You will require a visa to enter Nepal:

All visitors except Indian nationals must hold a passport and valid visa. A visa can be obtained at the Nepalese diplomatic missions and consulates. Please give yourself 2 months prior to departure just in case energy gets a bit weird and things get lost. Always send your application to the Nepal Embassy/Consulate  by certified mail.  Check the Nepal Embassy website for requirements.

You will need to select: "Multiple entry 30 days - US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency" on the application which can be viewed and downloaded below.

Health Concerns

As vaccination requirements change frequently, we suggest you consult your doctor at least 2 months prior to the beginning of your trip. Our tour operators in Kathmandu  recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis and polio.

One website recommends the following vaccines for Nepal:  Meningitis, typhoid, tetanus, polio, gamma globulin, and pills for malaria and diarrhea.

CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND USE YOUR ROSES .


These are suggestions for a preventative approach to the local  bugs.

Kiolic- Garlic extract-natural antibiotic
Nutribiotic-hypo allergenic, natural antibiotic
Acidophilus

Papaya, pineapple enzyme for an upset stomach

Golden seal for cold and flu
Echinacea for cold and flu

Spirulina in capsule form for Altitude as well as recovery from food poisoning

Immunizations are recommended.

The main health consideration in high altitude is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). You may experience some mild symptoms initially, such as headache, lethargy, nausea and difficulty sleeping, but these should lessen within a few days. To avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), people take pills called ‘Diamox’. You can also use these pills after consulting with your doctor and purchase them in Kathmandu.  Pilgrims in past high altitude treks have experienced a great deal of personal discomfort using Diamox.  It creates a pins-and-needles feeling in your hands and feet that can be extremely uncomfortable when not in motion.  "It's like your hands and feet fell asleep," is a common reprise.  Weigh this consideration with your doctor's advice before committing to purchasing Diamox.

For your service, the tour operators  carry a medical kit with standard prescribed medicines along with a users’ manual which you can use at your own risk. The tour operators do not take any medical liability since their staffs are not qualified to prescribe medicines.

If you have ever suffered from altitude sickness, or have a heart or breathing complaint, we highly recommend you consult your doctor about your suitability for trekking in high altitude area before booking. We suggest that you take some pain-killing pills with you and enough medicine for cold, diarrhea, nausea and fever. Some nasal ointment and throat-moistening pills will be of great help for those who are sensitive to chilly or freezing weather conditions.  Déjà vu tours may request a Doctor’s clean bill of health before departure.  Best medicine:  get your body in shape for the daily hiking.

Rescue & Evacuations

In case of a serious sickness or a casualty (which we believe will not happen) our tour operators  will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. Since you are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in evacuation, please make sure that it is covered by your travel insurance policy before accepting it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back to Kathmandu.  These expenses can run into the tens of thousands of US dollars and depending on the circumstance and need, sometimes even hundreds of thousands.

Déjà Vu Tours requires a full travel insurance  coverage for this pilgrimage, which should cover trip cancellation, medical expenses, helicopter evacuation and emergency repatriation. For more information on why you need travel insurance check out this page on our website.

We recommend CSA Travel Protection, due to their excellent track record with past pilgrims, their affordability and excellent coverage.  CLICK HERE to be taken to a web page where you can purchase your policy directly.

Prepare Your Body

Hello Pilgrims!

Here  are some ideas for getting ready for your Pilgirmage to  Nepal - physical fitness wise.  The rest is all energy.

Start with simple awareness of walking.  Walk as much as you can in your daily
life, walk to the store, park your car far from an entrance and enjoy the walk to your destination. Take the stairs versus the elevator.  If you bike , bike up hill.

Get used to longer distances:

Go on long hikes on your time off.  Start with 2-3 hours, then build it up to 4-5 hours.  Choose uphill terrain so you get more cardio workout for your time.  Carry a daybag with water, snacks, etc., and get used to that as well.  Visit your local gym and get on the Stairmaster or treadmill (set for an uphill grade) for 20 minutes 3 times a week.  Then build up to 40 minutes.  Bring your iPod and play some uplifting music.  Make sure you stretch after.  Consider getting a personal training session with the gym staff.  Evaluations and goal setting sessions at your local Y or gym might be free with a new membership.  Tell them to help you design a routine for trekking at altitude.  Squats, lunges, going up a flight of stairs are great to condition your muscles to prepare for "going up."  If you are out of breath going up a flight of stairs now, think how going up 1,000 or 2,000 feet in one day at above 9,000 feet of altitude is going to feel.  Not a good picture.

So start now - DO NOT POSTPONE

Email Leona Herod for more information and to sign up for the hikes.

Join us on these preparatory hikes:

• January 31 - Calistoga /Palissades trail ... up, up ,up!
• March 13 - Cataract Falls, Mt. Tamalpais
  
• April 18 - Joaqin Miller Park
  Meet at BPI on 9th and Gilman @ 10 am
  Hike is approximately 4 hours
  

Trekking

in the Himalayas

This clothing and equipment list is provided to you as a guideline for planning your adventure travel packing needs. The importance of being well prepared with essential items, as well as items which will make your adventure more comfortable, cannot be overstated. Consider that excess baggage can be a burden to you and the support staff in the field. Pack ligh but pack right. Versatility is the key to clothing and should be coordinated to allow for layering. This will prepare you for any weather extremes or unexpected emergencies that may arise. More importantly, this should allow you to enjoy a comfortable journey with your energies focused on the experience of adventure travel.

Equipment List

Official Papers:

A valid passport with at least 6 months left before expiry, a visa for Nepal (see above), two extra passport photographs, luggage tags (will be provided by Déjà Vu), a copy of passport-kept separately.

Casual Clothes:

Bring a few lightweight, easily washable items. We will leave these in a luggage storage room at your hotel for the Kathmandu part.

