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Trekking in the Sikkim Himalayas
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What to Expect of your Travels in Sikkim Sikkim is a remote mountain state only recently re-opened to foreigners. Therefore, tourism is new to the area and amenities are primitive. The appeal of Sikkim lies in its magnificent natural beauty, the charm of its people and the simplicity of their way of life. In Town This is not Relais & Chateaux country, but we do use the best of the hotels that exist in the area. Our hotels are full-service, provide abundant food, and have a charm all their own. All have electricity and hot and cold running water, but since these can never be taken for granted in India, there may be moments when the lights go out. (The hotels would then switch to their own generators.) On the Trek While the uphill walking may be tough, we place an emphasis on personal comfort. Porters and yaks carry all luggage and equipment. Trekkers need only carry a day-pack, with items such as a camera, film, sunscreen, candies, etc., if they wish. Non-trek clothes and luggage may be safely left in Gangtok and will be brought to meet the group at trek's end. We bring bed-tea each morning; hot lunches are served at makeshift dining camps of tables and chairs set up on the trail, and we enjoy hot tea and biscuits in the afternoon. Along the way, we stay in either private trekking huts, which have some amenities (albeit primitive ones,) or in our own tents. At our campsites, we provide two-man tents with sewn-in groundsheets, a dining tent, a kitchen tent, and a private toilet tent. Meals are hearty -- three courses, all you can eat -- and food is cooked according to high safety standards. Similarly, water on the trek is filtered and/or boiled. Basins of hot water are provided to those wishing to bathe. How to Prepare This is a challenging route, but it is by no means off-limits to all but the bionic. The trek does require a fair degree of stamina as well as fitness, as there are days of strenuous uphill walking. However, most of the trekking days are quite short, on paths or tracks which, while sometimes steep, are never treacherous. Trekkers set their own paces, going as fast or slowly as they wish, and with as many rest or snack stops as they wish. As long as trekkers are in reasonable physical shape, have no impeding chronic health problem and take regular exercise, the hike up toward Khangchendzonga will be rewarding. Some advance training, however, will get your mind and body geared up for the trek. Check with trainers at your local gym to establish a program of cardio-vascular workouts and leg-strengthening exercises to get you ready. For brochures, further information or questions, please contact: Ann Leibowitz |
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