Expeditions

WILD YAK EXPEDITIONS has successfully organized many Expeditions, including Mount Everest from the Nepal and Tibet sides.

We are in particular well-known for organizing expeditions for small groups only, with high-quality services and an experienced, qualified and friendly WILD YAK Team.

Our company’s climbing history is way back for two decades. The co-founder of the company Norbu Sherpa has climbed Mount Everest 7 times and fourteen times other 8000 peaks without oxygen. As the main protagonist in the Swiss Documentary, “The Sherpa’s True Heroes of Mount Everest”, he is well appreciated in his role as a Sardar “Chef of the climbing sherpas”. His outstanding expertise and experience regarding 8000 peaks differentiate us to other expedition organizers.

We believe an expedition experience is not only a personal achievement but also a combination strong team work. It is thus a collective effort of various elements. To make such experience prosperous, enjoyable and with confidence, we focus on:

• Small groups of only 4-6 participants
• Highly experienced and technically skilled WILD YAK expedition guiding team, experts in their field
• One experienced expedition Sherpa guide for 2 participants (Everest: 1:1)
• Latest weather forecasts updates
• Communication means
• Powerful solar charging
• Ultra-modern, high-performance collective mountain equipment and material
• Warm and comfortable base camp with delicious fresh food
• A first –aid emergency pharmacy with medicines for the high altitude, oximeter, and oxygen
• Valuable pre-departure advises and meeting
• Mountain gear can be rent from WILD YAK for the duration of the Expedition
• Last but not least, Swiss quality logistics

One of the first things to do before going to an Expedition in the Himalaya is to organize your personal climbing material. This can be exciting to collect if you are familiar with them. And it can be a little stressful if you don’t know the requirements of high altitude expedition’s materials. There will be many questions while choosing the right equipment, brand, and sizes.

So to make it a little more easier for our clients, we have developed a booklet about the required material with some tips, which we sent by email after the booking.

Last but not least, for the sake of convenience for our guests, we have personal climbing gear for rent for the time of the Expedition, such as climbing boots, down suits – jackets.

1. DISCOVER WHY/HOW WE ARE DIFFERENT

• The same philosophy between WILD YAK EXPEDITIONS Switzerland and WILD YAK EXPEDITIONS Nepal

Most foreign outdoor agencies have to collaborate with a local company based in Nepal to operate their travel and adventure trips. We have seen clashes between the foreign agency and the local company due to different price deals, philosophy, and mindset in numerous cases. This is especially problematic when it comes to last moment changes in logistics, services, or in emergencies, where rapid decisions are necessary.

WILD YAK EXPEDITIONS Switzerland and WILD YAK EXPEDITIONS Nepal stand for the same company philosophy: Small Groups, High Quality, and Personalised Services. Last but not least, the well-being of our guests is always the primary objective of both companies. We thus appreciate any decision taken during the trip in favor of our guests!

• The expertise of the founders and the WILD YAK Team

WILD YAK EXPEDITIONS’ founders Andrea Sherpa-Zimmermann & Norbu Sherpa have climbed Mount Everest and numerous other 8000-meter peaks around the Himalayas. Besides climbing, they are active trekkers and have explored many parts of Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, Ladakh, Sikkim, Pakistan, and the Alps.

WILD YAK EXPEDITIONS thus reflects the perfect combination between Andrea’s Swiss quality focus and her husband Norbu’s 18 years of experience, as well as his numerous local contacts, to be part of the company’s most significant assets. Thanks to Norbu’s roots, and Andrea’s curiosity about the traditions and culture of the local populations, each journey is a unique experience in itself!

2.  SMALL GROUPS

What is the experience like?

To be part of large groups can be fun, but also a big challenge not only for the tour operator but for the participants themselves. Imagine yourself in a group of more than 8 to 15 members in a challenging environment. Some days you have to struggle not only physically, but it might become a mental challenge too. There are enhanced risks of misunderstandings, which might make the dream journey turn into a nightmare.

How it should be:

We believe that a holiday has to be a holiday: no worries, no ego, no rush. Let’s live a unique experience. Dream, Explore, and Discover!

Throughout our extensive experience, organizing expeditions and treks, we found that the core of a successful trip lies in having small groups—our motto: 4 to 6 participants for better understanding, collaboration, and flexibility. You fully enjoy your holiday, and the local team feels more connected and devoted to the entire group. Real Team Spirit grows day-by-day among the participants and our WILD YAK Team.

