General FAQs

To participate in any of our trekking trips in the Himalaya, previous trekking experience is not mandatory but you need to be physically fit and mentally prepared specially to participate in our challenging and tough trekking trips. And also, you must have to go through the training session as suggested based on the trip For more details on the recommended training, please visit the following link : Physical Fitness Training Guide 

For the most breathtaking experience in the Himalayas, we generally advise planning your visit either before or after the monsoon season. Autumn, which spans from September to mid-December, typically offers the clearest skies, providing truly spectacular and unobstructed mountain views.

Alternatively, the spring months, from March to May, present another excellent opportunity to visit. During this time, the Himalayas come alive with vibrant, colorful flowers, and the mountain vistas remain wonderfully clear. During both the autumn and spring seasons, you can expect minimal cloud cover and rainfall, allowing for a complete and stunning visibility of the entire Himalayan range.

• Spring (Mar-May):

Springtime is the second-best season to visit the Himalayas. The temperature is mildly warm during the day and nice and cool in the night. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the vast Himalayas and see the blooming flowers like varieties, like the lovely rhododendron and magnolia, which paint the forests bright colors.

• Monsoon (Jun-Aug):

From June to August, you will likely face relentless rainfall in the Himalayas. Leaches make their homes in the wet, muddy stretches of the trail. The mountain views are not as common during this season. The best part about trekking during the monsoon season, though, is that you will run into few tourists along the trail.

• Autumn (Sep-Nov):

This is the best time to visit the Himalayas and is peak tourist season. The weather is pleasant with clear blue skies. One can truly enjoy the scenic views of the majestic snowy peaks. The autumn has is the season to observe and take part in festivals, including Dashain and Diwali/Tihar.

• Winter (Dec-Feb):

During the winter season, the weather is cool during the day and cold at night. The skies are clear, and there is always the chance of snowfall at around 2500+ meters. If you are willing the brave the extreme cold and possible snowfall, the winter season is a good choice for trekking!

Anyone in reasonably good health can join our trips. Our tours especially have no required or recommended level of fitness. Also, activities on tour are optional, so you can choose them according to your fitness level. Our treks range in their difficulty and recommended fitness. Often more important than one’s fitness is their determination and will power to finish the trek. Expeditions/peak climbing trips require more fitness, as they require days and days at extreme altitudes.

Note: You should check with your doctor concerning your health and fitness before beginning your journey. Please inform Ashmita Trek and Tours of any pre-existing medical conditions or disabilities.

Altitude sickness is possible from 3000 meters and above. Our itineraries are designed to prevent this by ascending slowly and taking extra days for acclimatization when recommended. However, it is still possible and can cause problems. If you feel symptoms, please let us know as soon as possible.

What equipment should I bring for the trek/expedition?

Backpack: a trekking backpack with multiple compartments to help keep your personal belongings safe and organized that is comfortable to walk with.

Clothing: Most trekking routes go from low to high altitudes. We suggest you bring a sweater, t- shirt, fleece jacket, breathable trousers, long johns, several pairs of socks (including wool socks), a water proof jacket, light wind-proof/water-proof jacket, long sleeve shirt, woolen cap and hand gloves. It is best to have at one article of each, rather than several of one layer.

Hiking Boots: Make sure you wear the right footwear that is durable and has complete grip.

First Aid: We recommend bringing your own first aid kit to heal minor injuries, cuts, or burns.

Sleeping Bag: Most teahouses have blankets, but it is wise to bring a good sleeping bag (-10C), because it can get very cold at night.

Others: Headlamp, walking stick, sunscreen

Note: We do have rental gear at our office in Darjeeling. Reach out to us for what is available.

Tours are easy and can be experienced by everyone. Each trek and expedition has the level of difficulty listed on its page. Know that on any given trek, you may be hiking for 6-7 hours per day or more.

The accommodations along the trail depend on which trek you are taking. For the most part, trekkers stay in teahouses/guest houses. These are on twin sharing basis, with a restaurant/social space during meals. Teahouses/guest houses are fun places to stay where you will meet people from all over the world and they often have great views. Most teahouses have running water and some can provide hot water for an additional cost. Some places have shared bathrooms, while others have private ones. Some treks, particularly in Sikkim, are tent camping. The specific details are found in the itineraries of each trek.

In short, it depends on the teahouse. Some have charging stations for free, some require you to pay a small fee, while others do not have charging stations at all. Ask us for details and we can check ahead of time which villages and teahouses have electricity/charging stations and which no not.

Almost every teahouse serves the traditional Nepali meal, dal bhat (rice and curried lentils) with a side of tarkari (vegetable curry), and sometimes meat if you pay extra. There is a saying in Nepal, ‘dal bhat power – 24 hour,’ which you will be reminded of along the trail. Teahouses offer other meals, like pasta, soup, and sometimes in pizza and French fries. The beautiful thing about dal bhat, though, is that you can have seconds or thirds if you are still hungry. Soda, beer, and tea are also available at most teahouses.

All tea houses have boiled water for trekkers. Your guide will provide you with all the water you need during your trek. We discourage the purchase of bottled water while on the trail, simply because it is not necessary and it is difficult to dispose of the bottles afterward. There are two options for getting safe drinking water: bring your own purification tablets, or pay a small fee from the recognized and regulated pure water stations along the trail. Note that these stations are not found on all trekking trails. Ask us for more details if you have any questions.

Yes, we require all people traveling with us to have travel insurance. Make sure that it covers medical emergencies, theft, etc.while abroad.

We are aware about safety of female travelers. we completely guarantee the safety of the women travelling or trekking with us. We will give you a personal room on lodge and personal tent for camping while trekking. we provide female-friendly guide and porter. we are female friendly Company.

Our guides carry a comprehensive medical kit. It is recommended to bring your own personal medical kit, especially if you take specific medication. If you bring your own kit, we recommend antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, headache pills, diarrhea treatment, re-hydration salts and things for blister care.

Almost everywhere in the Himalayas requires a permit for trekking. Do not worry, we take care of all those logistics upon your arrival. The cost of permits is included in all trekking packages.

For Nepal, visas are conveniently acquired at Tribhuvan International Airport (if you come by flight). If you come overland, visas can be obtained at each border crossing. Check which border crossings international visitors are allowed through. Some only allow Indians and Nepalese to cross there.

For India, visas can be obtained online (e-visa), only if you are traveling by plane. Also, you can obtain visas through the Indian embassy/consulate near you in your home country.

Tipping is a gracious way of saying thanks to your guides and porters.It is not mandatory but expected and always appreciated. Local currency is preferred and unless and you want to tip separately guides will divide tips.

After choosing the trip you wish to join, the first step is to send us an email at subashtrek@gmail.com to confirm the availability. Then, a 15% deposit must be made for us to confirm the reservation. All details will be mailed to you by this time. Finally, look forward to an amazing adventure in the Himalayas.

We recommend booking your trip a few months in advance. That being said, if you come to our office in Darjeeling without booking a trip online, we do our best to book the tour/trek for you. The earlier you can book, the better.

If you wish to discuss any aspect or have any additional questions, please contact with our expert by email – subashtrek@gmail.com or to talk to us directly feel free to call us at: +91 – 9733106312.