FAQs

Genaral FAQs

 

  • Do we need a passport to go to Nepal?

No you don’t need a passport to go to Nepal. Voters ID will do. But if you are going to Mt.Kailas and  Mansarovar, you will need to have a passport as its in China.

  • How many days in advance is it better to book?

It’s better to book any trek to Nepal atleast 45 days in advance i.e. 1 n half months in advance as the tickets to Katmandu will be cheaper and other air tickets to travel within Nepal will also come at a lower price.

  • Booking and Cancellation charges?

Each trek has a cancellation charge as mentioned in the itinerary.

  • What about travel insurance? Is it necessary?

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Because we are travelling to a high altitude mountainous region, helicopter rescue, hospital expenses, if any,  during the trek and other travel related risks like loss of luggage, loss of passport, delay of flight etc. will be well covered in the travel insurance. Akka Adventures will get the travel insurance made for every traveller before the trek.

  • Do we need a medical certificate to go here?

Yes, Akka Adventures has a format of Medical certificate which needs to be submitted while registering for any trek at high altitude. If it’s a leisure trip, no medical certificate is needed.

  • Are there good medical facilities available? First aid?

Yes, Medical facilities are available. We carry along with us a guide trained in first aid for AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). There are also hospitals (Govt and private) in many towns en route the treks. There is an emergency Helicopter Evacuation facility available, which we can use at any point of time for emergency. We also use a medicine named “Diamox” which helps the body get used to the higher altitudes more quickly.

  • I have not done any treks before. Is it alright for me to undertake this trek?

Depending on the level of difficulty of the trek we advise you to undertake this trek or not. If the trek is easy or moderate, you can go ahead and undertake the trek. If the trek is rated as difficult, you can still undertake the trek but a certain level of prior preparation and fitness is demanded. Physical fitness is recommended for any trek. These treks are like any other treks but at higher altitude, which make it tougher. Hence with little awareness, precaution and care you can undertake these treks.

  • What kind of food will I get there?

There will be food very similar to Indian and continental food also will be available. Breakfast will mostly consist of milk (coffee/chai), cereal, bread butter jam or any one type of Indian breakfast depending on the kitchen. Lunch will consist of mainly rice and dal, sabji, if at a lodge or hotel but if a packed lunch it will be dry like dry rice or noodle item or sandwich, fruit, biscuits and juice. Dinner is elaborate with rice, dal, sabji, sweet or fruits ending with hot chocolate. Hot water will be given at all meals.

  • What is acclimatization?

Acclimatization is the process of getting the body used to i.e. adapt to altitude. Our body has the ability to adjust to higher altitudes if given enough time. As we travel higher it is necessary for our bodies to adjust to the atmosphere there. The level of oxygen, the water, the walking and breathing there all are different from where we live. Hence it is necessary to travel gradually to a higher altitude from a lower altitude. This is usually done by driving to a different higher altitude every night and halting there. The more time one spends in acclimatizing the lesser are the chances of AMS.

  • What are the symptoms of high altitude sickness?

The term used to describe high altitude sickness is “Acute Mountain Sickness” or AMS in short.

AMS occurs as a result of failure to adapt to higher altitude. The faster one tries to go to a higher altitude, the higher are the chances of getting AMS. Some people have the tendency to acclimatize faster to altitude than others. The progression of symptoms of AMS is usually gradual, hence there would be plenty of time to react appropriately. With a proper awareness about the symptoms of AMS there is no chance of death due to it while trekking in higher altitudes. One needs to give enough time for the body to adjust/adapt gradually to increasing heights.

MILD SYMPTOMS –

  • Difficulty in sleeping
  • Light head or lightly dizzy
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Nausea – vomiting, diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Shortness of breath i.e. gasping for breath

MODERATE OR SEVERE SYMPTOMS

  • Bluish discolouration of skin
  • Chest tightness or congestion
  • Confusion
  • Coughing blood
  • Decreased consciousness
  • Pale of complexion
  • Inability to walk in a straight line
  • Shortness of breath

Not everyone experiences these signs. Some people may adapt very well and some might just take more time. We inform the travellers about all these symptoms and request you to inform us when you identify any of the mild signs. Mild signs of AMS are easily treatable and there’s nothing to be scared of. We carry along oxygen cylinders, medicines and have experience in tackling severe cases too.

