Mount Everest Travel Forum

Hello All :D

Ill be in India in january-febuary and during this time im hoping to jump into nepal for a visit if i can. - so my question is this

1 can I as a canadian citizen get a visa upon entry? What do i need - just my passport and some money? How much money?
2, Which is the best place to cross over to nepal?
3. Can you cross over by bus or train? Plane is to much for me.

Also i have some questions about everest.

1. is this a good time to go - feburary?
2. what is the cheapest way to visit everest? Can i just go to the city closest to it? Or must i climb to see it?
3. What city can i see it from? Looking for a nice photograph to show the mom and dad.
4. Are there cheap budget ways to climb it? how much per day?
5. can you rent coats, sleeping bags, boots - ect?
6. and any suggestions for which companies to choose.

THANKS I KNOW THATS A LOT OF QUESTIONS. :P

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=128000

http://www.hciottawa.ca/counsularservices.htm

Seeing Mt Everest is not a low budget exercise. We went in from the Chinese side(Tibet); which I understand has a better view and easier access than from Nepal. To get to based camp we had to travel for several days out of Lhasa in a rented Landcruiser, driven by an experienced driver and guide (plus we needed a special police permit to enter the Mt Everest area, over and above the Chinese visa and Tibet permit).

I understand we took the easy route. Buses, trains? NO! You are in the middle of nowhere!

Have you ever been at altitude and experienced altitude sickness? Base camp is at 5200 m! This is no stroll in a park - you can only go about 1/3 of your normal speed and will likely have one super headache.

January / February? You are Canadian? Have you ever heard of winter? Think about it - snow and blocked mountain passes... Things were accessible in mid-May when we were there.

Time for a reality check.

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/p/m/445e87/

Getting into Nepal by bus from India is easy. Many people arrange it from Varanasi, or you can cross the far west border crossing. Dont buy a 'through' ticket, just get one to the border and change buses the other side. Im sure, like most nationalities, you can get a visa at the border without any problems. The visas increased in price slightly earlier this year - check a Nepal visa website for costs relating to your nationality.

Feb. is early for Everest. Late March or April is better. Without experience or good gear you will freeze in Feb. Most fly to Lukla from Kathmandu and trek from there. Its a good couple of weeks. You can get a bus to the village of Jiri and trek in the long route, but then you need about 3 weeks. Or you can fly into Lukla and just walk a few days for a distant view of Everest. Dont forget there are many other great treks to do in Nepal.

All your gear can be hired from Kathmandu, though you may struggle to hire comfortable, good walking boots if you dont have any.

Heed the AMS / altitude warnings. Read up on it carefully. If you die from AMS its really going to ruin your trip!!

Id recommend a visit to Nepal irrespective of what you end up doing. You can always buy a guidebook in Kathmandu / speak to other travellers and decide then

Have a great time.
Chris

Please be aware that India is now changing its visa rules. Although there is still some confusion....you will no longer be allowed to re-enter India unless you have spent 2 Months OUT of the country. So if you're using India as a base, planning to travel to Nepal for less than 2 months and then back to India, you will not be allowed to do so!! In addition, you are no longer allowed to stay in India on a tourist visa for more than 90 days (you must leave the country for 2 months).

Although the following info comes from the US Consulate, the rules will apply to all nationalities. Today's Times of India states the the new rules, to be notified next week, will apply to anyone needing a visa to enter India. It might be a good idea to check with the Indian Consulate closest to you to see when/what is being implemented.

From the U.S. Consulate:

Date: December 22, 2009

Dear American citizens:

We bring this message to your attention so you can carefully consider the information it contains. Please pass along the information below to the American citizens in your area or put this information on your notice boards for dissemination. Thank you for your cooperation.



Warden Message: Update on Changes in Indian Visa Regulations


The U.S. Mission in India wishes to inform U.S. citizens that the Government of India is implementing new regulations that affect visa holders, periods of authorized stay, and registration in India. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India have received reports from individuals about inconsistent implementation of the new rules, which have not been widely publicized and are subject to change.


The revised regulations primarily affect travelers who wish to enter India within two months of their last departure from India. To date, these changes have mostly affected tourist (T) visa holders, but the U.S. Mission has also received reports pertaining to other visa types. Initial information from the Government of India indicated that revised visa regulations would primarily affect travelers with tourist visas who had been in India for more than 90 days before travel abroad or more than 180 days in the past year. However, the U.S. Mission has received confirmation that foreign passports are now stamped on exit to indicate that the bearer cannot re-enter India within two months of exit unless special permission is obtained from an Indian Embassy, Consulate, or High Commission abroad, regardless of the validity of visa or length of stay in India. Travelers have reported being denied re-entry after exiting India for business or family emergencies, or for tourist travel to nearby countries, even if their initial visit to India was for only a few days. Prior guidance and procedures that allowed re-entry to India after stays of up to 180 days are no longer in effect.


Some Americans entering or re-entering India on tourist visas have been instructed at the port of entry to register with the local Foreigners Registration Office (FRO). The procedures and requirements for registration can be complex. Travelers are advised to follow directions as stipulated on their visas regarding registration procedures, irrespective of their visa category.

Here are some examples of problems Americans have had trying to navigate the recent visa changes:

One American family, visiting India on ten-year, multiple entry tourist visas for several weeks, had to return briefly to the U.S. to attend a funeral. They were not permitted to re-enter India. Another American family, taking a side trip to Sri Lanka from India, was told that they needed to apply for permission to re-enter India at the Indian High Commission in Colombo. An American on a business visa had plans for his children, who are attending university in the U.S., to visit him in India during their school holiday. His children entered on tourist visas, stayed three days in India, and were informed upon their departure for a side trip to Thailand that they would not be allowed to re-enter to continue the rest of their planned vacation with their family. One American in India on a business visa was informed that she would not be allowed to depart India until she had registered with the Foreign Registration Office (FRO), even though she had only been in India for seven days and her passport was stamped “Registration not required if stay is less than 14 days.”

These new visa and registration regulations are being implemented inconsistently and are not finalized. American citizens traveling to, or departing from India are urged to review travel plans in light of these changing procedures and to contact the nearest Indian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate overseas (http://goidirectory.nic.in/missions.htm) or the nearest Foreigners Registration Office in India (http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/) to determine proper procedures to follow.

Lots of Great info already posted – You might be interested in reading my own write up and a Jiri – Kala Pattar – Gokyo – Lukla trek that I went on a few years ago during January / February as it will give you a flavour of what you might expect – It is on my of the beaten path tips section on my Nepal page.
I Hope that helps but if you need more info then drop me a line
Happy Travels
Rob