Q: How difficult is it to trek in the Himalayas?
A: The difficulty of any trek depends on location, duration, and altitude. Generally, shorter treks are easier than longer ones. Many people of various levels of physical fitness enjoy trekking in Nepal, but its best to prepare for some steep narrow mountain trails to reach the amazing views. The higher your degree of fitness, the more you will enjoy your trek. The same applies to skill level: trekking does not require advanced mountaineering skills, but experience can enhance your journey. Finally, trekking in Nepal involves climbing at least 1000m above sea level, and the difference in air pressure can affect us all, regardless of our age or level of fitness.

Q: What types of accommodation are offered?
A: Basically there are two types of accommodation: tea-houses (or guest-houses) and camping. Tea-houses are basic lodges run by local people along the routes. They are small but very charming and clean. Hot showers are often available. Camping (tenting) accommodation is more expensive but offers excellent services – virtually all of your needs are provided for so you can enjoy the scenery and fresh mountain air. Foods and drinks are more hygienic and camping spots are decided according to the choice and interest of the clients.

Q: What can I expect of the rooms at the tea-houses?
A: The rooms are simple. Most places provide common bathrooms, but there are now some tea-houses with attached bath facilities. Rooms are private and bed sheets are changed on request.

Q: Where do we eat and drink?
A: If you are staying in a tea-house, food and drinks are served in the tea-house dining room. For lunch, we stop at other tea-houses along the trail. For a camping trek, our cooks walk ahead of the group and prepare lunch at a nice spot beside the trail.

Q: What types of food are served?
A: Most of the tea-house menus offer a variety of western style dishes (such as pizza, curry, and noodles) as well as the traditional Nepalese set-meal (Dhal Bhat). Cold beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are usually available. For camping, we offer Nepalese, Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, and Continental foods.

Q: How safe is the food?
A: Our guides visit the kitchens of local tea-houses to ensure your order is fresh, hygienic, and delicious. When camping, we prepare food and drink ourselves; the quality is excellent, very hygienic and delicious. Vegetables and flatware are washed in boiled water with a solution of potash and iodine.

Q: How can I get safe drinking-water?
A: In both camping and tea-house trekking we provide boiled water for drinking. When necessary, we use purifying tablets and iodine drops. Buying mineral water is also possible but we do not recommend this option to our clients as waste disposal of the plastic bottles is problematic and pollutes the Himalayan region.

Q: What clothes should I bring?
A: Choosing the right clothing is very important. You need to have enough clothes to stay warm or cool as the climatic conditions along the route varies widely. Usually, can expect very warm days and cold nights. A warm jacket, either fleece, Gore-Tex, or Down is nice for the evening and morning. Long underwear, wool socks, a wool hat, and gloves are also necessary. A couple of light shirts, a long-sleeve shirt, a pair of pants, and thin socks are suggested to wear during the day. Sun block, sunglasses, and a wide-brim hat will protect you from the sun, and a good jacket (preferably Gore-Tex) is needed for rain and occasional high winds. Most of this equipment can be easily purchased in Kathmandu and Pokhara, for very reasonable prices.

Q: What types of footwear should I bring?
A: For shorter treks, a pair of comfortable running shoes is quite adequate. However, longer, more ambitious treks require a minimum of light hiking boots with good ankle support. Please be advised to purchase high-quality Hiking Boots and shoes before coming to Nepal. Make sure that the boots fit you well, and that you have broken them in before commencing your trek.

Q: What is the weather like in Nepal?
A: Weather conditions, while somewhat predictable by season, still vary widely and its important to be prepared for anything while trekking. Rain, sometimes accompanied by a thunderstorm or even snowfall can be expected. Generally, weather from September to mid-December and from mid-February to May is usually more stable. We pay serious attention to weather reports during the trekking season.

Q: How will the altitude affect me?
A: Accute Mountain Sickness, or AMS (also referred to as altitude sickness), is indeed a serious risk for anyone, including tourists coming from sea level. For this reason, Beyond The Limits Treks plans extra days during a trek for our clients to acclimatize slowly and comfortably, before continuing on to higher altitudes. Our guides are well trained to monitor for signs of altitude sickness and to treat them accordingly.

Q: How much money should I bring for the trek?
A: The amount of money you bring on a trek depends on your preference and personal needs. Cold sodas during the day and an occasional beer after a long day of hiking can be awfully nice, but is an extra expense in regions where all supplies are delivered by porters or donkeys. These along with any souvenirs and film are personal expenses. In our office, we have a safety deposit locker for storing tickets, money, and other valuables safely while you are away.

Q: What sort of experience do your guides have?
A: At Beyond The Limits Treks, our guides are some of the most dependable and experienced in Nepal. All of our guides have spent years exploring the mountains and valleys; our knowledge of the various trekking routes is excellent.

We all speak and understand English well and we regularly upgrade our skills in first aid in the off-season. Most importantly, our guides are friendly people who are anxious to share the beauty of Nepal with you.

Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A: We accept cash and Traveller's cheques in any convertible currency as well as Visa and Master Card.