FAQs

Trekking is for everyone who is physically fit, patient, and loves the outdoors.

You'll be traveling through wilderness, remote countryside, and high elevations. Trekking with a guide is not only safer but it will make for a more enjoyable trek. Our guides are experts in Himalayan treks and have on average over 10 years trekking experience. While the trails in the Everest and Annapurna Regions are generally well defined in other parts of the Himalayas they can be confusing and very few locals speak English. No matter how confident you feel in your skills or knowledge, it is almost certain that we can help enhance your experience.

We have had families with kids as young as 7 years do the Everest Base Camp Trek and our eldest trekkers have been in their late 70s. There’s no limit on our adventures, as long as participants are healthy and willing! We generally suggest that families schedule a few extra days for the trek.

It depends on the specific trek, and, to some extent, on the preferences of those trekking. We offer all sorts of treks, ranging from easy to difficult.

In theory, no. Anyone with robust cardiovascular capability and good stamina should be able to   cope with higher elevations and lower oxygen density. Trekking or hiking experience anywhere in the world is strongly recommended for maximum enjoyment of your Himalayan adventure, however.

ON THE TRAIL DAYPACK:

• Extra layers, gloves, wind breaker and poncho
• Sunscreen Lip Balm with Sunscreen
• Broad brimmed hat or bandana (for sun protection)
• Iodine Water Tablets (personal preference) Water Bottles or Camel Back
• Sunglasses
• Headlamp with extra batteries
• Favourite Snacks
• Waterproof bags to protect electronics or paperwork
• Camera with extra batteries and memory cards
• Umbrella (works great in a light rain or to protect from the sun)
• Duct tape or moleskin for blisters
• Toilet Paper
• Trekking Poles (optional)
• Thermos (optional for hot beverages)

CLOTHING: BASE, MIDDLE AND OUTER LAYERS

• Moisture wicking long sleeve tee-shirts (2)
• Moisture wicking tee-shirts (1)
• Long underwear pants (2)
• Underwear (5 to 7)
• Heavy Fleece or Down Jacket
• Long sleeve shirts (2)
• Sweatshirt (optional)
• Fleece Pants
• Trekking Pants (2)
• Shorts (optional)
• Gortex or Waterproof Jacket with hood
• Rain Poncho that covers your day pack
• Waterproof Pants
• Wide brimmed hat
• Wool hat (Should cover ears) or Balaclava
• Lightweight Gloves
• Insulated Wool or Down Mittens
• Gaiters (optional)

FOOTWEAR: SHOES AND SOCKS

• Hiking boots with ankle support
• Camp shoes or Tennis Shoes
• Plastic bag to carry spare shoes
• Hiking socks (10)
• Sock Liners (optional)

SLEEPING BAG

• Sleeping bag rated to -15° C/ 0° f
• Sleeping bag liner (optional)
• Sleeping bag stuff sack

DUFFEL BAGS AND DAY PACKS

• Duffel Bag for Carrying Your Gear
• Day Pack for Carrying what you need on the trail
• Small Lock(s) for duffel bag and day pack
• Waterproof cover for daypack
• Dry bags in several sizes
• Stuff sacks for dirty clothes/shoes

FIRST AID KIT AND TOILETRIES

• Our team brings along a basic first aid kit but we recommend you also carry the following;
• Advil or Ibuprofen
• Diamox (for altitude sickness)
• Personal Prescriptions
• Medical Tape (for preventing treating blisters)
• Antibiotics (Cipro for travellers’ diarrhoea)
• Diaper Rash Cream (Can treat rashes or chaffing)
• Basic toiletries (Soap, Deodorant…)
• Wet wipes
• Panty Liners and Tampons
• Face lotion
• Hair brush
• Hair ties
• Hand warmers
• Ear plugs for sleeping

PAPERWORK AND MONEY

• Passport (needed at entry gate for registration)
• Spending Money

OTHER ITEMS

• Portable Solar Charger (optional)
• Journal, pen and paper 

Travel insurance is mandatory and obtaining for the days you are trekking is your responsibility. We suggest World Nomads as it covers Helicopter and medical evacuation up to 6000m. Some standard policies only cover up to 4000 meters for evacuation so please confirm with your insurance company if you purchase it from another company. If you get to Nepal and don't have insurance already we can help you purchase it for a reasonable price before you start the trek.

The best times for trekking the Himalayas are February to May, and then September to December. Unless you are trekking in rain shadow areas such as the Upper Mustang, trekking during monsoon season is going to be a very wet event. Winter isn’t the optimal trekking season either, as very cold temperatures and heavy snowfall may impede crossings of high passes (treks that maintain lower elevations are accessible year-round).

Again, it depends on your specific trek. Some trekking areas require a special permit for trekking, while as others require only permits to enter conservation or national parks. Most require a Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) card. We handle all permits for you, so you have one less thing to worry about!

Most of our Himalayan treks range from two to four weeks.

Trekkers generally walk four to six hours a day. That's between five and fifteen kilometres depending on trial conditions and the state of the weather.

Unless you signed up for a camping trip specifically, most treks include lodge or guest house accommodation. A small minority of trekking areas may not have lodges available, and accommodation in these places will involve sleeping in tents.

Teahouse trekking is a type of accommodation unique to mountain treks, in which lodging and meals are set up at local teahouses or lodges on a full-board basis.

Camping trekking involves sleeping in tents. We provide you with full board on these treks, with meals being prepared by professional trekking cooks in a mobile camp equipped with a kitchen and adequate support staff.

Bottled water is available everywhere on established trekking routes, and most villages on the way will have locally-purified water as well. The teahouses or camping crew will supply boiled water for drinking.

