TREKKING IN THE HIMALAYAS (INDIA) :

The foothills of the Himalayas offers spectacular opportunities for trekkers. Himalayan flora is unique. It encompasses forests of all types tropical swampy forests, deciduous forests, coniferous forests, rhododendron forests, alpine meadows and even hot and cold deserts.

Handy Hints :

Accessibility : The foothills of the northern Himalayas, from Delhi are not more than five to six hours by road or by rail. From Delhi one can reach Rishikesh, Jammu, Pathankot, Chandigarh and Kalka which are roadheads to Garnwal hills, Kashmir valley, Kishtwar, Ladakh, Chamba and Manali. Shimla is the stepping stone for Kinnur Sipti, Nahan and Renuka. For trekking routes in the Garhwal region Dehradun and Rishikesh are the ideal gateways. Leh is the starting point for treks in Ladakh. Guwahati is gateway to Arunachal Pradesh.

Best Season : For north-east regions-late September to April/May; Garhwal, Kumaon and Himachal Pradesh-all year around.

Trekking Equipment : Necessary help is available at Indian Association of Tour Operators, 404 Padma Tower II, 22 Rajendra Plan, New Delhi 110008. PH 5750034, 5716562 or Indian Mountaineering Foundation, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi 110021. PH 461211; FAX 6883412.

Accommodation : In the absence of fixed accommodation, a bed can be availed on the spot depending upon the place where till trekkers want to camp.

Care for Ecology : The care is to be taken to preserve the fragile ecological balance. Carry waste disposal bags to prevent littering and use liquified petroleum gas or kerosene or local wood for cooking purposes. Respect for local customs and traditions along the route is essential.

Essential Needs : Basic personal items to be carried include a waterproof rucksack, sleeping bag, foamed mattress, walking boots, rain proof jacket, torch, spare batteries, waterflask, matchbox, and medicines. For higher altitudes the additional requirements are tents, feather jacket, heavy woolens, kitchen equipment and tined foodstuff, on well-frequented trek routes at lower heights food and bottled mineral water is generally available.

Pre-Trek Precautions : Most important, get a map, compass and information from someone who has done the route. Pretrek arrangements, in case of treks to remote areas, should include insurance, rescue and evacuation measures, apart from informing the local authorities of planned route.

Physical Fitness : Select a route depending on fitness level and time available. Health should be of reasonable level. Trekking routes are graded according to anticipated level of exertion and degree 01 difficulty. These factors determine the choice of itinerary and requirement of special equipment and trained personnel.

Trekking Areas in Himalayas : Ladakh Zanskar via Lahaul, Himacahal Manikaran to Spiti, Garhwal Uttarkashi, North East Himalayan View.

Mountaineering in the Himalayas : Himalayas, stretching across the northern borders of India, from west to east with its hundreds of peaks offers unlimited opportunities for mountaineering in the Himalayas. Mountaineering as a sport is said to have begun in the Himalayas in 1883 when W.W. Graham, an European came to Himalayas for the purpose of climbing. The Indian Mountaineering Foundation was born in 1957 as a non profit organization , to organize support and provide a base for mountaineering expeditions like skiing, rock climbing, trekking at high altitude and to promote, encourage, support and execute schemes of all kinds of adventure. Today, as many as 100 mountaineering expeditions venture into the Himalayas every year. Improved road communications, reliable weather forecasting and well-organized search and research facilities make Himalayas most challenging as well as among the safest mountains in the world.