 |
Himalayan High Treks offers full-services for large or small trips throughout the Himalayan region. We can produce trips for solo travelers, families and friends or for groups of any size. We offer proven treks which are favorites year after year. Our Organized Treks have experienced leaders, guides and staff. Our Independent Trips combine your needs and desires with our experience and network — helping to arrange the scope and details of your trip the way you want them. Complete Organized Treks: HHT Services begin once you exit the airport customs hall at the trip meeting point. Airport transfers, most meals, ground transportation, support staff, a western trip leader and/or a local trip guide are all supplied per your itinerary until you depart for your flight back home. Independent Custom Trips: HHT Services begin where and when you want. |
All Trips: HHT 'interviews' each participant to offer the latest updates, answer any questions and ensure that everyone is prepared for the rigors and details of the journey. This effort means that all group members are equally prepared, in good health and with similar abilities — so the trip flows smoothly! Each participant receives a detailed itinerary, health and safety information, packing and reading lists and more. All Trips: HHT and it's partners can also provide or direct you to any additional information or services you'd imagine for your trip: travel insurance, air bookings, extra hotel accommodations, safaris, city and country tours, drivers, guides or transportation for your big trip. Anything special? Just ask us! Peace Of Mind: HHT not only provides services, but we're also "a friend back home" to help. If you need special contact or emergency assistance along the way for any reason, we are available by phone, fax or email. We know who you are and can often help make an easier time out of a difficult situation. |  |
Click on any of the following questions to go directly to it, or just scroll down and read through them all.
Subliminal hint: It's an easy read and worth a few of your moments.
1. What Is A Trek?
2. How Do I Get There?
3. What Is There To Eat?
4. What Are The Hotels Like?
5. Can I Reach The Folks At Home?
6. Will You Help Me Prepare?
7. What's The Basic Procedure?
8. What's The Best Time To Go?
9. Is There Anything Else I Should Be Sure To Do While I'm There?
10. Are Your Trips Only For Women or Men?
11. Can I Feel Comfortable In Asia As A Gay Man Or Lesbian?
12. Do I Need To Worry About Theft?
13. Do I Need To Worry About Personal Safety?
14. Do You Automatically Charge A Single Supplement?
15. Do You Use Tier Pricing?
16. What Immunizations Or Medications Do I Need?
17. Will I Need A Passport Or Visa?
18. How Do I Pay For My Trip?
19. Should I Buy Travel Insurance?
20. Will I Need Special Equipment?
21. How Strenuous Are Your Trips?
22. Who Goes On Your Trips?
23. What If Minimum Enrollment Is Not Reached For My Trek?
24. What If I Want To Go On My Own Trek Alone Or With My Family And Friends?
1. What Is A Trek?
A trek is simply a guided hiking trip. It's an outdoor activity for those who are fit and adventurous, but not suitable for those who don't like to exercise. Many people who consider backpacking as 'too much work' love trekking. Trekking staff work hard — with great attention to detail. In the mountains of Asia there are porters, horses or yaks to carry your gear while others cook for you, put up your tent or guide you along the way and tell you about the sights you see.
A typical day on the trail starts as you awake with "bed tea" served to your liking. A basin of hot water is brought to the tent. There is time to pack. After a large breakfast of hot cereal, eggs and fresh bread, the hiking day begins. Depending on the difficulty of the trail, the morning hike can be from two to four hours. There's a leisurely break for lunch — everyone likes to to digest while reading or dozing in the sun. Afternoon walks are often shorter, perhaps several hours. Later in camp, afternoon tea is served while the staff erects the treekers, dining and latrine tents. Some people wash hair or clothes. You'll be glad dinner when comes early! The food is surprisingly good with simple dishes such as rice with dahl, fresh vegetables and yogurt. It's a healthy, low–fat diet! ↑
2. How Do I Get There?
Most travelers arrive to the "meeting point" noted for each trip via Asian capitals on a major international air carrier. We can help to arrange your airline reservations or you can also make your own online or with your own agent. Each itinerary specifies the firm arrival (starting) date generally in a local gateway city such as Beijing, Bangkok, Delhi or Kathmandu. We meet you outside the customs hall on arrival or if arriving independently, you can join us at the trip hotel by the starting date. Each itinerary also notes the first date you can depart the trip to return home. You are welcome to arrive early or stay late after the trip on your own or we can provide additional excursions and services to enhance your core trip and make the most of your available time.
