WHAT IS THE CLIMATE LIKE?
As the Greater Himalaya Range creates a "rain shadow", which denies Ladakh access to India monsoonal rains, humidity levels in the region are low and it receives a few centimetres of rain each year.
Temperatures vary considerably throughout the season from May-Oct. Daytime temperatures range from the low to high 20 degree Celsius. However, cold snaps at night can cause temperatures to plunge to as low as minus 5 degree Celsius. (It can just as easily snow at high-altitude camps, even in mid-summer!)
WHAT HAPPENS ON A TYPICAL DAYS TREK?
A cup of tea is brought to your tent between 6 and 7 am, followed by a small bowl of warm water for personal washing purposes. Before breakfast, you pack your kit bag, which will be collected by the kitchen crew and returned to you in the afternoon, when we reach our next campsite.
Pack horses transport the group gear, including your kit bag. However, you will need to carry a light day pack, which should contain additional warm clothing (depending on the altitude, location and weather), a rain jacket, water bottle, camera gear, valuables and other personal items, such as sunscreen and lip balm.
We usually hit the trail between 7.30 and 8.30 am. Following a good morning walk, we stop for lunch at around 11.30 am. The afternoon walk is generally a little shorter and we reach our new campsite between 3 and 4 pm. Once we have pitched camp and set up the kitchen, afternoon tea is served.
Before dinner, you will have time to rest, explore the surrounding area and villages, or sit and chat with the crew and locals. Dinner is usually served between 6 and 7 pm. Remember to bring your torch to the mess tent, as well as your water bottle, so it can be refilled with boiling water (and serve as a great hot water bottle during the night).
Evenings provide the perfect opportunity to chat about the day highlights with the crew and fellow trekkers play cards or even join in some singing and dancing with the crew or locals. You are certain to take home some special memories of your evening camp activities!
WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
Luggage
- Sturdy, Water-proof duffel/ kit bag- Large enough to hold yours sleeping bag, trekking clothes and other gear.
- Day pack large enough to carry your camera, water bottle, light jacket, a packed lunch, sunscreen, lip balm etc. (It can double as your carry-on flight bag on.)
- Spare roll-up nylon (lockable) duffel bag to store your casual "city clothes", while travelling.
Clothing
You will need comfortable clothing to protect you from cold weather. Synthetic materials, such as polypropylene, capilene and pile, are light-weight, wick away perspiration, dry quickly and provide the best insulation against the cold. Wool/synthetic blends are also suitable. Cotton materials are not recommended.
In cold weather conditions, it is best to layer your clothing: the innermost layer should consist of long thermal wear, followed by a middle layer of synthetic wool/fleece, and an outer layer consisting of a down /synthetic jacket. In extreme conditions, you may also require a good-quality Gore-Tex wind/rain parka.
Even though village residents living along well-trekked routes are accustomed to seeing foreign trekkers in skimpy clothing, we request our clients to dress modestly. Both men and women should wear longer-length, loose-fitting hiking shorts or trousers. Women are advised to avoid wearing sports bra-style tops.
Clothing Checklist
- Underwear: synthetic underwear, including long, light and medium-weight thermal tops and bottoms.
- Shirts: synthetic short-sleeved and long-sleeved T-shirts.
- Sweaters/jackets: a medium-weight fleece jacket, sweat shirt, and heavy-weight down/synthetic filled jacket.
- Short and trousers: loose-fitting hiking shorts and trekking trousers/sweat pants and light/medium-weight fleece pants (to wear at higher altitude camps).
- Severe weather gear: Gore-Tex rain/wind parka and Gore-Tex rain/wind pants (with full-length side zippers to fit over normal trousers.
- Head wear: sun hat with wide brim, wool hat (for colder regions) and a bandanna
- Sunglasses: (particularly essential in Ladakh, where the sunlight is very strong), plus "Chums" bands to securely hold your glasses.
- Spare reading glasses/prescription glasses. (Contact lens are not recommended for dusty trekking conditions)
- Hand coverings: Polypro liner gloves and wool/fleece mittens
- Socks: three or four pairs of inner and outer socks, athletic running socks, synthetic inner socks and mid-weight hiking socks.
