Saptarshi Roy, Author at HIMALAYA TREKKERS

Saptarshi is the Chief Organiser and founder of HT. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of HT.

Trekking gear rental vs. purchase: why renting the key trekking gears is not a wise decision

Trekking gear or equipment are a necessity on any multi-day trekking programme in the Himalayas. Be you a first-timer or a seasoned trekker, every time you ask a common question to yourself before a trekking tour, “Do I have all the required trekking gears?” If the answer is yes (assuming you know your own stuff), then you are done and need not continue to read this blog. However, if the answer is no, then stick to this article. This may also be useful for you to create a strategy for what gear to buy, even if you are not new to Himalayan trekking.

Here, I am assuming that you are joining an organised trekking tour, which will take care of your camping logistics like tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, cooking utensils, and so on. At HT we provide these items in our organised treks. So our focus is on your personal trekking gear, whether to rent or buy?

There are surely vested interests and myths behind this topic floated on the internet, and you need to understand, estimate, and then take a well-informed decision about whether to rent or purchase a particular piece of trekking gear.

What are your key trekking gears of primary importance?

No matter how long your list of things to carry on a trek is, the following are the key elements of your gear list: These are so not only due to your safety but for comfort also. These will safeguard you during a trek against weather odds in the Himalayas. You wouldn’t like to bet on the following items:

Your 3-layers of clothing (a must on the mountains between ~3000 m/10000 ft to ~6000 m/20000 ft):
Sleeping bag (generally it is included in the package by your tour operator, like we do in our treks)
Your trekking shoes/boots
A rucksack/backpack with a raincover

Check out our guide on what you should look for when buying a trekking gear.

At the same time, there would be people going on easy to moderate treks for the first time, unsure whether they would trek again or not. From my experience working for more than 12 years as a tour operator, I have seen many groups return to the Himalayas again and again.

If you are a gear geek or if budget is not a constraint, then just do your research and buy the gear that suits you. You need not bother anytime soon with any future backpacking, hiking, or trekking trip anywhere around the globe.

At the same time, many among us may not have the budget required. Besides that, like many other fellow Indians, I am also price conscious in general and try to see the potential return on investment, cost effectiveness, or simply put, value for money. So let’s take a deeper look:

Note: 1 m = 3.28 ft. Here the mentioned figures are to give you a general idea and not exactly a conversion.

Understanding 3 -layers of clothing in trekking:

Remember that there is no substitute for quality trekking gear, which is generally light-weight to give you much needed relief on the mountains.

Base layer (moisture-wicking layer): A quick-dry base layer (Dry-fit t-shirt, half or full sleeves): Isn ‘t we all have a few of these gym/running t-shirts nowadays, ain’t we? For the bottom layer, it’s better to get a similar dry-fit trouser, which is usually water repellent as well.
Mid layer (warm clothing): Usually a warm jacket (Synthetic/Hollow fibre/Fleece or a Down jacket; you may use a combination of layers as well) — which constructs your middle layer. For the bottom layer, you may use a thermal or woolly cotton inner pant.
Outer layer (weather proofing): a windproof and waterproof jacket with a hood for high altitude treks at or above 4500 m – 15000 ft or a poncho or raincoat (upper and lower) for treks up to 4000 m – 13000 ft.

I would always prefer to buy the above layers separately. There are products named 3 in 1 Jacket, Waterproof Warm Jacket, or Snow Hiking Jacket, which are apparently tempting. Just don’t buy such products, but get your layers separately. Thank me later for convenient and wider usages 😀

When you purchase a gear, invest in good products

There are many advantages to buying good quality gear, and the main ones are:

Trusted products from reputed brands maintain safety and other product specification standards. These products are quite likely to withstand the conditions they are rated and designed for.

You may reuse a good product on different occasions; e.g., a windproof and waterproof jacket can be very handy during monsoon days, and your warm fleece can steal the show in the autumn or winter.

Wider reuse of products in different actions. You can use these for trekking, hiking, backpacking, motorcycling, bicycling, or even in your daily life, depending upon where you live.

Quality products are often lightweight, which is a key characteristic of good trekking gear. Every gram on the mountain matters.

The takeaway is that you shouldn’t buy an item because of its lower price tag. This may just work for your next trip, but it is not useful in the long run for different types of travel if you intend to.

How much does it cost to get all the essential gear?

So in Indian market, both retail and online you will get these items (you only buy from trusted and reputed brands in outdoor industry):

Base layer:

1 or 2 dry fit T-shirts, ₹ 1000 for one. You also get non-branded products that are available in the sports market in your locality, like those synthetic, light-weight perforated jerseys (₹ 500 a piece).

Mid layer:

Either you can use a good warm synthetic jacket, or a mountain quality fleece jacket which can keep you toasty between 5° C to 10° C. A decent and tested reputed brand jacket in Indian market will be between ₹ 3000 – 5000. There is also the choice of more expensive down jackets. A 800 fill power down is recommended considering advance and wide use.

Outer layer:

This can be a game changer or a lifesaver on mountains. Often, you will get windy days on mountains. The windproof layer cuts the wind at the outer layer so you don’t get wind chill. On top of that, always prepare for an unexpected drizzle, rain, downpour, snow, or hail. Yes, you need a waterproof jacket. Always buy one that comes with a hood. ₹ 3000 – 6000.

When you put all your layers together, you are comfortable at 0°C, maybe to your limit at -5°C. If you need more warmth, just put another additional layer on top, e.g., a sweater, a hoody, or a pullover.

For bottom usually a quick dry pant is good enough which are also water repellent. If you are going in colder places below freezing then consider carrying a thermal for bottoms. ₹ 1500 to 2500.

Adding your clothing part, it comes around ₹ 10,000.

Trekking shoes:

₹ 4000 – 6000. We have tested shoes which are priced around ₹ 4000 in the Indian market, those are waterproof to an extent, mid ankle, have a decent traction sole, and are pretty light. You can comfortably use these up to 4500 m – 15000 ft or probably up to 5000 m. At retail stores, the executives may try to sell you more expensive products, but now you know that’s what you need.

A rucksack:

Without this, you can’t even go till base camp carrying all your stuff. Gone are the days of strollers and suitcases. Buy a 50-liter backpack priced between ₹ 2000 – 5000 that can serve you not only on a trekking trip but on your usual family travel and backpacking mixed tours, etc.

Quite a hefty budget, do you think? It’s coming between ₹ 15,000 and ₹ 20,000, depending mainly upon quality.

A note on the sleeping bag:

As only a handful of treks in the Indian Himalayas are Tea-House or homestay/lodge style, the majority of the treks here will require a sleeping bag for a comfortable night’s sleep. Seasoned trekkers going up to 6000 m or 20000 ft and camping above 5000 m – 16500 ft should have your personal sleeping bag for your own warmth and safety. Buy one that is rated and suited for the expected temperature range on your high altitude trek.

Although, as already mentioned, for our organised treks, we provide a sleeping bag in the package.

This is my first time trekking in the Himalayas. Do I have to buy so many gears and spend so much money? Is it really essential?

No, not at all. As this is your first time, it’s safe to assume that you are probably going up to around 13000 ft – 4000 m, on an easy or easy to moderate trek, which is usually a soft trek im nature. So we will see what alternatives we have rather than buying everything.

