Can I join a group trek?
We have joining group departure every Tuesday, and Saturday in good seasons. If one of these does not fit your schedule because of you time   factor we can arrange a special trek for you whether you are traveling
alone or with a few friends.

Is previous hiking experience necessary to go on a trek?
As long as you are in good physical shape, you do not require any      hiking experience for short treks. If you are planning a trek longer   than a week, you should work out or do long day hikes at home for
 practice.

What equipment should I bring?
Trekking equipments check listing (Personal Items to be brought by      Clients)The list of items as given below gives a general idea of the personal items to be brought by a trekker to trek in Nepal. Actually, the personal items are of individual interest, choice and the luxury he/she wants to enjoy and the most important fact he/she must consider is the time of the year, trekking days, region and altitude as per the situation,

Foot wears: Hiking boots with some ankle support Training type shoe Flip – flop or slippers for use around the camp.

Clothes: Cotton shirts, T- shorts, jeans, etc. for day use. Socks and underwear 4/5 that can be easily washed and dried on daily basis. Trekking suits, light sweater, a wind proof jacket or lightly padded jacket, down jacket umbrella, sun hat, waterproof gear, etc.

In a supported trek, porters carry heavy personal items and the trekkers are required to carry minimum items only to make their walk easy. They carry what they might need during the daytime. So, they are briefed to pack their items in two different bags before the commence of the journey.

What is Teahouse Trekking? And how it is organized?
A Teahouse Trekking is local run guesthouse, like motel to sleep night with food. Teahouse trek is very popular in the famous tourist regions such as Annapurna, Everest and Langtang – Helambu regions where western, continental meals, Nepalese meal (Dalbhat), and good accommodation with attached bathroom with hot and cold shower are available in most of the places. In this type of trekking, we provide porters and guides only, and the guide organizes good food, and good accommodation in the available teahouses and lodges. Comparatively Tea- house trekking is less expensive than camping one to avoid big loads on journey.

What is Camping trek?
Camping trek organized in the same style as exploratory or mountaineering expeditions. This trek is also known as fully organized supported trek. In a camping trek, a team of guide, cook, sherpa, Sardar and porters will accompany you. Our porters carry all trekking equipments, food, fuel, and personal belongings, and our cooks and assistant prepares hygienic meals. Trekkers should carry only what they need personally during the day. At night, they are provided dining tents, sleeping tents, separately and toilet tents. They are also provided with mattresses and down sleeping bags, all of which are carried for them with the party. Even tables and chairs are carried. A guide supervises the whole operation thoroughly for the success of the traveling.

How Camping trek is operated?
In a typical Camping Trek, day starts around 6 a.m. with a cup of hot tea or coffee followed by a bucked of warm water for their washing and cleaning. After packing up their stuff and daypack, the trekkers are requested to leave their camp and meet at the dinning table for breakfast. The trek started around 7.30 - 8 a.m. and the kitchen staffs go ahead of the group.Our well trained staff packs all camping equipment and gears and the porters carry them to the next camping site. The trekkers should carry only personal belongings that they may need for the day like water bottle, rain gear, camera, etc.

The Trekkers can decide on their own on time for viewing the beautiful landscape, taking photographs and resting or making a short pause. The walk to the lunch spot normally takes 3 hours. Our cook and assistant serve hot lunch upon arrival. The afternoon walk takes about 3 to 4 hours to reach at the night camp around 4/5 p.m. Tea and snacks are served while our Sherpa pitch the camp. The dinner is served around 6/7 p.m. in the dining tent lit with a pressurized lantern and furnished with table and camping tools. We provide high quality tents, foam and mattress, and a simple toilet tent in every camp for once comfort.

Our well - trained and experienced cook, and assistant prepare a variety of healthy, hygienic and clean food which is carried for the entire trek. Fresh Fruit and vegetable may taste on the way to trek.
 
Is a Trekking permit required?
The government of Nepal no longer requires a trekking permit for Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, and some other regions. However, conservation and National Parks permits are required for these regions. There are few restricted trekking areas in Nepal, where trekking permits are necessary. Please click here to know where trekking permit is applicable.

