Trekking Name Himalaya Trekking District Location Garhwal Himalayas Base Dehradun Duration 6 Nights/ 7 Days Altitude Grade Easy and Tough Best Time To Visit May - Oct Places to Visit Delhi - Dehradun - Mussoorie - Delhi

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Himalayas are known as the one of the youngest mountain ranges in the world and is counted among the best trekking regions in the world. The Indian Himalayan range is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular and impressive mountain ranges in the world. Within a space of few days the trekking expedition in India you may trek through the numerous Hindu settlements, ancient temples, isolated Buddhist monasteries, camp beside small village establishments that support traditional Islamic culture. The scale of the Himalayas makes them the ultimate trekking destination for nowhere else is such exalted beauty matched with such overwhelming remoteness. The sweeping arc of this mountain chain provides goals for every visitor and in its unity it displays an amazing variety of landscapes and a dazzling selection of contrasting scenes, climates and cultures.

Trekking routes sometimes trace the footsteps of millions of pilgrims who for hundreds of years have journeyed these trails to pay homage at 'religious shrines located high in the Himalayas. Others follow more remote routes, cut off from civilisation, across some of the most exciting terrains.in the world. Across five Indian states spread the mighty Himalayas and compressed in this expanse is the widest montanic geographical variety. Wide, sweeping valleys and deep gorges give way to thick deciduous forests and alpine meadows; undulating tea gardens and sombre slopes bar narrow terraces, -looking like gigantic staircases flung down the mountains; and gently contoured hills and imposing, snow-draped peaks surrounded by a fluff of -clouds look down upon thundering rivers and deeply fissured glaciers. In the Himalayas, time, like the terrain, is infinite. Grand and majestic, they impose upon mind and heart, and the silence of wilderness dignifies their remoteness.

There could be no better way of exploring the natural wonders of the Himalayas than in the most natural way - on foot. Stretching for almost 1,000 miles, the world's youngest and loftiest mountains are a treasure house of life. Remote civilisations and unique floral and faunal systems thrive here protected by the folds of the mountains and preserved from the onslaught of modernisation. Through the ages, travellers, ascetics and sages have established a network of mountain trails connecting remote parts of these fascinating mountains to the rest of the world. Well-developed infrastructure facilities now offer these trails to all those who have the will to go, the curiosity to seek and the ability to walk.

Geologically, the Himalayas are still young and growing, said to have been formed only 60 million years ago when a travelling crust of earth from the South Pole collided with Laurasia, folding up the Himalayas. Today, this great mountain system plays an invaluable role in determining the quality of life on the subcontinent. The mountain range controls the climate of India by holding the monsoons till the appropriate time and protecting the land from the winds of the cold Siberian winter. The snows from the Himalayas feed the perennial northern rivers assuring water and farmland irrigation.

The climatic and geological diversity of the Himalayas has led to the creation of an unique eco-system which holds a rich wealth of natural resources, both living and non-living. The sharp zoning in vegetational types and the resultant habitats are the home of a large assemblage of birds and animals. Himalayan flora is unique. It encompasses forests of all types - tropical swampy forests, decidious forests, coniferous forests, rhododendron forests, alpine meadows and even hot and cold deserts.

High Altitude Trekking Regions of the Himalayas

Ladakh is one of the driest regions in Northern India. Nevertheless, most passes within Ladakh can be crossed by the end of June, which is the earliest time to undertake an extended trek through Ladakh, Zanskar or out of Panikhar in the Suru valley. In the months of July and August the daytime temperatures rise in the Ladakh region to mid 20 degree Celsius and for trekkers, the heat and the intense UV light require special caution. This is also the time for the occasional storm, which can result in snow falling at higher elevations. When planning a trek in the higher altitude Himalayan regions, you must therefore consider that the temperature may vary by over 20 degree Celsius in a day. While most treks are undertaken in the Ladakh region in July and August, Autumn, from early September to mid-October is also the season ideal for trekking. Click here to visit The Great Himalayan Range is the main mountain divide between the region of Kashmir and Ladakh. Most trekking possibilities are to the east of the Kashmir Valley, where the Amarnath and Kolahoi ranges merge with the main Himalayan Range. In this region a series of alpine valleys including the Sindh and the Lidder provide the major routes into the main Himalayas.

