SIMIKOT TO MOUNT KAILASH - The Mountain Company Mount Kailash. Mount Kailash is the holiest mountain in the Himalaya known as the center of the world for the four great religions of

Telephone: 0207 0187031 / International callers: +44 207 0187031

Skype ID: Rolandh1 / Email: [email protected] / www.themountaincompany.co.uk

Postal address: 108 Crowborough Road, Tooting, London SW17 9QG, United Kingdom

SIMIKOT TO MOUNT KAILASH

Mount Kailash in Tibet




REASONS TO CHOOSE THE MOUNTAIN COMPANY FOR SIMIKOT TO KAILASH. • Mountain Hardwear Trango 3.1 tents are used for all of our camping treks in

Nepal. These are three person domed tents with plenty of space for two people

sharing plus gear.

• We bring a satellite phone for logistical, safety and personal use.

• There will be a range of tasty meals for breakfast, lunch and supper. We also

bring along a supply of chocolate bars, Pringles, biscuit and nuts.

• We bring a comprehensive first aid kit from UK (Life Systems Mountain Leader)

plus high altitude medicine, antibiotics and other medicines.

• Pre trip support will be given by Roland via email, phone or face to face

meetings. In the past members have arranged to meet up prior to the trek.

SIMIKOT TO MOUNT KAILASH Total number of days 21 days

Grade & days trekking Demanding, 13 trekking days

Accommodation 5 nights hotel, 15 nights camping

2015 price from Kathmandu TBC

Minimum group size 6

Dates TBC




THE FOLLOWING IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE TRIP

• Internal flight Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Simikot airfare including baggage allowance

of 15kg for your main bag checked into the hold and 5kg for day pack carried with

you inside the aircraft.

• All transfers including airport collections.

• One day sightseeing in Kathmandu with Nepalese cultural guide and private

vehicle.

• Twin share room at Hotel Tibet, Hotel Manaslu or Hotel Ganjong in Kathmandu.

• Breakfast only in Kathmandu, all meals included while on trek.

• Twin share tents while on trek using our three person Mountain Hardwear Trango

3.1s.

• All trekking arrangements including permits and fees, tents, Sherpa guide, ponies

and cook.

• Transportation in Tibet by 4WD Land Cruiser 4500 (4 passengers in one land

cruiser) and support truck.

• Complimentary Simikot trekking map.

• Financial protection insurance with International Passenger Protection.

• Pre departure support and advice from The Mountain Company by email, phone

or face to face meetings in London. After booking with us we will send our

comprehensive “Nepal Pre Trip Information” notes.

THE FOLLOWING SINGLE SUPPLEMENT IS AVAILABLE:

Single room supplement in Kathmandu £140 (US$230)

Single tent supplement £195 (US$295)

Please note that if you are a single person booking on one of our trips you do not

have to pay the single room supplement, this is only payable if you specifically




request to have a room or tent to yourself. You will not have to pay this for this

option if you happen to end up with a single room or tent due to odd numbers on

the trip.

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE TRIP

• International flight to/from Kathmandu.

• Travel & trekking insurance.

• Nepal visa for 30 days at US$40 (approx £25).

• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu.

• Personal clothing & equipment, please see the Appendix for suggested kit list.

• Tips (guidance on amounts included in our “Nepal Pre Trip Information” notes).

• Additional US$85 for Chinese visa applicable to American passport holder

as levied by Chinese Government.

• Other items not listed in “What is included”.

PARTICIPANT SELECTION

The Mountain Company carefully selects and screens potential participants

applying to join our groups to ensure the trip is an appropriate objective for you. We

have a number of pre-trip questions asking information about your outdoor

experience, training, experience, medical conditions and fitness. To access the pre-

trip questions please send in your application by clicking on the “Apply now”

button on the trek webpage. After review of your replies we might contact you by

telephone or email for further information to aid our selection process.

Please ensure you have done your own research about Simikot to Mount Kailash

trek by reading our pre trip documents (Trip Dossier, Trip Grading and Trip Reports

published on TMC blog) to ensure you have a realistic idea of what to expect. Every

trip organised by The Mountain Company has been graded based on four factors:

daily walking times, altitude, terrain and remoteness.




