Trek is a long, adventurous journey undertaken on foot in areas where common means of transport is generally not available. Trekking should not be confused with mountaineering.
The term derived from the Afrikaans word trek (noun), trekken (verb), (literally meaning to "pull, travel"), became a word in English language in mid 19th century, and means a long arduous journey, typically on foot.
Trekking in india is one of the famous adventure sports awaiting the trekking enthusiast in India. One who are fascinated by the unexplored. The mountain ranges of India offer breathtaking, enthralling trekking routes. In the vast amphitheatre of the Indian Himalayas and Karakorams, there are limitless possibilities for trekking tours, mountaineering, skiing, and river rafting tours. Within this alluring arena, the Garhwal and Kumaon regions, occupy the central place, with special points of interest for the trekker. In India Trekking enthusiast can also explore the rugged beauty of the lofty mountains romancing the shimmering waterfalls cascading down in glee, like a merry village belle. Experience the thrill of sheer adventure by our trekking tours in India amidst the world's most beautiful places.
Respecting the following customs and principles will help make a positive experience for both you and your trekking. Using your eyes and common sense will help guide you – while in India. Try and do as the Indian do, and you will be rewarded with hospitality and friendliness.
Religious
Please dress neatly and show respect when entering villages, religious places and trekking: cover yourself from shoulders to knees, and take off hats and shoes when entering in religious places.
Religious
Please dress neatly and show respect when entering villages, religious places and trekking: cover yourself from shoulders to knees, and take off hats and shoes when entering in religious places.
Women should not touch monks or their robes
Please do not touch, point your feet at, or turn your back on Buddha images
Keep your head lower than Buddha statues and monks
Do not take pictures or disturb monks during prayer times
Please do not touch, point your feet at, or turn your back on Buddha images
Keep your head lower than Buddha statues and monks
Do not take pictures or disturb monks during prayer times
Cultural
Wearing revealing clothing and showing your flesh (for women and men) is offensive to India
Don’t wear bikinis, skimpy clothing, or take off your shirt in public
In India, your head is ‘high’ and your feet ‘low’
Don’t gesture with your feet, and don’t put your feet on furniture.
Also, do not touch someone else’s head
Kissing and hugging in public is impolite – please be discrete
Please ask before taking photos of people
Support development by buying local food and handicrafts
Environmental:
Do not take anything from the forest
Do not litter on land or in water; take all your rubbish with you
Do not buy wildlife or wildlife products
Do not make unnecessary noise
When trekking or riding bicycles, do not leave the route or trample vegetation and crops
How to behave on a trek - a short guideline
Do not bathe in streams and waterfalls using chemical soaps and shampoos.
Many hill tribe villagers used to be able to drink the water from streams. Still rivers provide many different kinds of food for the local people.
Do not throw away waste or rubbish even though local people tend to do that as they don't know better. Set a good example.
Do not buy and/or smoke opium/marijuana
From villagers and guides. This could be big money for the guides or villagers, with sad consequences for the villages! Many of which do not even grow their own opium could think to make a good business with tourists. On the other hand all official sides hope to stop growing opium. Please respect! Also village children see foreigners
[source: http://www.peakadventuretour.com/trekking.html]
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With its diverse ethnic groups and traditional beliefs, India has numerous cultural practices that may appear unusual to a person on his/her first visit the country. However, to enjoy your stay in this remarkable country of beautiful Himalayas, it is important to take into consideration the different cultural aspects of the country. Here is a list of things which may be helpful to you while traveling in India.
1. The form of greeting in India is "NAMASTE" and is performed by joining the palms together.
2. Before entering a home, temple, and Stupa remember to remove your shoes.
3. Be careful not to use your spoon, fork or hands being used for eating to touch other’s food, plate, cooking utensil or the serving dish. Do not eat from other people’s plate and do not drink from other people’s bottle or glass. It is considered impure among Indians.
4. Never touch anything with your feet. This is considered and offence.
5. While traveling, dress appropriately. Women should especially avoid dressing in skimpy outfits.
6. Seek permission first before entering a Hindu temple.
7. Leather articles are prohibited in most religious places.
8. Walking around temples or stupas is traditionally done clockwise.
9. Take photographs only after receiving permission for the object or person being photographed.
[source:http://www.trekinhimalayas.com/general-information/do-donot.html]
THINGS TO CARRY FOR TREKKING
TREK GEAR
1. Sleeping Bags (Note there are 2 main varieties of sleeping bags. One is more woolen, for this trek the woolen one is required). We took Wild-craft ones which cost around Rs 2000
2. Sleeping Mats (You get mats from Rs 100 onwards to Rs 300 / Adventure Sports and Wild-craft both have a wide variety)
3. Trekking shoes [Hunter Shoes (Bata and Carona)] (There is nothing called special trek issues. Its whatever you are comfortable with for at least 20 kms on difficult terrain. As a thumb rule stick to comfortable sneakers/running shoes/basketball shoes that have a good grip). Ensure shoes are not very old or very new.
