Indian trekking is a regal, adventure-rich, and culturally rich experience one simply cannot find anywhere else in the world. For each independent trekker and adventure traveller, the question is most often whether they can find warm, safe places that make or break a trip. Yes, India is Safe to travel to for Adventure Seekers and Hikers. India Solo Travel offers mountaineers and adventurers the opportunity to experience the richness of the country’s culture, making the nation so amazing.
India: Safe to Travel for Adventure Seekers and Hikers
India has entered a period of growth in adventure travel. Snow white Himalayan peaks to sun-kissed golden sandy dunes, curving rivers and bouldering outcrops, India is adventure travel heaven. With easy international access via options like flights to India, more and more adventure travel enthusiasts are hiking into its remoteness than ever before. There aren’t quite so many Indian mythic treks, but on top of all that, before you go and walk in trekking shoes, there is one question that every single one of the trekkers has to ask themselves: ‘What’s the worst that can happen to me there?
Dangerous Weather Traps
India’s hiking regions can turn wild real quick. The most popular routes—beginning at Kedarkantha in the north and ending at Kudremukh in the south—share mythic weather changes. The climate is unpredictable. You are enjoying the sunshine-filled sky one moment, and you are drenched in rainwater the next moment. The Himalayas are especially dreaded: most of the accidents above 3,000 meters have some weather factor involved, according to the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.
How to avoid falling into one of those chasms:
- Rain pounds and roars around you—constantly, though it is sure to come.
- Rise early on your feet. Afternoon thunder is nearly a sacrament in Sikkim and Himachal.
- Never try to wade river-beds in or after the storm. The water will be knee-deep in a minute or two, waist-deep.
- If gusts are gusty or ugly clouds, hunker down safely and do not cling to it.
If guests do cling to something, it won’t be Indian trail backpacking survival tips to look over the horizon line and hear the natives. Blown up the ceremony? That’s what you’ll be recalling in an instant.
Questionable Ground and Danger Trails
Some of India’s trekking trails offer excellent views, but at a price. Gravel on these trails can turn from pleasant to nasty in the blink of an eye unless some small bit of prudence is employed. The trick? Knowing where the trail isn’t worth the trouble. The problem with poor trails is that they are likely poorly marked. Trail markers are covered by an avalanche or by light monsoon rains that wash them away.
How to put your life at risk on questionable terrain:
- Do not listen to pre-trip advice from questionable locals, guides, or park rangers regarding trail conditions. Yesterday’s online blog posts do not count—conditions can evolve, especially after typhoons or landslides.
- Bouldering or rolling ankles is the easiest way of traversing untested ground.
- And if that doesn’t work—a busted ice, icy rocks, or vanishing trails—scramble. Not worth cutting and risking rescue if the other option is to be rescued.
- Bring trekking poles. Valid for ice and rocky travel, and can also be used as a probe to test thinned mud or ice.
Planning Blunders to Evade
Planning is essential for any adventure or trek, and especially in India, where the ground cannot be guaranteed. The climbers sleep most of the time, not because of the mountains’ intricacies, but because they feel there is no proper planning. For your own good? Don’t risk your program, equipment, and questionable abilities.
Let’s start with research. No one searches for decent travel blogs or locals’ websites, but everyone googles some random Insta or blog. That is the guaranteed way to end up on a dead end. Look at the example of some ‘easy’ pages that become part of landslides in mid-June—Roopkund and the Valley of Flowers are a great example. Google recent news from decent sources.
Indian treks require permits to reach places such as Kedarkantha, Sandakphu, and isolated sections of the Western Ghats forest. Trekkers risk having their plans cancelled or being arrested without a permit. Even national parks have a daily limit on trekkers, and permission to trek may be granted.
It cannot be overloaded. Night temperatures on particular Himalayan treks can drop to -10°C, and a cheaper sleeping bag or jacket will only last that long. It might be worth asking other experienced climbers or local guides before departure.
Conclusion
You now realise that India is a safe place to travel for Trekkers and Adventure Seekers. When you travel to safe, friendly places, pre-book your stay, and be nature-sensitive, you will experience a life that makes life a million times more beautiful. Whether you enjoy independence or the calm of nature, India’s diverse landscape offers ample space to absorb its depth.