Tour & Trekking
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Tuesday, 22 September 09 - 03:33 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
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Hello, I just wanted to update that several forms have been mailed to those who have provided me the address otherwise, there are links that I can send & can be downloaded to those who still wish to travel to Nepal with me in 2010.
Time is near now so if you fall in a cultural tour group, your deadline is approaching. And for Trekkers as well, if you feel you are ready, you can do the same. Please fill out the forms and send it back to me. Also, if you have any questions regarding those forms. Please let me know.
Thank you and I assure you this journey to the Himalayas will be awesome.
Prem
Sneak Peek of the Logo for Footsteps Nepal
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Friday, 11 September 09 - 12:37 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
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Namaste all of you. How are you all doing? Summer is almost over but the weather is beautiful these days so enjoy while it lasts. Yes, I am almost done organizing Nepal trip and finalizing everything & at the very end. Above logo we have designed for the Nepal Venture. Trust Bank Account has been established for "Footsteps Nepal LLC". So, that one will have options on what payment method to use. (For example: Credit Card via Google Check out or traditional Checks). Easiest one is to simply write a check (Payable to Footsteps Nepal LLC). The most convenient one is to use Google Check out for Credit Cards, which also will be mailed via email invoice (Works like phone order or mail order or buying on the internet). So, these are the options. I will be sending these information to those only who has provided me mailing addresses because I physically have to send it to the house address. So, if you are still willing to be in the trip. Please send me the mailing address and will mail out the info ASAP.
Rest is going well. My little sister Dawa is here in the states to go to University of Wisconsin Green Bay. That is the best news I have so far other than Footsteps Nepal LLC. Let me know what you guys think.
Prem Lama
Keep smiling folks because time for all of us to be other side of the planet is getting nearer and nearer.
New Name for Nepal Travel
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Thursday, 27 August 09 - 03:19 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
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Namaste all,
I apologize for not being able to update with you guys regarding our trip. The wheel is still in motion, that means we are moving forward. Due to legal reasons I had to register the company as LLC therefore, after long thinking and thinking, we came up with the name "Footsteps Nepal, LLC", which would suit very well in the line of what I thought would be best for our type of (mindfulness) travel and other charity related work that we currently do to help out in education sector in remote ares of Nepal.
Footsteps Nepal, LLC will currently function as limited itinerary organized travels, tours & trekking in Nepal but in the future, we are sure to bring more options into our travel, such as customized travel, beyond Nepal boarders travel & tours or Hindu, Buddhist pilgrimage tour with meditation, yoga and more, which I am thinking will unfold as we mature in the future.
For now, we do not have separate website dedicated for this purpose but in the future, we will have separate website with greater functionality to use the web.
Please be reminded we are almost getting done with our work, as soon as we finalize, I will send out the information and forms to be filled up so that we can begin to book flights, hotels, transportation and other related works.
Thank you for being patience. You have been great.
Namaste
Prem
Footsteps Nepal LLC
New Travel Business Title
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Friday, 21 August 09 - 03:33 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
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Namaste all,
How are you? Keeping yourself safe, responsible and mindful I hope. I am doing wonderful, summer is gone and new season is starting to come up softly. We must embrace it, accept it and enjoy the season as it unfolds. Once we learn to accept it, it is simply like breathing in and out. Truly enjoyable.
Anyway, I have an announcement here. The reason I couldn't contact you guys is because I am going through new entity because it is travel related rather than retail setup business. Therefore, it is taking somewhat longer than I anticipated. Nevertheless, wheel is in motion. It can only move forward.
Please have patience, I will be sending for those who have provided me the address, will receive some forms and information to be filled up and payment instructions for both Nepal Cultural Trip and Trekking.
Oh, we are going, For Sure. Patience is a Virtue, I believe.
Visa & Money for Nepal Trippers.
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Friday, 24 July 09 - 10:39 AM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
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Foreign Currency and Credit Cards
Payment in hotels, travel agencies, and airlines are made in foreign exchange. Credit cards like American Express, Master and Visa are widely accepted at major hotels, shops, and restaurants. Remember to keep your Foreign Exchange Encashment Receipt while making foreign exchange payments or transferring foreign currency into Nepalese rupees. The receipts may be needed to change left-over Nepalese Rupees into hard currency before leaving the country. However, only 10 percent of the total amount may be converted by the bank. ATM is widely in use in Kathmandu.