We do not sell international air tickets to the "meeting point" but partner with a knowledgeable travel agent who specializes in travel to this area from the United States. Clients outside the U. S. would best contact their local agent or shop online.
For each trip, we work with our own local "in–country" agents to purchase your regional "In–Trip" flights (that is why you see we have a Land Cost and an "In–Trip Air" cost). These flights are ofen on smaller, local airlines. This method ensures correct, up-to-the-minute schedules and reservations, made locally. We book these regional "In–Trip" reservations for you when you are confirmed for your trip and once they are confirmed, you receive an e–ticket. The estimated air fares listed in our trip descriptions often fluctuate but are as accurate as possible and adjusted to the actual cost at the time of purchase. ↑
3. What Is There To Eat?
In cities, food is generally good with an array of local vegetarian or meat dishes and even simple western cuisine. To avoid stomach 'issues' follow the adage "boil it, peel it or forget it". Be conscientious, especially with water and ice. Drink only beverages made with boiled water such as tea, or sealed bottled water and soft drinks.
Along the trail, water is boiled, filtered or treated to make it safe to drink. A typical menu consists of... Breakfast: Oatmeal with milk and sugar, eggs, toast, coffee or tea. Lunch: Ramen soup with fresh vegetables or cheese and tuna sandwiches. Snacks: Biscuits and tea. Dinner: Rice and lentil dahl with vegetables, yogurt, canned fruit and hot chocolate for dessert.
If you have special dietary requirements, let us know in advance. Bring a small amount of your own high energy snacks like power bars, gorp or candy. You'll be very (very) hungry from all the good exercise you get! For most people everything tastes great, but at very high altitude some people sometimes lose their appetite intermittently. ↑
4. What Are The Hotels Like?
Accommodations that we choose are typically family-run guest houses. They are simple yet surprisingly comfortable — clean sheets and towels are provided in all but the most remote locations and most have attached bathrooms with hot and cold running water. Electricity can be unreliable, but hotels and restaurants often have generators. Local guest houses are a good choice not just because they put money back in the local economy but because you will feel closer to the community you have entered. ↑
5. Can I Reach The Folks At Home?
Telephone, fax and email access will always vary. Sometimes there are newly–installed satellite dishes or communication lines allowing a phone call or fax, but in other locations that infrastructure simply does not exist. Each year it's easier to locate internet cafes and wireless access. Email can easily be sent from larger cities, such as Lhasa, Kathmandu and Delhi. You will often find email connections in smaller towns too — like Leh, Namache Bazar, Pokhara, Dharamsala and Manali. Where you can't talk or send electronic messages, you can usually send a letter and have it arrive home in a week or two. Your trip package will have instructions in case someone needs urgent contact with you. ↑
6. Will You Help Me Prepare?
Of course! We want you to have the time of your life! The way to do that is to know exactly where you are going, what you are doing and what is needed to prepare for the rigors of the trip. We create detailed itineraries, reading and packing lists and medical information for each trip. Once you apply for a trip, we supply you with a trip package including maps, a phrase guide and many detailed trip notes including suggestions for effective physical training to make your trip comfortable and safe. ↑
7. What's The Basic Procedure?
a) Complete the Online Registration form with a deposit to secure your place on the trip right away. Or just download a copy of our HHT Application Form, complete the form and return it to us with deposit to complete the application process. If you choose to register online, download and complete the application form and send it in the mail.
b) When we receive your application, we send your first information package — also containing a review of Medical Preparations and two health forms. One is for you to fill out and one is for your physician. Return both as soon as possible. When we have received them, we conduct a casual telephone interview which will let you know if you are accepted on the trip.
c) Read through the Medical Preparations information and ask questions! Next, make arrangements to get any immunizations or prescriptions you might need.
