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Dos and Don’ts of trekking in the Himalayas

trekking in the Himalayas

Trekking in the Himalayas can be something of a spiritual experience as well as a terrifically invigorating one. Even if you have plenty of experience in trekking, this particular region will present you with its own set of challenges. Here are a few dos and don’ts for trekking in the Himalayas.

Do’s:

Get a local guide

It is surprisingly easy to get lost in the Himalayas. That being said, locals are extremely adept at navigating through the mountains and dense forests. A local guide can be hired for less than $30 for a 3-4 day trek. Not only are these guides extremely good at leading you to spectacular sights that aren’t on guide maps, they can also show you little known shortcuts and introduce you to the Himalayas in the way that locals have known them for hundreds of years.

Bring enough water

While the Himalayas are generally replete with water, getting to a stream, brook or waterfall could represent a few hours trek in itself. Always remember to carry enough water when you go trekking and collect water every chance you get along the way as well.

Carry high energy bars

The Himalayas are the highest mountain range in the world. This means that a trek to a higher region would consume more of your energy. Carrying high energy bars can prevent fatigue and steep blood sugar drops during treks.

Don’ts:

Don’t litter and pollute

The Himalayan ecosystem is delicate and the tourist influx is putting great pressure eon it. While trekking, remember to not litter or pollute. This would mean no bathing in the streams with chemical soaps and shampoos and no leaving behind any trash.

Don’t try to smuggle marijuana

The Himalayas are home to some of the most talked about varieties of marijuana. It grows freely along the mountainsides and the locals do sell it to tourists too. While local cultures permit smoking it, the law in the region strictly prohibits it and any attempt to smuggle even a small quantity of it can get you a hefty jail sentence.

Don’t forget to keep someone informed of your location

Most of the trekking regions through the Himalayas are pretty daunting and can lead you into breathtaking views. And that is exactly what makes it so easy to get horribly lost as well. As a rule of thumb, you should keep a local contact or friend updated with your location at least once every few hours. For additional safety, you may inform cops at the police station located at your base camp about your intended route and the duration of the trek to ensure that they can send out a search party should something go wrong.

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