Trek booking safety checklist: what to ask before you pay

Before you pay a deposit, confirm five things:

1. Certified trek leader on every batch (IMF/NIM basic mountaineering + wilderness first-aid).
2. Group size cap — 15 or fewer is a good ceiling.
3. Written cancellation policy with clear refund tiers.
4. Evacuation plan and the nearest hospital/helipad.
5. Local hiring — guides, cooks and porters from the region.