Gaumukh Trek: Avoid Local operaor "Shambhu Rawat", Yeti Adventure

chathim · May 31st, 2009, 20:34

We did the Gangotri- Gaumukh-Tapovan trek early this month. We were a group of 7 persons from Bombay. We had taken in a local operator Shambhu Rawat of Yeti Adventure to arrange all the logistics including vehicle from Haridwar, Guide, Porters, Camping stuff, Gangotri National Park permit etc etc.

Just wanted to place on record here (& to warn other persons not to get into his snare). His services were absolutely pathetic. I have gone for such operator arranged treks in the past as well. This was by far the worst. He looked for cost cutting at all ends. So, sleeping bags (while new) were locally made and absolutely unsuitable for that altitude. Initially he was planning only 2 tents (2 pax capcity) for 7 of us, but increased it to 3 when we created noise. All the 9 porters/ cooks and guide were packed like sardines in only one tent. The food quantity was always insufficient. In all, while the trek was beautiful, the arrangements were disasterous, to the extent that we decided to stay in Mauni Baba Ashram in Tapovan and GMVN guesthouse in Bhojbasa on way back.

On reaching back to Gangotri, when we complained to him on service quality, he had the audacity to tell us "this is what you get for what you pay" The payment was made based on what he asked for the travel schedule he prepared for us.

Overall, avoid him like a plague. Dont spoil your trekking holiday with morons like him. Remember the name Shambhu Rawat of Yeti Adventure

churchmouse · Jul 14th, 2009, 11:24

How much did you pay ?

ronsaik · Jul 14th, 2009, 13:27

Also a lesson to others: always get a clear picture of what you are paying for, upfront.

Bhaswaran · Jul 14th, 2009, 13:40

This is why I always make my own plans. With a forum like IndiaMike at your desktop...why you need conducted tour operators?

Wanting to get everything hassel free and ending up into more hassel.

Only take a guide .... and only if needed. Do NOT go through any conducted tours...I simply hate them.

shs · Jul 14th, 2009, 13:50

I second that,
Its better to spend some time upfront and plan our own journey.

@chatim, by the way how much did he charge you guys? Thanks for the information though.

jyotipg · Aug 21st, 2009, 11:35

I have trekked with Shabhu Rawat for my kalindi trek. Somehow I have never taken a package trek from him. I only used his services to get porters and guide and paid him on per day basis. Even those days, I came to know later that he charged us more and paid less to the porters.

This year, my friends went with him for a package tour to Dodital. They found his absolutely pathetic. Thats why I didnt employ him for my trek to Roopkund this year.

himalcrazy · Aug 25th, 2009, 13:07

How about 'Himalayan Sherpa' - any clue about him.

We are planning to take his service on our next trip to the Tapovan area. Anyone having first hand experience with him is welcome to share his/her thoughts.

- himalcrazy

sks551 · Aug 25th, 2009, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by himalcrazy

How about 'Himalayan Sherpa' - any clue about him.

He is part of NIM and should be good.
I have spoken to him when I was planning our Tapovan trip.
As we are not going to Tapovan we are not taking his services.

debajyoti · Aug 25th, 2009, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by sks551

He is part of NIM and should be good.
I have spoken to him when I was planning our Tapovan trip.
As we are not going to Tapovan we are not taking his services.

sks551,
What happened to your Tapoban trip.????

Debajyoti..

sks551 · Aug 25th, 2009, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by debajyoti

sks551,
What happened to your Tapoban trip.????

Debajyoti..

Debajyoti,
We are going as far as Gaumukh. Trip to Tapovan needed another two days and we couldn't fit that in our tight schedule. We have 11 days to do Char Dham and upto Gaumukh. There was another factor; I couldn't drag my Mrs to go upto Tapovan.
May be next time I'll go myself and go even further...

debajyoti · Aug 25th, 2009, 18:34

sks551,
Enjoy the Char Dham trip along with Gaumukh.
Wish You all the best for Your journey.

Debajyoti..

