Trekking FAQs

A: When people travel to Nepal they will encounter very different cultures, attitudes and ways of doing things that are different from their native culture. Please keep in mind that Nepal is a developing country so you should not always expect streamlined travel arrangements. Many of the expedition operators and tourist related business people can speak English, but very few native people and a lot of elderly people speak very little English. The general hygiene of most people and the handling of food might also be a surprise to most people. We advise a deliberate transition for your dietary needs that includes not eating at small unhygienic food stands and staying away from meat for the first few days. Toilets may also be at a lower standard than what you may be used to. You can expect in most villages that a toilet is just a hole in the ground. If you have a flexible attitude, a good sense of humor, can go with the flow this will maximize your enjoyment and your adventure experience in Nepal. It can be very encouraging to your tour leader and guide if your express to them that you are accepting that things might not be going to plan because of the unpredictability of Nepalese logistics.

A: Satori Adventures offers a variety of cultural activities and outdoor excursions. If you love being busy and seeing new things then our tours are ideal for you. There is free time on all tours but some traveling days will be long and there will be some early morning flights in order to maximize your sightseeing time. Satori Adventure always takes into consideration our clients physical fitness, age and previous experience. The ensure’s that we prepare the right adventure for you. We allow our clients to askany questions throughout the planning process, modify their itinerary, choose their hotel accommodation, mode of transportation and level of involvement of our services. With Satori Adventures you do not need to have any doubt in your mind about whether this will be a safe and appropriate holiday for you, your team or family. Collectively our organization is a team of experienced, professional operators with decades of operating experience.

A: Nepal is a new democratic republic country in the world. Here there are many political parties, ideologies and leaders. As such, there might be some disturbances in parts of the country. It does not and will not affect the daily life of the residents in the other parts of the country. Life moves on as usual, unperturbed. So, in a nutshell politics are not currently affecting the tourism industries in Nepal. Even in a critical situation tourists can travel in Nepal without having problems.

To enter Nepal you must hold a 6 month valid passport and obtain a Nepalese visa. Most visitors can obtain a visa at immigration  in the KTM airport. You will need to summit an online visa form and keep a copy of the print.  You will also need your travel insurance, which may need to cover medical evacuation including helicopter service. You should also always print a copy of the flight ticket and have to ready to show. However, Indian residents can travel in Nepal with just an election card or government approved Id card except a license.

A:Visa requirements are always dependant on the countries you will be visiting and the country you came from. Countries like those in the European Union, Australia, America, Canada, Japan, Britain and particular countries in Asia are able to get their permit upon arrival in Nepal. The best thing that any visiting tourist can do is to contact each country’s embassy for the latest information. The nationalities of Chinese, Pakistani, Nigerian, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine and Afghan people require that they collect  their visas ahead of time from their local from embassy.  

A: The answer is up to you. Depending on how prepared you are, your trip can be a vacation or a challenge, a revelation or an ordeal. The majority of Satori Adventure hikers are here for the first time, and although many are avid trekkers, they find that trekking in Nepal is very different from most other countries. There are hundreds of trekking trails in Nepal. Each 8000m mountain has a base camp and panoramic view trekking options. The trekking experience always depends on age, physical fitness, duration that you can spend in the mountains, amount of preparation and experience. Mental attitude, adequate food and water consumption are essential to the success of any hike, particularly in the spring and autumn seasons. Trekking in the Himalaya trails can be so demanding that even people in excellent condition can struglle. Although we have seen in the past that when we apply the appropriate package for our clients we see that even small children, senior citizens, and people with physical disabilities have successfully hiked in the Himalaya and have a pleasurable experience.

A: There is a grading system that classifies the difficulty of trekking trails. There are four categories: Easy, moderate, difficult and strenuous-. The challenge both technicality and geographically increases as you move higher through the scale. Easy trekking could be suitable for all people while strenuous and difficult treks are meant only for those who have previous experience. The reason we have categories is to help our client’s choose a trek or climb in the Himalaya that is suitable for their level.