The most frequently-travelled Himalayan circuits feature lodges and guesthouses. Continental menus are generally available, along with soups and dishes of noodles or rice. Other routes will include more limited choices. On the most remote routes, only traditional dal bhat, curry, or instant noodle soups will be available.

Good overall fitness, flexibility, and healthy will ensure you trek safely and comfortably. Those with acute or chronic health conditions impacting their stamina, range of motion, coordination, or balance may have difficulty completing the trek. If you are in doubt about your own physical readiness, consult a physician well in advance of booking your trip! General hiking experience and comfort with the idea of multi-day hiking will also ensure you are 100% ready to trek!

At higher altitudes - the kind we experience frequently on our treks- your cardiac and pulmonary systems are affected by lower oxygen density. Our bodies must adjust to the mountain elevation gradually, or we can become ill. Physical symptoms can range from general breathing difficulties all the way to acute mountain sickness (altitude sickness, so Roche, or "the bends"). To avoid altitude-related maladies, we pace our treks appropriately and incorporate acclimatization days throughout the itinerary. There are points throughout many treks during which trekkers may choose to either tackle additional hikes/day trips or rest and relax as their bodies demand.

It may seem counter-intuitive, but your skin is in more danger of sun damage on the mountains than while at the beach! The sun’s intensity increases dramatically as we rise in altitude, and fresh snow reflects exponentially more UV rays than does the sand. You will need to protect your skin with clothing and sunblock. A sunblock specifically for mountain conditions is recommended. If you wear prescription eyeglasses its recommend that you get your prescription fitted to sunglasses.

We take all possible precautions to proactively ensure the safety and wellness of our trekkers, but rest assured that our guides are trained and experienced in dealing with emergencies. Each guide is trained in first aid. In the case of altitude sickness, you will immediately be taken to a lower altitude. If necessary, your guide will utilize your travel insurance information to call a rescue helicopter, and you will be flown to Kathmandu or Pokhara for medical attention.

We ensure the travel safety of all our trekking guests, both male and female. Nepal, overall, is both very safe and welcoming of foreign visitors. We have longstanding, strong relationships with the lodges we frequent, and know them to be safe and reliable. In addition, our guides are consistently mindful of all guests' whereabouts while trekking. We travel in small groups, all the better to easily maintain continual contact.

Flights between Kathmandu and Lukla are generally reliable but if the weather is not good they can be cancelled for the entire day. Our 14-day package includes one buffer day in case of delays but we suggest that you schedule a couple of extra additional days in case of delays at the end of your trek. If your flight is delayed in Kathmandu we will rebook your flight for the next day. We may also be able to provide an option for a privately chartered helicopter. If you choose to take the helicopter this can cost an additional $150 to $500 or more depending on availability and group size. Extra hotel nights ($30) and meals in Kathmandu are not included when flights are delayed although we will decide for you. If your flight is delayed in Lukla we will provide the accommodation and meals in the cost.

Your specific trek and the time of year during which you depart will greatly impact your packing list. A recommended outline of clothing and equipment is listed with each trek. In general, a down jacket, a warm fleece jacket, thermal underwear, trekking pants and shorts, and sturdy boots are recommended to wear, and a thermal sleeping bag, backpack, and camera are recommended for your kit. If you take any medication, this should obviously be a packing priority. Utilize common sense - you don't want to end up short-handed on the mountain, but over packing is undesirable. It's worth noting that just about anything you need in the way of trekking clothing and/or equipment can be purchased or rented in Kathmandu when you first arrive.

Comfortable, sturdy trekking shoes or boots are a must. Ideally your footwear will have Gore-Tex or similar lining, along with thick soles. This will ensure that your feet stay warm and dry, and that you are comfortable walking on rocky paths. Wool socks are recommended instead of cotton, and these too should be thick and warm.

Porters' ability to carry baggage depends to some extent on the trekking route and altitude in question, but the average trekking porter carries between 15 and 25kg. A camping porter carries up to 40kg. One porter is typically assigned per every two travellers.

While not mandatory, tipping is customary and always appreciated in Nepal and on our treks. Your guides and porters will tremendously appreciate a small gratuity at the end of your trek, as these little extras go a long way towards helping their families. Tipping is a great way to show your appreciation for the team's hard work and devoted attention to your happiness.

Our treks are all-inclusive. We cover accommodation, food, park fees, permits, and many other costs, as a means of making your adventure as stress-free and convenient as possible. Travelers generally bring a small amount of pocket money to cover bottled water, snacks, or tea beyond your included meals, souvenirs, tips, or donations to monasteries along the route (if you are inclined to give one). Trekkers find that around $20 a day is reasonable for these extras.

It varies. Mobile coverage is list expanding around the world rapidly, and the Himalayas are no different… did you know that 3G coverage is available all over Mount Everest? There is no guarantee of uninterrupted coverage, however. Most trekking routes feature local VHF phones, but on the more remote trails, a satellite phone is the only option.

We generally don't charge solo travellers any extra fees. Solo travellers can expect their own hotel room in Kathmandu but will need to share a room with other group members during the trek. If availability allows we will arrange private rooms on the trek as well upon request. If you are going solo and not joining one of our group treks you will be charged an extra $10 a day for a porter.

It’s sometimes the case that trekkers finish ahead of schedule or they end up stopping the trek early for health or personal reasons. If this is the case please understand that we cannot offer any refunds for unused days on the trek. Please understand that our costs are the same as we have an obligation to pay our guides and porters for the time they have committed.

Contact us for more information. We love hearing from you!