FAQ

The weather conditions in Nepal depend on the season and, in the mountains, also on the altitude. For this reason, it is difficult to make precise predictions for the trekking routes.

For our trekking tours, we recommend the period from March to May and from October to December as the best time to travel. In spring, the rhododendron blossom is well worth seeing, but the mountains are sometimes covered in clouds from the early afternoon. In the fall, visibility is often very clear. But it can get quite cold at night. The monsoon season is also well suited for trekking tours in the Dolpo trekking region.
You should take warmer clothing (down jacket) at any time of year, but especially in the months of November to February. In the summer months you also need lighter things during the day. Warm clothing is always required for tours in alpine terrain and alpine mountain clothing at higher altitudes. As it can get very cold in the fall/winter season and there is generally no heating in Nepalese accommodation, we recommend warm clothing and a good sleeping bag for the night. In October/November there are often long-lasting and stable fine weather conditions with clear visibility. Temperatures are quite mild at low altitudes, but in the mountains the temperature differences between day and night are quite large. You should be aware that there is no heating, especially in the lodges in the mountains, and that there is not always hot water (if there is, then for a fee). Please understand that the lounges are heated sparingly, as firewood is an extremely rare commodity, especially in the mountains.

We would like to take this opportunity to point out that all domestic flights in Nepal are visual flights and therefore flights may be canceled in unfavorable weather conditions. Even if we have planned certain “buffer days”, especially for our trekking tours, the adherence to our programs depends on the feasibility of the flights. Please note that any weather problems are legally part of the “general life risk” and any additional costs incurred as a result (e.g. for alternative helicopter flights) cannot be covered or reimbursed by Hiking Inspirations! Please note that such helicopter flights can cost several hundred euros, especially on the return flight from Lukla to Kathmandu.

As your tour operator, we are obliged to inform you that since 05.12.2013, all airlines in Nepal have been on the list of airlines that do not have an operating license for long-haul flights to the EU.

A visa is required for a trip to Nepal, which is issued by the Nepalese representations (embassies and consulates) on presentation of a passport valid for at least 6 months after the end of the trip. By far the easiest option, which we also recommend, is to obtain a visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

Please always keep an eye on your passport during your trip, as losing it can cause major problems. According to Nepalese law, every tourist must carry their passport with them at all times. To avoid any inconvenience if you lose your passport, we recommend that you make several photocopies and always carry them separately from the original document.

Please note that 1 passport photo is required for the issue of each visa. This must be kept ready when the visa is issued on arrival at the airport, as well as the appropriate visa fee (in USD or Euro) and a valid passport (changes are possible at any time, the latest information can be obtained from the Federal Foreign Office at www.auswaertiges-amt.de). We recommend that you have at least take 3 passport photos with you, as these are also required for trekking permits.

There are now vending machines in the arrivals hall at Kathmandu airport where you can scan your passport yourself, enter all the information required for the visa and take a photo thanks to the integrated webcam. This saves the visa and photo online and you do not need to fill out the visa form by hand. This service is free of charge and relatively quick, but in the event of a power failure or other technical faults, these machines can also be out of order. Afterwards you will still have to queue at the counter for passport control and visa issue. The arrival information form, which is filled out by hand, is collected there and after paying the visa fee you will receive the visa in your passport.

Nepal is 4 hours 45 minutes ahead of Central European Time (CET), one hour less during summer time. When it is 12 o’clock in Germany, it is 16 o’clock and 45 minutes in Nepal, and 15 o’clock and 45 minutes during summer time.

For your long-haul flight to Nepal, you must observe the respective baggage limits of your airline for main and hand baggage.

For a domestic flight in Nepal included in your trekking trip, a limit of 10 kg plus luggage applies. 5 kg hand baggage. Please note that no knives, scissors (including nail scissors or similar) or liquids may be carried in hand luggage. Other luggage that is not required can be safely stored at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Depending on the flight you choose, it takes 13 – 15 hours from Germany to Kathmandu.

The Nepalese currency is the Nepalese rupee (NPR or NRs). Coins of 1, 2 and 5 rupees and banknotes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupees are in circulation. The large bills of 500 and 1000 rupees can be difficult to exchange outside the tourist centers. It is therefore better to take small bills with you.

Please first exchange your cash into Nepalese rupees in Kathmandu (airport or one of the numerous exchange offices in Thamel). A credit card (Mastercard or Visa) is useful as security. You can also withdraw cash from ATMs in the larger cities. The maximum amount is often limited to max. 25,000 Nepalese rupees per withdrawal. We also recommend that you carry an amount of Euros or USD in cash.

Payment by credit card is possible in some stores and restaurants in the tourist areas of Kathmandu and Pokhara. However, a service charge is always added. During the trekking tour you will need cash for drinks and other things.

The voltage throughout Nepal is 220 volts alternating current, 50 Hertz (European flat plugs often fit, but it is still advisable to plug in an adapter just in case). As electricity in Nepal is mainly generated by hydropower, power cuts can last several hours outside the monsoon season. Good hotels and restaurants are usually equipped with generators. It is generally advisable to carry a small flashlight – or even better, a headlamp. Your batteries cannot always be recharged in the lodges. It is advisable to take a power bank with you.

The post office is unreliable, letters have to be handed in directly at the post office counter. Make sure that the stamp is stamped in front of your eyes.