For women: make sure that you have ankle length dresses or skirts -- NON see-through -- with a long-sleeved top; if you wear short sleeves you will then need a shawl to cover arms if needed when going into temples. Sandals for Kathmandu are OK.  No tank tops, sleeveless tops or shorts.

For the men: long-legged pants and T-shirts will be OK.  No shorts please. Kathmandu is mostly tropical. 

For the trek:

• Four pairs of poly-pro or warm wool socks (bring more if you wish).  Four pairs of liner socks. Socks and footwear should be coordinated for a proper fit.  We will go over the footwear in our meetings. 

• Long Johns made of wool, thermax, gore-tex, thinsulate or capilene are the best choice, a set of tops and bottoms. A second bottom half is optional, but can make longer treks much more pleasant if the weather is cold during the day.  Two pairs of cotton trousers and/or light-weight wool pants.

• Jeans often restrict movement and are not advised. A skirt and pant combination for women is not only great for hiking, but culturally a skirt may open doors for women trekkers.
• Umbrellas keeps sun and rain off.
• Bring 2 long-sleeved shirts/blouses.
• Several pairs of underwear. 
  
• One wool or pile insulated sweater. A down or synthetically insulated jacket rated down to 20-degrees and able to accommodate your sweater underneath. This type of jacket might typically be used for skiing when at home. Also bring a light-weight windbreaker.  Layers is the key here as you will get hot and sweaty hiking and you want to peel off layers as you go along.
  
• Make sure your day pack has enough room for snacks, water bottle, a few trinkets for the kids along the way (no candy, but pens, crayons, notebooks are great), your camera, sun block and basic personal items. 
  
• Bring a rain jacket. Gore-Tex is not required, but the jacket does need to be very water-repellent and roomy. A long poncho that you can throw over your backpack with a pair of rain pants wide enough to cover your boots is a good option as well.  The pants also need to be very water repellent. The two-way zipper style is best. 
  
• Lightweight wool gloves are a must.  
  
• NEW UPDATE:A sleeping bag and sleeping pad will be provided at no additional cost.  You must order a "cocoon" or sleeping bag liner.  (www.designsalt.com or www.cocoon.alt ).
  
• One pair of sturdy shoes. Example: The Vasque Clarion, Merrell Torrent. These types of shoes have the aggressive tread pattern and lateral support that is important while hiking.  Some examples: Raichle Spirit, the Merrell Tivine, or the Vasque Sun-downer all have lug or vibram-like soles and provide support. BE SURE YOUR FOOTWEAR IS WELL BROKEN IN AND FITS WELL.  Boots are not necessary-comfort and support is essential. People shouldn't bring new boots and end up with blisters.
  
• Moleskin: Yes, bring some and first aid tape for blisters. 
  
• Duffel bag X-large (around 6000 cc is a good size), able to hold ALL your gear. Example: Eagle Creek Cargo Duffel #336-266.  Maximum weight allowed per person will be confirmed at a later date.
  
• Bandanas: Keep in pocket - you'll find your nose runs a lot up there! To cover filthy hair and to use as washcloth, handkerchief, etc.
  
• Other essentials: wool hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and chapstick that has an SPF of 15 or higher.  Two hiking poles.  Earplugs, mosquito repellent, day pack
  
• Water bottle, 1-qt potable aqua water tablets, one bottle of 50 tablets is plenty.  Liquid iodine in bottle is easier. Powdered Vitamin C to use after sterilizing H2O rids iodine taste.  Water pump for purifying. MSR recommended. 
  
• Flashlight with spare batteries. Headlamp is a must. Towel, soap, tooth paste, etc. Personal first aid (see list below)
  
• One large plastic garbage bag to line your duffel should rain appear--a likelihood!
  
• A good light book just in case.
  
• Optional ideas: 
  
  • Passport or money pouch
    
  • Journal and pen
    
  • Musical instrument
    
  • Snacks, chocolate, etc
    
  • Binoculars (small and lightweight) "Birds of Nepal" by R. Flemming
    
  • Altimeter Down booties
    
  • Camera and digital memory: Film is available in Kathmandu but expensive.
    
• Drugs etc:
  
  • Pepto-bismol tablets
    
  • Ibuprofen (nuprin) good for altitude headaches
    
  • Diamox (acetazolamide)- prescription required, for altitude sickness. DO NOT GET GENERIC DRUG, GET DIAMOX.
    
  • Immodium (better than Lomotil)
    
  • A general antibiotic (I usually carry Bactrim-DS)
    
  • Band-Aids & antibiotic cream.
    
  • Hand lotion
    
  • Carmex or savex lip balm
    
  • Flagyl: If someone gets giardia (most likely intestinal infection there) you can use Flagyl. (bring from US or can buy in Kathmandu or get from Clinic near Namshe) Remember NO ALCOHOL if taking Flagyl.
    

Typically your day pack will be carrying your water bottle, sweater or windbreaker, a birds of Nepal book, your camera and other small misc. items. It's also important to consider giving up you day pack to one of the staff to carry if in doing so you will have more energy and fun. It's no problem, the Sherpas have lots of red blood cells, please feel free to put them to use. Just ask the Sirdar Sherpa about this and it will be done.

GIFTS: Trek members are often amazed by the level of effort of their Sherpa trek crew and by the hospitality of the Nepali families they meet along the way. After walking with these people for many days or weeks, they become friends and many people wish to say thank you with a gift. Contribution of a small sum of money to the trek crew is possible and might be the most appreciated. If you would like to give a gift some suggestions include: flower or vegetable seeds, solar powered watch, baseball cap, or maybe a backpack no longer needed. Take clothing and gear you want to give away--gives you room to pack souvenirs and the Sherpas like American clothes, shoes, and gear.