I am interested in trekking in the Himalayas, especially the Indian part of them, in the state of Sikkim. I am not a mountaineer, so I am not intending to climb Mt. Kanchenjunga, but I would certainly be interested in doing a trek beginning from Darjeeling upto Kanchenjunga Base Camp.
I would love to hear about your opinions on this matter. I would like to go with a group of experienced hikers, and am looking for opinions from people who've had prior experience with the trekking tour companies.
Being a landscape photographer, my primary interests lie in being able to shoot as freely as I can during the treks. Otherwise I have no other hankering for luxuries of any sort (I lived in India for 22 years) other than the standard 2-3 meals a day concept.
Specifically:
- which travel company did you do the trek with - in which year, and which month(s) - how much did it cost - how large was the group? - how many people were employed by the trekking company on the specific trek you took? - how would you rate your epxerience? - which cameras did you use? - any specific issues with batteries and charging them? (I am all digital) - would you reccomend taking a second body even when going only to base camp?
Thanks in advance, and appreciate your responses.
Thanks, Ashutosh
Posted by Vandit Kalia on September 19, 2006 at 12:18 AM
I dont think there is a proper wild trail from Darjeeling all the way to Kgangchendzonga base camp. You have to go to Yuksom and start the hike from there.
A few thoughts from someone who organizes photography-oriented hikes, etc:
1/ Get a porter to carry your gear unless you are fit and experienced. Carrying 30-60lb may be ok at low altitudes, but once you get above 10,000ft, you are in for some serious pain. Kgangchendzonga's base camp is in the 18,000ft range, so that is a pretty serious hike.
2/ A private trip = more flexibility. You have more choices on where to camp, and where to stop (within reason).
3/ Batteries will be an issue. Keep them warm. Take spares. I keep mine in my boxer pockets at all times, pulling them out only to take a shot. I do get some strange looks, though, when I bury my hand up to my elbows into my pants, trying to get past all the various layers and find the blasted pocket. :)
4/ Dont ignore luxury. Well fed and warm = more receptive frame of mind for shooting. Personally, I need red meat when I am hiking high. Veggie stuff doesnt do it for me.
Vandit, thank you very much for your response, I very much appreciate it. I also apologize for the late response.
I do intend to take along a porter and/or guide at the barest minimum. If I can get a donkey or a mule that would be great too (not sure I can do that).
About the trek itself, if I start the trek from Yuksom, and decide to go upto Kanchenjunga base camp, and then return, how many days do you think it will take to return back to Yuksom (assuming 5km each day, and not more than 2000ft elevation)?
Also, at what point (specifically which place) beyond which there is no mankind available to provide food and shelter?
It would be good to know at which exact point I am going to have to take care of all my needs - viz food and shelter. I will certainly be carrying my tent and sleeping bag with the mattress.
All my equipment is rated to withstand atleast -25C, except for the tent.
Thanks once again for the information, and your response.
PS: BTW, do you know any place (online or otherwise) where I can find good maps for the trail upto base camp?
It is going to start in the last few days of April, and go into mid-May. About 15-20 days in total.
My plan is basically the Goecha La trek, from Yuksom onwards (Yuksom->Dzongri->Thangshing->Samiti Lake->Goecha La->Lam Pokhari->Kasturi Odar->Labdang->Tashiding->Martam.)
However, my problem is that I have no trekking buddy and am alone So I'm looking around for trekking companies that do tours of 2-3 people, or independent guides that double up as porters.
My budget isn't too much, so I wonder if I should reach Gangtok and then start looking for independent guides? Does any of you have experience with this?
Discussion
3 repliesI am interested in trekking in the Himalayas, especially the Indian part of them, in the state of Sikkim. I am not a mountaineer, so I am not intending to climb Mt. Kanchenjunga, but I would certainly be interested in doing a trek beginning from Darjeeling upto Kanchenjunga Base Camp.
I would love to hear about your opinions on this matter. I would like to go with a group of experienced hikers, and am looking for opinions from people who've had prior experience with the trekking tour companies.
Being a landscape photographer, my primary interests lie in being able to shoot as freely as I can during the treks. Otherwise I have no other hankering for luxuries of any sort (I lived in India for 22 years) other than the standard 2-3 meals a day concept.
Specifically:
- which travel company did you do the trek with - in which year, and which month(s) - how much did it cost - how large was the group? - how many people were employed by the trekking company on the specific trek you took? - how would you rate your epxerience? - which cameras did you use? - any specific issues with batteries and charging them? (I am all digital) - would you reccomend taking a second body even when going only to base camp?
Thanks in advance, and appreciate your responses.
Thanks, Ashutosh
A few thoughts from someone who organizes photography-oriented hikes, etc:
1/ Get a porter to carry your gear unless you are fit and experienced. Carrying 30-60lb may be ok at low altitudes, but once you get above 10,000ft, you are in for some serious pain. Kgangchendzonga's base camp is in the 18,000ft range, so that is a pretty serious hike.
2/ A private trip = more flexibility. You have more choices on where to camp, and where to stop (within reason).
3/ Batteries will be an issue. Keep them warm. Take spares. I keep mine in my boxer pockets at all times, pulling them out only to take a shot. I do get some strange looks, though, when I bury my hand up to my elbows into my pants, trying to get past all the various layers and find the blasted pocket. :)
4/ Dont ignore luxury. Well fed and warm = more receptive frame of mind for shooting. Personally, I need red meat when I am hiking high. Veggie stuff doesnt do it for me.
Good luck with the trip.
Vandit
I do intend to take along a porter and/or guide at the barest minimum. If I can get a donkey or a mule that would be great too (not sure I can do that).
About the trek itself, if I start the trek from Yuksom, and decide to go upto Kanchenjunga base camp, and then return, how many days do you think it will take to return back to Yuksom (assuming 5km each day, and not more than 2000ft elevation)?
Also, at what point (specifically which place) beyond which there is no mankind available to provide food and shelter?
It would be good to know at which exact point I am going to have to take care of all my needs - viz food and shelter. I will certainly be carrying my tent and sleeping bag with the mattress.
All my equipment is rated to withstand atleast -25C, except for the tent.
Thanks once again for the information, and your response.
PS: BTW, do you know any place (online or otherwise) where I can find good maps for the trail upto base camp?
Regards,
Ashutosh
It is going to start in the last few days of April, and go into mid-May. About 15-20 days in total.
My plan is basically the Goecha La trek, from Yuksom onwards (Yuksom->Dzongri->Thangshing->Samiti Lake->Goecha La->Lam Pokhari->Kasturi Odar->Labdang->Tashiding->Martam.)
However, my problem is that I have no trekking buddy and am alone
My budget isn't too much, so I wonder if I should reach Gangtok and then start looking for independent guides? Does any of you have experience with this?