FAQ
PDF - Is trekking for me?
Yes, trekking is for everyone. If wyou are reasonably fit and enjoy walking you will find a trek in the holiday plan to suit you. Normally the shorter treks tend to be easier whilst the longer ones often require a better standard of fitness. Just check out the trek grade and choose one that suites your fitness and interest. It is also worth remembering if we are tailoring your tour, you can choose the pace and direction to suit you and your experience. - Where to stay on trek?
In the more popular trails (Annapurna Everest and Langtang) there are well-established Village lodges providing sleeping accommodation and meals. Almost all lodges nowadays provide private rooms and many also have solar showers and clean toilet facilities. On Camping or remote area trekking, we provide tent accommodation and our cook team prepares food and drinking water is adequately treated. - How safe is the food / water?
Hygiene when trekking generally has improved considerably over the last ten years, Our guides have the local knowledge to choose the lodges which maintain a high standard of hygiene. If you are under canvas all meals are prepared to high standards, fruit and vegetables are soaked in iodine before preparation. Most lodges serve boiled and filtered water, which is generally safe, we suggest a drop of iodine to be totally sure. - How long the trek will be?
Generally, the duration of trek depends on your time, interest and location. Your trek can last anywhere from 2-3 days to an entire month or longer if you wish. We can accommodate day hikes, cultural visits to local villages, and relaxing rest days on your trek. The decision is up to you. - How difficult are the treks?
The difficulty of our treks depends on where you want to trek and how long you want to go. The shorter Treks tend to be easier while the longer ones require some physical fitness. Be prepared for some steep trails leading to amazing views. The pace at which you hike is up to you. We have friendly and dependable porters to assist you with your personal gear. - What are the teahouses like?
They are the combination of guesthouse, restaurant, and social hang out. We encourage all trekkers along the Everest, Langtang, and Annapurna treks to try our tea house treks. Our many years of experience along these routes have helped us find the friendliest, cleanest, and most enjoyable teahouses with the best views. Most teahouses have running water. Many have hot water available for bathing. But we discourage our groups from using water heated by wood fires due to lack of firewood in most villages. Deforestation is a big environmental concern in Nepal They are also a great way help support local villages. - Will we have private rooms and bathrooms?
Private rooms are available in most teahouses except for those at very high altitudes. Most bathrooms are shared. On our camping treks we also provide bathroom facilities for our groups. - Where do we eat our meals?
If you are on a teahouse trek you will eat breakfast and dinner at your teahouse. We will stop for lunch at one of the various trail side restaurants. And snacks are always easy to find. If you are on a camping trek we will prepare all meals and snacks. - What type of food is served?
Most tea house serves the traditional Nepali meal Dal Bhat(rice and curried lentils). All teahouses we stay at have a variety of different foods on the menu including noodles, rice, potatoes, vegetables and soup. Some have Nepali versions of western food such as pizza and french fries the choice is yours. Sodas and beer are available at most of the teahouses and of course Nepali milk tea is served every where. - How hygienic the food is?
It\'s our prime concern, which is why we do our best to choose teahouses and restaurants with clean and sanitary kitchens. On our camping treks, we provide a cook to prepare safe and tasty meals with our own set of cookery as well as hygienic cleaning facilities. - Where do we get water during the trip?
All teahouses have boiled water for trekkers. Your guide will provide you boiled or iodize water of your need. We discourage the purchase of bottled water while on the trail. The plastic bottles are difficult to dispose and have become an environmental problem. - What clothes should I bring?
Choosing the right clothing is very important. You want to have enough clothes to stay warm or cool yet not over pack. Usually you will have warm days and cold nights. A warm jacket either fleece or down can be nice for the evening. Long under wear and wool socks are good for warmth too. We encourage people to bring a light pair of pants and shorts for hiking. Sunscreen and glasses are a must. Rain and hail can appear on a trek so we suggest a Gore-Tex jacket. Most gear can be purchased in Kathmandu or Pokhara at one of the many outdoor gear shops - What type of shoes or boots should I wear?
The proper footwear depends on the trek. Shorter treks can be done in comfortable running shoes while longer ones require sturdy but lightweight hiking boots. In Kathmandu, you can find some outdoor gear shops selling or renting these items. If you want to avoid looking one another shops to find boots of your size, we encourage you to bring these items along with you after all – proper fit is a must. - What will the weather be like?
We pay close attention on weather reports before any of our tours departure. Of course, we send you details after finalizing – the route. - How will the altitude effect me?
Altitude sickness can be a worry for many people coming from sea level. Which is why our itinerary is specially designed to give our customers extra days to acclimatise to the higher altitudes. Our guides are trained to spot any signs of altitude sickness and are attentive to react. - What happens if there is an emergency?
Our guides are trained to deal with most of the basic ailments that occur during a trek, Howerver if there is a serious emergency, then outside help is required. If this is the case we initially cover the cost of an evacuation until your insurance company can deliver the payment To avoid losing payment of this regard you should have your own insurance before coming to Nepal. - How much money should I bring on the trek?
The amount of money you bring on a trek depends on you. Cold sodas during the day and an occasional beer after a long day of hiking can be awfully nice. These along with any souvenirs and film are personal expenses. We have a safe in our office where plane tickets and money can be kept. - What sorts of guides do you have?
We have some of the most dependable and experienced guides in Nepal, who have spent years exploring the mountains and countryside of Nepal. All guides speak good English and have a deep knowledge of the various trekking routes. Our guides are attentive to react at any situation, and most of all our guides are friendly and always willing to share their knowledge on the Nepali culture. - Do your guides also speak other language than English?
Of course, we have some but possible to have on special request. - What is altitude sickness?
Altitude sickness often known as acute mountain sickness (A.M.S.) in general may occur when people ascend too quickly normally in altitudes of over 3000 m. We ensure minimal risk by building in rest days into our trekking itineraries. Most people will feel some affect of altitude, shortness of breath and possibly light headed, this is fairly common. Acute mountain sickness is very different and normally involves a severe headache, sickness and loss of awareness. In almost every potential case there are enough warning signs to take appropriate action. Descending to a lower altitude will generally be enough to prevent any further problems. - What happens if there is an emergency?
All of our guides are trained in basic first aid and can deal with the basic ailments that may occur on trek.In the event of an emergency Holiday Mountain Treks will do official procedure of any rescue operation. It is a condition of booking that you are adequately insured for such an event as these expenses will need to be recovered from your insurance company. In the more frequented regions there are health posts, which have been established by foreign doctors and staffed by overseas personnel.