Trekking safely
Safety & Altitude
We have walked these mountains all our lives, and we treat them with respect. Here is how we look after you, and how you can look after yourself.
On the trail
How We Keep You Safe
We go slowly
Our itineraries climb gradually and we walk at the pace of the slowest person. Nobody gets left behind and nobody is rushed.
We watch you
Our guide checks on everyone at every camp: how you are eating, sleeping, and breathing. Tell us honestly how you feel. That's the most useful thing you can do.
We carry first aid and oxygen
A first-aid kit goes with every group. On the high treks (Sar Pass, Hamta Pass, and Pin Parvati) we also carry an oxygen cylinder.
The mountain decides
If snow, rain, or wind makes the pass unsafe, we wait or turn back. On summit day, the guide sets a turnaround time and we keep to it.
Down is the cure
If someone's symptoms get worse, we don't push higher. We go down. Usually a few hundred metres is enough to feel better.
Know the signs
Altitude Sickness
Above about 2,500 m the air holds less oxygen, and everyone's body reacts differently. Fitness doesn't protect you, and very fit people get it too. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is common and usually mild, but it must never be ignored.
Common, tell the guide
Serious, we go down now
Before you come
How to Prepare
Train. Walk, jog, and climb stairs for at least four weeks before a multi-day trek. Each trek page says what fitness it needs.
Arrive a day early. After an overnight bus from Delhi, a night in the valley helps your body adjust before you start climbing.
Drink water, skip alcohol. Three to four litres a day on the trail. Alcohol and smoking make altitude much harder.
Talk to your doctor if you have a heart, lung, or blood pressure condition, and about medicines like Diamox. Tell us about any condition when you book.
Get travel insurance that covers trekking at altitude and emergency evacuation.
Not Sure Which Trek Suits You?
Tell us about your fitness and experience. We'll give you an honest answer.