Easy Treks

Easy treks are an excellent choice for beginners, families, and those seeking a less strenuous Himalayan experience, typically lasting 2 to 5 days with 3 to 4 hours of walking daily. Staying below 4,000 meters, these treks feature well-defined trails through forests or meadows with minimal technical sections and gradual inclines, making a basic fitness level sufficient. Popular examples include Dayara Bugyal and the Valley of Flowers.

Moderate Treks

Moderate treks, typically lasting 5 to 8 days with daily walking hours ranging from 4 to 6, are suitable for individuals with some trekking experience or a good fitness level. These treks can reach altitudes of up to 5,000 meters (approximately 16,500 ft), potentially including high-altitude camps, where proper acclimatization is crucial due to the risk of altitude sickness. The terrain can be challenging, featuring steep climbs and descents, as well as varied surfaces like snow, rocky sections, or moraines. Good cardiovascular fitness, including the ability to jog for several kilometers and a regular exercise routine, is essential. Common examples of moderate treks include Hampta Pass, Kuari Pass, and Rupin Pass.

Difficult Treks

Difficult treks are exclusively for experienced, fit, and determined trekkers, as they present significant technical challenges and are unsuitable for beginners. These expeditions typically extend beyond 8 days, featuring demanding daily walks of 7 to 9 hours or more, often with consecutive strenuous days. Treks regularly ascend to high passes above 5,000 meters (approximately 16,500 ft), with some reaching up to 6,000 meters (approximately 20,000 ft). The terrain is exceptionally challenging, encompassing steep, long ascents, glacier crossings, and navigation over scree and boulders, frequently requiring technical skills with ropes, ice axes, and crampons. Participants must possess excellent physical and mental endurance, maintaining a rigorous fitness regimen that includes cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and long-distance walks with a backpack. Notable examples of difficult treks include Goechala, Pin Parvati Pass, and the Chadar Trek during winter.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is an illness that can happen when you travel to high altitudes too quickly. It's caused by the reduced amount of oxygen in the air at higher elevations, which your body can't adapt to fast enough.

Key Symptoms

The most common symptoms of AMS are a headache, along with nausea, dizziness, fatigue, or loss of appetite. They usually feel like they have a bad hangover.

Prevention and Treatment

• The Golden Rule: The best way to prevent AMS is to ascend gradually. This gives your body time to acclimatize.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water. Alcohol and caffeine can cause dehydration, which can make AMS symptoms worse. It's best to avoid them at high altitudes.
• Medication: For people with a history of AMS or those who must ascend quickly, a doctor may prescribe a medication like acetazolamide (Diamox). This drug helps your body acclimatize faster.
• Stop and Rest: If you start to feel symptoms, do not go any higher. Rest at your current altitude until you feel better.
• Descend: If your symptoms get worse, the only definitive cure is to descend to a lower altitude as quickly as possible. Ignoring AMS can lead to more serious, life-threatening conditions like HAPE and HACE.

Here is a generic list of things you must carry on your trip.

• Down/thick jacket
• Wind cheater/long rain jacket
• Small foldable umbrella (optional)
• Full sleeves woollen jumper/sweater
• A pair of warm gloves
• A set of high quality thermals
• Cotton socks for hiking
• Thick woollen socks for evenings
• 2 pairs of hiking pants
• 2 quick-dry hiking t-shirts (full sleeves preferably)
• Bandana sun hat
• Woollen hat
• Camping towel
• Underwear
• Sun glasses with uv protection
• Sturdy hiking shoes
• Reusable water bottle/s (2 litres minimum)
• 1 flask 0.5 litre
• Small led headlamp/torch with extra batteries
• Power bank
• Toilet paper/wet wipes (biodegradable preferably)
• Plastic bag for personal waste to carry back
• Sunscreen lotion
• A small daypack
• Light camping shoes or flip flops
• Hiking stick
• Personal toiletries
• Personal medicines
• Trail snacks like nuts or energy bars

By saying "Outdoors for All", we try to create inclusive outdoor experiences. While we offer beginner-friendly treks, a basic level of fitness is still necessary to ensure you can comfortably enjoy the trip.

Being in basic trekking shape means you can walk comfortably for several hours on different kinds of paths. For example, you are fit if you are able to walk 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) in under an hour without getting overly tired. This requires having a good walking pace, strong leg muscles for hills, and the ability to move freely without stiffness or strain.

To prepare your body for a 4-day high-altitude trek, focus on these key areas at least 6-8 weeks beforehand:

• Cardiovascular Endurance: Strengthen your heart and lungs with activities like jogging, cycling, or brisk walking for 30-45 minutes, 3-5 times a week.
• Muscle Strength: Build strong legs and a stable core with exercises like squats, lunges, and step-ups to handle uneven terrain and a backpack.
• Flexibility: Improve your range of motion and prevent injury with regular stretching or yoga.

Depending on your interest and ability, we can customize trips to meet your specific needs.

Specific inclusions vary from trip to trip, but in a nutshell, your trip cost covers your transport as per itinerary, accommodation on twin sharing (single supplements cost extra) and bed and breakfast basis, all meals on trekking trails, trekking/climbing permits, forest reserve area and environmental fee where applicable, horses and porter fee, and guide support. Insurance is mandatory and will be added to the final payment.

Please note that the cost does not include any additional taxes, bank transfer charges or platform transaction fee, any meals or additional activities not mentioned in the programme, beverages/alcohol, shopping, or personal tips.

It is our endeavour to provide clean and pleasant accommodation, but many of our programs are in remote regions and away from big cities so the infrastructure and facilities could be limited and basic, especially while on a trek where toilets will not be attached to your tents/teahouses. Your stay is arranged keeping comfort and cleanliness in mind, whether a guesthouse or a camp. Depending on the trip, some itineraries that include cities may also have premium hotels.
Not all accommodations will have wi-fi, and mobile network may be erratic. Jio and BSNL work best in most remote mountain areas, and Airtel in large pockets. Only postpaid numbers work in some places like Ladakh. Ensure that you pack everything on your list (and avoid packing more than that!) and carry any special items you may need including eatables, and most importantly, personal medication that you take regularly which may not be available in the area you are going to.

We understand that plans can change. To be fair to all our guests and to account for the costs we incur in preparing for your trip, our refund policy is based on the date we receive your written cancellation notice.

The following refund percentages of the package price will apply:

• 30 days or more before the departure date: We will refund 50% of the package price.
  
• 15 to 29 days before the departure date: We will refund 25% of the package price.
  
• 7 to 14 days before the departure date: There will be no refund.
  

For complete details on our cancellation terms and conditions, please click here.