Nepal has been undergoing political change since the elections in April 2008. The elections were won by the Maoist party and Nepal was proclaimed a republic in May 2008. The official name of the state is now the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal and it is governed in the form of a parliamentary democracy. The last king of the former kingdom had to leave his palace in Kathmandu and the constitutional monarchy was thus abolished. Since then, May 29 has been Nepal’s new national holiday (Republic Day).

Nepal is currently home to around 30 million people from a wide variety of population groups. With an area of 147,181 km², this corresponds to an average population density of around 192 inhabitants per square kilometer, whereby the fertile valleys and plains are much more densely populated than the mountainous regions of the Himalayas. Around 3-5 million people live in the capital Kathmandu and its suburbs.

Nepalese are very friendly and warm people, but the following things should be kept in mind:

• Don’t photograph anyone without permission, always ask first!
• Do not wear shorts or fashionable clothing in remote areas (shoulders and legs should be covered)
• Do not wear a cap or hat when entering a monastery!
• Do not touch a Buddha statue or ritual offerings in a monastery!
• In a monastery, it is best to sit on the floor in a meditation position. The feet must not point towards the Buddha statue.
• Traditionally, you walk clockwise around a temple or a stupa. The same applies to mani walls or stones that you go around clockwise or pass on the left-hand side.
• Kissing and hugging in public places, especially in monasteries, is not permitted.

Nepal is generally a very safe country to travel to. Even if there are occasional reports of political demonstrations in Kathmandu, this does not generally pose an increased risk for group travelers, especially if local guides are travelling with the tourists. In Nepal, however, forced strikes of any kind, including in the Kathmandu Valley and blockades/roadblocks, which are called or organized at short notice and sometimes enforced by force, must be expected at all times. Experience to date has shown that these protests can severely disrupt or paralyze public life, but tourists have not yet been harmed. On our tours, we only travel to areas where, in our experience, general safety does not pose a risk to the traveler. The Nepalese state is also doing a lot to combat crime and protect foreign tourists. The travel advice of the Federal Foreign Office provides information on the current security situation.

Due to the unfortunately widespread poverty and an immense social disparity, theft from tourists unfortunately occurs from time to time, despite the strict laws and the generally very honest and sincere people. However, one should bear the following in mind: The majority of the Nepalese population still lives far below the European subsistence level. In the eyes of these people, every foreign tourist is immeasurably rich, regardless of whether this is actually the case by our standards or not.

We therefore ask you to keep valuables, documents and money as safe and close to your body as possible and, above all, not to encourage theft by putting them on display.

The streets of Thamel, Kathmandu’s tourist district, are lined with stores selling a wide range of jewelry, carpets, textiles and typical Nepalese handicrafts. Many everyday objects are available as souvenirs in Nepal: Hand-woven carpets, woven jackets, shoulder bags, small silk bags, prints on rice paper, thangkas (religious paintings on fabric). Small statues of Buddha and gods, prayer wheels, bells, lamps and other brass works are also popular. Wood carvings of all kinds are on offer, including small bone carvings of gods. However, they are often not made of yak bone, as claimed, but of plastic.

Due to its central location in the heart of the Asian high mountains and the great contrasts in the landscape (high mountains – lowlands), Nepal has different climate zones. However, there is a strong monsoon influence in all parts of the country, which brings with it seasonal periods of rainfall. During the monsoon season, which lasts from June to mid-September, there is persistent rainfall throughout Nepal, which can lead to sudden flooding and landslides, which in turn can cause travel difficulties. However, such disruptions are not normally to be expected on the travel dates we have selected. During the classic travel periods before and after the monsoon (March-May and October-December) as well as in January/February, the weather in Nepal is usually friendly and the frequency and amount of rainfall is rather low. Afternoon cloud formation and the resulting precipitation are possible, but periods of bad weather rarely last longer than 3-4 days and do not bring excessive amounts of precipitation in the valleys.

The weather conditions in Nepal depend on the season and, in the mountains, also on the altitude. For this reason, it is difficult to make precise temperature forecasts for the trekking routes. In general, the weather in Nepal is just as unpredictable as it is here.

Nepal has different climate zones, which are characterized by the respective altitude and the monsoon winds. The spectrum ranges from the tropical to the alpine zone.
Due to the extreme differences in altitude – from 60 m in the Terai to Mount Everest 8,848 m), there are many climatic zones. From the subtropical lowlands of southern Nepal, with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, the route leads into the temperate climate zone of the pre-Himalayas. This is followed to the north by the Himalayas with their eternally snow-covered peaks. In the southern lowlands, the rainfall of the southwest monsoon is particularly noticeable between June and September: the summer is very humid with temperatures of up to 40 degrees and extremely high humidity. Nepalese winters are mild in the south.

Winter: January and February. Pleasant temperatures. However, it can get quite cold at night, in the morning and in the evening. Mostly sunny during the day with cooler temperatures.
Spring: March to May. Hot and dry season of the pre-monsoon. May is the hottest month in the lowlands. June is the hottest month in the mountains.
Summer: Monsoon season from June to September. Heavy rainfall, persistent mugginess and high humidity.
Early fall: The monsoon season is repeatedly interrupted by periods of low rainfall. Towards the end of August, the rain breaks become more frequent and longer.
Late fall: Post-monsoon season from October to December. It is relatively cool at night, in the morning and in the evening. During the day, the sun shines and it is warm.

