Accommodation & Logistics
Sharing rooms Accommodation is on twin-sharing basis, which means there will be two people to a room. If you are travelling solo, we can assign a room partner (with someone of the same gender if you so prefer) or if you are travelling with someone you know, you can share the room with them. For families with kids, room allocation depends on your preference and room availability. A separate single room can be arranged for an additional charge – please find details in the Prices section above.
Battery Charging The charging station is usually at the reception area in the dining hall and each device is charged on a timely basis (e.g. USD 1-2 per hour). The rates are higher for more powerful devices (e.g. power bank, camera batteries, etc). A portable battery charger (15,000-20,000mAh) is highly recommended as it will allow you to charge your devices 3-4 times between recharging the battery pack at a teahouse.
Cellular Network For cell service, consider purchasing an international calling plan from your home cell service provider. Not only does this save you the hassle of searching for a local SIM card, but it also works just as effectively as the local networks. If you plan to get a sim card, Nepal Telecom (NTC) network works better in most areas compared to Ncell in most remote areas. Having said that, please bear in mind that the process of buying an NTC sim card is more time-consuming.
Wifi If you have a sim card or roaming service, you can buy an internet data pack.
In several remote parts of Nepal, both the cell network and the internet can be patchy. Teahouses have local wifi installed in different parts of the Everest and Annapurna region. Rather than getting a prepaid card that they sell, we recommend purchasing wifi as per your need each night directly from the lodges. Please note that the internet can be very limited and slow.
Hot Showers Hot showers (solar/gas heated) are available for an extra fee. In elevations above 4000 meters, you only have the option of bucket shower.
Toilets Toilets are usually common to a floor and could either be western or squat style. In lower elevations, attached toilet options are available. However, the options get limited to shared toilets as we go higher (above 3000m/9850ft) and may not even have running water. Make sure to bring your own toilet paper and soap.
Transportation
Mountain Flights Mountain flights operate only in the mornings and will provide you with a scenic yet exhilarating experience. The mountain planes used in Nepal are Twin Otter with a capacity to accommodate around 18 passengers. Some of the common carriers are Summit, Tara, and Sita Air.
Vehicle We provide reserved private vehicles to drive you around for pick-ups and drop-offs as per the itinerary. The vehicle type (car, jeep, van, etc) will be allocated depending on the number of people and terrain.
Food & Water
Food Lunch and dinner are left out from price includes to give you full flexibility on meals, depending on your appetite and preference. The lodges have a decent selection of food and drink options. For vegetarians and vegans, or if you have any other dietary requirements, please let us know at the time of booking so we can make arrangements.
Water Carrying your own water bottle/ hydration pack is mandatory. It is always best to have a bottle (1.5-2 liters) and a thermal flask (1 liter or smaller) during the trek. You can refill your bottle with boiled or bottled drinking water available at lunch spots and hotels. We highly discourage buying plastic water bottles during the trek for environmental reasons.
Snacks to carry It is recommended to bring snacks (like chocolates, dry fruits, etc) and energy bars to munch on during the trek.
Shops along the way You will come across several well-stocked shops on the trails (especially in the lower elevations) to buy water, snacks and toiletries. There are also shops selling tea and beverages in between lunch stops.
Crew
Guide One lead guide and assistant guides (depending on the number of trekkers) will accompany you on the trek. All our team members are highly experienced in the mountains, with adequate trail knowledge and first-aid training. Feel free to reach out to the team for any kind of queries or emergencies as we leave no stone unturned to give you a great mountain experience.
Porter A porter is someone who carries your luggage. They are generally locals of the region and will accompany you directly on the day of your trek. The maximum weight one porter carries is 25kgs/55lbs.
Money
Extra Costs to Expect Possible expenses, other than meals, could be drinks, laundry, tipping, and shopping. Please make sure you have read the Prices section thoroughly so you know what you might need to pay for while travelling.
Emergency Fund Our trips are planned to the last detail. However, there might be unforeseen circumstances arising from factors beyond our control (like political unrest, strikes, bad weather, natural calamities, bad road conditions, airport closures, flight cancellations, etc). For this reason, please set aside Rs. 20,000 as reserve fund.
Currency You are advised to carry the local currency (Nepali rupees) for the trails, as all the service providers transact in rupees.
ATMS and Credit cards In most areas outside the cities, cash is the more reliable and widely accepted payment method. While you will have the option to pay by card at some hotels and eateries in popular towns, it’s important to note that card transactions can sometimes be unreliable. Additionally, you will be charged an extra 3-4% transaction fee on top of the amount if you choose to pay by card. As for ATMs, you will come across a few in major towns but we recommend you to carry enough cash during the trek.
Tipping A service charge with tips is included by most hotels and eateries in their bills. You are welcome to give some gratuities to the trekking crew if you like their service. A good reference is around USD 10-15 per day for the guides and USD 5-10 per day for the porters. Feel free to tip higher if you love their service. You can tip either in Nepali rupees or US dollars. Generally, you chip in money as a group and tip your guides and porters on the last day of your trek over dinner.
Cancellations and Refund In case of flight delays/cancellations due to bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, we will reschedule at no extra cost. However, any extra cost incurred and extra charges because of the changes, including but not limited to transportation, accommodation and food, will be the responsibility of the trekker.
Health & Safety
Altitude sickness We take altitude sickness very seriously and all our itineraries are designed to go on a slow pace, covering short distances as we go higher. With the increase in every thousand meters, we stay an extra night at the same stop or place with a similar elevation to acclimatize our bodies to the altitude.
During the trek, we will also take precautions by staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol consumption, and going for acclimatization hikes as needed. Our guide will check your vitals with oximeter every evening during the trek so we know how your body is reacting to the changing elevation. If you see any symptoms of AMS or have a headache, please contact our guide immediately. In most cases, mild headaches can be tackled with food, hydration and rest.
We don’t recommend diamox (pills for altitude sickness) but you can take it as precaution starting a day or two before the trek if you are coming from sea level.
Trail Safety Our guide will have a well-equipped first-aid kit at all times. Please go through our equipment and medical checklist for better preparedness as the common problems like foot blisters and knee pain can be tackled with proper packing. If you have any pre-existing health conditions, kindly let us know when booking.
Pack your passport, flight tickets, phone, wallet, camera equipment, cash, and all your valuables in your day pack or waist belt. Please don’t bring or carry expensive items like jewellery etc or a large sum of cash while travelling for security reasons.
Insurance You must obtain travel insurance for the trek. This should cover emergency evacuation (including helicopter rescue) and medical expenses up to 5,500m (18,044ft) above sea level.
Drinking Water Water safety is very crucial as one can easily contract waterborne diseases, and you don’t want that. We recommend drinking only boiled water or using one of steriPEN, LifeStraw, or purification tablets during the trek.
Immunization The immunizations recommended before trekking in Nepal are Hepatitis A, Typhoid fever, and chickenpox. There’s no specific checking but it is for your own safety.
Emergency Contacts If you have any issues or emergencies while trekking, please contact the lead guide or anyone from the team. They will help you contact the nearby hospitals, transport, ambulance, police office, army checkpoints, embassy, and even facilitate rescue operations. We will also send you a list of relevant emergency contacts before the trip.
