Camping? Dangerous wildlife?

Hutchism · Sep 19th, 2009, 02:54

Hi guys. I'm flying into Delhi in just over a week. Buying a motorbike and riding initially up to Dharamsala.

If I decide to camp at some point, what sort of wildlife do I need to beware of north of Delhi??

Am I likely to be bothered by people if I camp off the beaten track?

Can people camp in the national parks?

Regards

Ian

edwardseco · Sep 19th, 2009, 10:34

People are the biggest hazard..

Hutchism · Sep 19th, 2009, 18:21

Yeah, I thought that might be the case. A friend told me that I should light a fire and play loud music as humans are very afraid of these things.

I dont hear of many people camping. Would I get hastled so much everywhere i go? Even in the rural parts?

Nick-H · Sep 19th, 2009, 19:07

When I was about five years old, my parents gave up hotels and bought a caravan, which they towed. They much preferred to chat up a farmer, and get to stay in a corner of one of his fields, rather than join the masses on organised sites. When a cow decides to scratch its back against the van in the middle of the night, the effect is quite dramatic

--- imagine if it was a tent!

TimMakins · Sep 19th, 2009, 19:19

Hi Ian - I guess you haven't been to India before? For such a big country, there is very little 'off the beaten track'. People live everywhere, even on the most inaccessible mountain slopes, and where they are not living, they are farming. India doesn't go in for fences to its fields, so there are always small boys looking after stock. Consequently, wherever you stop to put up a tent, someone will appear in a matter of minutes, maybe just to stare, or maybe to bring all their friends and ask you 1,000,000 questions. Its just bound to happen, so accept it, and with anticipation of this in mind, turn the tables and make your camping a more enjoyable, sociable occasion: when you get to an area where you want to stop for the night, find someone who speaks English, and ask them if there is somewhere you might camp for the night. You will find that Indians are incredibly welcoming and hospitable to the foreign traveller, and in most cases will go out of their way to help. In many cases they will invite you into their homes for the night. You will quickly make new friends, and gain a far better understanding of the country that you have come so far to visit. You will get some amazing photographs. In return, smile a lot, and try to get used to being stared at by small children for hours on end.

Hutchism · Sep 19th, 2009, 19:40

Thanks Tim. That helps a lot. I wasn't sure what replies would come about. I half expected there to be a lot of negative comments about not camping as a solo traveller etc.

I figured that most locals would be curious and about who I am, and what I'm doing etc. I think I can deal with a little bit of that sort of chaos and in some ways look forward to it (not sure i'll feel that way after a year of it though).

Yes you guessed correctly that I'm not a seasoned traveller to India, or indeed much outside of Europe. Going to be out there for 6-12 months so will likely be sleeping in all sorts of odd places

Was wandering about the national parks for the occasional nights. Idealic thoughts of Mountain views, forests and lakes.

machadinha · Sep 19th, 2009, 19:42

Agree with Tim's take; except that the whole scenario will have some unmistakable downsides as well, I think, that are easy to fill in even just from his take.

Member and former moderator M2 once left the best comments on camping in India that I've seen on this site: Camping, and you might find the rest of that thread informative too; there will be other such threads, of course, just search the site for "camping."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hutchism

I think I can deal with a little bit of that sort of chaos

Rest assured it won't be "a little bit" of it, no sir. Most of us visitors will have experienced a lot of such chaos, having never spent a night in a tent there.

Quote:

Was wandering about the national parks for the occasional nights.

As noted by M2 on that other thread (in 2005, and relating older experiences than that), unless something's drastically changed, there generally is no camping allowed in the parks, and probably for good reason. They're meant to maintain large predators among a whole lot of other animals, right; if you don't get eaten, you might disturb them.

Hutchism · Sep 19th, 2009, 20:04

Originally I debated even bringing a tent but there having been so many times in the past where I either wish i'd brought or was thankful I had. So if I'm going to lug it around for a year I'll make damn sure I get some use out of it

I wandered this about the national parks. Wasn't sure if it applied to all. Seems it does. I'm sure I'll figure more out while I'm there. Was just hoping for a bit of a vague heads up. This has helped guys, so many thanks. I'll be sure to right my experiences and include some pictures for other IM'ers.

machadinha · Sep 19th, 2009, 21:08

Well, you could just give it a go and see how you fare, of course; if it doesn't work out for you, just send the blurdy thing home, right

TimMakins · Sep 19th, 2009, 23:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hutchism

Thanks Tim. That helps a lot. I wasn't sure what replies would come about. I half expected there to be a lot of negative comments about not camping as a solo traveller etc.

I figured that most locals would be curious and about who I am, and what I'm doing etc. I think I can deal with a little bit of that sort of chaos and in some ways look forward to it (not sure i'll feel that way after a year of it though).

