Tusker is one of the most experienced outfits climbing Kilimanjaro. We've been leading our own climbs since 1977. We DO NOT subcontract our climbs. We run our own climbs with our own guides and all our own climbing gear. We are constantly updating our guide training and equipment.
Our primary concern is for your safety, and Tusker's safety record is impeccable. Eddie Frank has worked closely with our wilderness medical instructors to develop a rigorous Medical Training Course for our guides. Every year, our 18 guides must complete this 50-hour course and pass the exam, both written and practical. This course is not required by the authorities, but is required by Tusker. No other guides on Kilimanjaro receive this type of intensive training.
Why is there such a price difference between companies?
THE LOW END:
Most companies DO NOT operate their own climbs. They contract with a local tour operator to run their climbs, so they have little or no control of the trip standards and guide qualifications. They then mark up the climb, and sell it as their own. In order to maximize profits their tour operators pay their crew low wages, and use old substandard gear. This is how they are able to offer cheap climbs.
THE HIGH END:
A lot of the US outfits are very large companies and operate a variety of trips worldwide -- they do not specialize in Kilimanjaro (unlike Tusker). Some operate their own climbs, but most of them subcontract. These companies have multiple partners as well as a large staff to support, so they charge what they think the market will bear.
You need to ask the hard questions about guide training, type of emergency equipment carried, experience and track record. You should also contact the references provided by the climbing company.
Cancellation or postponement of a trip must be submitted in writing to Tusker Trail. If you need to cancel or postpone your trip for any reason, the fees for a rain check are less than a cancellation. Please click here for a complete explanation of Tusker's cancellation and rain check policy.
We keep our group sizes small. Our scheduled Kili climbs have a maximum group size of 10 climbers. Groups average 6-8 climbers.
You can climb alone, join an existing group, or form your own group of any size that you wish. If you'd like your own group please check with us soon, as our schedule tends to fill 6-8 months in advance.
All other companies have only 1 head guide per group. For Tusker groups of 2+ you will have 2 medically qualified guides leading your climb. In the event someone has to be evacuated they will be evacuated by a medically certified guide with oxygen. This also enables us to perform our own rescues, and NOT rely on the park service. Most outfits send you down with a non-english speaking porter who is not qualified to administer any medical care whatsoever. And they'll leave you in the hands of the highly unreliable park service. If you're climbing alone, you'll be with one medically trained & certified guide.
This depends on the size of your group. We use more porters than other companies, as we carry extra safety and camping gear. For a group of 10 climbers, there will be approximately 45-50 porters, depending on the length of your trip. So it's about 4-5 porters per climber. Smaller groups will have 6-9 porters per climber.
Yes. Kids are not affected any differently by the altitude than adults. The main problem for kids is the mental toughness required as the breathing gets harder.
The National Park authorities have set a minimum age of 12. However, we have received permission for a 10-year old to climb.
Tusker Trail has set the record for the youngest person to reach the summit - 10 years old!
All transfers to and from Kilimanjaro Int'l Airport (JRO) are included in the price. There is extra cost for Arusha and Nairobi transfers. We can handle these arrangements for you.
Very good. You stay at a delightful family run hotel in Moshi. The hotel is located close to the center of town, the Moshi market, great shopping and good restaurants. The hospitality and the food at the hotel is excellent.
Can Tusker organize a safari for me after my climb?
Absolutely. From Kilimanjaro you are within a few hours drive from some of the finest wildlife reserves on the planet - Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara.
Tusker specializes in running excellent wildlife safaris. You should spend a minimum of 3 days, but if you want to go to the Serengeti, you should plan on at least 6 days.
Does Tusker Trail do any community and environmental work?
Absolutely.
We run fundraising climbs for the Make-a-Wish Foundation; CARE International; Breast Cancer Foundation. Since our first charity fundraising climb in 2001, over $6,000,000 have been raised on our climbs.
If you'd like to join a charity climb, and do some good while climbing contact us.
Click here for more details on the community work we do in Africa.
No, it's not. Victoria Falls is on the southern border of Zambia, and is the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It takes about 2 days to fly there. You have to fly from Tanzania to Johannesburg, South Africa, spend the night there, and then fly to Livingstone the next day. These flights can cost a total of US$800-$1200 depending on the season and availability.