- Footwear: medium weight trekking boots (preferably, water-proof leather), with padded high-ankle cover and good arch support, tennis shoes (optional, to wear around camp), one pair of Tevas or sandals (very useful for rafting/river crossings, camp wear, and to slip on and off during visits to monasteries).
- Rain gear: raincoat/umbrella
- Casual city clothes (which can be stored while you are trekking)
WHAT ELSE TO BRING?
- Sleeping bag; A sleeping bag will be provided, unless you wish to bring your own, which should be medium-weight, down/ fibre-filled and rated from 5ºC (for Ladakh treks in July and August and Uttarkhand treks in May and June) or 15C (for September trips to Ladakh, Sikkim and Uttarakhand).
- Sleeping bag liners; (Light-weight fleece liners are great to use during lower-altitude treks and in warm weather they serve as an additional layer for light-weight sleeping bags.)
- Water bottle; two 1.5 litre-capacity bottles, leak-proof and made of heavy-duty plastic (Nalgene)
- Torch/head lamp (with spare batteries)
- Small towel (a gym washcloth is light and takes up less space)
- Sun screen (minimum SPF 25) and lip balm
- Toiletries; including biodegradable soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, body lotion, hand sanitizes/ disposable baby wipes. (Women should ensure they bring any necessary feminine products or buy them in the last city they visit before their trek begins.)
- Camera with spare batteries/rolls of film
- Money belt or neck pouch to store cash and passport
- Disposable lighter (to burn toilet paper/paper napkins)
- Plastic zip-lock bags of various sizes
- Heavy-weight garbage bags to use as waterproof liners inside your duffle/ kit bag
- Small padlocks
- Repair kit, with sewing needle, thread and safety pins
- Reading and writing materials
- Trail snacks
- Personal medical kit; including: painkillers, antihistamines, broad-spectrum antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin and Azythromycin are readily available over the counter in Indian pharmacies), antacids, throat lozenges, Diamox (if ascending over 3000 m), Tiniba (also readily available in India), antiseptic cream and Band-Aids
Note: It is important to travel as lightly as possible. Domestic carriers allow up to 50lbs of luggage, but trekking imposes additional limitations, as your duffle/ kit bag must be carried by a pack animal. During treks, your city clothes can be safely left at the hotel (if you are returning) or handed over to agent to store until your return.
HOW SHOULD I HANDLE THE ACCLIMATISATION PROCESS AND AVOID ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS (AMS)?
When we ascend above 2,500 meters, our bodies need time to acclimatise to the decreasing levels of available oxygen. During treks, we ascend slowly, to allow our bodies plenty of time to adjust to the changing oxygen levels.
Individuals acclimatise at different rates, so the best strategy is to take your time and avoid getting out of breath. It is also important to avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water.
During the acclimatisation process, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
Headaches, Tiredness, Disturbed sleep, Loss of appetite/ nausea, Coughing, Palpitations, Swelling of the hands and face.
These symptoms do not necessarily indicate the onset of AMS, but you should report them to your guide, so they can assess your condition, provide treatment and decide whether you are fit to continue the trek.
Shortness of breath, even when resting, and severe headaches, are more serious symptoms and must be reported immediately day or night.
Your guide, who possesses comprehensive first-aid and wilderness medicine training, will respond promptly to your condition. As the only cure for AMS is to descend to a lower altitude, your group leader may decide that you should be escorted down for your own safety.
Note: Clients are advised to obtain travel health insurance. They should also consult their doctor to obtain information on what inoculations they will require for the regions they intend to visit.
IS "ADVENTURE TRAVEL" FOR ME?
By its very nature, "adventure travel" involves coping with the unexpected. In remote and developing countries, you cannot expect the same lifestyle standards which you are accustomed to back at home.
Travel in India is sometimes unpredictable and your tour itinerary may need to be altered. To get the most out of your adventure, it is important to be flexible, positive and prepared to tackle any challenges that arise!
Note: Daily tour schedules are suggested goals, not set plans.
Your guide may need to alter the days plan at short notice, in response to one or more of a range of factors outside their immediate control, including weather/snow conditions, logistics and local conditions, and the capability of group members.
Any modifications to your tour schedule will be solely for your benefit and safety and cooperation is vital.