May 31st, 2009, 20:34	#1
chathim Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 10	Gaumukh Trek: Avoid Local operaor "Shambhu Rawat", Yeti Adventure We did the Gangotri- Gaumukh-Tapovan trek early this month. We were a group of 7 persons from Bombay. We had taken in a local operator Shambhu Rawat of Yeti Adventure to arrange all the logistics including vehicle from Haridwar, Guide, Porters, Camping stuff, Gangotri National Park permit etc etc. Just wanted to place on record here (& to warn other persons not to get into his snare). His services were absolutely pathetic. I have gone for such operator arranged treks in the past as well. This was by far the worst. He looked for cost cutting at all ends. So, sleeping bags (while new) were locally made and absolutely unsuitable for that altitude. Initially he was planning only 2 tents (2 pax capcity) for 7 of us, but increased it to 3 when we created noise. All the 9 porters/ cooks and guide were packed like sardines in only one tent. The food quantity was always insufficient. In all, while the trek was beautiful, the arrangements were disasterous, to the extent that we decided to stay in Mauni Baba Ashram in Tapovan and GMVN guesthouse in Bhojbasa on way back. On reaching back to Gangotri, when we complained to him on service quality, he had the audacity to tell us "this is what you get for what you pay" The payment was made based on what he asked for the travel schedule he prepared for us. Overall, avoid him like a plague. Dont spoil your trekking holiday with morons like him. Remember the name Shambhu Rawat of Yeti Adventure

Jul 14th, 2009, 13:27	#3
ronsaik Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 391	Also a lesson to others: always get a clear picture of what you are paying for, upfront. __________________ Ford, you're turning into a penguin. Stop it!

Jul 14th, 2009, 13:40	#4
Bhaswaran Landscape Photographer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kolkata. INDIA bhaswaran@redifmail.com Posts: 1,353	This is why I always make my own plans. With a forum like IndiaMike at your desktop...why you need conducted tour operators? Wanting to get everything hassel free and ending up into more hassel. Only take a guide .... and only if needed. Do NOT go through any conducted tours...I simply hate them. __________________ ....life is a journey.....and the journey is more important than the destination........ Photos in Indiamike :http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...0/ppuser/15496 Photos in Flickr :http://www.flickr.com/photos/bhaswaran/ Darjeeling trip Video : "Darjeeling - The Queen of Hills" DVD

Aug 21st, 2009, 11:35	#6
jyotipg Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 586	I have trekked with Shabhu Rawat for my kalindi trek. Somehow I have never taken a package trek from him. I only used his services to get porters and guide and paid him on per day basis. Even those days, I came to know later that he charged us more and paid less to the porters. This year, my friends went with him for a package tour to Dodital. They found his absolutely pathetic. Thats why I didnt employ him for my trek to Roopkund this year. __________________ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/himalaya_trekkers/ 1995 - 2000: Beas Kund, Triundh, Chudhar peak,Dodital. 2001-till date: Tapovan, Khatling,Mayali Pass(Unsuccessful), Rudranath, Chandrashila peak, Pin Parvati Pass, Kalindi Pass, Mt. Yunum(Aborted), Roopkund, Junargali pass, Ronti Saddle.

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Jul 14th, 2009, 11:24	#2
churchmouse Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Yindya Posts: 4	How much did you pay ?

Jul 14th, 2009, 13:50	#5
shs Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 70	I second that, Its better to spend some time upfront and plan our own journey. @chatim, by the way how much did he charge you guys? Thanks for the information though.

Aug 25th, 2009, 13:07	#7
himalcrazy Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 24	How about 'Himalayan Sherpa' - any clue about him. We are planning to take his service on our next trip to the Tapovan area. Anyone having first hand experience with him is welcome to share his/her thoughts. - himalcrazy

Aug 25th, 2009, 18:34	#11
debajyoti Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kolkata(Presently in Chennai) Posts: 110	sks551, Enjoy the Char Dham trip along with Gaumukh. Wish You all the best for Your journey. Debajyoti..

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