Nepal has three different climate zones: In the low Terai with its subtropical character, a variety of plants grow, especially the Sal tree, from whose wood doors and windows are carved. There are also nanyan trees with their hanging roots, bodhi and kapok trees. Many tropical climbing plants can be found in the jungles of the Terai. In the central highlands, the most common tree is the rhododendron. The magnolia tree is also at home here. Four different varieties of oak and eucalyptus trees imported from Australia can also be seen. Conifers grow at higher altitudes, and orchids can also be found here and there. The gardens of the Kathmandu Valley are home to a variety of flowers that are also well-known in Europe: begonias, dahlias, gardenia, geraniums, jasmine, hibiscus and many others. Fruit harvested in the Kathmandu Valley includes bananas, oranges, peaches, guavas, pineapples and papayas. In the Himalayan region, you can see rhododendron trees up to an altitude of 4,000 m, as well as pines, cedars and other conifers. There are even edelweiss in the Langtang region. Unfortunately, the scarce tree population has been further thinned out by the large-scale trekking tourism. Trekkers should do without wood completely and use petrol or gas stoves.

Nepal is home to 30 species of larger wild animals, over 800 bird species, 80 different mammal species and countless butterflies. The tiger population has been decimated in recent decades; the 30 to 40 remaining tigers are strictly protected, as is the one-horned rhinoceros.
The Himalayan region is home to roe deer and deer species and, in very remote regions, various bear species and snow leopards, although you hardly ever see them. Another animal that lives in higher regions is the yak. Jungle cats, jackals, foxes and hyenas can also be found here, as well as peacocks (the national animal), cuckoos, crows, eagles, vultures and many other birds.
Some areas are teeming with rhesus monkeys, which are often quite cheeky. The langur monkeys, with their black faces framed by white and gray hair, are shy animals.
Until decades ago, Nepal was considered one of the most species-rich big game areas in the world. However, the animal population has now been decimated to such an extent that there are fears for the survival of some species. In the early 1970s, the Nepalese government was forced (literally at the last minute) to set up national parks and impose a general ban on big game hunting. Nepal’s national reserves should only be visited as part of a guided tour. Occasionally, tigers, rhinos and ruffed bears appear, which can be dangerous to tourists.

Sherpas are a mountain tribe that extends across the entire Himalayan region in northern Nepal. For more than 500 years, they have been part of the many different ethnic groups in Nepal – each speaking their own language, having their own culture and individual caste system. Sherpas originally come from Mongolia and later also from Tibet

The Nepalese who carry the trekking tourists’ luggage are called porters. They can come from the Sherpa people, but also from other regions of Nepal.

During the day’s stages, your trekking bag, which can carry up to max. 12 kg is transported by carriers and/or porters and you have no access to it.

Our luggage list in the detailed travel information will help you here. Please break in your hiking boots well in your home country. A good sleeping bag and a down jacket are important. You can also buy or rent equipment cheaply in Kathmandu. The items on offer are often not genuine brand products, but are sufficient for a trekking tour. It also makes sense to buy toilet paper and hand sanitizer in Kathmandu for the trekking tour.

Only a copy of the passport should be carried during the trekking tour. The original passport should be deposited either in the hotel safe or with our Nepalese partner agency.

We have provided information on the amount of the voluntary tip for the Nepalese team in the travel information under the heading Services. It is customary to hand over the tips at the end of the trekking tour. The amount for the individual team members depends on their function. The easiest way is usually for the group to pay an amount per guest into the common tip box, to delegate the administration to a guest from the group and then hand over the tips to the team on the last evening of the trek.

We would like to point out that all domestic flights in Nepal are visual flights and therefore flights may be canceled in unfavorable weather conditions. Even if we have planned certain buffer days for our trekking tours, the adherence to our programs depends on the feasibility of the flights. Please note that any weather problems are legally part of the general risk of life and any additional costs incurred as a result (e.g. for alternative helicopter flights) cannot be covered or reimbursed by Hiking Inspirations. In the event of persistent bad weather, there is usually the option of chartering a helicopter to take you to the starting point of the trek or back to Kathmandu at the end of the trek. The costs for this helicopter flight vary greatly and amount to approx. US$ 300 to 500 per person and route and are to be borne by the participants themselves. This also applies to any additional costs incurred for unscheduled overnight stays and any changes to the program. Payment is made on site, directly to our partner.

Local buses, simple tourist buses, minibuses, cabs, bicycle rickshaws, private vehicles and jeeps are available as means of transportation.

Lodges

We normally reserve lodges of a good standard. However, this is only possible if the lodges have a telephone. If this is not the case, we must send a porter ahead to make the reservation personally. In the event of a change of route, we try to reserve lodges of the same standard wherever possible. Not all rooms in the lodges are the same size. Rooms are therefore allocated at random. We try to ensure that every participant has a large or small room at some point during the trip. The rooms in the lodges are simple but clean, without heating and often only partitioned with plywood. There are usually wooden beds with a foam mat on top, clean sheets and usually a pillow. The majority of the rooms in the lodges have 2 beds and offer enough space for your luggage. We make every effort to ensure that our guests do not have to sleep in a shared room, but we cannot guarantee single rooms. The WC and washing facilities are located outside the rooms. Solar showers are often available, but not in all lodges. An extra fee must be paid for the use of the “Hot Shower”. If there are no shower facilities, a bowl of hot water can be ordered for washing if required. Out of consideration for the environment, we suggest that you avoid hot showers in the mountains where water is heated with wood. Above 4,000 meters, this can also easily cause a cold, which is often persistent. If someone is sensitive to noise when sleeping, earplugs should be taken along.