INTRODUCTION

Starting from the airstrip at Simikot this trek travels through Nepal’s remote western

district of Humla following the Humla Karnali river to the border with Tibet. We take

Landcruisers to the holy Lake Manasarovar and then complete the pilgrims kora

around Mount Kailash.

Mount Kailash is the holiest mountain in the Himalaya known as the center of the

world for the four great religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Bönpo and Jain. Kailash is

perfectly symmetrical and according to one description these faces are made

of crystal, ruby, gold, and lapis lazuli. Near the base of the mountain rises four of

the most significant rivers of Indian sub continent: Indus, Sutlej, Karnali (a tributary

of the Ganges River) and Brahmaputra.

The kora or trek around Mount Kailash is a distance of 50 kilometres (31 miles) and

involves crossing one pass at 5,600m. We take four days to complete the kora

giving you time for the necessary acclimatisation as well as opportunity to visit three

main monasteries no doubt you will meet many pilgrims on the trail. After the kora

we drive in Landcruisers over the Tibetan plateau and then cross the border back

into Nepal near the town of Zhangmu.

DETAILED ITINERARY

It is our intention to keep to the day by day itinerary detailed below, although there

might be some flexibility due to local conditions or other factors beyond our control.

If this is the case the trek leader will do everything possible to work out the changes

to the itinerary in order to minimise your inconvenience.

Day 1. Arrive Kathmandu.

You will be met on arrival at Kathmandu airport and driven back to the hotel.

Please provide travel plans on booking and we will arrange the pick up and

transfer. A full expedition briefing will be given in the afternoon. Overnight at Hotel

Tibet, Hotel Manaslu or Hotel Ganjong (B).

Day 2. Sightseeing in Kathmandu (1,400m).

This is a day to explore Kathmandu where we organise guided sightseeing to the

Buddhist and Hindu sights in Kathmandu, to Kathmandu’s Durbar Square,




Swayambunath - the Buddhist monkey temple and Pashupatinath – a sacred Hindu

temple complex on the banks of the Bagmati River.

Three major towns are located in the valley, Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur,

each having a great artistic and architectural tradition. Kathmandu is the capital and

the largest city in the country. Patan, the second largest is separated from

Kathmandu by a river. Bhaktapur, the third largest, is towards the eastern end of

the valley and its relative isolation is reflected in its slower pace and more distinctly

mediaeval atmosphere.

In the Kathmandu Valley the landscape is dramatically sculpted by the contours of

the paddy fields. The towns and villages are alive with the colours of farm produce,

ranging from pyramids of golden grain to the vivid reds of chilli peppers laid out on

mats to dry in the sun. In the streets and towns there is a constant bustle of activity,

especially in the bazaars and markets where the farmers sell their vegetables and

fruit. You should get back to the hotel after your sightseeing tour around mid-

afternoon and the rest of the day is free for you to explore the city further and pack

bags ready for the start of the trek the following morning. You can leave a bag at

the hotel with items you will not need on the trek. Overnight at Hotel Tibet, Hotel

Manaslu or Hotel Ganjong (B).

Day 3. Fly to Nepalgunj.

We take the short flight to Nepalgunj in western Nepal, there are good views from

right side of the plane as we fly close to the Himalayan mountains. Nepalgunj is the

largest city in the Terai with a hot and humid climate. Overnight at Hotel

Siddhartha (B).

Day 4. Fly to Simikot (2,750m), trek to Masigaon (2,270m)- 3 to 4 hours

walking.

After an early morning start we take a 45 minute flight to Simikot. After an exciting

landing at the narrow STOL mountain airstrip we meet the trek crew. After final

preparations we start walking to the ridge above Simikot and then descend to

Masigaon village where we camp for out first night. Overnight camping (B,L,D).

Day 5. Trek to Kermi (2,680m)- 6 hours walking.

From Masigoan the trail continues to the village of Dharapuri then after crossing

Humla Karnali we enter Khanglagaon, from there we follow the river to our camp at




Kermi. Today there is a lot of ascent and descent as we have to climb out of the

gorge at times where there are impassable sections. Overnight camping (B,L,D).

Day 6. Trek to Yangar (2,850m)- 4 to 5 hours walking.

Today we climb over a number of ridges with superb views of Saipal Himal and

finally arriving to Yangar village near Humla Khola. Overnight camping (B,L,D).

Day 7. Trek to Torea (3,400m)- 6 to 7 hours walking.