d) Note that we require completed and returned health forms along with proof of emergency evacuation and health insurance, before you may participate on any trip. This should be processed at least two months prior to departure, at which point your trip balance must also be paid in full.
e) We supply you with insurance information. The amount and level you wish to insure is up to you. Some like to insure full value against last–minute cancellations and baggage loss. Others prefer less coverage. The policy we suggest costs about 8% of the trip total and protects you in the event of trip cancellations. If you insure at their minimum requirement level, they will provide the emergency medical and evacuation coverage we require at a very affordable cost. If you have specific insurance questions, please contact our suggested agent, USI Travel Insurance Services: Travel Insurance Information For Domestic U. S. Residents or Travel Insurance Information For International Residents.
f) We can create a tentative airline booking for your international itinerary to the meeting point. If you don't need the service because you have frequent flyer miles, your own agent or some other reason, just let us know when you apply. Be sure you have considered all logistics for stopovers and accommodation for the flight itinerary, as well as all scheduled trip start and end dates.
g) Once all completed paperwork is returned and you have been approved on the trip, you receive a complete package including trip notes, detailed instructions and suggested trek preparations, a packing guide, language guide, maps, and more.
h) About one month before departure, you receive final communications with introductions to other group members as well as any last–minute pre–departure notes.
i) Of course, you are always welcome to email or call with questions throughout the pre–trip period. We are happy to help and always invite your contact. ↑
8. What's The Best Time To Go?
This is probably the most frequently asked question of all! Typically, people trek in Nepal during the Spring and Fall. Spring is known for wildflowers, most notably rhododendrons. Fall is great for crystal clear views. But it can also be overcrowded along popular trails such as those near Annapurna and Mount Everest. Winter is too cold at high altitude, but winter doesn't often arrive until late November. Summer brings monsoon rains to Nepal. You need to be prepared regardless of the season! As new areas open, people often trek all year round. Sikkim and Bhutan have similar weather as Nepal, but Northern India and the Tibetan Plateau are only open for treks from June through September. This is a perfect scenario for teachers and others who can only travel during the summer months. Easier trips often occur at lower altitudes from December to early March while the weather is cool. ↑
9. Is There Anything Else I Should Be Sure To Do While I'm There?
We can provide you with stopover information to connection cities such as Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. We can also help you extend your trip in many ways. How about a wildlife safari or a jungle lodge stay before or after your trek? You can opt to tour in the warmth and comfort of a vehicle — or spy deer, rhinoceros and tigers from the back of an elephant! Three day/two night packages can start at about $250. We can arrange stops in New Delhi for a visit to the Taj Mahal — one of the seven wonders of the world. Many people would have felt their trip was incomplete without seeing it. We can arrange train travel and accommodation on the amazing high–altitude, three–day route from Beijing to Lhasa, Tibet. Also popular are Buddhist centers like Dharamsala in India where, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, lives in exile. Others study meditation or learn Thankha painting. We are happy to help you arrange anything you might imagine anywhere in the Himalayan region. Just let us know what you would like to do! ↑
10. Are Your Trips Only For Women or Men?
The founder of HHT is a woman but our trips are meant for everyone. Many of our trip leaders and staff are women and many of our overseas crew are men. Please be assured that you will feel totally comfortable and at–home traveling with us whether you are male or female. ↑
11. Can I Feel Comfortable In Asia As A Gay Man Or Lesbian?
Public discretion is appropriate for westerners visiting other cultures — and that is true for all aspects of life. None of our participants has ever had any trouble with 'being themselves' and have always felt at ease throughout our trips while being a visitor. Ask us if there is a gay person who's done the same trip that you might talk to about their own experiences. ↑
12. Do I Need To Worry About Theft?
A western visitor is often viewed as someone quite affluent. Imagine someone rich enough to spend a lifetime's worth of 'their' money on just one trip. Some pictures of your home, friends, family and pets can humanize, lower barriers and allow you local hospitality in homes and monasteries. In most villages your belongings are safe — traditionally there has been little theft. Trailside, keep track of your belongings — something left behind on the ground may be thought of as abandoned (remember how rich you are perceived to be). In big cities, life is different. If you use common sense, it's harder to be pick-pocketed or robbed, but these things do happen just as they might at home. To be safe, always use a money belt and the a hotel safe for times you go out to stroll city streets. Always ask HHT staff what to bring, where it's safe to go... then go! ↑
