The Himalayan foothills are just ideal for trekking, Hiking and Camping offering energetic out-door people a different and exciting option for a Adventure tour. The Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttaranchal are the most popular destinations for trekkers, though Chamba and Manali in Himachal Pradesh, Darjeeling & Sikkim himalayas in the north east and Ladakh and Zanskar in Jammu and Kashmir, have interesting trekking routes as well.

A trekking expedition is as much a discovery of nature as a discovery of one's self. It also provides a perfect and balanced exercise for limbs, sheds excess body fat, keeps you agile and leaves you fitter than ever before. So pick up your rucksack and get going off the beaten track, on to the Himalaya where the trail seems to disappear over yonder ridge and leads some where.

The Indian Himalayas have attracted geologists, geographers, Trekkers and lovers of nature. They have a strange fascination for artists, poets, photographers and mystics. They are a paradise for Trekkers and mountaineers and are the cradle of thousands of rivers, streams and glaciers.

In almost every part of India, there is a variety of trekking adventure options awaiting the trekkers, some soft, others not so. In this vast wonderland, trekking itineraries from one to four weeks or more provide endless opportunities for discovery for the trekkers. Among the high altitude regions of Indian Himalayas, reality becomes a dream.

Trekking in India is an unforgettable experience as it not only let you to experience the unexplored trails made by nature, but also bring the visitor directly in touch with the country and its people and helps you to appreciate the mountain environment.

Hiking
Do you enjoy a good walk? Then may be you'll enjoy a good hiking experience within the mountainous regions of India too. Hiking does not require an experienced walker. You have to be fit and healthy and courageous enough to take up challenges. In India, Hiking is not just restricted to Himalayan regions, the lower altitude regions of the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills also provide some pretty good options to enjoy a nice hike.

The right hiking shoes for your feet can make all of the difference for walking comfort and an enjoyable hike tour. A hiker should also have a variety of shoes to meet different climates and surfaces. If your walks are taking up natural paths and off-beaten tracks, you may want more rugged shoes. Look for the lighter weight variety shoes for hike and those with some flexibility and are waterproof. The socks should also be made from CoolMax, polypropylene, or other woven fabric as they wick away the sweat to evaporate and help prevent blisters. Other things that a hiker has to carry include hat, waist packs, hike backpacks, water bottles, Sun creem and hike tour route maps.

One should drink water before, during, and after walking. Your comfort and stamina depends on getting enough water while walking. A hiker needs to drink every half hour if walking at a moderate pace, more often if you are sweating it.

Trekking in Himalayas
Himalayas are known as the one of the youngest mountain ranges in the world and is counted among the trekking regions in the world. The Indian Himalayan range is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular and impressive mountain ranges in the world. Within a space of few days the trekking expedition in India you may trek through the numerous Hindu settlements, ancient temples, isolated Buddhist monasteries, camp beside small village establishments that support traditional Islamic culture.

Ladakh is one of the driest regions in Northern India. Nevertheless, most passes within Ladakh can be crossed by the end of June, which is the earliest time to undertake an extended trek through Ladakh, Zanskar or out of Panikhar in the Suru valley. In the months of July and August the daytime temperatures rise in the Ladakh region to mid 20 degree Celsius and for trekkers, the heat and the intense UV light require special caution. This is also the time for the occasional storm, which can result in snow falling at higher elevations. When planning a trek in the higher altitude Himalayan regions, you must therefore consider that the temperature may vary by over 20 degree Celsius in a day. While most treks are undertaken in the Ladakh region in July and August, Autumn, from early September to mid-October is also the season ideal for trekking.

The Great Himalayan Range is the main mountain divide between the region of Kashmir and Ladakh. Most trekking possibilities are to the east of the Kashmir Valley, where the Amarnath and Kolahoi ranges merge with the main Himalayan Range. In this region a series of alpine valleys including the Sindh and the Lidder provide the major routes into the main Himalayas.

To adventure lovers, trekking in Sikkim is an experience of many extents. For those who are looking for excitement plus adventure nothing can match the view of the Himalayan Mountains, which seem to touch the sky. As the adventurer passes his way through a mountain trek, he establishes an easy relationship with nature. Trekkers in Sikkim will be spell bounded by the profusion of plants and flowers.

Ladakh:
Today the isolated mountains expanses in the Ladakh region generate the mystery of the Central Asian Silk Route. Ladakh is considered to be the most rugged region of the entire Himalayan range. Often referred as the Trans Himalayan Zone because its position between the Great Himalayan Range and the vast Tibetan plateau. One of the major reason that why this barren land is a favourite of trekkers and extreme sports lovers.

