This is not a tough trek but is very beautiful with dry landscape dotted by oasis and villages; it opens the door to be interacted with local and to have insight of their culture. Trek is accessible for all age group from 18 years to 70 or more having good physical condition. Walking hours from one destination to other varies from 4 to 6 hours.  Time can be lengthen or shorten sub. to the physical strength or walking rhythm of each individual. One have to carry high-necked walking shoes and walking stick those who wish

There are certain manner  to follow while eating  in family house ,  ( local tradition ) as before entering in house  one have to take off   shoes out  of entry in  house ,  When everyone  is  in side  than guide will present the guest  to the  family, everyone will sit in row.

On arrival in India generally you will be welcomed by serving the tea, Salt tea (butter tea) or sweet milk tea (Chai), you will stroll in Village to explore the village life.

After diner tea or coffee will be served and can have the talk with family member, guide will be intermediate between family and guest. As the most of family they are farmers  and  they have habitude of sleep earlier and wake earlier, So we have to be very careful to not keeping them wait ( engaged )  till  late  night .

Early morning at respected time, you will be waked up by tea or coffee, later breakfast and will leave to next destination by packed Lunch which will allows the guest to have more time on the way. 

-The Indians do not entre with their shoes in their houses. They leave their shoes outside.

-Meals will be served in a traditional way. You have to start eating once everyone is served and it is not appreciated when someone clean the nose on the table.

-Do not touch the service cutlery while eating with hands, possibility to use cutlery.

-We do not leave the dining table until everyone has finished up their meals...

- Everyone will wash their hands in tub or in basin (if there is one) Washing hand in same plat is not ap

 -Everyone will share a room for one or two nights to experience the local way of life.

-Kisses in public are not tolerated.

-To enter the religious places and to the family house “homestay” without consent of house holder is strictly forbidden, please consult the guide to take permission before entering.

-The toilet may be outside the house. There is no shower and hot water for the taking bath.

-Respect the night schedules of your host: sleep early, wake early is the slogan of the farmers w, but it does not prevent sharing precious moments of conviviality after dinner.

If you respect the local tradition and culture of country, you will enjoy much better your holidays by reciprocate action of locals.  You and those are who following you will be well considered. 

Thanks in advance.

1: Do not wear skimpy, short skirts and sleeveless clothes 

2: No affection in public place or should not displayed in public 

3: Tasting food from the serving spoon is forbidden. 

4: Do not sit on the Choktse (sort of table)

5: Don’t clean the nose or spit while eating, please. 

Accommodation is based on 3 star category in cities as of Delhi and Q class in Leh. In rural of Ladakh area there are limited choices of accommodation, you will be staying either in simple guest houses with attached or common toilet and bath room, in family house you will have  common or separate dble room, ( there are limited options for the individual room)  Toilet mostly outside the house and bathing place is common as well. We request you to carry the bed cover (Liner) to assure the hygiene when you feel to use.  You can also carry your own warm sleeping bag (Comfort temperature - 8 ° C). 

Indian and Tibetan vegetarian meals is served, Non-veg. is subject to availability. Indian recipes are bit on spicy side, Breakfast and dinner will be served at the hotel, guesthouse on in family house, Lunch packed or in local restaurant or in hotel sub. to the daily schedule. We advise to not eat friend street food and use the bottled water in cities and use purification tablets elsewhere. Boiled water will be provided on request in the morning in a guesthouse or by your host.

When meals are not included, on average, a mid-range meal will cost you between 8 to12 USD (and Euros) in a mid-range restaurant. We strongly advise you to avoid the deep-fried street food, even if these dishes may appear appetizing. Already peeled fruits should avoid as well.

Be careful you will be in nature but it will not be "green" everywhere, a most part of the trip will take place in dry zone.

3-1: Water: 

Bottle water in city and in restaurants will be at your charge, while trekking our team will provide boil cold water, it’s not enough for the day hence you will take from the spring or streams and has to purify by your own.  For example by “chlorine tablets”

Exchange rate is vary from time to time; you need to verify the latest.

Facilities to get cash exchange is available on arrival at airport in Delhi, Leh and in some hotels, private money exchanger in town are available as well. You can withdraw from the ATM as well. There are certain shop where you can pay by credit card those wish to buy the souvenir.

Sub to the number of person in group, for 2 to 4 Toyota Innova / Scorpia or Zylo, for 5 and more than 5 persons Tempo travelers or mini bus will be provided. All vehicle will be air-conditioned, except in hilly area air-condition of any vehicle can not be regularly used due to steep uphill drive, So you have to co-operate with. For the Autumns and spring season when temperature goes down, if you required heater except minibus each of those mentioned vehicle have the heating facilities and cannot be usd while uphill drive.