Come out of the village of Yangar and follow the trail high above Humla Khola

before you reach Muchu village further along the river. Walk through orchards and

field of Muchu then climb to a ridge followed by a steep descent into a gorge.

Ascend to a ridge then follow the trail along Tumkot Khola then Bumachiya Khola.

Once through a steep valley follow the trail to a ridge then descend to Palbang then

onto Torea. Overnight camping (B,L,D).

Day 8. Trek to Sipsip (4,300m)- 6 hours walking.

From Torea the trail ascends to a ridge near the village of Yari, continue walking to

the meadow at Sipsip near the base of the pass. This is a regular trading route into

Tibet so you are likely to see traffic of pack animals, traders and pilgrims.

Overnight camping (B,L,D).

Day 9. Cross Nara Lagna pass (4,600m) then trek to Hilsa (3,700m).

There is a steep ascent for a couple of hours to Nara Lagna pass where there are a

good views of Saipal and out over the Tibetan plateau. The descent from the pass

is on a rocky trail to Humla Karnali then continues further to several stone houses

at Hilsa where we camp for the night. Nepal- Tibet border is just over on the other

side of the bridge. Overnight camping (B,L,D).

Day 10. Drive to Purang (3,900m) and onto Lake Manasarovar.

There is a short walk to Sher, a Tibetan trading post, where we meet our Toyota

Landcruisers for the drive to Purang taking about one hour. After lunch we continue

driving to our campsite on the shore of holy Lake Manasarovar below Chiu Gompa.

Overnight camping (B,L,D).




Day 11. Drive to Darchen (4,600), trek to Chhuka gompa (4,750m)- 3 hours

walking.

In the morning we drive to the roadhead at Darchen where we start our kora trek

around Mount Kailash. The trail heads in a north west direction to Lha Chu valley

with Kailash visible to the north. We descend to Darboche where there is a tall pole

with prayer flags then we continue across the plain at Shershong and after a further

hour we arrive to our first camp near Chhuka gompa. Overnight camping (B,L,D).

Day 12. Trek to Damding Donkhang (4,900m)- 5 hours walking.

Today we follow the pilgrims on their kora around Mount Kailash, the trail follows a

deep gorge to our camp for the night. Overnight camping (B,L,D).

Day 13. Trek to Dikpa Karnak (5,300m)- 7 hours walking.

From camp we walk towards the Diraphuk monastery where you will get views of

the north face of Kailash. We continue walking and cross Lha Chu on a bridge then

up to the meadows at Dikpa Karnak. Overnight camping (B,L,D).

Day 14. Cross Dolma La (5,600m), trek to Zutul Puk gompa (4,800m)- 7 to 8

hours walking.

There is a rocky trail passing a many cairns and a stone hut and camp then up to

the summit of Dolma La at 5,600m. From the pass there is a steep descent on a

switchback trail to a lake called Gourikund then further down in the valley there is a

stone house at Lhamchhukhir. From here there is a gentler trail descending Lham

Chu valley then cross Khado Sanglam river where there is a good view of east face

of Kailash. Our camp for the night is at Zutul Puk gompa a little further down the

valley. Overnight camping (B,L,D).

Day 15. Trek to Darchen, drive to Lake Manasarovar (4,750m)- 5 hours

walking.

Today we finish the kora around Kailash arriving back to Darchen at our starting

point. We then drive back to Chuku gompa where we camp for the night. Overnight

camping (B,L,D).




Day 16 to 18. Drive to Zhangmu on China-Nepal border.

After the kora around Kailash we drive in Landcruisers over the Tibetan plateau and

then cross the border back into Nepal near the town of Zhangmu. Overnight

guesthouses (B,L,D).

Day 19. Drive to Kathmandu.

After completing border formalities we enter Nepal and then drive back to

Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel Tibet, Hotel Manaslu or Hotel Ganjong (B).

Day 20. Free day in Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel Tibet, Hotel Manaslu or

Hotel Ganjong (B).

Day 21. Depart Kathmandu for homeward flights.




YOUR COMPLETE FINANCIAL PROTECTION Many of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on our website are financially

protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday

and travel services listed on our website. Please ask us to confirm what protection

may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the

booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all

the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected.

Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about

financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go

to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate

For international bookings (i.e non UK residents) not covered by ATOL scheme

described above The Mountain Company has financial protection insurance which

is in accordance with "The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours

Regulations 1992" all passengers booking with The Mountain Trekking Company

Ltd (“The Mountain Company”) are fully protected for the initial deposit and

subsequently the balance of all monies paid to us, including repatriation if required,

arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the

insolvency of The Mountain Company.

THREAT AND RISK ASSESSMENT Participants should be aware trekking, mountaineering and travelling in a

developing country are activities that involve a risk of personal injury or death. As a

condition of booking you must accept these risks and be responsible for your own

actions and involvement.

Adventure travel requires an open and flexible attitude. You may experience

extreme conditions, unpredictable weather and last minute changes to the itinerary

beyond our control. The ability to work in team is an important aspect of all of our

trips.




As a part of our planning process we have performed a detailed threat and risk

assessment for our Simikot to Mount Kailash trek. It is worth pointing out all of our

trips have a certain degree of risk, this is of course part of the attraction of

adventure travel and why so many people choose to join this type of holiday.

However by identifying the potential hazards on Simikot to Mount Kailash we can

assess the level of risk and implement control measures to reduce this happening.

Our full threat and risk assessment for Simikot to Mount Kailash is available to

clients on request. For your information we have listed below a summary of the

significant risks and hazards identified by us:

• Falls and trips resulting in physical injury eg. slipping on ice or falling off the path.

• Altitude illness including but not limited to AMS, HACE and HAPE.

• Getting lost or becoming separated from group eg. crossing passes in whiteout.

• Severe bad weather and conditions when camping.

• Climatic injuries (dehydration, sun burn, heat exhaustion, hypothermia or heat

stroke).

• Crossing a river with no bridge resulting in drowning and/ or a fall.

• Rock fall and landslides.

• Snow and ice avalanches on passes.

• Lightning strike.

• Wildlife, pack animals (eg. donkeys or horses) or stray dogs. Pack animals have

been known to knock people off the path. Dogs can attack and bite, we advise

you discuss rabies vaccination with your doctor.

• Earthquake.

• Risk of fire in the hotel or lodge.

• Endemic local diseases. We advise you discuss vaccinations with your doctor

before departure.




• Physiological injury such as heart attack, appendicitis, hernia, toothache etc. in a

remote area.

• Road traffic or flight accident [see paragraph “Simikot flight” for further

information about STOL flights].

• Contaminated food and/ or water.

This trip visits a remote area where you are away from normal emergency services

and medical facilities. In case of a serious injury requiring hospitalisation evacuation

could take up to several days and may impede your ensuing recovery. Helicopters

are the most usual means of evacuation, however they are not always available or

they may be hindered by poor weather and flying conditions.

THE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT TOUR OPERATORS (“AITO”) The Mountain Company is a member of the Association of Independent Tour

Operators (AITO) and we have agreed to abide by the terms of the AITO Quality

Charter.

AITO is the Association for independent and specialist holiday companies. Our

member companies, usually owner-managed, strive to create overseas holidays

with high levels of professionalism and a shared concern for quality and personal

service. The Association encourages the highest standards in all aspects of tour

operating. For more information please take a look at http://www.aito.com/




ETHICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS The Mountain Company is committed to adopting a responsible attitude to the

areas we visit. We are guests of the communities visited and with some thought

and care we can ensure that everyone benefits from the experience.

We work closely with the International Porter Protection Group (www.ippg.net) who

we support as a Camp 1 sponsor- we abide by their 5 guidelines for porter

protection.

We also work with other organisations such as Climate Care

(www.climatecare.org), Tourism Concern (www.tourismconcern.org.uk), Friends of

Conservation (www.foc-uk.com) and Kathmandu Environmental Education Project

(www.keepnepal.org).

We have developed a Responsible Tourism policy which aims to ensure that The

Mountain Company and its clients act in a way that is socially, environmentally and

culturally sound; please refer to Appendix III in this Trip Dossier.

The Mountain Company has joined the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office

(FCO) Know Before You Go campaign. The aim is to make sure travellers are

properly prepared before travelling overseas. The best way to get the FCO latest

advice is to visit their website at: www.fco.gov.uk/travel.




PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ALTITUDE AND ACCLIMATISATION

Our Simikot to Mount Kailash itinerary has been designed for gradual

acclimatisation to take place, take a look at the altitude profile for the itinerary

below:

There are ways of helping the acclimatisation process, as described below:

• Walk slowly: there is plenty of time included in the itinerary so there is no need to

rush, go at your own pace and enjoy the incredible views!