Easy
This is for the trekkers who do not have previous experience, or are not looking for a difficult physical challenge. These treks usually vary from 2-5 days and can reach up to an altitude of 3000m. These treks are usually on well maintained paths and passes. They typically involve walking up to 5 hours a day. Easy trekking is always located around 2000m (6500ft) to 4000m (13000ft). These trek’s allow for very scenic vista points including excellent locations to view sunrise’s over the himalayan range. Recommend trekking at this grade includes: Ghorepani Poonhill, Nagarkot Dhulikhel, Dampush sarangkot, Shivapuri.

Moderate
Moderate grade trekking is suitable for those trekkers who have time and want to spend between 1-2 weeks in mountain areas. Clients are encouraged to have a good level of physical fitness and adequate physical training ahead of time is necessary. This grade is recommended for any trekker looking for something a little more challenging than just a simple walk. These trekking areas are mostly base camp treks, which will include panoramic views of the Himalaya. Some trekking trails at this grade include: Annapurna Base Camp trekking, Gokyo Lake trekking, Langtang Helambu trekking, Tamang Heritage trekking, Panchase trekking are the selected trekking trails at this grade.

Difficult Treks

We recommend to our clients that you have previous easy and moderate trekking experience. We also encourage clients to have a high level of physical fitness and knowledge about trekking systems that includes proper clothing systems, proper body care etc. Difficult treks include walking through rough trails for 6-7 hours each day and crossing high passes. There are difficult treks that include trekking to  advanced base camps as high as 5200m/17000ft. In the difficult trekking grade you may also experience glacier crossings on snow/ice. You will be facing high altitude air and continuous walking over huge stretches of Himalayan valleys. Annapurna Circuit, Chola pass, Three Pass trekking, Manaslu circuit trekking, Kanchanjungha Base camp trek, and Makalu base camp are all in the difficult grade of trekking.

Challenging trekking

Above 5500m-6200m peaks, high passes are included in this grade. The biggest difference between difficult and challenging is that the terrain is greater in height and length. There is often greater exposure with some technical sections requiring a 'steady head' and occasional use of rope for safeguarding. There is also a greater feeling of remoteness, isolation and lack of rescue assisstance. These are genuine expeditions where climbing skills, experience and fitness are necessary. Dhaulagiri Circuit trekking, Three Pass trekking, Sherpani Col Pass trekking, Amphu Lapcha pass, and some great Himalayan trail are all in the difficult grade of trekking.

A:There are number of airlines flying directly to Kathmandu from Bangkok, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Singapore, Bombay, New Delhi, Doha and Bahrain, Sharja, Lhasa, Chendu and a number of other cities. The most convenient flights are with Thai Airways, Qatar airlines, Singapore, Dragon, Korean airlines. Often times if flying form America you should expect to have a connecting flight in the middle east. To find competitive airfare try different on-line portals such as expedia.com or travelocity.com.  Satori Adventure will help you to book a ticket if you require our assistance.

A:Satori Adventure offers packages and operates in every season throughout the year. In Nepali tourism we have a slogan: Nepal is for all seasons.  However, in the monsoon period Nepal experiences heavy rain and in the winter the temperatures become arctic in the mountain areas.  There are 2 trekking seasons in Nepal for high elevation trekking: Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November).  Autumn season starts after the monsoon (June-August). In the spring the temperature increases day by day and it becomes warmer in higher elevations. This is the reason that most trekker’s choose spring and autumn for their trekking trips. However, in the lower parts of the mountains, sub 3000m you can trek any time of the year.

A:Most trekkers book their trip 3-6 months before arriving in Nepal. Our advice is that once you clear your schedule from your job and you book your plane tickets you conform your participation with us so that we will have enough time to make all of the necessary arrangements for domestic flight tickets, hotel reservations and book the best available trekking guide. However, we accept your booking even one week before as per situation. It is almost impossible for us to arrange a trip in Bhutan and Tibet less than 15 days time.

A:You can book your trip using our booking form on our website or by E-mail. Please visit our website for more information or contact us.

