Beware of travel agents offering DIFFICULT treks

mountaingirl · Apr 20th, 2004, 13:16

Please DO NOT suggest things that you- yourself are not sure of! E.g., suggesting a remote trek etc. Please do your homework BEFORE you put up something. Otherwise you will only end up killing people! On a larger scale, it will only create distaste/ psychological disadvantage for people to try such things in the future and also earn our country a bad name.

Please correct me if I am wrong…

jean-gab · Apr 20th, 2004, 18:54

Hey, what's up? any bad experience?

ashish0608 · Apr 20th, 2004, 20:04

Mountaingirt is right..in tourist place there are sometime people who mis-guide

Last year when I was in mussorie somewhere near Kempty falls, There was banner with some river rafting Ad. on it. and a phone no.

I called on the phone as i got interested to explore..i was told by the person on phone that the rafting location will be 10-12 kms of drive (d'nt remember the name of the place) from here on river yamuna and the river has good rapids and it is a good adventure trip for 1/2 day. He gave me the directions to reach the site.

I reached the site driving thru bad roads and taking 2 hours to find that I was the only person to do rafting there.

My Advice: For people who have done rafting at Rishikesh, rafting there is not a good experience, No Adventure justa plane boad ride.. so don't go for it.

Ashish

AvidTrekker · Apr 20th, 2004, 20:55

Maybe mountaingirl is referring to the thread Kibber to Korzok. This involves crossing a 5550m pass (Parang La). I most certainly second the note of caution. She is right. Indian treks aren't anything like Nepal where the routes are well established and many people are walking at any given time.

AvidTrekker · Apr 22nd, 2004, 23:19

Somehow, I did not understand mpop above. The note of caution is about "NOT well-travelled" people. The above mentioned Himalayan Pass sees maybe 20 to 35 locals and NIL to five/six trekkers in the ENTIRE YEAR. Most certainly NO travel and tour operators. The caution note is to those T & T oprs. : "Please don't talk outta your hat!" "Please spare us the over-ambitious travel plans." "Please leave it to the pros.... " which in this case are the actual trekkers.

steven_ber · Apr 23rd, 2004, 15:21

Mountaingirl.

The silence of some members is almost deafening.

indiawise · Apr 23rd, 2004, 16:00

mountain girl...heyyyyy...give us a clue???!!!

grafiti on the wall...." good advise never costs...untill u use it!".....

mountaingirl · Apr 23rd, 2004, 16:41

Hi all!

I am NOT going to point at people...

However for those who are wondering what my intentions were - I am just against people who think that selling trips is nothing more than a 'cut' and 'paste' job! Take the best itineraries from other agents and mix it up in a bowl and serve it to the people!

Planning takes lot more than that....especially where things like treks are involved. I think MOST of the agents I have seen just take the itineraries - without going through it properly - or atleast trying to locate the places on a map themselves to see if it really IS the correct program or not.

The end result - it ends up mixing different trails/places that are way too further or are impossible to cover in that much time and sometimes the places do not exist as the program was probably made light years back when there was no proper nomenclature available!

Also, when suggesting things to people - the WHOLE information has to be given....e.g., trek permits, best time etc.

Take Ashish's experience as an example.
In their zeal to sound attractive, people promise the moon...

well...I can't think of anything else to write right now.

Steve, the silence is (Ch) killinggg!!

radz · Apr 23rd, 2004, 17:23

Ashish :You mean Rishkesh you cant do river rafting ?i wonder then wht all i read in newpaper add,claiming swiss tent &river rafting etc

.

SHIMLA · Apr 23rd, 2004, 17:50

Quote:

Originally posted by mountaingirl

Also, when suggesting things to people - the WHOLE information has to be given....e.g., trek permits, best time etc.

In their zeal to sound attractive, people promise the moon...