Trek Roadheads

The major trek road heads in the Indian Himalayan region include Kashmir Valley, Kishtwar, Zanskar, Ladakh, Lahaul & Spiti, Chamba and Manali. Shimla is the gateway to the Hindustan-Tibet Road, Kinnaur and Spiti as well as Eastern Himachal for the Pabbar Valley, Nahan and Renuka Lake. These roadheads are nearer to the Garhwal trekking routes, which originate in the valleys of the Yamuna, Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda, usually approached from Dehradun or Rishikesh.

Moving a little eastward towards the Gangetic region is the renowned Corbett National Park, which reaches the Kumaon lakes of Nanital and Bhimtal. These hill stations with neighbouring Ranikhet, Almora and the Goriganaga villages still retain the flavour of the old trails to the Pindari and Milam glaciers and the Lipulekh Pass, leading to Mansarovar.

Preparing For A Trek

The Himalayas are criss-crossed by a complex network of mountain trails that offer access to remote civilisations and areas of unsurpassed natural beauty. The success of a Himalayan trek can depend largely on your physical fitness, proper equipment and how well prepared you are to venture into unknown areas inhabited by people whose culture and language are foreign to you.

Most Himalayan treks demand six to eight hours of walking every day. At different altitudes and gradients, this can be a trying task for the physically unfit. It is therefore, best to tone up your body systems by exercising for at least an hour and a half every day for three months before you start your trek. Short forays into trails in your &! neighbourhood will also help your body familiarise itself to strenuous walking.

How to Trek

You can plan to trek in four ways: alone; with a porter; with a sardar and a crew; and through a travel agency. Trekking alone is not usually recommended as you will be travelling in unfamiliar areas and will find it difficult to communicate' with local villagers without knowing their language. Porters can usually be hired from small towns and villages at the base of the trekking trails. The porter will help you carry your baggage, communicate with the locals and often enlighten you with stories and lore about the region. Hiring a sardar and a crew is more expensive but worth the money if you want to leave yourself free from all logistical problems. Try and find a sardar who has trekking experience and testimonials to prove it. The sardar will in turn hire the cook and the porters and arrange for the provisions required enroute. Travel agencies are the most professional and expensive trek handlers. They will normally take care of all travel requirements including air ticketing and transportation leaving you totally free to enjoy your walking expedition. Your closest Government of India Tourist Office, and local tourist offices in the trekking areas, will be able to help you select a reliable travel agency and also advise you on the prevailing porter and sardar rates.

Trekking in the Himalayas does not require a permit as long as you do not enter restricted areas or cross the protected area beyond the inner line. Survey Of India maps, available at their office at Janpath in New Delhi, define the restricted areas and are invaluable assets to the trekkers as they clearly indicate most mountain trails, altitudes and gradients. Mark your trail on the map in advance to ensure that you do not branch off on the many subsidiary trails that radiate from the main route.

The Trekking Season in Himalayas The trekking season in the Himalayas starts from late spring to summer, covers virtually the whole year including winter at lower altitude regions. Himachal also offers a virtual bonanza for trekkers that range from moderate to strenuous treks, which take about 11 days and the season is June to October. Among the Garhwal and Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand the ideal trekking time is best between the months of May to October. Often trekking can also be done in the winter months at lower altitudes of Kumaon region.

Last but definitely not the least the trekking destinations of Himalayas in India are Darjeeling and Sikkim and the most rewarding season in which one can travel these two hill places is between May and October. For the energetic leisure seeker and adventurer, keen to take up a rare wilderness experience, few destinations in the world would match the dimensions of Arunachal Pradesh where the best trekking season starts from October to February.