There is a lounge in the lodges/teahouses, which is heated in the evenings. In the Annapurna region, it is common for hot coals to be placed under the table to generate heat. In the other trekking areas, dried cow or yak dung is often used for fires. Some of the lodges/teahouses offer rooms with an integrated bathroom/toilet (e.g. in the Annapurna and Everest region). As these room prices are much higher, the surcharge for a normal room must be paid directly on site, subject to room availability. Please contact the mountain guide if you wish to make a booking. However, it should be noted that the fittings of the integrated bathrooms/toilets are very different, the water can sometimes be frozen or mold growth cannot be ruled out due to the humidity and cold.

Tents

We offer double tents so that travelers can support each other in case of health problems during the night, e.g. due to the altitude. The tents are high-quality 3-person tents, so there is still enough space for your luggage.

Lodge trekking is the most popular form of trekking in Nepal. You hike from lodge to lodge, just like in the Alps. You use lodges for overnight stays and also stop for lunch at a lodge along the way. Meals depend on the menu and the meals offered by the respective lodge.

For our tent treks, e.g. to Dolpo, we provide all the necessary items such as tents, mattresses, toilet tents, kitchen tents and cooking utensils as well as a certain number of staff such as guides, porters, cooks, kitchen help etc. All meals are freshly prepared. A typical tent trekking day starts early and morning tea is brought to your tent. Before you have breakfast, the tents should be emptied and the trekking bags packed. This allows the tents, which may be wet, to dry and then be packed away. The bags are loaded onto the porters and/or carriers. The trek begins after breakfast. The kitchen team goes ahead and prepares lunch – if there is no packed lunch. The rest of the team follows with all the tents and other luggage. We are usually overtaken by the Nepalese team during the day, so that the tents and all the equipment arrive at the campsite first. If possible, the tents are already set up when the trekking group arrives. Otherwise, it is desirable if the participants support the team in setting up.

Network coverage is now quite good in the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara and large parts of the Terai (very patchy in rural areas). In principle, foreign SIM cards can also be used in Nepal (e.g. O2 and T-Mobil have international roaming contracts with Nepal). However, it is cheaper to buy a local SIM card and top it up with credit. We will be happy to help you in Kathmandu to obtain a suitable SIM card for the respective trekking area.

No special altitude training is required. However, it is important that you are in good physical condition and have good stamina. You can prepare well for the trip by jogging, biking, cross-training or hiking in the mountains. We recommend consulting a doctor for a health check before the planned trekking tour. A visit to the dentist is also advisable.

The required helicopter will be requested by Hiking Inspirations or our Nepalese partner agency as soon as possible. In order for the helicopter to take off at all, we guarantee the costs incurred and make advance payments. The costs are then usually covered by the insurance. If this is not the case, the costs are to be borne by the traveler. For example, the cost of a helicopter mission in the Everest region is around USD 6,000.

There are many restaurants in the tourist areas (especially in Kathmandu and Pokhara) with Nepalese or international cuisine. The Nepalese national dish dal bhat tastes delicious – the main ingredients are rice (bhat), lentil soup (dal) and seasonal vegetables. In higher regions where rice does not grow, it is replaced by potatoes or pearl barley. Imported and local spirits, wines and beers (e.g. the local Everest beer) are available in the restaurants and bars. The Nepalese mainly drink water, but also sweet tea with milk. Black tea brewed only with milk and spiced with ginger, cardamom, cinnamon leaf (teipat) or black pepper tastes best.

There is a large selection of food, e.g. noodles, rice or potatoes with vegetables or meat (chicken, water buffalo (buff) or goat (mutton)), spaghetti with tomato sauce, momos (stuffed dumplings) with vegetable or meat filling, pizza, dal bhat, chicken curry with rice or flatbread, jam, butter, honey, porridge, muesli, pancakes, eggs, etc.

If you have stomach problems or are very sensitive, it is not advisable to eat meat and egg dishes at altitudes above 3,500 meters. Meat products and eggs are sometimes stored for long periods without refrigeration.

Cows are sacred and beef is not eaten by Hindus. The meat of the water buffalo serves as a substitute. Goat, chicken and pork are expensive. Most Nepalese are vegetarians for financial reasons alone.
Specialties of the mountain peoples are tsampa (roasted barley flour dipped in butter tea), dried yak meat, noodle stews and momos. In Nepal, food is eaten with the fingers of the right hand. Sometimes people eat with a spoon in the presence of strangers (but not with a knife and fork). However, you will of course receive normal cutlery in the lodges.

The Nepalese always eat later than the trekking group. As a rule, the lodges cook the national dish Dal Bhat for all guides and porters. This is served in the kitchen. That’s why guides and porters often don’t sit at the table with the group.

The mountain guide, the Nepalese guide and the accompanying team pay for their own meals. But they are happy to have a Coke, a chocolate bar or potato chips during the trek.

