Introduction and trip briefing:
We give a short brief about the trip to Kathmandu on the same day of your arrival and introduce your trip guide and team members. In the meantime, we provide an opportunity for individuals to ask questions if any about the trip.
Accommodation: Lodges in the mountains are not as comfortable and clean as in the city but not very basic. The lodges we use normally have a combination of dormitories, twin, and triple rooms, and beds have a foam mattresses. There are a few factors that affect our choice of a particular lodge which may not always be immediately obvious but the great-looking lodges from outside may not be the cleanest and may not provide the best service or food. Please note that we also do not use lodges that will not provide accommodation for porters and guides as we believe that we have a duty to look after all our staff. Some of the lodges now have attached bathrooms but we do not include this in the price of your trips. However, due to availability issues, you may be given a room with a bathroom and we will not charge extra.
Meals: Three meals as per your choice are provided in a day. Every lodge has a food menu and ordering book and you should write down in it everything you order under your name and room number. The guide will assist it actually and check at kitchen to how busy they are. However, it is good to order the food in one hour advance. Lunch is normally taken in a lodge along the way and we suggest the group tries to order similar dishes to make it easier and shorter time. Nepali, Tibetan, Continental, etc dishes are available though. However local food like vegetables, potatoes, and soups is fresh, hygienic, and healthy.
Guide: English speaking, well experienced, and knowledgeable holding license from government institutions. They are well trained about the high altitude problem, eco tourism, and social responsibilities and are sincerely dedicated to their duty. Actually, our guides play an invaluable role in ensuring that our clients have the best opportunity to experience, learn about, and enjoy their trip presenting them whenever you need any help.
Porters: Normally we use only regular porters working for the company. Our porters are fully equipped and insured having knowledge of walking on snow and high-altitude passes. They are very honest, reliable, strong and of curse get good pay. They can speak English and will be referred to take the guide training after they are well-experienced and confident.
Travel Insurance: We suggest and t is a condition of traveling with us that you must be fully insured, including air rescue services and all medical expenses. You decide and choose what amount and type of insurance are suitable for your trip nature as some do buy cancellation and only for a certain period of time.
Itinerary: The given itinerary is flexible so if needed there is often there will be a possibility on the trek to extend or shorten the walking days. In the special case, if the trip ended a week or earlier, there will be given an option for a short trip. Please discuss this with your trek guide and express your wishes.
Washing and Toilet: Most lodges offer hot showers now. Sometimes a hot shower means a bucket of hot water and asks your trek guide about the availability. For ecological reasons please try and limit your use of hot water if the water is not solar-heated. Please note that in higher places and cold times there is very little chance to have enough hot water. Every lodge will have some kind of hand-washing facility but ask your trek guide about the place where you can wash and clean your teeth. In any event, it is a good idea to carry a bar of soap with you. If the water freezes then ask your guide to get a warm bowl of water which does not cost money.
Toilets are usually Asian squat style and vary in how clean they are. Normally toilets are outside the lodge but now some lodges are inside the room or lodge. They tend to be cleaner in the lower and Annapurna region than the Everest or other remote and high regions because of water shortage and temperature. The rubbish bin in the toilet is kept for your used toilet paper.
Drinking water: Most of the stomach problems are faced by drinking water in the mountain so you should really care about it. Bottle of mineral water is normally available but are environmentally unfriendly options so we recommend filtered and boiled water that should be treated with iodine / purifying tablet before you drink it. The lodge people charge a minimum for boiled water as fuel is used to boil the water and wait about half an hour before adding any fruit powder etc.
Transportation: Deluxe private vehicles are provided while on a city tour, and airport transfers and tourist buses to and from Pokhara or private vehicles/flights will be arranged at an extra cost if required.
Electricity: Small-scale electricity schemes are running in several mountain communities but as they are by definition small the light may not be strong enough to read and is not always guaranteed to be working. Kerosene lamps, candles, or solar light bulbs are often used in the dining room where there is no electricity. A touch light, with extra batteries, is essential. Some lodges have recharging facilities for which there is a small charge. Nepal uses voltages, of 220-240 volts to power your appliances. The sockets are fit both round and flat.