Q: How long will I hike each trek day?
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.
Q: Is trekking suitable for a solo hiker or a solo female trekker?
A: Nepal is one of the world’s safest countries for trekking and mountaineering. However, risks are greater for those who hike alone without having a guide or porter. No one can assist you if you become lost, ill, or injured. So we always advise trekkers to book you’re trekking only through a government-registered company and always use guides and porters. We have both ladies and gentlemen trekking guides as required.
Q: What is the weather and temperature like during trekking?
A: During the 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 you not to go above 3500m because of snowfall and colder temperatures.
Q: Is the water safe to drink?
A: Most of the 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 its 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 is provided at a reasonable cost. So we advise our clients to use only mineral water.
Q: Can I add or reduce the duration of the trekking trip?
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.
Q. What kind of luggage should I bring?
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 waterproof duffel bag for porters or yaks.
Q. Which kind of hotel accommodation should I expect in Kathmandu and during the trekking?
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, the Annapurna area has 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.
Q. How safe is the trekking?
A: Nepal is one of the safest countries for trekking and mountaineering in the Himalayas. 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.
Q. Which types of meals do I expect during the trekking, are the meals included in the package?
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. Our company provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the trekking trails at available teahouses. In the full board teahouse/lodge or camping trekking, the meals are included in the package.
The tea house accommodation has a 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 preferences available. They include Vegetarian, continental, European, Chinese and Indian food. Due to the nature of preparing food in high mountain regions, the meals are not the same quality as 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.
Q. How safe is the food?
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.
Q. Can I charge my digital camera, mobile, or other batteries on my trip?
A: Yes. Most tea houses/lodges provide phone and camera charging facilities for a small 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.
Q. Can I get a shower along the trek?
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.
Q. Is Internet access available while trekking?
A: The Internet is available in particular locations along the Everest and Annapurna treks. You can also purchase wireless modems such as NCELL and NTC for your notebook, and you will be able to use them. Do not expect internet in the remote areas of trekking and climbing.
Q. Can I use credit cards in the places we visit while trekking?
A: Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities by hotel shops and airlines. There are ATM machines in Kathmandu and Pokhara. However, you must pay cash for the services in local currency on the treks. So we advise you to carry cash in the local currency. There are a lot of banks and money changers in particular cities for exchange.
Q. Do I need to tip my guide and porters? What is the customary tip?
A: Tips are appreciated by your support team after the trip. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work. Some trekkers tip 05-10% of the total package cost. This is absolutely your choice, make the best of it. Only you can decide this.
Q. Do I carry some medicine during my trekking?
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.
Q. Are there any hospitals along the track?
A: The hospitals are located in Kathmandu and other major cities, so in a real emergency, you need to get evacuated by helicopter to Kathmandu. This is expensive; therefore, your insurance must cover helicopter medical evacuation. There are also some limited clinics along the trek. Like in Everest, there is a hospital at Khumjung and Pheriche. In the Annapurna region, you will find one at Manang and Jomsom but they are only checking minor sickness and will refer you to the main hospital in Kathmandu or Pokhara for serious injuries.
Q. Do I need travel insurance?
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 Himalayas. 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.
Q. What happens if there is an emergency?
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 refuses to bear the cost, they 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.
Q. Is your staff fully equipped? What about their insurance?
A: All Satori Adventure trekking guides, chefs, Sherpas, and porters are fully equipped and insured. Our employees have been operating in the mountains professionally for several years. They have insurance that covers medical evacuation and treatment.