In our pre-departure manual, we have a detailed section on medical requirements. Curently in Tanzania there are no requirements unless you travel from an endemic Yellow Fever zone. We suggest you get Yellow Fever shots anyways, as you never know when the authorities in Taznania may change the rules. We also suggest that you make sure your Tetanus is up to date. You can choose to get a whole barrage of other shots, which are listed online at www.cdc.gov. We'll be happy to talk to you about this once you sign up. You will also need to take anti-malaria pills, and we suggest the use of Diamox to help your body acclimatize on Kili.
Yes, you need to purchase an entrance visa for Tanzania. The visa is easily obtained upon arrival at any major airport or border entrance in Tanzania, however we currently advise that you to obtain your visa in your home country BEFORE you arrive in Tanzania. Having your visa prior to arrival will save you time by avoiding the longer line when going through customs. You can obtain the Tanzanian Visa easily from the embassy in your country of residence.
We used to advise people to avoid climbing from mid-March to mid-April, and mid-October to mid-November, due to the rains. However, over the past 15 years, the weather has become extremely unpredictable. We now recommend climbing all year-round.
Keep in mind that Kilimanjaro is a freestanding mountain with no buffers. Because of this it has unique weather patterns and you should count on rain within the first 2-3 days regardless of when you climb.
On your climb you will experience humid and hot weather at the base in the rain forest, with temps around 80-90 F. Temps on your first night may drop to freezing. Days 2-3 can be dry and warm, with temps around 60-70 F. At night be prepared for freezing and snow. As you climb the temperatures decrease. The top is considered Arctic weather, where you will find permanent ice. Temperatures at the summit can get as low as 0 degrees F. to minus 15 F.
We climb the MACHAME and LEMOSHO routes, with extra days for acclimatization. With us you can climb from 7-10 days. None of these routes require any technical skills or mountain climbing experience and 95-98% of the people climbing these longer routes make it to the top.
On the Machame route the summit ascent is done at night, whereas on the Lemosho route there is no night climbing.
We do not climb the Marangu Route. Over 25,000 people climb this route every year. It's a 3 1/2 day climb to the summit. Not only is it too crowded, but climbing this fast can be very dangerous. Less than half the people climbing this route make it to the top, as the fast altitude gain makes them extremely ill.
You will receive our 110+ page pre-departure packet. In the packet you will find a 70-page manual, which tells you ALL you will need to know to prepare for your climb, including a gear list, photographic tips, work-out program, info on life in Tanzania and much more. You will also receive a map of Kilimanjaro and a Kilimanjaro National Park guide to the history, flora and fauna.
CLIMB SAFELY
If your guide has not been medically trained to deal with a high altitude emergency, your climb above 14,000 ft. could be life threatening. This is no joke. Each year 5-15 climbers die on Kilimanjaro, and these are NOT Tusker clients. Each of these deaths could BE avoided if the "licensed" guide had received high-altitude medical training, and had oxygen and a portable hyperbaric bag on the climb. The Tanzanian authority does not require their "licensed" guides to undergo any definitive medical training, so very few guides do.
THE FIRST
Tusker Trail was the first company to establish a Definitive Medical Training Course for their guides. Since then, some of our competitors have realized the value of medical training, and advertise this. However, if you dig deep, you’ll find that none of this training measures up to Tusker’s standards of DEFINITIVE MEDICAL TRAINING. "First Aid" is not enough.
MEDICALLY QUALIFIED GUIDES
Only with Tusker Trail's professionally certified guides can you safely immerse yourself in one of the most beautiful and strikingly diverse habitats on our planet. You trek to extreme altitude with the knowledge and assurance that each one of them has undergone the most rigorous and comprehensive high altitude medical training available.
CLIMBER-TO-GUIDE RATIO
Our climber-to-guide ratio is 5-to-1. And with smaller groups our climber-to-guide ratio is 2-to-1.
What guide qualifications are required by the Tanzania Authorities?
