Himalayan treks are notorious for the risks that they pose. These risks kept people from trekking in the Himalayas for a long time. It’s still what scares many people. 

But honestly, these are risks that can be dealt with. We ask all our trekkers to take it very seriously! All you need is 

There are multiple risks on a Himalayan trek. But I’m picking four of the biggest risks we see on our treks. I’ll tell you what could go wrong and how to avoid it. I want you to note this down: If you are on a trek with Indiahikes, we will empower you through information so you prepare well for your trek.

Terrain

If you’re unfamiliar with the terrain, it can pose a considerable risk. I’m going to share some thoughts by our founder, Arjun Majumdar, on this - 

“When I was much younger and I would trek, snow sections would terrify me a lot. There would be snow on a slope and we would have to traverse that on a narrow trail. When you step on this section and look down, you realise that with one misstep you could go down a long way. This is very common in the Himalayas. It’s not just snow, it might be a landslide section, loose boulders, scree, an overhang with a river flowing down in the valley.” 

So as a trekker, when you plan a Himalayan trek, get familiar with the terrain. Read about it, speak to people about it, watch videos, and study the terrain on Google Earth. 

Just understanding the terrain will mentally prepare you. You might also require special gear for some sections -- like microspikes for hard snow, gaiters for deep snow, ice axes to cut steps in snow or ice and ropes for river crossings or precarious boulder sections. 

The good part is, if you’re trekking with Indiahikes, we’ll take care of this. Care is one of our core values. So when you are on a trek with Indiahikes, we will take care of you and everything you need for a safe trekking experience. 

We have all the safety equipment you need to tackle any difficult terrain. All you need to do is learn about the terrain and then focus on Point 3, which I’ll get to in a bit.

This photo is from Pangarchulla Trek. Photo by Jothiranjan

Weather

The weather in the Himalayas could be your best mate or your worst enemy. The toughest part is that it’s almost completely unpredictable. Our co-founder, Sandhya UC, who has been trekking in the Himalayas for over 15 years now shares some insight here - 

“The weather actually defines whether your trek is going to be easy or difficult. Even an easy trek like Dayara Bugyal can become very dangerous in the middle of a thunderstorm. If there’s lightning in such an open meadow, it has the potential to take lives. Similarly, if there’s a sudden bout of dense mist, you can get utterly lost -- whether you’re in a forest or an open setting.

But it’s not just the danger that weather poses. It could also lead to an incomplete trek. We’ve had so many experiences where we’ve had to turn around in the middle of heavy snow or rain. Or sometimes, even if you go ahead and complete a trek in bad weather, the experience might turn sour. When we once went to the Kashmir Great Lakes, we trekked through rain for 6 whole days. It was cloudy and grey. We saw none of the colours and grandeur of Kashmir. So the weather really has the potential to change your trek altogether.”

The wisest thing to do to ensure good weather is to time your trek correctly. This is the most crucial part.

Every trek has a very specific window during which it is open (for many 15,000+ ft treks, this window lasts only a few months in a year). We open dates only going by the seasons, weather patterns, and the best time to do the treks. 

I’ve already shared a ready-reckoner table of the best treks to do throughout the year earlier with you. If you missed that you’ll find it here

Having said that, always carry rainwear with you -- summer, winter, autumn. It could rain any time, and your rainwear is your mandatory partner on a Himalayan trek.

This picture is from Kedartal Trek. The unpredictable weather brought snowstorms. Photo by Sushma Honnappa

Altitude

On a high-altitude trek, altitude sickness is another big risk. I’d like to start by sharing what the head of our Learning & Development team, Lakshmi Selvakumaran, has observed. She says & I quote - 

“On any given trek, we see at least 2-3 cases of mild Acute Mountain Sickness. These symptoms are usually headaches or lack of sleep. They are usually managed quickly and efficiently by our Trek Leaders. 

There are, however, some serious cases that require turning around from the trek. And we see these cases around once every week” 

Altitude sickness is one of the most underestimated and less understood risks of high-altitude trekking. And this lack of understanding is usually what takes lives.

