Travel Tips Preparations, Himalayas Expeditions, Trekking Routes

If you are planning to walking or trekking in Himalaya so demands a degree of physical fitness in which muscles are conditioned to take the rigors of ascent and descent in long marches. A trek is enjoyed more if you are not particularly tired on reaching the camp after a day's march. Even if you are only moderately conditioned at the outset, it will not take more than 2 to 3 days to become almost fully conditioned after a week you will either be perfectly tuned or completely fed up, depending upon your mental and physical responses.

Mental Conditioning

Mental preparation is more complex than physical condoning. The Indian experience is likely to be a cultural shock which you must learn to absorb. You need to adjust your mental attitude, at least temporarily, to the ways and responses of the people and sights encountered wherever you happen to travel. Not only that, read few books about the Indian Himalaya and acquaint yourself with India from authentic sources. Most Europeans who have never visited India before have wrong ideas and notions about the country.

Information on trekking

Today's Styles of Trekking - Make sure you like hiking in the first place! Then consider some short hikes nearer home to develop basic fitness. Consider carrying a backpack, camping for days together, walking on rough trails, the different foods, the language barrier, and the time you can allot to trekking. This will help you to select the trek best suited to you.

Walking alone or with a few friends can be wonderful, though it is easier for the young as you need to put more than walking into your day. If you plan to camp out and cook, develop stamina. If you plan to stay in local homes or teahouses, than you must know the language a little. Be prepared for smoky rooms, lice and fleas, and crying babies. Also to be considered are difficult to find trails.

Carrying all your gear can be the most tiring way to walk in the mountains, so you could make arrangements with a local porter or a guide who will help you find your way and procure food and shelter. Making your own arrangements can be approach a local tour operator for the tasks and the trekking tips according to the news of climate to be very honestly. Most operators also provide equipment, making it unnecessary to carry or buy large tents and sleeping bags.

Preparation for the Trip

There are various factor to consider, both mental and physical, in preparation for the trip. : -

Physical conditioning of the cardiovascular system with aerobic exercise.

Background reading, maps etc. M o r e I n f o.

Camping and Cooking Equipment

This depends on the style of trekking, but if you are totally equipping yourself then you could consider the following:

Sleeping bag with liner and foam mattress.

Sturdy rain-proof tent.

Backpack, day pack and probably a duffel bag to keep in storage in hotels while on trek.

A kerosene stove that can be cleaned easily, a leak-proof fuel container. Lightweight pots, pans and cutlery. Favorite food items.

Food and Fitness

First rule for anyone interested in trekking in the Himalayan region is that one must be good in physical and mental condition. Good food is essential part of the trekking and here good food does not refer to costly delicacies but wholesome and nutritious diet. Choice of food is limited once you leave the town and head for wilderness. In many villages there is no dhaba and the trekkers have to be on their own for food.

However freshly cooked food has no substitute as tinned food losses its taste after some time. Ready to eat packets are not available in most of the villages. Roadside dhaba or small hotels in town and villages offer simple but wholesome meal. Rice chapatti pulses and seasonal vegetables are the best choice.

Basic dry ration like rice sugar flour pulses powder milk tea leaves and vet oil are available in most of the village shops.

Trekkers should carry dry fruits chocolates sweets soup packets coffee powder biscuits butter cheese noodles etc. form the town market.

Trekking in Himalayas is means one must be free form any type illnesses. Mentally and physically. In case of felling of uneasiness or minor illness it is better to delay the trip as medical facilities may not be available in the interior areas. Though there is a vast network of primary health centers and community health centers in the state .many times doctors don't join their services in far flung places and these centers remain without a doctor. Elementary medicines may be available in far off places but one should be self sufficient as far the medicines are concerned.

Altitude Sickness

No other mountains deserve the kind of respect the Himalaya do in terms of altitude. As the Himalayan Rescue Association likes to point out : 'The Himalaya start where other mountains leave off.' Remember it is the sleeping altitude that is critical. Acclimatization susceptibility to altitude sickness. Men and women are equally susceptible and children more so. M o r e I n f o.

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