Trekking Information

Fitness :- Miconceptions persist that one has to be a trained mountaineer, or possess special skills. Wrong. As long as you are in reasonable physical shape and exercise regularly, there is no reason why you should not enjoy one of  our treks. The high altitude ones that take you over 14,000' do demand an extra bit of fitness and confidence. Otherwise there have been people coming on trek straight out of an office. A bit of warming up before the trek out would however help.

The Trek :- Before  sun up around 6. a.m. a cheerful porter wakes you with a cup of tea; that is if the chirping of birds have not already woken you. Hot water to wash follows, and by the time  you' ve dressed and packed, breakfast is ready around 7.a.m. We start our trek between 7.30 and 8.00 a.m. The walking is leisurely with breaks that allows you to use your cameras or investigate any of the exotic vegetation you see. Packed lunch on trek and , after about 40 minutes rest, we move on to camp which is normally reached by mid-afternoon. A cup of tea and you have the time to relax, catch up with diaries, read or go exploring. Tea again in the evening, hot water to freshen up, soup, and a 'chota peg' or two before dinner. By the time you have finished , there is a log fire blazing away inviting you to its warmth. The daily stages are not long or tiring as total walking done is about 6-7 hrs. a day. In the high altitude treks, the stages are slightly longer on occasion, and  the start may be earlier at times if a river crossing is involved.

Trek Alternations :- An itinerary may have to be changed when a road has been washed away, bridge damaged, or the pass blocked due to late  winter. For the sake of adventure take this in your stride and as part of your holiday.

Medical :- Insurance for sickness and accident is a must. Travelling to India necessitates innoculations for typhoid and para typhoid, cholera and hepatitis. Your polio and tetanus shot should be up to date. Malaria tablets should be carried and taken as advised by the doctor. Remember on trek you are going to be away form hospitals. We try to have a doctor/s well qualified nurse on trekking groups by advertising a generous discount but we cannot guarantee their presence . In case of any one having to be evacuated form trek we would send you back with a porter to he nearest road head to be taken to a hospital. For non-serious patients a horse will usually be available. At Manali we have the Lady Willingdon Hospital run by a dedicated staff.

Facilities :- On trek we provide everything from the service or trained porters and guides, to tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, pillows, kitchen utensils and all your food. Off trek you stay in comfortable hotels and guest houses with complete board and lodging except in Delhi which includes breakfast only. Road transport is also included in the quote. In case of an international flight being late into Delhi a comfortable deluxe coach is kept at standby to transport you to Chandigarh. Every effort is made to see that your trip is a memorable one and any alteration, if any, is done in such a manner that the tour stays smooth.

Trek Discount :- Doctors and qualified nurses are offered a 50% discount if the trek group does not have one.

Tips : - Definitely not obligatory but we are very often asked for suggestions. A normal tip would be about £ 10 per person - to be collected and disbursed at the end of the trek to the porters and ponyman.

What you carry : - Small Haversack containing ; Waterproof, Light Pullover, Sun Cream, Camera and Water bottle.

What the ponies carry :- (The baggage must not exceed 15 kg.) A large zipped bag which should contain

Important information;- Due to uncertain and unforseeable climatic changes in the Himalayas do not take unnecessary risks. Spring and autumn are ideal for low altitude trekking  while you take to high altitude areas during July and August and up to mid September. Any departures for Zanskar must not be undertaken after the first week of September, for early snows can block the passes. Ideally, the last trek to this area should take off by 24th August .Remember the porters and ponies have to return to Manali. High altitude treks in the south and west of Kulu are possible till the end of September, but the nights get very cold.