The tap water in Nepal is not suitable for drinking and should not be used for brushing your teeth. As there is often a shortage of water in the country, water should generally be used very sparingly. There are refill options in some trekking areas. Otherwise, it is advisable to take disinfectant tablets with you. Boiled water is safe to drink.

There are four climate zones in Tanzania: The coastal zone is hot with high humidity. The average daily temperature is between plus 26.5 and 30 °C. The most favorable months in terms of climate are June to September. During this time, the humidity is low, the sky is almost cloudless and a cooling wind blows from the sea. Most of the rain falls between March and May. The hottest time is between October and February. The average annual temperature in Dar es Salaam is plus 26 °C. The central plateau (approx. 1,200 m high) has strongly fluctuating daytime temperatures. It is hot during the day and very cool at night. The lake regions generally have higher humidity than the central plateau and also heavier rainfall.

The zone between the coastal plain and the central plateau, in the Usambara Mountains, northwest of Tanga and Kilimanjaro, has a temperate climate. The months with the highest rainfall are March to May (the big rainy season). The daily average maximum temperature is plus 22 °C. The months of May to August are the coolest.

The northern coastal area as well as the north and north-east have a double rainy season. From April to May there is a so-called “great rainy season”, which is followed by the dry season. The “little rainy season” in the months of November/December is followed by the “little dry season”, which sometimes only brings a reduction in rainfall. Towards the interior of the country and to the south and southwest there is a rainy season that lasts from November/December to April. The islands of Zanzibar and Pemba experience heavy rainfall from April to May and less in November and December.

Northern Tanzania’s national parks and game reserves are world-famous.

Arusha National Park is located around Mt. Meru. The vegetation consists of mountain mats up to 4,565 m high, mountain rainforest and acacia woodland. There are 54 species of mammals, including elephant, Cape buffalo, Maasai giraffe, guereza and diademed monkeys. There are 242 species of birds. The volcanic landscape with the Meru and Ngurdoto craters and the glowing crater lakes is impressive.

Lake Manyara National Park is located in the province of Arusha on the western edge of the Rift Valley, east of the Ngorongoro massif. The vegetation consists of a groundwater-fed primeval forest, acacia woodland and grass savannah. There are 62 species of mammals, including elephants, Cape buffalo, tree-climbing lions and guereza. There are 361 species of birds to marvel at.

The famous Serengeti National Park is located in the Mara and Shinyanga province and small parts of Arusha and Mwanza, east of Lake Victoria. The vegetation consists of short grass savannah, long grass savannah, acacia woodland and gallery forests. The wildlife is unique with 93 species of mammals including hyena dogs, large prides of lions, leopards, cheetahs, large herds of white wildebeest, plains zebras, antelopes and gazelles. Almost 400 bird species live in the savannah.

The Tarangire National Park is also located in the province: Arusha. The vegetation consists of grass and bush savannah as well as black earth grass swampland. The park is home to 60 mammal and 264 bird species. The special feature is the high concentration of wild animals in the dry season.

Safaris can be undertaken in the national parks and there are so many animals to observe in the wild: Giraffes, elephants, zebras, rhinos, cheetahs, lions, leopards, wildebeests, buffaloes, hyenas and hippos. We will definitely meet “The Big 5”.

Depending on the flight you choose, it takes 10 – 12 hours from Germany to Tanzania/Kilimanjaro Airport.

Medical care in Tanzania cannot always be described as satisfactory. Hospitals are not always optimally equipped and are often far apart. There is no emergency room. In emergencies, you are forced to organize a cab yourself. Medical or hospital bills usually have to be paid immediately in cash. Please keep these in a safe place so that they can be reimbursed by your international health insurance at home (insurance recommended).

The Tanzanian ZS is the Tanzania Shilling (TZS). The following banknotes are in circulation: 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 TZS. There are also coins in denominations of 50, 100, 200 and 500 TZS. It is always advisable to carry small change, e.g. as a tip for services. The US dollar can be regarded as the unofficial second currency in Tanzania. The import and export of foreign currency is unrestricted.

Please exchange your cash into Tanzanian shillings in Tanzania first. Forex bureaus, which are private money exchange offices, often offer more favorable exchange rates than banks and hotels. Money exchange on the so-called “black market” is strictly prohibited! The risk of being lured into an ambush or caught by the police is high.

We recommend that you take small denominations of US dollars with you. This allows you to pay smaller amounts flexibly and possibly avoid discussions about the amount and denomination of the change. It is also possible to take Euros with you, but these are not usually accepted directly as a means of payment. In this case, it is necessary to exchange the currency into TZS or USD at a bank or exchange office.

The major European and American banks such as Deutsche Bank, HSBC and Citigroup generally have branches and ATMs in all major cities in Tanzania, including Arusha and Moshi. You can withdraw TS from most ATMs with your EC card.

International credit cards are only accepted in the major hotels. However, a service charge is always added.

Local buses, simple tourist buses for overland trips, minibuses, cabs, Bajaj three-wheelers, private vehicles and jeeps are available as means of transportation.

Left-hand traffic prevails in Tanzania. In practice, however, the stronger driver has the right of way, which means that it is better not to insist on traffic rules when dealing with trucks and buses for your own safety. Even if the volume of traffic on rural roads is very low, the dangers are not automatically less. Oncoming vehicles often swerve around potholes and change sides of the road depending on the best driving options, sometimes to the right, then to the left again. There are only a few asphalted roads in Tanzania, over 80% are dirt tracks.

