|
|
 |
|
| 14 Days Myths & Legends of The Himalayas |
|
|
|
MYTHS & LEGENDS OF THE HIMALAYAS - Practical Information Bhutan, Nepal & Tibet
BHUTAN'S jealously guarded isolation and stunning scenery makes it one of the most desired places to visit by seasoned travelers. It is often said that even the most experienced traveler will find Bhutan to be a 'revelation'. NEPAL- THE Kingdom of Nepal is the home of the great Himalayan range. With its peaks rising over 25,000ft these legendary mountains provide a spectacular sight. The capital city Kathmandu is only 4,200ft high and is a year round destination. Nepal is an exotic country with a rich culture and natural beauty. TIBET- The Tibetan plateau, high and desolate is extraordinary in its pristine beauty and ruggedness. Dominated by an intensely blue sky, people here live in a timeless setting. Sample Tibet's spiritual traditions in its temples and monasteries, and the home of Tibetan religion in Lhasa.
PASSPORT & VISAS
A passport valid for at least six months beyond your return date is required. Visas are required for India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. Assistance is provided in obtaining necessary visas for tours anywhere in the world. |
|
|
|
You will require a multiple entry visa for India before arrival in India. Over the years we have found Zierer Visa Service to be very reliable and efficient. They arrange visas on behalf of most big tour operators in the country. Immediately after sign-up, a visa kit with requisite forms from Zierer Visa Service for the India visa will be sent to you. Visa fee is not included in your tour price and the payment should be mailed with the completed application to the visa service.
For more information or to download a Zierer Visa application please visit
www.zvs.com. To speak directly with ZVS Customer Service, call toll-free (866)788 1100, Monday-Friday, 9am-8pm EST, Saturday 10am-2pm ET.
Should you decide to get your own visas, you can apply through the Indian Consulate closest to you. With effect from October 1, 2007, visa processing
and delivery process has been outsourced by the Indian Consulate to Travisa
Outsourcing Travisa
Outsourcing www.indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com
You will have to complete an online form: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/requirements/gather?apply=bymailto get a unique
barcode on your application. (Please follow the step by step process on
their website) and send them the completed, printed application with your
passports, photos and visa fee, etc. via a track able method such as FedEx,
UPS or registered mail.
Tourist visas for Nepal are available on arrival at Kathmandu airport. You will
be required to fill out a simple visa form and will need two photographs per
person. Current multiple entry Nepal visa fee is $25.00 per person payable at
the airport in cash. (visa fee subject to change)
Travelers to Bhutan must have a visa approved prior to arriving in Bhutan.
If you do not have a pre-approved visa you will not be permitted to board
Druk Air flight to Bhutan. Please send us your passport details such as name,
passport number, date and place of issue, validity, date of birth, and your
profession. We will assist you in the pre-approved visa process. Current
Bhutan visa fee is $30.00 per person which will be collected as part of your
land arrangements (visa fee subject to change).
Travelers to Tibet must have a visa approved prior to arrival failure to do so
means that you will not be permitted to board the Air China flights to Lhasa.
If you are entering Tibet from China, you will also need a valid Chinese visa.
Entering Tibet from Nepal requires a visa valid for Tibet only (no Chinese
Visa required) from the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu (30-60 day visas are
the norm and it takes 2 week days to obtain it). Please send us your passport
details such as name, passport number, date and place of issue, validity, date
of birth, and your profession. We will assist you in the pre-approved visa
process. Upon arrival in Kathmandu our reps will assist you in getting the
Tibet permit stamped on your passport. Visa fee of $225.00 per person must
be paid in cash to our reps in Kathmandu (visa fee subject to change).
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
India, Bhutan, Nepal or Chinese governments do not require any inoculations, except proof of a yellow fever shot if you have traveled in a yellow fever effected area within the past six months. As a minimum, most tourists take protection against Hepatitis A and get booster shots. CDC and your local health department maintain a list of recommended shots for travel to your destination. Your personal physician may recommend some shots for your special needs. For more information you may contact your local health department or the CDC at (800) 232 4636 or visit http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/regions/south-asia.aspx.
Precautions
Minor stomach ailments are the most common affliction of visitors to Himlayas. To minimize the chances of your getting sick, we strongly recommend that you drink only bottled water during your travel through Himalayas. Bottled drinking water is available for purchase throughout. In restaurants, insist that they bring a sealed bottle to your table. Avoid having ice in drinks unless you know it has been made with bottled water. It may be advisable to brush your teeth with bottled water. It is also a good idea to always wash your hands before and after eating. Try and avoid unpeeled fruits or raw salads or make sure fresh fruit or vegetables have been washed in bottled water. Most hotels have physicians on call. They are inexpensive (relative to what you pay at home), competent, and familiar with the common ailments that afflict travelers. Your tour might be traveling through remote areas where medical facilities may not be in easy reach. Our local staff are available to assist you in anyway possible.