Trekking options within Ladakh includes short, daylong walks up and down mountains to visit remote villages or monastic settlements. The longer duration Trans-Himalayan treks involve weeks of walking and camping in the wild and barren region of Ladakh. Among the high altitude treks is the trek from Lamayuru in the Indus valley to Darcha in Lahaul across Zanskar that takes nearly three weeks to come to its conclusion. Most of the established routes pass through the Zanskar range, which separates the Indus valley from Zanskar.

The 10-days Lamayuru-Padum trek and the Stok Kangri trek are the more popular trek tours among the numerous options available in this cold desert of Ladakh. In recent years, parts of the Ladakh range between the Indus and Shayok valleys have also become available for trekking.

Zanskar and Suru valley:
A totally untouched and least explored region of Ladakh is Zanskar, which is easily catching up as a favourite destination for trekkers. The trekking destination to check out in Zanskar is Padum, the centre for hard but rewarding treks to Manali via the Shingo-la, Kishtwar via the Umasi-la, and Lamayuru and Leh via difficult routes through the Zanskar range. Next comes the lower altitude region of the Suru valley, offering spectacular views of Nun-Kun and its attendant peaks. Trekking expeditions to this valley mostly take off from Panikar village, which is also the base for long treks that takes the trekker in the direction of Kashmir and Kishtwar. Other trekking bases from Suru are the monastic settlements of Sanku, further down the valley, and Rangdum.

Although the days may be quite warm evenings tend to get chilly, even in summer in places like Leh. So pack sufficient protective clothing, including something to keep off the chilling winds, which whoosh down the mountains; they're deathly cold. Make sure to carry some Vitamin C and aspirin tablets for the high altitude regions. The scorching sun in the day can result in sunburn, so carry a protective lotion, hat and sunglasses. While trekking, take along your own food and plenty of fluid, preferably in the form of bottled water. The entire region of Ladakh - except for parts of the Nubra Valley is very dry, and if you're not careful, there's a risk of dehydration.

Himachal Pradesh:
Moderate trekking for 4 days over Sutlej-Beas watershed is also a good hike option. Drive from Shimla via Narkanda on the Hindustan-Tibet Road to Rampur. From the Bashleo pass, there are views of the Mahadev range and the trail down to the Beas valley at Banjar for the road to Manali. West of the Basleo lies the motarable Jalori Pass. Other diversions from here include a hike to Churdhar from Narkanda.

Darjeeling:
One-day trails are the best from of treks for viewing the entire region of Darjeeling for tourists who have little time at their disposal. The recommended routes are the ones from Darjeeling to Kurseong through the Old Military Road, Darjeeling to Singla, Darjeeling to Bijabbari and Darjeeling to Tiger Hill, which is most popular among tourists as well as trekkers as one can stay overnight to wake up to a wonderful sunrise the next morning.

Garhwal:
The Doon Valley hike tour takes you on a gentle trek through the wonderful flower meadows and forests of the Har Ki Doon Valley. Along the way one can visit small villages and meet some Gujjars Shepard's who come to these pastures with their buffalo during the summer season. The tour starts in Mussoorie, and one can also take up an exciting rafting trip down the Ganges River and visit some of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in India. This tour brings out an unusual combination of adventure and culture that will give you a wonderful introduction to this delightful part of India.

Sikkim Trekking:
To adventure lovers, trekking in Sikkim is an experience of many extents. For those who are looking for excitement plus adventure nothing can match the view of the Himalayan Mountains, which seem to touch the sky. As the adventurer passes his way through a mountain trek, he establishes an easy relationship with nature. Trekkers in Sikkim will be spell bounded by the profusion of plants and flowers.

Great tracts of virgin forests and deep river valleys, offering views of ancient monasteries such as Pemayangtse and Tashiding and the attractive but rapidly developing hamlet of Pelling, characterize the beautiful region of Western Sikkim. The old capital, Yoksum, lies at the start of the trail towards Dzongri and Kanchen-D-zunga.

On the far west, along the border with Nepal, the watershed of the Singalila range rises along a single ridge, with giants such as Rathong and Kabru culminating in Kanchenjunga itself. Although only one high altitude trek is currently available, several low altitude treks, free from trekking restrictions, provide tremendous opportunities for trekkers to enjoy the terraced landscapes, waterfalls and forests.

Permits Permit restrictions mean that trekkers can only follow well-beaten trails and within a limited period of time. If you are coming from Darjeeling and have arranged permits and itineraries in advance, you could enter Sikkim at Jorethang and go directly to Pelling or Yoksum saving precious permit time.