DISCOVER NEPAL

DoYou

KnowWhat to

Pack?

THE ALLIN ONETRAVELHACK

YOUR COMPLETEITINERARYFROM DAY 1TO DAY 14

HINTSTIPSINFOAND JUICYDETAILS

Y@H TREKKING EDITION

Hey there!Firstly, on behalf of everybody at Bamboo, I would like to offer you our thanks for choosing to

experience this incredible part of the world with us. We guarantee you an amazing time and

we’re all very much looking forward to meeting you in Kathmandu soon.

I imagine that right now you’re very excited about your upcoming adventure and this little

guide has been put together to help you understand more about what will be happening,

what to expect, how to plan and more. We guarantee your time with us will be unforgettable

from start to end.

Bamboo is growing as our style of 'travel' has proven to be the 'way' to travel. You are now a

part of this journey and we welcome you with open arms and hearts. This growing experience

is down to people like you, so do get stuck in, become part of our way of life, live every moment

and take nothing for granted. 

Peace, Love & Bamboo

Mark (& the other Panda, Colin)

Follow me on Instagram to join

our Bamboo journey @markbamboo

D I S C O V E R   N E P A L   |   T H E U L T I M A T E T R A V E L G U I D E

TOURHIGHLIGHTS  

Guided city tour through

Kathmandu's best landmarks

KATHMANDU

Check out the breathtaking views on

the road during your trekking

adventure

AMAZING VIEWS

Meet and interact with the children

and their families at Muscular

Dystrophy Foundation Nepal’s

physiotherapy clinic, the people that

part of your fee supports.

DONATIONS

Get off the beaten track and

experience real, authentic Nepalese

communities

CULTURE

Embark through the crisp lakeside

town of Pokhara

DISCOVERY

Explore the jungles and landscapes of

Chitwan National Park

NATURE

Stepping off the plane in Kathmandu is a feast for

the eyes, with packed alleyways, medieval

temples, and old-timey rickshaws vying for your

pupils’ attention. Just look for the Bamboo logo,

though, and we’ll ease the anxiety and take you to

your hotel where you can rest up, tune out the

chaos from the traffic-jammed rickshaws, and, if

you’re like Edmund Hillary, start your stretches

before your jaunt up to the Mardi Himal Base

Camp.

If you’re up for it, we’re happy to meet up for a

drink and a bite to eat, or recommend where to

spend the day in the city—be it the Garden of

Dreams or Kumari Bahal.

Meals Included: You're on your own for this one!

DAY 1 (THURS)KATHMANDU

Hopefully, we’ve all slept off the jet-lag or bus-lag

or climber’s feet (that exists, right?) by morning.

We’ll begin the day with a bit of a formality, a brief

orientation of the entire tour—what we do, what we

expect, and how you can kick ass, conquer Nepal,

and give back a bit with Bamboo. We’ll also ease

any concerns and hesitations you may have about

being here—we get it, you’re surrounded by the

biggest mountain in the world. Once through

orientation, we’re going to let you off the leash in

Kathmandu to discover what all this hippie town

has to offer, from Boudhanath Stupa to stunning

markets. The monkey temple might be the most

hidden gem in all of Asia.

We’ll also be heading to nearby Patan, one of the

three little kingdoms that made up the

Kathmandu Valley back in the day, for your culture

fix. After your walking tour of Patan, we’ll head to

visit the kids supported by Muscular Dystrophy

Foundation, Nepal and get an insight into the

invaluable support this grassroots organization

provides.

Just, when you’re on your own tonight, try not to

get too caught up at the town’s Reggae Night

because it’ll make tomorrow’s journey to the lake-

side town of Pokhara all the more difficult!

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 2 (FRI) KATHMANDU

Up and at it early this morning, we’ll be venturing

to Pokhara.

Stretching along the shores of a Phewa Lake, the

tranquil and spiritual Prokhara embodies the

Nepal only Lakshmi could envision: Snow-capped

mountains, steel, blue waters, and obscene

amounts of curry.

Upon arrival, and if weather permits, we’ll row

across the lake and hike to the Peace Pagoda, the

city’s stunning temple. Following an afternoon of

exploration, we'll touch base on the plans for

tomorrow when the group splits over an Everest

Beer or two and dinner.

