FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where we stay is very much part of the experience. Each adventure may have one or more of the following types of accommodations based on where we’re heading. Always check your LHO gear list to ensure you’ve got what you need to sleep comfortably.

Hotels

We aim to strike a balance between unique local experiences and international standards of comfort and hygiene.

Tents

When the experience includes camping we provide the tents, sleeping mats, common dining tents, camping chairs and camping tables. The only thing you’ll need to get is a sleeping bag and an optional camping pillow. Please refer to the LHO gear list for more information specific to the trip you’re on.

Tea Houses 

Expect rooms to include a bed and a mattress as well as a common dining area with chairs and tables. You’ll need to bring a sleeping bag and an optional pillow.

Lodges

Mountain Lodges are usually well equipped, providing beds with duvets and pillows. They also include a common restaurant area. Some lodges require a sleeping liner.

The LHO Fitness Level rating is here to help you choose the adventure that you feel comfortable with and ready for. For more details about the trip-specific recommendations of each Fitness Level please refer to the Fitness Level tab on the trip page.

1. CHILLED OUT

An adventure holiday for anyone with a pulse. No fitness requirements or prerequisites. Come as you are. You’ll have fun!

2. EASY EFFORT

Still very much in the holiday vibes but with some elements of physical exertion. It’s also possible to sit out the activities we don’t feel ready for. It’s worth considering an basic training program to enjoy this experience to the max.

3. MILD

These adventures are physical in nature and do require the ability to walk long distances or engage actively with some of the adventure activities we’re engaged in. Physical training at least once a week in the lead up to this adventure is recommended.

4. MODERATELY CHALLENGING

Great for those who already train 1-2 times per week or would like to use this upcoming adventure as an opportunity to take their fitness journey to the next level.

5. CHALLENGING

Joiners should be comfortable with their physical fitness and regularly train specifically for these adventures at least 2-3 times a week.

6. DIFFICULT

These adventures are inherently challenging and are considered big achievements. Joiners should train specially for these adventures at least 3 times a week. Please refer to Fitness Profile section of the trip page and in the guidebook for specific recommendations.

7. STRENUOUS

Joiners should have a generally good level of physical fitness, train at least 3-4 times a week in the lead up to this trip and pay particular attention to the trip-specific recommendations made in the Fitness Level section on the relevant trip page and in the guidebook.

8. ENDURING

These trips are designed for those of are already physically fit in our daily lives and are ready to put in the extra effort to prepare specifically for this level of adventure. Joiners should dedicate several months to prepare and pay special attention to the trip-specific recommendations found on the Fitness Level section of the trip page and guidebook.

9. OUTRAGEOUS 

Trips at this level are designed for those of us with experience in athleticism and are already physically high performers. Adventures in this category are considered amongst some of the highest achievements on the adventure spectrum and should be taken seriously. Check out the Fitness Level section of the relevant trip page and in the guidebook for detailed guidance on how to train and what to focus on.

10. SCALE BREAKER

Need we say more?

Adventures introduce us to new landscapes, environments and skills. We use three simple categories to indicate the skills required for you to comfortably complete a trip. Be sure to check the itinerary description of your trip of interest for more details on the skills involved in a trip.

1. No Requirements

No prior experience is required. Basic skills may be taught during this adventure.

2. Learn New Skills

The skills necessary to safely complete this adventure will be taught as a part of this experience. Please refer to the Skills Profile section of the relevant trip page or guidebook for more information about the skills taught as part of your adventure.

3. Skills & Experience Required

This adventure requires prior experience, pre-requisite skills or certifications. Please refer to the Skills Profile of the relevant trip page or guidebook for more information about the requirements for your adventure.

A trip can no longer be booked if:

• The trip is fully booked
• Permits are no longer available (applies to specific trips)
• The trip will start in less than 48 hours

If the trip you want to join is fully booked, reach out to us on [email protected] or the ‘Contact Us’ page. We’ll do our best to help you out by informing you first of any cancellations or help you find an alternative adventure!

Whenever the accommodation is a hotel, the toilets are usually ensuite. In tea houses and lodges, the bathrooms are shared. When camping, there will either be fixed toilet facilities, or a private portable toilet provided by LHO.

Altitude is part of the challenge on some of our adventures and understanding it is the key to overcoming it. As we go higher in altitude, there is less pressure in the atmosphere. This means that the amount of oxygen in each full breath of air is less the higher we go up. Our body adapts to this by producing more red blood cells to transport oxygen more efficiently. The process of adapting is called acclimatization. In some instances, it is possible to develop symptoms such as headaches, nausea or fatigue. This is totally normal and usually goes away with time. The best methods to avoid illness are preventative. That’s why we emphasize a slow pace, eating well, staying hydrated and getting lots of rest. Don’t worry about altitude. Your experienced LHO team is equipped to diagnose, manage and treat any symptoms should there be a need for it.

