Backpacking OR Trekking combines hiking and camping in a single trip. A backpacker hikes into the backcountry to spend one or more nights there, and carries supplies and equipment to satisfy sleeping and eating needs.

Hiking : Hiking is a form of walking, undertaken with the specific purpose of exploring and enjoying the scenery. It usually takes place on trails in rural or wilderness areas.

Camping : Camping is an outdoor recreational activity, in which the campers get away from civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or more nights at a campsite. They may use a tent, a primitive structure, or no shelter at all. Camping is often restricted by law to designated sites in order to prevent campers from damaging the environment.

Reasons for Trekking

People are drawn to backpacking primarily for recreation, to explore places that they consider beautiful and fascinating, many of which cannot be accessed in any other way. A backpacker can travel deeper into remote areas, away from people and their effects, than a day-hiker can. However, backpacking presents more advantages besides distance of travel. Many weekend trips cover routes that could be hiked in a single day, but people choose to backpack them anyway, for the experience of staying overnight.

Uttarakhand/ Uttaranchal Treks

Trek Name Season Duration Garhwal Treks Buwani Trek Nov-Feb 2 Days Neelkanth Trek Jan-Mar, Sep-Dec 3 Days Nagtibba Trek Feb-Nov. 6 Days Dodital Trek Feb-June, Aug-Nov 5 Days Yamunotri Trek Feb-June, Aug-Nov 9 Days Panwalikantha Trek Monsoon 8 Days Kedarnath Trek May-Jun, Sep-Oct 7 Days Madhyamaheshwar Trek Oct-Nov, Aug 5 Days Madhyamaheshwar Trek (Second Option) Oct-Nov, Aug 5 Days Tungnath and Chandrashila Peak May-Jun, Aug-Sep 2 Days Rudranath and Kalpeshwar Oct-Nov 5 Days Mussoorie Trek (THE PARI TIBBA RIDGE CIRCUIT) Oct-May 3 Days Mussoorie Trek (THE BENOG TIBBA RIDGE CIRCUIT) Oct-May 3 Days Mussoorie Trek (BHADRAJ FOREST AND TEMPLE) Apr-Post Monsoon 3 Days Valley of Flowers Trek May-Nov 4 Days Binsar Trek Jan-Dec 5-7 Days Khatling Glacier Trek Apr-Nov 13 Days Panch Kedar Trek Apr-Nov 15 Days Ali & Bedni Bugyal Trek Monsoon, Jun-Sep 4 Days Kumaon Treks Pindari Glacier Trek May-June, Sep-Oct 6 Days Kafni Glacier Trek May-June, Sep-Oct 7 Days Milam Glacier Trek May-June, Sep-Oct 8 Days Sunderdhunga Glacier Trek May-June, Sep-Oct 8 Days Panchchuli Glacier Trek Summer 7 Days Jim Corbett National Park Trek Oct-May 6-8 Days

Himachal Treks

Trek Name Season Duration Manali - Chamba - Sach Pass May-June & Sep-Oct 9 Days Bharmaur - Kugti - Udaipur - Manali Trek May-June 7 Days Dharamsala - Nayagaon Trek June-Oct 10 Days Kinner Kailash Parikrama May-Sep 5 Days Manali- Hamya Herbal Trek June-Sep. 8 Days Blue Poppy Trek (Miyar Valley-Lahoul) July - Sep. 10 Days Fairy Tale Trek (Chandra Valley-Lahoul) July-Sep 8 Days Spiti trek (Spiti Valley) July-Sep 5-7 Days Cannabis Sativa (Bhang) Trek June-Oct 8 Days Baijnath - Bara Bhangal- Dalhousie Trek May-June & Sep-Oct 11 Days Indrahar- Minkiani Pass Circuit Trek May-June & Sep-Oct 10 Days Mcleodganj- Triund- Illaqua Gote- Mcleodganj May-Nov 7 Days Barot- Dansar Lake- Chhota Bhangal May-June & Sep-Oct 5 Days Baijnath- Holi (Ravi Valley) over Jalsu Pass May-June & Sep-Oct 7 Days Dharamsala- Chhota Bhangal over Sari Pass Kullu May-June & Sep-Oct 8 Days Wild Trek (Kullu Valley) May-June & Aug-Nov 6 Days Chander Trail (Kullu Valley) May-June & Sep-Oct 6 Days Malana History Trek(Kullu Valley) May-June & Aug-Oct 6 Days Hamta Trek May-June & Aug-Oct 5 Days Dharamsala- Minkiani Pass Chamba June-Oct 7 Days Morchella Trek June-Oct 10 Days Malana History Trek(Kullu Valley)-IInd Option May-June & Aug-Sep 7 Days Dharmsala- Indrahara Pass- Bharmaur June-Oct 8 Days Sanga Hub (Sangla - Kanda) Trek June -Sep 3 Days Sanga Hub Trek-IInd Option May-June & Sep-Oct 5-10 Days Beas Kund Trek June - Oct 6 Days Bhirgu Lake Trek July -Oct 6 Days Manimahesh Lake Trek June -Oct 3-4 Days Jalori Pass Trek May-Nov 3-8 Days Dalhousie- Khajjiar- Chamba Trek July -Oct 6 Days

Responsible Trekking/ Hiking

Trekking/ Hiking is a recreational experience, trekkers expect it to be pleasant. Sometimes trekkers can interfere with each others' enjoyment, or that of other users of the land, but they can minimize this interference by following good etiquette. For example: When two groups of trekkers meet on a steep trail, there may be contention for use of the trail. To avoid conflict, a custom has developed in some areas whereby the group moving uphill has the right-of-way. In other situations, the larger of the two groups will usually yield to the smaller. Being forced to hike much faster or slower than one's natural pace can be annoying, and difficult to maintain consistently. More seriously, walking unnaturally fast dramatically increases fatigue and exhaustion, and may cause injury. If a group splits between fast and slow trekkers, the slow trekkers may be left behind or become lost. A common custom is to encourage the slowest trekker to trek in the lead and have everyone match that speed. Another custom is to have an experienced trekker sweep up the rear, to ensure that everyone in the group is safe and nobody straggles. Trekkers often enjoy the silence and solitude of their surroundings. Loud sounds, such as shouting or loud conversation, disrupt this enjoyment. Some trekkers purposely avoid loud sounds, out of deference to other trekkers. Staying quiet will also increase the likelihood of encountering wildlife. (This is a hazard if dangerous animals are present; see "Personal safety hazards".) Trekkers sometimes trespass onto private property from public land or rights of way (easements). Such trespass can alienate the property owners and (in countries where rights of way are not protected by law) close down trekking rights-of-way. To maximize trekking opportunities for everyone, most trekkers will either stay on public land and easements, or solicit permission from property owners. Staying on well-marked trails avoids the possibility of trespass. Tree branches or other vegetation often hang low across trails. A passing trekker may cause a tree branch to snap back in the face of a trekker behind. While it is courteous to warn following trekkers if a branch is likely to snap back, it is every trekker's responsibility to allow enough space between himself and the trekker ahead to avoid the hazard. When two groups of trekkers meet, it is considered a common courtesy to exchange greetings (either verbal or physical (e.g. smiles and friendly nods)). To pass another group without such acknowledgement is seen as rude.