Call of the hills Trekkers from across the globe haunt India’s Himalayan ranges. It is not just the ruggedness that is infatuating, but the celestial and humbling beauty of nature that swathe its hills and dales. Camp in the wild (animals won’t harm, till you harm them), cook food (like our ancestors did), let your hair down and dance the nights away (better if you volunteer to teach a localite some hip-shaking in exchange of the jungle jinga-la-la), and sleep under the blue sky (make a hole in your tent-roof to gaze at the stars!).....


Most trekked zones Garhwal Himalayas: Himalayas most beautiful slice is called the Garhwal. The Ganges, Nanda Devi sanctuary, the bewitching Valley of flowers, Hindu pilgrimage sites Badrinath and Kedarnath, there is an endless list that awaits the vision. The best part is the unpredictable weather and the changing terrain. Whether, impressed by the celestial beauty or because of the pilgrim interest, they call it ‘Dev Bhumi’ (abode of the gods). For treks in the higher regions go between April and November, while lower regions are best trekked between December and February. The snow-fall is awesome!!!

• Wow moments: The flower-infested route to Swargarohini peak (20,000 ft), hike to Agora village, camping in the jungle.
• The treks: Uttarkashi, Tehri-Garhwal, Pauri-Garhwal, Dehra Dun & Chamoli

Kumaon Himalayas: The starting point of the rivers Pindar, Gori, Dhauli, E. And Kuti, form the main trekking and mountaineering regions. As you trek through the ardous track, you are more than reminded of the great hunter Jim Corbett (of ‘Man eaters of Kumaon’ fame). And if you have read his book, you sure will day-dream seeing him crawl with his gun for the man-eater. No more man-eaters, just unending excitement.

• Wow moments: Pindari’s rugged beauty; the breath-taking sights from the peaks of Chhanguj (6,322m) , Nanda Khat (6,611m), Pawali Dwar (6,663m), Nanda Bhanar (6,236m), Dangkhal (6,050m) and Balijori (5,922m); the roof-top Milam village trek
• The treks: Milam Glacier, Pindari Glacier, Kafni Glacier

Ladakh: If trekking right upto the sky sounds exciting and higher the altitude, the better, than Ladakh -- between the Great Himalayan range and the Tibetan Plateau at 3000 m above the sea level, is just the zone for you.

• Wow moments: Nowhere will you see sandy desert mature into snow-clad mountains, dotted with colorful monastery (gompa) flags
• The treks:
  1. Spituk-Rumbak-Yurutse-Ganda La-Skiu-Markha-Nimaling-Kongmaru La-Chogdo-Hemis-Leh
  2. Lamayuru-Wanla-Hinju Valley-Konze La-Sumdo Choon-Stapski La-Alchi
  3. Lamayuru-Prinkiti La-Wanla-Hinju-Konze-Sumdo Choon-Dung Dung La-Chilling
  4. Trekking Routes in Zanskar

Himachal: Four mountain ranges -- the Dhaula Dhar, Pir Panjal, Himalayas and Zanskar, alongwith a myriad local cultures, pristine valleys, deep gorges, plummeted orchards, meadows -- and what not, Himachal treks are the most enriching. There are about two dozen passes on the Dhauladhar, a dozen over the Pirpanjal range and 8-10 passes over the Great Himalayan range to cross over to the Zanskar valley.

• Wow moments: Floral extragvanganza, Manikaran hot springs where one can even boil potatoes, artistic creations at the Kangra school
• The treks: Chandratal Trek, Chandrakhani Pass Trek, Indrahar Pass Trek, Across Charang Valley, Bhaba Pass Trek, Pin Parbati Pass

Sikkim & Darjeeling: Mount Kanchenjungha is Sikkim and Darjeeling’s claim to fame besides the cultural potpuorri of Bhutia, Lepacha and Tibetian races. Endless green tea gardens, an eclectic diaspora of flora and fauna, the quaint toy train (an World Heritage site), some of the most colorful Buddhist festivals, adventure sports --- your trekking tour has tango, more exciting than the humbling white peaks. Go there during April to May and October to November.

• Wow moments: Over 600 different hues of orchids, Snow Leopard (if really lucky), Red panda, Musk Deer and Blue Sheep, hills carpeted green (tea plantations) or red (rhododendrons)
• The treks: Darjeeling Darjeeling-Batast-Tonglo-Sandakphu-Return; Singalia & Kalimpong Treks in Darjeeling; Sikkim Darjeeling/Gangatok-Pemanyangtse-Yoksum-Dzongri, Tendong Hill Treks, Menam Hill trecks (10,300 ft), Namchi Or Damthang To Tendong-Ravangla-Menam-Borong, Versery (10,000 ft)

Trekking Essentials Trekking means walking, walking, and more walking. So your shoes are the most important part of the escapade. Wear your most comfortable and sturdy pair. A light backpacking bag, warm clothes to dare the himalayan chills, maps and compasses, first-aid kit, flashlights and the easily guessed usuals. Those traveling with us, should confirm first, for we arrange for most of the trekking essentials. Those with altitude sickness, called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), should not travel beyond 3000 meters. Better, if you warm up a bit before traveling --- go for cycling, swimming, jogging, squash, tennis, and long walks.

Carry your gusto and spirits along, you will need them, all the time, in your India trekking adventure. And put a reminder for your --- “Camera”!