FAQ

The Luxury Kongde trek with EBC and Kala Patthar Heli Tour is doable all year round. However, the best season for this trip is Spring (March to May) and Autumn (Mid-September and November-End). During both seasons, the temperature is stable and calm. There is a rare chance of flight delays and cancellations. Not only that, during this time, skies are clear, and the mountain views are at their best.

Undoubtedly, the Everest region offers the best trekking trails around the globe. Of course, the Luxury Kongde trek is one of them. It is an ideal trekking package that combines the raw adventure of the high-altitude hike with a helicopter ride to EBC and Kala Patthar.

The best part of the Luxury Kongde trek is that you get a trekking experience with luxury and comfort. You’ll stay in some of the best luxury hotels, such as Dwarika’s Hotel in Kathmandu and Yeti Mountain Home in the Everest region during the trip.

Yeti Mountain Home is a luxurious hotel at high-altitude places like Lukla, Phakding, Namche, and Kongde. With comfortable rooms, en-suite bathrooms with hot showers, and western-style toilets, the hotel offers the highest standard of accommodation in the Himalayas.

Thus, the main highlight of the Luxury Kongde trek includes spending nights in deluxe hotels and making the trek more enjoyable. Additionally, the heli tour offers unique bird’s eye views of the entire Khumbu valley and dazzling mountain sight while returning from Kala Patthar to Lukla.

No, Everest is not visible from Island Peak, However one can enjoy close up views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Makalu, and Baruntse from the mountain.

Yes, travel insurance is a must to climb Island peak. Make sure your policy has a provision for high altitude rescue and evacuation above 6000 meters.

The camp is set up only at the Island Peak Base Camp.

Meals during the trek are energy giving and nutritious. The food is hygienically prepared by our kitchen staff at the campsite. For breakfast, you can expect toast with butter or jam, eggs, cereals, oats, porridge, Indian fried bread (puri, parantha, etc.), muesli, juice, tea or coffee, etc.

Items for lunch generally include rice, meat, pickle, lentil, curry, noodles, Tibetan bread, or sandwich.

After reaching your campsite you will be served evening tea with snacks.

During dinner, a three-course meal is served starting with soup, main course and followed by dessert. For the main course, you can expect items like momo(dumplings), noodles, rice and meat.

Keep the details of your insurance policy with you in case it’s needed. Other documents are not required.

Snowman Trek is one of the most challenging Himalayan treks. This adventure is only for experienced trekkers and not for beginners.

The trekking permits and entry fees are taken care of by the agency through which you book your trek. As individual travel is banned in Bhutan, all your travel arrangements are made by a government registered travel agency.

A comprehensive packing list is given in our ‘Essential Information’ section. Please do go through it.

We have priced the trek competitively. The cost depends on the number of people joining the trek. More people in the group means it will cost less per pax. The package cost includes accommodation, meals, guides, porterage, overland transportation, and domestic flight.

You need to reserve at least 30 days for this trekking adventure. The actual trekking adventure lasts for 24 days, including acclimatization days.

Yes, the Snowman trek is the most difficult and challenging trek in Bhutan.

Snowman Trek in Bhutan is special as this is the only trek that takes you to some of the wild and beautiful corners of the country. You get to experience a real trekking adventure by walking on rough and challenging terrain and camping at isolated camping sites. You walk through a rare Himalayan landscape filled with glacial lakes, huge mountains, glaciers, yak pastures, high altitude settlements, and pine and juniper forests. This could be the only Himalayan adventure where you get to cross 11 mountain passes within 24 days.

Our guides have received training in first aid and completed the wilderness first responder course. They can attend to minor grievances or injuries which can be fixed using first aid. But suppose it’s a major medical emergency needing specialized care. In that case, an air ambulance will be called and the patient will be airlifted to the city for advanced medical care.

You will be surprised to find a variety of dishes available on the menu. From burgers, pasta, hash browns, to Tibetan bread and fried Mars bars, you will have a range of dishes to choose from. Fried noodles, Sherpa stew, momos, burger with fries, pasta and dal-bhat are some of the popular dishes on the menu. Beverages like tea, coffee, soft drinks and canned juice are readily available.

