your departure date from Nepal in order to get a visa. Nationals from the following countries DO NOT get a visa on arrival: Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Iraq, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Swaziland, Liberia, Palestine.
 

Visa Facility	Duration	Fee
Tourist Visa	15 days	USD 25
Tourist Visa	30 days	USD 40
Tourist Visa	90 days	USD 100

Q: What is the difference between regular trek and yoga trek?

During a yoga trek you are accompanied by a yoga teacher and guide (in small groups this is one and the same person). You have daily yoga activities on each day of the trek - morning outdoor meditation and yoga class, then yoga nidra (guided relaxation) in the evening. We may also stop during the day for a nature meditation - by a river, in a forest or in front of a mountain panorama. We do a lot of stretching during a yoga trek, several times a day to prevent muscle soreness and to protect our joints. Our porters carry some extra items during a yoga trek - yoga mats, meditation blankets and healthy snacks for the duration of the trek - fresh fruit, nuts, cheese, dried fruit, oat biscuits - these healthy snacks are not available on the trekking trails so we carry them with us. During a yoga trek we never limit your food, you can order as much as you like from the teahouse menu, you are not limited to just one item like during regular treks. We put more emphasis on mindfulness and awareness during a yoga trek, we take time to appreciate the surroundings more and we take it nice an easy, we don't take part in the "race to the next teahouse" practiced so often during regular treks, we have our accommodation reserved in advance so there are no surprises and we can take our time admiring stunning vistas at every turn. We always choose the cleanest and most hygienic teahouses with friendly atmosphere and best views for yoga treks. In the evening we have optional mantra chanting for those who are interested.
 

Q: What type of accommodation can I expect before my trek?

All yoga treks in the Annapurna and Mustang regions depart from Pokhara. The first and last night of your itinerary in Pokhara you will be accommodated either at a comfortable standard hotel in Lakeside or a nice guest house next to our yoga studio, depending on availability.

Everest and Langtang region yoga treks leave from Kathmandu and in such case your accommodation will be provided at a comfortable hotel in central Kathmandu for the first and last night of your itinerary.
 

Q: What type of accommodation do I expect during my trek?

We stay at teahouses / mountain lodges during our yoga treks. These are very simple and basic lodges with minimal facilities. Rooms are shared on twin basis and in high season in the highest areas, where lodges are limited, we may need to share with more people in one room, however this is rare. Rooms are very basic with simple beds and mattresses, one blanket and pillow is usually provided. Toilet facilities are very basic and shared. Some teahouses have hot showers available at an extra charge.
 

Q: What kind of weather can we expect and how cold does it get during trekking?

Weather in the mountains is notoriously difficult to predict. At night it is generally cooler and the days are warm. Winter (January and February) will be colder but the days can be quite beautiful and warm if the sun is out. There will be a bit of snow during the months of December, January & February. It is very important to make sure that you can stay warm and dry in just about any conditions. Expect the unexpected and pack for all weather conditions

Average Temperatures in Nepal (in Degree Celsius)

Q: Where do we eat and what kind of food is available?

We eat 3 meals daily at teahouses along the trail and we provide healthy snacks that we carry with us. Breakfast and dinner are eaten at the lodges in which you are staying, while lunch is taken along the trail at small, local restaurants. You can choose your food from the menu and we do not limit how much you can order, feel free to eat whatever you like until you're satisfied. We do recommend to stick to non-greasy and healthy options, not to overeat (digestion is slower at altitude) and stay away from meat for hygienic reasons during a trek. All teahouses have a variety of different food items on offer such as rice, vegetables, noodles, potatoes, soup and many of them have western dishes on their menu. You may also purchase snacks on the way like chocolate bars, biscuits, soft drinks etc. Please note that beverages and drinking water are not included in the yoga trek cost so you can purchase your hot and cold drinks as well as safe drinking water as per your needs.
 

Q: Will clean drinking water be available?

You can purchase clean drinking water all along the trails. We do not recommend buying plastic water bottles for environmental reasons but you can refill your water bottles at any teahouse who prepare their water by boiling and filtering. Drinking water gets more expensive the higher we go. Feel free to bring water purifying tablets if you prefer to treat your own water for free. Please note however that water treated this way has a slight chemical taste.
 

Q: How far do you have to walk each day while trekking?

At Purna Yoga & Treks we strive to make your yoga trek as comfortable as possible and to give you the very best Himalayan experience. The average you will walk each day is between 3-6 hours but this varies depending on the day, physicality, pace, and other factors. Please check your specific trek itinerary for detailed information of how many hours we will be walking each day. All our itineraries are flexible and can be altered by weather, physical conditions or any other unexpected events.
 

Q: How fit do I need to be for this trip?

All our yoga treks are suitable for people with average fitness level but the fitter you are, the easier your trekking experience will be. No previous experience is required before a yoga trek but it would be beneficial to engage in some light aerobic activity a few weeks prior your arrival to prepare yourself for a higher level of physical exertion. Some treks like Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit or Langtang require a good fitness level as they can be quite taxing. However vast majority of yoga treks within the Annapurna region are marked as easy and moderate - suitable for anyone in reasonable physical shape. You are never required to walk faster that you are able, we always make sure that everyone is free to walk at their own comfortable pace - this way you are sure to be able to tackle any section of the trail, one step at a time.
 

Q: What is the best time for a yoga trek?

Nepal has two high trekking seasons each year. The best trekking season is considered to be in autumn, it starts from mid September till mid December. Second high season starts from mid March till end of May.

