About
Thirdpole:
What is the most important thing to know about
travel to Nepal?
Choose the right service provider. Unfortunately, the recent economic
problems in Nepal have resulted in the demise of many companies and in desperate
efforts to engage tourist business without the means to provide services. Any
trip in Nepal is an exercise in exciting uncertainty. Choosing a reputable,
stable tour operator limits surprises to things you can enjoy dealing with.
Consider THIRDPOLE as a best possible choice for any trip to
Nepal.
What makes THIRDPOLE my best choice as the
organizer of my trip to Nepal?
Mr. Deepak Mahat is the first founder of THIRDPOLE was founded
on 1992 after completion his study. From beginning he has been spending his
entire life in trekking and mountaineering especially in Nepal. Moreover he is
the PRESIDENT OF TREKKING AGENTS ASSOCIATION OF NEPAL is the umbrella
organization for the 450 different trekking companies of Nepal. THIRDPOLE
have relation with Trinity Collage, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Many of our
staff has been with the company since our earliest days. THIRDPOLE
is a well-known and respected company in Nepal and the US with a good reputation
for client service, innovative itineraries, careful planning and professional
leadership. We have operated treks throughout the country and have long-term
working relationships with most of the hotels, airlines, parks staff and
immigration officials. We know how to avoid the many problems of undertaking a
safe Himalayan trek.
What makes THIRDPOLE trips to Nepal different from others I might
choose?
Our experienced local leaders know how to get things done. Since we tend to
have smaller groups than many mass trekking companies, we can choose better
campsites, smaller lodges, prepare meals more quickly and provide more attention
to individual needs. We have a full time presence in Kathmandu with fluent
English speaking staff. We monitor everything from the best restaurants to the
conditions of roads and the state of domestic politics. In a sense it is like
having your own intelligence staff. We reduce the uncertainty and handle the
tedious details. We have a knack for clearing air reservations and obtaining
permits that might otherwise require hours or days to accomplish. Unlike some
operators, we encourage you to extend your trip, add extensions before or after
your trip and modify itineraries to meet your preferences. We can help you visit
Nepal anytime of year in the style and standard you prefer.
What will the Nepal accommodations be like?
We use modern, well-located hotels in Kathmandu and quality eco-lodges and
guesthouses on our non-camping trips. If you take a THIRDPOLE
camping trek, you will enjoy the comfort of custom designed external frame tents
big enough for four people, but used for just two.
Who will lead my trip?
Many of THIRDPOLE leaders are proud to be Nepalese. All speak
English. All have led many trips in the areas you will visit. They have been
chosen for their knowledge and competence.
Can I request a THIRDPOLE brochure?
THIRDPOLE has deliberately chosen not to produce a thick, expensive
brochure similar to other adventure companies. Why? Because we seriously believe
in practicing what we preach we care about the environment and being experienced
in the travel business we also know that a lot of these brochures are a waste of
paper. So we want to positively help the environment and save our forests.
Additionally, the money we save by not producing a costly
brochure is put back into our adventure trips, meaning you
get an exceptional experience at a lower cost. All of the
information you need is on this website and if not, please
call us at 00 977 1 423459, Cell Phone: 00977 9851024794,
Fax: 00 977 1 4410834 or email info@expeditionnepal.com
to request a detailed trip dossier and check availability.
We would love to hear from you.
What does THIRDPOLE include in the cost?
THIRDPOLE aims to include everything you need in the trip cost with
the exception of personal items such as shopping and tips. We honestly believe
we have more inclusions in our trip prices than any other adventure travel
provider and we are happy to be showing you why. We actively encourage our
customers to shop around if inclusions are important to you, as we are confident
we have this area covered.
Check the Includes
and Excludes for detailed information or
Contact Us
if you have a specific question.
How big are the groups?
THIRDPOLE trekking groups are in fact smaller than most of our
competitors. We do this for a reason. Firstly, you get much more attention and
access to our local guides and porters. Secondly, it means we can secure better
accommodation in more remote areas, as we are not such a big group. Thirdly, and
probably most importantly, smaller groups are essential to preserving the local
environment and cultural integrity of the areas we visit. For these reasons THIRDPOLE
groups have a standard maximum of 10 travelers - unless otherwise stated.
Is THIRDPOLE environmentally aware?
THIRDPOLE has documented policies on eco adventure tourism and our
staffs are trained on the ecological impacts of travel.
In fact, THIRDPOLE attitude to the environment is what we
believe differentiates us from other adventure travel providers.
All THIRDPOLE trips aim for ‘zero footprint’ impact on the natural
environment and the people who live off its’ resources.
We enforce a number of do’s and don’ts (See
do’s and don’ts) for our customers and staff when out
in the wilderness. Some of these include:
We always stay in solar powered lodges where possible
We discourage hot showers when not strictly needed
We use boiled or treated water for drinking (we never use bottled mineral water)
and where possible use solar devices to boil water
We suggest putting on an extra layer of clothing rather than another log on the
fire!
We only use gas or kerosene on camping trips
We avoid shortcuts through hillsides and fields preventing further land erosion
and
We are extremely conscious of disposing of litter in an ecologically
sound way
How do I book a THIRDPOLE trip?
Booking is easy and can be done in several ways:
Complete and submit
an online application and
we will contact you to confirm payment details. Click
here for booking page
Complete and fax or mail an application form (Click
here to download a PDF), together with credit card details.
Or, complete the producer to transfer the money to our
bank account. Click here for
the bank details
A minimum US$ 100 per person is required at the time of booking for all trips.
If your booking is within 60 days of the departure date
then full payment is required. We will confirm your booking
when received and send you a Trip
Information Pack containing important information regarding
visas, clothing requirements, equipment and culture so you
are fully prepared for your adventure.
How far in advance do I need to book?
The farther in advance you book, the greater availability
of dates you'll find. For popular destinations, such as
Everest and Annapurna, we recommend reserving at least three
months in advance.
Who will answer my calls before and after I sign up?
Your
contact will be with either Mr. Deepak Mahat or Mr. Rajendra
Man Dongol, owner and founders of THIRDPOLE
who designed most of the trips in this brochure. Professional,
knowledgeable and friendly advice is always available from
someone who has been there.