Trek styles and accommodation

Take a look at the accommodation information box on each trek webpage for the number of nights staying in hotels, lodges and tents; the Trip Dossier has information on which hotels and lodges are used on each itinerary.

For the classic treks in Nepal, such as the Annapurna Circuit and Everest region, you will stay in tea house lodges. The accommodation is basic but comfortable, most of them have separate bedrooms, and the food is varied including both Nepalese and Western styles.

A dining, toilet and personal tent (based on two sharing) are provided on the camping treks, all the tents are carried by porters to the camping spot and will be assembled by the trekking crew.

Trek grades & fitness

Each trek has been given a grade based on the level of difficulty to be encountered. The grading system is subjective to a degree and clearly conditions can vary year to year, but it gives a good overall picture of what you are likely to experience. Please contact us if you have any question about the grading levels.

Gentle (Grade 1)

A walking holiday with cultural interest and anything from 3 to 7 days trekking. Low altitude trails but could involve some ascent and descent. Light daypacks. A fun and varied trip.

Moderate (Grade 2)

These treks generally have 4 to 6 hours of walking per day and are on trails that have a reasonable amount of ascent and descent. This grade would suitable for someone in good health and who is reasonably fit taking regular exercise. Suitable for anyone who enjoys weekends in the British hills, no previous trekking experience required. Light day packs.

Vigorous (Grade 3)

Typically around 8 to 14 days trekking with up to 7 or 8 hour days. The trek spends time in high mountain terrain involving considerable ascents or descents, altitude may be a factor but is not always so. There may be adverse weather conditions. Light packs. Suitable for the fit enthusiast, although you may need to train beforehand to improve your level of fitness.

Strenuous (Grade 4)

Anything from 10 to 30 days trekking with some crossing mountain passes at over 4900m. Challenging mountain terrain will be encountered including scree slopes, glacial moraines, or areas with no paths. No technical climbing/mountaineering skills required. Considerable stamina will be needed, training weekends in the British hills is recommended.

Strenuous expedition grade (Grade 5)

Treks at this grade have all the elements of those classed as 'strenous' but with additional factors increasing the difficulty further. These could include high and difficult passes, roped glacier travel and other similar terrain where it may be necessary to use ice axe and crampons. Not technically difficult but all are a considerable challenge. Previous strenuous trekking experience is essential.

Reconnaissance

If this appears in brackets after the main grade it denotes a new trek. These trips should appeal to the really adventurous and the trekking itineraries may be less predictable than most.

Acclimatisation and medical

Our itineraries are carefully planned to ensure there is a gradual ascent in height over a number of days. If your itinerary goes over 4000m in altitude it is well worth reading up on acclimatisation prior to departure, a list of good books is included in the Trip Dossier or go to our links webpage for suggested sources of information. The guide will also give you advice on acclimatisation while out on the trek.

As a precaution an oxygen saturation meter is used on some high altitude treks, this measures the percentage oxygen saturation of the blood, and is the only certain way of knowing how the group and the porters are acclimatising. A portable altitude chamber often known as Gamow bag is also brought on some treks, this can be used to simulate a descent in height if necessary.

A condition of booking is that you take out adequate insurance covering emergency evacuation (although often a descent in height is all that is required to recover from altitude sickness). For some of the remote treks we bring a Thuraya satellite phone in order to call in assistance if the situation arises.

You will need to consult a doctor before departure to obtain the recommended vaccinations, it is important to note that a certificate showing immunisation against yellow fever is required for Tanzania if you are arriving from an infected country come (ie Kenya).
A group first aid kit is provided on the treks, although we recommend you also bring your own small personal first aid kit for more commonly used items, see our suggested list included in the Trip Dossier.

Health and Hygiene

Every care and consideration is taken to ensure a high level of hygiene in the kitchen tent and around camp. The local staff are trained in this area and will always ensure there is boiled water for drinking and water for washing your hands in the evenings.

Clothing and equipment

A comprehensive list of suggested clothing and equipment has been included in the Trip Dossier, but naturally what you bring is often based on personal preference and what has worked well in the past!

Trekkers should bring all their gear in one large duffel bag and a small backpack (30 to 50 litres). Each day you will carry the small pack containing items that you might need on trek such as warm clothes, jacket, camera, water bottle, personal first aid kit and some snacks. For the strenuous grade treks (Grade 5) you might also have to carry an ice axe, crampons, harness and a helmet.

The rest of your personal equipment, contained in your duffel bag, will be carried by either porter, yak or pony. The Trip Dossier has information regarding the maximum weight allowance as it does vary between countries but is generally around 14kgs.

If you do not have the clothing and equipment contained in the equipment list then a good option might be to rent from the UK. TrekHire is a company that rents out high quality items at competitive prices which would save you the expense of buying. The link to their website is http://www.trekhireuk.com/

Alternatively if you are going to buy then please contact the office for the Cotswold Outdoor promo code that entitles you, as a client of The Mountain Company, to 10% reduction in their stores and online.

What is included & not included

The Trip Dossier will explain in detail what is included for that particular trip, but generally the following is included in the price:

• All internal transport and transfers.
• Twin share rooms.
  
• All trekking arrangements including permits, National Park fees, tents, all meals on trek, local or western guide, porters and cook.
  

The following is not included in the price:

• International airfares.
  
• Pre travel costs such as visas fees, vaccinations, personal clothing and equipment and travel insurance.
  
• Personal expenditure such as bar bills, laundry and telephone calls.
  
• Tips to the trek team.
  
• Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond The Mountain Company's control.

For further information, take a look at Common Questions