If you’re trekking with Indiahikes, you don’t have to worry. Our Trek Leaders are repeatedly trained on handling altitude sickness, and they are equipped with extensive high-altitude medical kits and oxygen cylinders. They rarely have to use them though, because they are trained to treat the mildest symptoms and nip it in the bud, which they always do. 

If you are trekking on your own, however, it’s imperative that you know about treating altitude sickness. You will find relevant information here.

For now, let’s move on to the next risk. 

Trekker's Behaviour

This might seem a bit surprising, but often, under-prepared trekkers are the biggest risk to themselves. Underprepared in terms of fitness, trekking gear, and knowledge about the trek. The head of our Learning & Development team, Lakshmi Selvakumaran observes:

“Not being fit slows trekkers down. It doesn’t allow them to maintain the required mountain timings. They reach the next camp late and don’t have enough time to acclimatise. On the other hand, if they have no knowledge about high altitude, they might wave off a headache as dehydration, not thinking about it as altitude sickness. 

They draw a lot of attention and care from the Trek Leaders and guides, leaving the other trekkers unattended. Not only do they pose a risk to themselves, but they pose a risk to the entire team.”

Why do you think I am informing you about the risks of Himalayan treks?

We have always said and believed that a knowledgeable trekker is a safe trekker. And our vision is to ensure every trekker going into the Himalayas is well-informed. 

While there are many other risks on Himalayan treks, they usually tend to fall under one of these categories. And they differ from trek to trek. 

At Indiahikes, we’ve been documenting the terrain, weather, altitude sickness and trekker behaviour for over a decade and we’ve been able to master the art of tackling each of these risks. 

We work with a vision to solve the problems of the trekking world. With all the information, resources, and technology, we try & make trekking an accessible & minimalist sport.

I’d say it’s still a work in progress, as we’re constantly defining the future of trekking, but if you’re trekking with Indiahikes, or using our information, consider yourself well-informed, well-prepared and safe on a trek. 

We've listed four of the biggest risks we see on our treks. We have always believed that a knowledgeable trekker is a safe trekker. And our vision is to ensure every trekker going into the Himalayas is well-informed.

4 Biggest Risks While Trekking The Himalayas

trekking risks, risk in treks, biggest trek risks, trek risks, trek risks in India

Over the past decade, we have noticed that the trekking demography in our country is changing. What used to be hardcore adventurers heading into the mountains has now transformed into regular people from cities heading outdoors for treks.

Given this reality, several trekkers write to us asking for advice on which trek to choose as their first trek. 

This is why we are putting together this list of the best Himalayan treks for beginners.

These are suggestions from the past 13 years of guiding trekkers onto their first Himalayan treks.

Before we get into details, here are a few points to note about these treks for beginners: 

These treks are suitable for those who have never stepped into trekking trails (even locally) 

No matter the difficulty ratings of these treks, they require at least 1 month of fitness training before the trek. 

These treks can be accessed for almost 10 months in a year. (It’s a myth that all Himalayan treks can be done only in summer).

All these treks will give you a good mix of jungle trails, grasslands and mountain views — some have more than the others. So run through the highlights of the treks to make your decision.

You can expect snow on most of them between December and April.

Having said that, here is the list of the best high-altitude treks suited for beginners! 

15 Best Himalayan Treks For Beginners in India

Best Treks For Beginners In Uttarakhand 

Duration: 6 days from Rishikesh to Rishikesh 
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate 
Highest Altitude: 11,950 ft
Best time: All year, except monsoon
* Child-friendly: For children from 8 years onwards
View trek: Dayara Bugyal 

Dayara Bugyal is a highly recommended trek for beginners because of the grand rewards for the little effort put in. It is suitable not only for beginners but also for families with children. 