Reuse your existing items:

We all have some sort of warm or winter clothing back home. For people of north India, you already should have warm enough clothing for your winters. Even if we are in the south, west, or east of India, most likely we will have clothing to deal with a temperature of at least 10°C, kept for those coldest days. Just put on one or two additional layers (layering up is the mantra), e.g., your pullover, sweater, hoodie, or thermal that you already have.

Many of us will have raincoats as well as jerkins or windcheaters of any kind. If you ride a motorcycles or bicycles you probably have it already. For trousers, you can reuse your synthetic track pants or similar.

What about your trekking shoes? Again, for easy treks, you may do pretty well with your existing sports shoes if they have a good rubber sole.

Additionally, you may like to check if you can borrow any of these items from your friends and family.

Its easy to figure out on what you may already have and reuse on a trek, right?

Buy one at a time: step by step

If you have to cross boulder zone(s) or if you plan a winter snow trek, it is safe to get your personal trekking shoes. Get one for around ₹ 4000 a pair.

If you have already done a few easy treks and are now aiming for a moderate trek around 4500 m/15000 ft, focus on your clothing. Its time to get either a warm jacket or a windproof and waterproof jacket.

Hygiene of personal clothing vs. rented clothing

We are now more serious about our personal hygiene, thanks to the pandemic! Given the conditions at base camp and above, it is very difficult to clean a particular gear after every use.

I am not considering here a sleeping bag, as it may be comfortable to get one at base camp, use it, and then return it for many reasons. But do consider bringing a sleeping bag liner or inner layer for your personal hygiene.

Why would you take a chance with size and fit?

I always insist that you visit a retail store so that you can give it a trial and make sure which one fits you properly. People who understand their own sizing chart may consider buying online if it’s too difficult to visit a retail store. Remember, even a few of the best products either run small or large for a given size.

E.g., your warmth mid layer should have a snug fit, and your outer layer should have allowance to fit the mid layer inside; at the same time, it should not be too airy or loose to wear.

Regarding your trekking shoes, wear them with socks and choose the right fit. It is important to break in your shoes before the trek. Otherwise, it can be uncomfortable, or you may get blisters, especially in case of mid- or high-ankle shoes.

Now, how can one possibly compare the above with a condition where you directly reach a basecamp and collect your required gear?

How much do you spend on the rented gear?

Here, your choice is limited, and you mostly don’t get to rent the desired product that is available in the market. If you do get one, then the likely renting cost can be:

A backpack: ₹ 50 to ₹ 100 per day.

A warm jacket: ₹ 50 – 100 per day. Add another ₹ 100 for a windproof waterproof.

Trekking shoes: ₹ 150 – 200 per day rent, which you can buy in retail stores or online for approx. ₹ 4000. If you buy it, you may use it not only for your Himalayan treks but also for treks in eastern and western ghats, any backpacking trip, or abroad travel purposes. Even these can be handy on your official tours in the northern hemisphere, where you are fine with this shoe outside your office routines.

So you spend around ₹ 500 (for basic) to ₹ 1000 per day if you get to rent better quality gear. Now add up the total number of days from when you hire until you return. Sometimes companies will charge for cleaning on top of that.

Conclusion on whether to rent or buy trekking gear:

One or more of the following factors may be the reason why you don’t want to rent personal gear:

Limited selection and availability of gear – practically no choice for you here but to get the one they have
Unknown condition of gear – are you sure about their size, wear and tear or cleanliness?
The cost may add up quickly and be a recurring cost for returning trekkers
Time and effort to rent and return a gear

Or, to put it another way, one or more of the following reasons may help in your decision to buy your personal trekking gear, albeit one by one:

Greater selection and ability to choose gear that fits your needs, choice and budget
Better quality and condition of gear (your personal gear is a personal one ain’t it?)
Cost-effective in the long run for frequent trekkers
Personal familiarity with gear for improved safety and comfort

I hope I am able to make you aware of the fundamental differences between buying and renting trekking gear. There would be arguments about which is a smarter choice and so on. My suggestion would be that you think carefully and rationally before you make an informed decision.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the organisation/HT.

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Goechala trek in winters (Dec to Feb): Is it possible?

Should you plan for the Goechala trek in winter? Typically between December and February? A straightforward answer to this question is a humble no.

“It is most unlikely. But – here comes the big “but” – not impossible.” – Roald Dahl

Let us try to analyse whether it is a feasible idea to plan Goechala in winter or not.

Who may plan Goechala trek in winter?

It is a no-brainer that a winter trekking trail leading to ~ 4600 m/15100 ft and deeply rooted in the high Himalayas will have many challenges to deal with.

First and foremost, I assume that you are not a novice in the mountains. You must be a fairly experienced/seasoned high-altitude trekker who also has a high level of physical fitness.

In an objective way, plan Goechala Trek in winter IF AND ONLY IF you:

Completed high altitude trails ~ 4500 m /15000 ft or above on a minimum of 3 occasions during your multi-day hikes. You also have the experience of walking on snow (soft, hard, or slushy) and icy or frosty conditions on a hiking trail.
Fit enough to comfortably carry your fully loaded backpack ~ 15 Kg (these are only your personal items) throughout the trek. At high altitude, this roughly translates to an aerobic fitness level equivalent to running 5 km within 25 minutes.

Quite a lot already? Yes, indeed. This is a really high altitude in winter, and anyone not meeting the above would be potentially at very high risk. Practically you will be in no condition to finish the trek, be it physically or mentally.

What are the risks? And how to overcome:

Now onward I will go through the major challenges or difficulties of Goecha la trek in winter. You and your team (read, trekkers plus support staff) are very likely to face conditions/situations on the trail.

Dealing with the following should give you a fair chance to complete Goechala trek in winter.

Severe Cold Conditions:

By mid November night temperature dips as low as -15°C at ~4000 m/13000 ft or above. Early morning hikes to Dzongri top or Goechala View Point 1 will surely test your endurance against the cold. Even day time temperatures will remain freezing. No matter how you are used to the cold, quality clothing is a must.

Snow and Ice on the trail:

Sikkim and Darjeeling treks receive a low amount of snow when compared to the treks which are in Western Himalayas. It is mainly due to its much southerly latitude compared to Kashmir, Himachal or Uttarakhand. But this doesn’t make things easier.

Be prepared for already deposited snow or fresh precipitation in all possible forms. This includes loose snow, slush, sleet, crossing icy frozen or verglas sections. Use a waterproof high ankle trekking shoe/boot. Keep gaiters and micro spikes/anti slip grip handy.

strange-ice-formation-in-tree-leaves-during-winter — Ice formation during winter

Avoid the dead of winter:

Even if you have everything in place, you should avoid mid-January and mid-February.

Logistical tweaks:

This is an equally important aspect, if not more. It is common to get steep trail sections often covered with thick vegetation, underlying roots, and logs. Deposited loose snow on these sections can easily be a showstopper for the packed animals (horses or Yak/Dzo). Even a 6 inch to 1 feet snow on trail is very hard to manoeuvre with packed animals.

