Sherpa Walking Holidays: FAQ Group tours

Ages range from mid-20s to mid-70s. There is usually a mix of couples, pairs of friends/relatives, and singles. Nationalities also vary, with North Americans, Australasian and Irish often well represented.

How do I know if I’m fit and experienced enough for a trek?

Besides the activity and the destination the most important thing about choosing your trip is making sure it suits your physical abilities. To help you select the right trip we’ve classified our escorted treks into the following grades Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Challenging Plus. The grade is clearly shown on each brochure and web page at the top of the block listing departure dates.

WALKING GRADE Easy
Gentle terrain, four to six hours walking per day without steep climbs or vertiginous mountains.

WALKING GRADE Moderate
Rolling uplands, five to six hours walking per day with some uphill climbs and the odd longer day.

WALKING GRADE Challenging
Real mountains like the Alps or the Pyrenees, six to eight hours walking with longer ascents and perhaps a scramble on a ridge and rough conditions underfoot on occasion.

WALKING GRADE Challenging Plus
Challenging trips are made more difficult by factors such as altitude, long ascents, backpacking or longer walking days. Please read the brochure and dossier very carefully for trips of this grade and ensure that you are fit enough to cope.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT HOLIDAYS

Some escorted group departures are designated ‘Research and Development’. This means that the leader will be checking routes and possibly trying out new variations during the trip. Historically this has been done without clients in tow but we thought that some clients might like to take advantage of lower prices and join the trip with a pioneering spirit and the acceptance that on occasion they may have to retrace steps to find the way or take a break while the leader checks out the route.

If you want more advice on whether a particular trip is right for you, please call us in London, England on *44 208 577 2717 or e-mail us: sales@sherpa-walking-holidays.co.uk Our staff will be able to help you choose the trip that’s right for you by asking detailed questions about your outdoor background, physical activity, and preferred style of travel. We want you to be on the right trip just as much as you do yourselves.

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What will I have to carry?

Unless there is no alternative, lugging a big backpack is not a feature of a Sherpa escorted treks. How could it be with a name like ‘Sherpa’? All our treks have as much back-up support as we can arrange. We transport your main baggage by support vehicle from each campsite or overnight stop to the next. So all you normally need to carry is a light daypack, with items such as lunch, water bottle, camera, waterproofs. On some trips you might be away from your main baggage for one or at most two nights (as specified in the Dossier for that tour), and would need to carry light overnight gear in your daypack. There are some exceptions to the ‘no backpacking’ rule: our treks in Iceland (code BTJ) do involve backpacking.

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Where will I stay?

On the majority of our high mountain guided group treks most nights are spent under canvas. There are exceptions, as specified in the dossier for the tours concerned. Two of our treks in Nepal are under canvas, but on our Everest Base Camp we stay at lodges and teahouses. Many hotel treks are available using hotel accommodation, in the Alps and the rest of Europe. On our Pindos Peaks and Olympus trek in Greece we stay mostly in small village guest houses and mountain huts. While on trek in Iceland we stay in huts. In cities and towns such as Kathmandu, Lima and Marrakech we use hotels with full amenities. They are often located in the old part of town, away from the main tourist scene but close to local points of interest like small shops and colourful markets.

How about the food?

As a general rule, most meals are included while on trek camping in the high mountains. There will usually be fresh local produce or a blend of local products and ingredients imported by us. Camping does not rule out the possibility to produce ‘haute cuisine’, even if not quite ‘cordon bleu’. If you are vegetarian, or have other dietary requirements, give us advance notice, preferably on the booking form, and we will do our best to cater to your needs. We try to avoid the use of dehydrated foods, unless, as in Iceland the group are backpacking the food. We usually dine out at local restaurants some evenings in order to sample the local cuisine. While staying in hotels in towns and cities, bed and breakfast only is the rule. There is usually a wide choice of places to eat out. On hotel treks in Europe meal arrangements vary from trip to trip: details are given in each trip dossier.

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I’m travelling on my own – can I go on a group tour?

