Trekking for the First Time – Do's and Don’ts

Its summer vacation time and many of us must be in the midst of our vacation or defiantly planning on one. For those lucky few who live close to hilly terrains and mountains a trek to nearby hill station is an easy getaway especially if you live in a ‘Hot’ city like New Delhi.

Trekking is not mere walking one a straight road or on a river bank, it can be a little tricky but is as much fun for a regular as it can be for first timer. Few things that has to be taken care by all are:

Do's:

1.       Always trek on an officially permissible location unless of course you’re on a discovery expedition

2.       Most of the treks have their maps and route available at the local tourist offices or with travel agents or with a guide. Do get one

3.       A guide is an added help especially with 1^st timers

4.       Know the terrain and know the landscape. A through study of the area, the topography and weather is a must, especially if one is trekking alone or is in a foreign land

5.       Good yet light inventory of food and drinking items is a must (sipper bottles are of great help). For e.g.: water, glucose, electrolytes, protein bars, cookies etc.

6.       Do carry your medi kit of, ointments, antibiotics, sprain sprays, bandages etc.

7.       Toilet papers and or better yet a small towel is a must specially for hot terrains

8.       Carry a sleeping bag in case it’s a multi-day trekking expedition and/or a tent for higher than 2500 ft. and less than 10’c trekking regions

9.       Keep the pace of your trek to suit all. Push your limits, in your limits though. Do take ample rest and halts in between

10.   Always have a pre decided endpoint. Unless you're a ‘wilding’! Do inform local authorities about your route in case trekking solo.

Don’ts:

1.       Medical conditions are a must to be taken care of. Your are not advised to trek on a higher altitude if :

a.       You have fluctuating blood pressure or any other heart related disorder. Changes in the altitude and air pressure can widely affect the amount of oxygen in the blood, resulting into aerobic or anaerobic respiration. This can be really detrimental if you have a heart or pulmonary disorder.

b.      If you have A.D.D. i.e. attention deficit disorder. One needs to be attentive all the time while trekking.

c.       If you have migraine or sinus

d.      Other medical conditions which don’t allow you to take part in strenuous activities.

2.       Not advised to trek if you have a drug abuse problem. Immediate medical help might not be available always.

3.       Do not litter. Do take back what you bring along. Go green!

4.       Do not carry explosive items or compressed cans like inflammable deodorants etc. unless well prepared for the same.

5.       Do not lit a fire uselessly. If in case required choose an area which does not have enchantment inflammable area and do remember to put if off by using water or mud/sand.

6.       Do not carry food items which get fermented or turn bad without refrigeration. Only ready to eat packaged items or local fruits are good.

7.       Do not eat fruits or berries from on the way or on the route of your trek. Many of these attracting looking berries can be very poisonous and can make you severely sick.

8.       Do not jump, go off trek the route, lean over the cliffs etc. this can be dangerous. Veterans develop a sense of balance in such terrains. Do not follow them!!

9.       Do not run to finish the trek or take shortcuts. You might get lost!

10.   Do not touch, pick and keep everything that shines, it’s not gold. Many areas are protected and even though a trek if cutting through different terrains many points on the way can be have detrimental effects on reckless behaviours.

This is not to scare or dishearten anyone, but these ‘don’ts’ at times are more important to be followed and can be life, timing and trouble saving.

Trekking is a fun activity across the geography of a particular area. Gel in the same and one will enjoy the fullest.

Remember no matter if you were staying in a 5 star hotel or a dorm, while on a trek, Mother Nature treats us all as equals!! 

Enjoy the beauty in Nature and act Natural. 

Bus travel in India. A treat for sore feet.10 tips while travelling alone in Indian Buses.

India is a huge country with a varied topology. One mean of transportation not necessarily connect all the corners of this diverse land. Though all kind to commuting options are available to our disposal, not always we get the tickets in the desired one, pertaining to the ever increasing and worlds second largest population. Inland modes like Air ,train ,bus, trucks, autos, bike, cycle, tractors, bull carts, horse carts, all can help us in our travel needs.

Most of the times Air tickets are expensive proposition for cheap travelers like me, and much desirable train tickets are hard to attain. Buses on other hand are though less desirable come to our rescue. New and branded bus services are stepping in the Indian transport system, in a big. Connecting more and more metro cities and tier 2 & 3 cities as we speak.

Internet transactions have made life easy. Now buses can easily be booked online. Websites like RedBus.in & TravelYaari  are providing satisfying booking services, specially with their branded bus services ( Volvo/Mercedes Buses) . I would vouch for these two sites for safe transactions and support. Details like availability of seats , bus type , bus operator details , bus driver and bus numbers, pick and drop options makes life a lot much easier while travelling to unknown terrains.

10 tips that will help your bus travel even more easier :

1. 1st rule of traveling which always help is - Travel Light. (though theses buses generally have good underdeck storage spaces).
2. Don't forget to have your PNR number with you, which is mostly sent to your email & mobile numbers. You can directly show the same on your device or a print out will do. Better go Green !! 
3. Do have an Id proof, probably with a face identity.
4. Don't carry gold coins and diamonds here. Meaning no point of taking expensive items with you. Even if you do for some reason, please do not flash it.
5. Carry food and water with you. Some buses do provide water bottles , but better you are prepared.
6. Carry mosquito repellents. Always be prepared for those nasty little fellas.
7. Don't hesitate to ask your driver or bus attendant to stop at time of emergencies or even if you have bladder emergency.
8. Eat less for an easy travel ,good both for you and other passengers.
9. Do carry motion sickness pills.
10. A cover is mostly provided but wouldn't hurt to make journey more comfortable by carrying your own covers and neck supports.

One more :  If kids are accompanied, do keep them seated in the bus, or else make them wear helmets.

Well so who's stopping to plan your next travel, no waiting in lines for train tickets and spending grands on air fares.

Log on to one of these sites and get going.

Bon Voyage !!