indian himalaya trekking challenge

indian himalaya trekking challenge

Duration 14daysGrade ModeratelevelActivities TrekkingAccommodation 14daytrip,8daytrek,5nights

hotels,7nightscamping

trip highligh tsStunningmountainsceneryincludingviewsof

NandaDevi,DunagiriandChangabangFullysupportedcampingbasedtrekincluding3

heartymealsperdaypreparedbyourcooksTrekthroughtraditionalHinduvillagesanduntouchedforests

CrosstheKauriPass

welcome to World ExpeditionsThankyouforyourinterestinourIndianHimalayaTrekkingChallenge.AtWorldExpeditionswearepassionateaboutoffthebeatentrackexperiencesasitprovidesourtravellerswiththethrillofcomingfacetofacewithuntouchedculturesaswellaswildernessregionsofgreatnaturalbeauty.Wearealsocommittedtomakingsurethatourrangeofuniqueitinerariesarewellesearched,affordableandtailoredfortheenjoymentofoursmallgroupsorindividuals-philosophiesthathavebeenatourcoresince1975whenwebeganoperatingadventureholidays.Theitinerarieswillgiveyoutheverybesttravelexperience,designedbypeoplewithincrediblelocalknowledgewhoshareourvisionofauthenticexchangeandrealexplorationwitharesponsibletourismapproach.Whetheryoulikeyouradventurestoincludetrekking,touring,cycling,mountaineering,kayakingorcruisingWorldExpeditionscanmakeithappenforyou.Wehopeyouwilljoinusforalifechangingexperience!

why travel with World Expeditions?Whenplanningtraveltoaremoteandchallengingdestination,manyfactorsneedtobeconsidered.WorldExpeditionshavebeenpioneeringtreksintheIndianHimalayasince1975.OurextraattentiontodetailandseamlessoperationsonthegroundensurethatyouwillhaveamemorabletrekkingexperienceintheHimalaya.Everytrekisaccompaniedbyanexperiencedlocalleaderwhoishighlytrainedinremotefirstaid,aswellasknowledgeablecrewthatshareapassionfortheregioninwhichtheywork,andadesiretoshareitwithyou.Wetakeeveryprecautiontoensuresmoothlogistics.Weusecomfortable3staraccommodationinhandpickedhotels,andwellmaintained,goodqualitycampingequipmentontrek.Thehigheststandardsofhygienearestrictlymaintained,andourcookswillsurpriseyouwithavariedmenuthat’ssuretopleaseattheconclusionofeachtrekkingday.WorldExpeditionsarealsotheonlycompanytoprovidefoodforourportersontrek.Mostimportantly,ouradventureshavealwayssoughttobenefitthelocalpeoplesweinteractwith,safeguardtheecosystemsweexploreandcontributetothesustainabilityoftravelintheregionsweexperience.WorldExpeditionspioneeredtheuseofkeroseneasanalternativetowood,inanefforttocombatthegrowingproblemofdeforestationintheHimalaya.

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1–©2010AustralianWorldExpeditionsPtyLimited-NeillProthero22Oct201002:30:11

indian himalaya trekking challenge

One of the finest alpine treks in the Himalaya

the challengeAlthoughtheKuariPass(3640m)isnothighbyHimalayanstandards,theviewsfromthePassrivalsomeofthefinestintheentireHimalayanrange.TothenorththepeaksstretchtotheTibetanPlateauwhiletotheeastNandaDevi(7816m)ÐthehighestmountaininIndia-isringedbyahostof7000mpeaks.Thisisoneofthemanyhighlightsofthisexceptionaltrekthatfollowstrailsthroughluxuriantforestofbamboo,coniferandoakandmanytraditionalHinduvillages.Athigherelevationsthemeadowsarecarpetedwithwildflowerswhiletheserenelakesandtheshepherdencampmentsbeneaththesacredpeaksaddtothebeautyofthearea.Combinethiswithnoshortageofmagnificentcampsites,anincomparabletrekkingserviceandmanyopportunitiestowandertothehighridgesandyouhavetheessenceofthisfulfillingtrek.

