Comparison of Treks: your view?

sriram_world

Dear All,
We have lots of information on the different treks in this forum,but a comparison of treks in a comprehensive manner is missing.

Can people who have done many treks compare the following treks (all are 5 to 9 day treks) and suggest the best one in their opinion.

1) Hampta pass and Chandertal
2) Milam Glacier Trek
3) Kalihani pass
4) Roopkund
5) Indrahar Pass
6) Deotibba base trek
7) Khatling glacier

etc..

Mod Note

Hi Sriram. A good question. I've moved your post into its own thread so that hopefullly it attracts a few more replies.

sriram_world

Folks,

Common and share you ideas. It would pour intresting details if we start comparing the treks. This would also help folks to plan for the best trek,if it is once in a life time opportunity for them.

Thanks,
Sriram.B

jyotirmoy

Over all comparison is meaningless I think. All the treks you have mentioned are fantastic in their own way.
Well if you ask me which one is the most challenging I would say Roopkund.

Almoraboy

both roopkund and milam are good int heir own ways.

__________________
Trek blog over here

VSK Sharma

All treks have something or the other to offer and all treks give much more pleasure once you have finished them then while you are going.
If I get it correctly you want to bring out the various aspects of the treks like what types of views they offer, the facilities available along the trail, time required and the preparations one needs to make before setting on the trail and the expenditure etc.
If one has got only two days and he wants to have one of the finest views of Himalaya, nothing beats the Chandrashila above Tungnath.
More time Pindari glacier trek can be done on a good trail with comfortable staying locations. Well the list can be endless.

__________________
http://himalayancamping.com/index.php

mridula

I have not done any of these. But would probably do Roopkund soon. How far can I go is the question.

__________________
mridula

http://www.gonomad.com/traveltalesfromindia/

ronsaik

In the 'etc.' at the end lies the rub!
What would it include? Kalindi? Auden's Col? Dhumdar Kandi? Comparing such 'difficult' treks with 'moderate' ones like Roopkund or 'easy' ones like Milam wouldn't make sense. As Jyotirmoy said, one can't compare apples to oranges.For romance and mystery, not to mention natural beauty, Roopkund would probably be right up there. However, for a hardcore mountain nut it would still be a 'pilgrim trek', and if he were more adventurous, Kalindi might be more appealing.
I think a more meaningful comparison would be to rate these treks on multiple dimensions. The end results would tell us which trek scores on what dimension, and hence would appeal to what kind of people.
Some that i can think of are:
1. Difficulty (altitude, snow / ice, steepness, technical climbing / roping up required) 2. Scenic variety (meadows, glaciers, cold deserts, forests etc) 3. Sightings (peaks / animal life) 4.Distance from civilisation (no. of villages en route, etc) 5. Novelty (un-popularity of route)

sriram_world

Those are nice parameters using which treks can be evaluated. All himalyan treks are beautiful and absoluetly there is no question about that.

In these periods of professional employment,it is very difficult to get a vacation of more than 10 days(atleast for me). With that being the limitation,I can only think of moderate treks (that can be completed in 8 to 10) days and cater to many of the folks in this group as well as the new comers.

Probably,Moderate difficulty can be the common parameter. One of the highest priority parameter may be the scenic beauty that a trek can give to a trekker.. We see words like Mesmerizing,mind boggling views,stunning etc..

Not all treks may be mind blowing.. Scenic beauty can defenitely be taken as the next highest parameter in comparing treks.

For example,I see people in this forum say that Roopkund is a mind blowing trek compared to kuari pass.