Most people don’t know this, but it is also a favourite trek among a few of the most seasoned trekkers at Indiahikes. “This trek is superbly rewarding at any time of the year. The forests are splendid in spring, the meadows are an unbeatable green in summer, and they turn orange in autumn, with striking mountain views. The snowscape in winter is a world on its own. You can go any time, and you’ll not be let down,” shares Sandhya UC, co-founder and COO of Indiahikes. 

Duration: 6 days  
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate 
Highest Altitude: 12,083 ft
Best time: All year, except monsoon
* Child-friendly: For children from 10 years onwards
View trek: Deoriatal-Chandrashila


Deoriatal-Chandrashila is another go-to Himalayan trek for beginners. Over the years, it has become a stepping stone for beginners to test themselves and progress to lengthier and tougher treks. 

What we love about this trek is that it is enriching from the get-go. Within two hours of trekking, you reach the Deoriatal lake and see stunning views of Chaukhamba and the neighbouring ranges from the lakeside. The forests over the next few hours are another huge reward. Within a day, you feel you’ve got your money’s worth. Yet, the trek only becomes more and more rewarding as you climb to the Chandrashila summit for the 360-degree views! 

Duration: 6 days 
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate 
Highest Altitude: 12,598 ft
Best time: All year, except monsoon
* Child-friendly: For children from 10 years onwards
View trek: Kuari Pass


Kuari Pass is a trek that beginners often forget, and they’re making a big mistake! Because once you step onto the Kuari Pass trail, you will feel that very few treks come close.

On this trek, you get the closest views of Mt Nanda Devi and Mt Dronagiri. They are your constant companions on the trek. While these mountains are busy taking your breath away, the oak forests and meadows of Gorson Bugyal compete to steal your attention. It has too many highlights for such a short trek, which is a huge blessing for beginners. 

Duration:  6 days
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate 
Highest Altitude: 12,250 ft
Best time: All year, except monsoon
* Child-friendly: For children from 10 years onwards
View trek: Brahmatal


Brahmatal has become popular over the past three years as a winter trek among beginners. And why not? It has a few terrific winter settings:

Incredible views of Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti 

Yet, the mistake trekkers make missing out on this trek in all other seasons — spring, summer and autumn. Few people know this, but Brahmatal has a few of the best rhododendron forests in spring (between March and April). It has rarely seen greenery in summer and striking views in autumn. You can do it in all four seasons and see a different side of the trek.

Duration:  6 days 
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate 
Highest Altitude: 12,500 ft
Best time: All year, except monsoon
* Child-friendly: For children from 8 years onwards
View trek: Kedarkantha


Kedarkantha is a Himalayan trek that needs no introduction among beginners or seasoned trekkers. It has risen in popularity so much that we often discourage trekkers from going there in winter, its most popular season. 

But here’s the secret. While the trek may be incredibly crowded in winter, it is beautifully isolated in other seasons. This is especially true on the route we take at Indiahikes, starting from Kotgaon and not from Sankri. The walk through the forests, the camps in the clearings and the summit climb to Kedarkantha become extremely pleasurable in all seasons.

Duration: 6 days 
Difficulty: Moderate 
ighest Altitude: 12,550 ft
Best time: All year, except monsoon
* Child-friendly: For children from 10 years onwards
View trek: Ali Bedni Bugyal

Ali Bedni Bugyal is an excellent Himalayan trek for beginners because it gives you a taste of what an expedition might look like. After all, it takes you almost halfway up the famous Roopkund trek. 

Yet, Ali Bedni Bugyal has all the softness and charm of walking through lovely forests and meadows. These are a few of the most pristine meadows in our country. A sunrise or a sunset from these meadows, with golden light falling on Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti, will remain one of your best memories for life.

Duration: 6 Days  
Difficulty: Moderate 
Highest Altitude: 12,345 ft
Best time: Summer, Autumn
View trek: Phulara Ridge 

Phulara Ridge is not your traditional beginner’s trek. It is usually for the most nuanced trekker, who understands the rarity of such splendid ridge walks. Yet, we have seen that several beginners have gone on this trek and come out as trekkers for life. 