All guides must be licensed by KINAPA, the National Park Authority. Anyone can get a license. The guides receive a bare minimum of first aid instruction, and must be familiar with the various routes up Kilimanjaro. Beyond this, no formal training or English language skills are required.
You will get the detailed list in the pre-departure manual which is sent to you when you book your climb with Tusker. However, in general, you'll need wet-weather gear; layered cold weather gear; a good pair of waterproof boots; sleeping bag (or you can rent one from us); hiking poles & gaiters (also rentable); Diamox and personal meds; and a medium sized daypack.
Our cooks go through annual training and we make sure our gear is 100% up to snuff.
You eat two delicious hot meals a day - breakfast & dinner. Lunch is a pack lunch which you carry with you during the day. All camp meals are served up in our dining tent. If you have special dietary needs, let us know, and we'll be happy to oblige. If you'd like a sample menu, contact us.
Our cooks do just that - cook. They're specially trained, and whip up amazing meals for you. There is a great variety of food which is prepared over kerosene and gas stoves in the kitchen tent. Feel free to pop in to the tent for some cooking tips! We do not burn any firewood on the mountain.
You will be issued a heavy duty waterproof Tusker bag for the climb. It's big enough to hold all your gear, and then some. As we limit the weight each porter carries, we ask that you limit your bag weight to approximately 30 pounds. This will be plenty.
We use Eureka "Summit XT" and "K2 XT" tents for sleeping. These are 3-person tents, but we sleep 2 to a tent. These are rugged 4-season mountain tents.
You will be paired up with a tent mate, if you don't have one already. You can also pay a little extra and have a hotel room and tent to yourself. If you'd rather not bring a sleeping bag, you can rent a bag and a fleece liner from us at a reasonable price.
You sleep on a 2" mattresses which combine foam and air to make for THE best night sleep on the mountain. We refer to them as the "serta perfect sleeper of the mountain" as they are EXTREMELY comfortable.
You will deposit them in the hotel safe. It's extremely safe there. You won't need any valuables on the mountain other than a few dollars to buy a soft drink or beer (if you can't wait) on your last night at Millennium camp.
Can I store my clothes for the safari after the climb?
Good question. You will be issued a heavy duty waterproof duffel bag for the climb. As there's no need to carry your safari clothes on your climb, just put them in your own bag and store them in the hotel for when you return.
Will I have time to wash my dirty clothes after the climb?
Yep!
On your last day at Millennium camp, gather your dirty clothes and give them to your guide. A porter will deliver your clothes to the laundry in Moshi. They'll be clean and dry for your safari or your flight home the next day.
Be sure to make a list of the clothes being laundered.
If you’re a vegetarian just let us know ahead of time, and we will prepare vegetarian meals for you. You should consider bringing along some “energy food” to supplement your meals. "Specialty foods" are not available in East Africa, so if you are on a strict diet, such as gluten-free or if you have any food allergies, then you must bring your own specialty foods, which we will carry on the mountain and prepare for you. Be sure to plan carefully and bring enough for every meal. Call our office and we'll be happy to discuss this with you.
A lot of problems at altitude arise from the ever-decreasing amount of oxygen in the atmosphere. So having oxygen on board alleviates a lot of problems and prevents minor problems from developing into serious emergencies. It can and has saved lives. With groups of 2-8 we carry two 623-liter tanks of oxygen. One always goes down with an evacuation. The other remains on the climb for the rest of the group.
The service provided by the National Park is terrible.
So Tusker Trail has designed our own evacuation protocol and rescue procedure. We carry all our own rescue gear ON EVERY CLIMB, and train our guides intensely on how to use it efficiently and correctly.
If you come down early, you will NOT be penalized with extra costs such as transfer to Moshi
You are responsible for any extra hotel nights and meals, and if you have to go to the hospital, we will get you there, but you will be responsible for the hospital expenses.
As you climb, the amount of oxygen in the air, and the oxygen pressure decreases. Every individual's reaction to this is different. There is no way to predict how well you will do at altitude. You will get short of breath -- this is normal. However, you can stack the deck in your favor by being in good physical condition, planning a longer climb, staying well hydrated, taking it very slowly as you hike, and using diamox if you start getting altitude sickness.
