FAQ

• 8,848 meters or 29,029 feet high. The good thing is, when you hike to Everest Base Camp (EBC) it is only 5,380 meters or 17,600 feet high.
  
  

• The safest way to deal with acclimatization is to hike high, sleep low; drink lots of water along the way; walk slowly – take your time. The treks we provide include acclimatization days to assist with this. Some people have a preference to take Diamox to ward off altitude sickness, but that is something that you should discuss with your own doctor before hiking.
  
  

• Hike lots before you arrive. Practice hiking as many meters up as we would do (or more) each day and try to imitate the time we would be out on our hikes. It takes time, but it allows you to strengthen your hips, legs and will improve your cardio required to successfully complete the treks.
  
  

• Mountain Ram Adventures offers a varied selection of treks in the Himalayan region. Please check out our website to see what may interest you.
  
  

• Any time of year is good to trek, but of course the weather is different each month. You’re best to check out weather sites to see what your preference of weather is.
  
  

• Be prepared for various weather conditions. You want to ensure your weight allowance is a maximum of 20 kg as that is all we will allow our porters to carry. Our website has a comprehensive list of trekking gear required for your journey.
  
  

• The currency in Nepal is the Nepalese rupee. Your best option to obtain this currency is in Kathmandu before you begin your trek. There are some ATM’s available in Namche Bazaar, but these funds may not always be available.
  
  

• Yes, you will require a visa to enter Nepal. You may obtain this ahead of time at either a Nepalese embassy or consulate or when you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. There are other land border points you may obtain a visa from such as Kakarvitta, Jhapa District (Eastern Nepal) Birgunj, Parsa District (Central Nepal).
  
  

• While it is not mandatory to have a porter and guide to accompany you on your trek it is highly recommended. These people are extremely well trained, are familiar with the area and possible dangers, can assist with packing your baggage and make your journey that much more enjoyable. Mountain Ram Adventures provides one porter per two clients. We also provide a guide. We look after all permits prior to your trek so all you need to do is walk and enjoy!
  
  

• It is always nice to have familiar food from home, such as sweet treats! Mountain Ram Adventures provides three meals per day on our treks, but there are times where you may want an additional treat along the way to get you to the next stop.
  
  

• Most of the teahouses provide showers; albeit, they don’t always provide hot water showers. The further we climb up, the more they cost and the less likelihood that you will get hot water. It is all part of the experience. 
  
  

• Drinking water may be purchased at some of the major stops we have along the route, but again, the further up we climb, the more expensive the water becomes. Another solution for water is to bring along water purification tablets with you.
  
  

• Power is provided at most teahouses at a cost but can be intermittent. Be prepared to bring a power adapter with you to accommodate your electrical needs.
  
  

• There are some basics that we suggest; however, the best advice is to consult with your own doctor from home. Some of the more common medicines people bring are: ibuprophen, diamox, Ciprol (Ciprofloxacin) and/or medicine that will help you with possible stomach issues in this region.
  
  

• Yes, you will need to make sure your travel insurance covers you in case of possible emergency evacuation with a helicopter. You must provide this information to Mountain Ram Adventures as your safety to us is paramount.
  
  

• Mountain Ram Adventures ensures you are fed three times per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) at the teahouses along the route to EBC. There are popular Nepalese items clients tell us they like, but it will be up to you to investigate and enjoy.
  
  

• Tipping is at the discretion of the client. A suggested amount to tip is 10% of your total cost of trek to be distributed between the guide and porters.
  
  

• Mountain Ram Adventures will arrange to have your luggage stored at the hotel in Kathmandu you will be staying at prior and after your trek.
  
  

• Mountain Ram Adventures makes it easier for you by providing a sleeping bag as well as a down filled jacket to keep you warm.
  
  

• Mountain Ram Adventures will ensure you have the best possible trek in the region and create an experience for you that you will be pleased with and will forever remember. We are committed to your safety, and making sure you come away from your trek with the ‘WOW factor’.

This is the respose to the email with many questions.

Thank you for your email. 