Whether trekking or volunteering, you’ll need to

know the ins and outs of your time with Bamboo,

so pay attention.

Meals: Breakfast.

DAY 3 (SAT)KATHMANDU TO POKHARA

Limber up, stretch the legs, and brace for the next

week of trekking through the foothills of the

Himalayas. Our first morning we’ll drive to Khande

to the Annapurna mountain range. Here, we’ll

climb through jungle and to the breathtaking

cliffside vistas. The trek is steep...and then

gentle...and then steep again. So don’t try doing

this in flip-flops.

Wild deer, monkeys, yaks, and thousands of

species of birds frequent the dense, mountainous

jungles and high alpine pastures, so pack a

camera so you're prepared for your very own

David Attenborough moment.

Our excursion ends with a bumpy ride back to

Pokhara. By evening, you’ll be swapping stories,

laughs, and readying for your next adventure to

Chitwan.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

DAY 4 - 10 (SUN - SAT) TREKKING

The TrekThe Annapurna region of Nepal is a land so beautiful, it has long been the ultimate trekking

dream for hikers. Here, the sacred peaks of Annapurna, Machapuchare and Dhaulagiri,

shining with snow year round, tower over ancient rhododendron forests, icy rivers and

temperate jungles where tigers still roam.

This trek will take you off-the-beaten-track, where you will stay in basic tea houses, giving you

first-hand experience of the real Nepal. It's for those with a real sense of adventure, who are

happy to embrace basic living conditions in order to experience rural, mountain people’s life

in Nepal.

This trek is considered moderate, with occasional strenuous days and thus a reasonable level

of fitness is required. We'll be trekking between 4 and 8 hours per day depending on the

speed of the group. The trek starts at around 1800m above sea level and reaches 4450m at

Mardi Himal Base Camp on day 6.

The trek is a mixture of steep climbs and gentle inclines, make sure you bring suitable

footwear and drink enough water throughout each day.

Accommodation on this trek is basic and on a shared basis, with basic washing facilities and

limited chances to do laundry unless you wish to brave the cold communal village tap! 

itinerary

Who’s up for canoeing, jungle walking, safari-ing,

and meeting some elephants? If yes? Then you’ve

arrived at the right place. Today is for exploring

the wild world of Nepal...and probably taking far

too many selfies.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

DAY 12 (MON CHITWAN

543 species of birds call Chitwan National Park

home. Today, you’re going to try spotting all of

them...or at least a few during our morning bird-

watching experience. Following the bird-

watching, with eyes fully exhausted, we’ll be

traveling back to Kathmandu, so download

enough Netflix to last most of the day because it’s

a long journey.

Once back on the old streets of “Yeṃ Deśa,” the

city’s moniker. We’ll gather for our final night

together, a group dinner in the heart of the city.

We’ll toast to our journey, to the Himalayas, and to

our future together. Cheers!

Meals Included: Breakfast.

DAY 13 (TUES) CHITWAN TO KATHMANDU

Two weeks – gone in the blink of an eye. Don’t

mind our sniffling.

The tour may have ended but the stories you’ll

soon tell are only beginning. It can take weeks to

realize what all you accomplished in such a short

time with Bamboo.

Rather than saying goodbye, we prefer to say, “see

you soon.” You’re part of The BamFam now.

Meals Included: Breakfast.

DAY 14 (WED)KATHMANDU

Departing from our lives as trekkers and modern-

day Edmund Hillary’s, we’re off to Chitwan

National Park, home to where tigers, rhinos,

monkeys, and deer roam blissfully. It’s one of the

few places in the world to see these animals in

their natural habitat.

By evening, we’ll meet for dinner and a “Tharu”

cultural program to welcome you to this part of

the world.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

DAY 11 (SUN) POKHARA TO CHITWAN

What's includedDISCOVER NEPAL TOUR

1. Airport Arrival Pickup between 6am -

8pm on the official start date

2. All Accommodation

3. All Activities outlined above

4. A city tour of Patan

5. Donation to all projects

6. Our team to accompany you 24/7

7. Time with the kids supported by

Myscular Dystrophy Foundation

8. All meals during your Mardi Himal Base

Camp Trek

9. Qualified Guides on your journey

FAST FACTS:

VISAMost countries can buy a visa on

arrival

VISA entry is YOUR responsibility

Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, is

the living cultural museum of the

world.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

A visa is necessary to enter Nepal and there are two

options for obtaining one.