A: Satori Adventure provides sleeping bags, down jackets and duffel bags for tea house trekking. we also provide tents, mattresses, kitchen equipment and kitchenware during the camping treks. Personal climbing equipment is not included in our packages. See our equipment list or email us for a list of specific equipment that your custom trip will require.

A:A Satori Adventure representative will be waiting for you at the international airport with a Satori Adventure sign and your name card. We will then escort you to one of our company vehicles which will take you directly to your hotel. You are required to provide us with your flight arrival details 2 days before your departure from home.

A:Teahouse trekking style is the most popular form of trekking in Nepal, these trails run along many established trails in the Himalaya and its foothills. Teahouses or lodges are owned by local people and provide accommodation and all meal facilities. They are great places to meet and interact with locals and experience local hospitality and culture. Teahouse trekking is a relatively cheap and comfortable form of trekking with meals and accommodation provided by the Teahouse. These types of treks are found in famous trekking areas like: Annapurna, Everest and Langtang regions.

A: Camping trekking is a type of trekking where trekkers bring all the trekking gear, equipment and necessary food during their trekking period. They cook in the kitchen tent, eating in the dinning tent, and sleep in their client tents. Camping treks are organized in the same style as exploratory or mountaineering expeditions. This trek is also known as a fully organized supported trek. In a camping trek we provide a team including: A guide, chef, Sherpa, Sirdar and porters. Our porters carry all the trekking equipment, food, fuel, and personal belongings. We provide chef’s and assistant’s that prepare hygienic and tasty meals. At the end of the day the staff sets up a dining tent, sleeping tent, and toilet tents. These types of treks are available wherever tea house lodges are not available. This includes Dhaulagiri circuit, Manaslu Circuit, Upper Dolpo and Kanchanjungha are all the trails that we advice and operate for camping trekking.

A: Normally the length of trekking time over day depends on which category of trekking you choose and what your time frame is. On the easier trekking trails you will be walking 04-05 hours on average and 8-9 hours during the difficult and challenging treks.

A: Nepal is one of the safest countries for trekking and mountaineering in the world. However, risks are greater for those who hike alone without having a guide or porter. There is no one to assist you if you become lost, ill, or injured. So we always advice trekkers to book you’re trekking only through a government registered company and always use guides and porters. We have both ladies and gentleman trekking guides as required.

A: Satori Adventures always utilize trekking porters. Normally we provide 2:1 ratio trekking porters: cliets and allow for 12-15 Kg luggage per porter. During difficult and challenging trekking we use camping accommodations which means that there would be more porters and yak or mules as required. So to sum it all up: Trekking porters,mules and yaks will carry your personal equipment during the trekking.

A: There are very few trekking trails and routes that have available and comfortable bath room facilities. Most of the trekking trails have very simple toilet facilities which most of the time is a hole in the ground. Be prepared to provide your own toilet paper. Where toilets are available, you must use them. Only human waste and toilet paper should be deposited in the toilets.  Each easy trekking trail will have tea houses, those tea houses will have available toilets but the quality will depend on the location of the tea house.

A: A map is essential for planning a trip and having information about the area, location and height available to make modifications or decisions about your trip. A map is required for trekkers in remote areas or for trekkers who walk without guides and porters. However, we provide each group a trekking map.

A: Mountains weather is difficult to predict. Although at night it is generally cooler and the days are warm. Winter (January and February) will be colder but the days can be warm if the sun is out. There will be bit of snow during the month of January, February and December. It is also important to make sure that you can stay warm and dry in just about any conditions. The spring and autumn seasons will be more suitable for trekkers.

A:During spring and autumn seasons the weather is usually more stable and warmer at lower elevations up to 3000m. At this height you can expect to wear a T-shirt and shorts. Elevations above 3000m are colder and you have to pack winter clothes.  At 5000m you can expect day temperatures around 10-15°C and 0° to -15°C at night. During winter trekking we advise that you do not go above 3500m because of snow fall and colder temperatures.

