Nepal is a paradise for tourist attractions. There are many famous trekking and tourist destinations in Nepal that people worldwide can enjoy. So, travel agencies are critical as they manage everything from booking the adventure to booking rooms, accommodation, food, guides, and other services. The main objective of travel agencies in Nepal is to make navigation easier and ensure the safety and security of the guests.
There are many travel agencies in Nepal with one goal in mind: to provide exceptional services to trekkers and tourists. Some agencies in Nepal even operate services in Tibet, Bhutan, India, and Bangladesh. However, most of their essential services are for Nepalese guests. Some of the top-rated trekking agencies in Nepal provide different types of services, such as trekking tours, helicopter tours, motorbike tours, mountain climbing, rafting, and others.
Here we discuss the purposes of Travel agencies and some of their significant services in Nepal.
The primary purpose of travel agencies in Nepal is to satisfy their customers by providing the best services compared to their competitors. Some of the services that travel agencies offer are Trek packages, Tour Packages, River Rafting, Spiritual tours, and Kathmandu City tours. Even after the trek or tour starts, the services don’t stop. The travel agency must provide a proper navigation plan, tour guides, hotels or teahouse accommodations, and services like acclimatization and rescue services.
One significant reason to book your activities via a Travel Agency is the fantastic deals and discounts. Travel agencies have connections with different companies, such as airlines, hotels, tour operators, tea houses, and lodges, so that they can provide excellent deals and offers, especially on the group itinerary. Such discounts are incredibly high during festivals, such as New Year's.
Travel agencies in Nepal make it easy for people to plan a trip by allowing them to book flights, hotels, transportation, events, and other related services all in one place. One of the primary missions of travel agencies is to provide some fantastic services for ease and convenience. If you are not affiliated with a travel agency, you must take care of many trekking faucets, such as permits, trekking, accommodation, visas, travel insurance, transportation, etc. Furthermore, evaluating their cost individually will cost you much more than going through a travel agency.
Almost all travel agencies in Nepal have expert and experienced guides. Some guides have been experts for 25 years. Some guides are experts in specific trekking or tour destinations in Nepal, so they must be taken seriously when they provide helpful information. They have equal expertise in visas, permits, travel insurance, restricted regions, and different kinds of treks, tours, and activities in the country. So, if you are new to trekking in Nepal, it is wise to ask them for advice and get to know their expert opinions.
Trekking in Nepal is quite fun, and many trekkers enjoy it. However, there are specific unavoidable challenges that everyone must be careful of. Some challenges, like altitude sickness, rugged terrains, and dynamic weather, are always expected in high-altitude treks and tours. Travel agencies help mitigate those risks by making a curated itinerary with necessary acclimatization days, guides, and first aid kits. They also advise you to buy or rent essential equipment during your trek.
These are some of the primary purposes of Travel Agencies in Nepal. Now let’s look at some of the ordinary but essential services a travel agency provides.
There are several unique trekking trails in Nepal, like Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp, Kanchenjunga Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, etc. These trekking spots are for those who love adventure and want to experience an excursion in the Himalayas. There are a few essential tours for those who cannot trek, like the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour, Upper Mustang Jeep Tour, Kathmandu, Lumbini, Pokhara Tour, etc. Other simple services include rafting, mountain climbing, peak climbing, etc. They also curate your itinerary based on your preference and focus on your budget so that you don’t go overboard.
The trekking agency also helps you find the accommodation services that are ideal for you. First, they always advise you to book early, especially during peak trekking season when the trails are overcrowded along with teahouses and lodges. During the early trekking days, you must choose between a luxury stay or a simple budgeted lodge when you stay in the city areas. Once you finalize your accommodation, you will secure the location and request a travel agency to book for you, which will be taken care of.
Getting around Nepal will be a challenging and daunting task if you don’t know much about the country's transportation services. In some locations like Khumbu, you can only trek by airplane; in others, you can take other means of transportation such as cars, jeeps, buses, etc. You can also take a public bus, which is cheaper. However, they are not hygienic and are not as private. Reaching your location will also take longer if you take public transportation. However, if you contact a travel agency for transportation services, traveling from one location to another will become much more manageable. Travel agencies will book your transportation early, which will reduce stress. For ground transportation, they will provide safe and secure transportation services.
One of the most important papers you need during your trek and tour in Nepal is documents and permits. You must bring some documents, like a passport, visa, etc., which must also be managed. The travel agency will readily assist you in obtaining the necessary documents and applying for a Nepalese visa. There are different trekking regions in Nepal where other types of permits are required. There are three types of permits, mainly for trekking spots. They are:
Some places in Nepal are restricted, meaning only two or more tourists can trek in that region. You must always bring one guide with you. In that restricted region, you need an additional permit, which is a restricted area permit.
Many treks and tours in Nepal are full of known or unknown surprises. Sometimes, such unknown circumstances can be hazardous and risk your life and property. At that time, your insurance plan will help you cover most of the expenses. Choosing the right travel insurance plan is very important, so if you need clarification, you can get advice from travel agencies. They will recommend the best travel insurance that will cover your high-stake activity, trip cancellations, missed luggage, medical emergencies, and high-altitude helicopter rescue coverages. Remember that helicopter rescue alone costs $5000, so make sure you issue your travel insurance before going on any treks in Nepal.
Travel agencies negotiate with tour operator suppliers, such as airlines, trip suppliers, hotels, and tour operators, to secure favorable terms and rates for their clients. Always look for incredible deals from any travel agency in Nepal, but also pay attention, as sometimes these deals can be scams. Many top trekking agencies often share these deals due to the help of their coordination, especially during festivals or New Year's time in Nepal.
In conclusion, Travel Agencies are very important companies working in Nepal that act as intermediaries between trek providers and tourists. Many tourists from abroad lack knowledge about the rules, information, and documents that they need during their trek in Nepal. Travel Agencies in Nepal often craft their services for a particular region of Nepal.
Certain travel agencies specialize in the Everest region, while others offer expertise in the Annapurna region. Additionally, some travel agencies provide guides with extensive trekking experience in the Kanchenjunga region. So you can easily research which travel agencies are experts in which region and contact them based on your preferred location. You can also find websites to compare their prices and judge their rankings by comments from their rating systems and comments section.
Travel agencies charge fees based on their consultancy charges, trip charges, and service charge fees. In Nepal, the charge of a Travel agency generally ranges from $100 to $500 per person.
Any travel agency's primary responsibility is to facilitate easy and affordable navigation for tourists and trekkers. They also provide amazing transportation, accommodation, food, and other services to the tourists.
