What are some of the best summer Himalayan treks in India?
Himalayan treks take you to hidden hamlets and remote villages while teaching you to appreciate and conserve Nature
THE EXPERT: Aloke Bajpai, Founder & Partner, The Explorers
Namik Valley Trek in Kumaon district of Uttarakhand is one that I highly recommend to beginners. The four-day long trek is easy yet extremely offbeat. 68  Travel Secrets May-June 2014
THEEXPERT Every summer, when most people head to the nearest beach, I start gearing up for my next expedition to the enchanting Himalayas. These Himalayan treks take you to hidden hamlets and remote villages while teaching you to appreciate and conserve Nature. A test of mental and physical fitness, I believe it’s the best way to get in touch with your inner self. The stark landscape of Ladakh offers numerous trekking opportunities but I have some great memories of the sevenday long Markha Valley trek. Starting from Spitok, the trek took us through the beautiful Hemis National Park and provided outstanding views of Ladakh and Zanskar Ranges. I suggest you plan your trip during the annual festival of Hemis Gompa, the largest monastery of Ladkah, to witness a surreal celebration where monks perform spiritual mask dances and sacred plays (7th-8th July, 2014). Those visiting Shimla in Himachal Pradesh can opt for the seven-day long Kinnaur-Kailash trek. It is a great way to explore the remote district of Kinnaur and its dramatic landscape that transforms from a lush green valley to cold desert mountains as you trek. Namik Valley Trek in Kumaon district of Uttarakhand is one that I highly recommend to beginners. The four-day long trek is easy yet extremely offbeat. The route takes you through remote villages like Gogina and Naamik where locals are skilled in natural-dye weaving and carpet making. Other than gaining insight into local culture, you also hike upto the pristine Sursundari Pass and Birthi waterfall on this route. Another offbeat trail is the nine-day long Darma Valley trek. You can hike through rhododendron forests, glaciers and traditional villages towards Panchachuli Peaks at 6,904 meters. If you are looking at Himalayan treks in the eastern part of the country, I suggest you embark on the Sandakphu and Phalut Trek from Darjeeling. Other than providing magnificent views of some of the highest mountain ranges in the world like Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Everest, it also gives trekkers the option of staying in comfortable lodges en route. I also believe that Dzongri Trek should be on every hiker’s bucket-list. Though it was extremely difficult, I have gone back to complete the trail time and again for the beauty and magnificence of Sikkim that one experiences while on it.
Aloke Bajpai A certified mountaineer and skier, with training in river rafting. His company, The Explorers, specialises in experiential and adventure travel. Visit www.explorersindia. com to pick your trip!
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: • You should be in good physical condition before the trek starts. Devote some time to basic stamina building exercises and jog for at least 2 kilometers on a flat surface every day. • Carry minimum clothing and essentials such as torch, Swiss knife, protein supplement, chlorine tablets, sleeping bag, ropes, sunscreen lotion and salt to repel leeches. The lighter your bag, the easier your climb. • Take a day to acclimatise in a base village or town before you start your trek. • When trekking, avoid talking and develop a steady rhythm, retaining the pace as you ascend. It helps reduce fatigue and makes the climb easier. • Sip small amounts of water at regular intervals and avoid consuming alcohol. • Avoid camping next to a river and instead find a spot at a higher altitude or by the woods. • Make sure to either bury or burn your non-biodegradables instead of leaving them behind.
- Aloke Bajpai spoke to TS Correspondent Sarita Santoshini
May-June 2014 Travel Secrets 69