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MUSIC, ARTS, ADVENTURE TOURS OF NEPAL
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Nepal?
Meals and Food Choice
In the Kathmandu Valley, many types of foods are available since there are many different types of restaurants of varying price ranges and nationalities. In the villages, the food options are more limited. Vegetarian foods are very common in South Asia, so being a vegetarian is not a problem. Since rice is the main grain in their diet, avoiding wheat and gluten is generally not a problem either as long as we know that may be an issue. Spicy or not spicy food can both be available. Please let us know of any other dietary needs you may have ahead of time and we hope to be able to accommodate everyone.
Does one need to be a musician or artist to come on a tour?
No! One does not need to be a musician, or an artist to come on a Music, Arts, and Culture Tour. One just needs to have interests in such things and have interests in meeting people who actually make the art and music and live in authentic cultures. We have a great time on the trips and people generally come out of the trip with new life long friends that they made in our groups and along the way. Check out the website for video clips, photos, and testimonials from past participants.
Will I have to worry about altitude problems? Is there a harsh climate like I have seen in movies?
We do our tours at times of the year when the weather is generally beautiful. Nepal is at about the same latitude as Florida. There are mangos and bananas growing in some people's yards in Kathmandu. Kathmandu is only at around 4500 feet, so no altitude problems for anyone ever during our Culture Tours. For those who opt for our trekking extensions, we very carefully pick our trekking routes to maximize the beauty of the mountains, see lots of really cool plants and animals and majestic breathtaking views without having to climb any crazy high peaks at dangerous altitudes. We get to see some of the authentic mountain cultures with this strategy as well. No special training or equipment is needed. Talk with us to find out more and ask about any potential concerns if you are considering our trips. :)
Travel Health Insurance
We highly highly recommend anyone going on a tour abroad get Travel Health Insurance. You may also want Trip Insurance, but we leave that decision up to you and have some companies mentioned in our FAQ packet for that.
If you book a tour we can email a list of companies which provide this and some of our recommendations. We always use Wallach & Co. for our Travel Health Insurance and love that they have real humans to talk to on the phone to answer any questions when doing the forms or if you need their help while traveling. When I did have a medical situation one time they were awesome! Here is a link to them if you would like to check out their services.
Click the following link and it will take you right to them. You will want the Health Care Global: https://wallach.com/global-
Medications
Please bring whatever medicines that you may regularly need to take with you. Some basic medicines are generally available there, but if you are loyal to a particular brand they may not have that particular brand. It is best if you know the generic name for any drug that you might want instead of a brand, like ibuprofen instead of Advil.
Passport and VISA Requirements
You will need a current passport. (Double check the dates and that you are also not soon to expire. Like many countries, Nepal requires at least 6 months to be left on your passport when you arrive, even if you are only planning too stay a week or so.)
The Nepali VISA is not included in our tour prices. As of 2023 people once again also have a choice of getting a Nepal VISA upon arrival at the Kathmandu Airport, or at a Nepali consulate, or online. If you sign up for a tour we can give you more details about obtaining VISAs and other paperwork and logistics.
In general it is good to have 4 or 5 extra PASSPORT PHOTOS with you, as some of the UNESCO World Heritage sites may require a passport photo if you want a longer lasting pass. A Passport photo is also required if you want to purchase a local SIM card for your phone while you are there. You can swap out your smart phone's SIM card to a Nepali one while there to avoid any suprise long distance or roaming charges from your home phone service provider for a very affordable price when you land at the airport, or some people use an international phone plan. Ask us if you want more information on this is you register for one of our trips .
Customs and Cultural Do’s and Don’ts
Do try to remember always that while traveling to another country you are always an ambassador. Please try to remember that a smile, patience, and a sense of humor are the best way to usually get things done.
Language Learning and Requirements
One does not need to know any language skills or have any interest in learning the local language. Nepali is the main language of Nepal. If one does have an interest in learning some Nepali your guide (Tara) can offer some basic Nepali lessons. Even just having a few words of Nepali can make people really love you. So it can be fun to try just a few even. Often just a couple of words to show that one has given an attempt will go very far in bringing smiles to the faces around you.
What to Pack
Once your tour is booked you will receive a detailed document with loads of helpful tips about traveling there and what to bring and what to expect. After reading through that sheet you can follow up with Tara to ask specific questions in regards to best ideas of things to bring and not bring. In general layers for clothes are great since the weather can vary a good bit between day time and night time. It is also good to bring some type of at least a light waterproof coat. Comfortable shoes are a must. No one will expect anyone traveling in Nepal to have high heeled shoes or other such. The roads even in downtown Kathmandu can be less than smooth and predictable sometimes. That being said some people have said that clogs were a little tricky for walking on cobblestone streets and the like. A waterproof pair of some type of hiking boot is a really really good idea. There are times of year less likely to have precipitation, but there is always at least a slight chance of precip. We want dry and happy feet. Happy feet, make for a happy traveler. :)
Weather/Climate
We take great care in scheduling our trips to have you there at the best times of the year to be there. We take into account local holidays and climate. Nepal is at the same latitude as Florida and March and April or October and November are generally beautiful weather with stunning views. Often the weather will be sunny and in the 70's (Fahrenheit) in the daytime and cooler in the evenings. We recommend bringing layers, a waterproof jacket and waterproof boots (especially if signing up for a trekking extension). We provide a trekker's checklist and assistance for packing ideas once folks sign up.
Prices
Contact us to get an itinerary emailed out to you with Tour prices and details.
Flights to and from Nepal are not included, nor is the price of your Nepali VISA. If you contact us, we can suggest some of our favorite travel agents and ailrlines we have worked with for finding the best flights to and from your home location.
Post-Covid Update
Last we heard, one no longer was required to show proof of covid vaccination for entry into Nepal.
More FAQs
After one is registered for a tour, we send out a much longer FAQ sheet with lots of tiny details and tips to help you be prepared, comfortable, and happy as you travel. After reading through that very detailed and helpful handout, tour participants can follow up with specific questions and concerns. We are happy to help.
Limited Tours Available and Limited Spots on These Tours!
We have made very unique and special tours. Limited spots are available for our tours to keep them an intimate size, so if you are interested do not delay in contacting us! We have limited availablity so register early and don't miss out.
Contact us to find more info, to get on our email list, or to register for our next tour at TaraWorlds@gmail.com .