So I would not recommend horses in particular for winter treks on high altitude. This means more staff/porters/manpower from the logistics part and thus costly. At the same it is a safer logistical choice to attempt Goechala in winter. There are Govt basic Trekkers Hut/Shelters in limited locations but without our own setup/logistics it is a high risk to move in winters. Thankfully we have experienced local staff members and guides who can handle some snow.

With all these in place Goechala trek is “feasible to plan” with a bit of luck from weather.

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Best Monsoon treks in the Himalayas

Best treks in monsoon (July & August) on the Himalayas

Getting monsoon rain in general is not a good “thing” for trekking high up on the Himalayas. At the same time there are regions in the Indian Himalayas where monsoon has little or almost no impact. Remember that a rain/shower/drizzle is very common in most of the treks during summer months as well.

But monsoon rains are different and can continue for a day and night, if not more. Quite obviously none of you intend to walk in the rains or amid foggy weather so that you miss most of the grand views of the high mountains and snow clad peaks. Frequent and or continuous rain is indeed a spoiler on a trek. There are other risks as well like landslides or a rare cloudburst.

foggy-weather-is-common-in-monsoon-treks — A typical foggy weather during monsoon

This already may sound demoralising? I was only emphasising that you should be careful in selecting your monsoon trek. Be rest assured that there are sound reasons to trek in monsoon i.e. in general during July and August. And we do have a wide range for all, starting from a beginner to an expert. So no hurries and no worries.

monsoon-produces-vibrant-landscapes — Monsoon is indeed beautiful on many trails (PC – Rajat)

Why a monsoon trek?

Monsoon is the greenest part of the year in the Himalayas, just like across the country. Most flowers bloom during this time especially above the treeline, i.e.on the alpine meadows. Rocky barren landscapes do produce stunning hues when it gets its portion of rain. Usually if you get a view after, that will be clearer and haze free than in summer.

monsoon-treks-in-the-himalayas — Choosing the right region for monsoon is the key (PC – Achintya)

Last but not the least, your job! Maybe this is the time that you can take your holidays. Rest assured that there are quite a few treks which are pretty safe in monsoon. Be it in aspects of “views” or any other risks due to frequent rains. As we go through this article, hopefully you will develop an understanding and be aware of some treks which are best done during monsoon months.

miyar-valley-beautiful-in-monsoon — Some valleys are particularly beautiful in monsoon (PC – Rajat)

Let’s get an understanding first that you will get to know the spectrum of best, rather perfectly fine treks in monsoon. I hope then it will be much easier for you to choose your best trek in monsoon henceforth. Remember that it is important to choose the “right treks list” rather than just following a”list of best treks”.

Monsoon and its arrival in the Himalayas:

Summer monsoon is the effect of southwesterly monsoon winds across a vast part of India. This south-west monsoon brings most of the rainfall during a year in India. It arrives early June in Kerala and progresses to the north and eastward directions through different branches.

arrival-of-south-west-monsoon-in-india. — Arrival of South West monsoon wind in India (between 1st June to 15th July)

Following its course, it reaches to the eastern Himalayan foothills as early as the beginning of June. Whereas in western Himalayan foothills towards the end of June. As we move from east to west in the Himalayas, yearly average rainfall decreases significantly.

In our purpose to learn about best treks in monsoon we will consider monsoon season as July and August primarily. Although some areas are affected until mid of September. Still high altitudes above 3000 m/10000 ft have lesser impact at this late stage. If you have a priority to get clear weather you should keep another 15 days or so that any impact of residual rain is minimal.

Now let us have a look at the below chart. This bar chart is based on the IMD website and their research data. This is a normal monthly rainfall distribution of the Himalayan states/region which we are interested in. Just to note that as per IMD convention, up to +- 20% deviation is considered “normal”, +20% or above is “excess” and -20% and above is “deficient” and so on. The chart is quite straightforward to understand.

statewise-monthly-rainfall-in-the-himalayan-states-in-india — Monthly normal rainfall pattern among Himalayan states in India (Source: IMD website)

Choosing the right Himalayan region for your monsoon trek in the Himalayas

From the above chart, it is quite clear that rainfall reduces consistently from east to west within the Himalayas. Annual as well as monsoon rainfall i.e. for July and August is significantly less from east to west direction. However, do continue to read so that you can make a well informed decision.

1) Eastern Himalayas (Darjeeling/Sikkim treks): Monsoon is heavy and longer here. On an average the area receives more than 2000 mm of annual rainfall. E.g. Darjeeling and Gangtok receives ~ 3000 mm of yearly rainfall, of which more than 90% is during monsoon. Expect frequent/continuous heavy rains here between early June to mid September. Due to warmer temperatures leeches are another nuisance here for treks in monsoon. Avoid trekking in Darjeeling and Sikkim between June to mid September.

arjeeling-sikkim-remains-foggy-during-monsoon — Darjeeling hills: A typical day in July (PC – Subhratanu)

2) Western Himalayas: This part of the Himalayas can be divided further into the following from east to west direction.

A) Uttarakhand treks: Monsoon is consistent here in July and August. On an average this state receives ~ 1250 mm of annual rainfall. Avoid treks in Garhwal as well as treks in Kumaon region within Uttarakhand during July and August. Exceptions are those treks which are particularly beautiful in monsoon, i.e. have its reason(s) to visit amid rain.

Note: Monsoon/rain has minimal impact on higher altitude above 4000 m/13000 ft. Traditionally late August to early September is a good time for treks going around or above 5000 m here in Uttarakhand.

B) Himachal Pradesh treks: Here the situation is a bit complex. You need to understand where your trek route is. The state receives a good amount of annual rainfall ~ 1250 mm (similar to that of Uttarakhand) although it varies to a great extent from one region to another within the state.

All three major Himalayan ranges have their part in Himachal. From south to north runs Dhauladhar, Pir Panjal and Great Himalayan range of which the first two merges near Manali-Rohtang pass region. Additionally Himachal has its share in the Zanskar range which runs north of the Great HImalaya.

Let’s have a look at the below “normal” distribution of monthly and total yearly rainfall of the districts of our interest within Himachal. On the other hand I have skipped the data for the districts which constitute entirely foothills or lower hills (Shivalik region).

district-wise-monthly-and-total-annual-rainfall-within-himachal-pradesh — District wise annual rainfall and pattern variation in Himachal Pradesh

Note: The rainfall during winters from Dec to Feb and early spring (March) are very likely to trasslate to a snowfall on the higher altitudes.

From the above chart you can surely see that Kangra and Chamba district get most of the rain within this state and so as during monsoon. Simply avoid the treks which lie entirely within this region. Choose a different time for treks like Triund, Kareri Lake, Indrahar Pass, Minkiani Pass etc. In general treks starting or ending around Dharamshala, Bharmour etc are not at all good options for monsoon.

The conditions are somewhat similar in Kullu-Manali-Parvati valley and Kinnaur regions which receive the usual monsoon in July and August. Many popular treks in this region which are south of the Rohtang like Pass like Bhrigu Lake, Beas Kund, Kalihani Pass/Bara Bhangal, Chandrakhani Pass, Sar Pass, Deotibba base camp, etc. have better season(s) to go than in July or in August.

