Seeking: Advice on where to hike in Northern India in mid-April

incarnadine · Feb 8th, 2007, 23:44

I'm taking a short trip to India to visit a friend. I'll be flying to Hyderabad on 6 April and returning to New York from Hyderabad on 22 April. I plan on spending two days in Hyderabad at either end of the trip, leaving the middle free to take a flight north to hike in the hills and see the countryside.

I'm male, in my 20s, fit, and have some experience hiking and camping, but only at low elevations (under 2000m) in the eastern United States. I'm looking for a good area from which to do day hiking, though I wouldn't turn down a great two or three day hike if tents and sleeping bags are available for hire in the area.

I need a bit of advice to help me do my research and plan my itinerary. If you had 8 or 9 days to hike, at this time of the year, what area would be best to visit?
Sikkim?
Uttaranchal?
What are good towns to use as jumping off points?

beklemmung · Feb 9th, 2007, 07:05

There are people much more qualified than myself who will probably come by, but here's what little I can offer. If you decide to go to Uttarakhand, there are direct trains from Delhi to Dehra Dun and Kathgodam, each of which is 6-7 hours away. One of the members here, Almoraboy, has posted reports on his blog here. As best I can tell it shouldn't be a problem to find porters, guides, and equipment on short notice in most decent sized towns in Uttarakhand, but I have no first hand experience. Rishikesh and Mussoorie both probably have a lot of guides. If you want to get a little further away from the more easily accessible, commercial towns, consider Uttarkashi or Almora.

Although I've read very little about Sikkim, I know that most (all?) areas require a special permit, which isn't difficult to obtain, and I think it offers fewer options than Uttarakhand (being just a smaller area). You could also consider Himachal Pradesh, which isn't as close to Delhi as Uttarakhand, or flying to Leh in Ladakh. Again, I've got nothing for specifics.

ranjan154 · Feb 9th, 2007, 07:58

Quote:

Sikkim?
Uttaranchal?

These are quite far from Hyderabad, may be you can explore some possibilities in south itself..

incarnadine · Feb 9th, 2007, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travinfoindia

These are quite far from Hyderabad, may be you can explore some possibilities in south itself..

I was planning on taking a flight (Kingfisher maybe?) from Hyderabad to a northern city. Do you think that there are good hills to hike closer by in the south? I was working under the assumption that it would be a bit hot by mid-April in and around Hyderabad.

incarnadine · Mar 15th, 2007, 21:05

Tentative itinerary set:

* April 12: Travel Day. Hyderabad to Calcutta (dep. 8:05am / arr. 10:05am). Calcutta to Bogdogra (dep. 2:10p.m. / arr. 3:10pm). Bogdogra to Darjeeling via truck, about 90km (3:30pm to 7:30pm). Dinner and spend night in Darjeeling.

* April 13: Spend day in Darjeeling... arrange hike, hire guide, buy anything I might need for the trail.
* April 14: Hike
* April 15: Hike
* April 16: Hike
* April 17: Hike
* April 18: Hike back to Darjeeling.

* April 19: Travel Day. Darjeeling to Bogdogra via truck (10am to 2pm). Bogdogra to Calcutta (3:40pm to 4:40pm). Calcutta to Hyderabad (5:55pm to 7:55pm).

I've priced the Calcutta air tickets ($190 on Kingfisher) and the Bogdogra ones ($20 on Air Deccan), but haven't bought them yet. I looked them up to be sure that the arrival/departure times worked out. I have to do two different airlines... I don't think anyone flies from Hyderabad to Bogdogra.

Do my travel days seem too packed? Is this feasible? Any advice on air travel, or am I best off mixing Kingfisher with Air Deccan?

VSK Sharma · Mar 15th, 2007, 23:10

Hi,
You are right, it is hot for trekking in south.
May be you take a flight to Delhi and then take a flight to Kulu. Take a taxi and reach Sai Ropa Tourist center and go for hikes in the great himalayan national park. All arrangements can be made at the TC.
Bye
VSK

AvidTrekker · Mar 15th, 2007, 23:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by incarnadine

* April 13: Spend day in Darjeeling... arrange hike, hire guide, buy anything I might need for the trail.
* April 14: Hike
* April 15: Hike
* April 16: Hike
* April 17: Hike
* April 18: Hike back to Darjeeling.