You can obtain one before leaving home from any

Nepalese Embassy or Consulate in your own country.

Alternatively, you can buy a visa on arrival at the

Tribhuvan International airport, please check the

immigration website for exceptions:

www.nepalimmigration.gov.np

Multiple entry tourist visas can be obtained by paying 30

USD for 15 days, 50 USD for 30 days or 125 USD for 90

days. *prices are subject to change

T H E I N F O R M A T I O N Y O U N E E D T O K N O W B E F O R E W E B E G I N D I S C O V E R N E P A L

THE NITTYGRITTY

VISA and passport requirements are YOURresponsibility.

KATHMANDU

Rooms here will be twin shared (2 beds).

All rooms include air conditioning, a satellite TV, a

mini fridge and a private bathroom.  

Breakfast will be served at the hotel restaurant.

There is a roof terrace, small courtyard with seating

and you will be slap bang in the middle of Thamel,

the backpacker area, surrounded by restaurants, bars

and shops galore.

FUJI HOTEL

POKHARA

Your accommodation will be twin shared (2 beds).

All rooms are fitted with air conditioning and a

private western style bathroom. 

Free WIFI is available throughout the hotel. 

Breakfast will be served at the hotel restaurant.

There are some terrace areas with views out over

the lake and you are a 5 minute walk from central

Lakeside and the beautiful Phewa Lake itself.

POKHARA ECO RESORT

ACCOMMODATION

CHITWAN

Rooms here will be twin shared (2 beds).

All rooms include air conditioning, a satellite TV and

a private bathroom. 

All meals will be served in at the hotel restaurant on

site. 

UNIQUE WILD RESORT

Accommodation during the trek will be in basic tea

houses or lodges.

During the trek all your meals are included,

including tea or coffee during meal times.

WIFI is available in some tea houses along the

trekking route.

Hot showers can be used at some of the tea houses

at an additional cost as is the charging of phones,

cameras etc.

TRADITION TEAHOUSES

ACCOMMODATION

TREKKING

FAST FACTS:

MONEY

Basic costs of things:

Local meal (Dal Bhat) 250 rupees

Bottle of beer 290-450 rupees

Bottle of water 25-30 rupees

Memories - Free of charge

The currency in Nepal is known as the

Rupee or NPR

Remember to tell your bank that you

are leaving the country to avoid your

card being suspended

When it comes to advice on how much money

to bring, it’s impossible to say. All our intrepid

explorers are very different. Where some go all

out, others are on a budget. You can find both

high end and budget restaurants, bars and

shops across Nepal. A rough guide for meals

and drinks can be found below:

Typical exchange rates are:

$1 - 110 rupees£1 - 140 rupees

ATMs, or cash machines, are prevalent

throughout Nepal and will issue the local

currency. If you do plan to bring your ATM card

with you, we recommend that you inform your

bank. This should prevent your card being

suspended due to irregular withdrawals.

We don’t recommend bringing traveller's

cheques with you. The reason is that banks

across Nepal have odd hours of operating, and

it may cause unnecessary hassle finding a bank

open when you wish to make a transaction.

Negotiating a purchase, known as bartering, still

happens in the tourist areas of Nepal.

If you’re unsure as to whether or not you can

barter for a discount please speak to your guide

or coordinator. 

MONEY

FAST FACTS: FUAX PAS

Packing for a trip to the unknown is always

tricky. It’s definitely worth doing a little bit of

homework on this one and to consider the local

culture when deciding what clothes to bring.