1.    I am a 64 yr old woman who is active and does karate and lots of walking.  My partner is a 63 yr old man who runs marathons. We have done a lot of day and overnight walks in the Australian bush and low “mountains”, plus one 8-day hike in Jungfrau region of Switzerland, but we are not experienced “trekkers”. Do you think we will have the required physical capacity to complete a 20-day walk? Do you have a suggested “training program” to assist us to be physically ready?

Answer - You both sound very fit so don't worry about that. You can do 20 Days walking in Nepal. Running an hour a day will be enough training. You can't train yourself 100% for the high altitude so you just train normally. Trekking in the high altitude is very slow and you don't need much fitness but you need more red blood cells to get enough oxygen so you need to build red blood cells while trekking with acclimatization days. 

2. What weight pack do we need to carry? And what will the porter carry?

Answer - We will provide duffle bags for the porter to carry so you just need to get a day pack for you both. And you carry your day's stuff in it, like water, raincoat or something else. 

3.    How many trekkers are in each guided group? 

Answer - If you are looking to join a group then there will be aprox 10 people or more but it's best you book a trek privately so you don't have to follow anyone and the program is flexible when it's a private trip. 

4.    Do your guides speak English? (we are hopeless and only have one language!)

Answer - Yes, all our guides speak very good english so don't worry about it. They are well trained and well english speakers. 

5.   We have been advised that the Annapurna circuit is one of the best to choose if we will only ever make it to Nepal once.  Do you agree?

Answer - No, It's not the best option. Annapurna is now mostly road so i would recommend Manaslu Circuit Trek instead of Annapurna Circuit but if you are confirmed to do it, then we will still be very happy to organize it for you. I recommended Manalsu because it's an Annapurna Circuit trek like 20 years back. 

6. We have lots of hiking gear, but I don’t know if it is suitable for Nepal. Should we bring the gear we have or would it be better to buy what we need in Nepal? What sort of budget would we need to allow if we purchased the items on the packing list in Kathmandu? In particular what is the cost of an appropriate down jacket, and Goretex wind jacket and good warm gloves, warm socks etc  in Kathmandu?

Answer - Please bring your trekking gear to Nepal and we will check if needed you take it with you to the mountain, if not, you can store it in the hotel in Kathmandu where we book you. They have a store. And We provide you sleeping bags and Down jackets so you don't have to buy it but if you wish to buy it then the cost will be 50 to 100 USD in between. 

7. If we did bring our own gear and it turns out to be unsuitable, is there somewhere to store it at your offices while we are on our trek?

Answer - yes, you can store it either in our office or at the hotel we book for you. 

8. What does it cost to hire an appropriate sleeping bag from you? Or what would it cost to buy one?

Answer - No, its already in the program package we offer so you don't have to hire it separately. But buying is something like 70 to 150 USD. 

9. Kathmandu’s elevation is only 1400m. Should we go somewhere more elevated to allow optimal acclimatisation before our trek? If so, where do you recommend?

Answer - No No, You don't have to do anything about acclimatization when you are in Kathmandu. When you stay in Kathmandu for two nights, you are fine. Its not a high altitude city. 

10 . I see your costings exclude “entrance fees for sightseeing points”. How much would we need to allow if we chose to enter all the sightseeing points on our trek?

Answer - Yes, our costing excludes entrance fees for sightseeing tour which is aprox 25 USD each. 

11.  Costings also exclude tipping. What would be the expected tip for 2 trekkers on the 20-day tour, for the guide? And for the porter?

Answer - You are right. Costing excludes tipping because you can tip any amount after the trek. We know that about 10% of the total amount is tip for guide and porter. But it can be less or more that your choice depending on you. 

12.  Is April the best month for good weather and good views (that is, no fog)?

Answer - Yes, April is second best month after October. September to December and March to May is the best time of the year to trek in the himalayas. 

13.  How far ahead would we need to book, if we wanted to come in April (or whatever the best month is)? Is April next year possible?

Answer - We already have many bookings for next year so you can book now.  

14.  We are both very healthy, with no medical problems (apart from creaky joints) and take no medications. However if there were an emergency during the trek, what emergency care is available?

Answer - Please buy good travel insurance which should cover the helicopter evacuation in the emergency so we can evacuate you if needed. But if you don't have insurance, we will still evacuate you but you need to pay for the helicopter which can be 5000 USD or more.