Ditch the tropical vacation; join our Epic adventure to K2 Base Camp this summer!
Ditch the tropical vacation; join our Epic adventure to K2 Base Camp this summer!
Epic will provide a unique packing list for each and every tour. These lists are crafted based on years of experience and countless hours logged in the backcountry. They are the synthesis of the Epic staff’s favorite and most useful pieces of gear that they can’t go without.
Packing lists do not need to be adhered to strictly, in the sense that you don’t need to buy the exact product we recommend, but you do need to bring every item on the packing list unless it is noted as optional. If a client has a piece of equipment that serves the same purpose and comes from a reputable source/brand, of course you can use that gear. We simply prefer certain brands because we have used them on multiple occasions and trust them completely. We will not recommend gear that we have never used before and do not encourage clients to bring items that they have never used before either.
Please ensure that all pieces of equipment that you bring with you are tested, reliable, and appropriate given the conditions – which is especially true for cold weather gear like sleeping bags, boots, jackets, etc. For example, bringing a pair of trail runners as primary footwear for an expedition is not only unacceptable but dangerous. For that matter, using a brand-new pair of hiking boots for a multi-day trek is begging for blisters and foot complications.
Epic does not offer rentals from its own inventory. However, depending on the destination, Epic can help to arrange gear rentals from third-party providers though.
For example, equipment rentals in Nepal, Bolivia, and Ecuador are all plentiful and usually of good quality. Pakistan on the other hand is not a good place to rent gear due to a lack of reputable outfitters so we always advise that people bring everything they need from home in this case.
Please contact Epic if you’d like to inquire about renting gear for a specific trip or destination.
Yes, it is possible to store your extra luggage or items at the first hotel we stay at on most trips. Items commonly stored include:
Additional luggage storage is subject to availability and potential fees although the latter is rare. Please get in touch with Epic before the start of a trip to confirm the possibility of storing extra bags.
Personal travel insurance is not included.
To travel with Epic, you must have travel insurance.
We will provide recommendations based on the destination. If you don’t acquire travel insurance, you will not be allowed to come on the trip.
Wifi and cellular connections depends on the trip and at what stage on the trip we are talking about. Once we leave major cities, fast WiFi as we know it in the West is basically non-existent. Whilst there may be small amounts of phone coverage on the trip, you should view this adventure as a chance to unplug. In the wilderness, there is zero phone signal so there is no point in buying a SIM card as it will only work in a few places.
Internet speeds in developing parts of the world are not always great, so please have realistic expectations about connectivity and how fast you can send images, do internet calls, etc.
Epic offers a diverse selection of adventure tours with varying levels of difficulty. The challenges featured in each will be unique and demand different kinds of mental, physical, and emotional fortitude. No one tour is the same and all offer once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to overcome a healthy amount of challenges.
That being said, we do not take pleasure in drilling people and are not in the habit of arranging forced marches. Trekking-theme tours are crafted in a way that we are never taking on too much in one day. Average daily distances are between 6-10 miles (10-16 kilometers) with the occasional “long” or “short” day sprinkled throughout. Rest days are strategically planned to help us recover.
More cultural or mixed-activity tours may require lots of driving to get from place to place, which can be tiring as well. Unforeseen circumstances or “force majeure” may prolong these legs of the journey. We generally aim for no more than 4-6 hours driving on travel days although, depending on the tour and situation, 10+ hours is possible. A good book, podcasts, or friendly banter is a good way to make the time go by in these cases.
That’s the goal, and our team is already hard at work to ensure that the itinerary goes according to plan. Keep in mind that the itinerary and activities are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances like weather, road closures, natural disasters, etc.
Real expeditions always involve unexpected situations so things might need to be rearranged at times. However, it is important to remember that travel is all about the journey, and so even the unexpected situations we may face should be treated as part of the overall experience. If we encounter issues we will get them sorted to the best of our ability – this is what we excel at.
To ensure that Epic trips run smoothly, Epic has a general age requirement of 21-65.
That being said, exceptions to both minimum and maximum ages can be made in special cases. We have had people as old as 77 and as young as 15 (with a parent) join us in the past.
A minor may participate in an Epic trip if a parent or guardian accompanies them and are a good match for the program. Epic Expeditions require physical, mental, and emotional fortitude – to create an enjoyable atmosphere we want to ensure that everyone, regardless of their age, wants to be there.