From Lukla to Namche, the facilities at teahouses can be quite decent and comfortable. The rooms will have attached washrooms with western-style toilets. Beyond Namche, the teahouses are a bit rustic and fewer in number. You may have commonly shared toilets while some teahouses may have their toilet located outside. Though most lodges or teahouses have western type toilet, there may one or two old lodges with Asian squat toilets. Purchase a few rolls of toilet paper for your trip. You will be needing them in the mountains.

Carry a copy of your passport and some passport-sized photographs in case it’s needed. Also, have the details of your insurance with you.

Though the previous experience can be advantageous, you can try scaling the peak even if you are a novice climber. The chief requirement is a high level of physical fitness and endurance capacity. You should have practical knowledge of using climbing equipment like harness, jumar, prussiks, ice axe etc. You must also have had an experience of walking on frozen ground and ice using crampons.

You carry a light daypack of around 30litres. You can pack the essential items that you will need on the trail like a camera, sunblock lotion, snacks, water bottle, etc. The porter will carry the heavier stuff. Please note that luggage that you give your porter to carry should not weigh more than 15kg.

• For climbing you need the following items:
• Climbing Helmet
• Climbing Boots (insulated stiff-soled, ideal for high altitude)
• Crampons that fit your climbing boots
• Ice Axe
• Harness
• Carabiners (lockable and non-lockable), Prussiks, Jumar or ascending device, Descending or belay device
• Tape Sling
• For a more detailed list, you can check our Island Peak Climbing Equipment and Packing List.

Island Peak is a challenging peak to scale. It is definitely not an easy mountain to climb, yet novice climbers who have had some training in mountaineering have been able to reach its summit. You will be walking and climbing for 10-12 hours at a stretch on summit day.

One has to be physically as well as mentally fit to conquer this mountain. There are some sections which need technical skill to get across. You should have had the experience of walking on ice wearing crampons, using an ice axe, abseiling, and belaying. One can expect crevasses that can be crossed using ladders.

Island Peak rises to a height of 6,189 meters.

No, Everest is not visible from Island Peak, However one can enjoy close up views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Makalu, and Baruntse from the mountain.

The cost of climbing Island Peak depends on the total number of climbers in the group. More people means less per pax cost. The cost includes airfare (to and from Lukla), transportation (airport pickup and drop off), permits, staff salary, accommodation, meals, etc.

This trip is of 14 days. It takes 8 days to reach Island Peak Base Camp. You can reach the summit of Island Peak in a single day. You do not have to spend additional days camping at High Camp for the summit push. It is a straightforward climb from the Island Peak Base Camp to the summit at 6189m and back which can be achieved in a single day.

For a successful Lobuche Peak summit, first of all you need to need to be physically fit and strong. You should have enough stamina to make it through a grueling 13 days trek, including 2 days of climbing. Build your endurance level with appropriate training – hiking with a heavy backpack, weight training, jogging, swimming and aerobic exercises. Learning to abseil and rappel on a fixed rope line will also help greatly during the summit push.

Secondly you should have enough acclimatization days. As you will be trekking in high altitude it is important that your body gets used to the rarefied air. Our itinerary incorporates enough acclimatization days for you to comfortably make it above 5000metres. Keep yourself hydrated to keep symptoms of AMS at bay.

Thirdly you need to have a good itinerary with a back up or contingency plan. Anything can happen in the mountains. Bad weather, flight cancellation or delays etc. can upset your plans. It will be helpful if you have a back up plan for emergencies. Good quality climbing gear and equipment are also important to make that crucial ascent to the top of the peak.

Last but not the least, an experienced climbing guide to help you up the mountains will ensure that you reach the summit of Lobuche Peak safely. Having an experienced guide who has already been up the summit and knows the route will boost your confidence and enhance the safety level. There will be no false turns or moves that will endanger your life. Your guide is your man Friday in the mountains. He will always be looking out for your safety.

