1. When is Nepal Leadership Trek 2020?
Nepal Leadership Trek is scheduled from June 15, 2020 to June 29th 2020 (14 days). Please review the itinerary here for more details.
2. How do I apply to the program?
Please apply here.
3. When will I find out if I have been chosen for the program?
After you submit your application, the Nepal Leadership Academy team will review your essay responses and supporting documents before inviting you for a brief Skype interview. We will make our final selections following this interview process and let you know as soon as possible.
4. How much does the program cost and where do the proceeds go?
The program costs $3000, including the trek and leadership course. Proceeds from NLT will support Daayitwa and environmental NGOs in Nepal. The leadership program is a milestone effort of this campaign towards self-sustainability and social impact.
5. What does the cost cover?
The cost covers the following: leadership course tuition fee, accommodation, basic local meals, transportation within Nepal, city excursions, and the trek.
6. What does the cost not cover?
The cost is exclusive of the following: Airfare, visa fee, personal expenses, and travel/medical insurance. The earlier you book airfare, the more affordable it will be. Some potential airlines include China Southern, Etihad, Qatar, Turkish, Air India, etc.
7. How do I make my payment for the program?
When you are selected for the program, we will ask you to make a deposit to confirm your admission. We will provide the bank details of Nepal Leadership Academy where the payment is to be made. Please email us a copy of the transaction. Swift transfer takes up to a week. We will send you a confirmation once we receive the amount in our account.
8. Do I need to apply for a visa?
All foreign nationals (except Indians) require a visa to enter Nepal. Visas are easily obtainable from Nepal Embassies/Consulates abroad. Citizens from the following countries are not able to get a visa on arrival at Kathmandu: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, eSwatini, Syria, and Zimbabwe. NLA is not responsible for processing your visa, please plan ahead and apply for your visa.
For more information on Nepal visas, please check http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/. Note: Please ensure that your travel document is valid for at least six months from your intended date of departure. Also, please make copies of your travel documents, travel insurance, itinerary, ticket, and credit cards. Carry one copy with you, and leave one copy with friends or family members.
9. Is there a checklist of equipment and belongings that I need to bring along to the trek?
Yes, we will forward you a Nepal Leadership Trek 2020 Travel Checklist once you have been selected and have made your payment.
10. When should I plan to arrive and leave?
Please arrive in Kathmandu by no later than the evening of June 15, 2020 and plan your departure no earlier than June 29, 2020. Since we will be trekking on the trail with a fixed schedule for each day, we will be unable to accommodate different schedules.
11. Will transportation be arranged from the airport to the hotel?
Our partner, Royal Mountain Travel-Nepal, will provide airport arrival and departure transfer.
12. What facilities are included in the accommodation and meal package?
Accommodation in Kathmandu & Pokhara will have facilities of free Wi-Fi, hot water shower, safe deposit box, etc. Meals will be buffet service. Accommodation is in community homestay and teahouses during the trek will be basic standard. Rooms may be twin or multi-share with basic shared toilet facilities. Hot showers are available in some places for a small charge. Community Homestays usually have a common room where later in the day, there might be a stove that is lit to keep warm. Bedrooms, however, are not heated. Lodges provide clean bedding, but you may want to pack a sheet sleeping bag for peace of mind. Meals may be limited to Nepali food such as Dal, Bhat, Tarkari (rice, vegetables and lentils). Lastly, while mineral water in plastic bottles can be found along the way in many places during the trek, we encourage you to use your own water bottle with water purification tablets or a water filter or ask for boiled water at the lodges.
13. How do I exchange money once I am in the country?
Make sure that you are carrying enough money with you for during the trek. If you have to withdraw money, please carry out transactions while you are in Kathmandu or Pokhara, as ATMs are only available in city areas (first two days of the trek). ATMs will charge atleast $5 for each transaction. Travel cheques are also secured but rural areas may not have banks available to conduct the transaction.
14. What are the health issues that I need to consider?
Potential health issues include the following: altitude/acute mountain sickness; motion sickness; stomach bugs due to a change in food habits. However, the trek isn’t difficult for a healthy young-adult. Although the trekking route is carefully planned to allow for proper acclimatization, you may feel some effects of the altitude for the first few days. Breathlessness, lethargy, and mild headaches are common and generally decrease as your body adjusts. Maintaining adequate fluid intake is essential. Please discuss with your guide if you feel more severe symptoms and though you should come prepared with medicines and your preferred painkillers, do not medicate yourself without discussing with your guide first. Please be aware that the trek the highest altitude reached will be 3300 meters.
15. Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is not included in the program cost. It is essential that you get comprehensive travel insurance that provides cover for the following: personal accident, medical expenses, emergency evacuation and repatriation (including helicopter evacuation) and personal liability. We also recommend that the insurance cover cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Be careful to check the small print of your insurance regarding altitude as some policies only provide cover up to 2000m.
16. What are the security and safety plans in case of any emergency conditions?
You will be provided with a government-licensed and experienced trekking guide, assisted by porters who will transport your baggage. Overall, the guide is in charge of the trek and will look after your well-being. This is the person you should go to with any problems, concerns, or questions as they are highly trained in all aspects of trekking, conservation, high altitude medicine, first-aid, and emergency procedures.
17. During community interactions, what are some of the important cultural considerations that I need to follow?
Our team and the trek guide will brief you about cultural considerations and ethical standards/norms once you are here.
20. Is the Nepal Leadership Trek 2020 Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex (LGBTQI) friendly?
Yes, in terms of the law and the constitution, Nepal has the most progressive rights in Asia. The Nepalese Constitution recognizes LGBTQI rights as fundamental rights.
19. Who do I contact if I have other questions?
Please contact us at [email protected] or [email protected] if you have any questions.
We look forward to seeing you during the trek. To apply for the trek, please follow this link.