Treks originating and spanning within Great Himalayas or Zanskar ranges are pretty good options during monsoon in Himachal Pradesh. As a matter of fact, this is the best time to visit this high altitude region. From September onward some of these routes become pretty cold. On the other hand treks lying within Dhauladhar or Pin Panjal are not that favourable in monsoon.

Last but not the least, few trans Himalayan treks in this state which span across different ranges within Himalayas do receive frequent moderate rain. Treks like Hampta Pass, Pin Parvati Pass or to an extent Pin Bhaba pass treks are more or less monsoon affected. Similarly Kinnaur and upper regions of Shimla hills (treks like Lamkhaga Pass, Borasu Pass, Rupin Pass or Buran Ghati) also get usual monsoon during monsoon. You should avoid these regions from early July to late August.

hampta-pass-early-august — Hampta Pass: Obscured Shiaguru camp in early August

Lahaul and Spiti region treks including upper reaches of Chamba, Pangi and Miyar valley treks are perfectly fine during monsoon. This area receives occasional rain during July and August and the arid regions become somewhat green with different shades and usually better during the monsoon.

spiti-valley-in-monsoon — Spiti valley in early August (PC – Rajat)

C) Kashmir treks: This area has little impact due to monsoon. Kashmir valley falls in the leeward side of the monsoon winds and is positioned between Pir Panjal and Great Himalayan range. A major portion of the rainfall occurs in winters, due to western disturbances. You will still get some scattered rainfall in July and August, usually up to an hour or so. Continuous monsoon downpour is rather rare.

monsoon-is-best-time-for-kashmir-valley-treks — Meadows look stunning in July and August

Another strong reason to visit Kashmir in monsoon is its nature of the landscapes. Already green by summer this region becomes luxuriant during July and August. Some rain (low to moderate) makes it lively and richer. Verdant meadows with wildflower carpet, gushing streams and an array of Chinar and Cedar forest, alpine turquoise lakes, all in all truly connect to a paradise on Earth – Kashmir.

kashmir-valley-in-august — Monsoon is ideal to visit the Kashmir valley (PC – Achintya)

D) Leh ladakh and Zanskar treks: Ladakh is safest to trek, if we consider monsoon. This area has evenless impact of monsoon winds and historically this is a good time to explore the trails here. Ladakh region being a high elevation cold desert of India is marked by extreme aridity with acute moisture deficit throughout the year. Annual precipitation is extremely low due to rain shadow effect caused by Karakoram ranges on one side, mighty Greater Himalayas and Zanskar ranges on the other side.

This dry and arid region gets some green shades during July and August that the landscapes produce starking colour contrast. Although there are many treks in this region, but most of them are long duration treks which are often strenuous or difficult in nature.

Our top 10 picks for best treks in Monsoon:

Here are the very likely favourites for monsoon treks in the Himalayas. The list has Easy, Moderate and Difficult grade treks which are beautiful during monsoon or have its very reason(s) to visit even if it rains. On the other hand if there is a better time than monsoon for a given trek, then simply avoid monsoon.

Remember the rule of thumb? As we move east to west, you should be less affected by monsoon rain, i.e. between July and August. Also we are not considering treks which have a much better season(s) to visit in a calendar year.

Kashmir Great Lakes trek

Duration: 8 days
Grade: Moderate
Region: Kashmir Valley, Sonamarg
Where to reach: Srinagar
Stay type: Tent
Best time to visit: July to September
Tour highlights:

kashmir-great-lakes-best-trek-in-monsoon — Kashmir Great Lakes: Probably the best trek in monsoon

Valley of Flowers trek

Duration: 6 days
Grade: Easy
Region: Garhwal, Uttarakhand
Where to reach: Rishikesh/Dehradun
Stay type: Lodge/Hotel
Best time to visit: July and August
Tour highlights:

Markha Valley (plus) Kang Yatse trek

Duration: 8 to 12 days
Grade: Moderate, Difficult when you add Kang Yatse 2 summit
Region: Ladakh/Zanskar
Where to reach: Leh
Stay type: Tent/Homestay
Best time to visit: July to September
Tour highlights:

Tarsar Marsar trek

Duration: 7 days
Grade: Moderate
Region: Kashmir Valley, Pahalgam
Where to reach: Srinagar
Stay type: Tent
Best time to visit: July to September
Tour highlights:

Parang La trek:

Duration: 12 days
Grade: Difficult
Region: Ladakh & Spiti
Where to reach: Leh
Stay type: Tent
Best time to visit: July to September
Tour highlights:

Yunam peak trek:

Duration: 9 days
Grade: Difficult
Region: Zanskar & Lahaul
Where to reach: Manali
Stay type: Tent
Best time to visit: July to September
Tour highlights:

yunam-peak-summit-trek — Yunam peak summit in Zanskar ranges within upper Lahaul area (PC – Shankar)

Spiti Valley Homestay trek:

Duration: 4 to 6 days
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Region: Spiti
Where to reach: Kaza via Manali
Stay type: Homestay
Best time to visit: July to September
Tour highlights:

Miyar Valley Kang La trek:

Duration: 12 days
Grade: Difficult
Region: Lahaul and Zanskar
Where to reach: Udaipur via Manali
Stay type: Tent
Best time to visit: July to September
Tour highlights:

miyar-valley-trans-himalayan-trek-during-monsoon-months — Miyar Valley Kang La (Lahaul-Zanskar trans Himalayan region) in monsoon months

Tso Moriri to Tso Kar trek:

Duration: 7-8 days
Grade: Moderate, Strenuous
Region: Ladakh, Rupshu valley
Where to reach: Leh
Stay type: Tent
Best time to visit: July to September
Tour highlights:

Bedni Bugyal trek:

Duration: 6 days
Grade: Moderate
Region: Garhwal, Uttarakhand
Where to reach: Rishikesh/Kathgodam
Stay type: Tent and Homestay
Best time to visit:
Tour highlights:

bedni-bugyal-meadow-blooms-during-monsoon — Verdant meadows in monsoon

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Offbeat and new winter treks in India

November 4, 2020 July 21, 2021
Saptarshi Roy
Trek Insights
alternate winter treks, new winter treks, offbeat snow treks

This article aims to boost alternate and new options for winter treks in India, especially if you:

Have already hiked to one or many of the most popular winter treks in India.
Think that popular snow trails are often crowded, especially during peak holidays and festive seasons.
Wish to explore offbeat and pristine trails with your friends or family during winters.

In continuation to our best winter treks in India, here we will list some alternate yet beautiful and serene treks on the Himalayas. These are perfectly suitable in winters, i.e. between the month of December to February. Be it for the clear weather and crystal views, or for the chance of walking on snow. Both the experienced and beginners can enjoy most of these alternate winter treks.

Among many parameters our new winter trails are at par with the usual and popular winter trekking trails, e.g.:

Similar maximum altitudes
relative grading of the treks or physical endurance that you need
snow and cold conditions
or simply the beauty of the trail and nature.

Why trekkers and travellers really look at the new winter trek routes?

