Lodge Trekking

Lodge trekking means to go hiking for several days in a row and stay the night in a lodge – a traditional Himalayan mountain guesthouse-. 

We are experts in organizing small groups of 4 to 6 participants for Trekking to the Himalaya. Our core values are teamwork, the exchange between participants and the WILD YAK Team, and respect for each other to achieve a common goal. Therefore, we focus on everyone’s safety, and in particular, provide our guests with the highest quality services throughout the entire Trek.  

For safety, good ambiance, and flexibility, we focus on:  

• 4 to 6 participants per group 
• 1:1 (1 porter per participant) 
• First Aid Kit with an Oxygen bottle*, mask, and regulator, as well as an oximeter (Oxygen and pulse measurement device) as part of the emergency kit 
• Weather updates, in particular for the crossing of the high passes 
• Modern and reliable means of communication 
• Reliable tie with the helicopter rescue companies for emergency (Nepal) 
• Experienced, qualified, and competent new generation Wild Yak Team of Trekking Guides, speaking both English and major European languages, such as French or German 
• Warm down jacket and sleeping bag for renting  
• Last but not least: Swiss Quality services 

Please follow the detailed information concerning the particular trekking experience that you are interested in.  

*For Trekking above 3,500m (11,482ft) 

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.

One of the first things to do before going on trekking to the Himalayas is to organize your personal equipment. 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 high altitude trekking material requirements. There will be many questions while choosing the right equipment, brand, and sizes. To make it a little more comfortable for our clients, we have developed a booklet for materials with some tips, which we sent by email after the booking.

Finally, for the sake of convenience for our guests, we also rent personal trekking gear, such as down jackets and sleeping bag-ice spikes.

• What is the difference between lodge trekking and camping trekking? 

 Whereas during a Lodge trekking, you stay in the night in a lodge – a traditional Himalayan mountain guesthouse, during a camping trekking, the local staff is installing a campsite. 

 Whereas in some of the lodges you can find all kinds of facilities. Even in some places a heated bed and a warm shower in the room, the facilities at the campsite consist of mainly the participants’ tents and the dining, kitchen and toilet tents. 

 While the lodges usually propose various menus with delicious food, with mostly organic vegetables, the cook during the camping trekking, assisted by his kitchen boys, does his best to prepare an assortment of delightful meals.  

• Does the lodge have dormitories? How many people are sleeping in a room? 

 The lodge has separate rooms. 2 people share the rooms. In some lodges, you can even find a heated bed and a warm shower in the room. 

•  What kind of food is served in the lodge? 

 There are various cuisines in each lodge, such as continental, Indian, Tibetan, and local cooking. All vegetables are plugged from the villagers’ respective fields. Each meal is freshly prepared according to your selection in the menu.  

 In general, the food in Nepal is delicious. One of the local specialties is the traditional Dhal Bhat in several declinations depending on the region. But it mainly consists of rice, curry vegetables, pickles, and lentil soup. Sometimes, you might have it served with meat (chicken, mutton).  

The Himalayan regions ate famous for their authentic momos (kind of homemade kinds of ravioli stuffed with meat, vegetables, or cheese).  

•  Do I have any porter during my Lodge Trekking? 

 Each participant will have an individual porter with a restricted load of 25 kg. Our policy is 1 participant = 1 porter to sustain the local economy and take care of its health.  

•  How does a typical trekking day look like? 

 The day starts with a warm wake up tea/coffee. After refreshing yourselves, the luggage is packed before proceeding for breakfast. As day sets off, considering the altitude and acclimatization, the hiking rhythms shall be rather slow. Frequent rest breaks to take photographs, confront the culture, and admire the fascinating mountains sceneries help with the acclimatization.  

Except during the crossing of passes, a one-hour lunch break is usually taken after 3 hours of hiking before heading towards the next destination for 2-3 hours more. On arrival at the lodge, you are welcomed by a selection of hot teas and cookies. After dinner, there is a short briefing for the next day’s program.