It’s a trek that instils a deep love for the mountains in you. This happens for quite a few reasons. First, the ridge walks, where you’re at a vantage point for over 5-6 hours, trekking in parallel with a few tallest mountain peaks. Second, the pretty campsites give you an authentic feel of camping in the wilderness, mainly because there are hardly any other trekkers. Thirdly, because you’re in the vicinity of many trekking trails (like Kedarkantha and Har Ki Dun), you feel a natural urge to explore more. 

Duration:  6 Days
Difficulty: Moderate 
Highest Altitude: 14,107 ft
Best time: Monsoon
View trek: Valley of Flowers

This list of the best Himalayan treks for beginners in India would be incomplete without a mention of the Valley of Flowers. One of the most ancient trekking trails in our country, this trail has introduced tens of thousands of Indians to the concept of trekking. 

The perks of going to Valley of Flowers as a beginner? It does not throw you into the deep end. You don’t camp in the wild or trek into the unknown. You are in civilization, staying in lodges and treading on well-laid trails. Helicopter evacuations are possible at your beck and call. So if you’re fearful of going on an isolated trek, this is a comfortable taste of the mountains. 

Duration:  8 Days
Difficulty: Moderate 
Highest Altitude: 11,850 ft
Best time: All year, except monsoon
View trek: Har Ki Dun - Ruinsara Tal

Har Ki Dun is another ancient Himalayan trek of our country that is suitable for beginners. It’s a trail dotted with remote villages of Uttarakhand, which are, to date, steeped in traditions. You get to observe this ancient culture at close quarters on this trek. 

Of course, we must warn you that this trek is slightly harder on the legs. We mark it as a moderate trek because the days involve long walking hours. In our itinerary at Indiahikes, we also visit the Ruinsara Valley, which is almost like doing a separate trek on its own. It’s an enriching valley walk (many of our Trek Leaders claim it’s more rewarding than the original HKD valley). Still, it does require an equal amount of effort on the part of the trekker. 

Best Treks For Beginners In Himachal Pradesh

Duration:  4 Days
Difficulty: Moderate 
Highest Altitude: 14,009 ft
Best time: Monsoon
View trek: Bhrigu Lake

Bhrigu Lake is one of our most recommended suggestions for beginners because, within 4 days, you trek to a lake at 14,000 ft and back without travelling much from a central place like Manali. (Most other treks involve an 8-hour journey to the base camp alone, from a central location like Dehradun).

While it has the perk of being easily accessible, the trek on its own is a feast to the eyes. With vast, unending grasslands spread against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, it is a rare experience in 4 days. To top it off, you climb to Bhrigu Lake, the highest point on the trek, a frozen lake in June that turns a pretty blue and is surrounded by grassy knolls during the rest of the season. 

Duration: 4 days
Difficulty: Moderate 
Highest Altitude: 12,772 ft
Best time: Monsoon
View trek:  Beas Kund

Here’s another twin of the Bhrigu Lake trek, which is suitable for beginners. Similar in duration and accessibility (4-day trek from Manali), it is the lesser-known among the two. 

Frankly, at Indiahikes, we find it hard to pick between the two treks because despite being so close, they are very different. Beas Kund is a valley walk where the Beas River accompanies you. You trek to the source of the river and back. The campsites, the snow-covered mountains, and the lush greenery in the valley make a great introduction to a typical valley trek in Himachal for beginners. 

Duration:  6 Days
Difficulty: Moderate 
Highest Altitude: 14,065 ft
Best time: Monsoon
View trek: Hampta Pass 

We’ll be honest with you. Hampta Pass is not a trek we usually recommend for beginners. It is a high mountain pass-crossing in the heart of the Himalayas. Yet, if you have a good fitness routine or are prepared to put in the 2 months of effort it takes to train for Hampta Pass, it would be an excellent trek for beginners. 

It is one of the most dramatic experiences you’ll have as a beginner, trekking from the greenery of Kullu to the stark and barren landscapes of Lahaul. If you have never trekked before, these are views that will stick with you for life! 