3. GUIDANCE ON PREPARING YOUR TRIP

Instead of standard travel packages without proper advice or information, apart from general information about what is included in the package price, WILD YAK EXPEDITIONS will provide you with all the necessary information and sound advice for an optimal preparation of your stay.

For this reason, we believe that your journey begins with excellent preparation. We will cater to your needs based on our experience, providing you with regular advice and tips, including recommended training schedules. Whether by Skype or other means, Andrea and Norbu are happy to address personally all of your queries.

Besides, depending on the kind of customized trip, the group size, and your availabilities, Andrea and Norbu can set up workshops and pre-departure meetings (in Switzerland in person or remotely). We provide you with specific guidance about physical and technical training, taking into account your own experience and requirements. Once in Kathmandu, we meet for a final check of your equipment and a briefing.

4. EXPENSIVE MATERIAL FOR RENT

Every adventure in the Himalayas has hidden costs. Your dream is to climb at high altitude? The equipment necessary to do so is very particular, and the costs of acquisition can touch the sky. In reality, a significant amount of equipment is necessary for your personal gear and the cost of your journey. However, you might never again need or use some of this gear.

To minimize your Himalayan journey’s expenses, we offer such expensive equipment for rent to our guests at a very reasonable price. We offer expedition boots, down-suits, warm down jackets, and other climbing material, for example. Thanks to our expertise, we provide the renting of only high-quality equipment.

5. HIGH-QUALITY SERVICES, PRIVATE TRANSPORT, NO HIDDEN COSTS

Is the description of the Trip that you are interested in is complete? In particular, does the information about the accommodation, the local staff, and the on-site logistics correspond to the price details? Do you think that the information provided is clear enough to book your trip?

We are committed to our standards of high quality and fairness with the services we provide to you. We focus on superior services, private transportation, and of course, our skillful Guide and Sherpa Team. Last but not least, no hidden costs.

6. GIVING BACK TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY 

After the death of 14 climbing Sherpas at Everest in 2014, Andrea and Norbu established the non-profit humanitarian organization “The Butterfly Help Project” (“BHP”) to support the climbing Sherpa community. Besides, Norbu and Andrea experienced the epicenter of the 2015-earthquake that massively affected some of Nepal’s regions. Through their organization, they started to build new schools. They could build two schools, Shree Janajyoti Secondary School and Shree Palep Primary School in Nepal, for more than 500 children. And the Third School is under construction in the south of Nepal.

Andrea and Norbu’s social responsibility is going further through BHP; they also support the schooling of five Sherpa Kids in the Everest Region, four in the Kanchenjunga region, and 2 in Kathmandu. BHP is also helping preserve the precious Sherpa culture of Ghunsa village by appointing a cultural teacher in the School. Finally, to encourage the kids and the aforementioned schools, Andrea and Norbu Sherpa are providing benches, school equipment, clothes, stationery, and cultural equipment.

The seeds of the next project with regards to an Apple Plantation in Norbu’s region.

7. OUR WILD YAK TEAM

The WILD YAK Team members are carefully selected according to their expertise in a particular environment and individual aptitudes. Our Team is thus highly experienced, qualified, respectful, and supportive.

• What kind of training should I do to take part to such an adventure?

It is of paramount importance to be in excellent physical condition for such an expedition in the Himalaya. Due to the extreme altitude, the feeling of an effort is completely different. The slightest performance can be felt as a great effort. It is therefore essential to be well prepared both physically and mentally before such an adventure.

During your preparation, you should focus on endurance and strength training on a regular basis. More than the quantity, the regularity will be of great importance. Contact us for any further advice.

• What kind of mountaineering experience do I need to have to join an 8000-meter expedition ? 

 We highly encourage a previous experience on a 6000-meter peak.  

 It is further essential to be in an excellent physical shape and be autonomous in mountaineering. 

•  Can I do an expedition without supplemental oxygen?

Most of the expeditions can be done without oxygen, in particular the 7000 and 6000 peaks expeditions.

As far as our 8000 Expeditions concerns, we offer most of our Expeditions to 8000-meter peaks without supplemental oxygen. However, if somebody is interested in climbing with supplemental oxygen, we can obviously also provide this service.  

• Who will in principle lead the proposed expedition? 

 The Sardar (our most experienced climbing Sherpa Guide and the climbing Sherpa team) will be leading the Team on our expeditions.  

 He will be assisted during the time of such expeditions by our climbing Sherpa team.