Kinnaur with 1 yr old baby

k_cborty

We plan to go to Kinnaur in the last week of June(this month)starting from Delhi on 20th June.

We are a group of five -Me,Wifey,Two daughters(3+ and 1 yr)& maid.

Have spoken to Ramchandra(Driver)as suggested in other thread to be picked up from Kalka via Travera for the entire journey.

The itinery looks somewhat as below:

Day 1- June 20th(Sat) - Delhi-Chandigarh-Shimla
Day 2- June 21st(Sun) - Shimla-Sarahan
Day 3- June 22nd(Mon) - Sarahan- Sangla
Day 4- June 23rd(Tues)-Sangla - Chitkul-Sangla
Day 5- June 24th (Wed)-Sangla (A short trek if possible)
Day 6- June 25th(Thurs)-Sangla- Kalpa
Day 7- June 26th (Fri)-Kalpa
Day 8- June 27th (Sat)-Kalpa - Shimla or Naldhera
Day 9- June 28th(Sun)-Shimla-Chandigarh-Delhi

Clarification and suggestion required:

1.The problems which may arise with small kids(though both are accustomed to heights).Anybody with experience of going with kids to Kinnaur?
2.Likely weather condition in Kinnaur in June last week.
3.Short treks from Sangla and Kalpa (Suggestions pls)
4.We plan to stay in Govt Rest/Guest House(as we know a Sr govt servant in HP).What is the condition of Govt Rest Houses in HP?

Will look forward for inputs from all.

__________________
Yeh Zindagi ek safar hai suhana...

birds

Personally I think it is crazy to go with small children to places where adequate health care is not readily available.

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Of the estimated 500 million dogs in the world, approximately 75% are strays, of which about 25 million live in India.

k_cborty

I'm still waiting for the answers pls!

Rachit85

Hi,

This is the best time to visit Kinnaur. Weather will be cold but not that snowy (Just telling from my experience of three years back). You need to carry baby food with you and do buy hot milk on the way where ever possible. Normally milk available at height is of Yak/goat. Please check if same can be fed to baby and in how much quantity. Oxygen levels tends to be at lower side so I won't suggest any trekking activities.

Govt. guest houses are good. For us they are the only places of stay at Kinnaur and Tabu.

I think you can manage and there should not be much of problems.

All the best for your visit.

Rachit

smnray

I went to Sangla/Chitkul two weeks ago with 5 yr old son. I did not go to Kalpa, and stayed in Sangla only.

Your daughters are too small to communicate well in case they feel any medical problem during travel. My intention is not to create panic, but if I was in your situation, I consult a doctor first before taking any decision to travel to Sangla/Chitkul/Kalpa!

I have also described one specific incident which my son faced during Sangla to Chitkul drive in thread below (see my today's post (8th June, 17:54 IST) on that thread).
Is Sangla overhyped?

k_cborty

Thanks for the advise and now you have made me a little worried.

I have been with my elder daughter to kedarnath/badrinath/chopta and with the younger one when 3 months old to khirsu and it was comfortable.

At that time the doctor said normally its never a problem with kid at high altitudes as mostly its psychological than anything else.

deky

I would not recommend travelling with an infant to sangla/chitkul/kalpa. For the following reasons:-

a. height factor and AMS.Its 3300+ mtrs

b. Infants can not communicate so you would not know if the baby is crying due to AMS or just due to her being hungry.

c. Lack of proper hyigenic environment. You may carry the baby's cerelac or her formula milk, but how can you gaurantee that the utensils/ bottles that are used for washing are clean and steralised.

d. By any chance if something goes wrong, no proper medical fasciities available. These places are remote, much remote than badrinath/kedarnath.

e. June/july is the season when the rain starts, hence land slides/ flash floods are quite common, would you like to get stuck with your kids for a few days, I guess no.

Well If I would have been in your shoes I would not have gone to Kinnaur just yet. I would rather post pone the trip for another 5 years when my kids are big enough to express and the immune system is much better.

Also I am sure your kids would remeber much more of the places they see when they a bit older. Plus maybe your wife may also be more free and able to enjoy more a few years down the Line.

Regards

k_cborty

You guys are making me jittery and worried now .Will consult with the paediatrician tomorrow.

As of now we are on.

indracal

Chakroborty da, Ghabraben na ! (Dear Mr. Chakroborty, don't panic!)

You definitely need to plan well because of your kid. But that doesn't mean you have to wait till she is 5 yrs! Talk to your paed and stuff as much of medicines possible. Keep the doc's # handy, and you are any way hiring a Tavera, so you would remain mobile save for natural problems.

Since your kid is one year, I am sure she has started taking direct foods. Please ensure that you give her food from places where you could give a look at the kitchen, we were fine even with our 6-mo old girl.

You must monitor the child however, as she has started walking now I believe!

Also read up this post of mine, if you feel like! That thread also has something about a sterilizing tablets!

I would have done it slowly, and because I don't like rain, so wouldn't have taken it up now. But other than that - I don't think you should have any issues!

Let us know what you feel and what the Paed said!

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MonkeyBoy4u

If it comforts you I took my 1 year old kid to Khardung La (>18000ft) last year with no problems what so ever

Dont forget to carry basic medicines.

I am planning to hit Kaza and Kunzum La with my kid later this week

Will post a detailed answer tomorrow

__________________
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

~ Robert Frost

MonkeyBoy4u

I am doing the same circuit as you only starting 2 days later from 22nd

k_cborty

Dear Indra/Monkeyboy,

Thanks! for those words of comfort.I really got worried.

I personally spoke to the paediatrician today who is one of the best in South Delhi.He sternly and emphatically told me 'Nothing happens to kids or will happen' and gave a go ahead.Will meet him today for the medicine list.

Any other suggestions or precaution you suggest.

Any medicine list you have both for kids and adults...request you to share.

Monkeyboy- Do we have a chance on bumping into each other??

regards,

kaushik

k_cborty

[quote= we were fine even with our 6-mo old girl.

You must monitor the child however, as she has started walking now I believe!

Also read up [URL="http://www.indiamike.com/india/himachal-pradesh-f29/himachal-pradesh-monsoon-time-with-baby-t79179/#post714675"]this post[/url] of mine, if you feel like! That thread also has something about a sterilizing tablets!

QUOTE]

Indra, Did you go to Sangla with your 6 month old kid?

indracal

KC,

We did Dalhousie circuit (which is way less than Kinnaur). So you better not compare. Also, every lid is different from the other.

- There you go!!

MonkeyBoy4u

Hi Kaushik,

Carry common medicines like Crocin syrup for fever, nasal drops for any congestion, a syrup to treat stomach aches. These are common medicines which you need to keep around even if not going to high altitudes. Consult your paed for a list of meds to be carried along.

Kids have the most flexible human body systems and are more resilient than us adults also. Dont worry about the high altitude factor at all and consider this as a normal family outing.

Some precautions which I suggest you take are (same goes for the kids)

1.Drink plenty of water all through the trip.

2. Do not exert that much. Dont let the kids run around that much in hotel rooms etc.

3.Walk around the various towns and places, but I would suggest you avoid the trek.

4. Last point don't worry. Stress will only cause problems.

Here is a detail of my travel plans

Delhi ~ Kaza ~ Delhi ~ Manali

Trip starts from 21st June. I will be in Sangla on 23rd June.I have hired an Innova from Delhi (may drive in between :-)).