Though a winter climb is possible, the weather conditions during this season remain harsh and extreme. It will be impossible climb during rainy season because of the snow and fog.

If you have to leave the expedition due to ill-health or injury, an emergency air rescue will be arranged whereby an air ambulance/helicopter will fly you out of the mountains to Kathmandu for medical attention. Make sure your insurance covers high altitude mountain rescue. If you are able to walk down, one of the assistant guides will guide you down to a lower elevation where you can wait for the rest of the team or fly out to Kathmandu ahead of the group. Whether for health or personal reasons, please do note refunds for the unused days of your trip will not be given. Even if you leave the expedition beforehand, we are committed to pay the porters, and guides for the duration of the trip for which they are hired.

Teahouse trekking is one of the most popular ways of trekking in Nepal. Teahouse trekking has almost replaced old style camping treks in Nepal along the popular trekking routes of Annapurna and Everest regions. Teahouse Trek involves resting or stopping at teahouses or lodges scattered along the trail for the night. The teahouses are locally owned and they provide accommodation and food. While the standard of teahouses varies, most of these establishments usually offer basic services – small rooms (usually on a twin sharing basis with comfortable beds), shared washroom, a heated communal dining area and a menu with a range of dishes. Some may offer wi-fi and hot shower. As these teahouses are located in remote locations, one should not expect the service of a city hotel while staying in one. But in popular trails like Everest Base Camp trail and Annapurna Base Camp trail one can expect luxury standard accommodations too.

Yes, single supplement will be available in the cities and at lower elevations while trekking. At higher elevations there are very few teahouses. During peak season when there is high demand for rooms, it will be difficult to book single rooms. However if you are travelling during off season a single room can be arranged at all places.

We provide sleeping bag and down jacket but you need to bring your own personal gear. We can recommend some good stores where you can hire or buy new ones.

You can store it at your hotel (most hotels in Kathmandu have storage facilities) or you can leave it at our office.

You need to have a passport with validity for up to 6 months and a Nepal Visa which can either be obtained through the Nepalese Embassy diplomatic mission in your country or upon your arrival at the entry point. No visa is needed for Indian nationals. You also need to carry hard cash (for visa fee on arrival) and passport photographs (digital or hard copy). For more ‘Nepal Visa’ details please read the ‘Visa’ section in our ‘Essential Information’ page.

Most of the guides in our adventure company come from the mountainous areas. They are carefully selected on the basis of their experience, leadership skills and personal aptitude. We provide guides that are experienced and fluent in English. With the objective of sustaining local communities, we employ guides from different ethnic backgrounds who have adequate knowledge about the culture, ecosystem, flora and fauna, geography and history of Nepal.

Our guides have the required government license to guide tourists. They have all gone through intensive training programs like wilderness first aid, trekking guide training, eco training workshop and rock climbing, ice climbing and mountaineering, which are certified and approved by the government of Nepal.

You need to have local currency to purchase items on the trail. While Lukla and Namche in the Everest Region may have lodges that would accept payment with cards, we strongly advise to carry enough local cash with you to buy essential items en route. You can exchange your currency at any of the money exchange centres in Kathmandu or use your credit or debit card at the local ATMs to get local currency.

We carry a first-aid box with us while trekking. But if you want you can carry along some essential medicines like ibuprofen, codeine, paracetamol, lozenges, anti-diarrhea tablets and diamox for AMS.

Please do note, all our trekking itineraries incorporate adequate number of acclimatization days. You will get an extra day’s rest at a lower elevation to prepare your body for a walk up in the higher reaches.

AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness usually occurs due to the lack of oxygen in the atmosphere in high altitudes. Our body is not used to walking in high altitude and it requires a lot of time to adapt to thin air in the mountains. Technically there is no way of stopping AMS but you can surely prevent it by following the given tips:

• Keep your body hydrated. Drink at least 4 liters of water daily.
• Give up smoking, alcohol and caffeine, the major causes of dehydration and headache.
• Go slow- it’s not a race. Take plenty of time to acclimatize to the increase in altitude.
• Don’t skip the acclimatization day. Take Diamox, an over-the-counter pill used to prevent and reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness.

