Sherpa Mountain Adventures (SMA) specializes in leading treks into areas of the Himalaya where you are less likely to encounter large groups of tourists. You will meet local villagers and observe their traditional way of life and their customs. SMA is dedicated to protecting and preserving the natural ambience and heritage of the Himalayas. We operate our trips with the utmost respect for the environment while ensuring all of our trekkers have a safe and enjoyable trip. Sherpa Mountain Adventure guides and staff are native experienced Sherpas, so they are a great connection for both eastern and western cultures. Our Sherpa staff and guides understand American palates and ensure that all meals are prepared to be easily enjoyed by all on the trek.
The word "Sherpa" means "People from the East" in Tibetan. It is an ethnic group originally from Tibet, who settled high in the Himalayan mountains a few centuries ago. They have a beautiful culture and are accustomed to living at very high altitudes. Sherpas are famous for their stamina, strength, work ethic, and generosity. The first time that Mt. Everest was summited was by Sir Edmond Hillary in 1953, with the assistance of the Tenzing Sherpa. Since then, Sherpas have been hired by tourists to assist them in successful summits of many peaks as well as leading treks throughout the Himalayan Mountains. Sherpas have their own language, Sherpa, and they speak Nepal's national language, Nepalese. Sherpas are known for their expertise in adventure guiding as well as for their hard work. All of our Sherpa guides and staff work hard to ensure you have a safe and wonderful Himalayan adventure.
We have been serving in this field for over a decade and are a trustable government registered trekking agency.
No, as long as you are in good physical shape we do not require any hiking experience for short treks. However, if you are planning a trek longer than a week, some physical fitness programs such as running, swimming and hiking are recommended before you embark on a trek.
A camping trek is a fully organized and supported hiking and camping adventure complete with a team of guides, cooks, and
porters who accompany you on your trip. Our porters carry all of your trekking gear, food, fuel and
personal belongings. Our cooks prepare hot and delicious meals that will satisfy your palate as well
as your stomach. Trekkers only need to carry a small bag of personal items (such as a camera or bottles
of water) as required for the day. At night our staff will set up tents for dining and sleeping.
We provide tables, dining seating, tents and mattresses.
In a typical
camping trek, we start the day around 6 a.m. with a cup of hot tea. You are then given a bowl of
warm water for light washing. Then, trekkers enjoy a delicious breakfast before leaving camp. The
trek begins around 7:30 or 8:00am depending on the day.
Trekkers can set their own pace for
pausing and sightseeing. The trek to the lunch spot will normally take around 3 hours. A hot meal
is ready for you to enjoy when you arrive. The afternoon trek usually takes 3 or 4 hours until you
arrive at your evening camp around 4:00-5:00pm. Tea and snacks are served while our staff prepares
the camp. Dinner is served around 6:00-7:00p.m. in the dining tent, which is lit with lanterns and
comfortably furnished. The food is healthy, wholesome and hygienically prepared so you can eat a
delicious meal without any worries.
Our chef and kitchen crew prepare delicious meals every day for your dining pleasure. We serve traditional Nepalese and Sherpa meals and also a few continental (European and American) dishes throughout the trek. You will have a variety of foods each day. Our chef (who has extensive knowledge about food handling and preparation) selects only high quality foods that keep trekkers healthy during the entire trip. All staff members are fully trained on how to hygienically prepare food to ensure trekkers are strong and healthy during the trek. We buy fresh organic vegetables every day along the trail. We also ensure that the water trekkers consume is healthy and reliable.
We always do our best to keep all trek members healthy for the duration of the trip. In case someone gets a minor sickness (such as cold or minor cough) we encourage him/her to take a good rest and our staff will pay extra attention to that trekker's health. If necessary, our staff can provide basic cough or pain relief medication. Our staff will assist you in obtaining medical care if the illness is too serious and can evacuate you to a reputable hospital. We recommend that every trekker purchases trip health insurance that covers such events as these.
