Namaste Everyone!
As we settle in to the 2021 travel year, we will use the page to keep you up to date on current information related to our 2021 trips and counties we travel to.
We also highly recommend that you periodically visit the CDC and Department of State websites for further information specific to individual countries and Covid-related travel issues:
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/
US Department of State: https://www.state.gov/
September 23, 2021
I write to you with some great news! The fall trekking season in Nepal is on!
On September 23, Nepal announced the lifting of its mandatory quarantine requirement and has resumed issuing on-arrival tourist visas for foreign travelers effective immediately.
Here is a recap of the new entry guidelines:
- There is no longer a quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated travelers showing proof of being fully vaccinated (a 2-shot variety) against Covid-19 and having received their second shot at least 14 days prior to entering Nepal.
- The on-arrival visa has resumed and the following items will need to be presented to Immigration upon arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport:
a) Vaccination card / certificate showing proof of being fully vaccinated (a 2-shot variety) against Covid-19 and having received their second shot at least 14 days prior to entering Nepal.
b) A negative PCR test result issued within 72 hours or less before boarding a flight to Nepal.
c) Hotel booking confirmation provided by our office.
d) Trekking permit confirmation. A copy will be provided by our office.
e) You will need to fill out, submit and print a copy of the International Online Arrival Form available at the CCMC website: (https://ccmc.gov.np/arms/person_add_en.php). We will provide your hotel stay information in your Hotel Booking Confirmation letter.
Important: Please note that there is no on-arrival visa service available to unvaccinated travelers. All unvaccinated travelers still need to follow the mandatory 10 day hotel quarantine at their own cost.
- Upon arrival in Kathmandu, all visitors will need to take a rapid antigen test either at the airport, their hotel or at any medical clinic in the city. Our ground staff will assist you with this as needed. If this test is negative, you are free to travel freely within the country.
Yes, there are still some extra steps to complete in order to visit Nepal this fall, but these precautions will allow Nepal to offer travelers a safer visit.
Our office staff, field staff, trekking guides… are now fully vaccinated and went through training over the summer months to follow all health and safety measures strictly during the course of your trip.
Nepal is taking all steps possible to help ensure visitors feel welcomed and safe.
WE ARE STOKED!
Group Trekking Fun: I just got off the phone with trip leader Peter Rudy and we have just scheduled an open group date for the Everest Base Camp Luxury Lodge Trek on November 4 to 20.
Flexibility. We Have You Covered: We can also arrange our fully guided and supported Everest Base Camp Trek on the exact dates you need to travel for groups of 1 to 12 people.
The Everest / Khumbu region is open with 98% of its residents age 18 and older now fully vaccinated.
September 14, 2021
In 2 weeks time (September 30), we expect Nepal to make the decision to reopen to tourism. We expect the current 7-day hotel quarantine requirement to be lifted for all fully-vaccinated visitors. We also expect the on-arrival visa system to be reinstated for passengers arriving into Kathmandu International Airport. All visitors will be required to take a PCR test upon arrival (our ground staff will make all the arrangements for this with you) and, with a negative test result, you will be on your merry trekking way! Stay tuned. We remain positive!
June 28, 2021
Great news everyone. We spoke with our agents in Kathmandu this morning and were told to expect a fall trekking season in Nepal starting September! The official announcement is expected by the end of July to cover entry and visa requirements. Stay tuned. We are very excited!
June 7, 2021
As the cases start to decline in Nepal’s second wave of Covid-19 and shipments of vaccine doses are on the rise, we are hopeful and looking forward to a fall trekking season in Nepal. The current lock down, scheduled to run through June 15, will again be evaluated and decisions made to relax restrictions of movement throughout Kathmandu and Pokhara. We will post an update here after the coming week.
Bhutan is expected to have almost all of its citizens vaccinated by the end of June and a decision made to possibly reopen the country to tourism by the end of July. We should have more to report towards the end of June.
Many of the decisions made by countries in South Asia to reopen will depend on how well India gets control of their Covid-19 situation. We are seeing improvements and declining numbers related to the second wave of corona virus throughout South Asia and international support and vaccines are being directed to the countries in need. We wish all of our friends and their families in this region all the best and we all look forward to seeing hikers in the Himalayas soon.
April 30, 2021
It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the cancellation of our spring program in Nepal, including the Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon. A second wave of corona virus spreading throughout the Kathmandu Valley has forced the Nepal government to enact restrictions on the movement of people and traffic and impose a 10-day mandatory quarantine for all arriving passengers. These recent restrictions went into effect on April 29 and will stay in effect at least until May 13.