We would recommend all our clients to purchase travel insurance before booking any of our treks. Trust us you will have a pleasant holiday knowing that you have a good insurance cover. In the event of any sickness or injury while trekking in the mountains, the cost of emergency treatment and evacuation will be considerable. Therefore, traveling with an insurance cover is strongly recommended for everyone who signs up for any of our trips. But be careful while choosing a policy as some policies make special exceptions for adventure travel.

Do read the fine print. Before buying insurance make sure your insurance company is aware of your travel itinerary and is agreeable to cover all activities being undertaken during the trip. Such as if you are planning to trek or climb (mountaineering expedition) in the Himalayas, your insurance must cover emergency air ambulance/helicopter rescue including medical expenses. For a group tour in an urban area, insurance cover of air ambulance or helicopter rescue is not mandatory. While booking a trip with us you need to send us a copy of your insurance policy (e.g. your insurance certificate) or carry it with you while you come for the trip.

No, you cannot get insurance in Nepal. Please also note that  Outdoor Expedition does not arrange or sell insurance.

While tipping is not mandatory it is a nice way of showing your appreciation to the people who have helped you enrich your holiday experience. It all depends on how far you are pleased and satisfied with their services. There is no fixed amount, but many of our clients offer 8-10 percent of the total tour price as tips.

We usually provide private comfortable vehicles to individual tourists. For groups we provide comfortable luxury buses for pick up and drop-offs.

If you want to add extra activities and sites to your itinerary it can be done. Our Travel Consultant will help you customize your trip. Just let us know which places you want to visit and what you want to do and we will add these in your itinerary.

Please do note that if you are traveling in a group, a member falling sick won’t disrupt your trip. While the sick person will be taken care of, the rest of the group will be able to continue with the trip.

If someone becomes ill on the trail your trekking guide will take the sick person’s condition on account and decide he or she shall continue with the trek or return to a lower elevation and wait for the rest of the group. If his or her condition is serious then the person will be flown by air ambulance to Kathmandu or Pokhara for expert medical attention. An assistant will take care of the sick person, while the rest of the group shall proceed onwards and complete the trip as per the itinerary.

You can book a solo trek or travel with your own Private Group if you wish. We offer both Solo and Private Group options to our clients. You can enjoy a flexible routine and walk at your own pace and stop at places to photograph as you wish. Traveling solo or with your own group will help you personalize your trip.

You can either buy bottled mineral water or fill up a reusable water bottle with boiled or sterilized water. During the trek, the teahouses or lodges serve you bottled and filtered water which is generally safe and have to be paid for. A liter of water would cost anything between 1 to 4 USD. As you go higher the cost of all commodities, including water, increases. But do note there is no dearth or scarcity of drinking water at teahouses. We encourage our guest to use iodine and other purifying agents to treat the water before drinking.  You need to drink at least 3-4 litres of water each day to stay hydrated at higher altitudes.  Keeping your body hydrated helps you to keep away the symptoms altitude sickness.

No, the company won’t provide drinking water or any extra drinks or beverages other than the ones that are specified in the trip cost.

You need to be in good shape and have an ability to walk 6 – 7 hours uphill and downhill per day. This trek is suitable for passionate trekkers. Positive attitude, excellent health, and strong determination are required for successful finish. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no technical skill is required for this trip. Besides, it is advisable to trek with a highly reputed trek operator like us, with experienced guides who can help you with significant mental preparation with a personal touch.

Regarding the difficulty, the only challenging factor is the altitude. Our Everest Base Camp trek itinerary provides ample time for acclimatization. Neither ropes nor ice picks are needed for this trip and no vertical climbs are involved. Novice travelers in a good physical shape, who exercise regularly, has positive attitude and has healthy heart and lungs can easily complete this adventurous trip.

