• Any airfares.
• Any Kind of Personal Expenses or Optional Tours / Extra Meals Ordered.
• Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Prices included”.
• Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone Calls.
• The Services of Vehicle is not included on leisure days & after finishing the sightseeing tour as per the Itinerary.
• Any Kind of Drinks / Table drinks (Alcoholic, Aerated).
• Camera fee, Soft or Hard drinks, Starters.
• Medical & Travel insurance.
• Additional costs due to flight cancellation, train delays roadblocks, natural calamity, etc.

Tips

In most cases, people ask us about the tips in the restaurants, for the drivers and for the guides. We recommend the following.

• In the restaurants: Normally it is 10% of the total bill.

For the Driver:

• This man works very hard as he drives on the narrow and bumpy road with great care and at night hardly finds any place to sleep. The next morning he has to drive again and so a sound sleep is required. He expects the hotelier to provide him with a comfortable room and some hotels do that but in most cases, he sleeps in his car. The tip recommended to him is Rs. 300/- per day.

For the Guides/ Tour Manager:

• This man is your friend, philosopher, the guide throughout the trip and with his knowledge, he keeps your trip alive and brings different experiences to the front. He takes care of check-ins/checkouts at the hotels /organizes and decided the venue for your meals, organizes local guides for you, takes care of you in case of emergency, helps you with the local language, remains your local caretaker, and remains your friend forever even after the trip is over. He deserves the better portion of the tip and so we recommend a minimum of Rs. 500/- per person per day for him.

• Travel Research

  • These trips are for those who enjoy walking & traveling. Although we run these walking programs on fixed itineraries but still we keep the trips as flexible as possible for the convenience and comforts of our clients. On these trips, we offer the opportunity to walk to some remote areas where everyone wishes to go at least once in his or her life but due to certain reasons, such as health, or time sometimes can’t go there.

  Physical Rating

  • The participant in these Walks should have a certain level of fitness. You may be expected to walk for 3-5 hours a day with your daypack.
  • We shall be walking on the trails through the green area. The trails at a number of places are narrow, bumpy, or dusty. At some places, we might be crossing the streams of water flow. So due to these conditions we are likely to walk slowly and might become irritating for you. But only those shall enjoy these treks who know how to enjoy the natural beauty and the landscape around.
  • We are dead sure that the Geographical Carvings and the Landscape on these treks is so stunning that it does not give you an opportunity to get irritated and leave your camera.
  • Since we remain under the Treeline so the effects of altitude cannot be a problem, but sometimes if the gradient is steep for you then it is suggested to slow down and go gradually.

   Group Size

  Looking at the comforts of the Travelers and the Staff our group size remains as follows :

  • Maximum – 8 pax
  • Minimum – 2 pax

  Health

  • Before you travel to India it is advised that you should consult your doctor for up to date information and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial requirements, and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses.
  • Although a First Aid Box is always a part of our Kit still we recommend that you carry any personal medical requirements if you have.

  Cultural Shock

  • India is a country that may be very different from something that you may have experienced before. And especially when you in the interiors of the Himalayan Foothills it might be very different from other areas you have traveled to. In most of the villages here, simplicity and poverty can result in initial culture shock. Some villages are still under the poverty line but they follow their traditions and culture strictly. So all this should be seen as an exciting new challenge.

  Weather Conditions

  • July to September are the monsoon months in India and there could be some unforeseen problems like road blockages due to landslides or road damages. So a change or delay in itinerary could be there or we reach the destination from some other route, however, it is quite unlikely.
  • Check out the latest weather condition at accuweather.com.

   

  Safety and Security

  • Check with the embassy in your country and follow their advice for their latest travel information.
  • It is recommended that you use a neck wallet or money belt while traveling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travelers’ cheques, cash, credit cards, debit cards, ATM cards, and other valuable items.
  • Leave your valuable jewelry at home as you won’t need it while traveling.
  • Keep your baggage under lock and key.

   Travel Light

  • During the itinerary, you will be traveling most of the time so pack as lightly as possible (stay under 10 kg/22lb). Most travelers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice. Avoid Suitcases.
  • The mountains can be cold. Nighttime temperatures can be as low as 5 degrees, so bring a set of warmer clothes; thermal underclothes, being small and light, can be very useful. A warm jumper/jacket, cap, gloves, and sunglasses no matter what time of the year, as we travel at altitudes above 3500m.

  Dressing

  • It is very important that when you are traveling to India, you kindly dress up keeping in mind the respect for the locale culture, especially Ladies. In some areas, you might have some people gathering around you, touching you, and looking at you for a long time, as you are a foreigner.
  • As a general guideline full shirts and full-length skirts or knee covered skirts are recommended. At some places or the religious buildings, shorts are not allowed as it will restrict your entry into buildings.
  • At religious places, you shall be required to cover your head. The cloth is provided by the temple. So kindly follow the tradition otherwise the authorities might not allow you to enter the premises.
  • In India, before entering all religious places you are required to remove your shoes. You can also bring a pair of floaters footwear that are easily available in the markets in India too, these footwear are easy to remove and wear.
  • Women are sometimes not allowed to enter some of the religious places in the hills.

   Photography and Interaction with Local

  • During our Walks, there will be many opportunities for you to meet and talk with locals. You are allowed to take pictures but it is also suggested that you take permission before clicking their houses, lifestyle, and them. One way to start any conversation is with pictures.
  • Children in the villages might ask you to click their pictures. If you have a digital camera you click and show them on screen.
  • Also if possible for you to bring some photos/postcards of your family, home, city, or country where you live, animals peculiar to your country to show them.
  • People in the hills are very simple and hospitable. They might ask you to come to their house and have a cup of tea as tea is a very common and untimely drink in India. They shall be very happy if you accept their invitation.

  Check List

  • Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets.
  • Health requirements arranged. 1 photocopy of the above documents, Money: cash/credit card/traveler’s cheques, Money pouch.
  • Your personal First-Aid kit including rehydration salts, sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses due to harsh sunlight and exposure to high altitudes.
  • Wide brim hat or umbrella
  • Antibacterial hand gel, when water is scarce.
  • Day pack to carry your personal needs during the day.
  • Walking Boots – light weight.
  • Boot Protector.
  • Thin Liner socks : 3 pairs
  • Heavier outer socks.
  • Tights, for Women. At least one pair.
  • T-Shirts. Take several light-weighted.
  • Walking pants.
  • Rain Pants.
  • Warm socks.
  • Alarm clock and torch/flashlight.
  • Lightweight travel towel.
  • Refillable water bottle, for filling from a thermos.
  • Earplugs can be useful if avoid someone snoring in the group.
  • Your own sleeping bag.
  • Warm clothes. It is recommended to bring thermal underwear, and either a down or a fleece jacket.
  • A windproof jacket.
  • A pair of gloves.
  • A scarf or face mask for dust, Sarong for covering up when washing/showering.
  • Three pairs are enough.
  • For Women, a couple.
  • Tampons or Sanitary Napkins. They are easily available in the open market.
  • Toilet Kit.
  • Insect Repellent.
  • Bug Powder.
  • A candle, large and small rubber bands, plastic bags, tape extra pens, etc.