Scenery on an Everest Trek
Immediately after you make your trip reservation:
- Complete the Mandala Adventures Online Trip Application if you haven’t already. To do so go to www.MandalaAdventures.com and click ”Member Login“ on the menu bar. You’ll have to set up a username and password (which you will need in order to access and make changes to your Application later on) and select your trip. Make sure you select the correct departure date as many trips have more than one. If yours is a custom trip, our staff will need to add it to the trip menu, so let us know if you can’t find it. Each member of your party needs to complete an application. If you do not have access to the Internet, please ask us to mail or fax you a hard copy (please note, we offer a discount for all trip members who complete the Online Application). The paying member(s) of your group must complete the Payment Authorization section of the Application.
- Mandala Adventures’ Release of Liability form will be sent to you shortly after you book your trip, or you can download it anytime from our website. Please have each member of your party (or their guardian) sign a copy of the form and mail them back to us along with a legible photocopy of the front page of each of your passports . If you like, you may scan and submit the Release and/or passport page by email. You may also upload your passport scan to your Online Trip Application. Please do not fax us your passport copy as it is too hard to read.
- Make sure your passport will not expire for at least 6 months after the date of your trip. If you need information about obtaining or renewing a passport, visit www.state.gov .
- Book your international flights . Early reservations provide the most reasonably priced seats. If you wait until the last minute to make reservations, seats are more difficult to get, and are more expensive.
- Purchase your Trip Cancellation & Emergency Evacuation Insurance from Travel Insurance Services. You may apply for their Travel Insurance Select® insurance coverage online or call them toll-free at 1-800-937-1387 . You must purchase the insurance within 15 days of booking your trip in order to have the Exclusion for Pre-Existing Conditions waived (you can still purchase insurance without the waiver after this point).
- Make sure you are physically able to do your trek. We advise you to consult your physician and pass the Harvard Step Test. You can determine your level of fitness by visiting http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/havard.htm
- Begin your pre-departure exercise program (talk to a doctor and see Traveler’s Health Primer ).
- Obtain pictures for visa and permit applications (see Visa Information for guidelines). Many copy service stores (such as Kinko’s) will take them. Visit www.kinkos.com for more information. The photo booths at department stores such as K-Mart and Wal-Mart also take picture that will work.
Within 3 – 4 weeks of booking your trip:
- Begin your reading program to learn more about your destination. Refer to our Reading List.
- Secure Baggage and Accident Insurance or verify that it’s included in your health or homeowners insurance.
- Contact your doctor and have a medical examination.
- Establish a timetable for your series of immunizations (see Traveler’s Health Primer). Visit www.cdc.gov for the latest immunization recommendations for your destination. Your local health department can administer your immunizations and provide information about your destinations.
- Complete and submit your visa applications if you are traveling to a destination that requires visas to be obtained in advance (see Visa Information ). We strongly recommend using a visa service to expedite this process.
- Begin accumulating the necessary equipment and clothing (refer to our Gear & Clothing Checklist ).
- Buy and start breaking in your hiking boots!
Two to three months prior to departure:
- Call Mandala Adventures if you wish to use a payment method (cashier’s check, different credit card) for your final balance other than your credit card on file. Payment is due 75 days prior to departure and will be charged to your credit card on file unless you make other arrangements in advance.
- Make sure that your visas and passport are in order.
- Obtain prescriptions for any necessary medications for your trip (see Traveler’s Health Primer ).
- Keep breaking in those boots!
One week prior to departure:
- Obtain sufficient cash and traveler’s checks (see Money Matters ).
- Finish obtaining your equipment (see Gear & Clothing Checklist ).
- Weigh your gear and luggage. For international flights, you may carry a maximum of 2 bags not to exceed 62 inches total (length x width x height) and 32 kg/70 lbs. each, plus a carry-on item. 15 kg/32 lbs. is the maximum allowed for many internal flights within Asia; please check with the airline(s) or Mandala Adventures if you’re not sure of these restrictions.
- Leave photocopies of your passport, credit cards, trip itinerary, and emergency contact information with friends or family members.
- Reconfirm all your international flights 48 to 72 hours prior to departure. You need to do this even if you booked your flights through Mandala Adventures.
- Get psyched for the adventure of a lifetime!!!
everest, help, information, nepal, Preparation, Timetable, trekking, treks, visa
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