The cell phone network works in all cities, but not in the countryside and only to a limited extent on the trekking tours. The area code for Germany is +49 and for Tanzania +255.

The voltage in Tanzania is 230-240 volts alternating current, 50 Hertz (3-pole adapter required). Because of the power cuts and also for the trekking tour, it is generally advisable to carry a small flashlight – or even better, a head torch. Your batteries cannot be recharged in the lodges. It is therefore advisable to take a power bank or solar panel with you.

Letters and postcards can be posted in every larger village or handed in at the lodges in the national parks. Don’t forget the Air-Mail sticker. Airmail cards and letters take around 10 days to reach their destination in Central Europe.

Kiswahili has been the official language of Tanzania since 1961. As a tourist, it is very advantageous to acquire a Swahili vocabulary. They can gain real sympathy from the locals. A few words are often enough to facilitate a warm encounter. English is widely spoken, but is not understood everywhere in the country. There are also many tribal languages. The line between an independent language and a dialect is often difficult to draw.

Compared to Central European Time (CET), the clocks have to be set forward by 2 hours in German winter time in Tanzania and by one hour in our summer time.

Variable holidays are Idd-el-Fitr (end of Ramadan), Idd-el-Haij (pilgrimage festival, Muhammad’s flight from Mecca to Medina), Maulid (birth of Muhammad), Good Friday and Easter Monday. Sunday is the legal day of rest in the country. The national holiday is celebrated on April 26, 1964. December 9 (1961) is also an important holiday as Independence Day.

Tanzanians are very friendly and warm people, but the following things should be kept in mind:

• Don’t photograph anyone without permission, always ask first! Photography ban for
• Airports and seaports, radio towers, bridges, strategically important points, the national flag, a picture of the president and military installations.
• Do not wear shorts or fashionable clothing in the remote areas (shoulders and legs should be covered).
• Wear a head and shoulder covering when entering a mosque.
• Kissing and hugging in public places, especially in mosques, is not permitted.

• Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings of people.

Crime is relatively high throughout the country. In addition to petty crime such as pickpocketing and robberies, there is an increase in scams in which tourists are approached by supposedly helpful passers-by or cab drivers and offered assistance such as a ride, only to be robbed and/or forced to withdraw cash from ATMs under threat of violence. The travel advice of the Federal Foreign Office provides information on the current security situation. On our tours, we travel to areas where, in our experience, the general safety poses an acceptable risk to the traveler, and better protection is guaranteed on group tours than for individual travelers.

However, one should bear the following in mind: The majority of the Tanzanian population still lives far below the European subsistence level. In the eyes of these people, every foreign tourist is immeasurably rich, regardless of whether this is actually the case by our standards or not. We therefore ask you to keep valuables, documents and money as safe and close to your body as possible and, above all, not to encourage theft by putting them on display. You should report a theft or robbery to the nearest police station immediately.

The following rules of conduct must be observed:

• It is best to leave expensive jewelry and watches at home and take cameras etc. in a bag that is as inconspicuous as possible.
• You should avoid walking in the dark, especially in the larger cities and on the beaches.
• Do not resist robberies. Voluntarily hand in your valuables.
• Public gatherings, religious and political events should be avoided.
• Carry your passport, flight tickets, cash and other important documents in a chest pouch or in a waist belt, concealed under your clothing if possible.
• Never leave valuables unattended in the jeep, hotel room, lodge or tent.

There are countless souvenirs on offer and, as in so many countries, there are good and inferior items. Be careful with ebony carvings. These are often not genuine and are only polished up with black shoe polish. Makonde carvings are high-quality, handcrafted souvenirs made of ebony or other types of wood. The motifs of the figures originate from the African world of gods and spirits. They are “sheitans” (devils), masks and devoured people. Unfortunately, the carvers are increasingly adapting to the wishes of tourists. Nowadays, it is mainly animals and Maasai warriors that are carved from wood. There are also necklaces, beadwork and batik, baskets, tanga cloths and Maasai spears and knives.

In Germany
Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania, Eschenallee 11, 14050 Berlin, Tel. 030-3030800, Fax 030-30308020, info@tanzania-gov.de, tanzania-gov.de, Division: Federal Republic of Germany, Austria, Switzerland (for visa matters)

In Tanzania
German Embassy (Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany), Umoja House, Hamburg Avenue/Mirambo Street, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Tel. (+255) 22-21174-09 to -15, Fax (+255) 22-2112944, outside office hours in acute emergencies Tel. (+255) 786-971692, info@daressalam.diplo.de, daressalam.diplo.de.

On the way to the summit of Kilimanjaro you hike through 5 vegetation zones. That is unique. In just a few days, you can travel from the equatorial level to the Antarctic level and cross different zones:

Zone 1: Cultivated areas and farmland (790 m – 1,800 m)

Zone 2: Rainforest (1,800 m – 3,000 m)

Zone 3: Heath and moorland landscapes (3,000 m – 4,200 m)

Zone 4: Alpine desert (4200 m – 5,000 m)

Zone 5: Arctic (over 5,000 m)

The higher it gets, the colder the temperatures become. It is not unusual to start between plus 25 and 30°C and reach the summit at -10 to -20°C.