For more demanding trips, those over the age of 55 may also join if they are sufficiently able to prove that they are in above-average physical health. Said proof usually comes in the form of doctors’ notes, GPX tracks from outdoor outings, a list of pre-existing health conditions, and a conversation with Epic staff, among other things. Should said client seem to be capable, they will be permitted to join. Please reach out to us to discuss the options and training protocols if you are above the age limit and are keen on one of our more challenging trips. We want to make it happen for you!
Epic attracts a huge variety of people from all walks of life and from all over the globe. Everyone that we have ever had the pleasure of hosting has brought their own special something to a trip and we are grateful that we get to meet such amazing individuals.
Demographically, you can expect the following when you join an Epic trip:
These are just averages though – every year we welcome new clients outside of the above and are happy to have them.
With such an eclectic mix of people joining us, it may feel difficult to find some common ground with your fellow participants. Rest assured you already have something in common the moment you arrive: everyone is here ready for an adventure and has probably been on more than a few already. So feel free to swap stories about the best places you’ve visited!
Epic is able to organize custom itineraries for groups of 6 or more in destinations that they already offer. Details of the custom itinerary will be discussed prior to finalizing the trip.
We do our best to provide access to water at every possible opportunity on hikes and in cities. We start boiling water as soon as we arrive at camp for tea, hot towels, and refilling bottles. Typically, do not purchase group water in cities or bring gallons of clean water with us on long treks for group use. We boil and purify as we go!
To cut down on plastic usage and increase the rate at which clients can have potable water available to them, we require that all participants bring a personal water purifier with them. This way, they will be in control of their intake and be able to purify water whenever they need it.
When it comes to personal water filters, we highly recommend investing in a GRAYL Geopress. This is hands-down the best and most convenient one that we have ever used. We’ve filtered everything from Pakistani city tap water to murky streams in Mongolia and the Geopress hasn’t failed us yet.
Epic is a diehard proponent of responsible tourism and Leave No Trace principles. We visit some very isolated locations with some very sensitive environments that, if treated improperly, could be seriously damaged. We want to make sure the places we visit are still there in their original form for years to come.
We pay local staff – e.g. porters, guides, cooks, and drivers – above-average wages so that they can support their families and provide visitors with above-average customer service. In addition, we regularly host fundraisers for the betterment of those communities.
When it comes to the environment, we do our part by reducing waste (such as plastic with our reusable GRAYL filters), organizing garbage cleanups, and taking part in environmental preservation programs. In particular, we have a zero-tolerance policy for animal abuse and will intervene the moment we see it.
To learn more, please visit Epic Expeditions’ ethos and values page.
We visit some of the most beautiful, untouched places on the planet, and capturing these in picture form is one of our favorite activities.
Know that when you join an Epic tour, you will be treated to beautiful locations and people on more than one occasion. We regularly stop along the way to admire a landscape or scene and encourage everyone to take a photo.
Your trip leader may also be a professional photographer. In this case, they may also provide tips and tricks for taking a photo in the best way possible, should the opportunity present itself. If you have the chance consider joining a tour with Epic founder Chris Lininger, like on a trek to K2 Base Camp – he is an excellent photographer himself.
Please note that drones are illegal to fly in some countries that we visit. If you’d like to bring one, please contact Epic beforehand to confirm. Also, in the case of portraits of street photography, we always recommend getting consent from the subject first.
Data and cell service may be limited at certain points of a trip. Most likely, there will be no connection at all.
Should you urgently need to communicate with family or a loved one back home, you may ask your trip leader to use their satellite device (either messenger or phone). Rates do apply when using the satellite device though either by minute or by message. Rest assured though, we are always able to communicate with the outside world from anywhere we travel to via our satelite devices.
Epic can accommodate a wide range of dietary requirements. We regularly host clients with all sorts of needs, including:
Please note that the availability of diverse, quality ingredients is subject to the destination. Some places and cultures may or may not rely heavily upon a specific food group or substance that guests may be allergic to. We will find suitable substitutes in these cases but we usually recommend to those with more serious dietary restrictions to bring additional snacks and extra meals that they can use in a pinch or if they have an allergy that is very specific or hard to accommodate.
