Trekking

Description

As distinct from hillwalking and rambling, our trekking holidays will take you on extended but rewarding walks into the high mountains, with itineraries typically involving three weeks' walking and overnight stops in camps, refuges and/or tea houses.

Location

Since 1992, Go Higher has offered exciting trekking holidays in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal.

Conditions / Level of Difficulty / Fitness Requirements

A typical Himalayan trekking expedition may rise from 4000ft in Kathmandu up to 16000ft and possibly as high as 20000ft on the summit of trekking peaks.

During our approach we can expect to be baked by the lowland sun and drenched by afternoon storms. The temperature will fall quickly after sunset and sitting outside in the evenings will feel cold so bring a warm duvet and hat along.

At higher elevations we expect temperatures to fall as low as -20°C during the night, so good sleeping bags are essential. The sun is always strong in the mountains necessitating sun glasses, sunscreen and plenty of lip balm.

You will require a reasonable level of fitness to attempt a trekking holiday, and you should have experience in hillwalking, preferably at altitude.

You will also need to be prepared to travel and camp under very basic conditions, including using non-flushing field toilets (i.e. a hole in the ground). Washing facilities will also be limited during some legs of our journey.

To attempt to scale a trekking peak, you will need previous experience in high-altitude trekking and preferably mountaineering, although the latter is not essential as we will be present to guide you.

What We Provide

Our holidays generally begin and end in a regional centre (e.g. Kathmandu). In these towns we will provide comfortable hotel accommodation (but each individual is responsible for paying for their own food).

Once we leave the towns we will organise and provide all food and accommodation, either in hotels, lodges or tents.

Our team will generally comprise a Sirdar, cooks, porters and climbing sherpas. Under our direction, the Sirdar will act as the leader for the support team and is responsible for the well being of the porters, purchasing food en route and liaising with lodge owners, etc.

We will provide an exciting and entertaining itinerary for the expedition and will guide throughout.

Depending upon the particular trek, Go Higher may also provide high altitude medical expertise and emergency high altitude medication in the unlikely event that it may be required.

What You Need to Provide

You will need to provide:

• adequate personal and travel insurance;

• travel to the country in which our holiday takes place (see specific holidays for details);

• personal clothing suitable for trekking and which takes into account cultural sensibilities (e.g. long skirts or slacks for women);

• sturdy, waterproof, comfortable footwear suitable for extended periods of walking;

• pair of light shoes or sandals for wearing around camp;

• waterproofs;

• small rucksack for day walking;

• large backpack for all your personal clothing and equipment (this will be carried for you by a porter);

• sleeping bag suitable for Himalayan conditions (we or your outdoor shop can advise);

• warm clothing (regardless of weather);

• camera;

• water bottle / flask;

• sun cream and lip balm; and

• money ($US) in cash and traveller's cheques.

Personal clothing, technical equipment as specified and a sleeping bag suitable for Himalayan trekking can be hired for the duration of your trek in Kathmandu. Go Higher can assist you in renting these items if required.

We require you to bring your belongings in a backpack rather than a suitcase, as a rucksack is infinitely easier for the porters to carry than a case.

We will encounter many tea houses along the way and we suggest that you allow for approx. US$10 day spending money (note if you drink beer in the evenings you may want to allow for more).

At the end of the trip it is customary to tip the support staff at rates of Sirdar US$/day, Cook US$/day, Porters US$/day, Climbing Sherpas US$/day. Our fee does not include these tips for the support staff as staff numbers may not be known in advance. We will, however, coordinate the collection and distribution of Nepalese tips.

Conditions can change rapidly in the mountains, so always be prepared!

Scheduled Courses and Holidays

Below are the scheduled courses and holidays for this activity. For the full list of activities, courses and holidays please refer to the Tariff and Calendar.

Like to know more?

If you'd like to know more about this activity and/or Go Higher and our our services, please feel free to contact us.

Make a Booking

Would you like to join us? Then fill in our booking form.

Sunrise above Kyanjin, Langtang, Nepal. Photo © Steve Morgan, Go Higher.

High camp on the Yala Peak, Nepal. Photo © Steve Morgan, Go Higher.

[Inset]: Andrew and Graham on Nameless Peak, Nepal, with Mount Everest behind. Photo © Go Higher.