You will take local flight between Delhi to Leh. Baggage weight is authorized 15 kgs. On check in bags and 7 kg. in cabin (can be change without prior information’s) Exceeding the authorized weight will cost 300 to 500 rs per kilo and has to be paid by clients directly. Those who refuse to pay the excess baggage will be not allow to check in or in case he or she insist and got the boarding pass, will have lot of issue in security check as there can be unauthorized items, even complete the security check but will definitely not allow to board the flight or will be de-board the flight.
All extra cost occurred due to such mess will be on client charge, also he she will be responsible to disturb the holiday schedule of the whole group and all the cost of the tours / trek will be borne by him / her only. Himalayan Frontiers will be not have any responsibilities and control and right to argue on the airline policies. 

5-2: Road: Road in this part of Himalaya is rough ( very rough at some palces ) you can face land slide due to rainfall from july till mid Sep. and can be blocked for a days or more, you may miss the places expected to visit, or will visit the unexpected places, to regulate the situation the team at the spot will do the best possible at the moment. Road in India are being widen So please don’t compare the driving time as estimated in developed nation.  

5-3:  Another important factor:  

Is  that you will be travelling and trekking in the mountainous regions, most of the mountain streams are glacier linked, due to the high melting rate of glacier can raise the water level and even in sunny day road can be damaged or bridge can be washed away.  Occasional rain can be the cause of damaging the road or destabilize the scheduled itinerary.

Due to wide range of temperature and climatic conditions between summer and autumn, it is advisable to bring appropriate clothing. For protection against cold and freshness of morning and evening a layered clothing is better than a few thick ones, so choose your cloths accordingly. Cloths should be preferable be made from natural materials which allow the body to breath better. You will be offending people if you walk around in skimpy or tight fitting clothes. Although there are normally opportunities to wear shorts, it is strictly forbidden to be with short in any religious places as monasteries and temples. We would advise women to wear shirts or loose trousers, men should not wear singlet. Make sure that your clothing should be packed in poly bag inside the back pack / duffle bag etc.

While travelling during summer  and Autumns season, at higher altitude morning and evening are fresh ( even cold while bad weather  and in Autumn ) hence required a Pull over, Raincoat ( occasionally required but pack it ) a polar jacket or waterproof jacket,( Type of Gore tax)  light clothing for lower altitude, Sun hat, short and long sleeves Shirts, Loose trousers, ( wearing short is not allowed at holy spot ) a pair of good shoes, sandal, few pairs of socks, Sunglasses / Spare glasses or contact lenses, , toilet kit, A small sewing kit, Safety pins, torch or flash light with spare batteries, Camera with spare cards and batteries, battery Charger, day sac, water bottle, personal medical kit as per your medical advisor. Anti-mosquitos spray. fanny pack to keep safely your important doc as passport, insurance paper, credit cards, money , Multifunctional knife, lighters, wooden pencils and pen, string of 4-55 meters to dry the clothing or other purpose,  English –Hindi dictionary to learn the important words to greet and to communicate with locals and a note book can be useful to engrave  your memory in it .

7-1: Sleeping Bags:
For this trek you required a warm and comfortable sleeping bag (- 10  to  - 15 ° C.) should be brought matching to your size at your convenience, You can consult us in this regards before departure. 

During this trip you will be visiting highly revered Buddhist monasteries, where in morning and evening daily ritual is practiced. if you will have occasion to participate such events, you are requested to be silent, respect the rule and regulations and  subject to the permission granted by monks you can join them silently when chanting the mantras in full devotion and in deep emotion.

There will be no connectivity of foreign mobile in Ladakh area while trekking except in Delhi.  In city mobile phone will work only if you will activate the roaming services before leaving your home country. In the cities of Delhi and Leh you will find WIFI in hotels, you can use your WhatsApp where Wi-fi facilities are available.

You will be guided by a professional English speaking trekking guide. Kitchen team will be at your service with necessary items, Horse/ Ponies or porters in specific route will be carrying the load while trekking. Once reaching at campsite your assistance to team members will be appreciated to establish the camp site.

Generally, vary to different season, Ladakh remain almost rain free part of India due to its arid climate, how ever since few years Ladakh has noticed the rain due to climatic change.

Summer from Mai to August minimum can be recorded10 to 15°C and maximum can raise till is 30°C -35°C due to its high altitude deserted terrain.

In Sep. Temperature descend few degree compare to summer and occasionally in higher regions of Ladakh you can notice the fresh snow.