Major banks, hotels, and the exchange counters at Tribhuvan International Airport provide services for exchanging foreign currency.
Exchange rates are published in English dailies such as The Rising Nepal, The Kathmandu Post and The Himalayan Times. Nepalese Rupees are found in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are found in denominations of 10, 25 and 50 paisa. One rupee equals 100 paisa.
- Nepal is five hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT.
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Tourist Visa
Multi Entry Visa, Duration: 30 Days, Fee: US$ 40.00
(Note) Tourist visa can be obtained @ Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu however one must fill out the application at the airport and has to have the Visa Fee (in dollar) ready and a passport size photo ready and your visa will be granted instantly. Or one can fill up the following document and send it to Embassy of Nepal in Washington DC. Please follow the below links.
http://www.nepalembassyusa.org/index.php
http://www.nepalembassyusa.org/admin/resources/visa_application_form.pdf
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For Visa Extension
Tourists can stay for a maximum of 150 days in a visa year (Jan 1 to Dec 31) extending the visa at the rate of 2 US $ per day. However, a minimum amount of 30 US$ has to be paid for a period of 15 days or less.
Photo :
For obtaining visa & other things have at least 4 passport size photo taken no older than 6 months.
Transit Visa:
Transit visa is provided for 1 day for 5 US$ or Equivalent convertible currency. Return ticket is necessary.
- For Further inquiry & Information you may contact but not necessity.
Maitighar, Impact Building, Kathmandu,
Tel: 00977-1-4221996/ 4223590/ 4222453,
Web: www.immi.gov.np
A beautiful Nepali video & Nepal visit updates.
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Wednesday, 27 May 09 - 10:42 AM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
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Hello, Thank you for your continuous interest & support to visit Nepal. I along with my friend in Nepal (Sangey Lama) Alliance Nepal Trek Pvt. Ltd and our Air Travel Partner based in Washington DC and in Nepal are all working very hard to make this Himalayan Xperience 2010 a successful visit. In addition to that I am also communicating with the team that has been promoting Nepal "Let's go to Nepal". Due to various things in our lives that not everything can be planned way ahead of time therefore, I had to wait this long for all of you to know about our Himalayan Xperience 2010. There are still few things to take care of before we finalize in our cost among other minor things. However the good news is, it is definitely going to take place and we are releasing the dates for 10 days Cultural Tour of Nepal & 14 days Trekking Group. Please view Carefully
Note: For Cultural Group (No Trekking) will take place in first week of February 2010. Please mark your calender for the month of Feb 2010. The arrival date to Kathmandu is Feb 6Th and departure date from Kathmandu is Feb 15Th. Now as I have mentioned before this trip is very relaxing and enjoyable as there vertually no long hikes going to take place. Once again, I am very close to compiling everything together and waiting for final touch and so forth. One thing for sure, great trips like this definately takes time. If you cannot make it this time, sure there will be more in the future.
Note: For Trekking Group; This adventure will take place in the month of March as I am planning for the Rhododendron bloom along the trekking route. Arrival Date March 6th-Departure Date March 19th. Trekking trip is 4-5 days of strenuous hiking. We can only slow down to hike but there is not alternative but to walk. Not to scare you or anything. If you think you can do it, I suggest you can do it. It is fascinating be get so close to the Majestic mountains. Total worth the time & effort to see the Himalayas with your own naked eyes is the best gift you can give yourself.
Initially, I coated $4000.00 per person, just to keep you in a safer side. I however have mentioned that trip will cost less. In fact, I am recounting the numbers and the more we have in our group the less it will cost. The price of entire trip may cost between $3000-$3500 per person, not more. This cost is only possible because of our good friends & partners along the way. So, hang in there, Keep saving, your saving will not go anywhere. If it costs less, you still will have that cushion to use it for any reason. Oh this includes your travel insurance as well, unless you do not think you need one. However, the actual cost will be mailed to you.
We will keep you posted on when to purchase the air ticket, where to fly from and how to get hold of other group members. Please keep tuning as I am going to release more important things & notes related to Nepal and our venture.
If you are in Door County, please stop by the Shop at 7821 Hwy 42. Egg Harbor.
Namaste
Prem
A Woman's Guide to Packing for Nepal and Dressing for Kathmandu.