Yes, Epic can arrange single supplement for almost every single program. Single supplements usually include a private hotel room and a single tent but there are exceptions depending on the trip program.
Single supplement prices vary for each tour and are subject to availability. Ultimately, there is a limited amount that we can arrange for a given tour. Those who would prefer single supplement should reach out to Epic as soon as they can receive a quote and reserve their place.
Epic is not directly involved with any visa application or procedure. Clients are responsible for finishing and filing for their own visas in a timely manner.
That being said, Epic can provide assistance with visa procedures and help to explain the sometimes complicated processes. For certain destinations, such as Pakistan, you will need additional documentation from Epic before you can apply for your visa. This will be provided within a reasonable timeframe once the final trip balances are settled.
Trip balances (remaining cash owed) will be requested around 3-4 months prior to the departure date. We kindly ask that these be settled promptly so that our staff can start processing the necessary documentation and begin organizing your adventure.
Epic accepts deposit payments on our website through our booking platform (Stripe). Clients can pay using major credit/debit cards for the initial booking reservation.
After the initial booking, Epic can accept payment towards the final balance payment through: direct bank deposit, credit card, Paypal, or Venmo (USA clients). We do not accept cash and all balances must be paid prior to arriving in the country your trip take place.
This is an adventure… things may not always go as planned and if they don’t, we will be there to solve problems as quickly and efficiently as possible. You will get out of this trip what you put into it; a positive attitude, willingness to get to know the locals, and enthusiasm are all important.
While our trips are typically not crazy-difficult ultra marathons, please note that it can involve the following: somewhat long days, a good amount of walking and a few days of trekking, being in the sun in potentially hot temperatures, a few long journeys by bus, early morning wake-ups, and other similarly challenging scenarios.
Epic Expeditions staff are there to lead you into the beautiful mountains and through fascinating cities while providing you with an amazing experience through our unique contacts – we are not there to be your servants. We are there to guide you through the challenging destinations where we operate in a mode of utmost professionalism, laugh with you, enjoy tasty food with you, trek with you, and overall have an awesome time bonding as a group. This is the Epic experience and we look forward to adventuring with you soon!
Chat with us now!
Chat with us now!
Adventure Guide
Hailing from the Toronto region of Eastern Canada, with a background as a former standout athlete (hockey of course) and a love of mountain adventure, Clark is a welcomed addition to the Epic team.
In addition to being a keen photographer and adventurer, Clark brings his brilliant sense of humor, leadership skills, and positive attitude to everything he puts his mind to.
When he is not leading trips, he is working on taking over the hard apple cider game in Canada as a skilled craft brewer.
Meet him during : K2 Base Camp Trek
Adventure Guide
Noemi grew up in the mountains of German-Speaking Switzerland where she naturally developed a deep love and respect for mountain environments.
She is a talented photographer, aspiring climber, and speaks at least 5 languages fluently including Arabic (and probably a few more that we don’t know about), which she taught herself in a matter of months by watching YouTube videos.
Noemi has spent the last several years traveling, hiking, and photographing her way around many different countries in the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and Europe, and we could not be more stoked to welcome her to the Epic team!
Meet her during : Discover the Celestial Mountains | Island Peak Climbing Expedition
Adventure Guide
As our man on the ground in Mongolia, there is not much this legend can’t do. As a native the Bayan-Ölgii province of the Western Mongolia Altai, Syerik has been working as a guide and tourism entrepreneur…
for the past several years and is one of the rising stars in Mongolia adventure travel industry.
He is currently building a beautiful Ger (Yurt) camp near his hometown where he will host Epic Mongolia team members on our trip as well as other travelers from around the world!
“
He is the perfect guide for your trip to Mongolia. Serik did an amazing job giving us a well rounded experience in the Altai NP region and down in the Gobi…
The food was fantastic and Serik gave us many opportunities to learn about the Kazakh culture in that region including traditional meals. (I can’t recommend enjoying the milk tea enough!)
– Coastal
Head of canine operations
Choriza started off life as a care-free vagabond on the streets of Madeira Island without any place to call home. From the moment we met her, we knew this dog was just different, and it was pretty much love at first sight.
She gave up the dog street life in favor of joining her new dad Chris to become a full-time member of the Epic family towards the end of 2022.