Yes you guessed correctly that I'm not a seasoned traveller to India, or indeed much outside of Europe. Going to be out there for 6-12 months so will likely be sleeping in all sorts of odd places

Was wandering about the national parks for the occasional nights. Idealic thoughts of Mountain views, forests and lakes.

You'll be surprised just HOW different India is to Europe, in many, many ways. Trying to hide yourself away in India is a pretty pointless activity - you will very rarely manage it. People in India are curious/wary of unknown strangers in their area, especially in the border areas, but also very friendly when they know who you really are. Its a totally different ball game from walking into a village in the UK, for instance, and asking where you can camp. There, you are likely to be directed to the nearest camp site, but in India there are very few of these. People in India will be genuinely pleased for you to visit their home or village, and will often go out of their way to help - this can be a humbling experience to foreigners, and make you think about how you would normally treat strangers back home. So live with it, get used to it, learn and enjoy this new culture. I would recommend that you do a little research into the cultural norms of the area where you are going - the obvious one is the use of the left hand, but there are others, to do with the normal pecking order, how to greet people, who to shake hands with, and how not to be disrespectful.

Bring some photos of your life and family back home, and bring some postcards of your local area. It could be that the people you meet will have little if any English, and assuming you don't speak the local language beyond a few phrases of welcome etc (which you should make an effort to learn first), pictures are a great way to break the ice, or pass the time whilst you are sitting drinking the obligatory cups of tea - better to show photos that sit in an uneasy silence!

Its true that you will find some guesthouses and hotels where you can put up a tent in their grounds, for a small charge. They may even let you use shower and toilet facilities too. As far as the National Parks are concerned, ALWAYS ask the park authorities - they will generally be pleased to help, and will warn you of any areas where the animals are likely to cause a problem.

Never be afraid of asking for help with the local people. You will quickly see that the responses you get are much more helpful than in Europe. I remember once, on an Overland truck in Pakistan, asking the local police if we could camp in their compound. They immediately granted permission, and helped with water, bread, etc. and even helped us put up our tents, with lots of laughter all round. Imagine a similar request at an police station in the UK?! I don't think so!

machadinha · Sep 20th, 2009, 06:51

It's all true yes, I guess; realize though that the problem (or just one of them, and just for instance) may likely not be so much of people being unwelcoming or not looking after you, quite the contrary; but of them being all over you with their blurdy good care all day long, whether you speak their language or not (can take an awful lot of energy in itself just trying to keep some form of communication going, or to at least acknowledge their attempts at doing so, and never quite sure what's being expected of you), and you just wishing you'd have one ff'ing moment to yourself and in peace sometimes. After a few days of this, you may well find yourself running back to the beaten trail & a hotel where people speak at least a little English and serve some typical backpacker honey pancakes, I kid you not (and there is of course absolutely no shame in doing so).

Being solo, you won't even have the obvious defense mechanism of shielding yourself by directing your attention to your partner(s) for a bit, of course (nor of sharing any frustrations or confusion or even a good laugh about things mutually understood without too much effort). Make no mistake btw, in very rural or simple settings, even that mechanism of you being respectfully left somewhat alone when dealing with your travel partners may easily break down, for those of us who travel in pairs or in groups. Notions of privacy are just really different, and you will be the center of attention.

I'm not saying don't do it; but be ready for the unexpected and the totally unfamiliar yes. As many here have described the sensation (of just simply arriving in India for the first time -- but after several trips, the sensation has never entirely left me, and it's bound to rear its head from time to time), "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore!" (after the Wizard of Oz, of course).

PeakXV · Sep 20th, 2009, 09:26

Unless you pitch your tent over a saw scaled viper's nest or in the middle of the Sunderbans - the most dangerous foe is going to be the smallest - the mosquito. Don't let her size fool you though, she can cause alot of problems & put you out of commission for awhile if proper precautions aren't taken. There are plenty of threads on Indiamike for dealing with this gnat already though - so make sure you read up ... & cover your asp.

Sep 19th, 2009, 02:54	#1
Hutchism Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Shrewsbury UK Posts: 12	Camping? Dangerous wildlife? Hi guys. I'm flying into Delhi in just over a week. Buying a motorbike and riding initially up to Dharamsala. If I decide to camp at some point, what sort of wildlife do I need to beware of north of Delhi?? Am I likely to be bothered by people if I camp off the beaten track? Can people camp in the national parks? Regards Ian