Here is a list of what you will need:

Backpack

Day pack with rain cover

Sleeping bag

Compression stuff sack

T-shirts (walking)

T-shirts (sleeping)

Base layers (thermals)

Top insulating layers

Fleece vest

Rain jacket

Down jacket

Underwear

Trekking trousers

Sleeping trousers

Hiking shorts

Rain pants

Thermal Long Johns

Hiking boots

Socks

Flip-flops/camp shoes

Reusable water bottle

Water purification tablets

Sunscreen

Personal first aid kit

Sunglasses

Bandana

Flashlight/head torch

Travel towel

Wash kit

Instant hand sanitizer

Baseball hat/sun hat

Camera

Book/journal

Toilet roll & rubbish bag

Warm hat, gloves & neck warmer

A great sense of humour 

Packs and bags

Clothing

Footwear

Miscellaneous

KIT LIST

FAST FACTS: TRAVEL

For up to date information about the best travel

vaccinations to have before arriving in Nepal we urge

you to contact your own GP, a travel health clinic or to

check the World Health Organisations website.

Bamboo are not medical professionals and therefore

can’t offer you medical advice. 

VACCINATIONS

FLIGHTSThanks to the world wide web we now have access to

great flight deals through websites such as Skyscanner,

Google Flights and more. If you’d rather use the

services of a booking agent, the likes of STA Travel,

Trailfinders and Flight Centre, they are all available

online.  

Please remember that this tour starts in Kathmandu

and finished in Kathmandu

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Once you have booked and confirmed your flight to

Kathmandu, please make sure that you have shared

your flight arrival time and flight number with our

team. Without those details, we will be unable to

guarantee that one of our team will be at the airport

to meet you on arrival. 

Did you know that?

The handshake is not very common in

Nepal. People of Nepal put their palms

together and bow their forehead and

say Namaste.

Did you know that?

On a flight, the bathroom door isn’t

really locked when you’re inside.

Lavatory doors can be locked and

unlocked from the outside for a

multitude of reason. It allows flight

attendants quick access to locked

lavatories in case of emergencies. In

other instances, it allows the cabin crew

to restrict access to bathrooms during

takeoff and landing.

INSURANCE REMINDERTravel insurance should be in place for the entire

duration of your travel, covering, at a minimum,

cancellation of booking, providing medical cover for

illness and injury, repatriation whilst overseas, helicopter

evacuation off the mountain and loss of baggage. 

TRAVEL

ARRIVALS INFO

Kathmandu’s International Airport is a very busy

airport and can be a confusing place. You will be

staying at Fuji Hotel. Please keep this address handy as

it will be requested upon your arrival:

Fuji Hotel, Brahmakumari Marg, P.O Box: 6209,Jyatha, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal

Once you’ve passed through Immigration (Passport

Control) you’ll need to collect your luggage from one

of the carousels. Make sure you keep your airline

baggage slips as you will need to show these in order

to exit the baggage hall. Once you have your bags

please make your way to the exit passing through the

‘nothing to declare’ channel. Once through you will

enter the busy main arrivals area.

Please keep a look out for our team. They should be

easily recognizable with their Bamboo T-shirts and

holding a sign showing the Bamboo logo. Once you’ve

spotted our team, please head over and introduce

yourself. You’ll then receive further instructions. Please

bear in mind that we may be waiting for others to

arrive so your transfer to the hotel may not be

immediate but we’ll get you there as soon as possible.

In the unlikely event that you can’t find our team,

please don’t panic. As long as you have provided

us with your correct flight details one of our team

will be there. Please check again in the arrivals

area. If you still cannot locate one of our team

please call the following number +977 9849

141067.

If you have supplied us with a mobile phone number,

please make sure your phone is turned on as we may

be trying to contact you.

On arrival to the hotel, we’ll help you to check in and

give you more details of what’s happening next. 

Your hotel transfer will be around 30-

40 minutes from the airport to the

heart of Kathmandu

Keep your eyes peeled for the smiling face

that holding our Bamboo logo

Pick up is only available between thehours of 6 am - 8 pm on the official startdate.

If you are arriving outside of these hoursand are getting a taxi to the hotel pleasemake a note of the hotel contactinformation.

Name: Fuji HotelNum: +9771 425 0435

ARRIVAL

FUN FACTS: TRANSPORT

All trips between cities will be taken in a private

comfortable A/C minivan or bus (depending on

numbers) and we will have plenty of toilet breaks,

snack stops and chances to take photos of the

incredible scenery along the way.