Altitude sickness is caused by traveling from a low elevation to a high elevation without adequate time for the body to acclimate
to the different oxygen levels. The sickness can be as minor as a slight headache and dizziness to
as extreme as affecting your cognitive abilities. Typically a headache is not dangerous, but if someone
has breathing or lung problems this can be a serious danger in the mountains. Our guides are trained
to watch for this condition and will constantly keep checking on all trekkers. If necessary, they
will stop or slow the trek as necessary. Altitude sickness is mostly avoidable if you follow a few
simple rules:
Trek high and sleep low, walk at a steady and gradual pace, drink at least 2 liters of water per day (not including beer or soft drinks!) and BE SENSIBLE (don't overdo it).
If you feel shortness of breath and/or a slight headache or dizziness, tell your guide or staff immediately.
They can help you heal before get seriously ill. Often your guide will tell you to lie down, rest
or drink water. If you are still feeling unwell, your guide or staff member may take you down to
a lower elevation. Do not ignore your symptoms. A descent of a few hundred meters or an overnight
rest may be enough to make you fully able to start trekking again.
Recommended Trekking Gear List
The items listed here are essential to have for
the trip but there are a few "nice to have" optional items that are also listed. Please feel
free to reach out for additional information or recommendations.
First Layer Clothing
Base layer top (2) - 1 synthetic for day, 1 for night (can
be cotton for comfort)
Base layer bottom (1 or 2 synthetic)
T-shirts (2 or up to you)
Mid-layer long sleeved shirt (1 or 2 synthetic material like polyester or polypropylene)
Hiking
shorts (2 pairs - synthetic or cotton)
Underwear (breathable, how many is up to you)
Travel
clothes to wear around Katmandu before and after the trek (these can be left at the hotel in secured
storage)
Outer Layer Clothing
Fleece jacket, soft-shell jacket or wool top
Soft-shell
long pants or trekking pants
Gore-Tex or other breathable waterproof jacket
Gore-Tex or equivalent
breathable waterproof rain pants
Down Jacket - synthetic is ok, must be very warm and puffy for
night, camping, and rests (if you tend to get cold easily, get a warmer, heavier jacket (temps could
range from 0-30 degrees)
Wool or fleece hat
Buff
Waterproof gloves (softshell)
Warm mittens (for colder nights)
Optional lightweight
gloves (glove liners)
Sun hat (baseball cap, safari hat, something to keep the sun off)
Gear
Small daypack (30-40 liter) - an internal frame backpack is best and bookbag
types are not recommended (there are many quality brands to choose from including Osprey, Deuter,
North Face, Gregory, Red Fox, to name a few)
Sleeping bag - down or synthetic 0-20 degrees (Fahrenheit)
Sunglasses 100% UV (glacier type that wrap around and give more protection to the eyes)
Headlamp
(small LED models with spare batteries)
SUNSCREEN: waterproof, SPF 30 or higher, broad spectrum
(2-3oz tube)
Sunscreen lip balm, SPF 15 or higher
2 water bottles (1 quart Nalgene bottles
are best)
Pocket knife (e.g., a Swiss Army Knife - very handy!)
Trash bags (3 - for separating
out your dirty laundry and organizing)
A large expedition bag will be provided by SMA upon arrival
in Nepal. You can use your own expedition bag or luggage to carry your items over there, then borrow
the SMA expedition bag.
Personal Items
Toiletry kit to include:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Small soap (1- 2 oz. plastic bottle of something like Dr. Bronner's soap)
Shower towel
Shampoo
Glasses or contacts, as needed
Any necessary medications
3 zip-loc bags (1 large for
a notebook, 2 any size for miscellaneous use)
Optional Trekking poles
Optional Compass, star-chart,
or binoculars
Optional Camera (batteries and a charger)
Optional External power brick (for
charging phone/iPod)
Optional Journal/notebook and pen
Optional Any munchies you can't
get along without (e.g., chocolate, energy bars)
Optional Personal first aid kit (for blister
care, etc.) *SMA Guides will have a well-equipped group supply of basic first aid and medications
that will always be with us.
One of the most important items you will have for trekking is….Your BOOTS! The best boots for this trip are quality, light to medium-weight hiking boots that are waterproof.
Go to a reputable gear shop and help get fitted for the ideal boot. You will be in them most of the
day so get the right ones that fit you! (Scarpa, Lowa, LaSportiva, Salewa, Merrell, Asolo, Vasque
are the best brands)
New boots MUST be broken in prior to coming to the trip. Breaking in a new
pair of boots can involve several weeks so make sure you do it early and well before you arrive in
Nepal!