Eddie Frank, Tusker's owner, has placed a lot of emphasis on medical training not only of our crew, but of our US office staff as well. This is so that we can discuss your condition with you and your doctor intelligently.
We also have a consulting physician with whom we communicate regularly. When you sign up you will be required to complete a detailed medical questionnaire. If you have a medical condition, we'll talk to you about it, and if necessary have a discussion with your doctor.
What we're after is to find out the worst case scenario, so that we can prepare for it in the event of an emergency.
All your drinking water is filtered by our guides through KATADYN filters. We recommend you drink at least 4 quarts/liters per day. Gatorade is a good additive for you to keep your electrolytes replenished. This is important.
We get great prices because of the volume we do. Prices depend on when you travel and where you travel from. Airfare can vary from US$1800 - $3200 in the US. For all other countries please contact us.
We strongly advise you to buy insurance coverage for Baggage Loss, Trip Cancellation, Non-refundable Airfare and Medical Expenses. Please note that trip cancellation insurance is not available for all countries in Africa. The company that we recommend is CSA Travel Protection.
Click here for more information on trip insurance.
If you have a medical emergency and need to be evacuated home for reliable medical care, GLOBAL RESCUE will get you back home if necessary. GLOBAL RESCUE is the finest medical evacuation outfit in the business, and is staffed with ex US airforce personnel. Tusker Trail works closely with Global Rescue to develop detailed evacuation procedures from all the areas of the world in which we operate.
If you are not enrolled in the program and need an emergency evacuation home, it could cost you more than $150,000. We feel it’s well worth the cost of signing up.
Click here for more information on trip insurance.
What’s the difference between the CSA and Global Rescue?
CSA Travel Insurance is an INSURANCE POLICY. We recommend it for Trip Cancellation and Trip delay.
Global Rescue are EVACUATION SPECIALISTS. They will evacuate you back home for reliable medical care from just about any place on earth, if no medical care is available locally.
Click here for more information on trip insurance.
People who climb Kilimanjaro with us usually travel to the northern parks in Tanzania, such as Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti.
Click here for details on Tusker trip extensions.
Most Kilimanjaro climbers spend 3-10 days on safari after their climb. However, more is better. So if you have more time, we can get really creative.
Click here for details on Tusker trip extensions.
Accommodations are first class. But there are different types of places to stay.
Wildlife Lodge:
Wildlife Lodges are permanent facilities and resemble hotels in the bush. The Lodges are designed to accommodate large numbers of people - around 200. The food is usually very good. But if you want an intimate experience, then you should stay at a Luxury Tented Lodge/Camp or a Mobile Classic Tented Camp.
Luxury Tented Lodge/Camp:
We prefer these, as they're not crowded. They are also a lot smaller than the Lodges, and much more intimate. As a result, they are more expensive. You stay in very large luxurious walk-in tents, with en-suite bathrooms. The owners put a lot of effort into making the tents very warm and comfortable, with double beds, mosquito netting, side tables, comfy chairs, and African artifacts. There is a central dining area, usually designed in a traditional luxurious African style, and the food is excellent.
Mobile Classic Tented Camp:
These are our favorites. Why? Because you share this private camp with a very small group of people. The camp is set up a few days ahead of time in a specially chosen area. The food in camp is prepared by experienced safari chefs, and is superb.
There are two main advantages to staying in a Mobile Classic Tented Camp. Firstly, we get to choose the areas to set up our camps. This allows us the flexibility to place the camp in areas where there is lots of wildlife. Secondly, due to the size of the camp, you are truly in the middle of the bush, unencumbered by other people and vehicles. You've got the vast plains of Africa all to yourself. These Classic Tented Camps are normally the most expensive type of accommodation.
Click here for details on Tusker trip extensions.
Are my Kilimanjaro guides the same as the safari guides?
No.
Our mountain guides are specialists on Kilimanjaro and only lead our climbs up the mountain. The safari guides have different skills. They have studied the wildlife, and are excellent at spotting and identifying the species in the game parks.
Click here for details on Tusker trip extensions.
We always use 4-wheel-drive Landcruisers and Landrovers, which are maintained in impeccable condition.
