You probably have many questions as you plan and prepare for your trip with Snow Lion Expeditions. We have assembled a handful of most commonly asked questions. You can ask us any additional questions by email to team at snowlion dot com or give us a call at 1-800-525-8735. We are looking forward to speaking with you!
Who is Snow Lion's clientele?
Sixty percent of Snow Lion's business has derived from the referrals of our past guests–– a testimonial to the excellence of our service. In addition to our successful track record in small-group departures, we have managed complex logistics for corporate and institutional groups including National Geographic TV, National Geographic magazine, KUER Radio, the University of Wisconsin, Strong Capital Management and One H.E.A.R.T Foundation, to name just a few.
Who will my travel companions be?
The average age of a Snow Lion trip member is 53 years old with the ratio of women to men being 51% to 49%. Although we have never surveyed our guests regarding income and higher education, we believe both of these factors to be above average. One thing we do know about our guests is their passion and interest in quality travel experiences. Our four largest American demographic markets are (in this order) New York City (Tri State Area); San Francisco and Los Angeles, California; Rocky Mountain states; Pacific Northwest; Great Lake states; New England; Washington, D.C. & Chesapeake Bay We are also seeing growth from Latin America.
How big are Snow Lion groups?
On our classic departures, we limit group size to a maximum of 15 for overland cultural trips and 12 for most trekking trips. Most trips will run with as few as two members. Special/custom group departures may vary from these parameters
Can I book a private trip and/or customize an existing, published itinerary?
Absolutely! In fact, about half our business consists of private and/or custom trips for individuals, couples, families and small groups of friends. If you are seeking to create your own departure – or if our published catalogue trips do not fit your schedule, Snow Lion can prepare a customized, private expedition for you. You can book an entire catalogue trip departure just for your group of friends or family or organize a study trip for a special interest group and we’ll find experts in your area of interest. The possibilities are endless and we are here to make sure that your idea is realized just the way you have envisioned it.
Who will be leading the trip?
Our scheduled expeditions, which reach critical mass, are lead by seasoned Expedition Managers in concert with local guide(s). Snow Lion’s Expedition Managers combine a love and knowledge of Asian culture with an understanding of the logistical quirks to ensure a seamless journey.
Custom and chartered trip are usually led by a member of our esteemed panel of local Guides. In the event a scheduled trip does not reach “critical mass,” the trip will be led by one of our Guides who have received the highest marks.
Snow Lion emphasizes a relaxed and personal relationship between clients and field staff. The trip is structured to allow you, your guides and any additional support staff the opportunity to get acquainted and to develop greater appreciation and understanding of your similarities and differences between their culture and yours. Many travelers find the relationship they develop with staff members to be among the highlights of the trip, providing an unexpected wealth of insight into the local culture.
Expedition Managers and local Guides, who lead our trekking departures, have been trained in mountain safety and first aid procedures.
Will I get to meet the local people?
Along the way, you will encounter shop and restaurant owners, traders, porters, farmers, schoolteachers, and curious children. Some will speak English -- others will not. But their desire to interact is often as strong as yours, resulting in creative efforts at communication. Many people bring Polaroid or digital cameras; others bring photos of home, family and friends or a collection of postcards from their home state. These make particularly good points of contact with both adults and children.
What is the best time of year to travel in Asia?
As the largest continent on earth, Asia offers all climates and landforms, and we travel year-round to see its splendors! Generally, though, specific areas are better during certain times of the year.
High seasons for trekking in most Himalaya regions are pre- and post-monsoon, that is, from March–May and again from the end of September–November. The exceptions to this are Ladakh and K2 where the best months are late summer.
Spring and autumn are also the prime times for most of China.
Mongolia, Tibet, Ladakh and the Karakoram are superb during their exhilarating summer months from the beginning of June until mid-September.
The winter months from late October through March mark the best time to visit Southeast Asia and India. How about spending Christmas in Hanoi or celebrating the New Year in Bangkok?
What is the food like?
Meals are included in the land cost on most Snow Lion trips (see your detailed itinerary for specifics) and we endeavor to make your experience of the local cuisine as unique and fascinating as the sights you'll see.
In addition to regional specialties, restaurants in the big cities span the international spectrum and you'll find something to suit every taste: American, Italian, French, Mexican, Korean and Japanese.
Mega-culture gastronomy––like Indian, Chinese and Indonesian––tends to be regionalized in Asia where you find restaurants serving Hunanese, Yunnanese, Tamil, Punjabi and Javanese cuisine. Coffee shops and restaurants in the major hotels serve fairly authentic renditions of Western food.
On treks, your experienced and professional camp cook will prepare three tasty and healthy hot meals a day, even in the remotest places.
If you are vegetarian or have other dietary needs, please let us know when signing up for your trip so we can best accommodate your request.
Can special dietary requirements be accommodated?
Usually it is no problem for us to meet special diet requirements, although some destinations have limitations. Be sure to discuss your request with us when you sign up for your trip.
What is included in my Snow Lion trip?
The details of what’s included and what’s not included in your trip can be found on each detailed trip itinerary. You can order these on line from this site or you can give us a call at 801-535-8735 and we’ll send them to you.What kind of accommodations will I have on my trip?
In larger cities we use centrally located, first class hotels with all the facilities and services of a 4-5 star hotel. In smaller towns or along the trail we pick lodgings with local character and friendly ambiance. These will typically have spacious common areas where you will be dining and where you can unwind at the end of the day or gather with your fellow group members for a drink before dinner. Our camping trips feature deluxe tented camps with portable toilets (enclosed in tents), showers and a dining tent with backed chairs.
Land cost is based on double room occupancy. If you wish to share hotel accommodations with another member of the group and we are able to match you with another single traveler, we’ll refund your Single Supplement fee. However, if you prefer single accommodations, let us know on your Trip Application.
What is tier pricing?
Because various fixed costs, such as guide salaries and the operation of overland travel vehicles, make it more expensive per person to operate a trip with fewer members, we operate our trips on a "tier pricing" system to avoid canceling trips with low enrollment. All trip participants are initially invoiced at the 4-member tier. Adjustments are made on the 90-day invoice according to actual trip enrollment at that time.
If you're not familiar with tier pricing, or if you would like to know the various tiers or enrollment status for a particular trip, please call us.