Duration:  7 Days
Difficulty: Moderate 
Highest Altitude: 13,165 ft
Best time: Monsoon
View trek: Tarsar Marsar 

We almost don’t want to recommend Tarsar Marsar as a trek for beginners because it’s too good a trek to be your first Himalayan trek. You’ll be spoiled once you do this trek because once you’ve seen the landscapes of Kashmir and the alpine lakes here, you’ll rarely see anything that comes close. 

But this is one of those few treks that are easy-moderate in Kashmir. Despite crossing two mountain passes, it does not test your endurance or prior experience too much. You will need good fitness levels, much like any other trek, but if you have that, Tarsar Marsar could be the best trek you’ll do as a beginner. 

Duration:  7 Days
Difficulty: Moderate - Difficult 
Highest Altitude: 13,789 ft
Best time: Monsoon
View trek: Nafran Valley

Nafran Valley is a new trek in our country. Indian trekkers barely step on it. We explored it only in 2021 and found it to be a trek that came at par with the iconic Kashmir treks like Tarsar Marsar and Kashmir Great Lakes. 

While it does not have the length or variety of KGL, it has the typical Kashmiri landscapes celebrating meadows and the Kashmir valley. It has two alpine lakes that are typical of Kashmir. It also has high alpine sections, giving you a taste of an excellent high-altitude trek. 

Duration:  7 Days
Difficulty: Moderate 
Highest Altitude: 11,930 ft
Best time: All year, except monsoon
View trek: Sandakphu

Sandakphu is a relatively long trek compared to all other treks on this list, but it is still a good Himalayan trek for fit beginners. It is a rare experience that takes you along the Indo-Nepal border, where you’re constantly flitting between the borders of the two countries. 

On the other hand, it spoils you with views of 4 out of 5 of the tallest mountains in the world — Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu. You have the privilege of trekking in this esteemed company throughout. We would say it isn’t a very typical first time experience because camping / staying in tea houses, the way the trail is laid out, the culture on the trek, is a very different experience from most other treks in our country. But it gives you a good idea of what to expect out of a week-long Himalayan trek. 

That brings us to the end of this list of the best Himalayan treks for beginners in India. 

Does it mean that other treks cannot be attempted by beginners? 

Not at all. There are several treks like Buran Ghati, Rupin Pass, Kashmir Great Lakes and Gaumukh Tapovan that can be attempted by beginners. They only require higher levels of fitness and endurance. 

There are, of course, some treks like Kedartal, Warwan Valley and Goechala that require prior experience. But one or two of the beginner level treks will beautifully prep you for the tougher treks. 

We hope this list helps you plan your first Himalayan trek better. 

If you would like personal guidance to help choose a trek, you’re welcome to write to info@indiahikes.com , or give us a call on the number you’ll find here.

Top 15 Himalayan Treks For Beginners In India To Do In 2024 - Includes Treks In Uttarakhand, Himachal, Kashmir, West Bengal

15 Best Himalayan Treks For Beginners in India - 2024

Best Trek Beginner 15 Best Himalayan Treks For Beginners 

15 Best Himalayan Treks For Beginners in 2024

Like every year, trekkers are again making a rookie mistake this winter. 

They are completely missing out on trekking in early December and choosing the peak holiday season (late December) for a winter experience. They are under the impression that late December is what makes for the best winter experience. 

Not many trekkers know this, but early December offers one of the most unique winter experiences.

I understand that many are concerned about the lack of snow and not getting leaves from office. 

While you cannot do much about the leaves, for other issues, you have your answers. Read on. 

It’s a myth that you do not find snow in early December. 

"Though not much, we start getting the first bouts of snow in mid-November. In early December there is a good deposit of snow, especially in the upper reaches above 10,000 feet, but not the thick heavy blanket. In these settings it is better to go on a trek in early December," shares Akshay Upreti, who has been a slope manager in many of our winter expeditions.