at a glanceDay 1 DepartUKDay 2 ArrIvEINDELHIDay 3 traintoHariDwar&DrivetoGarHwal(10HoUrs)Day 4 DrIvETOAuLI(6HOurS)&COMMENCETrEKTOGurSONMEADOWDay 5 GUrsonBUGyal(3080m)toCHitraGantameaDow(3310m)(5HoUrs)Day 6 CHITrAGANTA(3310M)TOKuArIPASS(3640M)(3-4HOurS)Day 7 KUaripass(3640m)tosUtoli(2980m)(5-6HoUrs)Day 8 GHANGrI(2000M)TOMEADOWCAMP(2450M)(4-5HOurS)Day 9 treKmeaDowCamp(2450m)toramnivillaGe(2550m)(4-5HoUrs)Day 10 TrEKrAMNI(2550M)TOGHAT(1330M)(2-3HrS)DrIvETOruDrAPrAyAG( HOurS)Day 11 retUrntoDelHi(6HoUrs)Day 12 rETurNFLIGHTTOuK

what’s included 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 12 dinners airport transfers expert bilingual guide group medical kit good quality accommodation in Delhi & Haridwar gear package for use during the trip including kit bag, sleeping bag, down or fibre

filled jacket and insulated sleeping mat private internal transport all park entrance fees and trekking permits mules to carry all personal and group equipment international flights airport taxes

what’s not included Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry,etc Aerated and alcoholic drinks on trek tips visa Travel insurance

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C H I N A

PA K I S TA N

I N D I A

GARWHAL

N E PA L

Nanda DeviTrisul

Delhi

AlmoraNaini Tal

Loharjang

Base CampMunsyari

Leh

WorldExpeditionsdoesnotrequiresingletravellerspayasurchargefortravellingalone.Onallofouradventures

wewillarrangeforyoutoshareaccommodationwithanothertravellerofthesamesexandifwecan

notmatchyouupwewillprovideasingleroomatnoextracharge.Ifyouprefernottoshareasingle

supplementispayabletoguaranteeyourownroom.

challenge dates

2010

Local cash payments are becoming increasingly popular with many operators in the adventure travel industry. The policy seems to benefit the tour operators, more than the local economies or travellers, as it avoids local taxes and transfers the cost and risk of cash handling to travellers. In accordance with our Responsible Travel practices we have chosen a policy not to ask for such payments.

detailed itineraryDay 1 Depart UKDepart London Heathrow or Manchester on evening flight to Delhi.Meals: nil

Day 2 arrive in DelhiUpon arrival you meet your group leader and will be transferred to the group hotel. Today we have an optional rickshaw ride before lunch in Delhi and the remainder of the day is free for personal exploration of this exciting city.Meals: l, d

Day 3 Train to Haridwar & drive to Garhwal (10 hours)You will be transferred early to Delhi train station, in time for departure at 06.10. The train to Haridwar takes around five hours. It is one of India’s most modern trains and you will be served breakfast and snacks during your journey. On arrival at Haridwar we drive alongside thecourse of the Ganges as we slowly ascend through the Himalayan foothills. It will take around six hours to reach our comfortable hotel in the Garhwal region.Overnight Hotel.Meals: b, l, d

Day 4 Drive to auli (6 hours) & commence trek to Gurson meadowIt is a further 5 hours drive to the famous pilgrim centre at Joshimath. After our staff have purchased last minute supplies we will continue our drive to the ski resort of Auli. At 2750 metres you will begin to appreciate the alpine air after the temperatures of the Indian Plains. We commence our trek for two hours, following a trail to the highest ski lift – with impressive views of Nanda Devi at the head of the Rishi Gorge – before entering a holy oak forest to our camp at Gurson meadow (3080 metres). Meals: b, l, d

Day 5 Gurson Bugyal (3080m) to Chitraganta Meadow (3310m) (5 hours)Beyond Gurson Bugyal the trail crosses a series of beautiful meadows to a ridgeline that affords a birds eye views up the Rishi Ganga. We then follow a trail through pine and oak forest for two to three km to the meadow at Chitraganta (3310 metres). From camp we appreciate the impressive snow capped ridgeline including Chaukhamba 1 (7138 metres), Chaukhamba 2 (7068 metres), Chaukhamba 3 (6974 metres) and Chaukhamba 4 (6854 metres) on the far side of Joshimath. The shepherds living in the vicinity, mostly from Rishikesh or Haridwar, graze their flocks of sheep and goats throughout the summer months.Meals: b, l, d

Day 6 Chitraganta (3310m) to Kuari Pass (3640m) (3-4 hours)A short stage to assist acclimatisation. We head along a ridge for an hour gaining views of the Kuari pass as well as the numerous peaks that stretch as far as the horizon. From our camp in the vicinity of the pass we gain spectacular views of the Himalayan and Zanskar ranges. Our guides will help you identify them. North of Joshimath is the Chaukhamba Range, Nilkanth (6596 metres) and