The temperature on Kilimanjaro correlates with the four different climate zones:

The rainforest zone is warm and humid. Densely covered with green vegetation, this zone averages 12-15 °C (20-25 °C during the day) at 2,900 m.

The low alpine zone (3,000m-4,200m) is a semi-arid zone. The higher you climb, the scarcer the vegetation becomes. Depending on the route, you will spend one to two days here at 3,600 m with average temperatures of 5-10 °C (15-20 °C during the day).

The high alpine zone (4,200m-5,000m) is desert-like. Temperatures here average around freezing point at 5,000m, but during the day, when the sun is shining, it is still quite warm.

The summit of Kilimanjaro lies in the glacier zone (over 5,000 m) and its average temperature is -6 °C. Remember, however, that all summit attempts usually start at midnight in order to reach the summit at dawn. They will migrate at night when the temperature can drop to -20°C. In strong gusts of wind, the temperature can feel below -40 °C. The early start is worth it, because the sunrise on Uhuru Peak is unique.

The national park is located around Mount Kilimanjaro, whose highest point is Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters. The vegetation consists of mountain rainforest, giant heather, moors and afro-alpine mat plants. There are 13 species of mammals, including Abbot’s duiker – a species of small antelope.

Sufficient acclimatization is the key to success. Here you will only find Kilimanjaro tours with a previous acclimatization tour to Mt. Meru. Our many years of experience have shown that this contributes significantly to summit success. You will not find express tours with us. African “Pole, Pole” (slow, slow) is the top priority at altitude.

Beforehand, it is advisable to prepare yourself well for the tour with endurance sports and mountain tours (if possible from your place of residence).

Drink, drink, drink! You should drink at least three liters a day on the mountain. As the altitude increases, the oxygen content in the air decreases and the water supply becomes increasingly important. Drinking constantly can prevent headaches and dehydration.

For your long-haul flight to Tanzania, you must observe the respective baggage limits of your airline for main and hand baggage. Please note that you have to check in two pieces of luggage – your expedition bag and your suitcase for the hotel.

During the day’s stages, your trekking bag, which can carry up to max. 12 – 14 kg may be transported by Porter and you have no access to it. The bags are still packed in a dust / rain cover.

The easiest way is to pack your luggage for trekking in a waterproof trekking bag. Backpacks are less suitable.

Our luggage list in the detailed travel information will help you here. Please break in your hiking boots well in your home country. A good sleeping bag, insulated sleeping mat and a down jacket are important. You can also hire equipment cheaply in Tanzania. It also makes sense to buy spare toilet paper and hand sanitizer in Moshi for the trekking tour.

Only a copy of the passport should be carried during the trekking tour. The original passport should be deposited either in the hotel safe or with our Tanzanian partner agency.

During the Mt. Meru tour you need small bills (for tips approx. 300 USD/person), on Kilimanjaro no cash is required. Tips are handed over at the hotel in Moshi.

Tipping is always voluntary and based on satisfaction. But tips of any amount are welcome everywhere.

After the tours there is a tipping ceremony and a ranking for the team:

Guide 20 USD/ day, Assistant Guide 15 USD/ day, Cook 10 USD/ day, Waiter 10 USD/ day, Porter 8 USD/ day. These amounts can be moderately rounded up for special services and a high level of satisfaction, e.g. for the Toilet Manager. This corresponds to the tipping policy of the local organizer. Tipping is a ceremony that combines expectations and expresses feedback of satisfaction. Tipping takes place after Mount Meru at Mormella Gate and after Kilimanjaro at the hotel with small thank-you speeches.

At Mt. Meru and on the Marangu route on Kilimanjaro, you will spend the night in so-called huts. They usually consist of separate bedrooms (4-person dormitories) and are equipped with bunk beds and clean mattresses. There is also a dining room as well as washing facilities and toilets. Showers are not available. Meals are prepared by the kitchen team in separate kitchen buildings.

On all other routes to Kilimanjaro you will spend the night in tents. We offer double tents so that travelers can support each other in case of health problems during the night, e.g. due to the altitude. The tents are high-quality 3-person tents, so there is still enough space for your luggage. There is also a food tent and a cooking tent. There is a toilet tent with a chemical toilet. The toilets in the camps are standing toilets with a hole in the floor. On Kilimanjaro, it is common for small folding tables and chairs to be part of the basic equipment. Hot water is served in large thermos flasks. Coffee (instant coffee) and black tea (tea bags) are on the table.

Hut trekking is a popular activity on Mt. Meru and on the Marangu route. You hike from hut to hut, just like in the Alps. However, the huts are not managed in our sense and the food is brought up and freshly cooked by the respective team. Park rangers look after the huts.

For tent trekking, we provide all the necessary items such as tents, mattresses to put under the tents, toilet tents, kitchen tents and cooking utensils as well as a certain number of staff such as guides, porters, cooks, kitchen help etc. All meals are freshly prepared. A typical tent trekking day starts early and a morning tea/coffee is brought to your tent. Before you have breakfast, the tents should be emptied and the trekking bags packed. This allows the tents, which may be wet, to dry and then be packed away. The bags are distributed to the carriers. The trek begins after breakfast. A tasty packed lunch is served at lunchtime. We are usually overtaken by the Tanzanian team during the day, so that the tents and all the equipment arrive at the campsite first. As a rule, the tents are already set up when the trekking group arrives. Guests are welcomed with a hot drink and a small meal/snack. In the evening, fresh food is cooked again and served in the food tent.