I agree.
We've had itineraries here which were physically impossible to cover in the given time span!
We've also had a post on a package tour from place "A" to place "B", which mentioned nothing of the return journey! Were potential travellers expected to organise the return themselves or remain at place "B" for the rest of their lives ???

volga_volga · Apr 23rd, 2004, 17:59

Quote:

Originally posted by radz
Ashish :You mean Rishkesh you cant do river rafting ?i wonder then wht all i read in newpaper add,claiming swiss tent &river rafting etc .

radz, he is right, I've seen this river rafting, pathetic. exactly as he said

radz · Apr 23rd, 2004, 21:56

ah Thanks Volga,last week when asked River rafting in Manali,they were telling the ride starts after Kullu ,for 15 miles etc,but i was lazy i thought i will try Rishkesh its near to me

)))).Now I have doubt that Manali guyz too selling same story?!!!!!

volga_volga · Apr 23rd, 2004, 23:57

Quote:

Originally posted by radz
ah Thanks Volga,last week when asked River rafting in Manali,they were telling the ride starts after Kullu ,for 15 miles etc,but i was lazy i thought i will try Rishkesh its near to me )))).Now I have doubt that Manali guyz too selling same story?!!!!!

radz, I posed a picture of river rafting in Rishikesh

you can see its more fun to watch monkeys

ashish0608 · Apr 24th, 2004, 13:41

Radz,

In my view the Rafting at Rishikesh (which is on Ganga) is okey..again it can be very good depending on the Guide. The usual thing starts from Sivpuri to Rishikesh or Kudiyala - Shivpuri (which is better)

Some companies can also design more adventurous trips.

Have not much idea 'bout other rafting sites Kullu etc. But there is really nothing in the rafting on Yamuna near Mussorie..that is where I was duped.

Ashish

cyberhippie · Apr 24th, 2004, 19:29

First the rafting at Rishikesh, I agree with the above poster it is a very pleasant sail down the Ganga with one or two exciting rapids that won't phase even the most nervous traveller!!
And at 400Rp it's a really nice day out!!
Granted if you're a Mountain Dew drinking, adreneline junkie this probably won't do it for you!!
Mountaingirl I totally agree with you point about the trekking etc.
People in India can be very Gung Ho about the Himalaya, these are big serious mountains and the area they cover is huge.
Ask any experienced climber and to a man they they will tell you to treat them with a great deal of respect!!!!!
I hear of many people heading out on treks without even a guide, unless you have a lot of experience under you belt this is a foolhardy exercise.
Many people also head off badly equipped, not so much as a bivvy bag, should the weather change you could be in serious shit!!
Enjoy the mountains but realise what your taking on, use a good guide, trekking agent, and as the old boy scout motto says "be prepared" Mountains anywhere have a habit of throwing a spanner in the works when a fog sets in or worse still rain or snow.
Remember if you screw up it is unlikely that a helicopter will be on the scene to haul you out of there, so being aware of a little survival/mountain craft before you go could save your life!!

Apr 20th, 2004, 13:16	#1
mountaingirl Mother Goose Join Date: May 2003 Location: underground Posts: 441	A little piece of advise for our dear travel agent friends Please DO NOT suggest things that you- yourself are not sure of! E.g., suggesting a remote trek etc. Please do your homework BEFORE you put up something. Otherwise you will only end up killing people! On a larger scale, it will only create distaste/ psychological disadvantage for people to try such things in the future and also earn our country a bad name. Please correct me if I am wrong…

Apr 20th, 2004, 20:55	#4
AvidTrekker Veda Chanting & Mantra Yoga teacher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: body in Mumbai, head in Himalaya Posts: 2,819	Korzok to Kibber?? Maybe mountaingirl is referring to the thread Kibber to Korzok. This involves crossing a 5550m pass (Parang La). I most certainly second the note of caution. She is right. Indian treks aren't anything like Nepal where the routes are well established and many people are walking at any given time. __________________ The Universe is an ellipsoid?... or a Spheroid?? If the sphere smiles... it becomes an ellipse. This IS Creation.

Apr 23rd, 2004, 15:21	#6
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,573	Mountaingirl. The silence of some members is almost deafening. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained.

Apr 23rd, 2004, 17:23	#9
radz Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: India Posts: 750	Ashish :You mean Rishkesh you cant do river rafting ?i wonder then wht all i read in newpaper add,claiming swiss tent &river rafting etc . __________________ My Photo gallery

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Apr 20th, 2004, 18:54	#2
jean-gab Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: France Posts: 21	Hey, what's up? any bad experience?