In recent years hikers are literally dumped on “slopes” within “slots” of the very popular winter trekking destinations. Trekkers stand in a queue towards the summit or huddle in a camping ground! However if you skip the busiest season or avoid rushing on weekends, things can be quite different. Here is a very likely picture during high season, i.e. between mid December to end of January.

popular-winter-trekking-trails-are-crowded-during-season — A normal day on a popular winter trek

Amid COVID pandemic, these trails are evermore sought after options. Apart from the tranquillity you will find, these trails are probably more safer for you who are tentative about trekking during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

Our new winter trek routes will surely stand out and we hope that you will like these trails to explore.

A note to the beginners: During winters you need to be careful about your clothing and other protective gears as minimum temperature can plummet to -10°C. Snow conditions can make things even more challenging. At the same time it is fun with adequate preparation. Consult with us for suggestions or any advice or clarifications. Also you need to be in a physical condition that you can be comfortable to hike 5/6 hours along with your backpack, on a strenuous day.

A note on snow conditions: Uttarakhand treks or in general western Himalayan treks get significantly more snow during winters than treks in Sikkim or Eastern Himalayas. This is due to the southerly latitude of Eastern Himalayas. Thick cover of snow is rare in Sikkim or Darjeeling treks while snow patches are more common.

In general later winter months will accumulate more snow, i.e. January or February. be it in eastern or western Himalayas.

Now let us go through these fascinating new winter treks in brief with photos.

Bedni Bugyal as a winter trek:

Duration: 6 days
Region: Uttarakhand
Where to reach: Kathgodam, return via Haridwar/Dehradun/Kathgodam.
Grade: Easy
Maximum altitude: 3800 m/12500 ft
Suitable for: Beginners and experienced hikers, the climb to Ali Bugyal may be a bit strenuous.
Stay type: Camping and homestay/lodge.
Snow conditions: January and February
Tour attractions: Pahadi village, homestay, climb inside Oak and Rhododendron forest, beautiful stretch of walk on sprawling alpine meadows of Ali Bugyal and Bedni Bugyal, Bedni Kund and temple, fantastic views of mighty snow clad peaks stretching from Mrigthuni to Chaukhamba while a few are very close.

snow-peaks-from-snow-covered-bedni-bugyal — From Bedni Bugyal during winters (Photo: Emmanuelle)

snow-patches-on-alpine-meadow — Initial snow patches during winters

didna-village-after-snowfall-in-january — Didna village looks different after a snowfall

Phoktey Dara Trek:

Duration: 7 days
Region: Sikkim
Where to reach: NJP/Bagdogra/Siliguri
Grade: Easy
Maximum altitude: 3700 m/12150 ft
Suitable for: Beginners and experienced hikers, couple of days have relatively long walk.
Stay type: Camping and homestay/lodge at base camp
Snow conditions: Rare, usually one or two low to moderate snowfall during January/February.
Tour attractions: Most pristine trek of Sikkim inside Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, greenery throughout the year, serene campsites with incredible views of Kanchenjunga, Everest, Lhotse and other snow peaks, views of Sleeping Buddha, Uttarey monastery, Singshore Bridge, Dentam Cheese Factory. (you man add Pelling as a side trip as well)

Note: Snow fall is rare and in usually in low amount. You should consider this trek during winters not because of the snow but the clear weather and magnificent views it produces.

snow-covered-phoktey-dara-trail — Kanchenjunga in Sleeping Buddha form (PC: Pema Sherpa)

exquisite-campsites-in-new-winter-treks — Probably the finest of the campsites

everest-lhotse-makalu-during-sunrise-from-phoktey-dara — Everest group of peaks from Phoktey Dara

Dodital and Darwa pass trek:

Duration: 6 days
Region: Uttarakhand
Where to reach: Dehradun
Grade: Easy, somewhat challenging climb to Darwa top and back.
Maximum altitude: 4100 m/13450 ft
Suitable for: Beginners and experienced hikers, the climb to Darwa top is a moderate grade day.
Stay type: Camping and homestay/lodge.
Snow conditions: January and February
Tour attractions: Pahadi village and monsoon shelters, sweet forest walk inside conifers, a pristine fairly large alpine lake nestled inside forest, Ganesha temple (the per legend the lake is birthplace of Ganesha), snowy peaks, challenging day hike to Darwa top and back, option to stay in the Forest rest house at Dodital.

dodital-lake-in-december — Dodital remains pristine and snow covered during winters

ample-snow-on-dodital-trail-during-winters — On Dodital trail

Bajre Dara trek

Duration: 5 days
Region: Sikkim
Where to reach: NJP/Bagdogra/Siliguri
Grade: Easy
Maximum altitude: 3350 m/11000 ft
Suitable for: Beginners and experienced hikers, some portion of the trail is not well marked.
Stay type: Camping and homestay/lodge at base camp
Snow conditions: Occasional, usually one or two low to moderate snowfall during January/February.
Tour attractions: Sikkimese village and homestay, greenery throughout the year, Rhododendron and bamboo forests, aerial view of Khecheopalri Lake, serene campsites with incredible views of Kanchenjunga and other snow peaks, homestay around Darap village or Pelling as a side trip.

bajre-dara-fresh-winter-trail-in-sikkim — Bajre Dara trek

bajre-dara-a-new-but-fascinating-trail-in-winters — Clear skies with crystal views are common during winters

walk-inside-bamboo-forest — Bamboo forest, a speciality of Eastern Himalayas

Deoriatal Chandrashila trek

Duration: 6 days
Region: Uttarakhand
Where to reach: Dehradun
Grade: Easy
Maximum altitude: 3800 m/12500 ft
Suitable for: Beginners and experienced hikers, the climb to Ali Bugyal may be a bit strenuous.
Stay type: Basic lodge, homestay, dhaba etc.
Snow conditions: Mid December to mid March
Tour attractions: short hike to Deoriatal with magnificent view of Chaukhamba and other mountains, Chopta is often regarded Switzerland of India, pristine forest inside Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary, Tunganath the highest Shiva temple, summit to Chandrashila peak, panoramic extravaganza of snow clad mountains.

deoriatal-and-chaukhamba-mountain-with-winter-snow — Deoriatal

peak-panorama-on-chandrashila-winter-trek — Splendid mountain views with ample snow

tunganath-temple-in-december — Tunganath: The highest Lord Shiva shrine

Dzongri as winter trek:

Duration: 9 days
Region: Sikkim
Where to reach: NJP/Bagdogra/Siliguri
Grade: Moderate
Maximum altitude: 4150 m/13612 ft
Suitable for: Experienced hikers, we don’t recommend beginners on this trail during winters.
Stay type: Camping and homestay/lodge at base camp
Snow conditions: Low to moderate, usually one or two low to moderate snowfall during January/February.
Tour attractions: Incredible mountain views, Kanchenjunga massif , Kabru group, Pandim and other peaks, lovely forest walk inside Kanchendzongha National Park, high altitude lake, monasteries, high altitude trek in winters.

Note: During winters a moderate level snow fall between 6 inch to a feet can make this trail challenging both for the trekkers and packed animals/support team. Consult with us thoroughly on different situations which may arise in winters.

dzongri-top-and-pandim-peak — @ Dzongri top (PC – Soumya Deep)

snow-trail-inside-jungle — Inside dense Rhododendron forest

lakshmi-pokhari-around-dzongri — Side trip to Lakshmi Pokhari

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Best winter treks in India

October 21, 2019 July 21, 2021
Saptarshi Roy
Trek Insights
best winter treks in India, easy snow treks in India, top winter treks

Which are the best winter treks in India?