Both types of trekking have washing facilities but no showers. However, after the trekking tour and in the morning, approx. 2 liters of warm water are provided for each participant for brushing their teeth and “cat washing”.

Special altitude training is not necessary, but can be helpful for acclimatization. However, it is important that you are in good physical condition and have good stamina. You can prepare well for the trip by jogging, biking, cross-training or hiking in the mountains. We recommend consulting a doctor for a health check before the planned trekking tour. A visit to the dentist is also advisable.

There is currently no helicopter-assisted mountain rescue service in Tanzania. From December 2021, there will once again be a helicopter service on Kilimanjaro. We recommend that you take out appropriate insurance. If this is not the case, the costs are to be borne by the customer. The costs are very high and amount to at least 6,000 USD.

There are a number of good restaurants in the tourist areas offering Tanzanian or international cuisine. Corn, casava (manioc) and plantains as well as rice are the staple foods of the mostly poor population. The national dish, ugali, is a solid maize porridge to which tomatoes, onions and other vegetables can be added.

All kinds of fish and shellfish are prepared on the coasts. Beef and goat meat is usually only served on special occasions. Chicken appears more frequently on the menu. Thanks to the immigrant Indians, many traditional dishes from their homeland have spread to Tanzania.

There is a wide choice of food, e.g. pasta, rice or potatoes with vegetables or meat (chicken, beef or local sausages) or spaghetti with tomato sauce. For breakfast there is a choice of toast with jam, butter, honey, porridge (oatmeal), pancakes, eggs, etc.

During the day you will receive a packed lunch. On arrival in the afternoon, the team will be waiting for us with warm tea/coffee and a hot soup or similar. If you have stomach problems or are very sensitive, it is not advisable to eat meat and egg dishes at altitudes above 3,500 meters. When climbing Kilimanjaro, cooking is done in the camps and emphasis is placed on fresh preparation. It is best to always carry dried fruit and energy bars with you for quick snacks on the way.

The guide and team always eat later than the trekking group. The Tanzanian team usually eats together in the kitchen. That’s why the guides and team often don’t sit at the table with the group.

For vegetarians, there is a large selection of meat-free food both in the tourist areas and during the lodge / tent trekking.

The locals drink a lot of tea (“chai”). This is particularly enjoyable in the country’s hot climate, much better than ice-cold drinks. Freshly squeezed fruit juices made from pineapple, oranges, mangoes and grapefruit are delicious. Germ-free drinking water labeled “Kilimanjaro” and filled in 1-litre plastic bottles is safe to drink

The restaurants and bars serve imported and local spirits, wines and beers. The Tanzanian beers “Safari Lager”, “Kilimanjaro” and “Serengeti” and the Kenyan beers “Tusker” and “Pilsner” are the most common types of beer to be found in Tanzania. The locals brew millet or banana beer (“pompe”) especially for big celebrations. Local wine, which is hardly palatable for us Europeans, comes from the area around Dodoma, the country’s capital. “Konyagi” – a local sugar cane schnapps that should only be drunk in small quantities – it is very strong.

The Tanzanian guide and the accompanying team are of course provided for and all meals on the tour are included. However, they will be happy to receive a chocolate or muesli bar from you during the trek.

The tap water in Tanzania is not suitable for drinking. Brushing your teeth and showering are no problem. As there is often a shortage of water in the country, water should generally be used very sparingly. During our trekking tour, the water is filtered through sterile filters (making it drinkable) and boiled.

Tanzania is a presidential republic. Tanzania is divided into 31 regions (26 on the mainland, 5 on Zanzibar), which in turn are subdivided into 150 districts.

Tanzania is currently home to around 56 million people from a wide variety of population groups. With an area of 945,087 km², this corresponds to an average population density of around 64 inhabitants per square kilometer. With a population of around 5.47 million, Dar Es Salam is the largest city and the economic and cultural center of Tanzania.

The population on the mainland consists of 99% African ethnic groups (including 95% Bantu), which can be assigned to more than 130 different ethnic groups. The largest population group belongs to the Sukuma tribe, the best known group are the Masai and the tribe around Kilimanjaro are the Chagga. For centuries, the population has also included people whose ancestors immigrated from Arab countries such as Oman and India. Most Indian migrants came from India, which was then under British rule, in the second half of the 19th century.

The north and the coastal area as well as the former caravan routes are largely to strongly Islamic. Between 30% and 40% of the population are Muslims (in Zanzibar at least 98%). Christianity has become very widespread in the interior. Between 30% and 40% of the population are Christian, most of them Catholic. Many of Tanzania’s inhabitants of Indian origin are Hindus. They live mainly in Zanzibar and the coastal towns on the mainland, where there are also Hindu temples.

The growth drivers of the economy are telecommunications, financial services and construction. 68.4 % of the population live and work in rural areas. With normal rainfall, agricultural production is sufficient for the country’s self-sufficiency. Since 2000, the share of export earnings from coffee, cotton, tea, tobacco, sisal and cashew nuts has been declining in favor of domestic food supplies. The main exports are gold, coffee, tea, cotton and tobacco. Tourism is an important economic factor around Kilimanjaro, Arusha and Zanzibar.