Click here for details on Tusker trip extensions.
It depends on where in Africa you want to go. The seasons and weather determine the animal movements. So we can tailor the dates and the location to suit you.
Click here for details on Tusker trip extensions.
There are lots of great animal parks in both countries. However, if you want to see the large migratory herds, you're best off going to Tanzania's Serengeti during the months of December through June.
If you're planning a safari after your Kilimanjaro climb, you'll need to have enough time to visit the Serengeti, as it takes more time to get there.
Click here for details on Tusker trip extensions.
You can either join an existing trip or customize your trip. We'll work very closely with you to put together your dream safari.
Click here for details on Tusker trip extensions.
But it depends on the safari you're planning to join. You can either join a Wildlife Safari, where we do all our game viewing from vehicles. Or you can customize a safari that involves walking in areas where it's allowed.
Click here for details on Tusker trip extensions.
What's the difference between Tusker & other companies?
Experience.
Eddie Frank built Tusker Trail's reputation with his knowledge of Africa, and by getting behind the wheel and running trips there. More than thirty years after his first expedition, he's still behind the wheel.
Tusker Trail is not a travel agent. We were born in Africa, we specialize in Africa, it's what we do. Tusker is an intimate, nimble, highly personalized operation. Tusker has built success in Africa - for over thirty years.
Click here for details on Tusker trip extensions.
Yes, you need to purchase an entrance visa for Tanzania. The visa is easily obtained upon arrival at any major airport or border entrance in Tanzania. You may also obtain a visa from the Taznanian embassy in your resident country by sending them your passport.
Click here for details on Tusker trip extensions.
If you’re a vegetarian just let us know ahead of time, and we will arrange vegetarian meals for you. You should consider bringing along some “energy food” to supplement your meals. "Specialty foods" are not available in East Africa, so if you are on a strict diet, such as gluten-free or if you have any food allergies, then you must bring your own specialty foods. Be sure to plan carefully and bring enough for every meal. Call our office and we'll be happy to discuss this with you.
Click here for details on Tusker trip extensions.
Most charities are only too happy to have someone like you organize a fundraising event. In fact, that's how they survive. A very common event for charities to organize is a golf tournament. Kilimanjaro is a lot more exciting than a golf game, and draws a lot more attention. The great thing about climbing for charity is that you are climbing for yourself as well as for others. It's a win-win event.
Once your charity gives you the okay, contact us and we'll set a date for your climb. Once you've signed up, we'll send you our in-depth Fundraising Packet. We'll also walk you through the details of how to sign up more people on your climb, and how to galvanize your team into fundraising action. It's a whole lot of fun.
Does Tusker Trail have any charity climbs I can join?
Yes.
Every year Tusker Trail runs a climb for Breast Cancer research. It's open to all comers, and is led by Eddie Frank, Tusker's founder, and his wife Amy, a breast cancer survivor. Remember, that you will be responsible for raising a minimum amount of money.
You may also join other charity climbs we are running. Give us a call and we'll put you in touch with the organizers.
How will Tusker help me once I decide to organize a climb?
We will provide you with all the material you'll need to get more climbers, such as brochures, itineraries and DVD's. We'll also provide you and your fellow climbers with a detailed Fundraising Manual, which will turn you into a fundraising expert overnight. It's full of tips and tools and good advice. It also contains a sample sponsor letter, donation certificate and donation forms.
The Mongolia Trek is a remote wilderness camping trip, guided by a team made up of a Tusker guide and a local Mongolian guide, who is an expert on the Kazakh area of northwest Mongolia. The ancient history of Mongolia was built by nomads on horseback. A love of wilderness trekking or horses (depending on whether you’re hiking or riding) is what we share with these nomadic people. We supply all the camp gear, except for your sleeping bag and sleeping mat, which you must bring. All our gear is loaded onto camels. Our professional camp-cook prepares the meals over a propane stove in a kitchen tent, and normally we dine “al fresco”. In the event of rain we set up a dining tent. For showers, you have a choice of glacier-fed ice-cold rivers or a solar shower. For the toilet, we dig a communal pit latrine, and provide a private throne with a spectacular view. We use 4x4 vans to get to the start of our trekking point. You have two guides - an English speaking Tusker guide who is medically trained as a Wilderness First Responder and a local guide. We also bring a cook, threes camp assistant and a small group of Mongolia camel and horse handlers.