Head to the trip page, select the dates you’d like, pay the booking deposit, and wait for us to get in touch with your adventure guide and starter pack.

Of course you can. There are different payment plans available at checkout but if none of them work for you or if you’d rather pay by bank transfer, then reach out to us on [email protected] with the trip you’d like to book and what payment plan you feel works best for you. We’ll do our best to make it work.

If you need to cancel a trip, the following rules will apply:

• The 20% booking deposit is non-refundable.
• The full remaining balance is refundable up to 60 days prior to the trip.
• 65% is refundable between 59 – 49 days prior to the start date.
• 45% is refundable between 48 – 30 days prior to the start date.
• 25% is refundable between 29 – 10 days prior to the start date.
• 10% is refundable between 9 – 3 days prior to the start date.
• 0% is refundable between 2 – 0 days prior to the trip start date.

We recommend purchasing “any reason” cancellation insurance from our insurance partners. You can find more details in your booking confirmation email. 

We understand that cancellations can be frustrating, and we want to be transparent about our deposit policy. To offer our adventures at competitive prices while maintaining the high level of service that LHO has come to be known for, we rely on a minimum number of bookings for each trip. This minimum varies depending on the trip or the season. When we meet this minimum, we can guarantee the trip’s departure for all participants. This means all our participants are notified that they can go ahead and purchase flights, sort out visas, apply for leave, and organize their lives accordingly.

The booking deposit serves as a commitment to ensure that, even in the event of a cancellation that could bring us below the minimum number, we can still run the trip for those who are committed to joining. The alternative would be for us to cancel on those participants, which would not be fair and would open us up to liabilities toward our participants, with far-reaching implications for the long-term sustainability of our offering to our LHO community.

We recommend purchasing “any reason” cancellation insurance from our insurance partners. You can find more details in your booking confirmation email. 

Cancelling a trip is the one of the most difficult decisions we make because we know how excited our community members can be in the lead up to an adventure, not to mention how excited we can be to be there with you!

Although it is absolutely your right to have a full cash refund when we cancel a trip, we offer credit with no expiry to use on any future adventure you like in the hopes that you’ll stick with us.

By accepting credit you enable us to continue to employ incredible people in some of the most remote destinations on the planet who rely on us. You boost our morale to continue to deliver our LHO experience and you help contribute to our slow but sustained recovery from the pandemic.

Your credit shows you trust us and we don’t take that for granted.

We often switch things around to account for weather or unforeseen events. This is adventure travel after all. Nonetheless, we do our best to stick to the itinerary as closely as possible and any changes we make are designed to enhance the overall experience under the circumstances.

Follow these four easy steps to choose the right adventure:

1. Read up on the trip’s details and description.
2. Check the Fitness Level of the trip to make sure it’s what you’re looking for.
3. Check the Skills Profile of the trip to see if there are any requirements prior to booking.
4. Hit that book button and let’s go on a life changing experience!

If you’re still not sure, reach out to us for a chat with one of our Team Leaders to help you make the right decision for you

LHO follows the laws of the countries that host our adventures. Currently, some countries still require either proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test to travel to, join group activities and visit hospitality venues.

We do our best to accommodate everyone. There are vegetarian options available on all LHO experiences. There are vegan options on most LHO adventures as well, but options might be limited. It is also not possible to cook vegan meals in separate spaces from non-vegan meals given the challenge of cooking in some of our more remote destinations.

LHO recommends buying most of the items on the gear list. It’s possible to rent items that you can’t find or would prefer not to buy. Details can be found in the gear list provided for each trip.

LHO cares about the environment that hosts us on our adventures. Using biodegradable toiletries helps us to preserve the places that enable these life changing experiences.

Start easy. We all want to reach Kilimanjaro’s summit on day one, but to really enjoy the journey it’s important to take it step by step. Have a look at our multi-adventure categories or go for a mild or moderately challenging trek first. Your LHO Team Leader on the experience will be able to get to know you fully and advise you on your own trajectory based on your own interests and your own long term goals.

You can also book a zoom call with one of our experienced Team Leaders who’ll better understand where your starting point is and guide you on your way to a life of adventure.

LHO Team Leaders are experienced adventure enthusiasts who want to share their passion for the outdoors with you. LHO Team Leaders work exclusively with Life Happens Outdoors and are dedicated to ensuring that you have an adventure of a lifetime. Team Leaders also do the trip photography. The LHO Guide is the local licensed professional with expertise in the specific location and activity who works with the Team Leader to deliver the itinerary adventures and the best possible overall experience.

The maximum possible group size for any LHO experience is 12. We may exceptionally increase that number to 14 if requested to do so by someone already on our trip and we believe it will not affect the overall experience for other joiners. On some trips the maximum capacity may be less than that. On certain technical trips the group size may be as low as 2. Our LHO community is typically between the ages of 28 and 55 although we do get joiners both a little younger and a little older.