This timetable is apt for the Maneybhanjyang to Phalut trek

While you are reading details, also look up this thread...

You wont need to carry tents etc... basic minimum acco and food available on the trail.

HAPPY TREKKING

incarnadine · Mar 15th, 2007, 23:36

Thanks very much, that's precisely the hike I had in mind. It was in my Lonely Planet book, and I've found some discussion of it here and elsewhere on the Web.

Any advice on when is appropriate to book my flights on Kingfisher and Deccan? Can I safely leave this booking until I get to India (April 6), or do I need to do this earlier to ensure that the flights are not filled up? I'd like to play it as much by ear as possible (in case I meet someone who is interested in trekking with me), but the risk of not being able to find air transport is worrisome.

AvidTrekker · Mar 15th, 2007, 23:41

April is the beginning of the peak season, which lasts upto June first week. Children's summer vacation in India.

It would be prudent to book any ticket in advance.

Happy trekking!!

incarnadine · Mar 15th, 2007, 23:48

Thanks very much for the advice.

Have you done this trek yourself? I was contemplating hiring a guide, but in another thread you seem to advise doing without. I'm in my 20s and in very good shape, but I am an American and do not speak the local language. Do you still think that trekking solo is the way to go?

incarnadine · Mar 29th, 2007, 01:08

Packing list for the Singalila/Phalut trek.

Any egregious omissions? Anything I *really* ought to have that I'm leaving out?

Clothing

* long underwear tops and bottoms (1 pair)
* shorts (2 pair)
* underwear (6 pair)
* socks, wool (4 pair)
* socks, cotton (4 pair)
* hiking boots
* sunglasses
* sneakers
* warm hat
* DriFit synthetic shirts (3)
* longsleeve shirts, cotton (3)
* bandanas (2), for preventing neck sunburn
* wool hiking pants
* rain jacket
* rain pants
* Fleece jacket

Gear

* two 1 Liter water bottles
* water purification kit
* first aid kit
* matches, waterproof
* 2 waterproof tarps
* compass
* map
* garbage bags, ziploc bags (many)
* headlamp
* spare batteries
* sun screen(!)
* bug repellant (30% deet)
* utility knife
* parachute cord, 100 feet
* sleeping bag
* ground pad
* pillowcase (to stuff with jacket and make pillow at night)
* Purel hand sanitizer
* camera, extra memory card, extra battery
* binoculars

Feb 8th, 2007, 23:44	#1
incarnadine Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 7	Seeking: Advice on where to hike in Northern India in mid-April I'm taking a short trip to India to visit a friend. I'll be flying to Hyderabad on 6 April and returning to New York from Hyderabad on 22 April. I plan on spending two days in Hyderabad at either end of the trip, leaving the middle free to take a flight north to hike in the hills and see the countryside. I'm male, in my 20s, fit, and have some experience hiking and camping, but only at low elevations (under 2000m) in the eastern United States. I'm looking for a good area from which to do day hiking, though I wouldn't turn down a great two or three day hike if tents and sleeping bags are available for hire in the area. I need a bit of advice to help me do my research and plan my itinerary. If you had 8 or 9 days to hike, at this time of the year, what area would be best to visit? Sikkim? Uttaranchal? What are good towns to use as jumping off points?

Mar 15th, 2007, 23:41	#9
AvidTrekker Veda Chanting & Mantra Yoga teacher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: body in Mumbai, head in Himalaya Posts: 2,784	Book in advance April is the beginning of the peak season, which lasts upto June first week. Children's summer vacation in India. It would be prudent to book any ticket in advance. Happy trekking!!