13. Do I Need To Worry About Personal Safety?
Don't go out alone in the cities at night until you understand the neighborhoods and have asked the staff about your plans — just like home! On treks, conditions vary from area to area. For example, among Buddhists, women have a high status and often run the family business — but it is never advised for a woman to trek alone. A trek with HHT ensures you have 'your own space' and that you can hike safely at your own pace. A trustworthy person is always nearby if needed! ↑
14. Do You Automatically Charge A Single Supplement?
No! As long as you are willing to share (a tent, a room), we do not charge you extra just because you travel alone. If you desire your own room and tent as a single accommodation, there is a single supplement. See the deails for your trip for that cost. In very remote locations we sometimes cannot guarantee that a single room is available, but we would let you know in advance and do all possible to give you the experience you desire. Occasionally there is a trip situation where a Single Supplement is necessary — for example if you sign–up late, there may not be an option to share a room. Of course, we would tell you all these details before you register. ↑
15. Do You Use Tier Pricing?
We design our trips for small groups of four to eight people only. We think this is the ideal group size for exploration and enjoying your trek. As a result, we rarely use tier pricing. We may apply tier pricing to some Bhutan or Tibet destinations as there can be significant cost differences, depending on group size. We always try to give a cost advantage to our trekkers and we maintain sensible administrative practices to give you the best value. ↑
16. What Immunizations Or Medications Do I Need?
This will vary for each individual and from destination to destination. We provide a list of recommended medical preparations to advise your doctor or an overseas clinic. Travelers to Asia should spend reasonable effort and time for this — it is not worth getting sick! You want to be as healthy and fit as possible before you leave home. Carry any medications that you might need in their original containers and on your person (never in checked luggage). Review your dental health too and carry the recommended first aid supplies with you. ↑
17. Will I Need A Passport Or Visa?
Yes! Yes. Most important, your passport must be valid for six months beyond your travel dates. In addition, many countries require a Visa to enter — each country has unique Visa requirements and cost. Some countries, such as Thailand, offer free short term visas to Americans on arrival. Others, like Nepal, offer it on arrival (you complete your application and pay the fee as part of the customs and immigration process). For India you must obtain it in advance, through their representative in your home country (good for up to six months). Tibet and Bhutan require that you travel with an organized group, so we arrange it for you. ↑
18. How Do I Pay For My Trip?
Trip registration and application requires a deposit. Payments may be made by check, money order or credit card (via PayPal for Visa, Mastercard and American Express). We will send you an invoice for the trip balance which must be paid in full two months prior to departure by check or credit card. We can also create a payment plan or other options to work with you.
Save $100 off the trip cost by paying in-full six months in advance. Many find this is a helpful way to budget their trip — paying for land costs early before finding the best air fare. All our normal cancellation policies apply. For example, if you inform us sixty days before departure that you can't go on your trip, you lose nothing if you transfer to a later trip. Read the booking information on the Our Policies page, or on our Application Form, thoroughly for complete information about cancellation and all HHT policies. ↑
19. Should I Buy Travel Insurance?
We recommend full travel insurance coverage including health, emergency evacuation and trip cancellation. You will receive information when you apply for your trek. You may view our preferred partner's information for U. S. participants at http://www.travelinsure.com/what/selecthigh.htm?32307. For those outside the United States, please go to http://www.travelinsure.com/affiliate/wmedboc.htm?32307 for complete international travel insurance information. We require HHT travelers have emergency health insurance as well as evacuation insurance. We don't want to compromise your safety over a minor expense — a helicopter rescue from a remote area can cost thousands and thousands of dollars!