A: Most of treks pass through villages with very simple ablution facilities and farm lands. There is always villages above the trail, so the water should be boiled or treated before consumption. Even clean spring water may contain biological or chemical contamination due to local minerals and be totally harmless to locals, who are used to it’s chemical content but may not be tolerated by tourists. It is wise to avoid non-boiled or untreated water. If it is available, mineral water at the tea houses and lodges are provided at a reasonable cost. So we advice our clients to use only mineral water.

A: Yes. Our trips are fully customizable and you can add extra activity at the time of your booking. If you decide to extend your trip after your arrival in Kathmandu we will be delighted to extend with additional charges. If something comes up and you need to reduce your trip this is acceptable too.

A:We strongly recommend that you bring a soft frameless backpack or sports type bag while traveling in Nepal. Wheeled luggage or suitcases are not suitable for trekking or mountaineering. If you are traveling with internal flights, your luggage should not exceed 23kg.  Please bring a 30-40 liter rucksack for your day use and 60-80 Litter water proof duffel bag for porters or yaks.

A: Satori Adventure always prefer and hire trekking guides who were born in the mountains and surrounding areas of the Himalaya. You're trekking guide will be a local Nepali who will be fluent in English and several Nepali dialects. Satori Adventure can also provide different language speaking trekking guides or supply q western guide if the client prefers. Most of our guides come from the mountainous regions of Nepal, above 3500m. They are carefully selected on the basis of their appropriate experience, leadership skills and personal attitude. In Nepal we have different ethnic communities including: Sherpas, Tamang, Gurung, Magar, Rai and Brahmin who have knowledge about the area, culture, geography, history, flora, fauna, of Nepal. Moreover, we provide guides who have gone through special training programs  including: Trekking guide training, basic and advanced search and rescue, wilderness medicine and are certified by the government of Nepal.

A:There are 3-5 stars hotel accommodations available in Kathmandu. While trekking the accommodation varies depending on the area. In the Khumbu area you will find lots of comfortable lodges and high quality ecolodges. Similarly in the Annapurna area there is a wide choice of lodges. Away from major tourist areas the lodges are much simpler but are improving over time. In the lodges you are expected to bring your own sleeping bag. Lodges will provide blankets and Donnas to keep you warm. 

A:The length of trekking varies and you can find the total length for each day in our itineraries. The itinerary is designed in such a way that the daily distance can be covered by appropriately fit people in 5-7hrs.

A:Nepal is one of the safest countries for trekking and mountaineering in the Himalaya. On all of our trips your well-being is our first priority. We employ experienced staff, who monitor all aspects of the adventure and are familiar with all aspects of travel in remote areas.

A:In major cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini lunch and dinners are not included. This gives you the opportunity to have a choice of foods in different restaurants and cafes. Your breakfast is a part of your hotel accommodation. On the trekking trails, breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided by our company at available teahouses.  In the full board teahouse/lodge or camping trekking the meals are included in the package.  In the tea house accommodation, there is menu system available and you can order your meal. During camping trekking our chef will cook and provide food for you. Normally, our chefs make several types of foods and food preferances available, they include: Vegetarian, continental, European, Chinese and Indian food. Due to the nature of preparing food in the high mountain regions the meals are not at the same quality as they are in major cities. Most of the tea houses have noodles, pasta, rice, potatoes, vegetables and soup. Some have Nepalese versions of western food such as pizza and french fries.

A: Food safety is always a big concern when visiting a foreign country. This is why we do our best to choose Lodge (tea houses) and restaurants with clean and sanitary kitchens.  However, we advise our visitors to avoid junk food and hard types of meats when they are in high elevations. During camping treks, we provide a chef to prepare safe and tasty meals with our own set of kitchen utensils as well as hygienic cleaning facilities. The food we serve on camping trips is completely safe.

A:Yes. Most of the tea house/lodges provide phone and camera charging facilities for a small charging fee. They have a range of international outlets. On camping trips or in the base camp you will be able to charge your battery from solar panels or solar charged batteries with an inverter. Satori will provide this equipment.

A:Most of the tea houses in the Annapurna and Khumbu regions have gas or solar systems to heat water. In remote areas they boil the water and provide buckets as showers facilities at a nominal fee.