Winter treks on the Himalayas means snow treks to most of us. Yet snow is not the only reason that you should consider a winter trek. Usually weather on the Himalayas remain clear and cloud free in winters, unless it is snowing.

Before getting into which are the best winter trek in India, let us know few facts at first. Hopefully this will help you to get a basic understanding of snow conditions in winter treks. Also this be useful just not to follow any X, Y, Z list of best winter treks, blindly!

December to February is the time you look for a winter snow trek. Amount of snow depends primarily on the particular time that you choose. Also it varies to an extent from one trail to other, at any given time.

As the winter progresses, snowing intensifies. Later in winter, more is the snow. At times, probably too much to trek!

So, snow depends from one trail to other?

Yes, it is due to the varying latitude within Himalayas. Higher latitude i.e. northerly areas would normally attract more snow. As a result, you can expect increasing amount of snow moving from Sikkim/Darjeeling to Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir. This is the reason that you normally don’t find winter treks in Himachal (very limited short day hikes within ~ 3000 m/10000 ft) or treks in Kashmir.

Check here for our latest offbeat and new winter trekking routes for 2021-21 winters, if you are typically looking far away from crowd.

Comparison of top 5 winter treks in India:

What are the most visually appealing winter trails in India? In my opinion, this is a perspective driven answer and you may not agree with me. Despite some similarities in the winter treks, each trail is indeed an unique experience. In fact all the trails mentioned below are the top qualifier for the best winter treks in India.

Let us compare the following winter treks with respect to certain attributes and elements that you can decide on your suitable winter trek. Remember that this list is not based on any order of preference. To keep it simple and short we will compare these beautiful and popular trails during winters:

Brahmatal trek:

Departure dates: Every weekend from mid December to mid March. 6 days and 5 nights, Kathgodam to Haridwar.

brahmatal-best-winter-treks-in-india-1 — Brahmatal winter trek

Rarely you will find a gifted trail with so many surprises, yet accessible in winter. Dense forests in the beginning, suddenly stepping into alpine meadows, stretched with the vista of Garhwal and Kumaon peaks. Two hidden lakes and towering duo – Trishul and Nandaghunti peak as you gain altitude. Although Khamila top above Brahmatal lake is challenging to climb in deep snow but unfurls another stretch of peaks. You can see Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, Hathi, Ghoda and several central Garhwal peaks around Badrinath area from the top.

snow-starts-deposited-during-late-december-on-brahmatal-trek — Khopdalia/Bekhaltal campsite, late in December (PC – Emmanuelle)

Being in eastern Garhwal and centrally located within Uttarakhand, this trail usually gets late snowfall than its western counterparts. Therefore you can expect snowing and deposited snow from late December. Also the amount of snow is general less than western Garhwal and making it a rather conducive trekking trail in January and February. However there are instances of heavy snowfall by mid December, though not normal.

Sandakphu trek:

Departure dates: Ever weekend in December and some more in January and February. 6 days and 5 nights, NJP to NJP or Bagdogra.

fresh-snow-at-sandakphu — Sandakphu: Looking different after a snowfall (PC – Kangkan Thakuria)

Sandakphu is probably the finest ridge trek in India, bordering Darjeeling in West Bengal, India and Nepal. Eastern Himalayas are known for its prolonged monsoon, and winter is a reliable season for great views of the high mountains. This trek is also unique for to its well recognised Tea House mode, thanks to neighbouring Nepal. Singalila ridge is famous for its absorbing views of surrounding high mountains of Sikkim and Nepal. Kanchenjunga massif, along with other peaks forming Sleeping Buddha is the central highlights of this trail.

fantastic-peaks-views-in-winter-on-sandakphu-trail — Grand views of Kanchenjunga and Sleeping Buddha from Sandakphu in winters (PC – Titas Chanda)

This entry in our list is not primarily due to snow. Rather because of fantastic views of Kanchenjunga and occasional fresh snow. As mentioned before, due to its eastern Himalayan location and hence the lower latitude results into less snow than Uttarakhand treks. The chance of snow is more in January or February.

Kedarkantha trek:

Departure dates: Every weekend from beginning of December to end of January. 6 days and 5 nights, Dehradun to Dehradun.

kedarkantha-most-popular-winter-trek-in-india — Kedarkantha: Most popular winter trek in India (PC – Abhijit Mitra)

This relatively soft trail is a short hike to the peak called Kedarkantha only 10 odd Km from Sankri. A perfect winter trek for people who want more from an adventure vacation trip. The trail offers good amount of snow hiking, filled with fun. Sometime trudging and at time glissading on snow.The peak offers a magnificent sunrise with panorama of peaks, some standing pretty close like Swargarohini and Black peak.

kedarkantha-trail-walk-snow-fun-in-winter — Kedarkantha: Snow filled fun from December to March

In the first place, this trail is in far western Garhwal, bordering Himachal Pradesh. Additionally, Kedarkantha peak is the highest point in the vicinity. Therefore it is safe to assume that this trail will receive earlier snowfall than other trails within Uttarakhand. Generally snowfall starts from the beginning of December and continues till February or even in March. Usually snow conditions are harsh during late winter, i.e. late January to February.

Dayara Bugyal trek:

dayara-bugyal-best-winter-treks-in-india — Dayara Bugyal winter trek

Dayara Bugyal, an alpine meadow surrounded by dense alpine forest and above Bhagirathi River valley. This trail going up to 12000 ft is near Uttarkashi , western Garhwal region,Uttarakhand. The highest point of the Bugyal offers a magnificent 360 degree panoramic view of mighty snow clad Himalayan peaks like Bandarpoonch, Jaonli, Rudragaira, Srikanth, Gangotri– I, II etc. which is adored by amateur and veteran trekkers alike.

dayara-bugyal-snowing-starts-from-mid-december — Dayara Bugyal from December to February

This trail normally gets some snow from mid of December. Entire January and February you should get moderate to heavy snow. Snow may remain as late as April, depending on a particular year.

Winter Kuari Pass trek:

Often Kuari Pass is referred to as the most panoramic pass in Garhwal. Peak views are overwhelming throughout the trail and ~ 180° from the pass. The trail is above Joshimath and is in central Garhwal.

winter-kuari-pass-among-best-winter-treks-in-india — Kuari pass: A prominent winter trail

Side by side comparison of popular winter treks in India:

Below we will carefully look in to various attributes of these treks and compare side by side.