Apr 20th, 2004, 20:04	#3
ashish0608 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Delhi Posts: 359	Mountaingirt is right..in tourist place there are sometime people who mis-guide Last year when I was in mussorie somewhere near Kempty falls, There was banner with some river rafting Ad. on it. and a phone no. I called on the phone as i got interested to explore..i was told by the person on phone that the rafting location will be 10-12 kms of drive (d'nt remember the name of the place) from here on river yamuna and the river has good rapids and it is a good adventure trip for 1/2 day. He gave me the directions to reach the site. I reached the site driving thru bad roads and taking 2 hours to find that I was the only person to do rafting there. My Advice: For people who have done rafting at Rishikesh, rafting there is not a good experience, No Adventure justa plane boad ride.. so don't go for it. Ashish

Apr 22nd, 2004, 23:19	#5
AvidTrekker Veda Chanting & Mantra Yoga teacher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: body in Mumbai, head in Himalaya Posts: 2,819	Somehow, I did not understand mpop above. The note of caution is about "NOT well-travelled" people. The above mentioned Himalayan Pass sees maybe 20 to 35 locals and NIL to five/six trekkers in the ENTIRE YEAR. Most certainly NO travel and tour operators. The caution note is to those T & T oprs. : "Please don't talk outta your hat!" "Please spare us the over-ambitious travel plans." "Please leave it to the pros.... " which in this case are the actual trekkers.

Apr 23rd, 2004, 16:00	#7
indiawise Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: india Posts: 269	mountain girl...heyyyyy...give us a clue???!!! grafiti on the wall...." good advise never costs...untill u use it!".....

Apr 23rd, 2004, 16:41	#8
mountaingirl Mother Goose Join Date: May 2003 Location: underground Posts: 441	Hi all! I am NOT going to point at people... However for those who are wondering what my intentions were - I am just against people who think that selling trips is nothing more than a 'cut' and 'paste' job! Take the best itineraries from other agents and mix it up in a bowl and serve it to the people! Planning takes lot more than that....especially where things like treks are involved. I think MOST of the agents I have seen just take the itineraries - without going through it properly - or atleast trying to locate the places on a map themselves to see if it really IS the correct program or not. The end result - it ends up mixing different trails/places that are way too further or are impossible to cover in that much time and sometimes the places do not exist as the program was probably made light years back when there was no proper nomenclature available! Also, when suggesting things to people - the WHOLE information has to be given....e.g., trek permits, best time etc. Take Ashish's experience as an example. In their zeal to sound attractive, people promise the moon... well...I can't think of anything else to write right now. Steve, the silence is (Ch) killinggg!!

Apr 23rd, 2004, 21:56	#12
radz Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: India Posts: 750	ah Thanks Volga,last week when asked River rafting in Manali,they were telling the ride starts after Kullu ,for 15 miles etc,but i was lazy i thought i will try Rishkesh its near to me )))).Now I have doubt that Manali guyz too selling same story?!!!!!

Apr 24th, 2004, 13:41	#14
ashish0608 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Delhi Posts: 359	Radz, In my view the Rafting at Rishikesh (which is on Ganga) is okey..again it can be very good depending on the Guide. The usual thing starts from Sivpuri to Rishikesh or Kudiyala - Shivpuri (which is better) Some companies can also design more adventurous trips. Have not much idea 'bout other rafting sites Kullu etc. But there is really nothing in the rafting on Yamuna near Mussorie..that is where I was duped. Ashish

Apr 24th, 2004, 19:29	#15
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,009	First the rafting at Rishikesh, I agree with the above poster it is a very pleasant sail down the Ganga with one or two exciting rapids that won't phase even the most nervous traveller!! And at 400Rp it's a really nice day out!! Granted if you're a Mountain Dew drinking, adreneline junkie this probably won't do it for you!! Mountaingirl I totally agree with you point about the trekking etc. People in India can be very Gung Ho about the Himalaya, these are big serious mountains and the area they cover is huge. Ask any experienced climber and to a man they they will tell you to treat them with a great deal of respect!!!!! I hear of many people heading out on treks without even a guide, unless you have a lot of experience under you belt this is a foolhardy exercise. Many people also head off badly equipped, not so much as a bivvy bag, should the weather change you could be in serious shit!! Enjoy the mountains but realise what your taking on, use a good guide, trekking agent, and as the old boy scout motto says "be prepared" Mountains anywhere have a habit of throwing a spanner in the works when a fog sets in or worse still rain or snow. Remember if you screw up it is unlikely that a helicopter will be on the scene to haul you out of there, so being aware of a little survival/mountain craft before you go could save your life!!

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