These days she can be found listening in on the fringes of important Epic business meetings while half-asleep on the couch. She is a keen hiker, lover of mud, rare steak, and might just be the sweetest little dog we have ever seen.
Adventure Guide
An experienced trek leader and
IFMGA aspirant ski guide, avid alpine climber, devoted adventure photographer.
Organized and guided trekking expeditions, climbs and ski tours in Tajikistan’s Pamirs, Patagonia, Peru, Morocco, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Georgian and Russian Caucasus and Kamchatka.
A full member and meets the organiser of the British Alpine Club. Visited over 40 countries, lived in the UK for four years. Certified first-aider.
“
We joined Andrew on a fantastic trip to the Fann Mountains in Tajikistan, pure nature and magnificent scenery! Andrey was super prepared and led us safely up and down numerous passes and through some rough and icy cold rivers. Thank you for a very memorable trip, your planning and prep was excellent!
– Monika Steinlechner
Meet him during : Trekking in the Fann Mountains
Adventure Guide
Our man in Nepal, Sandip is what we like to call a “Swiss Army Knife”. There is not much Sandip can’t do when it comes to helping Epic to run our expeditions smoothly in Nepal.
His tireless work ethic, passion for all things trekking in the Himalayas, and smart decision-making mean that Sandip is a truly invaluable member of our team.
Sandip is passionate about showing visitors to his country an amazing time, and he goes above and beyond to make sure that happens.
His company Himalayan Masters is Epic’s trusted partner in Nepal and one of the country’s top new tour agencies.
“
We really enjoyed the entire journey, and I would like to say that Sandip is truly professional. He guided us and he is a hardworking person, providing us with the best service and taking care of each one of us. Plus, he is super funny! The kind of professionnal you always want to find on your path for your explorations!
– Alexandra Ruth
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Our flagship Pakistani adventure tour. Road trip with some hiking and cultural immersion.
A trekking-style tour that features some very remote locations, inlcuding a K2 viewpoint.
Adventure Guide
João has born in the mountains of Madeira Islands in Portugal. Nature lover, writer, musician, guide, for him, a day without contact with outdoor vibes is a nightmare.
With a degree in Cultural Studies in Portugal and a Master of Arts in Global Cultures and Creativity in the U.K.
João found out what really matters in life can be found on the trails, and in the contact with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
Guiding, crazy trekking missions, and sharing observations about the natural world, – these are some of João’s passions.
After trekking to K2 Base Camp and exploring all over Northern Pakistan, he fell in love with the country and the local people. His experiences resulted in his desire to share these feelings with the world.
João is one of the most experienced guides at Epic and his skillset and positive mindset in the mountains is second to none
When not in Pakistan, João is guiding and exploring in the Madeira Islands trails – discovering some of the hidden treasures on his Portuguese Island.
“
João I can not thank you enough for the off the beaten paths and views you keep giving. Definitely one of the most challenging and amazing hikes we did 1200m meters all the way up to Fanal forest and circling back to the hidden village. Wow!
– Jeffery
Meet him during : Lost World of Europe | Discover the Hunza Valley | K2 Base Camp Trek
Adventure Guide
Sohail is the newest addition to the Epic team and we are beyond stoked to have him on board. As a veteran of the Karakoram and a native of Karimabad in Hunza, there is not much Sohail can’t do in the mountains.
Besides having the ability to speak more languages than we can count, Sohail has explored every corner of Gilgit Baltistan and logs more trekking miles
in a year than most people will do in a lifetime. As of the summer of 2022, Sohail has summited Gasherbrum 1, Gasherbrum 2, and K2 – three of Pakistan’s five 8000-meter peaks. Sohail guides several trips including our annual bespoke expeditions but specializes in Hunza Valley tours.
“
Chris and Sohail, and the team at Epic are FANTASTIC! Highly recommend anyone to do a tour with ‘Epic’. They have the perfect balance of fun, excitement and wild adventures, tied in with being super professional and ensuring your safety/health in a foreign environment. Don’t waste a moment and book a tour with these guys as the value for money is UNREAL!
– Borgan
Meet him during : Discover the Hunza Valley
Adventure Guide
Pedro’s been traveling all around the globe since 2009. His keen interests in documentary photography, rural life, and local people from different ethnic groups have been the focus of many of his professional projects.