As Everest Base Camp is situated at a high altitude of 5,364 metres, you spend only 1 to 2 hours at the base camp. Since the base camp lies at the foot of the world’s tallest mountain Mount Everest, the hike to EBC is probably the highlight of your trek. Though one cannot view the summit of Mount Everest from the base camp (as the mountain is too huge) you can get close up views of the massive walls of Everest, Khumbutse, Lingtren and Nuptse. The Khumbu Icefall appears spectacular. Though the icefall lies close to the Base Camp, it is not possible explore it as you need proper climbing gear to walk on it. But you get to explore the actual base camp of the Everest expedition groups. During climbing season, it is like a mini city of tents and you get to meet mountaineers (sometimes celebrities too!) from different countries attempting to summit Mount Everest. After taking pictures and soaking in the magnificent views you descend down to Gorak Shep again. Please do note the visibility of mountains depends on the weather. If it’s foggy you may not get good views of the mountains.

No, we do not spend the night at Everest Base Camp as there are no teahouses or lodges there. Moreover it is advisable and more comfortable to spend the night at a lower elevation. After enjoying the views we trek down to Gorak Shep and stay overnight at a local teahouse.

These are the best months to do this trek, as the weather is mild and the temperatures range from 12 to 15 degrees. The skies generally remain clear and the days are pleasant and warm. You can expect an occasional spring shower and hazy weather during spring. The mountain views are stunning in September, as there is more snow on the mountains. Nights can be freezing as the temperature dips after sun down.

There is mobile network in the Everest Region. If you get a local SIM (Ncell or NTC) you can use your mobile phone to communicate easily. As this is a mountainous area the network may get erratic at times. At most places the network is good enough for internet use and video calls. Our climbing guides also carry a Satellite Phone for emergencies.

When you are up in the mountains in Nepal, we would suggest you to be ready for anything. Weather forecasts for Lukla are never correct and different sources will give you different information. If it is a really bad day in terms of weather, the airlines will themselves cancel the flight and you might have to wait till the weather clears. Yes, flying in high altitude is never easy, even on a clear sunny day, the plane might face turbulence because of the wind blowing from the mountains. But overall the flight to Lukla is very exciting and it’s an experience that you will never forget

If the flight gets cancelled due to bad weather there is no alternative but to stay an extra day. You will have to bear the cost for the accommodation. Sometimes even when the airlines cancel their flights, helicopter companies offer charters. If you would like, you can take a heli flight. This will incur an extra cost and you have to pay for it.

No, the summit of Mount Everest is not visible from Everest Base Camp.  Rising above 8000 metres, the mountain is just too gigantic to be viewed in its entirety from its base. The summit of Everest can be viewed from Kala Patthar and from places en route to EBC. If you want to view Mount Everest without having to trek to Everest region, you can do it by driving to Nagarkot, taking an Everest Mountain Flight and an Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour. The best view you get of Mount Everest is from Kala Patthar.

Yes, wifi hotspots are available on the Everest Base Camp trail. But please do keep in mind, due to the mountainous terrain the network maybe erratic. Often times the signal gets lost or the strength is poor.

Each day you can expect 5 to 7 hours of walking, covering around 10 to 14 km. However when you reach 3500m, you will be walking around 5 to 7 hours but the distance covered will be less as you will be walking slowly at higher altitudes. We want you to know that all our itineraries are flexible and can be altered by weather, geographical and physical condition of the individual participants.

In all our Everest Treks the teahouses that we use have western toilets. In luxury lodges and teahouses in the lower elevations the rooms come with attached bathrooms and hot showers. At higher elevations the facilities may be a bit basic and you may have to share the bathroom with other travellers. Please do note that in case of extreme cold, the water in the toilet basin may freeze and you may have to use an Asian (also known as ‘squat’) style of toilet that is located outside. Please do carry toilet paper rolls with you at all times. It is important that you carry enough rolls of toilet paper and hand sanitizer while trekking.

The permits needed are – Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) entry fee and TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System fee).

The symptoms of altitude sickness are generally seen at elevations above 4000m. Since the highest point you will reach during your trek is Poon Hill at 3210m, there is no cause for concern. You will be spending only an hour or two at this height. Most part of your trek will be at lower elevations.

