Trip Organization
How a day on one of our treks runs, who looks after you, and what to pack.
A day on trek
Your guide will brief the group in Rawalpindi on the exact arrangements for the trip. The following day we plan to fly to Skardu; if bad weather grounds the flight, we travel by road instead.
On the trek a routine soon settles in. Bed-tea arrives at 6:00 – 6:30 am, with time to pack your kitbag before a breakfast of porridge or cornflakes, eggs, local breads, tea and coffee. Most walking is done in the morning, with an hour’s break for lunch — juice or hot drinks, biscuits, tinned fish, pâté, cheese, dried fruit and nuts.
We aim to reach camp by mid to late afternoon, leaving time to relax and enjoy the mountains. Hot drinks follow soon after arrival, and dinner at around 7 pm is typically soup, a mutton or vegetable curry with roti, and dessert. Evenings are spent chatting in the mess tent before bed by about 9:30. At altitude the days are longer — 7 to 10 hours — but there is always plenty of good food, whether a packed lunch or a picnic.
Your team
Experienced Himalayan Holidays guides lead every expedition — mountaineers who have guided many trips in the area. The cook and his crew are equally at home in the mountains, and porters carry all our supplies, since little or nothing can be bought along the way.
Acute mountain sickness
Above 2,500 meters the body has to adjust to the thinner air, so our treks are structured to ascend slowly and allow acclimatization. Even so, you may notice headache, tiredness, disturbed sleep, loss of appetite or nausea, shortness of breath, a cough, palpitations or swelling of the hands and face.
All our guides have extensive first-aid training — tell your guide straight away about any of these symptoms. The only cure for acute mountain sickness is to descend, and your guide has final responsibility and may ask you to go down if symptoms persist.
What to pack
Footwear
Sturdy, well broken-in leather walking boots (or lightweight boots with a waterproof lining) for rugged moraine and river crossings, plus lighter shoes for easy ground and camp, sandals for river crossings, and snow gaiters. Bring 3 pairs of light socks and 2 pairs of thick wool or synthetic.
Clothing
Thermal underwear, 2–3 collared cotton T-shirts and a long-sleeved shirt, walking trousers, warm fleece or wool trousers for camp, a wool jumper and a fleece jacket. A fully waterproof hooded jacket and over-trousers, thermal and wool gloves or mitts, a fleece hat or balaclava, a sunhat and a cotton scarf. In a Muslim country, clothing should be long and loose for men and women alike.
Equipment
A four-season sleeping bag, a 45-litre daypack with a good waist harness, sunglasses with full UV protection, a headlamp with spare batteries, two 1-litre water bottles, a basic first-aid kit, sun block and lip salve, toiletries, and a sleeping mat for extra comfort. Cards or a book help on bad-weather days — and a treat from home for the group is always welcome.
What you carry
On the trail, carry extra warm clothing, a rain jacket, at least a litre of water (two at times), your camera, valuables and any personal medication or sun protection. A roomy rucksack with a good waist harness and shoulder straps makes trekking far more enjoyable.
Let’s build your package together
Tell us about your event or holiday and we will design a program that fits your needs, interests and budget.