Since 2012, he has developed his passion for travel and awesome shared experiences into a full-time adventure photography tour leader position.
Pedro has found himself continuously going back to the Middle East, with his likely favorite destination being Iran. Pedro lead his 11th tour in Iran with Epic in spring 2020
When Pedro’s not traveling the world with Epic Expeditions, you’ll find him based in the western south of Portugal planning he’s next adventure missions, logistics and working out his photos in local exhibitions.
“
I loved the combination of hiking, camping around breathtaking scenery mixed with the cultural aspects. The guide (Pedro) is knowledgeable and work very hard to make the trip as memorable as possible. All in all an epic adventure with some extremely epic individuals! Go for it, you won’t regret it!
– Coastal
Adventure Admin / Marketing
After fleeing from the corporate fashion world in Paris towards the start of 2020, Diane has been working as a web developer and graphic designer remotely from various bases across the globe
She brings all of her incredible design and organizational power to Epic Expeditions and is responsible for many of the beautiful behind-the-scenes design elements.
Diane has been to Iran and to Pakistan twice including all over Gilgit Baltistan and KPK.
Head of Operations | Guide
A veteran of Pakistan travel, Ralph is an experienced guide, photographer and writer who specializes in documenting remote locations.
Not one to simply go where everyone else does, he insists on exploring new and lesser-known areas.
Together with Epic Expeditions, he shows people parts of Pakistan that most other operators don’t even know about. He is particularly fond of the village of Barah, which he believes will become just as famous as Hunza one day.
“
Just got back from EBT’s Trekking Amongst Giants 15 day tour. The experience was first class. Ralph, our head guide, ensured that the entire trip ran smoothly and relatively on time (a bonus for anyone travelling in Pakistan). We had so many unforgettable days on the tour and the trekking was well-planned, safe but also a rewarding challenge.
– Calvin
“
Traveling to a non-tourist destination can be a little intimidating but EBT takes all of the worry and trepidation away. From the pre-trip call to meeting the wonderful staff in person you can tell that you are dealing with a company that has a passion for what they do each and every day. Ralph, Zahid, and Khan were supportive, kind, and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure that everyone on the trip was getting what they wanted out of the experience.
– Katrina
Meet him during : Trekking Amongst Giants | Discover the Celestial Mountains | K2 Base Camp Trek
Founder | Adventure Guide | Director
Since he started exploring the world, Chris has been seeking out every shade of adventure in various parts of the globe and had visited more than 70 countries along the way.
Over the last 10 years, Chris has logged more than 7000 trail miles across five continents and climbed multiple 6000 + 7000 meter peaks in Pakistan and Nepal.
A few years back, a distant dream and a deep passion for the mountains and the people of Pakistan led Chris to co-found Epic Expeditions at a time when foreign adventure tourism in Pakistan was almost nonexistent. Since then, Chris has guided more than 20 expeditions to various parts of Northern Pakistan.
Chris believes in using photography and powerful adventure experiences to dismantle negative stereotypes regarding what mainstream media considers “dangerous” countries while facilitating unique and meaningful memories in the mountains for countless people from around the globe.
For him, an ideal start to the day begins with a steaming cup of good coffee, the beam of a headlamp, alpine boots, and a camera in hand.
He lives in Madeira Island when not leading expeditions in far-flung lands.
Chris also works as a writer and photographer on his blog Off the Atlas – an adventure travel blog all about Pakistan.
Read this interview our staff did with Chris to learn more about him!
“
Chris believes in Pakistan and its people, and he believes in the value of journeys shared with others and family cultivated on the road. Honesty and integrity are at the heart of what he does, and this really shines through in his work as a guide. He also makes great coffee – whether at 5am in an empty guesthouse or half way up a Himalayan peak.”
– Will De Villers
“
Pakistan is a magical country! Had 3 of the best weeks of my life thanks to Epic Backpacking Tours with owner, and one of our awesome guides, Chris. From detailed itinerary, preparation with an equipment list, and visa assistance. To amazing food, great porters, helpful guides, and great accommodations. Epic really hit home run after home run. […]
Their desire for adventure and amazing trip is just as high as yours. Bring a good pound of coffee for the trip. French press coffee every morning and no average tin coffee, plus you’ll be in your guides good books.
– Clark Tyler
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