Chulu West Peak Climbing

FAQS

• 1. What are the physical requirements for this trip ?
  Chulu West Peak is one of the tough and challenging peaks to climb, so you need good stamina and energy to climb it. You need to know how to use the climbing equipment and gears. At Base Camp, our guide also helps you how to use that equipment so you don’t need to worry about that.
• 2. Will your company representative come to receive us upon arrival at arrival ?
  Yes, you shouldn’t worry about this. As you arrive, our representative will be standing outside the airport terminal. You'll be directly transferred to the hotel.
• 3. What type of accommodation will you use at the Kathmandu and during the trek ?
  For nights in cities, we use standard/superior standard/deluxe rooms whereas, during the trek we use lodges/tea houses/guesthouses/homestay/camping for our clients, and whatever is available and accessible. We also arrange sleeping bags for our clients, on their request. For this expedition, accommodation will be tented camp.
• 4. How will my booking be processed ?
  To confirm your booking, a deposit of $200 or 15% of total trip cost is required if you are booking at least a year in advance before trip departure date. If booking is made less than 100 days before the trip departure, you'll need to pay 20% to confirm the trip, if before two months, 25% of the total trip cost will need to be paid and if booked between 30-60 days, 50% of the total trip cost needs to be paid and finally, if you are booking 30 days prior to trip departure, then 100% payment should be made. The payments can be easily made by the bank transfer or Western Union Money transfer. The due balance is payable on arrival in Kathmandu with cash (preferably USD/EURO) or card on POS/credit card machine. Please note that non refundable fee is 10% or $200 whichever is greater.
• 5. How can I pay the remaining payment after arriving at Kathmandu ?
  You have to pay the remaining balance after arriving in Kathmandu either by cash or through credit card, before we start our adventure.
• 6. What type of food can I get during the trek and is it healthy ?
  During the trek, you will get clean and hygienic food. Our cooks and helpers will cook the special meals.
• 7. Is safe drinking water available while climbing ?
  There are plenty of water stations on each stop on the route. You can easily fill up the bottle from the open taps. We recommend that you bring water purifier tablets with you or at least get it from Kathmandu before you depart for trekking. You can also buy mineral waters but we usually recommend tap water which is pure and it helps us not promoting plastic bottled water.
• 8. What type of transportation do you use ?
  We mostly use the comfortable and efficient vehicle so that you may not get a problem during the ride. We use private or tourist vehicle for sightseeing in the Kathmandu. Depending on the nature or group sized, we use cars, minibus, vans or jeep for travelling along the narrow and bumpy roads of Nepal. Mostly we use AC vehicles for your comfort.
• 9. What is the best season for the trekking ?
  September to November and March to May are the best season to climb Chulu West Peak.
• 10. How far do I have to trek each day ?
  Usually, we have to walk about 6-8 hours a day. But it shouldn't be taken as certain thing. Because the walking hour really depend on client's speed. So it's really relative.
• 11. Do your trekking guides have license and certificates in the tourism sector and have they received first aid training for the high altitude ?
  Yes, the trekking guides working in our company are the certified license holders and they also have received high altitude first aid training from KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project).
• 12. What safety measures can your guides do during the emergency like high altitude sickness, accidents and dehydration ?
  Our guides are well trained; they carry the first aid box for emergency. You also take some medicine box for your personal use.
• 13. Are climbing guides well trained and have they already climbed this summit before ?
  Yes, our climbing guides are well trained and have got the license from the Nepal Mountaineering Association. They are experienced with many mountains above 6000 m to 7000 m and also some of them have experienced the 8000 m peaks.
• 14. Do we need to book our own international flights to and from Nepal ?
  It's always a good idea to book on your own. But we can also help you booking your flight in case of request.
• 15. During the trek, can we charge the camera and other equipments ?
  In some villages, it is possible to charge the devices, but it costs extra to charge the camera and other electronic equipments. It usually costs between $3-$6 per hour. So it's expensive. The best idea is to bring a power bank.
• 16. Is there any communication system during the trek ?
  Yes, for the first few days, it's possible to have telephonic communication. In some villages, you can make local and international calls from telephone provided by the guesthouse owner after paying the price directly to them. In higher altitude regions, we usually have satellite phones with our Sherpas or Guides.
• 17. Can I use credit card during this trip ?
  You can use a credit card only at Kathmandu. As outside the Kathmandu valley, you have to use the cash so change your currency into the Nepalese Rupees before the trekking.
• 18. How much additional money do I need to carry with me during the trek ?
  There are no hidden costs in our itineraries. Therefore you don't need to carry much, but everything that's not mentioned on itinerary for example extra cup of tea, coffee, charging electrical appliances, can cost you extra. Therefore, we recommend you to keep at least $20-$50 per day for your personal expenses.
• 19. Can I add extra days to my trekking trip ?
  Yes, you can add the extra days as per your wish, but for the extra day, you will have to pay the additional cost to cover guides, porters, accommodation and food.
• 20. Do you prefer yak or porter on the trek or should we need to carry by ourselves ?
  Definitely we will provide you porter, or yak as per the condition. Besides your personal bag and the water bottle which will be frequently needed for you, they must be carried by you and remaining will be carried by our porter or yak.
• 21. Can we store our clothes which are not necessary for the trek ?
  The hotel in Kathmandu does provide the free storage services. So you can leave the clothes which are not necessary for the trekking. The best way is to save it in our office store room which is equally safe.
• 22. What is the temperature rating of the sleeping bag that you lend of trekkers ?
  Usually, we rent a sleeping bag which is good for -10 degree Celsius or -20 degree Celsius. In case the sleeping bag is not warm enough for you, we'll also provide you the extra blanket.
• 23. How should I dress during the trek ?
  During trek, please use comfortable and flexible dress. While trekking during the day at lower altitudes, lightweight trekking trousers and T-shirts are recommended. It's always a good idea to carry a waterproof jacket and some warmer clothing with you though as mountain weather is notoriously unpredictable. For the cold nights, thermal underwear, a warm fleece jacket and even a down jacket will help to keep you warm. Good shoes are of great importance. They must be comfortable. For higher altitude treks where you may have to tread snow for long hours, good boots are available for rent in Kathmandu. For mountaineering, you will require special clothes that can be bought or hired from us.
• 24. Is it possible to change the lodge if it is not in order ?
  Yes, of course you can change the lodge if you don’t feel comfortable at one place, but it really depends on the availability of the lodges. During the peak season, the possibilities of changing the lodges are low.
• 25. Do you reserve rooms at the lodges before or during the trek ?
  We will send our potters to reserve the lodges before we reach there.
• 26. What immunization will I need ?
  No vaccinations are compulsory in the Himalaya, but we do recommend you are covered for Diphtheria & TB, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Typhoid, Polio and Tetanus. We also recommend: •A dental check-up prior to traveling that you know your blood group in case of emergency. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and Swotah travelers at the time of your booking.
• 27. What about the security during trekking ?
  We make sure to take security measures during climbing to make your expedition successful. We hire experienced and authorized Guides/Sherpa's to safeguard your life in the mountains. We strongly recommend that you follow the guide’s instruction with utmost care.
• 28. Will there be a problem for a vegetarian ?
  No, there will not be any problem as mostly at the high altitude, we prefer vegetarian food to avoid the food poisoning.