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Frequently Asked Questions

Reliable answers to every possible travel questions. We’re here to help you select the best services that fit your requirements like; which trip is suitable for me? How do I plan my budget? What would be my services? and so..on via frequently asked questions about travel and tours. We have tried our best to address all possible travel questions via this section, however you are welcome to ask your questions.

Selecting Suitable Travel Options

Which trip is suitable for me?

From various ranges of travel style and destinations, suitability of trip depends on personal preferences and requirements. Extollo Adventures offer wide variety of trips suitable for all age group peoples.  If you are young in your high school or college then we would recommend some strenuous walking journeys so as to boost your critical thinking power and well-being.  Adults can try multi-country tours including Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan which eventually is economic but worth high value at the same time. Elderly and seniors are encouraged to do city tours, national park safaris and other physically less demanding trips.

 

Know Before you Go

Do I need Travel Insurance?

It is mandatory for joining any of the Extollo Adventures trips is that all clients must be insured, it is strongly recommended that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. There could be comprehensive expenses that might incur due to medical issues or accidents (this includes air ambulance, helicopter rescue, and treatment costs).

Please note that we do not arrange or sell insurance.

During your Trip

How is the staff trained for the Himalayan treks?

All our guides are proficient in English, government licensed and professionally certified. They are local, Nepali mountain experts with multiple years of expertise in the mountains. They are incredibly knowledgeable about the mountains and their minute details. Our staff gets constant training and understands the way of running quality trips that exceed expectations. Our guides are selected based on their technical proficiency, proven safety records, impeccable judgment, and their friendly demeanor. They are well trained in first aid and personal protection equipment. Our guides practice Responsible Tourism in the trek guided by the principles of ecotourism and sustainable tourism. We train them in the following major courses:

Intensive Wilderness First Aid KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project)
Trekking Guide Training – Nepal Government’s Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation Department of Hotel Management and Tourism Training Center of Nepal.
Eco Trekking Workshop and Adventure Meet TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal)
English Language – KEEP
Conservation and Biodiversity – KEEP
Rock and Ice Climbing and Mountaineering (optional) by Nepal Mountaineering Association.

Other Frequently Asked Travel Questions

What equipment should I bring with me?

To help you pack for your adventure, we have listed equipment and a pack list below. Please note that the listed items may vary according to the different seasons. Remember that your luggage will be carried by your porter but you are required to carry a day-pack (with your valuables or anything important) on your own. We also suggest that you pack only what is necessary.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS AND ITEMS

  • Valid passport, 2 extra passport size photos, airline tickets
  • Separate photocopies of passport, visa form (easily obtained at Kathmandu airport), proof of insurance
  • Dollars, pounds or Euros in cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying for restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks, and to purchase your own drinks and gifts
  • Credit cards, Bank/ATM/Cash machine cards for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveler’s checks, etc.

HEAD

  • Bandana or headscarf, also useful for dusty conditions
  • Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
  • Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
  • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • Prescription sunglasses (if required)

 

UPPER BODY

  • Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
  • Light and expedition weight thermal tops
  • Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
  • Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
  • Down vest and/or jacket *
  • Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable

 

HANDS

  • 1 pair of lightweight poly-liner gloves.
  • 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves
  • Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
  • 1 pair of mittens, consists of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched with a very warm polar-fleece mitt liner (seasonal)

 

LOWER BODY

  • Non-cotton underwear briefs
  • 1 pair of Hiking shorts
  • 1 pair of Hiking trousers
  • 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal)
  • Down vest and/or jacket *
  • 1 pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric

 

FEET

  • 2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks
  • 2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
  • 1 pair of Hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy soles, water resistant, ankle support, “broken in”)
  • 1 pair of trainers or running shoes and/or sandals
  • Cotton socks (optional)
  • Gaiters (winter only), optional, “low” ankle high version

 

SLEEPING

  • 1 sleeping bag (good to -10 degrees C or 14 degrees F)*
  • Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)

 

RUCKSACK AND TRAVEL BAGS

  • 1 medium rucksack (50-70 liters/3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for an airplane carryon)
  • 1 large duffel bag *
  • A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables, should have good shoulder padding
  • Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
  • 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)

 

MEDICAL

  • Small, personal first-aid kit. (simple and light)
  • Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
  • 1 skin-blister repair kit
  • Anti-diarrhea pills
  • Anti-headache pills
  • Cough and/or cold medicine
  • Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetazolamide
  • Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant.
  • Water purification tablets or water filter
  • 1 set of earplugs
  • Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies

 

PRACTICAL ITEMS

  • 1 small roll of repair tape, 1 sewing-repair kit
  • 1 cigarette lighter, 1 small box of matches
  • 1 compass or GPS(optional)
  • 1 alarm clock/watch
  • 1 digital camera with extra cards and batteries
  • large Ziplocs
  • 2 water bottles (1 liter each)
  • 1 small folding knife
  • Binoculars (optional)
  • 4 large, waterproof, disposable rubbish sacks

 

TOILETRIES

  • 1 medium-sized quick-drying towel
  • Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
  • Multi-purpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
  • Deodorants
  • Nail clippers
  • Face and body moisturizer
  • Female hygiene products
  • Small mirror

 

PERSONAL HYGIENE

  • Wet wipes (baby wipes)
  • Tissue /toilet roll
  • Anti-bacterial hand wash

 

EXTRAS/LUXURIES

  • Reading book
  • Trail map/guidebook
  • Journal and pen
  • iPod
  • Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble, playing cards (to help you pass the time at teahouses and/or camps)
  • 1 modest swimsuit
  • Binoculars (optional)
  • Voltage converter (from 220 to 110)
  • Plug adapter (2 round pegs to 2 flat pegs)
  • Lightweight pillowcase (in case your teahouses provide you with pillows) or use your own stuff as a pillow

 

What type of sleeping bags do you use during the trek?

We use a 4 season sleeping bag during the trek which is good to -10˚C, -15˚C or -20˚C depending on the season. We do provide you the sleeping bags but it is better if you can bring your own, as far as possible. If you bring your own, we suggest you Lamina Z Torch, MHW Lamina O or Shona’s sleeping bag. Make sure that your bag is of good fit to the shape of your body and should have an insulated hood for added warmth.

 

What kind of hiking boots do I need?

A decent pair of hiking boots that are the right size for you, having excellent ankle support, good grip at the soles and which protect you from the snow is the type of boots you need during your trek. Once you buy your shoes, don’t forget to break them, to avoid blisters. If you want a specific recommendation, go ahead and try the Vasque Breeze 2.0 GTX. It has Gore-Tex liners, meaning that your feet will be protected from harsh conditions while the rubber outsoles provide enough traction and stability during long treks. Other recommendations are – New Balance Hiking Shoes and Scarpa Kailash Hiking Boots.