My wife and I (both in our mid 20s) are traveling to India in May. We are planning on trekking in either Uttaranchal or Himachal Pradesh. We've not decided what trek we want to do, but we'd like to do one that is moderate to hard in difficulty.
We thought that it might be fun to meet up with some other potential trekkers and perhaps splitting the cost of a local guide (not someone to do everything for us, but to make sure we don't get lost).
We're also open to suggestions regarding treks to do. So, if you're going on a particular trek and want some trekking companions, let us know.
markgraeme
1
newislander
If you are going to pay for a guide, you might as well have someone who will do something. I think a cook is more valuable than a guide and for some bizarre reason they are paid less. So if you could find a cook who knows his way around, they'd be the best value for money - hell i'd be happy to pay them the guide's rate. I can't see the value in these guides myself. They are usually just university students on holidays. Which is not to say that they don't deserve a job like anyone else but they are not that hardup as far as i have noticed and cooks have nothing else to go to.
That's just my opinion for what its worth.
2
nijkerk
the pindari glacier trek is easy to do without any real planning, basic food and accom. is available en route tho if you dont mind carrying one ,a tent and some supplies gives you more independence, especially if you do side trips,kafni glacier or to Sunderdhunga, no need for a guide the path is straightforward, I believe that there is a road now from Song up to the first accomodation under the pass(forgot the name ) The view from the pass is great up the Sunderdhunga valley. The Kuari pass trek from Gwaldam is longer and if weather permits(you maybe too early) the side trip to Rup Kund and back (or over the pass above it ) is spectacular and HIGH ,hard work but not technically difficult just physically. For that area a tent, guide /cook and maybe an extra porter is necessary. I was alone for the Pindari, met 1 aussie en route, but for Kuari /Rup kund I got a guide in Gwaldam( ask at the tourist bungalow) and we picked up another guy en route to help.(we were heading above the tree line so we had to carry wood/kerosene and sometimes water) I cant remember the price but it was really cheap, get the price established before you set off ! ( I paid more than they were asking + I bought the provisions at Gwaldam, very basic: Dhal ,rice, onions,chillies,salt,flour, sugar ,tea ,biscuits and ghee, although they slaughtered a sheep on the way !)I bought the guide some new boots a decent coat and 200 cigarettes in Joshimath at the end of the trip.. still worked out to be peanuts )
3
markgraeme
Hiring a guide was not the main point of the post. (It was more of a side thought. Something that might help out the local economy.)
The post was primarily made in attempt to find find some other people to trek with. Thanks for the comments though.
So, if anyone will be there then and is interested in potentially meeting up, let us know.
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