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Tuesday, 17 February 09 - 11:36 AM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
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Namaste to all,
Even though this article may help anyone, particularly meant for Nepal traveler in 2010. I found this article and thought, it may be very useful for women travelers in the group.
While plenty of information exists about what to bring treking, there seems to be a big-old-fat info gap concerning what to pack for the rest of your trip to Nepal. This might not be an issue for men, but we women have different needs and concerns. For example, how much skin is too much skin, how available are feminine products, and how can I be discrete if I have to bathe outside? Lucky for you, it is time to learn from my mistakes and rare pat-on-the-back moments.
Whether you want to, or not, each woman gets her Kathmandu fix for at least 48 hours. This guide, therefore, is geared toward your urban experience.
No matter how you look at it, Kathmandu is a city—complete with nightclubs, restaurants, getting in and out of cabs, hipsters, and businesswomen. It is normal to see girls wearing pumps while riding mopeds in the thrill-seeking madness that is Kathmandu traffic. European and American fashion trends have made it big here—with a few exceptions. Here are some handy “do’s, don’ts, and at your discretions” when it comes to clothes.
Save yourself the wasted suitcase space!
Don’t wear miniskirts or shorts: I’ve even had people think I’m somewhat inappropriately dressed when wearing a generic knee-length skirt.
Don’t wear daring necklines: Or at least consider how much more attention, than being a foreign tourist, you want to bring unto yourself before you do.
Don’t bring all neutral colors: When it comes to Nepal, bright is the new black, so don’t be afraid to pack some colorful items.
Don’t bring your favorite whites: “Clean” laundry can be a bit illusive. I have had many a tee and pant stained brown. Unless you want to buy a bucket and some bleach, which I have since done, just leave those whites at home. Your other option is to bring a white “litmus” handkerchief or pillowcase to throw in when you have your clothes cleaned by an unproven laundry service.
Don’t bring low riding pants or pants that touch the floor: The first point follows the same logic as the low necklines advice. Why, however, shouldn’t you bring pants that touch the floor? Although Kathmandu is the country’s urban center, it is still underdeveloped by western standards and boasts some erratic weather. Monsoon downpours mixed with uneven or missing sidewalks, no dumpsters, sporadic concrete streets, and mystery puddles can lead to some nasty cuffs. I have been more than pleased with my pedal pushers and high waters and find that they stay cleaner for longer than my full-length pants.
Go for it!
Do bring some nice items: You are in a city for crying aloud! I know many travelers come here for the outdoor experiences. Even so, it feels good to go to a restaurant, event, or club wearing something other than your sporty or grungy items. Unless your style is really over the top, you are not going to stand out.
Do pack the cliché travel sarong: I officially love the cliché travel sarong and here is why; since my arrival, I have used mine as a scarf, umbrella, towel, sheet, and robe. It is big enough to shield you if you’re bathing outdoors, it dries quickly, takes the mystery out of hotel bedding, and I can walk around my room in it even with the blinds open. Need I say more?
Do bring breathable clothing and quick dry undies: It rains a lot here early in the travel season (August – October) and it can be muggy in a way that sneaks up on you at the slightest movement. I’ll be perfectly comfortable then get up for something and find sweat heading south down my spine. In a pinch, the heat, or rain these can dry or be cleaned quickly.
Do bring an ankle or calf length skirt: Longer skirts, like sarongs, can provide much needed privacy while being dressy and culturally appropriate. It is also another handy rural. From all countryside accounts, it is common to bathe or pee outside. Likewise, if you travel any significant distance using public transport, you can expect to relieve yourself in view of other passengers. Modest skirts can make this a much less humiliating experience.
Use your own discretion:
breaking the no short skirts rule. Going out dancing with friends is one time when you could potentially break the rules. Many women dress up to go to nightclubs. I have seen some swank, colorful, short satin dresses and plunging necklines. If you are comfortable with your company and know how you’re getting back to your hotel, and with whom, short stuff can be alright. However, as I have had my rear end grabbed even while dancing in long skirts, I’m sticking to the more modest outing attire.
Shoes are up to you but make sure they are comfortable. I am a huge tennis shoe fan, but for the past 5-weeks I have lived in flats and flip-flops. Most urban Nepalese women wear an open toed sandal or flat that can vary from simple to quite ornate. Others prefer pumps. Rarely do women wear tennis shoes. I like a happy medium—a simple, comfortable flat with some flare. This also means you can cut down on socks.