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fast factsCountriesvisited:

India

visas:Yes*

vaccinations:Please consult a travel vaccination

specialist for up to date information

PrivateGroups:Private group options are

available for this trip*

Singles:A single supplement is

available for this trip*

Leader:Expert local leader

Brochurereference:Active Adventures

responsible travelTheenvironmentswetravelthrougharefragile.Itisourresponsibilityas

visitorstominimisetheimpactofourpresence.WorldExpeditionswere

theproudrecipientsoftheinauguralAustralianNationalTravelIndustry’s

EnvironmentalAchievementawardforourresponsibleTravel

Guidebook.Thisdetailedguidetoresponsibleandsustainabletravelis

providedtoallWorldExpeditionsclientsbeforetheytravel.

Pleaseaskifyouhavenotreceivedyourcopyofouraward

winningbook.Alternatively,youmayliketodownloadacopyfromour

websitewww.worldexpeditions.co.uk

indian himalaya trekking challenge

One of the finest alpine treks in the Himalaya

challenge gradingTodeterminethegradeofaparticular

adventureweconsideranumberoffactors.Theseincludethecondition

ofthewalkingterrain,thealtitude,thenumberofpasscrossingsand

thelengthofthetrek.TheNandaDeviAlpineisgradedasamoderatetrek.

The14daytrekcrossesaseriesofwellgradedpassesincludingtheKuariPass(3640metres)aswellasascendingtorupKund(4450

metres)thehighestpointonourtrek.Thetrailslinkingthevillagesarewell

defined.ThetrailtoBadniBugyalissteepinplaceswhiletheupper

sectionsofthetrailtorupKundwillbeundersnowinthepre-monsoon

season.Inordertocompletethistrekweadvisethatyouundertake

regularexercise–swimming,cycling,jogging,threeorfourtimesaweek

foratleastthreemonthspriortoyourdeparture.Hillwalkingwitha

daypackisalsorecommended.

charity challengesByitsverynatureadventure

travelinvolvesanelementoftheunexpected.Inremoteand

developingcountriesdonotexpectstandardsyouareusedtoathome.

remoteareasaresometimesunpredictableanditinerariesmaybealtered.Togetthemostoutofyour

adventureitisimportantthatyouareflexible,positiveandeagerto

takeonallthechallengesthatarise.Ifyouareuncertainaboutyour

suitabilityforthistripwerecommendthatyouspeakwithyourtrip

organiserorWorldExpeditions.

Narayan Parbat (5965 metres), while the peaks of the Zanskar Range, including Mana Peak (7272 metres), Kamet (7756 metres) and Abl Gamin (7355 metres), extend to the Tibet border. In the middle foreground, the main Himalayan chain in the vicinity of the Bhyundar Valley and Hem Kund includes Nilgiri Parbat (6474 metres), Rataban (6166 metres), Ghori Parbat (6708 metres) and Hathi Parbat (6727 metres). Dunagiri (7066 metres) dominates the peaks to the north of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, which also include Changabang (6864 metres) and Kalanka (6931 metres).Meals: b, l, d

Day 7 Kuari Pass (3640m) to Sutoli (2980m) (5-6 hours)Another important acclimatisation day with a challenging section. The Kuari Pass at 3640 metres is a small col in a grassy ridge. From the pass our guides can point out many local beauty spots as well as the route we follow in what is a challenging stage. From the pass there is a steep descent to a small shepherd encampment at Dakwani (3300 metres). This meadow marks the upper limit of the mixed oak and pine forest and time for a short break before we descend to a side river (2515 metres). There follows another ascent and descent (steep again in places) to an impressive waterfall before a gradual climb through the forest to Sutoli meadow (2980 metres). From camp you savour views back towards the Kuari pass and the pristine forests that characterise the upper section of the valley.Meals: b, l, d

Day 8 Ghangri (2000m) to Meadow Camp (2450m) (4-5 hours)The trail ascends through oak and rhododendron forest and across a series of meadows from where we gain panoramic views of the Brithi Ganga Valley and the snow capped peaks looming above the forested ridges at the head of the valley. There is no shortage of campsites with plenty of time to explore the surrounding forests and meadows.Meals: b, l, d