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Feb 9th, 2007, 07:05	#2
beklemmung nub Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 85	There are people much more qualified than myself who will probably come by, but here's what little I can offer. If you decide to go to Uttarakhand, there are direct trains from Delhi to Dehra Dun and Kathgodam, each of which is 6-7 hours away. One of the members here, Almoraboy, has posted reports on his blog here. As best I can tell it shouldn't be a problem to find porters, guides, and equipment on short notice in most decent sized towns in Uttarakhand, but I have no first hand experience. Rishikesh and Mussoorie both probably have a lot of guides. If you want to get a little further away from the more easily accessible, commercial towns, consider Uttarkashi or Almora. Although I've read very little about Sikkim, I know that most (all?) areas require a special permit, which isn't difficult to obtain, and I think it offers fewer options than Uttarakhand (being just a smaller area). You could also consider Himachal Pradesh, which isn't as close to Delhi as Uttarakhand, or flying to Leh in Ladakh. Again, I've got nothing for specifics.

Mar 15th, 2007, 21:05	#5
incarnadine Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 7	Tentative itinerary set: * April 12: Travel Day. Hyderabad to Calcutta (dep. 8:05am / arr. 10:05am). Calcutta to Bogdogra (dep. 2:10p.m. / arr. 3:10pm). Bogdogra to Darjeeling via truck, about 90km (3:30pm to 7:30pm). Dinner and spend night in Darjeeling. * April 13: Spend day in Darjeeling... arrange hike, hire guide, buy anything I might need for the trail. * April 14: Hike * April 15: Hike * April 16: Hike * April 17: Hike * April 18: Hike back to Darjeeling. * April 19: Travel Day. Darjeeling to Bogdogra via truck (10am to 2pm). Bogdogra to Calcutta (3:40pm to 4:40pm). Calcutta to Hyderabad (5:55pm to 7:55pm). I've priced the Calcutta air tickets ($190 on Kingfisher) and the Bogdogra ones ($20 on Air Deccan), but haven't bought them yet. I looked them up to be sure that the arrival/departure times worked out. I have to do two different airlines... I don't think anyone flies from Hyderabad to Bogdogra. Do my travel days seem too packed? Is this feasible? Any advice on air travel, or am I best off mixing Kingfisher with Air Deccan?

Mar 15th, 2007, 23:10	#6
VSK Sharma Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pune,India Posts: 404	Hi, You are right, it is hot for trekking in south. May be you take a flight to Delhi and then take a flight to Kulu. Take a taxi and reach Sai Ropa Tourist center and go for hikes in the great himalayan national park. All arrangements can be made at the TC. Bye VSK

Mar 15th, 2007, 23:36	#8
incarnadine Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 7	Thanks very much, that's precisely the hike I had in mind. It was in my Lonely Planet book, and I've found some discussion of it here and elsewhere on the Web. Any advice on when is appropriate to book my flights on Kingfisher and Deccan? Can I safely leave this booking until I get to India (April 6), or do I need to do this earlier to ensure that the flights are not filled up? I'd like to play it as much by ear as possible (in case I meet someone who is interested in trekking with me), but the risk of not being able to find air transport is worrisome.

Mar 15th, 2007, 23:48	#10
incarnadine Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 7	Thanks very much for the advice. Have you done this trek yourself? I was contemplating hiring a guide, but in another thread you seem to advise doing without. I'm in my 20s and in very good shape, but I am an American and do not speak the local language. Do you still think that trekking solo is the way to go?

Mar 29th, 2007, 01:08	#11
incarnadine Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 7	Packing list for the Singalila/Phalut trek. Any egregious omissions? Anything I really ought to have that I'm leaving out? Clothing * long underwear tops and bottoms (1 pair) * shorts (2 pair) * underwear (6 pair) * socks, wool (4 pair) * socks, cotton (4 pair) * hiking boots * sunglasses * sneakers * warm hat * DriFit synthetic shirts (3) * longsleeve shirts, cotton (3) * bandanas (2), for preventing neck sunburn * wool hiking pants * rain jacket * rain pants * Fleece jacket Gear * two 1 Liter water bottles * water purification kit * first aid kit * matches, waterproof * 2 waterproof tarps * compass * map * garbage bags, ziploc bags (many) * headlamp * spare batteries * sun screen(!) * bug repellant (30% deet) * utility knife * parachute cord, 100 feet * sleeping bag * ground pad * pillowcase (to stuff with jacket and make pillow at night) * Purel hand sanitizer * camera, extra memory card, extra battery * binoculars

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