Yes, of course. Although we don’t plan it that way most groups on Sherpa Expeditions treks contain a mixture of singles, couples, pairs of friends. If you don’t want to share a room or tent with another single of the same sex, you should opt to pay the ‘Single Supplement’ fee.

Are there any Sherpa escorted treks that my whole family could take part in?

Yes, although your children will need to be as fit and as motivated as any of the adult members of the trek group. Our experience is that most teenagers from 15 years upwards can enjoy taking part in a Sherpa trek. You will be responsible for your children’s behaviour and for ensuring that they fit in with the programme and with the other members of the group. If you have younger children you can ask about suitability or request a private family departure.

Are there escorted group departures on any of the self-guided routes?

Yes. This option is likely to be particularly attractive to singles, but also to others who prefer to walk – as well as eat and drink – in company. Dates and prices are listed in the brochures/pricelists and on the web pages. Other information about these tours is given in the descriptions of the ‘Self-guided’ holidays.

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What’s included on a Sherpa Expeditions escorted trek?

The services of an experienced and knowledgeable leader.

Where not camping, accommodation and meals as specified in the brochure and dossier for the tour.

On camping treks use of spacious 2/3 person tents (normally with sleeping mats), group camping and catering equipment, kitchen tent, services of catering staff.

Transfers during the tour of baggage and camping equipment, and where appropriate, also of customers.

Additional guides and porters where appropriate.

For UK-based ‘full package’ customers: flights between UK airport and local airport, group transfers between airport and starting and finishing points of the tour.

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Where can I get more detailed information?

(a) For each tour, in addition to the description in the Sherpa Brochure and on the web, we provide a ‘Dossier’, which is an information sheet of 2 or 3 pages containing more detail than there is space for on the brochure page. The Dossier, which is intended as a supplement to the brochure before you book the tour, provides more background information about the area of the trek and a brief description of each day’s route. Sherpa Dossiers are available by mail, e-mail, fax, or from our web site.

(b) If you require more information than is available in the Brochure or Dossier then feel free to contact the Sherpa Office in London by phone *(44) 20 8577 2717 or fax *(44) 20 8572 9788 or e-mail: sales@sherpa-walking-holidays.co.uk Our office hours are Mondays to Fridays 09.00 to 17.00 UK time (often later), Saturdays 10.00 to 14.00.

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Booking a Tour

Can I make a provisional booking?

Yes. Just call us, quoting the name and starting date of the tour, tell us how many people there are, and ask if there are places available. If the tour [together with any flights required] is available, we will hold places for you for 10 days; we just need your name and a daytime phone number – no payment is necessary at this stage.

How do I book?

First decide on your preferred trek and dates. Complete the booking form in the brochure or on our web site, inserting the prices as given in the brochure (or on the separate price list). If you are a single and want a single room and sole use of a tent add the single supplement fee. If your package includes a flight include the full flight cost. Total the prices for all members of your party. £100 per person plus flight costs is the amount required for a deposit. If you are booking within 56 days (8 weeks) of the start date the full payment will be due as soon as the trip is confirmed. Indicate method of payment - normally cheque or credit card (eg Access or Master) or debit card (e.g. Switch or Delta). Add card details or enclose a cheque. Note that for payment of the balance of the tour price and flight costs, payment by credit card or using a debit card not issued in the UK is subject to a 2% surcharge. Sign the form (if faxed or mailed).

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What is the ‘Single Supplement’?

The ‘Single Supplement’ fee reflects the additional cost of guaranteeing single room, occupancy of a double or twin room or of a two-person tent. It is not always possible on some tours to have a single room at each hotel on the tour, this normally happens when there is dormitory accommodation or limited hotel space. You will be fore warned about this.

Can I book an extra night during the tour?

No, not during the tour, because the group has to move as a group. You can however add nights on to the start or end of a tour, either at the start/finish point or, in some cases, at another centre in the destination country. Ask us about prices for extra nights.

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Will I need a visa?

That depends on your nationality and where you are going. For Nepal most nationalities will require visas and we can advise on how to obtain them. Normally "Trekking Permits" are also required for Nepal and these require you to take to Nepal a couple of photographs. Tanzanian visas should be purchased from the Tanzanian High Commissions. We conclude that rather like the procurement of a passport, visas will depend on your nationality and it is your responsibility to obtain for the necessary documents for your chosen destination.