Climate

Climate in the Himalayas is primarily dependent on two factors: elevation and time of year. In any season, be prepared for extremes in temperature, from the very hot to the very cold. Many trekkers come prepared only for winter conditions and sweat it out because of inadequate light clothing at the lower altitudes. Though the monsoons normally break on the subcontinent by mid July and abate by September, localised thunderstorms can occur anywhere in the mountains, particularly during spring and summer, so come prepared with enough waterproof clothing and protection. Autumn is the best time to trek in most areas but March, April and May are also good months.

Equipment

It is best to prepare your trekking kit and equipment before you arrive in India as it is not always possible to get what you want at the time that you want it. You are the best judge on what you should carry in terms of personal gear and camping equipment as this would depend largely on the area that you are trekking in. As a basic guideline, some of the items that you might consider taking are listed below:

Clothing and Personal Gear

You will require clothes for yourself as wel1 as some to give away to your porter. As far as possible carry only those fabrics that can be easily washed in the cold water streams enroute. Some suggested clothing: underwear three pairs: swimsuit - for women to bathe in vil1age streams: socks - take quite a few liner socks in addition to three sets; walking skirts for women - shorts can often offend local villagers and skirts are a good and comfortable alternative; t-shirts - three pairs; lightweight shirts - two wash and wear pairs; walking shorts - one pair; trekking pants - one pair of loose baggy trousers that al10w freedom of movement to the legs; jacket - one; trekking boots - make sure they are broken in and are of good quality; insoles - to prevent foot fatigue; tennis shoes-one pair for the time when you want to rest your feet; gloves; umbrel1a; hat; money belt; handkerchiefs - three; poncho and ground cloth - necessary protection against wet weather; sleeping bag; sleeping sack.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Delhi On your arrival at Delhi, the capital city of India, our representatives at the airport / railway station will receive and transfer you to a hotel in Delhi. Rest of the day at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 - Delhi - Dehradun After morning breakfast we drive to Dehradun (235 Km). On arrival you will be transferred to a hotel. Enjoy your lunch at the hotel / restaurant. Relax at the hotel. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at Dehradun.

Day 3 - Dehradun - Mussoorie After breakfast we drive to Mussoorie (35 km) with packed lunch. On the way visit Malsi deer park. On arrival enjoy Mussoorie sightseeing. Enjoy a ropeway ride upto Gunhill, the second highest peak in Mussoorie. Gunhill offers a breathtaking view of beautiful Doon valley. After noon drive to George Everest House (8 km). Dinner and overnight stay in a camp or a Hotel at George Everest.

Himalayan Trekking Tour Day 4: George Everest - Jwala Devi After an early morning breakfast, trek 8 km to arrive at Jwala Devi with packed lunch. Jwala Devi offers an enchanting view of the Himalayan peaks, Yamuna River, and the Mussoorie valley. Spend some time viewing and exploring the natural beauty of the Himalayas. In the afternoon trek back to George Everest camp. Dinner and overnight stay in the camp / hotel.

Day 5 - George Everest -- Bhadraj temple After breakfast, trek 12 km to arrive at Bhadraj temple with packed lunch. Spend some time viewing the exceptionally beautiful Shivalik ranges, Doon valley, Dakpatthar and Asan Barrage. In the afternoon trek back to George Everest camp. Dinner and overnight stay in the camp / hotel.

Day 6 - George Everest - Kempty Falls After breakfast, trek 8 km to arrive at Kempty Falls with packed lunch. Enjoy a refreshing bath at Kempty Falls. Later drive back 50 km to Dehradun, via Mussoorie. On arrival check-in to a hotel and relax. Enjoy an evening sight seeing Tour of Dehradun. Overnight at Dehradun.

Day 7 - Dehradun - Delhi After breakfast in the morning, we drive back to Delhi. On arrival check-in to a hotel at Delhi. If time permits, explore the metropolis and do a last minute shopping. Later you would be transferred to airport / railway station for your onward journey or way back home.