High Altitude Sickness
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is common at high altitudes especially in Tibet, and depends on the elevation, the rate of ascent and individual susceptibility. It's advisable that you should rest on the first day of your arrival in Lhasa, Tibet to acclimatize.
To prevent acute mountain sickness: drink extra fluids, eat light, high-carbohydrate meals for more energy, avoid alcohol as it may increase the risk of dehydration, and don't smoke, avoid sedatives, don't push yourself when climbing up to passes, rather take plenty of breaks, avoid catching cold before you entering Tibet.
Physical Challenges
This Tour is an adventure trip, driving on rough mountainous roads on some of the highest mountains in the world with little or no emergency medical facilities. You will be traveling assuming all the related risks. We recommend on this tour particularly, to purchase an emergency medical evacuation insurance that would help you in case of an accident but we are sure you realize that they probably are not able to provide you instant/ immediate medical assistance if stuck on a remote road somewhere high in the Himalayas. Our local agents, tour escort/guides etc are available to assist throughout the trip.
Circumstances beyond our Control
Due to bad weather or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, if re-routing becomes necessary, certain additional costs may occur in providing extra flights, transportation or hotel nights. Our local reps will first try to get the airlines concerned to pay to re-route you to the next destination. However, if the same is not paid by the airlines concerned it will have to be paid by the tour members before the re-routing arrangements are finalized.
CLIMATE
The best time to travel to the Himlayas is from March/June and September/October.
CLOTHING
NNo formal clothes are required on your tour and casual to smart casual would be a good general guideline to follow. Bring your protection against sun, (i.e., sun screen, sun glasses, wide brimmed hat, umbrella etc.).
Dress up in layers and carry a woolen sweater, a good warm jacket (fiber-pile), headwear, scarves, mittens or gloves etc. Although we do not expect rain during the suggested months of travel but in the mountains quick showers can develop anytime. Please do carry a light rain coat or an umbrella and a wind jacket. Remember comfortable walking shoes and a few pairs of dark "temple sox" that can be discarded after the tour.
Recommended items to pack include
Good walking shoes, protection against sun, (i.e., sun screen, sun glasses, wide brimmed hats, umbrellas, lip balm etc.), adequate woolen clothing viz. woolen sweater, jacket, headwear, rain gear, extra pair of sox (temple sox), mosquito repellent (Deet or such), medication in consultation with your physician (diarrhea/altitude sickness medication, re-hydration mixtures, Calamine lotion, sting relief spray or aloe vera), soap leaves, wet wipes (single use type packets), hand sanitizer, binoculars, flashlight, alarm clock or a travelers watch, ear plugs, calculator, camera with extra memory sticks/film and batteries.
FOOD & DINING
Our tours to Himalayas are full board with most meals included as there is not enough choices of good & safe city restaurants... its best to eat at the hotels. A good combination of traditional local fare and continental favorites is available in most hotels. Buffet breakfast is included daily with juice, fruit, breads, eggs and local items. Lunches and dinners are mostly buffets or a choice of four-course western or traditional style meals. It.s recommended to drink only bottled water which is readily available throughout.
BAGGAGE
Baggage handling of only one piece of checked luggage per person is included on all tours. Domestic flights in India, Bhutan, Nepal & Tibet allow each passenger only one checked bag not to exceed 44 pounds. Please check with us regarding restrictions on baggage to your destinations.
ELECTRIC CURRENT
Electricity in India/Bhutan/Nepal/Tibet runs at 220/240 volts, 50 cycles A.C. If you do bring electrical appliances, take along an international converter kit complete with a set of adapter plugs.
TIME ZONES India, Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet have only one time zone;
India: +5.5 hours GMT
Bhutan: +6 hours GMT
Nepal: +5.45 hours GMT
Tibet: +8 hours GMT
For current time: www.worldtimeserver.com
CURRENCY
Your hotels, sightseeing tours, most meals and on some escorted tours gratuities are prepaid. However, customary end-of-the-trip gratuity to your tour escort is not included. Tourists are advised to carry their money in form of traveler checks (preferably American Express) and cash (US Dollars) which might be needed for incidental expenses. It is easy to change money at your hotel cashier's desk. You may want to take some cash in twenties, tens, fives and ones for small purchases. You should try not to change too much money as it is often difficult to reconvert local money back to US dollars. ATMs are not available in the Himalayas and credit cards are rarely accepted. Some large hotels or handicraft shops do accept credit cards but these transactions take extra time. We advise not to count on credit cards and please carry US Dollars cash or traveler's checks.
CANCELLATION:
Our cancellation policy is as follows; If canceled in writing;
90 days or more before departure.Minimum penalty $350.00
89 - 60 days before departure.Minimum penalty 50%
59 - 45 days before departure.Minimum penalty 75%
44 days prior till date of departure.100% of the tour price
NO shows . no refunds and no refunds after the tour begin.
All penalties above are per person.
Terms & Conditions |
|