Three hotel nights in Ulaan Bataar – bed & breakfast; all meals while camping; internal travel (internal air is quoted separately); horses and tack if riding, camels for gear; group camping gear; professional Tusker guide; local guide and camel handlers.
You can either join our horse riding trek in June, or our hiking trek in July.If you choose our horse trek you should have intermediate riding skills. This is easily accomplished by riding regularly or by taking horse riding lessons for a few months before the Trek. If you are joining the hiking trek, no horse riding skills are necessary, although you may have to jump on a horse to cross a couple rivers.
If riding, you should be firm and comfortable in the saddle for up to 6 hours a day, as well as confident and in control of your horse at all paces.
All trip members are evaluated on a case by case basis. However if you are 60 or over, we will need to discuss your health and activity level prior to signup. You must call us before signing up.
Trekking in remote wilderness and horse riding are outdoor activities that have inherent risks. However we prepare each trip with impeccable detail with regards to your comfort and safety. We ride our horses conservatively, and trek slowly. There are times where we are several days from any type of roads and medical care. That is why we require all members of this trip to join Global Rescue.
We normally stay at the very comfortable Bayan Gol hotel in the capital. This is the best hotel there with full western amenities. In Bayan Ulgii, we stay at a local “Ger Camp”. On the trail you will share a four-season tent with either a friend or another member of the same gender.
Our trips all occur in the northern summer months. Mongolia is known as the “Land of the Blue Sky”. Mongolia enjoys 250 days of sunshine a year. Temperatures can drop to 36ºF/2ºC at night, so a warm sleeping bag is necessary. In the daytime the sun can be intense, so bring sunscreen. Temps can rise to 85ºF/32ºC in the day. It’s important to keep your raingear and sunscreen handy at all times. Summer in the Altai Mountains is the magical time when the wild flowers explode in color.
You can have single accommodation. The cost is $350. This will allow you to have a single tent on the trek, and a single room at Ulaan Bataar. However, you must share a room or ger in Ulgii and at Hovd, if air schedules force us to overnight there.
Gateways to Mongolia are Beijing, Frankfurt, Moscow, Osaka, Tokyo, Berlin and Seoul. Mongolian International Airlines (MIAT) and Air China both operate Boeing and Airbus planes on flights to Ulaan Baatar. We can help you arrange your international airfare.
If you are a US citizen, you do not need to obtain a visa before arrival. Canadians are required to obtain a visa before departure. For other nationalities, please check with the Mongolian embassy.
The flight that we take from Ulaan Bataar to Ulgii to start the trek has a limit of 15 kg per person (33 lbs), however you can pay the airline for additional weight, at about $3 per kg extra.
Once we're trekking our camels will carry 17 kgs (37 lbs) of your personal gear, so you will only be carrying a daypack with 4-8 kgs (10-20 lbs) during the trek. We provide saddle bags for all your day gear if you’re on the horse trek.
We use Australian saddles for most comfort and control.We size these according to your weight.Mongolian horses are considerably smaller than western horses, however they are highly spirited, which is why you need to be able to control your horse at all times.
Excellent. In camp you’ll enjoy a hot breakfast and dinner, with a picnic lunch. The food is prepared by our professional camp cook and assistant. Meals are of the western variety in camp, and consist of a variety of pasta, stews, soups, vegetables, rice and some beef and chicken. While visiting the gers of nomads, they will always offer you an assortment of cheeses, yogurts, fermented milks from goats, yaks and horses. If we attend any local celebration, a sheep or goat is usually slaughtered, and you will be able to get your taste buds active on new flavors. A lot of westerners do not like the sheep fat which is used for a lot of Mongolian food prep. You can make up your own mind. In Ulaan Bataar there are a myriad of fine restaurants with reasonable rates at which to dine.