Explaining the thought he adds, "Waiting for peak winters means risking instances of heavy snowfall which could disrupt your trek. If you ask me, I would prefer to trek in a period where there has been a basic amount of snowfall and chances of getting a clearer sky are higher. And for me, late-November and early-December is that period."

Last year, the Kuari Pass trek received its first snowfall as early as October. The frequency of snowfall gradually increases by December. By early December, most treks have a good dusting of snow in the higher reaches.

But this snow is not deep. Between snowfalls the snow melts quickly exposing the vibrant colours of autumn. And that makes for some of the most beautiful and unique sights in the Himalayas.

Winter treks are popular for sprawling white landscapes. But on the flip slide, too much snow makes it difficult to complete the trek.

Heavy snowfall can disrupt the trek. And it could take days to open the route again. Unfortunately, chances of a heavy snowfall increase post-mid-December. This is because the Western Disturbances start to take a more defined shape in the later part of December. 

Under circumstances when it snows heavily, it is normal to change routes and campsites, moving to a more compatible route. Sometimes trekkers even have to return to the base camp without completing the trek. 

But the situation is not so in early December when winter is just beginning to set in.

A slight dusting of snow in early December at the Khorurai campsite of Brahmatal. Photo by Nitesh Kumar

“The probability that you would complete the trek in early December is much higher. You don’t get big amounts of snow on the ground. This doesn’t hamper your trek,” says Arjun Majumdar, Founder-CEO, Indiahikes. 

In fact, early December offers a perfect introduction to winters in the Himalayas if you are new to trekking. 

Reason 3: The weather is drier, more comfortable

Another aspect that works in favour of early December is the precipitation. “There is almost no, or very low precipitation in early December. This means no overcast skies or wet terrain. This is much more comfortable for someone who is just starting to trek in the Himalayas,” shares Sandhya UC, Co-Founder and COO, Indiahikes. 

“Late November and early December is my favourite time to lead a trek. At this time, you can see a transition between seasons on the same trek. At the lower campsites you see the orangish hues. The last touch of autumn is still there. But as you climb higher, you also get the feeling of winter,” shares Shachi Tripathi, Trainer and Slope Manager at Indiahikes.

Treks become much more challenging during peak winters. There's deep snow everywhere around, often seeping into your shoes. Shoes become wet and a nightmare to trek in. 

It’s also more comfortable to trek in early December because temperatures are still manageable. “In early December, the minimum temperature you encounter is around -2 degree Celsius. There is a sharp, delicious chill in the air which you enjoy in early December.

A star-lit sky captured during the Collaborative Leadership Program that took place in early December 2021 at Dayara Bugyal. Photo by Izzat Yaganagi. 

Later in December the temperature drops to -8. And many trekkers don’t realise that this difference is huge. It’s four times colder,” shares Arjun. 

"In early December the cold is not as annoying. It’s just the right amount of cold, which is very refreshing!" says Shachi remembering the days she had spend on treks in early December.

6 Himalayan Treks you must experience in early December

If you are planning a trek in early December, these six treks should be on top of your list

Truth is, this is a very narrow window -- between autumn and peak winter -- and very few trekkers get a chance to see it this way. 

During this time, you have higher chances of experiencing the first snowfall, and that too in comfortable weather. Lesser snow on the trail also increases your chances of having a successful winter trek. That's the beauty of trekking in early December. 

early december; treks in december; less crowded treks; 

Why Early December is better than Late December for Trekking

UPDATE: Many trekkers wrote to us after reading the mail/blog. I have updated this blog with some of their responses.

I am writing this blog as a concerned trekker. 

You see, too many trekkers are offloading their backpacks on treks. 

This season, one out of three trekkers offloaded their backpacks on an easy-moderate trek like Beas Kund. The case was similar on the Bhrigu Lake trek. Thankfully on the difficult treks, like Kedartal, less than 25% of trekkers offloaded.

