Shimla is the capital of the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Naturally, it gets a lot of tourist traction during peak seasons. Moreover, many movies have also featured Shimla which has in turn brought over a crazy load of the crowd in the city. On the contrary, Manali is slightly outside the ‘touristy’ zone of the state. Although it is also visited by people across the nation, the hustle-bustle is quite less than in Shimla. Therefore, travelers who prefer natural ambiance and calmness should prefer Manali over Shimla.

A small hamlet situated on the Chamba-Mussoorie road, it is perched at an elevation of 2590m. In Hindi, ‘Kanaa’ refers to a dried-up condition. Once there was a lake in the village that dried up. As a result, the villagers now refer to this empty lake crater as ‘Kanaatal’ or a ‘Dried up Lake’. This small village is also known for its majestic Surkanda Temple, which is also one of the major ‘Shaktipeethas’ where the head of ‘Sati’ (An incarnation of Shakti or feminine power) fell. The climate of Kanaatal in summer is quite pleasant with temperatures ranging between 10-20C. In winter, this may drop below between -5 to -10C, causing frigid snowfall. During the latter, roads are often blocked by tremendous snowfall and are therefore not favorable for travel.

A pass is a connecting corridor that exists between two adjacent mountains. Since ancient times mountains are one of the significant barriers that have stood unshaken amidst the historical trading routes. The mountain passes have been providing the navigating routes for these pathways. A pass forms naturally as a result of erosion. It uses other geological components like the saddle (the highest point between adjacent mountains). A pass is also characterized by its general steep slope, below which it is quite common to get a glimpse of river drainage basins.

First and foremost suitcases are a no, no!  Wrap your trek stuff in backpacks or rucksacks that 

• Fits well on you back and keep your hands free while hiking. 
• The capacity of backpack will depend on the weight you need which in turn will depend on the duration of your trip-for example for a weekend trip use a 30-50 ltr pack.
• Buy external frame backpacks if you are carrying oversize tents etc.  Internal frame backpacks are for trips on uneven terrain.  Frameless backpacks are for ones who hike shorter distances and in a faster pace.
• Some backpacks come with mesh like ventilation for sweaty backs.
• There is a sleeping bag compartment at the bottom of the backpack that can be open without unloading other stuff.  
• Rain covers will come handy during monsoon treks. 
• Some shovel pockets for things like maps and elasticized side pockets for water bottles are preferable options to finalize  a backpack for your trekking trip.

These are giant-sized tents that are capable of housing 8-10 persons at a time. The tent walls consist of double-layered material. This keeps the tent insulated. At the center of the tent lies a long cylindrical pole for supporting the frame. These tents can be made up of various ranges of materials depending upon which, the weight of the structure is determined. Usually, the weight of these tents ranges between 40-80 kgs. 

Before venturing out solo, ask yourself a few questions. Assess your capability and your experience level. Most importantly, ask yourself if you are physically and mentally ready for a slightly different experience. If the inner call is positive, go ahead! 

It is the third highest peak in the world. You will be astonished to know that Kanchenjunga is actually a massif that consists of several peaks. Divided into four summits namely, the Kanchenjunga West (8505 m), Kanchenjunga South (8494 m), and the Kangbachen (7903 m), this massif is a marvel of nature. The name Kanchenjunga literally means ‘Five treasures of the snow. The base camp of this trek is a part of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. The locals consider this land to be sacred and therefore they respect each and every organism that resides in it. The pristine ecosystem is thronged by vulnerable animals like the Red Panda, Snow Leopards, and a plethora of other organisms as well. The whole trek to the summits can take a minimum of ten weeks to complete as the trail is suitable for advanced trekkers. In fact, some professional climbers often claim the trail to be congruently dangerous to Mt. Everest. So, if you are planning to summit the peaks of Kanchenjunga, you should have athlete-level fitness as you can expect everyday walks that may extend up to ten hours in frigid terrain. 

The Kedarkantha trek of Uttarakhand should not be confused with Kedarnath. This trek involves the beauty of Govind Wildlife Sanctuary and is embellished with Himalayan lakes, and clusters of Oaks, Pines, and Rhododendrons. The crystal clear frozen Juda ka Talab and the sound of slushy snow under your trekking boots. It is said that the throat of Lord Shiva, disguised as a bull, fell here. Hence, the name. A trekker can enjoy the snowfall between the months of December to March. Moreover, you can also get a glimpse of the local culture of Sankri village on the trail. Overall, the trek is an easy one and you can enjoy the marvelous views of the Himalayas at every moment on it.

A good trekking company provides enough time for tourists to enjoy the beauty of a place. They are in no hurry and it also helps tourists to acclimatize to higher altitude climates. All of this is ensured while framing a strategically planned itinerary. So, while choosing a trekking company, it’s necessary to look into the itineraries, which will give you a direct reflection if the company is serious about a wholesome trekking experience.