This is one of the easy treks in Annapurna region. Everyday day we walk for 4-5hours. Anyone with normal fitness level can join this trek. In fact, it is one of the best family adventure packages.

The quality of teahouses in the Annapurna Region is pretty good and most of them offer facilities like western toilets, hot showers (may charge cost) and a wide range of items on their menu. The rooms are usually furnished with two separate beds with mattress, pillows, blankets and bed sheets. Most of the teahouses are family or community run establishments. Teahouses are like an extended home and have a warm and cosy feel to them.

If you have booked a package with us you won’t be spending much as accommodation and 3 meals are already included in your trip price. You may have to personally pay for items like beverages and drinks, extra snacks, hot showers, electronic device charging, wifi etc. USD 20 to 30 (NRS 2000-3000) per day will suffice.

As Langtang Region is not that developed like Annapurna and Everest Regions, the teahouses along the Langtang Route offer basic facilities. There will be a communal area for dining and recreation and bedrooms with two beds(with mattress, pillows, blankets) on either side. Most teahouses don’t offer rooms with attached toilet and bathroom. There will be one common toilet(western style) and bathroom used by all guests.

If you are physically fit and used to walking for long hours, you can definitely do this trek. Moreover if you are an active hiker, this trek will be easy for you. This trek is much easier then Everest Treks as it involves walking at a lower elevation. But we do recommend you to consult your physician before booking this trek.

No, Mount Everest is not visible from the Langtang but you will be able to enjoy glorious views of other 7000metre peaks and Tibetan peaks

As Langtang Region is a remote mountain region with very less development, banks and ATMs are almost non-existent along the trail. For spending money, you can withdraw money from an ATM in Kathmandu. Do carry local currency as teahouses or shops on the trail don’t accept foreign currency, You will get local currency when you with draw money from a local ATM booth in Kathmandu. If you have foreign currency with you and want to exchange it, you can easily do it at a money exchange counter.

Teahouses offer boiled and filtered drinking water to trekkers for a price. Though you can purchase bottled water, we discourage the use of plastic bottled water on the trail because of the adverse effect on the environment. You can bring along with you a reusable bottle nd fill it up with drinking water.

Your guide will check the condition of the water of the filtered water before you purchase it. Please be assured that our guide will thoroughly check whether the water has been boiled and treated properly before you drink it.

Yes, you can purchase local SIM cards for your cell phone at both these countries. You may have to fill up a form and submit a passport photograph and a photocopy of your passport. The price for these SIM cards is nominal and may cost about a dollar (US). It will be easier for you to connect with your family and friends and access internet using these SIMs.

Yes, for a first time traveller to Nepal and Bhutan, the Jewels of Nepal and Bhutan itinerary is the perfect one. This tour introduces you to the main highlights of both these countries. While you get to explore World heritage Sites at one of Nepal’s oldest cities Kathmandu, in Bhutan  you get to visit three major cities in Bhutan – Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. The exploration walks are easy and doable. The places and sites that have been incorporated in this itinerary are  an integral part of these countries cultural heritage. By visiting these sites with our knowledgeable guide you will get an insight of these Himalayan nations unique cultures and traditions.

No, this is not possible. The government of Bhutan has made it mandatory for tourists (except Indian nationals) to book a tour with a registered travel agency. In order to get a tourist visa in Bhutan, you need to book a tour with an agency. Your guide is selected by the agency with whom you book your tour.

Flights to Bhutan and Tibet are not included in the trip cost. You need to arrange these on your own. Our advice is to first to confirm your flight tickets before you book this trip. If you don’t want to waste your time in booking your flight tickets you can send us a request and we will book the tickets for you. You need to send us the full amount for the flight tickets and we will get a confirmed ticket. Please do note, during peak season (Autumn and Spring) it’s very difficult to get tickets. It would be prudent on your part to get your tickets in advance before the start of your trip. For this trip we recommend an early booking.

