NEPAL ENTRY PROTOCOL: Nepal has returned to its pre-Covid policy of issuing tourist visas at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport.  Therefore, you will obtain your 30-day tourist visa as you make your way through customs at Tribhuvan Airport. Here are the steps you will take upon entry to the airport:

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1. You will enter a line to have your passport checked and to verify that you are vaccinated for COVID-19 or that you have a negative PCR COVID test result. The COVID test is not required if you have proof of vaccination (completed at least 14 days prior to entering Nepal).

2. Upon exiting this line, you will begin the process of getting your 30-day tourist visa. After exiting the first line, go to the right side of the immigration room to fill out a form for a 30-day tourist visa on one of several visa kiosk machines. The machines are not connected to a printer, so once you have completed the form, use your phone to take a photo of your completed application.

3. If you are able to connect to the airport wifi, you can also use your phone to fill in the form. When the form is completed, go to the payment counter at the left. Upon giving 50 dollars as payment, you will receive a receipt for your visa payment. Present that receipt with your passport and boarding pass to the immigration booths at the front of the room and you will pass through immigration control.

4. Once passing immigration, go down one level to the baggage claim room. Collect your baggage at the baggage and head outside. You will be greeted for pickup outside of the airport’s main doors. Look for the IMT Banner. Your escort will be among the line of other individuals waiting to greet arrivals. Namaste! Welcome to Nepal!

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You are staying at the Kathmandu Guest House Saat Ghumti Marg 16, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal Phone: +977 1-4700800

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FLIGHT INFORMATION: We strongly encourage you to book your travel with IMT’s travel agent, Sylvia Berman at Poste Haste Travel. Silvia and her staff are experienced in arranging travel to and from Nepal. Please contact her at 954-253-6445 or email: sylvia@posthastetravel.com. 

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TRAINING: The trek requires participants to be in excellent physical shape. Your focus while training should be on building cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, core strength, and stamina. 

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BAGGAGE: We recommend that you use your daypack as a carry-on bag and that you check one rolling suitcase. When you arrive at the hotel, we will provide you with your own IMT duffel which you will use on the trek and is yours to take home. Please bring a few items of clothing in your carry-on day pack in the event your larger bag is delayed. Don’t forget your passport, cash and the medications you require during your travel.  Please take a photograph of your passport with and store it in your phone to have a record of it in the event of loss. Please check your luggage from your departing airport all the way through to Kathmandu. Use TSA-approved locks to secure your luggage so that they can be opened, if necessary, by airport security. 

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EXTRA MONEY: How much additional cash to bring is an individual decision. We suggest that you have at least $800 to spend for gifts, tips for your guides and porters and any additional meals outside of the itinerary. In Kathmandu you can use your credit card and a debit card to obtain Nepali rupees. It is difficult to change money once the trek starts. 

IMT’s TIP POLICY:  We will collect a tip pool in U.S. currency. We ask IMT’s clients to each contribute $300. We will collect this tip pool in Kathmandu and distribute it at the conclusion of the trip as a thank you gift to the dedicated people who will be helping us along the way. This group will include our Sherpa guides, porters, and hotel staff.  You may also provide an additional tip to your guides, porters, drivers and hotel personnel if you so choose.

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TRAVEL AND MEDICAL EVACUATION INSURANCE:  IMT requires you to (1) purchase trip cancellation and (2) medical evacuation coverage for the duration of your trek. Within 20 days of making your initial deposit to IMT, please contact Global Rescue, 617-459-4200. Let them know you are an IMT client as they are familiar with our insurance requirements.

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COVID VACCINATION: For the safety of yourself, other participants, and the citizens of Nepal, all participants are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (vaccination and appropriate booster). All IMT guides, porters, drivers, and hotel personnel that you will interact with on the trek are vaccinated against COVID-19.

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IMMUNIZATION CHECKLIST: Along with your required Covid-19 vaccination and booster, please consult your physician or check the Center for Disease Control Website at www.cdc.gov. Consistent with the current CDC guidelines, you should obtain the following inoculations:
 

• COVID-19 vaccination and booster vaccination (required).

• Tetanus-Diphtheria – You should already have. Do you need a booster?

• Polio -You should already have. Do you need a booster?

• MMR -You should already have. Do you need a booster?

• Meningitis – Recommended. Consult your physician.

• Hepatitis A – Recommended. Consult your physician.

• Hepatitis B – Recommended. Consult your physician.

• Typhoid – Recommended. The tablet form, Vivotif, is good for five years.

• Rabies — Recommended. There are two rabies vaccines available in the United States.

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If you or your physician are uncertain, please check the Center for Disease Control Website at www.cdc.gov.

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ALTITUDE PROTOCOL: The itinerary is carefully designed to include acclimation days in order for you to comfortably adjust to the increasing altitude on the trek. Our licensed guides are trained to recognize and treat varying forms of altitude sickness. Here is a link to an excellent article published by the Wilderness Medical Society with updated Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Acute Altitude Illness. We suggest that you keep this article as a reference before the start of the trek.

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REQUIRED MEDICATIONS: YOU SHOULD BRING THE FOLLOWING

• Antibiotic for upper respiratory problems (Zithromax Z-Pak) 

• Antibiotic for GI problems (Cipro and/or Z-Pak) 

• Diamox (acetazolamide) for acclimatization (125 mg tabs recommended, enough for a week)

• Sleep-aids for the first few days of jet lag 

• Nifedipine (for pulmonary edema, the 30 mg time release x 2 tablets) and dexamethasone (for cerebral edema, 4 mg x 10 tablets)

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NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS WE RECOMMEND

• Several Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kits

• Imodium for diarrhea 

• Pepto Bismol (tablets recommended)

• Throat lozenges 

• Wet wipes and personal body wipes

• Hand sanitizer

• Lip balm 

• Broad spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or more)

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CLOTHING, TREKKING GEAR, EYEWEAR: Please review the clothing and trekking equipment list on IMT’s website. For much of the trek you will be above tree line, potentially on snow. During the approach to Everest Base Camp, you will be exposed to higher rates of UV light and glare from ice sheets. Good eyewear is important, therefore, to both protect your eyes and to enhance your visual experience of the Khumbu. There are several different brands for you to consider. For those in need of prescription sport eyewear, we recommend contacting Opticus in Lyons, Colorado to either swap out prescription lenses in your frames or to purchase frames and prescription lenses from them. 

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COSTS INCLUDED IN TRIP FEE:

• Transfers for international flights (airport-hotel-airport)

• Jeep travel or domestic flight to Lukla, if weather permits

• Hotel in Kathmandu for stated itinerary

• All permit fees

• Guides

• Porters

• Helicopter flight including 20kg per person

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day of the trek

• Emergency oxygen

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COSTS NOT INCLUDED IN TRIP FEE:

• Flights from home to and from Kathmandu, and travel expenses and hotels before or after the stated itinerary (we can assist you making reservations if you wish to stay longer)

• Airport taxes, visas, and insurance policies (medical evacuation, trip interruption and cancellation)

• Personal gear, personal items and alcoholic beverages

• Tips for your guides and porters (see IMT’s Tip Policy)

• Costs incurred because of delays or events beyond the control of IMT

• Single room option ($460)