🍁 Autumn (Sep–Nov): Best season. Clear skies, excellent mountain views, moderate days, cold nights. Trails are busy.
🌸 Spring (Mar–May): Excellent. Warm weather, rhododendrons in bloom, clear mornings. Ideal for high-altitude treks.
❄️ Winter (Dec–Feb): Cold; high passes may be closed by snow. Best for lower-altitude treks. Trails are quieter.
🌧️ Monsoon (Jun–Aug): Hot and wet, landslide risk. Consider rain-shadow routes such as Upper Mustang or Dolpo.

Quick Tips:
Autumn & Spring = best for high-altitude trekking.
Winter = lower-altitude treks only.
Monsoon = only rain-shadow regions; carry waterproof gear.

💱 Currency Exchange: In Kathmandu and Pokhara, there are many licensed money exchange centers. Always use authorized counters.
🏧 ATMs:
🏦 Nabil Bank ATMs allow withdrawals up to NPR 25,000 per transaction.
💳 Most other bank ATMs limited to NPR 15,000 per transaction.
🌐 International cards such as VISA, Mastercard, AmEx widely accepted (charges may apply).
💳 Card Payments: Many hotels, restaurants, and malls accept cards; fees may apply. Not reliable outside major towns.
💵 Cash: Always carry sufficient Nepali rupees, especially for trekking.
🏔️ Remote villages, tea houses, and lodges often do not have ATMs or accept cards.

📶 Wi-Fi available in most lodges/teahouses but can be slow.
📱 Local SIMs can be bought in Kathmandu/Pokhara (passport + 1 photo); may not work everywhere.
📡 Ncell: better coverage on many routes; NTC stronger in some valleys.
🌐 3G/4G works on popular routes but patchy at high altitude.
🗾Offline maps recommended; signal is often unreliable in remote areas.

🚦 Cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara have heavy traffic. Outside, roads are narrow, winding, rough; landslides possible in monsoon.

Transportation Options:
🚌 Local Bus: Cheapest, crowded, city-to-city only.
🚐 Microbus: Faster, cleaner, city-to-city only.
🚙 Shared Jeep: Overcrowded but budget-friendly.
🚗 Private Jeep / Scorpio: Comfortable, reliable; best for remote travel.
✈️ Domestic Flights: Fast but weather-dependent; allow buffer days.
🚁 Helicopter: Emergency/luxury; very expensive.

Quick Tips:
🧳 Cover luggage to avoid dust.
📜 Keep passport, permits, and money with you.
🛻 Luggage on roof for buses/jeeps.
🚗 Private jeeps safest/fastest for mountains and for comfort and speed.
🛄 Carry essentials with you. Weather can delay flights—plan buffer days.

🏥 Medical Care: Health posts in villages; helicopter evacuation for emergencies. Travel insurance essential.
🫁 Altitude Sickness (AMS):
💨 Oxygen Levels at Altitude:
🌊 Sea level: 100%
🏞️ 2,500 m: ~73%
🏔️ 3,500 m: ~65%
❄️ 5,000 m: ~55%
☠️ 8,000 m (“death zone”): ~33%
⚠️ Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, insomnia, shortness of breath, poor coordination.

Prevention:
🧗 Ascend gradually (≤500 m/day above 3,000 m)
🚶 Walk slowly; rest often
💧 Hydrate 3–4 liters/day (small sips)
🚭 Avoid alcohol, smoking, tobacco
🏔️ Acclimatize at lower altitudes
🛌 Sleep lower than daytime high point
🍲 Eat garlic soup to help acclimatization
💧 Water & 🍱 Food Safety: Purify water or buy bottled. Prefer freshly cooked meals; avoid meat in remote areas.

Quick Tips: Hydrate well. Ascend slowly. Watch for AMS symptoms. Purify water and eat safely.

🏕️ At NextourNepal, we carefully select accommodations to ensure comfort, safety, and authenticity.
🏨 Cities (Kathmandu & Pokhara): Stay in 3★+ hotels with clean, comfortable rooms and hearty breakfast.
🏠 Trek Lodges/Teahouses: Comfortable rooms, warm beds, freshly prepared meals. Hygiene and service are top priority.
⛺ Remote Camping Treks: Full camping support with high-quality tents, sleeping gear, dining equipment, and staff preparing fresh meals daily.

🙏 Greet with “Namaste”, respect locals and customs, dress modestly in temples.
📷 Ask before taking photos.
🕉️ Follow rituals at prayer flags/mani walls (pass clockwise, never step on flags).
🌿 Keep trails and lodges clean.
🏔️ Enjoy Himalayan peaks, lakes, glaciers, wildlife, and authentic mountain culture.