Another important insurance is Trip Cancellation coverage. This insurance protects you if you can't travel because of an accident, ill health, death in the family or other covered reasons. If you don't have health insurance or if the policy you have doesn't cover travel outside the U.S., please let us know right away. We can suggest inexpensive short term health coverage. Some people prefer baggage and other supplemental insurance coverage. We don't require any insurance other than health and evacuation coverage, but encourage you to consider your options. You don't need to purchase your insurance through our provider but you must provide us proof of health and evacuation insurance coverage active for the duration of the trip. Insurance questions can be directed to Travel Insurance Services at 1-800-937-1387 (Monday-Friday 8:30am to 5pm PST). ↑
20. Will I Need Special Equipment?
We give you a detailed packing list specific to your trek. Generally you need a warm jacket, rain gear, duffel bag, sleeping bag and pad (if camping), hiking boots, good long underwear and socks. Some supplies may be rented at local sporting goods outlets if you don't own them. ↑
21. How Strenuous Are Your Trips?
Our treks vary from gentle to strenuous. We use a descriptive rating system for our trips, defined on the Organized Trek page of this website. People in general good health who exercise regularly can easily enjoy our trips. You do not carry a full heavy pack — only a day pack with water, camera, and personal items. Even on our strenuous treks, we usually don't walk more than eight to twelve miles per day (three to six hours — everyone has a different pace). There are also appropriate rest days reflecting the needs of recent air travel or high altitude environment. The most important asset is a good positive attitude and simple physical exercise preparation for endurance and comfort!
We are happy to discuss whether a specific trip is appropriate for you. We help people with special needs on our trips, such as those recovering from cancer or other serious illnesses. We interview you and all participants on our trips to ensure that everyone enjoys their experience. Ultimately, the responsibility for picking the right trip is yours. Read the information we give you and ask questions. That way, you have access to all the information that will help you decide and prepare. Our cancellation policy is the most generous anywhere: Up to sixty days prior to departure, if you decide a trip is not right for you after you register, we allow you to transfer to a different HHT trip and not lose a penny, quid, pound, euro or peso! Read the booking information on the Our Policies page, or on our Application Form, thoroughly for complete information about cancellation and all HHT policies. ↑
22. Who Goes On Your Trips?
We've had folks from 10 to 82 years of age (most are 30 to 60) on our trips and everyone from absolute beginners to very experienced mountaineers. We attract adventurers from every walk of life — 'professionals', teachers, students and retired folks as well. HHT Trekkers might come from the San Francisco Bay Area (where we're based), California and often from locations around the world! What they have in common is a healthy, active lifestyle and very interesting lives — each has a special interest in the Himalayan world and its many unique treasures. Himalayan trekking attracts very special people! ↑
23. What If Minimum Enrollment Is Not Reached For My Trek?
Most of the time, if a group drops below four members it will still be possible to run your trip. If a leader is already overseas on other trips, they may be able to accompany you. However, a very small enrollment could mean we may not provide a formal U. S. group leader. Nonetheless, be assured that our local guides are professional, experienced and competent — they have previously guided many trips with us and we can provide you with comments or prior trekkers who have been on the trail with them. A small group size can also allow them to pay special attention to you! ↑
24. What If I Want To Go On My Own Trek Alone Or With My Family And Friends?
Did I hear you say... Independent Custom Trips? Sometimes a group of family or friends want to travel independently. What about that big family or birthday celebration at 18,000 feet (we've done that)! Maybe our schedule doesn't coincide with times available for your travel. Often a Custom Trip is just right for one or several people who want the independence and flexibility of traveling on their own, but still want the assurance and convenience of having HHT plan the trip logistics and provide the staff and amenities. You can benefit from over two decades of expertise and personal contact in the Himalaya. A Custom Trip could be just what you are looking for. We do that!
Many not-for-profit organizations organize treks or tours as a way to raise money or awareness. Himalayan High Treks can work with your organization to plan and coordinate all logistics to create and run your trip.
Many of our organized treks and tours can also be organized as custom trips. Minimum numbers for Nepal, Bhutan and parts of India are two for camping treks and one for lodge-based treks or tours. In Tibet and Sikkim, a minimum of three or four may be required depending on the itinerary. Let us know your plans early and we can usually make tham happen just as you dreamed. ↑
↑
Top
