Useful Info
General
The following general information applies to people
travelling with The Walking and Climbing Company and will assist
you when preparing for your trip to Nepal or Tibet. You will
notice our trips are divided into walks, treks, trekking peaks
and climbs/expeditions which are an indication of the type of
visit you are embarking on. For any further information you
require please do not hesitate to contact us. Tel: 01964
551029 or 07718755031. E mail:
sbaer@walkingandclimbing.co.uk. Website:
www.walkingandclimbing.co.uk. Please note that the trip
prices are accurate at the date of printing.
Guide books are a useful preparation for your trip. See
Trailblazer Guides:
www.trailblazer-guides.com
Accommodation
All holidays start and finish with a short stay in a quality
hotel in Kathmandu/Tibet. In general, on walks we use local
lodges for accommodation while treks and expeditions will have a
mix of lodges and camping.
Those joining on their own will be booked to share a room with
another member of the group of the same sex. If, however, you
wish to have a single room please tick the relevant box on the
booking form. Whilst on the trek, rooms and/or tents are also
shared, if you require a single this can be arranged and needs
to be requested on thebooking form.
There will be additional charges for single accommodation
arrangements.
Equipment
An equipment list will be supplied to everyone travelling
and your trip will allow some time in Kathmandu/Tibet for
purchasing equipment. All equipment will be checked by the
guides to ensure its suitability. Purchasing or hiring
equipment in Nepal/Tibet can make a significant saving. We
do, however, strongly recommend that you buy and wear in
your boots and socks before travelling.
A typical trekking equipment list includes:
- Thermal underwear*
- 2 Pairs woollen socks
- Gaiters*
- Shorts
- Windproof trousers (preferably Gortex salapets)*
- Down jacket **
- Head torch *
- Fleece hat *
- Sunglasses with side shades *
- Down sleeping bag **
- Wind proof gloves *
- Trekking boots
- Tracksuit bottoms or similar
- Ski pole(s) – optional *
- Ruck sack or duffell type bag (one for all your kit which the porters will carry) *
- Day ruck sack *
- Water bottle *
- Sun screen and lotion*
- Lip salve*
- bandana
*Denotes those items that can be bought in Kathmandu/Lhasa
**Denotes those items that can be bought or hired in Kathmandu/LhasaAt the start of the trek each person needs their belongings in their own bag - please do not combine bags. However, it is fine to travel to Nepal with belongings combined as you can repack in Kathmandu prior to the trek.
Visa Fees
On entry to Nepal you need a passport photograph and $40 for your visa (this is subject to fluctuation and not included in the trip cost). Tibet visas will be discussed with you, these can be organised for you whilst in Kathmandu immediately prior to the start of your trek or from the UK if travelling via China.
Airport Tax
When leaving Nepal airport tax at approximately £15 may need to be paid. Please note this is not included in the trip cost.
Fitness
As you will see our trips are divided into Walks, Treks, Trekking Peaks and Climbs/Expeditions. We have then graded each one on a scale of 1-3 (1 being the easiest and 3 the hardest) on the level of fitness required so that you can prepare yourself prior to your holiday. We want you to enjoy your visit to Nepal/Tibet and recognise that advice may be required regarding fitness. Please request this when completing your booking form or if you require this information in order to make your decision as to which trip to do, then please get in touch and we will discuss this with you. (Click here for more info)
Altitude
Altitude has a significant effect and makes the physical demands on the body greater. All trips will experience the altitude to varying degrees. An appropriate level of fitness, together with good health will assist the body to acclimatise in the majority of cases. Further information on this is available on request.
Flights
Our prices do not include international flights, which need to be booked separately. We can assist with this if required. Prices vary depending on the time of booking however as a guide the price from the UK is usually £550 - £750. Holiday dates are based on the departure and return date from and back to the UK. We will meet you at the airport in Kathmandu and therefore need your flight details once they are confirmed. We can recommend agents for booking your flights if required. Whatever agent you choose it is strongly recommended they are ATOL bonded.
Insurance
Once your trip is booked you need to insure your holiday unless
you hold a relevant insurance policy that you wish to use.
Travel insurance policies contain certain terms, conditions and
exclusions. E.g. Excluding pre-existing medical conditions,
increasing charges for those over 65 years of age. A quote for
Travel Insurance can be obtained from the Campbell Irvine
website with whom The Walking and Climbing Company Ltd has
selected to work in partnership.
www.campbellirvine.com
Campbell Irvine Insurers have worked with The Walking and
Climbing Company for several years and you will find them very
informative and helpful when arranging your cover. Please note
that cover starts from the time of booking your policy not just
for the duration of your holiday so we strongly encourage you to
book this as soon as you pay your trip deposit. Campbell Irvine
also provide a medical helpline (0870 906 3140) for you
to call to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions.
For further details please follow the link to the
Travel Insurance page:
Total Payment Protection (TOPP) Policy Cover
- a refund of such prepayments if customers have not yet travelled, or
- making arrangements to enable the holiday to continue if customers have already travelled
in the unlikely event of our financial failure.”
Food
Your hotel in Kathmandu/Tibet includes breakfast. For lunch and dinner there are numerous restaurants to choose from of a very good standard. Once out of Kathmandu/Tibet, all meals are usually included and provided by the lodges where you stay or the catering staff accompanying the trip. Fresh food will be purchased locally and will be of a high standard. Specific dietary requirements can usually be accommodated please include these on your booking form. Alcohol and fizzy drinks are not included.
Injections
It is recommended for visitors to Nepal/Tibet to be immunised against certain disease such as Polio, Typhoid, Tetanus and Hepatitis. The Walking and Climbing Company strongly advise you to consult your doctor before travelling for professional advice and the necessary injections. See www.travax.nhs.uk
Money
It is recommended that visitors to Nepal/Tibet travel with Travellers Cheques, Sterling, Euros or American dollars. All can be exchanged in the airport and in Kathmandu/Lhasa. In some of the mountain areas we visit it is not possible to exchange money once out of the city. Rupees and American dollars in Nepal and Yuan in Tibet are favoured by the locals in the mountains. We will assist you with this if required.
Climate
Please view our Climate table for details of the likely weather conditions in the Himalayas to help you determine when to travel.
White Water Rafting
Nepal has some wonderful opportunities for rafting and it is not necessary to have previous experience to enjoy this. This is an additional 3 days at the end of a trip - longer if desired. It is a relaxing and exciting way to travel and you will see some wonderful wild life along the way. Please request this on your booking form and we will do our best to accommodate you. This will incur an additional fee.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
If you have any concerns regarding the political situation in
the country of your intended travel please contact us and or
consult the FCO
www.fco.gov.uk/travel.
If there is any further information you require, please do not hesitate to telephone us on 01964 551029 or 07718755031 or email sbaer@walkingandclimbing.co.uk