DOSSIER: To 'Summit up!'

Important ‘Red Tape’ points & information

This is the team who will do our utmost to ensure you have the best possible visit.  We believe Nepal to be ‘The Country of Choice’ and Himalayan Encounters to be ‘The Company of Choice’.  We love this country and want to see Nepal prosper. 

The Company’s origins date from 1963 when Tony Jones first came overland.  From this grew a UK-based company called Encounter Overland, out of which was created a Nepal entity;  Himalayan Encounters – often known simply as H.E. 

H.E. has been totally independent since 1994.  Tony still retains an active interest and yet the lion’s share is where it should now be – with dynamic Nepalese. 

So let's 'summit up'!

Cost and Payment:   (might as well speak of this first!)

Cost:   Each activity and service has been competitively costed.  The cost of each activity is clearly shown in the appropriate Dossier.  The price is quoted in three currencies: US Dollars, £ Sterling and € Euros.   It is not practical to correlate exactly these three currencies and it is for you to decide in which one currency you choose to pay.   (For a guide on currency exchange rates try www.xe.com)

Payment: We will accept advance payment in full.  However we find that it is usually best to simply pay a single deposit then your balance payment when you reach Nepal and before the departure date of your tour.  (See Terms & Conditions, page 6 of this Dossier.)  This simple system of a deposit payment a) demonstrates your intent, b)  confirms your place, c) commits us to the agreed price, d) allows you flexibility and e) largely protects you from any perceived exposure to financial loss.

Passport and Visa Requirements for Nepal:
Please note that you need a full valid passport. 
Holders of ALL passports (except Indian) require
a visa for Nepal.  Make sure that upon entry to
Nepal your passport is valid for at least six
months after your proposed exit date.

Obtaining a Visa – Choice One (recommended):
A Nepalese Tourism Visa can be obtained on

arrival at Kathmandu Airport Immigration or at
Indian or Chinese border crossings (if you are
arriving overland):
THIS IS THE WAY TO GO.  MAXIMUM DURATION
OF INITIAL STAY IS 60 DAYS – WHICH IS WHAT
WE ADVISE YOU TO APPLY FOR.  There are no
problems.  You need:
A valid passport + 2 passport photos
Visa form (given and completed on arrival)
US$100 cash for visa fee (maximum duration 60
days)

Make sure the correct date and length of stay in
Nepal is entered onto your visa when at
Immigration.

Obtaining a Visa – Choice Two (less
recommended):
A visa can be obtained at any Nepal Embassy,
Consulate or Honorary Consul outside Nepal. 
This choice is not complicated, merely time
consuming, and is generally a 'next day' service
but can involve visa/courier services which add
time and cost.

For contacting the Nepalese Embassy in the UK:
eon@nepembassy.org.uk
http://www.nepembassy.org.uk/

For contacting the Nepalese Embassy in the USA: info@nepalembassyusa.org   http://www.nepalembassyusa.org/index.php

For contacting the Nepalese Consulate in Sydney, Australia: 
info@nepalconsulate.org.au   http://www.nepalconsulate.org.au/

For contacting other Nepalese Embassies for other nationalities: http://www.imm.gov.np/location.php

Visa Extensions:  If an extension is needed to
your original visa this can be obtained at the city
Immigration Office in Kathmandu or in Pokhara.
(Maximum total stay in any one calendar year is
150 days.)

Conservation Fee & Trekking (&/or Rafting)
Permit: The conservation fee for each trekking
area is included in our price.  None of your time
is needed to obtain this.  Currently rafting permits
have been abolished.  (It is expected that they
may be re-introduced – but in that case you will
NOT be involved in any added expense or time).