guided hikes – Page 18

October 16, 2013October 16, 2013

Kuari Pass Trek, India

Of many problematic, imperfect options in the Indian Himalaya (end of October), looks like I will sign on for a guided hike with Red Chilli Adventures out of Rishikesh.

The trek over the Kuari (“doorway“) Pass was the route followed by Shipton and Tilman and other mountaineers en route to the peaks on the Indo-Tibetan border. It is also called the Curzon Trail as the famous former Viceroy of India also traveled this route in 1905.(Some say Curzon abandoned that adventure after being attacked by wild bees.)

Frank Smythe:

“We breasted the slope and halted, silent on the path. No words would express our delight. The Himalayas were arrayed before us in a stupendous arc“. (1931)

Cost is about $600 for this 8 day itinerary – Kuari Pass (PDF)

Because myself and the other client are not acclimatized to altitude, we’ll start low. Climb up to see the second highest mountain in India, Nandi Devi.

We start Oct 18th. Red Chili is the #1 trekking agency in Rishikesh. This is their #1 trek for international visitors.

Trip reports:
• Araib Hasan
• Orange Rucksack

See photos on flickr tagged “Kuari”

October 13, 2013October 12, 2013

Manaslu Circuit Teahouse Trek

Nepali Times is reporting that the entire Manaslu Circuit can now be done without a tent:

… The Manaslu Circuit Trek, which actually circumnavigates Manaslu (8,163m), is fast gaining popularity as an alternative to the beaten trails of Everest and Annapurna. It is touted to be the new jewel in the crown of Himalayan trekking and for good reason too.

For one, we thoroughly enjoyed the diversity of terrain that we traversed. After a bumpy jeep ride on mud and rock-laden tracks from Dhadingbesi to the start of the trail at Arughat, we hiked valleys with the roaring Budhi Gandaki as a constant companion, through primeval rainforests, before emerging into the barren sub-alpine terrain on the approach to Larke La (5,135m), while in the shadow of Annapurna, Ganesh Himal, and Manaslu. …

read more …

Internet has come to Manaslu. Reports are that it’s now working.

That’s good and bad, of course. But I did enjoy being able to keep in touch while trekking the Everest region.

I could be in Nepal in November, prime trekking season.

As I understand it, a Restricted Area Permit: US$ 50 per week through a registered trekking agent is required. Minimum 2 people. With 1 guide.

Also:

• Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit: NRs. 2,000 (approx 20 Euro or US$30)

• Annapurna Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit: NRs. 2,000 (approx 20 Euro or US$30)

I’ll check all that on the ground in Nepal. I’d prefer an independent trek.

October 12, 2013October 11, 2013

Nanda Devi East Base Camp Trek

by site editor Rick McCharles

Sadly, I don’t think I’ll get to see Nanda Devi this trip. I arrived too late in the season.

It looks awesome, though. I’ll be back for a good 3 weeks to do it right. Best months are September through mid-October.

The best photo trip report I’ve found was by Kiran Chakravadhanula from Bangalore:

… Nanda Devi (7,816 m, 25,643 ft) is the second highest mountain in India and is located in the state of Uttarakhand. …

The main summit stands guarded by a barrier ring comprising some of the highest mountains in the Indian Himalayas, twelve of which exceed 6,400 m or 21,000 ft in height. The interior of this almost insurmountable ring is known as the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, and is protected as the Nanda Devi National Park. Nanda Devi East lies on the eastern edge of that ring …

We are a team of five. Meera and I, Lakshman the guide, Gangaram the cook and Nathuram the horseman. We buy all supplies to last us 9 days at Kathgodham. Not everything is available at Munsiyari. We need the horse to carry some of the heavier stuff. …

Nanda Devi East Base Camp Trek: Days 1,2,3

Devi 2

See the rest of Kiran Chakravadhanula’s photos:

• Days 4,5

• Day 6

• Day 7,8,9

Contact him if interested in his high resolution versions: kiranchakra (a) gmail.com

October 11, 2013October 16, 2013

Dodi Tal and Yamunotri Trek, India

by site editor Rick McCharles

Lonely Planet Trekking in the Indian Himalaya:

Seasoned trekkers will testify that the Himalaya Range of Uttarakhand offers many spectacular opportunities …

Yet, for some inexplicable reason, Uttarakhand attracts only a handful of trekkers each season, making it one of the best kept secrets in the Himalaya. …

… Seems to me it’s logistics keeping most away.

It was easy for me to fly to Dehradun, the travel hub of Uttarakhand. Yet to actually get trekking from here is not so easy.

So far I’m leaning towards Dodi Tal and Yamunotri. It’s already late in the season. My first choice — Nanda Devi — is even more logistically challenging.

If you’ve trekked Uttarakhand, and have advice for me, leave a comment.