**Comparison of winter treks in India**
Attribute	Brahmatal	Sandakphu	Kedarkantha	Dayara Bugyal	Winter Kuari Pass
State	Uttarakhand	West Bengal	Uttarakhand	Uttarakhand	Uttarakhand
Region	Eastern Garhwal	Darjeeling	Western Garhwal	Western Garhwal	Central Garhwal
Duration	6 days	6 days	6 days	5 days	5 days
Grade	Easy	Easy	Easy	Easy	Easy
Physicality	5.5/10	5.5/10	5.5/10	5/10	5.5/10
Highest Altitude	4000 m/13120 ft	3636 m/11925 ft	3820 m/12500 ft	3660 m/12005 ft	3850 m/12630 ft
Trail Length	30 Km	45 Km	25 Km	25 Km	25 Km
Trek Mode	Camping	Tea House	Camping	Camping	Camping
Major attractions	2 alpine lakes, walking on a stretch of alpine meadows, close view of high mountains and a summit.	Stunning panoramic view of high mountains, Sleeping Buddha, Buddhism and culture.	An alpine lake, a summit with abundant panoramic views, charming campsites and forest walk.	Alpine meadow, river valley and panoramic view of high mountains, pristine forest and campsites.	Spectacular panoramic views of central Garhwal peaks, stunning alpine meadow walk o Gurson Bugyal, views from Auli.
Prominent peaks	Trishul, Nanda Ghunti, Mrigthuni, Chaukhamba, Hati Ghoda, Neelkanth	Kanchenjunga, Kumbhakarna, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Pandim	Swargarohini, Black Peak, Bandarpunch	Srikanth, Jaonli,Bandarpunch, Black Peak.	Hati Ghoda, Neelkanth, Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, Dunagiri, Kamet, Mukut
Normally Snowfall begins	Late December	January, rare	Early December	Mid December	Early December
Normally Snow remains	Late December to mid March.	Late in winters, January and February.	Early December to mid April.	late December to mid March.	December to Early April.
Disadvantage	You may not get adequate snow in December.	Snowfall is less during winters.	Late January and February may have too much of snow.	You may not get adequate snow in December.	January and February may have too much of snow.
Best time for conducive snow trek	January and February.	January	Early December to Late January and March April.	January and February.	December and February to late March.

I am hopeful that you have clearer idea about all popular winter trails in India by now. Now it is up to you to choose one which trek is probably the best for as your next trek. We will definitely help you out with finer details, in case you are still not sure. 😎 .

Additional Notes:

I din’t consider Chadar trek as essentially its a winter only trek (best from mid January to mid February). Moreover we are keen to protect the over commercialised trail and hence don’t operate on this trail, starting from 2016.
From 2016-17 winters, no permit is issued for Har Ki Dun trek during mid December to February. Hence this is out of scope at present for winter treks.
Snow conditions are changing more frequently in recent years. In 2016, first snowfall occurred only in late December, be it Uttarakhand or even Himachal.
There are additional trails, which are stunning, yet offbeat and possible to hike during winters. Notable ones are Dodital trek, Ali & Bedni Bugyal trek, Phoktey Dara trek, Chopta Chandrashila trek, Bajre Dara Trek, Barsey trek. We will discuss and compare these trails separately.

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5 great summer treks in India for beginners

April 20, 2019 December 12, 2019
Saptarshi Roy
Trek Insights, Trek Views
best summer treks for beginners, best summer treks in India, great summer treks in India, top 5 summer treks for beginners

So, me and my friends are planning a trek this summer. Which is the best trek?

Often I answer your above question over phone and probably try to narrow based upon your inputs. Here is a difficult task for me to choose 5 great summer treks in India for beginners. Hope after reading this it will be easier for you to choose the right trek in summer.

For a fact check, I have trekked in excess of 40 different routes in last 2 decades. Many of these routes more than once, in different seasons. The routes covered different regions in Indian Himalayas from Easy to Difficult grade treks. Believe me, I have not been to a trek till date, which I thought as NOT GOOD. 😆

This makes it more difficult for me to decide a best trek. Though I am confident enough to give you a set of 5 great treks in India which you can surely think this summer as a beginner.

So what did you consider while selecting the 5 great summer treks for beginners?

It is better to spend some time, think of your priority and then choose your trek. Below are my checkpoints or key factors to concise and shortlist the treks:

Season/Month: Yes, these treks are perfectly fine from mid April to Mid June in summer.

Region: I understand some of you prefer Uttarakhand, some Eastern Himalayas and some probably Himachal Pradesh. I choose 3 treks for Uttarakhand. Don’t hesitate, it is defacto the heartland of Indian Himalayas.

Duration & Trail length: Here I dropped the short weekend treks. Its summer vacation time and I took the liberty to choose treks spanning 4/5 days and covering 35 Km to 50 Km of length.

Trek Grades: I included Easy and Moderate treks. Many of you are fit enough for Moderate treks and none of these are higher than 14000 ft. These are safe for the beginners.

Terrain variety: There is enough terrain variety. Remember that one trek route can’t give you all. These trails will go through pristine forests, river valleys, rolling meadows, few trails crossing over a pass to open a different vista, from green and wet to arid and dry landscapes. On a clear day all the trails are fairly good for snow capped high Himalayan peak views.

Accommodation: Most of you are really looking for a camping experience, right? Yes, most of these are. What if you are not sure about staying in a tent? Don’t worry, I have one Tea House trek for you here in the list.

Popularity vs offbeat: Popular treks have definitive reasons for being so. At the same time many of you will think that even in a trek I will walk and camp with 100 other trekkers? I included both to choose from.

Not just nature: First time you are plunging in Himalayas. Wouldn’t it be a nice experience to get some essence of culturally rich yet people with simple lifestyle? Yes, you will come across interior villages in most of these trails.

I acknowledge that the above factors are not all and exhaustive. Beside this, the following routes are delightful for experience trekkers too. One last thing, the list is not in any order of preference! Here you go:

5 great summer treks in India for beginners

1. Sandakphu trek: Hide n seek of Rhododendrons and Sleeping Buddha

Highlights: || Darjeeling/Nepal || 6D/5N || 45 Km trek in 4 and a quarter day || Easy || Tea House trek || Popular || Villages || Ridge trek, Rhododendron bloom and spectacular panorama of peaks ||

Tips: Complete this trek by mid May. From late May chance of rain becomes fairly high.

2. Har Ki Dun trek: How green is the valley of Gods?

har-ki-dun-trek-among-top-5-summer-trek — Har Ki Dun trek – PC. Grant

Highlights: || Uttarakhand || 7D/6N || 50 Km trek in 5 days || Easy || Camping trek || Popular || Villages || River valleys and peaks ||

Tips: Do this trek anytime between mid April to mid June. You may get residual snow as late as end of May.

3. Kuari Pass trek on Curzon’s trail: The old school charm of crossing a pass

kuari-pass-trek-among-5-great-summer-treks-in-India-for-beginners — Kuari pass on Curzon’s trail trek: PC. Arunava

Highlights: || Uttarakhand || 7D/6N || 50 Km trek in 5 days || Easy || Camping trek || Offbeat || Villages || River valleys, crossing a pass and panorama of peaks ||

Tips: This is ideal from mid May to Mid June.

4. Hampta Pass trek: A trans Himalayan branch in Himachal

hampta-pass-trek-in-summer — Hampta pass trek

Highlights: || Himachal Pradesh || 6D/5N || 35 Km trek in 4 days || Moderate || Camping trek || Popular || River valley, crossing a pass, peaks of Pir Panjal range ||

Tips: Choose this trek between mid June to mid July.