  • What are the other types of sickness, other than AMS?

One tends to fall sick due to various reasons other than altitude. That include –

  • Water – from drinking unsafe water one can get diarrhoea.
  • Food – eating food that is too spicy, not properly cooked, unhygienic, on the street side before starting the trek.
  • Blisters – blisters on the feet because of the uneven terrain and rubbing of the shoe walls to the feet.
  • Trekkers knee – because of the frequent ups and downs in the trekking path, one can experience a nagging pain at the outer and inner side of the knee. If severe one will have to rest for a few days before resuming the trek.
  • Skin diseases – allergies, insect bites, fungal infections, bacterial infections are common
  • Urinary infections
  • Trauma – mental or physical shock because of sudden situations
  • Too much cold – Frost bite
  • Sun stroke

These are all common types diseases that can happen while trekking region but they DO NOT necessarily happen to everyone who treks here. They may or may not happen. It’s better to be aware, precautious and safe then regret later for lack of information.

  • What are the precautions that I need to take while trekking?
    • Follow strictly the instructions of the guide and group leader
    • Keep yourself hydrated. Drink at least 3 litres of water per day. Do not drink water from taps, rivers or other sources of water. Only drink water given by the organizers or carry along water purification pills to use when drinking tap/river water
    • Avoid alcohol
    • Eat regular meals, high in carbohydrates
    • Use goggles for protection against the sun and snow
    • Cover your nose when there is dust to avoid dry cough
    • Use proper trekking shoes and trekking gear
    • Do not expose yourself to the cold wind. Stay warm and protected. Keep head, ears and feet protected.
    • Carry a backpack and in it carry along a small quantity of dry fruits, chocolates, energy drink like red bull
    • Consult the guide before taking any medicines
  • What is the other sickness or difficulties a woman trekker might have to face?

Women should most likely to be aware about Amenorrhea – periods become irregular or stop for a while when trekking at high altitude. It’s no matter of worry as it will be back to normal after a while. Vaginitis, Urinary tract infection and Oral contraceptives – women who are already on contraceptives before the trek can continue to do so even during the trek only till altitudes below 5500m. Again these might NOT  happen to all. Better to be aware than sorry.

  • I am pregnant, can I go for a trek?

There are several cases of successful completion of a trek during pregnancy but since the outcome of the pregnancy is always a doubt it’s better to be extra careful and aware while exposing to high altitudes and such physical strain. Pregnancy in itself causes nausea added to it the high altitude sickness will make the woman uncomfortable to walk and tired very fast. Even if one decides to trek during pregnancy there is a constant risk of getting ill and not being free and able to take most medications to either relieve the symptoms or the disease. Chances of catching an infection become high. It is always advisable to avoid trekking and travelling above 3500m during pregnancy.

    FAQ’s  RELATED KAILAS MANSAROVAR 

     

    • Do we need a passport to go to Mt.Kailas and Mansarovar?

    Yes, you will need to have a passport to go to Mt.Kailas and Mansarovar which has a validity of more than 6 months from date of travel. You will also need a Valid VOTERS ID to travel here.

    • How many days in advance is it better to book?

    For Mt.Kailas and Mansarovar it’s advisable to book as early as you can. About 2 months in advance would be most ideal.

    • What is the age limit to go for Mt.kailas and Mansarovar?

    The upper age limit to undertake Kailas yatra is 65 yrs. There is no lower age limit though.

    • What is the booking and cancellation charges?

    The booking/registration cost is Rs.10,000 which is non-refundable. The cancellation charge is –

    • 21days period from tour departure date 30% cancellation.
    • 15 days period from tour departure date 50% cancellation.
    • 7 days and less period no sow 75% cancellation.
    • Other than the fixed departure dates, can I choose a date of my own and travel that day?

    For Mt.Kailas and Mansarovar, only if you are a group of more than 30 people you can travel on a date other than the fixed departure dates.