Day 9 Trek Meadow camp (2450m) to Ramni Village (2550m) (4-5 hours)We commence with a short ascent to the wooded ridge at 2900 metres (marking the watershed between the Brithi Ganga and Nandakini Valley). There follows a gradual descent through the pastures and forests where the villagers from Ramni graze their animals before descending to a beautiful camp just above the village of Gorli (2550m). That afternoon we may decide to walk to the nearby Ramni village and visit the small bazaar. Overnight campMeals: b, l, d

Day 10 Trek Ramni (2550m) to Ghat (1330m) (2-3hrs) Drive to Rudraprayag (6 hours)From Ramni the trail leads through the village fields and houses below Ramni before descending, steeply in places, through conifer and oak forest to the Nandakini River. We then follow the river as it winds its way to the bazaar village of Ghat (1330m). We then drive 6hrs to Rudraprayag. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Rudraprayag.Meals: b, l, d

Day 11 Return to Delhi (6 hours)6 hour drive to Haridwar, then board train to Delhi at 18.20 for 5.5hr train journey to arrive in Delhi at approx 22.40pm. Overnight Delhi hotel.Meals: b, l, d

Day 12 Return flight to UKTransfer to airport for return flight to London or Manchester.Meals: b

This itinerary is subject to change with any change in Community regulations as well as Governmental changes and natural circumstances beyond our control.

4–©2010AustralianWorldExpeditionsPtyLimited-NeillProthero22Oct201002:30:11

indian himalaya trekking challenge

One of the finest alpine treks in the Himalaya

5–©2010AustralianWorldExpeditionsPtyLimited-NeillProthero22Oct201002:30:11

important noteThesetripnotesrepresentthemostcurrentinformationforthisitinerary,andmaysupersedeanyinformation

inthecurrentbrochure,includingbutnotlimitedtotheitineraryandprice.

Theitineraryshouldbeseenasaguideonly.Thisitinerarymaychange

atanytimeduetoinclementweather,forcesofnatureandothercircumstancesbeyondourcontrol.

suggested extensions India’s Golden Triangle Ancient Varanasi & the Ganges

country informationIndiahasfascinatedtravellersforthousandsofyears.It’sexotic,romanticandgeographicallydiverse–fromtheHimalayanmountainsandwidedesertsinthenorthtolushrainforestsandsandybeachesinthesouth.Itspeople(nownumberingoverabillion)arepredominantlyHindualthoughtheIslamicculturealsointegraltotheIndianculture.SomeofthemostimpressivetempleshavebeenbuiltbythesmallerJainandBuddhistcommunities.Althoughmorethanathousandlanguagesarespoken,EnglishisthesecondlanguageandiswidelytaughtinIndianschools.

climateTherearetwodistinctseasonstovisittheNandaDeviregion.Thepre-monsoonseasonextendsfromthemiddleofMayuntilthemiddleofJunewhilethepostmonsoonseasonextendsfromthemiddleofSeptemberuntilthemiddleofOctober.Bothseasonshavetheirattractions.InthespringtimeinMaytheflowersbloomatthemarginsofthesnowlinewhiletheweatherisgenerallysettledbartheoccasionalpremonsoonstorm.Daytimetemperaturescanrisetothemid20’swhileatnighttheycanfalltobelowfreezingataltitude.Thepostmonsoonseasonisatimeofsettledweatherwithclearviewsofthemountains.Daytimetemperatureswillstillbequitewarm,upto20Cinthemiddleoftheday,howeveratnightthetemperaturescanfallaslowas–10Catthehighcamps.Inconsiderationofthesefactorsweprovidegoodtents,sleepingbagsanddownjacketsonourtreks.

a typical dayyouwillbewokenwithacupofteabroughttoyourtentataround6:00am,followedbyasmallbowlofwarmwaterforwashing.Then,beforebreakfast,youwillpackupyourgear,bearinginmindthatyoursleepingbagwillalsohavetofitintoyourdufflebag.Packyoursleepingmatintoitsstuffsackandensurethatyourtentisfreeofrubbishandreadyforthenextcamp.yourdufflebagwillthenbetakenandtiedupwithothergearintoaload,whichwillbepackedontotheawaitingpackhorses.Weareusuallyonthetrailby7:00amandtrytocompleteourtrekbylunchtime.Oncewehavereachedcampandthekitchenissetup,alightlunchisprepared,leavinguswiththerestoftheafternoonfreetoexplorethenearbyvillagesorundertakeasideoption.Teaanddonuts/pakorasarepreparedat4:30pm.Dinnerisusuallyservedaround7:00pm.remembertobringyourwaterbottletothediningtentsoitcanbefilledbythekitchenstaffduringdinner.Trekkingeveningsaffordsomeofthebestmemoriesofyourtrek,whetheritissittingaroundtalking,playingcards,chattingwiththestafforvisitingthelocalpeople,itisalwaysaveryspecialtime.