Pre-travel conditioning is very desirable, as more you are prepared the more you enjoy the trips. For such trekking trips required good physic. 

As we gain altitude slowly, so we get acclimatize naturally. And for the vast majority the slow ascent to height will produce minimum effects. The most important attribute for any adventure travel trip is positive attitude.

Many metropolitan cities is India are not that much conservative, but still in certain part of cities and in rural it is better to dress conservatively, One should not try to attract attention towards themselves due to their dressing style, while entering to religious site one should take off shoes, don’t dress short and half sleeves and are required to cover the head. Mobile are required to be in silent mode, hugging and kissing will shock the people hence restricted in public, To be respected, respect always local culture.

Best method to get better acclimatization to climb higher and sleep lower, Avoid rapid ascend and walk slowly. 

Don’t drink alcohol, don’t take sleeping pills and avoid smoking. 

Drink at least 3-4 litters of liquid a day. 

Don’t exhaust by carrying heavy packs, Back pack should be 10-12 kg for normal trekkers.  Respect the daily ascend of 300m-500 mtrs a over 3000m. If you have minor symptoms, better to not proceed higher. And should take aspirin tablets. But If the symptoms start worsening than prepare the immediate descend. One should keep in mind that the member should be not left behind unattended.

Please understand, there are certain hazards involved in your adventurous and culture holidays, which you must accept at your own risk. The company will not be liable for any illness major or minor injury, death sustained during neither the trip, nor it will be liable for any uninsured losses of your property and other losses during the trip.

It is strongly advise that clients take out insurance to cover the unexpected and cancellation charges: 

Itinerary / hotels are sub to change in case of strike, civil war threaten, you may be will lose expected places you have prepared for but will explore unexpected and for sure will not disappointed.

In case of Vehicle break down another mode of transport will be managed at the earliest possible, In that case you are requested to keep patience and co-operate with the situation, while travelling to rural and isolated area replacing vehicle can take time due to lack of communication or distance to pass the message with the other vehicle those who are driving toward the nearest town or the place from where one can have telephone facilities. Or from where one can be connected by Mobile phone. Also you can be transferred by the other type of vehicle whatever is available at the moment as of local bus till you will be not having the proper mode of transport.

The Company cannot be made liable for the consequences of weather condition, flight or train cancellations, war or threat of civil war, strikes, industrial action, and political unrest or any other force majeure, unusual or unforeseen circumstance. The company reserves the right to use alternate transport, or vary the itinerary if breakdown, sickness or any other force major. Any additional that result, such as extra hotel accommodation, flight or road transport will be on your charge and must be paid directly at the spot. 

Please understand, there are certain hazards involved in your adventurous holidays which you must accept at your own risk. The company will not be liable for any illness major or minor injury, death sustained during neither the trip, nor it will be liable for any uninsured losses of your property and other losses during the trip.

It is strongly advised that clients take out insurance to cover the unexpected and cancellation charges: 

When visiting the public or religious sites, please ensure that you will respect local rules, customs, and cultural norms. Avoid causing offense to the local population by entering temples or sacred places with shoes, dressing tight-fitting or overly revealing attire. If you expect to be respected one has to give first than expecting

The Himalayas have a very fragile environment and it is our special concern and Endeavour to protect and preserve the existing ecology. We are also sensitive to local cultures and traditions and make special efforts to sensitize all our clients on this matter.

Take a spacious day bag having capacity to pack the things for day use as of water bottles, camera, sun cream or medicine pack those needed etc.

21-1: Travel bag:
Take a flexible travel bag type of duffle bag. You will pack this bag with the things you don’t need during the day. While traveling the baggage will be loaded on the roof or in the back of the vehicles, hence the day use essential should be packed in day sac or day bag. 

Preparation of relief of sun burn, Lip salve, Anti septic cream, Antihistamine cream (for relief of insect bites), Anti diarrhea (flagyl or any other), Anti headach (diamox, aspirin, paracitamol, zimalgin), Anti vomiting (avomin), For stomachach (baralgan,trigan or other diagnose) Dettol, washproof dettol plaster, Bandage and cotton, Balm, Anti cramp spray, Pills to purify the water, Scissor and knife are must in the medical kit. 

According to your physical condition you are requested to consult your doctor to complete your medical kit. Apart from that HIMALAYAN FRONTIERS also provides an additional medical kit including oxygen cylinder and Diamox with each group. Special precaution is taken to pack some medicine to deal with Prevention from Altitude sickness.  