• Drinks lots of water: it is easier for your body to acclimatise when hydrated so

drink water and avoid coffee, tea and alcohol.

• Consider taking diamox (acetazolamide): before using this drug we recommend

consulting a doctor and thoroughly researching the pros and cons.

Simikot to Mount Kailash trek altitude profile (metres)

0100020003000400050006000

Kathmandu

Nepalgunj

Mazigaon

Kermi

Yangar

Torea

Sipsip

Cross Nara Lagna pass

Hilsa

Drive to Purang Lake ...

Chhuka gompa

Damding Donkhang

Dikpa Karnak

Cross Dolma La

Zutul Puk gompa

Chhuka gompa

Tibetan plateau

Tibetan plateau

Tibetan plateau

Kathmandu




Please remember even the fittest and healthiest person can develop one of the

altitude illnesses: AMS (acute mountain sickness), HACE (high altitude cerebral

edema) and/ or HAPE (high altitude pulmonary edema). The symptoms of these

illnesses are listed below, if any of these occur when you are on trek please

immediately tell your guide.

Symptoms of AMS:

• Tiredness

• Dizziness

• Nausea or if severe, vomiting

• Poor sleep

Symptoms of HACE:

• Usually preceded by AMS

• Like “Severe AMS” also with severe headache unresponsive to painkillers;

confusion and physical clumsiness (ataxia).

Symptoms of HAPE:

• Fluid in the lungs: cough, tiredness, breathlessness out of proportion to exercise

especially at rest and worse when lying flat.

• Often symptoms start later (at night or after 24 to 48 hours at new altitude).

• Often occurs without AMS (often no headache)

• But you can have AMS and HACE too.

If you have symptoms of altitude illness (AMS, HACE or HAPE) you must not

ascend in altitude. If you have HACE or HAPE you must descend to nearest health

post (if available) or seek medical help.

If you have only mild symptoms of AMS you should rest, drink fluids, try to eat,

keep warm. If symptoms go away then you can go up. If symptoms get worse you

have to descend in altitude escorted by one of our guides (someone with altitude

illness must never descend alone).




For further information we suggest you take a look at the following websites:

High Altitude medicine website:

http://www.high-altitude-medicine.com

Medex Travel at High Altitude:

http://www.medex.org.uk/v26%20booklet.pdf

BMC website:

http://www.thebmc.co.uk/Feature.aspx?id=1746

COMMUNICATIONS

We bring a Thuraya satellite phone for logistical, safety and personal use. Personal

calls charged at £3 (US$5) per minute and £2 (US$3) to send and receive SMS

text.

ACCOMMODATION IN KATHMANDU

For this treks we use several hotels in Kathmandu depending on availability. They

are as follows:

Hotel Tibet is located in Lazimpat next to the Radisson. Hotel Tibet is our usual

hotel for our standard trips in Nepal as our clients enjoy staying at this property due

to its good location, comfortable rooms and high level of service. There is a garden

terrace next to the restaurant on the ground floor and the roof terrace with the Yeti

Bar overlooking the city. For more information on Hotel Tibet please take a look at

their website http://www.hotel-tibet.com/ .

Hotel Manaslu is located in Lazimpat close to Hotel Tibet and the Radisson. This

property is just beyond Hotel Tibet and has a lovely garden with swimming pool fed

by Newari-style fountains. Manaslu has been built in traditional style with several

elements of Newari architecture such as intricately carved windows and carved

wooden pillars often see in temples. There are 73 rooms in heritage style with TV,

free Wifi, Air Conditioning and private bath. Junu Restaurant serves international

food from cuisine Nepali, Chinese to western and has bar too. For more




information on Hotel Manaslu please take a look at their website

http://www.hotelmanaslu.com/

Hotel Ganjong is located in Lazimpat not far from Hotel Shangri La.

