About Us | Mate in the Mountains

Our Story

How it started

We did our first trek in Nepal a few years back. Rocked up in Kathmandu with dodgy backpacks, zero Nepali, and a rough idea of where we were going. Somehow we ended up with the best guide we could've asked for, and by day three we were completely hooked.

That trip changed everything. Not just the mountains (though they'll ruin every other view for you) but the people. The guides who've walked those trails their whole lives. The teahouse owners who feed you dal bhat and won't let you leave until you've had seconds. The other trekkers who become mates for life over a 5am sunrise.

When we got home, we couldn't stop thinking about how hard it was to actually organise. The permits, the flights, the "is this operator legit?" anxiety. So we started Mate in the Mountains to take all that stress away. We work directly with experienced local guides and operators we trust personally, so you get the real experience without the runaround.

This isn't a big company. It's just two of us who genuinely love this stuff, working with local legends who know these mountains better than anyone. We handle the planning. They handle the trail. You just show up and have the time of your life.

Forest trail with snow-capped mountain ahead

What You Get

We sort the hard stuff

Zero Stress Planning

Flights, permits, visas, gear lists, the lot. We'll send you a full travel plan before you leave home. All you need to do is pack your bag and get on the plane.

Guides You Can Trust

Our guides aren't just experienced, they grew up on these trails. They'll keep you safe, make you laugh, and show you things you'd never find on your own.

The Real Thing

No tourist traps, no coach tours, no buffet hotels. You'll stay in local teahouses, eat proper food, and actually connect with the places and people along the trail.

FAQ

Things people ask us

There's two of us running things from Melbourne. We handle all the trip planning, communication, and logistics from this end. On the ground, we work directly with a team of local operators, guides, and porters we know and trust personally. It's a small operation and we like it that way. Means we can actually look after every person who books with us.

$500 AUD deposit locks in your spot, then the rest is due 60 days before you fly out. Bank transfer or credit card, whatever's easier. All prices on the site include everything listed. No surprise costs at the end. We hate that stuff so we don't do it.

Everything except your international flight and travel insurance. So that's domestic flights, all accommodation, meals on trek, permits, guides, porters, airport transfers, gear advice, visa guidance, and a full travel plan so you know exactly what's happening every day. Most trips are private too, so you pick your dates and trek with your own crew.

You totally can. But unless you've got a contact you trust, it's hard to know what you're getting. We've done the legwork. We know these guides, we've trekked with them, and we know they'll look after you. Plus we handle all the fiddly pre-trip stuff (permits, flights, planning) from Australia so you don't have to chase anyone across time zones.

Your guide carries a first aid kit and oximeter on every trek. They're trained in altitude sickness management and know exactly when to push on and when to turn back. We also have emergency evacuation plans in place and 24/7 contact with our local team. We've never had a serious incident, and the guides we work with have decades of experience between them.

Melbourne, Australia. If you're local and want to grab a coffee and chat about a trip, we're always up for that. Otherwise just shoot us an email at contact@mateinthemountains.com.au and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.