 You are requested to consult your doctor to complete your medical kit according to your physical condition before departure from your country. For trips in mountains HIMALAYAN FRONTIER also provides an additional medical kit with oxygen cylinder with each group where seems deem necessary.

India is ranked in zone 2 on the risks scale (maximum of 3) above all during the Monsoon (from June to September). To travel in zone 2 requests an anti-paludal treatment, which will be a part of the topics to consult with your doctor before your departure.  Kindly take into account that all the mosquitos are not vectors and sting only during the night, and think to bring a mosquito repellent.  

No vaccine is mandatory. However, you have to be up-to-date for classical vaccines. The typhoid, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B are strongly advised. Hepatitis A passes on water and hepatitis B transmits by sexual relations or saliva.

Vaccine against Japanese encephalitis is recommended if you travel in rural farming areas and under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis.  

Vaccine against yellow fever in only obligatory if you have travelled before in some countries of Africa and South America. 

If a trip is cancelled due to adverse weather, illness, an accident, a death, a natural disaster, or the political unrest, no refunds will be made, however we will take all necessary steps to modify the itinerary; Any additional expenses arise cause of this process, we may—if necessary—ask clients (partners) to contribute to the additional expenses occurred due to such unforeseen circumstances.  Nevertheless, we will bear any minor cost differences without bothering the customers. For more details, please consult the General Terms and Conditions on the website.

 This is mandatory for all clients travelling on any tour/ trek / expedition or independent itinerary arranged by us. You are responsible for obtaining adequate insurance covering expenses of unexpected / unforeseen circumstances as mentioned in liability paragraph, such loss or damage of baggage, medical expenses, war or threat of civil war, strikes, industrial action, political unrest or any other force majeure, unusual or unforeseen circumstance, helicopter (air or ground) rescue, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment of the itinerary.

26: Single Room Occupancy: An Individuals occupying a Dble (Twin) room for single occupancy will be automatically charged additionally as single room surcharge. This applies to groups with an odd number of participants (e.g., 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, etc.)

The custom of giving "small" tips to hotel porters is almost universal. Be sure to have some small change on hand: 50 INR per room for this service, 25 INR for solo travelers, and 100 to 200 INR per meal for restaurant waiters, depending on the size of the group. Tipping your tour drivers and guides is a different matter entirely and may be done in your national currency. The amount varies depending on the size of the group. It is nothing but is gesture of gratitude to your service

Use of any general satellite phones (Thuraya / Irridium or any others) is strictly prohibited / forbidden in India for the security reason, and also you will travelling close to Indo- Tibet border of Ladakh.  It is officially illegal and is an offence. 

Second:  Some new devices of mobile phone such as I phone  which has facilities of auto connectivity to GPS  through satellite like (type of Garmin in Reach) when you are out of reach to the  cell tower or line ,off sight radio communication. Such mobile phone /  I phone  which has facilities of auto connectivity to GPS  through satellite, we request to deactivate such services from your devices before leaving your home country and do not activate  it till you reach back home. 

Any individual found to be in possession of an unauthorized satellite phone in India or found using such services  which are forbidden by law, he / she will be liable to prosecute or can be imprisoned without any bail by Indian law and enforcement agencies.

We, The Himalayan Frontiers as your DMC will have no role and no right to intervene between the persons found guilty and the competitive authority. Matter will be directly under the supervision of the competitive authority of India..

Throughout the trip electricity will be available at every town / places but power cut can be noticed which is refilled by generators. You may need to recharge your mobile battery during the day as in vehicle there are limited distributors,  to facilitate the recharging the battery we recommend you to bring a high-capacity portable power bank to charge your mobile phones or camera battery if it happen to face such situation.

The voltage is 220V, and the outlets are almost the same as in Europe. In some locations, the power outlets feature wide sockets, so we advise you to bring an adapter.

Before any administrative procedures, please check that your passport is valid for more than 6 months after the date of return, be sure it has minimum 3 blank pages left in good condition.

To visit India you need Indian visa, E visa or ETV Visa is applied online and is more convenient and faster to obtain than classical visa, for classic visa you need to take appointment at VFS or send the documents by post which take more time than ETV. ETV can be obtain from one month to one year with options of multi entry. Following are the official website to apply the ETV:

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

To apply for visa you will complete online visa application (form), upload the copy of passport that you are travelling with, Identity photo of particular size required of Indians standards -JPEG format, visa fee must be paid online by credit card. Once uploading of required documents is complete, you will get mail back with document of granted visa within 48 hours or earlier.  Once Visa granted mail received, you must print it and present it with your plane tickets when boarding and on arrival at the Indian immigration service.