If you’re a vegetarian just let us know ahead of time, and we will prepare vegetarian meals for you. You should consider bringing along some “energy food” to supplement your meals. "Specialty foods" are not available in Mongolia, so if you are on a strict diet, such as gluten-free or if you have any food allergies, then you must bring your own specialty foods, which we will carry and prepare for you. Be sure to plan carefully and bring enough for every meal. Call our office and we'll be happy to discuss this with you.
The Everest Base Camp Trek is a high altitude trek along ancient Sherpa trade routes, through breathtaking landscapes to reach Everest Base Camp. Each evening you'll be staying in tea houses or lodges along the trail. Leading the treks will be Shabani Hasane and Mingma Sherpa. Shabaini is one of Tusker's top Kilimanjaro guides, who we fly over from Tanzania to guide each trek. Mingma Sherpa, is Tusker's expert Nepali and Everest Base Camp guide. Both of these guides have trekked numerous times with Eddie and Amy. They have been personally trained by Eddie and Amy and are among the finest high altitude guides. Our own staff prepares delicious meals in our own hygienic kitchen tents, meals are served inside the tea houses/lodges.
Three hotel nights in Kathmandu – breakfast and dinner included; all meals while trekking; internal airfare to Lukla; professional Tusker guides; sherpas accommodations at the tea houses/lodges along the trail; 1 half day city tour in Kathmandu; airport transfers.
All trip members are evaluated on a case by case basis. However if a family member is 14 or under we would like to have a conversation to determine if this trek is suitable for the youngster. There is no upper age limit.
Trekking in remote, high altitude settings have inherent risks. However we prepare each trip with impeccable detail with regards to your comfort and safety. We trek slowly and have created an itinerary where there is enough time to acclimatize. It's normal for us to have a 100% success rate, where the entire group gets to Base Camp. There are times where we are several days from any type of roads and medical care. That is why we require all members of this trip to join Global Rescue.
In Kathmandu, we stay at the luxurious Shangri La Hotel. While on the trek we stay in basic, but comfortable teahouses and lodges where you will have a bed to sleep on. You must bring your own sleeping bag and for a softer sleep we recommend a thermarest pad or similar.
In May, the weather in the Everest region is moderate and it's the time when flowers are in bloom. Skies are generally clear, with some cloud build up during the afternoons causing hazy conditions in the lower elevations. Less haze forms at the higher elevations due to the cold air. Temperatures in the Khumbu valley ranges from 68ºF/20ºC or more during the day down to 23ºF/-5ºC at night above 16,000 feet.
In October and November the weather stabilizes and sunny, clear blue skies is normal. Due to the clear skies, average temperatures are about 10 degrees cooler than in May. Daytime temps can range from 50ºF/10ºC. Nights can be cold dropping down to 5 to 14ºF/-10 to -5ºC above 12,000 feet. With colder temps and generally clearer skies you also have a better chance of getting a great view of Everest's summit.
You can have single accommodation provided there is availability at the tea houses/lodges. The cost is $450. This will allow you to have a single room in Kathmandu as well as on the trail. This is on a first come, first served basis. As October/November is the busiest season, single supplements may not be available.
Americans & Canadians need to obtain a visa to visit Nepal. Please go to the website of the Embassy of Nepal for a visa form and instructions, or contact the embassy. If you have a passport other than American or Canadian, please contact the Nepalese Embassy in your country of residence.
Wonderful. While on the trek, you'll enjoy a good mix of healthy meals, all prepared by our camp cooks hygienically in our own tents. This is very unusual, as most groups order off the menu at the lodges, which can be quite unsanitary. Meals are of the western variety in camp, and consist of a variety of pasta, stews, soups, vegetables, beans, eggs, and other hot breakfast items.
While in Kathmandu there is a large variety of international restaurants.
If you’re a vegetarian just let us know ahead of time, and we will prepare vegetarian meals for you. You should consider bringing along some “energy
food” to supplement your meals. "Specialty foods" are not available in Nepal, so if you are on a strict diet, such as gluten-free or if you have any food allergies, then you must bring your own specialty foods, which we will carry and prepare for you. Be sure to plan carefully and bring enough for every meal. Call our office and we'll be happy to discuss this with you.