Hotel Vajra is located on the road to Swayambunath Temple (commonly known as

Monkey Temple). This property is unique and designed with local architectural

features such as pagoda style roofing, doors and windows designed by Utam Raj of

Patan related to carvers of the great Durbars of Kathmandu Valley; ceiling frescos

of the Great Pagoda Room painted by Rinchen Norbu, the great Tibetan Master

and wall frescos in the restaurant painted by Bimal Moktan. There is a large lush

gardens, a library of books on Tibet and Buddhism, a fine rooftop bar and an

ayurvedic massage room. For more information on Hotel Vajra please take a look at

their website http://www.hotelvajra.com/

There are store rooms at all of these hotels where you can leave luggage not

required while on trek. There is also a security safe at these hotels for storage of

valuables.

SIMIKOT FLIGHT

Please note that flights to and from Nepal’s Short Take-Off & Landing (“STOL”)

mountain airstrips such as Simikot are dependent on the weather. Delays often

happen if there is poor visibility or high winds.

If you have to wait in Nepalganj at the beginning of the trip due to delays in flying

into a STOL mountain airstrip the cost for your overnight accommodation in

Nepalganj is not included so you will have to pay extra for this.

A TYPICAL DAY ON TREK

The day starts with an early morning mug of tea brought to your tent by one of the

cook’s helpers. Before heading over to the mess tent for breakfast it is best to pack

your overnight gear into your duffel bag. During breakfast the tents will be packed

away and, after the porters have arranged their loads, they will set off on the trail in

the cool of the morning.




After breakfast, probably between 7am and 8am, we start walking. The pace of the

trek is leisurely with plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, take photos and explore the

local villages. Lunch will be around 11am at a spot by the side of the trail and is

prepared for us by the cooks.

There is more walking after lunch and normally you will get into camp by mid

afternoon with the tents already put up by the local staff. In the evening a three

course meal is served in the mess tent around 7pm. After supper the western

leader will discuss the plan for the next day with the group. People might stay in

the mess tent chatting about the day’s events for a while before retiring to their tent

for the night.

FOOD

In Kathmandu there is a wide range of excellent restaurants to try out, some of the

more popular ones are: K Too Steak House, Everest Steak House, Rumdoodles,

Fire and Ice, La Dolce Vita, Mike’s Breakfast and New Orleans. Breakfast is

provided each morning by the hotel.

While on the trek, the cook will provide good quality food in sufficient quantities.

For breakfast you are likely to get porridge or cereal, toast or chapattis, omelettes

and a range of hot drinks. For our camping treks in Nepal we provide fresh coffee

from our Bialetti Moka coffee machine. On arrival to camp in the afternoon you will

be given tea and biscuits and a three course meal will follow later in the evening.

CLIMATE

The traditional trekking season in Nepal is late September to May, with October and

November generally recognised as having the best weather. Spring is also a

popular time of year with warmer weather and the advantage of seeing spring

flowers and rhododendrons in bloom.

This trek will have a wide range of temperatures depending on the altitude and the

time of day. In the mountains between 1,000m and 3,500m the nights will be cool,

normally around 5˚C, and during the day temperatures sometimes rise to 25˚C. At

higher altitudes temperatures range from about 15˚C to -15˚C.




CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

A list of suggested clothing and equipment for our Simikot to Kailash trek has been

included in the Appendix below. This is a comprehensive list and experienced

trekkers will often take only a selection of these items based on what has worked in

the past. It is worth pointing out that you will need a sleeping bag for this trip.

If you do not have the clothing and equipment contained in this list then a good

option might be to rent from the UK. Trek Hire is a company that rents out high

quality items at competitive prices which would save you the expense of buying.

The link to their website is http://www.trekhireuk.com/

Alternatively if you are going to buy then please contact the office for the Cotswold

Outdoor promo code that entitles you, as a client of The Mountain Company, to a

15% discount in their stores and online.

Each trekker should bring one backpack for items required during the day. Your day

backpack will contain items such as warm clothes, jacket, camera, water bottles,

personal first aid kit and snacks.

The rest of your personal equipment packed in a duffel bag or backpack will be

carried by a pony. The maximum weight allowance is 15kgs. Please ensure

that your bag is marked clearly on the outside for easy identification

VISA REQUIREMENTS

All foreigners require a visa for entry into Nepal. It is your responsibility to obtain

the entry visa. You can get from a Nepalese embassy overseas or on arrival in

Nepal. Most people will obtain their visa on arrival to Kathmandu airport.

You will need one passport photo and the following fees dependent:

15 days USD$25 or equivalent convertible currency






VACCINATIONS AND MEDICAL

You should obtain professional advice from a travel clinic or your local GP about

which vaccinations to have before you arrive in Nepal. A dental check-up is a good

idea as there will be no dental facilities while on the trek.