If you’re wondering what is ‘offloading’, it is the act of letting a mule or porter carry your backpack, instead of you carrying your own load on a trek.

This trend is worrying because the social and environmental impact of offloading doesn't seem to bother anyone. 

And today, I want to share why offloading your backpack is not okay. 

To understand the core of the concern, it is important to look at various aspects of offloading. The reason behind offloading, its consequences, what happens when you don’t offload. I’ll touch upon all these aspects. 

Some insights and observations shared in the blog about offloading will surprise you. I'll get to them in a bit. 

But first, let’s begin with the ‘why’.

15 years ago, it was a norm to carry your own equipment, ration, tent and personal gear while trekking. Porters or mules came along only to carry bare essentials that couldn’t be carried by the team. 

But things changed when organised trekking grew in our country. 

“Modern trekking changed the concept of service. People expect more comfort while trekking. They don't want to carry their backpack if they can pay someone else to do it for them,” says Arjun Majumdar, Founder-CEO of Indiahikes.

This is the case even when their backpacks are light, devoid of any camping equipment. 

“In modern trekking, you don’t carry the full load of 15-20 kg that you carried while trekking on your own. You are only carrying your clothes. They don’t weigh more than 8-9 kilos,” points Arjun.

Despite the light weight of the backpack, offloading is becoming a trend because of a false belief.

“Trekkers, especially those who are new to trekking, assume that they’d be more comfortable if they’re not lugging their backpacks on the trek. They look at the backpack as luggage, not something that’s integral to their trek,” points Shefali Joshi, Experience Coordinator. 

This situation can be credited to a big myth circulating among trekkers, especially among those who are new to trekking. 

Big Myth - Carrying Your Backpack on a Trek is Difficult

Many people who are considerably new to trekking assume that carrying a backpack is cumbersome. This is a false notion. 

Carrying your backpack on a trek is not difficult. In fact, even on our most difficult trek — Kedartal (highest altitude: 15,500 ft) — trekkers carry their backpacks.

Trekkers crossing the treacherous Spider Wall section on the Kedartal trek while wearing their backpacks. Photo by Sudheer Hegde

Carrying your backpack on a trek is doable. In fact, it is an integral part of trekking. 

Many trekkers who opt for offloading overlook the fact that backpacks are designed to be carried on a trek. 

If you wear your backpack well, you'll notice it is engineered to distribute the weight across your hips and shoulders (especially if you are carrying an internal frame backpack, as most of you will). It is the hip that is actually doing most of the lifting. Hips are the strongest bones of your body and can carry a lot more than the 8 – 9 kg of your backpack.

Due to the design of the backpack, carrying it on a trek is not difficult. 

A trekker, Rashmi Suresh, who recently trekked to Nafran Valley trek shares her experience here. Nafran Valley is not an easy trek. But Rashmi carried her backpack throughout the trek.


But many trekkers, who are just starting to trek, look at offloading differently. Quite a few times, they do not even consider carrying their backpack as they view offloading as an add-on service. Something that can be availed because the option exists. 

Offloading has grim consequences — socially and environmentally


1. Offloading creates very low level employment

When you offload your backpack, a muleman or porter takes up the job of carrying it on the trek. But it’s not a happy situation. 

No one wants to be a porter or a muleman. People living in the remote Himalayan villages have limited employment opportunities. They carry your personal belongings for a meager fee simply because of lack of better opportunities. This generates a very low level of employment.

This morally disturbs us at Indiahikes. 

“Just because it is affordable, especially in countries like India and Nepal, trekkers feel it is okay to handover their belongings to someone else — a person or a mule. That’s morally wrong. By making someone else — a person or mule — carry your personal belongings you are degrading more and more humans to do the lowest form of work,” points Arjun.

Unfortunately trekkers feel that by offloading their backpack they are helping to generate work for the locals. 

In reality while work is being generated, we must look to grow ‘skill level’ work and not low level work that does not help society. Skill based work has a future.

