- Continents
- Countries
VISAS: All foreign nationals (except Indians) require a visa to enter Nepal, which can be obtained from embassies abroad or on arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan airport. Further details will be provided once your booking has been confirmed.
CULTURE SHOCK: Nepal is a developing country with infrastructure, values, customs and standards that may differ from what you have at home. Expect poor road conditions, and know that restaurants and tourist sites may be closed from time-to-time. Also, our scheduled transportation may be altered, or the itinerary changed, due to circumstances beyond our control. Having a sense of humour and being prepared to go with the flow will come in very handy on this expedition.
LOCAL LGBT SCENE: Although Nepal may seem to be a leader in the fight for LGBT rights in Asia, there is actually little here to discover in terms of organized gay life.
WEATHER: Weather conditions in the Himalayas can change rapidly, and our Group Leader may need to change our itinerary accordingly. Travellers must be prepared for all weather conditions, but we do expect it to be primarily dry, with a chance of rain, and snow at higher elevations in the evenings. In the Everest Region, you can expect daytime highs around 15°C/60°F, with evening temperatures around 0°C/32°F to 5°C/41°F.
REQUIRED VACCINATIONS: Based on entry requirements, there are no vaccinations needed to enter Nepal. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as OUT Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
ELECTRICITY: You will need an international travel plug/adapter for type C/D/M sockets. Visit http://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/nepal/ for more information.
CONNECTIVITY: Our hotel in Kathmandu will have Wi-Fi access, but it’s slow. However, most cafés and restaurants offer a free connection. Our tea houses will not have Wi-Fi, but you can purchase a local SIM card, since most of the villages will have cellular reception.
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS: Please note domestic airlines in Nepal have strict luggage limits, with a maximum of 10kg for checked luggage, 5kg for hand luggage, and NO option to pay a surcharge for excess weight. However, if necessary, extra luggage can be stored at our hotel in Kathmandu. Also, due to adverse weather, flights to and from Lukla may be delayed or cancelled. If flight cancellations will gravely affect our itinerary, we may charter a helicopter charter, for which additional cost applies. If this happens, we will provide you with a support letter so you can make an insurance claim to recover the unexpected expenditure arising from conditions beyond our control (please review our Travel Insurance section below for more details).
Altitude sickness and oxygen deprivation may be felt while travelling in high altitudes. Symptoms include shortness of breath, headaches, general lethargy, and a reduced appetite. It’s important that you drink plenty of water, and not overexert yourself. A comprehensive first-aid kit is carried by our support crew during treks, and senior staff are trained to prevent, detect and – if necessary – deal with AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). Contrary to what many say, AMS is not that common, at least not on well-paced treks.
Out Adventures is all about good times with likeminded guys. Whatever’s on the itinerary – from fireside camping to five-star decadence – our goal is to make the experience magical. We’re also committed to supporting the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations when possible, and celebrating local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.
For everybody’s peace of mind, medical travel insurance is required on all Out Adventures tours. At a minimum, your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability, with a minimum medical coverage of US $200,000.
Click here for more details on our requirements and how to obtain coverage. We highly recommend that you insure your full purchase, including trip cancellation and medical.
Non-United States Citizens: The World Nomads base policy may not include coverage for certain activities on this itinerary, such as Hiking/Trekking under 6,000m. Conditions vary by your country of origin and it is your responsibility to ensure you are fully protected in the event of an emergency.
All Out Adventures are led by a gay (or gay-welcoming) guide. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if you’d like to delve deeper into the local culture. If you’re pleased with your guide, we recommend a tip of US $5-10 per person, per day…they’ll certainly appreciate it!
Out adventures are a great way to meet people from around the world and all walks of life. Bear in mind that everybody’s there for a good time, so mutual respect will go a long way. Please be on time for any meet ups, empathetic to the needs of others, and ready to roll with whatever the adventure brings.
Although we can’t tell you who your fellow travellers will be for privacy reasons, we can tell you many great friendships began with an Out Adventure. And just because we’re a gay tour operator doesn’t mean we’re exclusive: friends and family are always welcome to join the fun.
If you’ve never travelled on your own, it’s an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If there’s an odd number of solos, we’ll rotate a single room on a random basis.
The itinerary is correct at time of publishing. If anything, it will only improve with feedback from prior travellers and our own research. It’s best to reference your final trip documents, rather than our website, in case there have been any changes that affect your departure.
Every Out Adventure offers optional excursions that are not included in price of this trip. Please see the daily itinerary in your final pre-trip packet to learn what’s available.
On this tour, all breakfasts and 12 dinners are covered in the trip fees. During the hike, all of your breakfasts and dinners are taken care. For lunches we’ll stop at Tea Houses along the way and you can order off the menu.
Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated, however, you may have issues with strict diets. In such instances, we suggest bringing supplements.
Starting Point:
Kathmandu Guesthouse
Thamel, Kathmandu
Standard check-in time is between 2PM and 3PM. We are unable to arrange early check ins, however you are able to store your luggage and explore the central area near the hotel while you wait. If you would like a guaranteed early check-in, you will need to reserve a pre-tour night of accommodation.
If you are checking in to the hotel under your Out Adventures reservation, a complimentary arrival transfer will be included.
Dwarika’s Resort
Kathmandu
After a long week of hiking, we’ve booked a deluxe hotel to rest your weary feet. Enjoy the hotel’s incredible pool, stunning spa, signature library amongst other amenities.
The local currency is the Nepalese Rupee. Credit cards are accepted at our hotel, albeit with a small surcharge. We also recommend carrying approximately $400 USD to be used only in the case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold.
If you are happy with services throughout your trip, a tip is recommended. Tipping details will be provided in your final trip documentation, however we recommend budgeting about $250 USD.
Most OUT Adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. On this adventure, you’ll be limited to a maximum of 10kg/22lb in total (carry-on and checked) for the domestic flight to Lukla, and the hiking portion of the trip. During this time, you can store any larger luggage at our hotel in Kathmandu.
The following packing list should be used as a guideline, not as gospel. Our Adventure Specialists are happy to answer any specific questions about how much, or little to bring.
Travel Documents:
General Personal Items:
Health/Hygene:
Clothing:
Gear (items marked with * can be rented/purchased locally, however quality can’t be guaranteed):
We love when groups of friends join us on an OUT Adventure, whether you’re celebrating a major milestone, or you just love to travel together. However, since we have travellers that will be flying solo, or as a couple, we would love your help ensuring everybody feels welcome and has an epic time. Here are some ways you can give us a hand, while also getting to know and befriending your fellow travellers:
If you’d rather relish an exclusive escape with just your own party, we also offer private departures. This is a great way to create and manage your own holiday guest list, while possibly saving money as well. Please contact one of our Adventure Specialists if you’re interested in a customized quote.
All Out Adventures guests must have a good level of health. All tours, regardless of activity level, involve uneven steps, stairs, walking tours, and you will be required to carry your own luggage from time to time. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate individuals with limited mobility unless they are willing to absorb the cost of a private guide/assistant which varies by country and is only possible on a case by case basis. It is also your responsibility to advise Out Adventures of any pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that may affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of the tour by other participants.
Below is a breakdown of our Physical Rating guide.
1 – Relaxing
2 – Light
3 – Average
4 – Demanding
5 – Challenging
