I do all the necessary planning ahead of time, so you don’t have to.
From a mindful retreat in a Ghandruk tea house to an action-packed day on the bike, I partner with guides on the ground ensure our trip serves you, all of you – mind, body, and spirit.
I’ve traveled a lot, and with that comes countless cherished relationships with individuals across the globe.
The good news is – you don’t have to bring your camera! I’ll document the trip so you can stay in the moment.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find another travel crew as calm and flexible as mine (this is a big deal when exploring!).
This comprehensive packing list outlines everything, yes everything, you’ll need for your next expedition – from clothing and packs to gear recs.
take me to it
A blog post breaking down everything bright and beautiful about Nepal – including all of the must-see destinations.
Take a look through my documentary-style photography of Nepal throughout my years of travel.
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This trek is an excellent starting point for trekking in Nepal and beginner climbing. It’s rated as a Grade F (Facile/easy) on the Alpine Grading system. It’s also a great experience and challenge for folks who haven’t been to altitude before as the ascent of this trek over 6 days is gradual. No prior climbing or mountaineering experience is required.
This is not a photography workshop. Our main focus is small group adventure. BUT I’m always happy to answer any photography questions and provide feedback on your work.
Not at all. Our trips are for people who value purposeful and intentional experiences. We love what happens when community and friendships develop and deepen on adventures such as these. Bring along a friend or spouse that you’re comfortable with and be open-minded about the friendships that are awaiting you once you arrive!
We like to keep our trips small and intimate. We want you to be able to get to know your fellow travelers more deeply (whether friends, family or new acquaintances) and we want to get to know you! For this reason, we keep our trips to a maximum of 8 guests, plus staff.
All are welcome but our trips are geared towards adults. If you’re looking to plan or do the trip with your family, let’s talk about designing a custom itinerary that will accommodate everyone!
We will need a copy of your passport information and in some cases a copy of the passport photo page (to book domestic airfare in Nepal on your behalf that’s included in the price of your trip). Your passport needs to be valid and not expire for at least 6 months past your return date. We’ll also need a copy of your airline itinerary and a copy of your travel insurance policy sheet. We will provide Visa information depending on the destination, but you are required to obtain your own Visa if the destination country requires it.
Yes! We highly recommend World Nomads insurance. It’s easy and quick to obtain a quote for the trip and respectively purchase the plan you prefer! We’ll need proof of insurance to finalize your trip.
You should consult with your doctor first and foremost! But the CDC Travel website has a recommended list of immunizations for all countries.
We will send you an electronic invoice for the $850 non-refundable trip deposit as soon as you agree to the trip via email response. We accept ACH payments or checks written out to Hilary Lex Treks LLC. Credit card payments can be accepted for an additional 3% fee. We will send a final invoice 45 days prior to departure at which point your trip is fully booked. Don’t forget to let your credit card companies know the dates you’re traveling and all the locations so that you don’t run into any freezes!
All our trip itineraries are priced based on double occupancy. If you’d like your own room for an additional cost, let us know when you book and we can absolutely accommodate you.
Yes! We know that determining what and how much to tip can be a stressful thing while you're on vacation. For this reason, all tips for local guides, hotel staff, drivers, and your local host is included in the cost of your trip. If someone goes above and beyond, you're welcome to tip them extra, but it is not expected. As for any free time, we will provide information on local tipping customs so you're comfortable while out on your own.
We typically build in one free or rest day on each trip itinerary. Half your evenings or afternoons are typically also free for you to explore or rest. Our standard trip will include trekking, hiking or biking in the mornings and the first part of the afternoons with the remainder of the day left for resting, exploring the mountain villages or learning about the local culture and customs.
Depending on the trip, hikes are moderately challenging to difficult. We’ll do multi-day treks lasting between 3-8 days in elevations that range from 6,000-18,000 feet and we’ll typically be hiking about 4-8 miles per day. If you do not hike regularly at home, we recommend training for this trip by doing some kind of cardiovascular activity a few days a week at a minimum. Those with injuries or other health concerns should consult their doctor.
Based on what you’re interested in and looking to do, we can hone in on the best trip for you. Keep in mind that porters will carry the majority of our gear, so you will only carry a small day pack while on any trek. We can also connect you with our trip doc who can complete a risk assessment with you to ensure you’re in the right physical condition for the respective demands of the trip.
Altitude sickness most commonly affects people above 8,000 ft. elevation. There may be days of our treks where we will be above that elevation. Your specific itinerary will clearly indicate sleeping elevations by day. You may experience some effects of altitude such as fatigue, headache, nausea, and sleeplessness. Hydration is KEY to preventing altitude sickness. There is a prescription medication called Diamox (Acetazolamide) that can help prevent symptoms by helping you adjust more quickly to higher altitudes. You start taking it 1-2 days BEFORE you begin trekking. It’s something your doctor can prescribe. It’s also available at local pharmacies in Kathmandu.
We will be sending out a custom packing list for your trip well in advance of your departure.
At the end of each day, we will email you a selection of five or more photos from the day's activities. Within four weeks of the trip ending you will receive a larger album of images to view on our website. It's important to us to have a photographer along so you can worry less about documenting every moment, allowing you to be more engaged and present in your experience. We take pride in capturing the moment so that you can stay in it.
A non-refundable $850 deposit is due at the time of registration. The deposit is the only thing that secures your spot! The full trip cost is due 45 days prior to the itinerary start date.
-Cancel more than 45 days prior to start date: full refund minus the $850 deposit
-Cancel less than 45 days prior to start date: no refund unless we can fill your spot, then full refund minus the $850 deposit.
We recommend taking out an all-inclusive travel insurance policy so you are protected in case of anything. If you need to cancel but want to come on a different trip in the same calendar year, we can apply your deposit to another trip.