Skill based work opens up opportunities for the local people in the organised sector. Upskilling can help an assistant camp manager become a camp manager, then trek coordinator and so on and so forth. It happens all the time at Indiahikes. This is the true form of upskilling. 

We have stellar examples of how some of our local staff, who started as porters, got out of the role to grow professionally and become Trek Coordinators. 

We have also designed training programs to upskill our guides and cooks. These certified programs are aimed at honing the guiding and cooking skills of our staff in the mountains. Upskilling in these areas not only helps them to grow within Indiahikes, but also opens opportunities for them in the booming trekking industry. 

Unfortunately, mulemen and porters come under the category of daily-wage workers. Their association with us is limited to just one trek. This leaves them with almost zero opportunities to upskill or engage with any organisation.  

With this background in place I want to pose this question to you: As trekkers, are you okay engaging people in an employment — one devoid of personal growth and security — just to be more comfortable on the trek?

Offloading also negatively impacts the environment, especially when you have mules to carry your backpack. 

“Each mule weighs around 300-350 kilos. It carries around 45 kilos of weight. When such heavy pack animals go on trails, there’s a big trampling effect on the trails. They have metal hooves that damage the earth. The more the number of mules, the more the trample effect,” says Lakshmi Selvakumaran, says Head of Green Trails, Indiahikes.

It isn’t just the number of mules. The mules feed on the grasslands as fodder. This harms the grasslands the most. It also increases the number of muleteers on trails as well — who need to be fed and taken care of. They in turn add to the human pressure on the trail, including adding to the human waste. It is a vicious circle. The entire offloading ecosystem becomes heavier rather than minimal on the environment.

And then it’s not just about ‘one backpack’.

Mules carrying backpacks on the Kuari Pass trek. Photo by Sudipto

“Offloading has a cascading effect. You need a mule to carry your backpack, the mule needs a muleman who is also carrying his own resources on the trek. So in the end, it ceases to be just-a-backpack.

From a larger perspective, if every trekker carried his/her own backpack, there would be at least 3 less mules for every team of trekkers. If this becomes a practice in Indian trekking, it would go a long way in protecting these fragile ecosystems, reducing the overall carbon footprint,” says Sandhya UC, Co-Founder and COO, Indiahikes

On the other hand, carrying your backpack makes you a better trekker

Carrying your own backpack helps you connect better with the trek. We saw a beautiful example of this on the Tamenglong Trek in Manipur. On this trek, apart from their personal belongings, trekkers had to carry their own gears and camping equipment. This did not weigh them down. Instead, carrying all their load liberated them. They tasted their freedom as a trekker. 

“As we were carrying our own equipment, we could stop anywhere! So one afternoon we simply decided to cook food by the Alangta waterfall. It was an incredible experience to have the freedom to do it as we were carrying our own kitchen equipment, ration, gears,” shares Dhaval Jajal, Senior Trek Leader and Filmmaker who led the trek.

Trekkers enjoying the kadhi-khichdi they cooked by the Alangta waterfall on the Tamenglong trek. Photo by Dhaval Jajal.

Even on the usual trek, carrying your backpack gives you the freedom to access all your gear at any point on the trek. 

For example, a backpack gives you access to your warm clothes. Often there is a burst of rain or a long cloud cover that sweeps over the trail. The temperature plummets. Access to your warm clothes and rain gear is of utmost importance in such circumstances.  

The thought of carrying your backpack instantly makes you more mindful about what you put into your backpack. “I’ve noticed that trekkers who carry their own backpack ask better questions. They are more thoughtful about what they put in the backpack, how they pack,” shares Shefali. “Invariably they carry lighter backpacks.” 

These are essential skills for a trekker. If you are not carrying your backpack, you miss out on honing these skills. 

Carrying your backpack has a direct effect on your pace. 

“Many don’t know about this, but a backpack helps you to maintain pace on a trek. You cannot rush ahead if you are carrying your backpack. This compels you trek at a steady speed,” shares Arjun.

Here's an in-depth blog on why offloading goes against the spirit of trekking

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