As far as Bhutan and Nepal is concerned, you don’t have to worry as you will be travelling well below 3000m. In Nepal the highest point you will reach is Sarangkot Hill(1600m), and in Bhutan the highest elevation you will hike to is Taktsang Monastery at 3100m. You will be spending very little time at these places, so you won’t face any discomfort. Tibet, known as the world’s highest country, lies above an elevation of 3,500m. Thus it is natural to feel out of sorts immediately after your arrival as the air in Tibet is thin. In order to let your body adjust, we have not included any activities on the first day. You need to rest at your hotel. Drink lots of water as dehydration triggers altitude sickness.  If you have difficulty in breathing you can ask for medical advice and take supplementary oxygen (available at almost all hotels and pharmacies). Our tours are comfortably paced and physically not strenuous. Having said that it would be advisable for you to consult your physician before you book this trip, especially if you suffer from respiratory or heart disorders.

Most of the tour focuses on the UNESCO World Heritage sites in the old cities of Patan and Bhaktapur.

Yes, you are allowed to take pictures of the places. However, taking photographs in certain areas need permission and you can consult your tour guide for that matter. Please do seek permission of people before taking their pictures.

Most of our tour guides speak English, which is a common communication medium. They are also trained, experienced and know the areas very well.

Lifejacket and helmet are provided. No, you don’t have to pay extra for using these.  Will there be internet available at places where we will be staying? – Travel Tours  Yes. Most of the hotels and lodges in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan provide free WiFi within their premises.

Solar batteries will be used to charge the electronic devices and light up the tents at Island Peak Base Camp. No additional charge will be levied for the use of this service. At teahouses en route you may have to pay extra to charge your electronic devices.

Our top priority is the safety and security of our customers and staff during all of our trips. We have incorporated the requisite number of acclimatization days  in all our trekking and climbing itineraries. Our guides are all thoroughly trained and highly experienced in leading groups through the Himalayas. Our climbing guides have more than 15 years’ experience. They are the most reliable and trustworthy guides you would want while traveling in the wild and remote mountain regions. They are trained in first aid and as well as crisis management.  At the Island Peak Base Camp, a pre-climb training will be conducted. Novice climbers will be taught how to best use the climbing equipment and abseil and rappel using ropes, harness, carabiners, descenders etc. To ensure that everyone makes it to the summit we assign 1 assistant climbing guide for 2 climbers.

We carry normal first aid kits on all of our adventures, which is readily available for both customers and staff.  However, bringing your own  first aid kit with a set of your own medicines will also prove helpful. We are constantly in communication with our field office and monitor all aspects of government and weather issues that might affect your trip.  In the rare case of an untoward incident occurring on the trek they can organize a rapid medical evacuation. We always keeps our phone lines open 24 hours. For remote or challenging treks, where the nearest village might be a long walk away, our staff carries a mobile /satellite phone for communication and in case of emergency helicopter rescue is available but to use this service, the client’s insurance policy should cover  high altitude mountain air rescue and evacuation.

At 6461m/21,190ft. Mera Peak is Nepal’s highest trekking peak and one of the best peaks to climb for first-timers and novice climbers. Though alpine climbing experiences maybe an advantage, it is not a requirement to climb to this peak. It involves trekking and climbing above 5000 and 6000 metres and one should be physically fit and used to high-altitude trekking. The climb may not involve technical maneuvers but it’s physically demanding and strenuous. If you are fit and agile, have high-altitude trekking experience and are looking for your first Himalayan peak to climb, then this is the mountain for you.

To reach Mera Peak you have to trek through the sparsely populated Hinku Valley. There are less crowds, but the facilities at the teahouses are basic as compared to those available along the busy Everest Base Camp route.

Technically Island Peak is more difficult to climb than Mera Peak. Even though Mera Peak is the highest Trekking Peak in Nepal, the route up the mountain is straightforward and non-technical. Climbers get up to the mountain using ‘man-ropes’ (walking roped up), ice axe and crampons. On the other hand, the route up Island Peak is more technical and involves crossing crevasses on ladders and using fixed rope to reach the summit. While both the peaks can be attempted by novice climbers, Island Peak is more technical and challenging.