Bright Himalayan

Frequently asked
questions

Everything you need to know before booking your first — or fiftieth — trek with us.

Before you book

Do I need any previous trekking experience?
It depends on the trek! Our Easy-rated routes are suitable for beginners with a reasonable level of general fitness. Moderate routes require some previous hill-walking experience. Our Challenging routes are for experienced trekkers who regularly hike for 6+ hours. We’ll always have a pre-booking call to assess whether a trek is right for you.
Submit an enquiry form on any trek page, or contact us directly by email or WhatsApp. We’ll schedule a call to discuss your requirements, confirm availability, and send you a booking confirmation. A 25% deposit secures your place — the balance is due 60 days before departure.

Cancellations 90+ days before: full refund minus a Rs 5,000 admin fee. 60–89 days: 75% refund. 30–59 days: 50% refund. Under 30 days: no refund. We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes trek cancellation cover.

Absolutely — around 40% of our trekkers join solo. You’ll be placed in a small group of like-minded adventurers. We also offer private departures for couples and families who prefer to trek without joining a group.

On the trek

What is accommodation like on trek?
On Nepal routes, we stay in tea houses — simple, warm guesthouses run by local families. Expect twin-sharing rooms, squat or western toilets (varies), and communal dining areas. Bedding is provided but bringing a sleeping bag liner is recommended. On Patagonia and some other routes, we use established huts or lodges which offer more comfort.
Breakfast and dinner are included in your trek price. Lunches are taken at tea houses along the route at your own cost (typically £3–8). Nepali food is hearty and delicious — expect dal bhat (lentil rice), momos (dumplings), pasta, soups, and surprisingly good pizza at many places on the EBC route! We cater for vegetarian and most dietary requirements.

Many tea houses on popular routes like EBC now offer paid WiFi (£2–5/day, often slow). Phone signal varies but Namche Bazaar has reasonable 4G. As you gain altitude, expect connectivity to decrease significantly. Many of our trekkers enjoy the digital detox — it’s one of the most underrated benefits of high-altitude trekking!

Costs & payments

What extra costs should I budget for?
Aside from the trek price, budget for: international flights (£400–900 depending on route), Nepal visa (approx £30), travel insurance (£80–200), lunches on trek (£5–8/day), hot showers (£1–3 each), tips for guides and porters (we suggest £10–15/day total), and personal spending in Kathmandu. We’ll send a detailed cost breakdown after booking.
Yes! Groups of 6 or more receive a 10% discount. Groups of 10+ receive 15%. Private departure groups (4+ people taking the full departure slot) also receive preferential pricing. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Fitness & preparation

How fit do I need to be for the Everest Base Camp trek?
+ EBC is a challenging route. We recommend being able to comfortably walk 6–8 hours per day on consecutive days, often on steep and uneven terrain. A good 3-month preparation programme should include regular hiking, stair climbing, and cardio. We send all confirmed trekkers a detailed training guide 6 months before departure.
We provide a detailed packing list specific to each route after you book. Key items include: broken-in hiking boots, moisture-wicking base layers, a down jacket (for high-altitude treks), trekking poles, a head torch, and a 40–50L pack. Porter services are included on most routes so you only carry a day pack.

Requirements vary by destination. For Nepal, we recommend consulting a travel health clinic at least 6 weeks before departure. Common vaccines include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus. We do not give specific medical advice — always consult a qualified travel health professional.

Before you book

What happens if I get altitude sickness?
Altitude sickness is taken extremely seriously. All our guides are certified in Wilderness First Aid and carry pulse oximeters, emergency oxygen, and Gamow bags on high-altitude routes. If a trekker shows symptoms of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), the guide will always recommend descent — which is the definitive treatment. Your safety is never negotiable.
Yes — with a reputable, properly insured guiding company, trekking in Nepal is very safe. The biggest risks are altitude-related illness and minor injuries from uneven terrain, both of which are managed by proper acclimatisation schedules and experienced guides. We have a 100% safe summit record across all 500+ guided treks to date.

Travel insurance is mandatory for all our treks. For high-altitude routes (above 4,000m), your policy must specifically cover helicopter evacuation at altitude. We recommend World Nomads or True Traveller policies which are designed for adventure travel. Bring a printed copy of your policy and the emergency number on your trek.

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