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Do I need travel insurance?

Yes. This should cover cancellation, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, medical expenses and should be valid for the region to which you are travelling and the activities you are undertaking. Nowadays many customers have their own multi-trip travel insurance, but check on its validity for your trip.

Travel insurance is a condition of booking. This is not included in the price of the trips as many people already have travel insurance cover. Cover should be similar to that listed below.

Due to recent changes in regulations governing the sale of insurance, Sherpa can no longer sell or advise on insurance cover. You may wish to consider cover from Insurance Broker Campbell Irvine underwritten by AXA Insurance (UK) plc. Details of cover are given below. To apply please follow the link Campbell Irvine Insurance

The following details summarise the extent of cover. The full terms and conditions are shown on the certificate of insurance, which will be sent to you when you have paid the premium. If you are not happy with the cover provided you have 14 days from the date of premium payment to cancel your insurance and obtain a full refund of premium paid.
A 24-hour emergency assistance service is available so that any Insured Person may request help in the event of a medical emergency whilst overseas.
Personal Accident up to        £25,000
Medical & Air Ambulance       £5,000,000
Cancellation/Curtailment       £5,000
Hijack                                 £3,000
Travel Delay                         £100 - 1000
Baggage & Personal Effects    £2,000 Single article limit £250
Personal Money                   £500
Personal Liability                  £2,000,000
Legal Expenses                     £15,000
Premiums are inclusive of Insurance premium tax.
Important: Persons aged 66 years and over at date of premium payment will have to pay double the premiums, there is no upper age limit.
N.B Residents outside of the UK, Eire and mainland Europe will need to take out Worldwide Insurance cover if choosing this Campbell Irvine policy.
If you arrange alternative insurance cover it should provide similar cover to that detailed above and you should ensure that the activities involved in your Sherpa holiday are not excluded.

Can I change the date of travel after I book?

No, the group escorted tours start on fixed dates. It may be possible for you to change to a different departure date, but we cannot guarantee this and there would be an administration fee for making the change.

What if I have to cancel?

Inform us in writing (your letter can be faxed or e-mailed) as soon as you are sure that you will have to cancel. Insurance companies insist on written cancellation. The date that we receive your written statement of cancellation is the date from which cancellation fees/insurance claims will be calculated.

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After Booking

How should I prepare for the trip?

We emphasise that whatever the grade of the walk it is important that before you start the trip you must be in good physical shape and both your feet and your footwear must be accustomed to walking the distances indicated in the dossier for the particular tour. The best way to ensure this is to go for a number of walks during the weeks immediately preceding your departure, wearing the boots that you will wear during the trip. Further hints on getting and staying fit are given in the ‘Predeparture Information’ leaflet that is sent to you with confirmation of booking. You will also need to ensure that you apply in good time for any requisite visas or vaccinations (nowadays few vaccinations are needed for Europe, but check anyway).

What do I need to bring?

For each of our treks we issue with confirmation of booking a ‘Pre-departure Information’ leaflet. This contains a list of essential and recommended equipment and clothing.

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How do I get to the starting place?

(a) If you are a UK-based full package customer, you will receive final joining instructions along with your flight tickets. The joining point is normally the arrival airport in the destination country. Here you are met by the trek leader or other trek staff and introduced to other members of the group. The trek leader/staff then organises the transfer to the first night’s accommodation.

(b) If you are a ‘land-only’ customer, you will receive joining instructions some weeks before the trek departure date. As well as the name of the Sherpa trek leader these joining instructions will specify the flight number and arrival time at the destination airport of the UK based ‘full-package’ group members, and the address and phone number of the first night’s accommodation. You are asked to inform the Sherpa office in advance whether you intend to join the group at the airport or at the first nights accommodation. The cost of transfers between airport and the starting/finishing points of the tour is not normally included in the tour price for land-only customers.

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If you cannot find the answer to your question, please call us on +44 (0)20 8577 2717 or email us on sales@sherpa-walking-holidays.co.uk.