Sep 19th, 2009, 19:19	#5
TimMakins Surprised and Delighted by Life Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: On the road... Posts: 1,010	Hi Ian - I guess you haven't been to India before? For such a big country, there is very little 'off the beaten track'. People live everywhere, even on the most inaccessible mountain slopes, and where they are not living, they are farming. India doesn't go in for fences to its fields, so there are always small boys looking after stock. Consequently, wherever you stop to put up a tent, someone will appear in a matter of minutes, maybe just to stare, or maybe to bring all their friends and ask you 1,000,000 questions. Its just bound to happen, so accept it, and with anticipation of this in mind, turn the tables and make your camping a more enjoyable, sociable occasion: when you get to an area where you want to stop for the night, find someone who speaks English, and ask them if there is somewhere you might camp for the night. You will find that Indians are incredibly welcoming and hospitable to the foreign traveller, and in most cases will go out of their way to help. In many cases they will invite you into their homes for the night. You will quickly make new friends, and gain a far better understanding of the country that you have come so far to visit. You will get some amazing photographs. In return, smile a lot, and try to get used to being stared at by small children for hours on end. __________________ Travelling Tim - http://www.mapability.com/blogs/ My images at Lonely Planet - http://tinyurl.com/yk43ams "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain

Sep 20th, 2009, 09:26	#12
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 5,881	Unless you pitch your tent over a saw scaled viper's nest or in the middle of the Sunderbans - the most dangerous foe is going to be the smallest - the mosquito. Don't let her size fool you though, she can cause alot of problems & put you out of commission for awhile if proper precautions aren't taken. There are plenty of threads on Indiamike for dealing with this gnat already though - so make sure you read up ... & cover your asp. __________________ What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Birding at the Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary and Karera Wildlife Sanctuary	fisher	Indian Wildlife and National Parks	2	Dec 24th, 2007 12:01

Sep 19th, 2009, 10:34	#2
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,845	People are the biggest hazard..

Sep 19th, 2009, 18:21	#3
Hutchism Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Shrewsbury UK Posts: 12	Yeah, I thought that might be the case. A friend told me that I should light a fire and play loud music as humans are very afraid of these things. I dont hear of many people camping. Would I get hastled so much everywhere i go? Even in the rural parts?

Sep 19th, 2009, 19:07	#4
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,225	When I was about five years old, my parents gave up hotels and bought a caravan, which they towed. They much preferred to chat up a farmer, and get to stay in a corner of one of his fields, rather than join the masses on organised sites. When a cow decides to scratch its back against the van in the middle of the night, the effect is quite dramatic --- imagine if it was a tent!

Sep 19th, 2009, 19:40	#6
Hutchism Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Shrewsbury UK Posts: 12	Thanks Tim. That helps a lot. I wasn't sure what replies would come about. I half expected there to be a lot of negative comments about not camping as a solo traveller etc. I figured that most locals would be curious and about who I am, and what I'm doing etc. I think I can deal with a little bit of that sort of chaos and in some ways look forward to it (not sure i'll feel that way after a year of it though). Yes you guessed correctly that I'm not a seasoned traveller to India, or indeed much outside of Europe. Going to be out there for 6-12 months so will likely be sleeping in all sorts of odd places Was wandering about the national parks for the occasional nights. Idealic thoughts of Mountain views, forests and lakes.

Sep 19th, 2009, 20:04	#8
Hutchism Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Shrewsbury UK Posts: 12	Originally I debated even bringing a tent but there having been so many times in the past where I either wish i'd brought or was thankful I had. So if I'm going to lug it around for a year I'll make damn sure I get some use out of it I wandered this about the national parks. Wasn't sure if it applied to all. Seems it does. I'm sure I'll figure more out while I'm there. Was just hoping for a bit of a vague heads up. This has helped guys, so many thanks. I'll be sure to right my experiences and include some pictures for other IM'ers.

Sep 19th, 2009, 21:08	#9
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,399	Well, you could just give it a go and see how you fare, of course; if it doesn't work out for you, just send the blurdy thing home, right

Sep 20th, 2009, 06:51	#11
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,399	It's all true yes, I guess; realize though that the problem (or just one of them, and just for instance) may likely not be so much of people being unwelcoming or not looking after you, quite the contrary; but of them being all over you with their blurdy good care all day long, whether you speak their language or not (can take an awful lot of energy in itself just trying to keep some form of communication going, or to at least acknowledge their attempts at doing so, and never quite sure what's being expected of you), and you just wishing you'd have one ff'ing moment to yourself and in peace sometimes. After a few days of this, you may well find yourself running back to the beaten trail & a hotel where people speak at least a little English and serve some typical backpacker honey pancakes, I kid you not (and there is of course absolutely no shame in doing so). Being solo, you won't even have the obvious defense mechanism of shielding yourself by directing your attention to your partner(s) for a bit, of course (nor of sharing any frustrations or confusion or even a good laugh about things mutually understood without too much effort). Make no mistake btw, in very rural or simple settings, even that mechanism of you being respectfully left somewhat alone when dealing with your travel partners may easily break down, for those of us who travel in pairs or in groups. Notions of privacy are just really different, and you will be the center of attention. I'm not saying don't do it; but be ready for the unexpected and the totally unfamiliar yes. As many here have described the sensation (of just simply arriving in India for the first time -- but after several trips, the sensation has never entirely left me, and it's bound to rear its head from time to time), "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore!" (after the Wizard of Oz, of course).