FAQs

Nepal is home to eight of the world's ten highest peaks, including Mount Everest. The country's width is approximately 193 km, and within this span, the altitude ranges from the world’s deepest gorge (Kali Gandaki Gorge, depth: 18,278 ft / 5,571 m) to the world’s highest peak (Mount Everest, Height: 8,848 m /29,029 ft). The country offers diverse trekking trails, ranging from lush tropical forests to rugged high-altitude alpine terrains.

The most popular trekking routes include the Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, Manaslu Circuit, Langtang Valley, and the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek.

Trekking in Nepal offers a range of difficulty levels, from easy walks in the plains to moderate mountainous trails and challenging high-altitude routes in the Himalayas. Nepal caters to all experience levels with its diverse climate and terrain, from beginners to seasoned trekkers.

Trekking hours vary based on the trail's difficulty and distance. On most treks, expect to walk  4-5 hours per day.

The altitude varies widely from Nagarkot tour at 2,175 m, Poon Hill at 3,210, to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m (Kala Patthar 5,555 m) and Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m). 

There are no legal restrictions. However, we do not recommend high-altitude treks (over 4,000 m) for children under 16 or adults over 70. 

Nearly two hundred valuable clients have awarded us a 5 out of 5.0 rating (680 reviews) on Google and 4.9 out of 5.0 (191 reviews) on Trustpilot. Similarly, 98% (409 Reviews) of Facebook users recommend Discovery World Trekking.

For the last twelve years (2013 - 2024), we have received Certificates of Excellence from Tripadvisor. In 2024, we received the Business Excellence Certificate from the World Confederation of Businesses, based in Houston, Texas, USA.

Discovery World Trekking stands out under the leadership of CEO Paul Gurung, who began as a porter and brings over two decades of trekking expertise. With experience from Australia, Paul blends international standards with local knowledge for an authentic Himalayan experience.

Nepal offers trekking options suitable for all fitness levels. However, even if you are not very fit, we request you to physically prepare yourself through appropriate exercises. Remember, the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the trek. 

While prior trekking experience is beneficial, most of our treks do not require trekking experience.

Regular cardio exercises (running, cycling, swimming), strength training (lunges, squats), and hiking practice will prepare you well. Mental preparedness is equally important. A positive mindset, preparing yourself to embrace the challenges, and enjoying the experience will help.

For more challenging treks, we recommend endurance activities such as jogging, cycling, or hiking on uneven terrain.

Yes, we recommend you - Ghorepani Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, and Annapurna Base Camp treks for beginners.

Yes, with proper preparation, moderate treks are possible for children and elderly trekkers. We recommend less intense treks, such as Poon Hill Trek,  Annapurna Base Camp, and Nagarkot Sunrise Trek.

If you have severe heart or lung issues, you must consult a physician before booking the trek. 

Most treks require permits like TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) and specific area permits.

You can get most permits in Kathmandu, and some in the trek regions.

Yes, we handle all necessary permits for your trek.

Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for most treks.

It should cover high-altitude trekking, medical emergencies, and helicopter evacuation.

Foreigners, except Indians, need a visa to enter Nepal. Fortunately, you can obtain an on-arrival visa at Kathmandu Airport. To apply for an on-arrival visa, you will need a passport with at least six months of validity, a passport-size photo, and visa fees (USD 50 for a 30-day stay). 

Yes, most nationalities can get an on-arrival visa at Kathmandu Airport.

Porters are crucial for trek success and to set up the environment. Hence, we allow our porters to carry a maximum of 18 kg of luggage. Per trekker luggage weight limit is 9 kg.

Since April 2023, the Nepal government has made it mandatory to have a licensed porter or guide to trek in most trek regions. Guides ensure safety, navigation, and cultural insights, while porters help carry luggage.

Yes, all our guides and porters are certified and highly experienced.

One guide will manage at most 12 trekkers. For groups with over 12 trekkers, we include an assistant guide.

Yes, our guides are fluent in English and some know Spanish and Japanese.

We believe that only happy staff members will serve you well. Hence, we provide our staff fair wages, cover their insurance, accommodations, and meals during the trek. Our staff members also receive medical care when ill.

Yes, we will try our best to honor your request.

You will be staying in twin-sharing rooms in teahouses or lodges. The toilets, mostly of the squat type, are commonly situated outside the room. Additionally, hot showers are available at an additional cost in these lodges.

Yes. You should be able to use Wi-Fi, paying a small fee, from most lodges/tea houses where you will be staying.

Accommodations vary according to the remoteness of the trek. Mostly, you will stay in tea houses/lodges that offer basic but comfortable rooms with twin-sharing beds, blankets, and attached bathrooms (where available).

Yes, most tea houses and lodges maintain good hygiene standards. We carefully select accommodations to ensure cleanliness, comfort, and safety for trekkers.

Hot showers are available at most tea houses, usually for an extra fee. Bathrooms vary from shared to attached, depending on the location and altitude. We select tea houses/lodges that maintain hygiene standards.

Wi-Fi is available at most tea houses and lodges along popular trekking routes, but the connection can be slow and unreliable at higher altitudes.

Our packages offer twin-sharing rooms. However, upon your request, we can arrange single rooms. However, in some very busy trek routes, it may not be feasible.

Most trek routes have tea houses in strategic locations. Hence, you do not need to stay in camp. However, for certain treks with climbing peaks involved, we will manage camps for your accommodations. We provide all necessary camping gear, including tents, sleeping bags, and cooking equipment.