4. Additional shoe laces 1 pair. Glue/fevi stick to do
repairs if needed. ( Shoes are most important part of
journey)
5. Socks - few pairs depending on how your feet smells,gets wet.
6. Rucksack that can carry various stuff on all sides ( Again Adventure Sports /Wild-craft Rs 1000 onwards you get a lot of variety.)[imported Lowpro]
7. Carry raincoat with cap facility and that can be easily worn with the rucksack on your back.
8. Adequate clothing. Cargos are best. Jeans are not bad,else any other comfortable clothing including undergarments. No woolen clothes required during the trek. Jackets are required at night and early morning because its very cold.
9. Slippers , to walk around and give rest to feet after a day long trek
10. Torch. Else your day ends with sunset.
11. Watch/mobile/ etc to give alarms , keep note of time/date etc. Mobiles can be switched off to save battery. Most of them still ring alarms.
12. Swiss knifes with functions like knives,openers,scissors etc.
FOOD
1. Good leak proof water bottles to fill and drink spring water. One can carry energy drinks or mix something like Glucon D to get energy.
2. snacks like chocolates/chocolates which provide easy energy, bubble gums which help to build stamina. [Candy]
3. Chocolates/gums to share with kids on the route
5. Socks - few pairs depending on how your feet smells,gets wet.
6. Rucksack that can carry various stuff on all sides ( Again Adventure Sports /Wild-craft Rs 1000 onwards you get a lot of variety.)[imported Lowpro]
7. Carry raincoat with cap facility and that can be easily worn with the rucksack on your back.
8. Adequate clothing. Cargos are best. Jeans are not bad,else any other comfortable clothing including undergarments. No woolen clothes required during the trek. Jackets are required at night and early morning because its very cold.
9. Slippers , to walk around and give rest to feet after a day long trek
10. Torch. Else your day ends with sunset.
11. Watch/mobile/ etc to give alarms , keep note of time/date etc. Mobiles can be switched off to save battery. Most of them still ring alarms.
12. Swiss knifes with functions like knives,openers,scissors etc.
FOOD
1. Good leak proof water bottles to fill and drink spring water. One can carry energy drinks or mix something like Glucon D to get energy.
2. snacks like chocolates/chocolates which provide easy energy, bubble gums which help to build stamina. [Candy]
3. Chocolates/gums to share with kids on the route
4. Dry Fruits/
4. Lighter/match boxes, candles etc to aid in cooking/smoking etc if required.
CAMERA/HANDYCAM KIT
1. Ensure your camera is working smooth without problems. Ensure that the straps are perfect and will hold when you walk fast
2. Ensure you have sufficient memory cards, multiple batteries as there are no places either to buy new or download it,no electricity to charge batteries.
3. Ensure you have a good camera bag to keep these things handy. I also see many people use it with belt pouches to also keep money etc.However its best to distribute money on different pockets and also keep some in the bags with porters.
TOILETRY
1. Liquid soap / shampoo/paper soaps (make sure its not a glass bottle that cna break). Shampoo can double up as liquid soap.
2. Toilet paper
3. hair oil/ moisturizer/deo etc
4. Sunscreen lotion to avoid too much sunburn. Sunglasses with UV protection.
5. Toothpaste/toothbrush/shaving kit etc
MEDICINES
1. Fever
2. Body ache/head ache etc
3. diarrhoea/ amoebic infections , digestion problems etc.
4. Sprains of neck , waist ,backbone etc.
5. Injury of cuts, wounds etc.
6. Zeoline etc to clean water
7. nausea, general sickness of mountains
4. Lighter/match boxes, candles etc to aid in cooking/smoking etc if required.
CAMERA/HANDYCAM KIT
1. Ensure your camera is working smooth without problems. Ensure that the straps are perfect and will hold when you walk fast
2. Ensure you have sufficient memory cards, multiple batteries as there are no places either to buy new or download it,no electricity to charge batteries.
3. Ensure you have a good camera bag to keep these things handy. I also see many people use it with belt pouches to also keep money etc.However its best to distribute money on different pockets and also keep some in the bags with porters.
TOILETRY
1. Liquid soap / shampoo/paper soaps (make sure its not a glass bottle that cna break). Shampoo can double up as liquid soap.
2. Toilet paper
3. hair oil/ moisturizer/deo etc
4. Sunscreen lotion to avoid too much sunburn. Sunglasses with UV protection.
5. Toothpaste/toothbrush/shaving kit etc
MEDICINES
1. Fever
2. Body ache/head ache etc
3. diarrhoea/ amoebic infections , digestion problems etc.
4. Sprains of neck , waist ,backbone etc.
5. Injury of cuts, wounds etc.
6. Zeoline etc to clean water
7. nausea, general sickness of mountains