5. Ali & Bedni Bugyal trek: Unbeaten trail away from crowd

ali-bugyal-bedni-bugyal-trek-among-5-great-summer-treks-in-India-for-beginners — Ali & Bedni Bugyal trek

Highlights: || Uttarakhand || 6D/5N || 35 Km trek in 4 days || Moderate || Camping trek || Offbeat || Villages || sprawling alpine meadows, closeup view of high peaks ||

Tips: Choose this trek between mid May to mid June when meadows become green.

Note: This is purely author’s opinion. As a company HT does arrange the above treks apart from summer as well.

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Packing a Rucksack

Packing your rucksack/backpack carefully for a trekking trip is simple but give due priority. On the Himalayas it is mandatory that a backpacker/trekker must have essential and mandatory items, yet light enough to move comfortably.

The treks on the different parts on the Himalayas stretch from short and medium to extended long duration. Shorter duration trek backpacking is easier but medium to long duration are need to be packed carefully. Higher the duration of the trek, higher the importance.

For serious trekkers, there is no way other than to pack his/her Rucksack with attention to ensure own safety. The catch is to pack light with all the necessary and safety items with you.

Every gram on the mountain matters. Quality light weight products are often expensive. These are designed to meet standards on harsh climate. I would personally assert to acquire/buy such clothing/equipment one by one, if not all together.

Following items are absolutely mandatory for any trekking trip.

1) A Rucksack

2) A trekking shoe

3) Warm Jacket

4) A Windproof

5) Sleeping Bag

On how to select the items read:

https://dev.himalayatrekker.com/trek-essentials/selection-of-equipment

Here I would focus on how to pack everything in one single Rucksack/Backpack with high safety. There are treks where one gets an option to offload some weight, leaving a luggage at the base camp. While returning you can pick the left luggage. In certain popular and safer routes trekker has the opportunity to offload the Rucksack on a mule or even to a porter. But crossing a pass or most of the longer duration trek will require packing everything in one Rucksack and carry it all through. A medium duration trek can involve 4-7 trekking days and longer duration ranges between 8 to 12 trekking days.

A mid to long duration trekking Rucksack should weigh between 8 to 12 Kg. Trekkers should grow the habit to carry it comfortably. This is to ensure higher safety of the trekkers as well as leaving lesser footprint and thus sustainable.

I have seen various articles on internet about what are the things to carry in a trek. The extended generic list of article amazes me every time. The paraphernalia goes on and on. To follow, one has to carry a rucksack sometimes touching almost 20 Kg!

Essentially a trekking Rucksack/Backpack on the Himalayas will contain:

Clothing
Windproof/Waterproof/Rain gear
Sleeping Bag
Accessories
First-Aid/Medical Kit
Dry food items to sustain a day in emergency condition

For his/her own safety a trekker should always carry the following items in rucksack on a Difficult/Hard grade trek.

Warm jacket
Windproof plus waterproof gear
Sleeping bag along with carry mattress
Emergency dry food items

Rucksack: The first step is to select a proper Rucksack as per your requirements. Often we buy unutilised bigger or too small a backpack. Keeping in mind the medium to long duration treks, it is sufficient to use a Rucksack/Backpack between 45 to 50 Litre. A 50 L one has enough space inside to pack everything including your sleeping bag for a trek up to 2 weeks. One such bag should weigh within 1.5 Kg.

Clothing: Always use synthetic quick dry t-shirts. Cotton tees are heavy and take time to get dried. 4/5 t-shirts are good enough for a home to home round trip. For lower use again the synthetic light weight/quick dry trousers. 2/3 such trousers are good. Don’t use comfortable jeans unless there is an option to leave luggage at base camp. A Cargo/Six-pocket can be used instead. Together upper and lower wear should not weigh more than 2 Kg.

Innerwear, socks, cap, balaclava, gloves are lighter items and should be within 500g.

For a high altitude trek an upper thermal base layer (Woolycot) is essential. The lower one is optional. Normally protection is vital for upper portion of the body. Adds another 500g to your back.

Warm jackets are of different types and varying weight. Normally a Fleece/Synthetic Fill/Down jacket is light and provides adequate warmth. The weight should be within a Kilogram for such a jacket.

A windproof upper with hood is also a must item. Normally these will have water repellent property. A typical Raincoat/Poncho is not recommended as these are heavy and not breathable, unless you are trekking in monsoon.

Sleeping Bag: For a Himalayan trek Sleeping bags are rated for a temperature ranging between -10° C to 0° C. For colder temperatures you can use one additional base layer while sleeping. Synthetic bags weigh up to 2 Kg whereas a Down feather filled sleeping bag is much lighter.

Accessories: You have to be careful to select what to take and what to discard. My approach is being minimalist to choose from a wide range of items. A tooth paste (Small tube of Rs 10), toothbrush, tissue roll, a Boroline/chap stick, a scissor, (or a light weight multi tool), a torch, soap strip and a small container of cold cream are good for the purpose. Maybe a small deo-spray on top of these. Don’t carry a shaving or a beautifying kit 🙂 . Together these should not weigh more than 500 g.

First-Aid cum Medical Kit: A crepe bandage, cotton, Dettol/Savlon, antiseptic creme, a medicine course for each including headache, vomiting, anti-inflammatory, pain killer, and stomach upset. Volini spray. Together all these weigh again maximum of 500 g.

Keep some dry instant edible food items for emergency. A pack of candy, few chocolate bars/energy bars, dry fruit mix and a small pack of Glucon C/D/Gatorade. Another 500 g.

Wait, we are not done yet! A bottle of water is must. Ask the guide clearly whether you will be able to refill the bottle on the trail. For a long trekking day and scarce water, you may need to carry 1.5 L of water. Weighs additional 1.5 Kg.

Adding up the items, total weight remains not more than 10 Kg (including the sleeping bag and the Rucksack itself)

An example: Let me give the details of my packed Rucksack for an idea and let us measure the weight.

Rucksack: Camp M4 – 40L – 1 Kg

T-Shirts, trek pants, innerwear, socks, caps, gloves etc.: ~ 2 Kg

Warm Jacket: Mountain Hardware Windstopper Tech Fleece ~ 650g

Windproof/Waterproof: Marmot Precip Jacket ~ 370 g

Sleeping Bag: Mountain Hardware Ultralamina 15° F/-9° C ~ 1.3 Kg

Accessories and Medical Kit: ~ 1 Kg

Water: Hydration pack of 1L ~ 1 Kg

Miscellaneous: Notebook, pen, GPS, Binocular etc ~ 1 Kg

Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ200 with additional batteries ~ 1 Kg

Now you believe that I am able to pack everything within 10 Kg 🙂 .

Order of packing different items is important once you know what to pack,. Things you may need while walking should be kept on top. Sleeping bag should go in the bottom, as you don’t need it before campsite. This gives stability to the Rucksack. A well packed Rucksack would stand straight on the ground without a support. Pack similar items together. Its easier to carry a backpack when the load is evenly distributed.

Occasional rain or drizzle is common on mountain. Use a waterproof Rucksack cover/Rain fly. Your warm jacket and sleeping bag must not get wet in any condition during a trek. For double protection use a polythene inner liner sheet. Even if your pack is wet outside, the inner liner will keep your items dry and toasty.

I hope that now you are confident about what and how to pack for a trekking trip to the Himalayas.

To finish, I would say that backpacking is an art and pack rationally!

Happy packing