June-August is monsoon season in Nepal - not suitable for trekking in most areas. Some places like Jomsom Muktinath and Upper Mustang will remain dry even during the monsoon season so it's ok for trekking in the summer.

Winter time December-February is clear and sunny but cold, we carry out low altitude yoga treks in this season only – Panchassee and Poon Hill.
 

Q: What kind of equipment is needed for trekking?

Choosing the right equipment to pack for trekking is very important. Please check our trekking equipment section of this website. Each trek page also has a detailed list of gear to pack written specifically for each trek so please familiarize yourself with this before your trip.
 

Q: What type of shoes should I have?

One of the most important parts of your gear is your trekking shoes. For shorter treks like Panchassee comfortable trainers are acceptable but you must be aware that trainers do not give a good grip, so you may be more prone to slipping in wet conditions - putting you at a higher risk of accidents. For this reason we highly recommend you bring carefully chosen hiking boots or shoes. They should be lightweight and strong, well-made and preferably waterproof. Trekking boots are best to buy before arriving in Nepal and proper fit is a must with lots of toe space. We advise you to wear your new shoes for a while before trekking to break them in so that your feet will be comfortable and blister-free during your entire trek.
 

Q: Can I buy or rent trekking equipment in Nepal?

Nepal has many trekking gear shops, both in Kathmandu and in Pokhara. You are able to buy virtually anything that you may need here at reasonable prices, however the quality will never be the same as trekking gear produced in the west. You are also able to rent out down sleeping bags and down jackets here so you don't have to carry such bulk on your further travels. This costs approx. 1.5 - 2.5 USD per day for each item.
 

Q: How do you deal with the problem of altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness is a serious problem and we advise you to familiarize yourself with the altitude sickness section on this website before travel here. At Purna Yoga & Treks we have many years of experience in organizing treks and we have good knowledge of the AMS risks therefore we are able to arrange our trek itineraries accordingly to allow for sufficient acclimatization. Our guides are highly trained and are able to spot any signs of altitude sickness and they know how to deal with it. It is also important you communicate any health issues or symptoms you may develop during your trek and the guide will assess the situation. Your safety is our number one priority.
 

Q: What happens in case of emergency?

Our guides at Purna Yoga & Treks are well experienced and prepared to handle any emergency situation. Our guides are trained in first aid and can deal with any general ailments that may occur during a trek. If a need for urgent evacuation arises, we will make an immediate call for helicopter rescue if the situation is critical. If helicopter rescue is not necessary but descent is required, we will arrange for a staff member to accompany you down and use whatever means available and possible in the area to get you back down in the swiftest and most comfortable manner. Please note that helicopter rescue costs must be covered either by your travel insurance or by you personally. Helicopter company will not deploy rescue until they receive the go ahead from your travel insurance company or until they clear your credit card to cover the cost of the rescue operation. For this reason we require all yoga trek participants to have travel insurance which covers helicopter rescue in high altitude, please check this with your insurance provider before your departure.
 

Q: Do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance is compulsory. Purna Yoga & Treks cannot be held responsible or liable for loss, damage, or theft of personal luggage and belongings, nor can we be held liable for personal injury, accident or illness. Please ensure that you have yourself and your belongings adequately insured before your departure. Please make sure that you purchase your insurance from your home country (not available in Nepal) and that you are covered for high altitude helicopter rescue, medical treatment costs and air ambulance as a priority.
 

Q: Can I charge camera batteries during my trek?

Yes, most of the teahouses have electricity and you can recharge your camera batteries for approximately USD 1-3 per charge.
 

Q: Do you offer a luggage storage facility?

Sure, you can store your main luggage free of cost at our office, our retreat center or the hotel where you stayed prior to your trek, while on the trail. We also have secure storage for your valuables which we recommend to leave stored before you depart to the trail.
 

Q: What is the participant number required for a yoga trek?

Generally we need minimum 2 people to run any yoga trek but solo treks can be arranged on request with a single surcharge. We keep our regular groups quite small from 2-8 people maximum, unless there is a bigger private group travelling together. Maximum capacity is 20-25 people for private large groups.
 

Q: I'm travelling alone, can I join a group?

Yes. We specialize in bringing together small groups of people, so you can better enjoy your time on the trail. We aim to keep our groups under 8 people for a more personalized experience. All the yoga trek dates listed on our yoga trek calendar page are scheduled departure dates which you can join as a single traveller.
 

Q: Is it possible to organise my own personal group?

It is possible to organize your own yoga trek group. Simply let us know your requirements by email and we will take care of everything. You may choose to have a private group (minimum 2 people) or keep it open, in which case other travellers can join your group. We allow up to 8 people to join a group.
 

Q: Do you offer tailor-made yoga treks and tours?

Yes, we do offer tailor-made yoga treks and tours and we can help you arrange almost all details of your travel within Nepal. Please contact us by email info@nepalyogatrek.com with your requirements and we will be happy to assist in creating an unforgettable holiday in Nepal for you.
 

Q: Do you organize camping yoga treks

Yes, we have the equipment to organize a camping yoga trek for a group of minimum 6 to maximum 24 people. The most popular destination for a camping yoga trek is Panchassee and we can customize the duration from 3-5 days. Sikles is another option for a camping yoga trek. During such trek we carry and cook all the meals ourselves in a portable kitchen. Please note that a camping trek is more expensive than a teahouse trek as camping trek requires twice as many staff.