    • Can I change my date of travel after all bookings are done?

    Sorry, No. Change of date will be change of entire tour package permit. Since Mt.Kailas and Mansarovar is in China the visa to enter and stay are given depending on the dates of travel. A change in date will mean we have to apply for a fresh visa for different dates incurring a repayment of the whole cost. You can change the date if you are ready to repay the entire amount of all bookings and cancellations.

    • Do I get any discount?

    Discount is not mandatory. Depending on the group size there will or will not be a discount.

    • Will you provide any puja ritual facilities like puja items, priest for the Kailas yatra?

    Sorry, No. we do not provide any facilities for puja. You will have to bring along with you a priest/pandit and related puja items if you want to perform a puja ritual at Mansarovar. We can help you transport your puja items though.

    • Do we need a medical certificate to go here?

    Yes. There is format given by the company to check medical fitness of the traveller. You will have to submit it before the date of travel. It’s for our reference and will not be disclosedused anywhere else.

    • What kind of sickness will I have to face?

    Please go through the AMS question above.

    • Will my mobile phone work there i.e. will I have network?

    Cell phones from India work all along. Please activate international roaming from here before leaving for the trip. Also there is WIFI available almost everywhere. It can be accessed by everyone free of cost in common areas.

    • Will I be able to charge the batteries of my camera, cell phone and other electronic equipment?

    Yes, you can charge all your gadgets everywhere. Please carry along a travel adapter. Plug points are available everywhere. We also recommend you to carry power banks in case of emergency.

    • How do we claim the subsidy for Kailas Mansarovar in Karnataka?

    Akka Adventures will help you with the application form to be submitted at the Endowment department office at Bangalore. Along with the form the documents that need to be attached are copies of the below –

    • Visa and Permit copies
    • Driving permit from CIPSC
    • Certificate of completion of Kailas yatra given by the company
    • Passport
    • Entry and exit stamp in the passport
    • What are the safety measures you take for the Kailas yatri’s?

    We request a health certificate at the start of the journey to be submitted to us and carry along a copy of your medicine prescription when going for the trip. We take along a certified and trained guide, who is an expert in first aid and treating AMS. We carry along a first aid medicine kit, oxymeters and oxygen cylinders for emergency.

    • I do not stay in Bangalore, can you make arrangements for me?

    Yes, Akka Adventures can make arrangements for you wherever you stay.

    • Do I have to travel with you till Katmandu or can you make arrangements for me if I come on my own to Kathmandu?

    You do not have to travel with Akka till Katmandu. You can come on your own and we can make arrangements for you from there. We make arrangements for you to reach Kathmandu from wherever you are ONLY if you desire.

      FAQ’s RELATED LOCAL TREKS

       

      • How often do you conduct treks?

      We conduct treks every weekend. Every Saturday we have a day hike around Bengaluru. We leave early in the morning 5am and are usually back by 2pm.

      • Do you have treks on Sundays?

      YES, we have day hikes on ONE Sunday of Every month.

      • Can you Organize a trek/Trip for us separately?

      YES, we can organize a custom planned trek/trip specifically and specially for you. If you are a group of 10 people and above, we can plan it all for you on any Date and Day you want it for.

      We can also organize custom travel for any group size. 1 or 2 or more as well.

      We also conduct corporate Outings for companies including transport, all meals and team buikding activities.

      • What is the minimum age for someone to travel with you?

      A child of the age 3 to 12 years can travel with us with a parent or Guardian.

      Above that anyone is welcome to travel with us alone or with a parent or guardian or friends.

      There is no upper age limit. Akka is proud to have given a successful trekking experience to all age groups. Our youngest trekker being 5yrs old and oldest being 73yrs old.

      • How much in advance should I book the trip?

      We recommend you confirm your seat for our weekend trip as soon as you can, at the latest 48hrs in advance. There are some treks which need buying ticket from the Forest Department 48hrs in advance.

      • How do I confirm my slot?

      You can confirm your slot by making a complete payment to the account as mentioned by one of our trek leads.