Questions about the indian himalayas!

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ivodc
ivodc

Hello, me and two friends (20years old) going to india for 5 weeks from the 20th of july this year. We would like to start our trip by going into the Himalayas for about two weeks. We maybe want to do some trekking, but we have never trekked or been to india before so we have a few questions.

The first question is about when we should go there. Is it a bad or a good idea to go into the himalayas just two days after we arrived in india for our first time?

Second question is about terrorism: I'm from the netherlands and the government here says we should avoid Jammu and kashmir (except ladakh) because of a high threat of terrorism. They say we shouldn't even travel via Srinagar to Ladakh. How realistic is this threat, should we really avoid the areas for it?
They also say we should travel only in big groups in Himachal Pradesh, anyone knows anything about this?

The third, last and biggest question; we have no idea wich places we should really visit in the himalayas.. we are planning to go there via the Srinagar road (to avoid AMS) but we don't really know yet wich places we should visit when we are in the himalayas.. we were wondering if anyone who has trekked there before could maybe make some sort of himalaya itinerary for us. With the most beautiful places that are not too hard to reach for first timers. One of us also likes ritualistic hindu villages, with monks.. so if you could add that to the itinerary that would be just perfect.

Thanks in advance!

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willemspie
willemspie

In most of the Himalayas, like most of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, it will be the monssoon til mid September. If ti's your first time there, I think it is a better idea to go directly from Delhi to Manali and then to Ladakh by bus, rather than through Kashmir.

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nijkerk
nijkerk

"Hindu villages with monks" ....Only if there is a buddhist monastery there...

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trekkingmonk
trekkingmonk

As was recently posted the first big monsoon storm has hit Delhi and July is the rainiest period south of the Himalaya. But Rishikesh would be a good place to see Hindu temples and sadhus in action with their ritual bathing in the Ganges and other rituals (smoking chillums). Then as was mentioned try to get up to Leh, Ladakh via Manali/Rohtang pass or through Srinagar and Zoji La where trekking would be more enjoyable in the drier climate.
Overt terrorist violence in Kashmir has calmed down quite a bit. But Embassies tend to keep warning people away. You are three in a group and if you just pass through Srinagar on your way to Leh, there should not be any problem, except touts in Srinagar trying to get you to their houseboats.
Once in Leh you can find out about some easy trek(s) to make. Or consult the LP Trekking in the Indian Himalaya. Two weeks is not so much time, as it will still be the Monsoon until Mid September; you might want to remain longer in Ladak or Spiti.
Have a nice journey.

Mindfulness a day, keeps Dukkha away
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meczko
meczko

You may have a look at my trip reports (2008 and 2011) here http://meczko.wordpress.com/india/ for some ideas and practical details. Both Himalaya trips were done in late July/August, so that's your planned timing.
I would suggest to use more of your time in India for the Himalaya. First, two weeks are quite short if you want to reach the most interesting places. Second, the rest of the country is pretty miserable weather-wise in July/August.

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ivodc
ivodc

Thank you, we might extend the himalaya trip to three weeks. And if i get it right we should head up to Leh, ladakh as quick as possible because the villages on lower altitude are probably in rain of the monsoon? But won't we get AMS if we head up straight from Delhi to Manali and then to Ladakh by bus?

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meczko
meczko

You may get AMS, especially if you sleep in Sarchu (over 4000 m) on your way between Manali and Leh. You can consider flying to Leh and - to be on the safe side - taking a taxi to Alchi (ca. 3100) for the first two nights. See more advice in my trip report.

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