meals during the trekWeprovideafullservicewhileontrek.Animportantaspectofthisservicearethemealsthatarepreparedforyouandwearefrequentlycomplimentedbyreturningtravellersaboutthefoodprovided.Ensuringthatyoustayhealthyisoneofourhighestpriorities.Therefore,eachofourtreksisaccompaniedbyatrainedcookaswellaskitchenstaffwhoprovideyouwiththreeheartymealseachday.Highlevelsofhygieneareengagedtoensurethatourtravellersstayhealthyandfit.Ourcookingstaffhasmasteredthepreparationofavariedandbalancedmenuandthereisalwaysplentyoffoodforthosewhomaylikeseconds.Ourcooksaretrainedtoprovideexcellentfoodforvegetariansandanyonewhohasalimiteddietincludingthosewhoarelactoseorglutenintolerant.Ourmealinclusiononyourtrekisforyourbenefitandtakesallthehassle,expenseandworryoutofyourholiday.Typically,youcanexpectbreakfasttoconsistofmuesliorcereal,eggs,localbreadsandpancakesandhotdrinks.

indian himalaya trekking challenge

One of the finest alpine treks in the Himalaya

Lunchwillgenerallybevegetables,salads,bread,cheesepastastyledishes,tinnedfishandmeatsandarenormallyeatenpicnicstyle.Dinnerisalwaysthreecoursesandincludessoup,seasonalvegetables,meat,riceorpastaandbreadwithsomelocalspecialtiesalsointhemix.Dessertisalwaysservedafterthemainmealeacheveningfollowedbyhotbeverages.

what you carryInyourdaypackyouwillneedtocarryextrawarmclothing(dependingonthealtitude,locationandweather),arainjacket,waterbottle,filmandcameragear,valuablesandpersonalitemssuchassunscreen,lip-ezeetc.Portersandmulescarryallgroupgearandyourtrekpack.

equipment requiredSpecialistgearrequiredincludewalkingbootsanddaypack(acomprehensivegearlistisprovidedinthepre-departureinformationprovidedonbooking).

acute mountain sicknessWhenweascendabove2500metersourbodieshavetoacclimatisetothedecreasingamountoftheoxygenavailable.ToallowourbodiestoadjustWorldExpeditionshasstructureditstrekssothatyouascendslowly,allowingacclimatisationtooccur.However,duringtheacclimatisationprocess,youmayexperiencesomeofthefollowingsymptoms. •Headache •Tiredness •Disturbedsleep •Lossofappetite/nausea •Shortnessofbreath •Cough •Palpitation •SwellingofthehandsandfaceIndividualsacclimatiseatdifferentrates.yourbeststrategyistotakeyourtimeanddrinkplentyofwater.ThesesymptomsmaynotindicatetheonsetofA.M.S.andifyouexperiencethemitdoesnotnecessarilymeanthatyoushouldnotcontinue.AllWorldExpeditionsgroupleadershaveextensivefirstaidtrainingandweurgeyoutocommunicatewiththegroupleaderatalltimesshouldyoubelieveyouhaveanysymptomsinorderthatwecaneffectivelymonitoryoursymptoms.TheonlycureforAcuteMountainSicknessistodescend.Pleasenotethatyourgroupleaderhasultimateresponsibilityandmayaskyoutodescendifsymptomspersist.

protecting the environmentTheGarhwalenvironmentlikeallHimalayanregionsisextremelyfragileanditisourresponsibilityasvisitorstominimisetheimpactofourpresence.InSeptember2001,weweretheproudrecipientsoftheAustralianNationalTravelIndustry’sEnvironmentalAchievementawardforourresponsibleTravelGuidebook.Thisdetailedguidetoresponsible&sustainabletravelisprovidedtoallWorldExpeditionsclientsbeforetheytravel.Pleaseaskyourconsultantifyouhavenotreceivedyourcopyofourawardwinningbook.Alternatively,youmayliketodownloadacopyfromourwebsite.

6–©2010AustralianWorldExpeditionsPtyLimited-NeillProthero22Oct201002:30:11

indian himalaya trekking challenge

One of the finest alpine treks in the Himalaya