Yes, we do and here is how we do it: Our pay is higher than most operators across the vast majority of countries we operate in. We guarantee a minimum tip to our local guides and porters supplemented by LHO if it isn’t met by our team of joiners. We offer educational and leveling-up opportunities to our staff. We sponsor guides and porters wishing to achieve their own adventure ambitions around the world. We regularly request feedback on how we can support our community better.

Examples of some of our notable initiatives have included:

• LHO sponsoring Saidi, a Kilimanjaro porter who became one of our lead guides. 
• LHO sponsoring health care costs of Asseno, one of our lead Kilimanjaro guides. 
• LHO sponsoring Philippe, a Mont Blanc Guide, to achieve his life dream of climbing G2 in Pakistan. 
• LHO applying to join KPAP, the initiative that guarantees the acceptable pay and climbing conditions for Kilimanjaro porters.

But, don’t take our word for it. Ask them about it when you see them.

We have guided community members with all sorts of challenges including diabetes, asthma, arthritis, retinitis pigmentosa and cerebral palsy to the furthest reaches of the planet, but each case is different and you must consult with a health care professional before committing to and adventure trip. You must also inform the LHO team about your condition prior booking in order for us to ensure that the right accommodations can made for your safety and enjoyment.

It’s always good to have your own meds but don’t overdo it. Your kit should include pain medication that works for you, something to cover blisters and to clean cuts, an anti-inflammatory cream for sore muscles and joints, meds for an upset stomach and any prescriptions you take or country-specific meds like Malaria tablets you’ll need.

Most LHO adventures include:

• A Team Leader/Trip photographer.
• Team Welcome dinner on the first night. The first round of drinks is on us!
• 3 Meals per day throughout the itinerary.
• Water refills throughout the itinerary.
• Team Farewell dinner on the last night. The last drink is on us too!
• Breakfast on departure day.
• Airport pick ups and drop offs.
• Permits and certificates.
• Land, sea and air transport within the itinerary.
• Accommodation.
• English speaking local guide.
• Medical first aid equipment.
• Fitness, Nutrition & Gear guides.
• A Comprehensive Trip Guidebook
• Training and shopping assistance from the LHO Team.
• A Number Your Loved Ones Can Call to Check on Your Progress.
• LHO Base Camp (office) Support.

Please refer to the trip page for the inclusions specific to your trip.

Yes. Your LHO Team Leader will be taking your high-resolution photos and providing you with everything taken throughout the trip so that you’ll have proof that your mind didn’t make it all up!

It is not possible to provide photography services on certain highly technical mountaineering trips such as our Matterhorn Course.

On private trips, Team Leader Photography is only available on request.

The majority of joiners come as solo travellers and leave with a new adventure family! Normally, solo travellers get paired up with someone of the same sex in our accommodations. If you’d like to join as a solo traveller but would prefer a single room, that can be arranged as well.

Absolutely! Most of our destinations have loads to do beyond our adventure together. If you’d like to stay on for a Safari after Kilimanjaro or wind down at a Yoga retreat after Everest Base Camp, we’ve got you covered.

We can provide you with a booking confirmation, a local letter of invitation, proof of permits where applicable and hotel confirmations to submit as supporting documents for your visa application. These documents can only be issued after your booking is confirmed.

Unfortunately, we don’t have any control over the issuance of visas. If your visa does get rejected, we’ll do our best to make it as painless as possible, but we may not be able to go beyond our normal cancelation policy. The best course of action would be to reach out to us as early as possible. The earlier we know about it the more we can do for you.

It’s always best to try and arrive as close to midday as possible on arrival day. It’ll give you plenty of time to relax before the team dinner in the evening that usually takes place around 7:30 pm. Departure day is completely open for airport drop offs. We’ll be arranging shuttles based on flight times so you’re free to plan your departure however you like. The meeting point is usually at the closest airport to where our itinerary starts. Please refer to the trip-specific guidebook for information about your meeting point.

Wi-Fi and cellular network cover the vast majority of our destinations. However, in some instances there may not be coverage for a few days. We provide a phone number to our Base Camp manager who’ll have the latest updates and who your loved ones can call to check in on your progress and make sure everything is going well.

Yes. Please consult your healthcare professional to determine what vaccines you’ll need to travel to our adventure destination. This can vary from country to country and may be different based on where you’re traveling from.

Yes. You must have valid travel insurance that covers the activities of the trip you are on. Normal travel insurance may not cover the activities, destinations or altitudes of your itinerary. Make sure any insurance you purchase will fully cover everything we’ll be doing together.

We recommend always purchasing “any reason” cancellation insurance that may cover a substantial part of the your trip expenses in the event that you can’t join. On certain trips, we also recommend evacuation insurance. Please refer to the trip page for more information about our recommendations for your adventure.

We can help organize it, but we cannot guarantee the speed or cost of the test. We can only recommend an external clinic and facilitate the procedure.