A: Internet is available in particular locations along the Everest and Annapurna treks. You can also purchase wireless modems such as NCELL, NTC for your notebook and you will be able to use them. Do not expect internet in the remote areas of trekking and climbing.

A:Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities by hotel shops and airlines. There are ATM machines in Kathmandu and Pokhara. However on the treks you must pay cash for the services in local currency. So we advise you to carry cash in the local currency. There are a lot of banks and money changers in particulars cities for exchange.

A: Tips are appreciated by your support team after the trip. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work. Some trekkers tips 05-10% of the total package cost. This is absolutely your choice, make the best of it. Only you can decide this.

A:You need to bring your personal and prescription medicine. We will provide an adequate emergency first aid kit with you're trekking guide or leader.

A:The hospitals are located in Kathmandu and other major cities, so in real emergency you need to get evacuated by helicopter to Kathmandu. This is expensive and therefore it is important that your insurance covers helicopter medical evacuation. There are also some limited clinics along the trek. Like in Everest there is a hospital at Khumjung and Pheriche.  In Annapurna region you will find one at Manang and Jomsom but they are only checking minor sickness and will refer you to a main hospital in Kathmandu or Pokhara for serious injuries.

A:We advise our clients to secure travel insurance at least one week before departing from their country.  Travel insurance is mandatory for all travelers in the Himalaya. You are required to purchase comprehensive travel insurance before traveling with us and provide details of your insurance to our office. Please make sure you know exactly what you are covered for, remembering that there are many adventure activities available during the tour which may not be covered by basic insurance. Make sure that your travel insurance covers general medical expenses, hospitalizations and helicopter evacuations.

A: Satori Adventures prides itself on being prepared for any emergency situation. Our trekking guides are trained in first aid and can deal with most of the basic ailments that occur during a trek. But if a serious emergency happens, then outside help is needed for our staff also. Every client should have their own insurance before coming to Nepal. If an emergency occurs, Satori Adventure will help will the evacuation and further treatments. Please keep in mind that if for any reason your insurance refuse to bear cost the  will initially cover the cost of an evacuation until your insurance company can deliver payment treatment of air transportation you have to bear your own and climb with your insurance.

A: All Satori Adventure trekking guides, chefs, Sherpas and porters are fully equipped and insured. Our employees have been operating in the mountains professional for several years. They have insurance that covers medical evacuation and treatment.

A: This is a very important question for all visitors. Clients need to classify themselves about which kind of adventure they are capable of handling. This is dependent upon their physical fitness level, previous experience, acceptable level of risk and desired experience. Trekking in Nepal is considered hiking, this can range in difficulty and skill that is required. Easy trekking is considered class 1-3 terrain which is considered mostly flat with rolling hills and some rocks but is non-technical and no ropes are required. Class 4-5 hiking is considered difficult. Difficult hiking in Nepal can mean that you might have to navigate a high altitude pass that may or may not require the use of ropes and crampons. Climbers are expected to traverse steep rock, ice and glaciated terrain that requires the use of specialized techniques and equipment. No matter what you are considered Satori is committed to offering organized and high-quality services in all of our trekking and mountaineering packages. Most of our clients that leave Nepal comment that they considered their experience luxurious thanks to Satori Adventure.

A: When people travel to Nepal they will encounter very different cultures, attitudes and ways of doing things that are different from their native culture. Please keep in mind that Nepal is a developing country, so you should not always expect streamlined travel arrangements. Many of the expedition operators and tourist-related business people can speak English, but very few native people and a lot of elderly people speak very little English. The general hygiene of most people and the handling of food might also be a surprise to most people. We advise a deliberate transition for your dietary needs that includes not eating at small unhygienic food stands and staying away from meat for the first few days. Toilets may also be at a lower standard than what you may be used to. You can expect in most villages that a toilet is just a hole in the ground. If you have a flexible attitude, a good sense of humor, can go with the flow, this will maximize your enjoyment and your adventure experience in Nepal. It can be very encouraging to your tour leader and guide if you express to them that you are accepting that things might not be going to plan because of the unpredictability of Nepalese logistics.