What happens if I get sick?
The most important thing is “DON’T PANIC”, you should always ensure that you have a well-stocked and appropriate medical kit as well as sufficient insurance just in case, you should have to be evacuated by Helicopter. A slight case of diarrhea is to be some times expected, as well as sprains and muscle aches – all a part of walking in the hills. Altitude sickness is extremely dangerous but mostly avoidable if you follow a few simple rules: trek high and sleep low, drink at least 2 liters of water per day (not including beer or soft drinks!), and be sensible. If you feel shortness of breath, a slight headache or dizziness, tell your Sardar fro safety. Lie down, drink water as much as possible. If you are still feeling unwell. After that may consider going down a few hundred meters. Do not pretend you are all right, and do not go down alone. A descent of a few hundred meters overnight may be enough to make you fully able to start trekking again next day. For more information, please visit at www.high-altitude-medicine.com. This excellent site will inform you all you need to know, and also include a phonetic Mountain porter questionnaire for your porter. Porters are just as prone to altitude sickness as everyone else is.

What are your payment terms?
We prefer 25% advance deposit of total price of a tour in order to conform your reservation before you arrive in Nepal. And rest of the payment can be made after your arrival.

Does Cross Culture Trekking Agency accept credit cards?
We accept American Express, Visa and Master cards for advance payment. If you are paying in person in Nepal, we request that you pay in cash or Travelers cheques as the bank charges for credit cards are quite high.

What is the maximum weight allowed on domestic flights? The normal weight limit is 15 kilogram’s. While the helicopter shuttle system is operating the limit to Lukla is 20 kg.

Is it possible/easy to get equipment on hire?
There are trekking shops at Thamel, in kathmandu in particular, where you can easily rent or buy items like sleeping bags, down jackets, rucksacks and duffel bags etc.

Is communication to home possible while on trek? There are telephones in many villages along the popular trekking routes from which you can make international calls, but not in the far distance in remote areas.

Are Cross Culture Trekking Agency's trekking crew insured?
Our company insures all our trekking staff, including porters on duty.

What arrangements for drinking water are made while on trek?
You should bring a one-liter water bottle with you on the trek. We prefer that you filter water yourself using iodine in order to save scarce fuel. We can provide a limited amount of boiled water that you can use to fill your water bottle in the evening for next day’s journey.

What if the guide/porter leaves me alone the trail? Sometimes the porter/guide may go on ahead if you are walking slowly on an easy trail, usually to find a good place to eat or stay the night. However, this doesn’t mean that you have been abandoned. Cross Culture Trekking Agency's porters or guides will never leave you for long periods and will never steal your bag or belongings. It is guaranteed by the establishment.

What is the best season for trekking in Nepal? And can I go trekking in the months of June and July? The best time for trekking in Nepal is mid September to early December and March/April. It is not very good trekking during the monsoon season from June to August except treks in the Himalayan rain shadow like Upper Mustang, Dolpo and Kailash.

What is the weather & temperature like?
Weather in the mountains is notoriously difficult and hard to predict. Of course, it is generally cold at night, and in winter, the days can be quite beautiful if the sun is out. There can be snow or rain storms any time of the year. Trekking in spring (March – April) is particularly lovely and beautiful as the rhododendrons are in full bloom. The mountains still have plenty of high snow to snap your photos. You need to be aware that it can get pretty hot and sunstroke can be a risk. Good polarizing sunglasses or glacier glasses (not trendy fashion ones) for high altitudes/winter treks, and a large brimmed hat are a necessity. It is also important to make sure that you can stay warm and dry in just about any conditions. Expect the unexpected! Between 1000m and 3500m the temperature could be as high as 20 deg C to 5 deg C low. At higher altitude, the temperature ranges from 20 deg C to -10 deg C. During winter it is around 10 deg colder.

What if I take more or less time on my trek than I had planned and paid for? A trekking holiday should never be about making it to the final point quickly. In fact, most of the time, it isn’t even about the end point. Walking in the mountains is about enjoying the beauty of the places and learning the lifestyle of the natives. You pay the porter/guide per day, and any differences can be made up on your return. Remember, it’s your holiday and so long as you enjoy your trip the time taken is mostly irrelevant. You may find that weather or illness means you have to turn back, sit it out or take another alternative route. No problem!

Will somebody come to pick me up at the Airport upon my arrival?
Yes, our Airport Representative will come to the airport to pick you up. Outside of Terminal Hall, he/she will be displaying a play card of Cross Culture Trekking Agency to welcome you with your name on it. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to hotel or our office.

Is it necessary to take precautions against Malaria?
It is not necessary to take Malaria prevention medicine because it is almost eradicated in India.

For further information, please email us at peakadv@vsnl.in