ACCESSIBILITY : The foothills of the northern Himalayas, from the main gateway at Delhi, are not more than five to six hours by road or rail. Likewise, the north-eastern belt of the Himalayas can be reached in about three hours by air.

GATEWAYS : From Delhi one can reach Rishikesh, Jammu, Pathankot, Chandigarh and Kalka which are road heads to the Garhwal hills, Kashmir valley, Kishtwar, Ladakh, Chamba and Manali. Shimla is the stepping stone for Kinnaur, Spiti, Nahan and Renuka, all in Himachal Pradesh.
For trekking routes in the Garhwal region Dehradun and Rishikesh are the ideal gate for the Kumaon trails, the Pindari glacier and Mansarovar. Leh is the starting point for treks in Ladakh.
Calcutta is linked by air with Bagdogra which serves as an access to Darjeeling, Sikkim and Bhutan. Fast trains link New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri with Delhi and Calcutta respectively. Guwahati, gateway to Arunachal Pradesh, is linked to the capital, Itanagar, by a highway, the journey taking eight hours.

BEST SEASON– THINGS TO DO – TREKKING IN HIMALAYA

The ideal trekking season in the higher levels of the north-east is after the monsoon, from late September through April to May-end is traditionally preferred and low-altitude treks in winter. Ladakh’s trek season is from July to September. Garhwal, Kumaon and Himachal Pradesh can be visited anytime of the year. Professionally-managed equipment and tour operators specialising in trekking tours have enabled treks at lower altitudes even in the winter.

TREKKING EQUIPMENT- THINGS TO DO – TREKKING IN HIMALAYA

If you are not carrying your own equipments, necessary help is available at :Indian Association of Tour Operators, 404, Padma Tower II; 22, Rajendra place , New Delhi-110008. Tel : 5750034, 5716562 or Indian Mountaineering Foundation, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi-110021. Tel: 4671211, 4677935, 6883412. Fax : 6883412

ACCOMMODATION : Since there is no fixed bed accommodation available in remote trekking areas, the trekker has to often rely on the friendly nature of the hill folk, a bed can be availed on the spot depending upon the place where the trekker may want to camp.

CARE FOR ECOLOGY : the Himalayas are a unique habitat and care should be taken to preserve the fragile ecological balance. Carry waste disposal bags to prevent littering and use liquified petroleum gas or kerosene, not the local wood, as fuel for cooking purposes. Respect for local customs and traditions along the route is essential.

ESSENTIAL NEEDS : Basic personal items to be carried include a waterproof rucksack, sleeping bag, foam pad mattress, walking boots, rain proof jacket, heavy woolens, kitchen equipment and tinned foodstuff. On well-frequented trek routes at lower heights food and bottled mineral water is generally available locally.

PRE-TREK PRECAUTIONS : Most important, get a map, compass and information from someone who has done the route, Pre-trek arrangements, in case of treks to remote areas, should include insurance, rescue and evacuation measures, apart from informing the local authorities of planned route.

PHYSICAL FITNESS : Select a route depending on your fitness level and time available. Health should be a reasonable level and there is ample scope of adventure for the skier, river runner, botanist, ornithologist and nature-lover alike.
Trekking routes are graded according to anticipated level of exertion and degree of difficulty. These factors determine the choice of Itinerary and requirement of special equipment and trained personnel.