We bring a comprehensive first aid kit from UK (Life Systems Mountain Leader)

plus high altitude medicine, antibiotics and other medicines.

FLIGHTS

The Mountain Company does not book international flights for our holidays. Instead

all package prices are Land Only with services starting from arrival to the

destination country.

If you would like help arranging flights then we suggest you get in touch with our

partner travel agent, GYT (ATOL registered) operated by Flight Centre UK

Limited. GYT are experts in finding the best flight routes and tickets to suit your

needs.

When it comes to travel; you can shoot any question to them and they’ll be sure to

steer you in the right direction. Along with all the advice that GYT can offer; there

are a few other reasons to book with them:

• Unrivalled product knowledge and expertise.

• Passionate about travel - they will do everything they can to create your perfect

travel experience.

• They promise to offer you the best airfare solution to suit your needs.

• 24 hour emergency assistance helpline.

• Access to ’Travel Butler’, a service which offers you support whilst you are

travelling by providing: one point of contact and free help and advice on ticket

date and reschedule changes (free of charge revalidation where possible).




• As a specialist division of the Flight Centre Group they are part of a $12billion

organisation that offers you security and utilises global buying power to save you

money.

You can contact The Mountain Company’s dedicated travel team

at [email protected] or talk to an expert on 0844 5609822.

Or try contacting Max Travel (ATOL registered), you can call them at +44 (0)20

7095 0920 or visit their website at www.maxtravel.co.uk

INSURANCE

Travel insurance for any Mountain Company itinerary is a condition of booking a

holiday. At the very least you should have emergency medical and repatriation

insurance which must include the cost of mountain rescue. Cancellation insurance

is strongly recommended as all deposits paid to The Mountain Company are non-

refundable.

Please carefully check your insurers’ Terms and Conditions in particular you should

make sure the following is covered: 1) Activity (i.e touring, trekking or

mountaineering) 2) Maximum altitude reached on trek 3) Helicopter evacuation in

an emergency.

It is important for you to understand that ultimately the burden of any expense

incurred in evacuation and repatriation procedures will be borne by you and that it

is your responsibility to pay any costs incurred in respect of any evacuation or for

medical treatment. You should be fully aware of the implications involved in

arranging your own travel insurance and understand the limitations and exclusions

of your policy.

You should be aware that under certain circumstances, The Mountain Company

leader (or our local agent, if no western leader) might instigate rescue proceedings

via helicopter (or any other means necessary) in situations of medical emergency

without first contacting your insurance company for their approval.




CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

For those of you who are visiting Nepal for the first time we have provided some

cultural information to help you fit in and feel at ease:

• The dress code is important for both men and women. Men and women should

wear trousers rather than shorts while trekking.

• There are many hot springs, rivers and lakes where it is pleasant to take a dip, it

is fine for men to go bare-chested while bathing but they should not go nude.

Women should try and be as modest as possible in these situations.

• Hindus are concerned about the ritual pollution of food when it is touched by

someone outside their caste or religion. Therefore, do not touch any cooked

foods on display and when drinking from a container used by others avoid

touching your lips to it. Do not eat food with your left hand and make sure you

only give or receive food with your right hand.

• Shoes are considered degrading so keep them on the ground and remove them

before putting your feet on anything. If you enter a Nepali house follow the

example of your host in deciding whether to remove your shoes but on entering a

temple or monastery you should definitely remove them.

• You will pass Buddhist mani walls, chortens, and stupas along the trek and to

follow local traditions you should pass them on your right.

• When visiting a monastery or gompa it is customary to give a donation for its

upkeep.

SUGGESTED READING

Please take a look at The Mountain Company’s bookstore for a wide selection of

books and maps to Nepal, the link is at: http://astore.amazon.co.uk/themountainco-

21

Altitude and acclimatisation information and advice

Going higher Oxygen, man and mountains by Charles Houston, MD




The High Altitude Medicine Handbook by Pollard and Murduch

Medicine for mountaineering by James Wilkerson, MD

MAPS

Simikot to Kailash Manasarovar by Nepal Map Publisher 1:200,000 and 1:50,000

This map will be included in your welcome pack when you arrive in Nepal.