Footwear
Light to medium weight hiking boots that are waterproof!
Sport sandals
(such as Tevas or Chacos, Crocs) or lightweight running shoes for at camp (using bathroom at night,
chilling in teahouse) Sport sandals, such as Tevas, Crocks, or Chacos, work very well for this and
can be used for stream crossings in the backcountry. Running shoes also work well but do not dry
as quickly. Thick wool socks (3 pairs)
Optional Liner socks (2 pairs of thin wool, polypro, Thermax,
or similar - not cotton!)
Optional Down booties- totally luxurious but nice for walking around
at the Teahouses
When you arrive in Kathmandu, you can convert your currency to Nepalese rupees at the hotel or your guide can assist you with this before the trek begins.
There are phone and internet services available in many villages along the popular trekking routes from which you can make international calls and check your email. There are also computers available at some internet cafes.
All of our staff members, including porters, are insured through a reliable insurance company.
You should bring two (2) one-liter water bottles (plastic or metal) with you on the trek. We prefer that you purify water yourself using iodine in order to save scarce fuel. We can provide a limited amount of boiled water that you can use to fill your water bottle in the evening. Please see the recommended list of equipment for name brands or visit your local outdoor gear store for more information. We ensure that you have clean water to drink, but need you to bring iodine along.
Sherpa Mountain Adventures hires local porters or yaks to carry all of the camping gear and equipment for the entire trek.
The best time for trekking in Nepal is October to early December and March or April. It is not very good trekking weather during the monsoon season from June to August except for treks in the Himalayan rain shadow like Upper Mustang, Dolpo and Kailash.
Weather in the mountains is notoriously difficult to predict. Of course, at night it is generally cold and in winter the
days can be quite beautiful if the sun is out. There can be snow or rain storms any time of the year.
Trekking in spring (March - April) is particularly lovely as the rhododendrons are in full bloom
and the mountains still have plenty of high snow to enhance your photos. You need to be aware that
it can get pretty hot and sun stroke can be a risk. Make sure to bring good polarizing sunglasses
or glacier glasses (not trendy fashionable ones) for high altitudes/winter treks and a large brimmed
hat. It is also important to make sure that you stay warm and dry in just about any condition. Expect
the unexpected!
At elevations between 1,000m (3,281 feet) and 3,500m
(11,483 feet), the temperature could be as low as 5°C (41° F) to as high as 20°C (68° F). At higher
altitudes, the temperature ranges from -10°C (14° F) to 20 deg C (68° F). During winter it is around
10 degrees colder than these estimates.
Yes, our airport representative will come to the airport to pick you up. Outside of terminal hall, he/she will be displaying a Sherpa Mountain Adventures sign with your name on it. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu.
To know about payment terms and condition please click here.
A fluent English speaking, experienced, local guide
Nice hotel accommodations in Kathmandu
Camping accommodations and all trek arrangements including meals on trekking days, porters and cook
staff, gear and equipment (comfortable and roomy two-person tents, full length comfortable foam sleeping
pads, kitchen and dining tents, etc)
Three healthy tasty meals per day: breakfast, lunch, and
dinner
Airport transfers
Sightseeing in Kathmandu (as noted in the itinerary)
Ground transportation
National parks entrance fees and permits
What's Not Included in the cost?
International airfare
Hotel accommodations
en route to Kathmandu, Nepal
Meals not noted on the itinerary (meals while in Kathmandu and snacks
during the trek are the trekkers responsibility as well as any alcohol purchased during trip)
We strongly recommend that you purchase the supplementary trip insurance offered by Sherpa Mountain
Adventures which also includes trip cancellation insurance. Or you can check with your insurance
company for overseas travelers insurance.
Tips to the lead trekking guide and Sherpa staff, visas, excess baggage charges, airport taxes, entrance fees at historical
sites in Kathamandu, the cost of obtaining a passport or medical immunizations, items of a personal
nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.) are not included in the trip price.
*Depending on your choice of air carrier, you may need an overnight in Bangkok or Delhi en route
to Kathmandu. We will be happy to make hotel reservations for you.
