FAQ

What fitness level is required?

Each of our expeditions require different skill sets and mountaineering experience. Climbing high altitudes in austere environments demands excellent physical and mental fitness levels. The Rise Expeditions team will assess your level of fitness and skills in order to get you on a path for success with custom training plans.

Are there prerequisites?

Each trek and expedition requires a high level of physical and mental fitness. You should be able to trek uphill 5-9 hours a day with a heavy pack. You should have the mental stamina to withstand elevation changes, altitude and cold, harsh environments.

For 8000m+ peaks, you will need to be in excellent physical and mental condition and have incorporated a regular training regime for months prior to the expedition. 

Our team will answer any of your concerns, or suggest a training program. Some peaks will require a prerequisite climb.

What equipment do I need?

This will depend on which mountain you are climbing. We prepare differently for each  6000m, 7000m and 8000m expedition. Here is a complete list of what you will need for an 8000M ascent:

  • Base layers tops and bottoms x2
  • Long Sleeve Sun Shirts x2
  • Trekking Pants x3
  • Softshell Pants
  • Hardshell Pants
  • Softshell Jacket
  • Midlayer Top
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Insulated Hoodie Jacket
  • Expedition Down Parka
  • Expedition Down Pants
  • Down Suit
  • Insulated Synthetic Pants
  • Gloves
  • Lightweight Inner Gloves x2
  • Softshell Gloves x2
  • Insulated Shell Gloves
  • Expedition Mittens
  • Buff scarf x2
  • Sun hat
  • Balaclava System
  • Wool/ synthetic ski hat
  • Face mask x2
  • Glacier Glasses x2
  • Ski goggles 
  • Head lamp x2
  • Lithium Battery pair AA or AAA (depending on your head lamp) x10
  • -40 fahrenheit down sleeping bag
  • -20 fahrenheit down sleeping bag
  • Down boots / camp shoes
  • 55 L climbing backpack
  • Small backpack up to 25L
  • Foam Pad
  • Inflatable Sleeping pad
  • Summit Socks x2
  • Merino wool Socks x4
  • Water bottles  x2
  • Thermos
  • Spoon
  • Bowl
  • Pee bottle
  • Knife
  • Mug
  • Duffel bags
  • Water Treatment Tools
  • Sunscreen x3
  • Lip Balm x3
  • Hand warmers x30
  • Climbing Gear
  • Climbing Helmet
  • Harness
  • 8000m climbing boot
  • Trekking boots
  • Running Shoes
  • Crampons
  • Ice Axe up to 55cm
  • Carabiner Lock x4
  • Carabiner unlock x2
  • Belay Device (ATC guide or figure of 8)
  • Jumar (Ascender) 
  • Trekking pole pair
  • Accessory cord / paracord (for safety) 8mm 3m
  • Tapcelling 120cm
  • First Aid Kit and personal medicines
  • Camp sandals or Crocks
  • Charging devices

What meals and accommodations are provided?

Three meals (morning, afternoon, evening)  and hot drinks (tea, coffee). For accommodation, double or single rooms depending on the number of clients.

 

What insurance, visas, permits will I need?

Insurance: 

Rescue/Medevac insurance is mandatory on all of our expeditions. Rescue insurance will help cover costs in the event that you need to be evacuated off the mountain (Ex: Helicopter/medical evacuation). Travel Insurance is strongly recommended and can cover trip cancellation such as  illness, and other unforeseen reasons. We can make provider recommendations on request. 

Visas:

Clients will require an entrance visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. Please bring two extra passport size photos to Kathmandu. This is an extra cost not covered by expedition/trek fees. You can read more at https://www.immigration.gov.np/page/visa-on-arrival

Permits:

We will arrange trekking and expedition permits prior to your arrival.

What equipment is provided?

Rise Expeditions supplies all group equipment including tents, cooking equipment, ropes, 02 if needed, etc. For all 6000m – 8000m+ Peaks we will supply a gear list you will be responsible for.

Will PK lead the expeditions and treks?

Unless noted at time of booking enquiry, yes. PK is the logistical and planning lead mastermind behind Rise Expeditions. There will also be a team in larger expeditions that will work closely with PK to satisfy every need.

What payment methods can I use?

Funds are transferred through an international wire transfer. Banking information will be provided. Depending on the trip, there may be an option to pay in installments.

What are payment inclusions and exclusions?

Your trip price will be dependent on your trek or expedition. 

Included with your trip:

  • Nepal government royalty fees, taxes
  • All expedition organizational/logistical requirements
  • All climbing and trekking permits
  • Airport transfers within Nepal
  • Ground transport in Nepal
  • All team equipment, including personal tent at Base Camp
  • All trek/expeditions accommodations outside of Kathmandu
  • All expedition staff, including guides and Sherpa support

Exclusions:

  • Air travel to and from Nepal
  • Hotel accommodation and meals in Kathmandu
  • Entry visa for Nepal
  • Any additional costs of early departure/emergency 
  • Personal clothing and equipment
  • Personal travel insurance/trip cancellation insurance/rescue insurance
  • Additional meals, snacks, drinks, laundry, internet, single supplement rooms and other expenses outside the inclusions as listed above
  • Gratuities
  • Airport taxes, satellite phone calls and email costs
  • Sightseeing and souvenir costs
  • Alcohol

Cancellation Policy

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL ANY TRIP AT ANY TIME.

Cancellation reasons can be due to unforeseen weather, a natural disaster, inadequate enrollment, or even political instability.

We will fully refund or credit your payments if we cancel a trip prior to its start for low enrollment, or due to a natural disaster prior to your trip. 

We will credit your trip to a future date if we experience natural disasters, COVID-19, or other reasons not including low enrollment. 

In general, the non-recoverable portion of your payment increases the closer we get to the date of departure. By the departure date of your trip, most of our costs have already been incurred.

If we have to cancel your trip after its start due to political instability, natural disasters, COVID-19, or other reasons, there are no refunds or credits. Trip Insurance is essential for these reasons.

Itinerary changes due to weather, environmental reasons, etc for any reason do not warrant a refund. 

 

What if I have to cancel my trip?

If you cancel your trip more than 90 days before departure, Rise Expeditions will refund your payment minus the non-refundable deposit. 

60-90 days prior, Rise Expeditions will refund 50% of your payment. 

Fewer than 60 days prior, there are no refunds or credits. TRAVEL INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

On any trek or adventure, our guide’s focus is safety first. If a client cannot continue an expedition due to safety reasons or is jeopardizing the safety of others, they will be removed. This includes a person unable to climb at an adequate level necessary for the chosen expedition. In all these cases, there are no refunds or credits whatsoever, and the client will be responsible for any additional costs incurred leaving the trip. It is paramount you are honest about prior experience and skill level before committing to an expedition.

What accreditation does PK Sherpa have?

PK is a certified NNMGA and UIAGM/IFMGA guide. PK is one of the few guides in Nepal with this level of accreditation. To earn NNMGA certification in one or more disciplines, guides spend years training, studying, and must pass rigorous examinations. Guides that have passed exams in all three disciplines: rock, alpine, and ski mountaineering obtain the title of IFMGA mountain guide.

Contact Us About an Expedition