We do not recommend you drink water from local water sources, such as taps, rivers, or wells. You can buy bottled water from the en-route shops/lodges. However, for ecological reasons, we recommend you bring a water bottle and instead fill it with boiled water that you can buy in tea houses/lodges.

Yes, we will provide plenty of food for vegetarians and even vegans. We recommend all trekkers take vegetarian meals as meat in trek regions may not be hygienic.

Our packages include full board (main-course) meals in the trek regions. We will provide three meals breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu consists of Nepali dishes (like dal bhat), Tibetan-influenced food (such as dumplings), and Western options (such as pasta and burgers). We can also arrange vegan and vegetarian food. In most cases, our packages do not cover meals in urban areas so that you can enjoy the food you like.

Yes, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meal options are generally available. Please inform us in advance about any dietary preferences or restrictions.

Water from local taps, streams, or rivers may not be potable unless properly treated. Bottled water is available at most stops however for ecological reasons we encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle and buy boiled/filtered water from lodges/tea houses. Further, we recommend you use purification tablets or filters before drinking.

Yes, we recommend you carry water purification tablets or a portable filter for safe drinking water throughout the trek.

Alcoholic beverages are available at some tea houses, but we do not recommend you consume alcohol at higher altitudes due to its dehydrating effects and increased risk of altitude sickness. Moreover, alcohol can cloud your judgment while passing tricky trails.

Nepal experiences four main seasons: Spring (March-May), Summer/Monsoon (June-August), Autumn (September-November), and Winter (December-February). Weather varies by altitude and season, with warmer temperatures in lower regions and colder conditions at higher elevations. 

The best seasons for high-altitude treks are Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November) when the weather is stable, skies are clear, and temperatures are moderate.

At higher altitudes, temperatures can drop well below freezing, especially at night. Proper layering and high-quality gear are essential to stay warm.

While it's not possible to completely prevent altitude sickness, you can reduce the risks by taking the following measures:

• Avoid caffeinated, alcoholic, and tobacco products.
• Drink lots of fluids, at least 4 liters of water, garlic soup, etc
• Trek at your own pace.
• Observe scheduled acclimatization days.
• Consider continuing with Diamox if altitude sickness symptoms appear.

If you are allergic, we recommend you bring your own medicine. Otherwise, you should be able to get most medicines in Kathmandu.

We have put in place several precautions that include experienced guides trained in wilderness first aid, proper acclimatization schedules, first-aid kits, communication devices, oximeters to monitor oxygen levels, and emergency helicopter evacuation plans (funded by insurance providers).

Altitude sickness occurs when ascending too quickly to high elevations, mostly at elevations above 3,000 meters. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. You can minimize the chances with proper acclimatization, staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol, and ascending at your own pace. Our guides will also brief you on other methods.

Our guides are trained in first aid and altitude sickness protocols. If symptoms are severe, our guide will take you to a lower altitude directly and/or initiate helicopter evacuation (insurance-funded) if necessary.

Yes, our guides carry well-equipped first-aid kits.

In case of an emergency, we will initiate helicopter evacuation. Hence, you must have travel insurance covering high-altitude helicopter rescues. Please double-check with your insurer if your policy includes helicopter rescue.

There are no legal requirements.  You can consult a healthcare professional before your trip for personalized advice. Consider taking vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, and typhoid.

Yes, you can certainly hire the gear in Nepal. We can introduce you to shops that provide this service.

The exact items depend on the trek you choose and also the season. However, at the least, you will need trekking boots, layered clothing, a sleeping bag, sunscreen, sunglasses, water purification tablets, a first-aid kit, and a headlamp. We will also provide a detailed packing list after booking the trek.

Yes, you can buy or rent trekking gear in Kathmandu or Pokhara at affordable prices. We can introduce such shops in Kathmandu.

While tea houses provide blankets, carrying your own sleeping bag will help you get extra warmth at high altitudes.

Yes, we allow luggage up to 9 kg per trekker. However, for an extra cost, we can remove this restriction. If you are taking domestic flights, check with the appropriate airline. 

Yes, our package includes a porter for your luggage. One porter will carry luggage for two trekkers.

We require ten percent of the total trip cost to confirm the booking. You can pay this amount through bank transfer, Wise, or credit card. Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, the remaining balance is payable, and you can pay this amount in cash via bank transfer, Wise, or using a credit card.

Yes, we have a cancellation/refund policy. Please refer to our terms and conditions page.

You can book the trek you like from the cost and dates section of each package. You can also contact us via call/WhatsApp/Viber at +9779840055491 or email [email protected]. We will take it from there. 

Please visit our terms and conditions page for our cancellation policy.

Even though our treks have fixed departure dates, if they do not suit you, let us know. We will organize the trek at your convenience. 

We accept payments via credit cards, bank transfers, Wise, and Western Union. If you are in Kathmandu, we also accept cash.

Yes, we require 10 percent of the trek cost as an advance to confirm booking. 

Yes, domestic flights to trekking starting points, such as Lukla for Everest treks, are included in our packages.

No, international flights are not included in our trekking packages.

Flight delays, especially to remote airports like Lukla, can happen. Hence, we advise you to allocate a few days extra as a cushion for flight delays. If you are short on time, you can hire a helicopter, but it will set you back around USD 550, provided five persons split the cost.

Yes, all our packages include airport pick-up and drop-off services for a seamless experience. This also ensures you will not feel alone in a new country.