FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click to openDo I have to be an American to trek with Hobnail?
Absolutely not! We are happy to provide trekking adventures to people from around the world. However, we can only accept payment in US dollars.
How do you come up with your trek prices?
Our trekking costs are directly related to the expenses of guides, porters, yaks, lodging, meals, transportation, and other equipment. Hobnail is a full-service company, so we will never be on the “cheap” end of the scale. Treks that seem to be priced unusually low tend to have very few services included and staffing that may be described as “sketchy” at best.
What happens if I pay my $500 deposit but something comes up and I can’t go on the trek?
Unfortunately, we cannot issue a refund of the $500 deposit because we’ll already have expenses wrapped up in you. But the good news is, you can transfer your deposit to another Hobnail trek that works for you within two years of your original booking date. We know you’re going to want to make this thing happen!
I can't go on the trek I reserved, but my best friend can. Can I transfer my reservation to her?
Shoot! The treks are not transferable. But you can use your deposit towards another trek at a future time, which means you still will be able to check this off of your bucket list!
Do you give discounts for groups?
We do! If you have a group of 6 or more, give us a call or drop us an email and let us know which trek you’re interested in and how many people have committed, and we’ll get back to you with our group rate.
Can I bring my kid or teenager? How about my great-great-grandpa?
Experiencing great things outside as a family is super important to us, and therefore we welcome your children who are at least 14 years old. If they’re younger than that but are really mature, you might be able to convince us to allow them, too. All minors must be accompanied by his/her parent/guardian on the trek. And likewise, if your great-great-grandpa’s doctor said he’s healthy and fit enough to participate and he can handle this level of daily activity, we welcome him! (and we want to know his secret). Be aware that some insurance companies either won’t insure folks over 70 or will insure them, but for a premium. And as far as your kids go, we can’t promise that all conversations your child overhears will be “kid-friendly.”
What happens if I get sick while trekking?
First of all, it depends on the trek; things will be different depending on where you are in the world and what kind of access there is to comfortable lodging and medical facilities. But in the general sense, your guide will have to make the determination on whether or not you can continue safely and without putting others at risk. Remember, no guide wants to send you home. (Think about how awkward this must be for him or her.) Our goal is to do everything possible for you to complete your trek, but we also have to consider the safety of others. This is why it is critical that you follow the instructions of your guide to the letter! If he says, “Drink hot water,” then drink hot water. If she says, “Eat three more bites of your food,” then do it. Simply put, we want you to have the best experience ever, but we won’t put you or others in your group at risk.
Why should I book my trek before the booking deadline?
What if Hobnail cancels my trek?
In extremely rare instances, Hobnail may decide to cancel all or part of a trek due to force majeure, the safety, health, or welfare of its trekkers, or other circumstances beyond our control. If this occurs, full or partial refunds may be provided for all costs not already incurred. This is another good reason for that trip insurance that we mentioned earlier – it should reimburse you for unrecovered costs if your trip is canceled. All costs incurred for changing airline reservations are fully the responsibility of the trekker.
What if I can’t go on any of the listed dates?
We just might be able to accommodate you anyway. Give us a call and let us know what dates work for you. We’ll check on it, do our best to arrange it, and let you know if it’ll work. If so, we’ll send you a registration link so that you can confirm the trek. Keep in mind that we’ll need at least two trekkers to arrange a trek, and that treks with custom dates will incur an additional $400 fee per trekker.
What if I want to design my own custom route and/or destination?
We admire your ambition! There are very few trek requests that we can’t accommodate with a little planning. Give us a call, make your request, and we’ll let you know if we can work it out.
What do the "Activity Levels" mean as they relate to trekking in Nepal?
Trekking in the Himalayas usually graded according to several factors including: gain in altitude, terrain conditions, duration of daily activity, and recommended fitness level. These are general guidelines only, but will give you an idea of what to expect on the trek. It’s up to you to judge your own ability, as well as physical and mental stamina. The pace of the trek can vary depending on the fitness and age range of the trekkers.
EASY (ONE BOOT): Easy treks may be undertaken by most age groups and fitness levels. These treks are marked by total altitude gains of no more than 3,000 meters (or about 10,000 feet) on mostly flat terrain. Daily activity duration is typically no more than 3 hours, and the total trek likely won’t exceed 10 days. There is very little chance of altitude sickness in an easy trek.
MODERATE (TWO BOOTS): Moderate treks are more active, and requires at least an average fitness level to accomplish. Daily activity duration is typically between 3 and 6 hours, and the total length of the trek may be up to two weeks. Total elevation may reach 4,000 meters (or about 13,000 feet) on moderate, uneven terrain. The chances of experiencing altitude sickness are fairly low in a moderate trek.
STRENUOUS (THREE BOOTS): Strenuous treks demand some preparation or training to ensure a comfortable but challenging trek. Typical daily activity duration is about 6 to 8 hours, and may include elevations of 5,000 – 5,500 meters (approximately 16,500 – 18,000 feet). The terrain has some steep ascents/descents, and the trails will most likely be uneven or rocky. Mental stamina is important for strenuous treks. Altitude sickness of varying degrees is common in strenuous treks; your guide or trek leader will work hard to minimize these affects.
CHALLENGING (FOUR BOOTS): Challenging treks typically go “off the beaten path” to remote areas where landscapes are wild and untamed. These treks are physically quite challenging and definitely not for beginners. Daily activity duration will approach 12 hours – often on remote, mountainous, exposed terrain with very steep ascents/descent and uneven trails. Elevation of 5,500 meters (approximately 18,000 feet) is common, and climbing and/or mountaineering skills may be required. Altitude sickness of varying degrees is common in challenging treks.
Are you actually CLIMBING Mt. Everest or other peaks?
No, not at all. In the case of Everest, we are trekking (hiking) to Base Camp. During the course of some of our treks, we will ascend an occasional small peak, but nothing that requires mountaineering skills, equipment, or experience. This is the case with all of our destinations.
Why are some treks limited to only one or two departures?
Every country is different in how it handles tourism. (Trust us, it would be SO much easier if they were all the same…) Some regions, like the Himalayas and parts of Peru, can pretty much accomodate trekkers at any time. Other areas, though, may not have enough available lodging and staff to keep up with the demand, so trek operators must limit departures. The government of the destination country might also limit trekking permits to a certain number. This is why it’s important to identify your target trek and book it as early as possible.