With the health and safety of our travelers and local staff always Priority #1, we will be monitoring the situation in Nepal with hopes of a safe and fun Fall 2021 ahead.
Please do not hesitate to contact our office with questions or to inquire as to your options for a fall trek in Nepal.
Stay safe and happy!
Andy & the One World Trekking Team
March 29, 2021
Nepal Lifts Quarantine and Opens for Spring Trekking Season
On March 27, Nepal revised its entry requirements for tourists wishing to visit their Himalayan nation.
The previous mandatory hotel quarantine has been lifted and entry requirements have been revised as follows:
Prior to Arrival in Kathmandu:
1. All visitors will now need to show proof of having received the Covid vaccine (2-shot version) OR proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding a flight to Nepal.
2. Hotel Booking Confirmation Letter.
3. Proof of travel insurance with coverage for emergency medical evacuation and medical expenses.
Once You Arrive in Kathmandu:
1. You must take a PCR test upon arrival and stay at your hotel while waiting for the results. Kathmandu has several clinics offering same day PCR testing for $20 to $30.
If your test result is negative, you are free to begin your trip. If your test result is positive, you will need to quarantine at your hotel until a negative test is achieved.
Before departing Kathmandu:
As of January 26, 2021, the CDC requires all passengers (vaccinated or not) to show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding a flight back to the US. You will not be able to board your flight to the US without proof of this negative test result.
NOTE: Please check with your airline(s) as to their requirements regarding PCR tests and vaccinations.
February 22, 2021
NEPAL: Yes, as of right now today, the Everest Marathon and all of our currently scheduled spring trips are on! Nepal continues to move in the right direction as far a vaccinating for and getting Covid-19 under control. They have recently completed a second round of national vaccinations with another 1 million doses expected within the week. Nepal is receiving the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from India. The Serum Institute of India is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer and is producing more than 50 million doses a month and supplying a good part of South Asia.
Nepal still has a 5-day mandatory hotel quarantine in place for all incoming tourists. We still expect this to be lifted before the end of February. I know some of you are a bit anxious about this, but we just need to continue to be patient. This is the last hurdle before a clear path to Nepal opening for 2021.
Please note that Nepal will still require all arriving visitors to show proof of a negative Covid PCR test taken within 72 hours of arriving OR proof of receiving the Covid vaccine if applicable. It will vary depending on the airline, but expect your international air carrier to also require proof of a negative COVID PCR test or vaccine when checking in for your flights to Nepal.
As of January 26, the CDC now requires all international travelers returning to the US to show proof of a negative Covid PCR test before being allowed to board a flight. For now, this is applicable even if you are vaccinated. In response we have contacted and will be working with two medical clinics in Kathmandu who can administer the PCR test and provide results and necessary paperwork within 12 hours. They both take appointments, so we can schedule your appointments for the day(s) you return off the trek, take you to the clinic and have your results back in time before your departing flight.
Currently, you are required to obtain your visa for Nepal in advance of arriving, but this may change. Nepal offers the ability to apply for a visa online. Note: you can only apply online within 15 days of your arrival. Here is the website so you can see what it involves. http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa
It goes without saying that much can happen between now and the start of the spring trekking season, but we are heading in the right direction.
Stay tuned for further updates and information.
Thanks and stay well,
Andy
AVIA Travel and International Flights
After 20-plus years, Sue Lai and Avia Travel have made the decision to retire. We wish Sue only the best and are so grateful that she was able to assist 1000s of our travelers obtain great airfares, routings and top-notch customer service.
Moving forward, our office recommends booking your flights directly with your airline of choice. Many of our travelers have been using Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Cathy Pacific, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines and Emirates. Direct booking allows ease in making your reservation and having just one direct contact in terms of possible schedule changes and financial security. From all the change, cancel and refund transactions since the onset of COVID-19, Singapore Airlines has been the easiest to work with and offering superb customer service in every possible way. Whichever carrier you decide to go with, please make sure to understand their change, cancel and refund policies.
It is always best to purchase your domestic flights and your international flights on one ticket. Most carriers are members of an airline alliance, which should not make this a problem. This way you and your checked luggage are booked and tracked under one reservation code. Again, please make sure your airline ticket dates can be changed and/or ticket refunded with the minimum of penalties.