Transportation times can vary according to the

season, traffic and the road conditions at the time.

Below is a typical estimate of the journey times

between each location:

Approximately  7-8 hours

Approximately  4-5 hours

Approximately 6-8 hours Our Discover Nepal tour actually covers

a distance of over 450km from start to

finish across Kathmandu, Pokhara,

Chitwan and back to Kathmandu.

Nepal is home to one of the few places

on earth where you can see both the

Bengal tiger and the one-horned

rhinoceros

KATHMANDU TO POKHARA

POKHARA TO CHITWAN

CHITWAN TO KATHMANDU

TRANSPORT

NOTE - Your trekking guides will all be qualifiedand experienced.

FAST FACTS: GUIDES

GUIDES

Any tour is only as good as the guide – fact. The input

of a tour guide cannot be understated. Their input

into your tour, their little insights, the off-the-beaten-

track adventures, the knowledge and experiences

that they share with you will make or break your time

wherever you are in the world.

At Bamboo, we take the selection and training of our

guides and coordinators very seriously. Each guide

undertakes a structured training program of three

months and only once we’re convinced that they are

genuine representatives of Bamboo are they signed

up to the family.

Each of our tours has English-speaking guides to

support you, answer your questions, educate you and

to ensure that your time is unforgettable. From time

to time we may have new guides-in-training on our

tours. If you’re lucky to have a trainee on your tour,

please be patient. They are undergoing training and

therefore their knowledge won’t be that of the

trained and experienced guide who will be

accompanying them. 

TIPPING

Although not in any way expected or encouraged,

anybody who goes over and above the call of duty to

ensure that you have the very best time, may deserve

a special little thank you.

Did you have extra special service in a restaurant? Did

the bus driver make an additional pit-stop just for

you? Did your guide go out of the way so that you

could experience something unique? At Bamboo

we’re firm believers in Karma – what goes around

most definitely comes around! 

Our guides are the face of Bamboo,

and they come in all shapes and

smiles.

We love each and every one of them

more than Elephants love bananas. 

Whilst most of them are elite travel

mavericks in their own right, you may

come across newbies who are on the

path the greatness.

If you're lucky enough to meet a

fresh-faced newbie, be sure to show

them your support and patience,

most guides remember their first

tours forever, so let's play nice.

ARRIVALDETAILS

HEALTH& SAFETY

PERSONALDETAILS

FOODALLERGIES

BEFORE YOU ARRIVEPlease ensure you have given the following information to

our team before arrival so that we can ensure you have the

best experience ever!

Please email bookings@wearebamboo.com with the

following information:

- Arrival Flight Date (dd/mm/yyyy) - Arrival Flight Time - Flight Number

- Name On Passport

- Passport Number

- Other Passport Information

- Nationality

- Date Of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy)

- Gender

- Contact Number

Please inform us if you have any

intolerance to the following foods

and ingredients:

- Your Travel Insurance provider

- Travel Insurance Policy Number

- Travel Insurance Emergency Number

- Any medical conditions and allergies

- Any medication you're taking

Dairy

Soy

Eggs

Peanuts

Tree Nuts

Fish

Shellfish

Sesame

Corn 

Gluten

Lactose Fructose 

Histamines 

Fructans

Galactans  

Salicylates

Other (Please Specify) 

TERMS & CONDITIONSPlease read these Terms and Conditions carefully as they form the basis of your

contract with WeAreBamboo. This agreement is made at the time of booking and

becomes legally binding upon payment of your deposit. By booking a program

with WeAreBamboo, you signify you have read and accepted these Terms and

Conditions

All programs advertised on our website and/or on Facebook are offered and/or

operated by WeAreBamboo Ltd. (trading as Bamboo and referred to as Bamboo

or ‘we’ hereinafter) with company number 59926953 whose registered office is:.

WE ARE BAMBOOLEVEL 261 SEAVIEW ROADLOWER HUTT, NEW ZEALAND 5010

All travel arrangements are sold subject to the following conditions. Bamboo

reserves the right to update the Terms and Conditions at any time.

Please view our full terms and conditions here:

https://www.wearebamboo.com/about/legal.php

Please note that the information in this pack is subject to changeat any time without notice.