Dehradun
… bus to Rishikish (1hr)

Rishikish
… bus to Uttarkashi (7hrs)
… bus to Sangam Chatti (1hr)

Dodi Tal and Yamunotri trek to Hanuman Chatti (4 days)

Hanuman Chatti bus to Mussoorie (6hrs)
… bus back to Dehradun (1hr)

I’m even considering guided hikes in Uttarakhand.

Probably less enjoyable, but I’d love somebody else making the travel arrangements.

UPDATE: In the end, I decided on a guided trek to Kuari Pass. MIGHT do Dodi Tal and Yamunotri after I complete Kuari.

September 23, 2013September 20, 2013

7 Great Walks of Tasmania

Tasmania has always been one of the world’s best kept secrets. It has unique natural beauty, abundant wildlife, unspoilt wilderness and sophisticated food and wine.

The Great Walks of Tasmania is a collection of independent guided walk companies offering unforgettable experiences in Tasmania’s most inspiring and extraordinary locations. They combine the best of Tasmanian wilderness walking with excellent guiding, unique accommodation and offer delicious Tasmanian food and wine along the way. Together their walks cover over 300km of Tasmania’s prime walking tracks.

Variety abounds and there is a walk for every fitness level and time frame; choose for example a 23km walk over 4 days or an 80 km walk over 9 days. Relax in elegant standing camps or tents or stay in an award winning walkers lodge or huts. Prices range from AU$1,095 to AU$2,600 so there is a walk to suit everyone. …

details

(via Discover Tasmania)

September 7, 2013September 2, 2013

Laugavegur trek, Iceland

James Handlon signed on with adventure travel company Arctic Adventures to finally trek Laugavegur.

After several hours of bumpy off-roading we finally arrived late in the day at the Landmannalaugar campsite, a weird mix of surreal landscape, Glastonbury Music Festival and refugee camp all thrown together creating the most bizarre of places to start a trek .…

Gorgeous.

Read his entire trip report following the links from the bottom of THE LAUGAVEGUR ICELANDIC TREK – DAY 1 page.

September 6, 2013

Overland Track, Tasmania

It’s on our list of top 10 hikes in the World. It’s on many top 10 lists.

What’s it all about?

Discover Tasmania calls this the best Overland tramping video they’ve ever seen. Kids, rain, mud, snow … and plenty of FUN on a family adventure. 🙂

Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.
http://vimeo.com/30842951

If interested in making the pilgrimage to Tasmania yourself, check our NEW Overland information page.

It’s been updated with advice from local expert Warwick Sprawson.

September 5, 2013September 4, 2013

Polar bear attacks hiker

… pulled from his tent and attacked by a polar bear in Torngat Mountains National Park in northern Labrador.

Matt Dyer, a lawyer from Maine, was badly injured during the attack at around 1:30 a.m. AT on July 24. …

The bear ripped through the electric fence the group had set up around their campsite that night.

When the campers realized what was happening, they acted quickly and fired flares to try to scare the bear away. …

Parks Canada strongly advises visitors to hire an armed bear guard during their stay, but it is not mandatory.

The Inuit bear guards are hired through the Nunatsiavut base camp set up within the park.

However, Castaneda-Mendez said his group was never offered the armed bear guard, and said that the outfitter they hired insisted it was not necessary. He said his group was under the impression the portable electric fence was an adequate deterrent. …

CBC

August 13, 2013August 3, 2014

Dientes de Navarino, Patagonia

The most southern hike in the world on the Chilean Isla Navarino leads you off the beaten track and through unspoiled nature and wild landscapes of Tierra del Fuego, far away from civilization.

From Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino we prepare ourselves for this unique hike around the “Dientes de Navarino” – mountain chain. During this hike we will walk through mystical southern beech forests, cross vast snowfields and have an impressive view over the Beagle channel. …

Dates 2013-14
16-nov – 22-nov-2013
13-dic – 19-dic-2013
15-jan – 21-jan-2014
12-feb – 18-feb-2014

Other departure dates on request.

Price per person (Based on double occupancy)
USD 1890.-

read more …

Check out Dientes information page.

August 2, 2013

researching Manaslu Circuit

The Manaslu Trek (or Manaslu Circuit Trek) is a 14-day tea-house trek which circumnavigates the 8th highest peak in the world (8,156 m). …

The trek is much easier than it used to be with greatly improved trails along the Budi Gandaki river gorge. In terms of difficulty, it is comparable with the Annapurna Circuit Trek or Everest Base Camp trek. Its highlight is undoubtedly the spectacular unhindered views of Manaslu.

Just over 2,000 people complete the trek per year with more than half visiting in October. This is substantially fewer than visiting Annapurna, Everest or Langtang. There are two main reason for the fewer numbers.

The first reason is that the trek used to require camping, as there were too few tea-houses …

The second reason is that the trek has restricted area status. This means it requires a special permit … that the group have two or more members and that a registered trekking guide accompanies the group.

wikitravel