To tank or not to Tank? Yeah, this one is totally on you. I don’t see many Nepalese women wearing tank tops but I see a few in stores. My sense is that they are becoming more common. If you come after October, however, the weather will likely be too cold to make use of your tanks.
The Essentials & Semi-Essentials:Now for the essentials, some of which are available here but I recommend brining or planning to buy when you arrive. Kathmandu is situated at an elevation of nearly 4,500 feet (1400 m), so it is essential that you bring sunscreen and sunglasses. I can’t tell you the number of burnt, squinting tourists I’ve seen. Sunscreen is readily available-- Himalaya brand makes a nice ayuravedic 15 SPF--as are sunglasses. However, to ensure that you have good UV blocking or polorid shades, I recommend brining a dark pair with you. Be sure to pack a loofa or a mild abrasive to use in the shower. As I mentioned before, the streets here are grubby; this lightweight accessory can prove to be a blessing after a day of sightseeing or shopping. Bring a Pro-biotic; healthy intestinal flora can do wonders against stomach disturbances and the like. Similarly, pack electrolyte powders if you can track them down—these are available in pharmacies here but trust me when I say that when you need them most, you won’t want to be searching around for your nearest pharmacy! If you regularly take any medications, be smart and bring them with you. Finally, we have arrived at the subject of feminine hygiene. Sanitary napkins are readily available and stocked on shelves in most grocery stores or corner markets. Tampons, however, are more difficult to come by. Most are kept behind the counter, if they are stocked at all. If these are your favored product, I recommend bringing your own supply.
As a postscript, Kathmandu has a history and the present day reality of multi-hour power blackouts. Familiarly called Load Shedding, these can be a real nuisance and security threat if walking back to your hotel alone. To borrow a recommendation from a girlfriend, bring a flashlight and anything else that makes you feel more comfortable when walking alone in the dark
Himalayan Experince Broucher Published (BETA)Version!!!
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Thursday, 02 October 08 - 11:57 AM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
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To Whom it May Concern please be advised.
I am still working on developing PDF version so that you can print out online. Also I am working on Teachers Trip recommended by some teachers that I know and it is going to be a beautiful and exciting once it is formulated. As soon as my season is over here in Door County, I will be fully working on our Nepal Trip so please keep tuning. If you have any questions, comments or suggessions please let me know so that I could work with it there is any special needs or anything want to be added.
Love & Compassions
Prem
On Top of the World on Unicycle!!!
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Monday, 29 September 08 - 12:02 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
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Nepal Tourist Arrival Data.
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Tuesday, 02 September 08 - 02:52 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
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Namaste Nepal Visitors of 2010. I just wanted to inform and post this news release by Nepal Tourism Board yesterday. There are number of factors, which could cause in tourism sector to go up and down. As far as Nepal's tourism concern could be monsoon, could very well be new Government and so forth. However, we highly value our tourism sector and well respected in Nepal. Therefore, you should not worry what news may say or tell you. It is my country, so I know it well.
Visitor Arrivals in August 2008 (by air only) September 1, 2008
News Release
The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport revealed that the total visitor arrivals till August 2008 have reached to 224,679. The figures represent an increase of 2% in comparison to the same period last year. However, the arrival figures in the month of August, 2008 compared to the same month last year have decreased by 2% to 26,313. On the other hand, the tourism industry has shown some signs of revival in the form of softening in decline as compared to 19% decrease in July 2008.
India, the largest tourist generating market for Nepal, bounced back with a remarkable growth of 13%. The entire South Asian region has gained overall positive growth of 16% with Bangladesh (48%), Pakistan (45%) and Sri Lanka(31%).
Similarly, other Asian countries Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia have maintained the upward trend with 77%, 59% and 16% of growth respectively in each market. The figures also reflect the revival in the visitors' arrivals from the United Kingdom, one of the major source markets for Nepal with a notable growth of 35%. Australia and Norway have also maintained the increasing trend in the arrival figures.
However, other major markets such as Japan, China, and South Korea witnessed decrease by 9%, 35% and 13% respectively. European arrivals also suffered a significant decline with Italy (44 %), Germany (37%) and Spain (28%).
It is interesting to note that a total of 28082 tourists departed from TIA in August 2008, which is higher than the total arrivals.
... More items are available in our News Archive
