What is Trekking ? Types of Trekking - Full details
What is Trekking ?
Trekking is more about walking on uneven and rough surfaces. Trekking allows you to find your endurance and capabilities. Everyone has a different point of view in regard with trekking. Some do it for fun, some do it for mental and physical well being, and some do it to explore the beauty of nature. The nature and duration of the trek differs from trek to trek. Some may be done in just one day, some takes more than a week. Trekking is often more challenging, it challenges you physically, mentally and emotionally. The gradient of the trek may be easy, moderate or hard. Trekking makes one physically and mentally fit.
Types of trekking -
There are different types of trekking, we are covering only the main types of trekking.
1. Easy - This type of trek is usually for beginners. The gradient of the trek is easy. Anyone can do this type of trek. This treks are short is duration, (these may be of one or two days trek). This type of treks usually need no guide. You can do these types of treks on your own. Examples of some of the easy treks in Uttarakhand :- Lama top trek, Sat tal trek, Dayara Bugyal trek, Valley of flowers trek.
 |
| Lama top, trek level : easy |
2. Moderate : This type of trek need basic knowledge of trekking. Beginners can also do this type of trek. The terrain may be rough and uneven. This type of trek need guide also. The duration of the trek may be of three- four days. Examples of some the the moderate treks in Uttarakhand are - Kyarkoti Trek, Gaumukh trek, Jhinda Bugyal trek.
 |
| Jhinda bugyal, trek level : moderate |
3. Difficult :- This types of trek need physical and mental capabilities. The terrain may be difficult for trekkers. Permit or passes are necessary for this type of treks. Examples are kedartal, tapovan, auden col etc.
 |
| Sahastra tal, trek level : difficult |
What to take for a trek ?
Some of the most important things to carry for a trek includes :-
1. Trekking shoes
2. Tents & sleeping bags
3. Water bottle and energy bars
4. Hiking pole and torch lights
5 . First aid
How to choose the Best time to visit ?
 |
| Kyarkoti, Month : August |
Every trek has a suitable time to visit. Best time is that that time where " the trek or location is on its peak beauty". Different treks has different "best time to visit ". For example Kedartal, is best seen during the months of Sept - Nov. In the months of Dec- May, the trail is full of snow, making it hard to reach the kedartal. In the months of July- Aug, there are high chances of landslides and rainfall. In this way, you can choose the right time to visit a trek.
Uttarakhand - The land of beautiful Treks
The beauty of Uttarakhand is known to everyone. This beautiful state also offers the beautiful and mesmerizing treks. Some of the treks here, are well known to everyone, while some others are still unknown. Here is the list of some of the beautiful-trekking destinations in Uttarakhand :-
1. Kedarkantha Trek
2. Chopta Tungnath Trek
3. Valley of flowers Trek
4. Kedartal Trek
5. Gaumukh - Tapovan Trek
6. Jhinda Bugyal Trek
7. Kyarkoti Trek
8. Brhamital Trek
9. Awana Bugyal Trek
10. Sahastra Tal Trek
Trekking on your own vs Trekking with agencies
There are no. of treks, that you can do your own or with your friends. For some treks you need to hire a guide or an agency.
Trekking solo: if you're trekking solo, you have to make an arrangement of every single thing that is much or less needed for trekking. You must have to be aware of the trekking route and duration. Suppose if you're going for a one day trek, things you need for one day trek :-
1. Tents & sleeping bags & rucksack (45-65ltr)
2. Trekking shoes, inner wear, and warm clothes
3. Hiking pole, torch lights & powerbanks
4. Food, vegetables and snacks
5. Knife, utensils & water bottles.
Trekking with agencies : some of the treks cannot be done on your own, for that you need to contact an agency. You have to pay the agency for a trek, trekking charges differs from agencies to agencies. Thereby , it is the responsibility of the agency to make all possible arrangements for you. Things you need to carry, if you're trekking through any agency :-
1. Hiking shoes, clothes
2. Energy bars & hiking poles
3. Water bottle
4. Torchlights & powerbanks
5. Light trekking bag ( 25ltr)
Advantages of trekking
> physically and mentally fit
> exploring & social gathering
> study mother nature
> overall body development
> social experience
Disadvantages of trekking
> leg cramps and headaches
> mountains are unpredictable
> fear of heights (acrophobia)
> AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) is common at heights
> less or extreme injury runs parallel in mountains
What does trekking offers other than just walking ?
> 360° views of snowcapped mountains.
> trails thorough beautiful streams, landscapes and forests.
> camping & bonfires.
> photography, videography and vlogging.
> exploring wide range of flora and fauna.
> know more about the place.
> social gathering.
Question Related to Trekking !
1. Which states in India are famous for trekking - Uttarakhand & Himachal Pradesh
2. Best trekking shoes - Quechua, Columbia, Salomon.
3. Best Backpack for trek - MT-100 trekking backpack , Forclaz 50 travel backpack.
4. Best trek in Uttarakhand -har ki dun, kedarkantha, chopta- tungnath, kedartal, tapovan
5. Cheap treks in Uttarakhand : kyarkoti, Dayara Bugyal , Jhunda Bugyal, valley of flowers.
6. Expensive treks in Uttarakhand - kedartal, kedarkantha, Audens col, Gaumukh- Tapovan, Har ki dun, Brahmatal, Satopanthlake