Going on a trek in the Himalayas is adventurous and exciting; afterall a bike ride to ladakh and a trek upwards are what dreams are made of! But at the same time, it can also be nerve wrecking and scary – for beginners, it is essential that you go prepared! The hills and mountains can be as harsh and treacherous as they are beautiful and inspiring – here are a few quick tips for you to keep in mind when you begin trekking!

1. Do your research on the trek you’re going to be taking. As a beginner, it is a good idea to pick a moderate trek to start with – something like traversing the chopta valley.
2. Learn about weather in the Himalayas and pack accordingly. Warm clothes and sturdy boots/shoes are a must!
3. Without good communication, trekking in the Himalayas is a bad idea. Keeping someone informed about your location at all times is imperative so that rescue can be organized in an emergency!
4. Pack a first aid kit and know how to make full use of it. Make sure your kit includes medications for high altitude illnesses.
5. Pack provisions. Take nuts like almonds or walnuts, add protein bars, fruit, some flaxseed bread and a little bit of almond butter – to your pack. Take at least two bottles of water – you’re going to need it! But also remember to keep your packing light – take only essentials and keep it simple.
6. Take short steps and deep breaths when you’re climbing steep passes and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it!
7. Mountaineering is a strenuous activity and mountainous landscape can be quite treacherous. Moreover actions like hopping across gaps & jumping from higher level terrain to a lower level terrain must be done carefully also it should not involve actions like directly jumping on your heels as it nullifies the shock absorbing capability of the knee area and can wreak havoc on the knees and joints.

Well needless to say the Himalayas are wild, inspiring and powerful – take in their majesty and enjoy every moment of your trek.
And always remember that you belong to the same cosmos that these sky-touching peaks are part of!