Kailas Manasarovar by Himalayan Maphouse Scale: 1:200,000




APPENDIX 1

SUGGESTED CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT LIST

Footwear:

• Walking boots. A pair of water repellent boots with ankle support.

• Gaiters. A pair used to keep boots dry if walking through deep snow or on wet

ground.

• Wool and liner socks.

• Trainers/sneakers or sandals. Can be used in camp/lodge in the evenings.

Clothing:

• Waterproof jacket and trousers (goretex or similar).

• Trekking trousers.

• Long sleeve shirts (not cotton).

• Micro fleece.

• Mid to heavyweight fleece.

• Sleeveless or body warmer type fleece.

• Thermals or baselayer for top & bottom (merino wool or synthetic).

• Fleece pants.

• Medium weight down jacket (eg. The North Face Nuptse jacket 700 fill)

Handwear:

• Fleece gloves.

• Warms mittens and/or gloves.




Headwear:

• Wool or fleece hat.

• Sun hat.

• Bandana or scarf.

• Headtorch. Bring extra batteries.

• Sunglasses.

Personal Equipment:

• Sleeping bag.

• Sleeping mat (eg. Thermarest). On trek we provide everyone with one foam mat

however we recommend two layers for maximum insulation and comfort.

• Backpack large enough to carry water bottles, camera, lunch and extra clothing.

• Stuff sacks for keeping your gear dry and organised.

• Two water bottles (Nalgene wide mouth bottles are the best).

• Sunscreen and lipsalve with a high SPF.

• Insect repellent.

• Water purification tablets (Pristine, Biox Acqua or Acqa Mira).

• Favourite snack food.

• Books, ipod and cards etc.

• Trekking poles.

• Camera with spare batteries and memory cards.

• Insurance certificate.

• Earplugs (optional).

• Baby wipes (optional).

• Hand sanitizer (optional).




Travelling:

• Duffle bag or large backpack for your personal gear on the trek (carried by a

porter). Bring a small combination padlock to secure the bag.

• Travel clothes. You will need casual clothing for air travel days and time spent in

Kathmandu.

• Toiletry bag include toilet paper, soap, towel, toothbrush, etc.

Personal first aid kit:

Note: we provide a comprehensive group first aid kit but please bring personal

medications and other items you might use regularly such as:

• Any personal medications.

• Malaria prophylactic tablets.

• Blister treatment (Compeed patches are the best).

• Rehydration powder eg Dioralyte.

• Analgesics (paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin).

• Plasters and zinc oxide tape.

• Throat lozenges.

• Diamox (helps with acclimatisation).




APPENDIX 2

INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER PROTECTION

In accordance with "The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours

Regulations 1992" all passengers booking with The Mountain Trekking Company

Ltd (“The Mountain Company”) are fully protected for the initial deposit and

subsequently the balance of all monies paid to us, including repatriation if required,

arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the

insolvency of The Mountain Company.

There is no requirement for Financial Protection of day trips, and none is provided.

This insurance is only valid for packages booked that do not include flights.

Consumer aware: Your booking is insured by IPP Ltd and its panel of insurers.

This insurance is only valid for passengers who book and pay directly with/to The

Mountain Company. If you have booked and/ or paid direct to a Travel Agent for a

holiday with The Mountain Company please request proof of how the booking is

secured as this will not be covered by IPP Ltd in this instance. For further

information please go to www.ipplondon.co.uk

This Insurance has been arranged by International Passenger Protection Limited

and underwritten by Insurers who are members of the Association of British

Insurers & Lloyds Syndicates.

Claim procedures: download claim form from www.ipplondon.co.uk, any

occurrence which may give rise to a claim should be advised within 14 days to:

International Passenger Protection Limited, Claims Office, IPP House, 22-26

Station Road, West Wickham, Kent BR4 0PR, United Kingdom. Telephone: +44 (0)

208 7763752. Fax: +44 (0) 208 7763751.

In order to deal promptly with any claims hereunder it is essential that you retain all

bills, receipts and other documents relating to your travel arrangements. Claims

forms must be submitted to IPP within six months of date of insolvency they cannot

consider or pay claims received after this date.

Documents

SIMIKOT TO MOUNT KAILASH - The Mountain Company Mount Kailash. Mount Kailash is the holiest mountain in the Himalaya known as the center of the world for the four great religions of