Hey there Traveler!
“The Journey not the arrival matters”, finds its true meaning to a trip such as this one !
You can look forward to truly mesmeric landscapes and crystal clear arctic blue sky during the day and star-studded nights! Interacting with locals, who are simple and humble people living in one of the coldest habitable weather conditions in the country. Whether traveling solo, with friends or family, you’ll definitely meet a lot of interesting people on this journey, some of whom you’ll remain in touch for years to come and maybe even all throughout.
Here’s a list ranging from essentials, suggestions, do’s & dont’s that’ll definitely go a long way to make your upcoming trip a safe and happy one to remember:
ID Card: Mandatory to carry a Government approved photo ID Address Proof (i.e. Aadhar/Passport/Voter’s ID/DL and not PAN CARD)
Bags: One big rucksack for clothes. A small one for medicines, tuck and other valuables and gadgets and other personal and body care essentials etc. Waist bags can be very useful and handy. (You could find all these at a reasonable price at a Decathlon Store nearby)
Medicines:
Carry Diamox (Preventive AMS drug) as long as you aren’t allergic to sulfur. You may also carry sniffing camphor tablets as it eases breathing in high altitude passes.
Medicines for a headache, fever, stomach ache, cold and cough syrup and motion sickness may be required by you too.
Also carry any other medicines, specific to your health conditions.
It’s of utmost importance that you’re absolutely fit before taking this trip, as the medical facilities available are scanty and usually not readily available. You must also take care of yourself while on the trip due to the very same reason.
Make sure you consult your family doctor before taking this trip, in case you have the slightest doubt about your fitness & health.
Clothes:
It’s best to wear layers as temperatures can change rapidly in terrains such as these. Hence wear layers, as its convenient to add/subtract layers as and when needed.
Make sure apart from your regular clothes, you are also carrying a sweater, gloves, cap (protect head and ears from cold winds), thermals and a winter jacket.
Comfortable lowers will make your journey a lot better.
Woolen socks will keep your feet warm.
Crocs/Slippers preferably which is wearable with socks.
Comfortable Walking shoes with good grip
Other personal essentials: Paper soap and hand sanitizer apart from your toiletries and other items for personal use.
Body Care:
Lip Balm: Dry and cold weather will make your lips dry. Make sure you carry glycerine, a lip balm or Vaseline.
UV sunglasses: UV rays at high altitude can be damaging for eyes. Pack yourselves good quality UV sunglasses.
Sunscreen lotion: UV rays at high altitude can be quite damaging to the skin, even during the slightest of winter, so don’t forget to carry a good quality sunscreen lotion with a rating of SPF30 or higher. One can apply it a couple of hours before going out under the sun.
Moisturising Lotion/Mustard Oil: Mustard oil can be used for moisturizing skin, putting it in your hair and for lubricating insides of nostrils, which can become quite dry and painful due to dry and cold winds. Don’t carry coconut oil as it may freeze in the high altitudes.
Eatables & Drinks:
Glucose: Small sachets of Glucon C/D is a good idea while traveling at high altitude, as it provides instant energy on the move. Carry small packs with you, which you can mix in water, even while traveling. You can even carry tablets.
Chocolates, biscuits, dry fruits and nuts: Carrying a couple of chocolates, a pack of biscuits along with dry fruits such as almonds, raisins and cashews is a good idea. These provide instant energy and easy snack and don’t take up too much space.
Gadgets:
Power Banks, Earphones/Headphones
DSLR/Go Pro/SLR/Point & Shoot & Spare Set of Batteries for Camera
Spare Memory Cards
Portable Speakers
Old School Phone (Mostly for Long lasting battery life)
Miscellaneous:
LED Torch/Headlamp
Thermos Flask/Bottle–If you’re a tea/coffee lover, this will allow you to sip as you go. Also helps to keep your water warm.
Eye Mask, Neck Pillow, Light Blanket, Ear Plugs
Book to Read/Board Games/Uno/Playing Cards
Garbage bags for soiled/wet clothes
Lock for your backpack/bag
Postcards (To post to your loved ones from the World’s highest Post Office)
Tips:
Avoid/Limit your consumption of Alcohol & Smokes as you’re heading towards higher altitudes, to avoid dehydration and uneasiness in breathing.
Sleep & Rest: It’s important to take care of your body and yourself as these trips may take a toll in case you overexert.
Water: Water is the most essential thing while traveling since dehydration can further complicate health issues at such a high altitude. So make sure you are carrying at least couple of liters of water for yourself at all times and keep drinking water at regular intervals, as it supplements the Oxygen supply to your body as well.
Food: Expect reasonably simple food at the places you’re visiting considering their remoteness. There may be a day where your only meal is a maggie/eggs.
Money: While our recommendation would be to carry enough cash you need, to avoid wasting time withdrawing cash, it may not be feasible for everyone. You’ll find an ATM or two in Kaza, but their functioning is often erratic, so it’s advisable to carry enough cash from Manali / Delhi. There are no money exchanges around.
Network Connectivity: You/Trip Captain/Driver/Hotel Or Guest HGouse Manager will have connectivity for most of your overnight stay. However not as much as during the day nor during the journey nor in Chandratal, hence it’s a good idea to keep your friends and family informed accordingly. In case of an emergency, they may contact the Trip Ambassador(not traveling on the trip), who will be in the best position to give them a status update, considering he/she is in constant touch with Trip Captain on board.
Timings: From Boarding from Delhi or elsewhere, please be critical to following these as communicated to you by Tripver or by your Trip Captain, as it is the most common and troublesome issue for Trip Captain. More so since it’s not fair to those who make it on time. Be nice to your Captain and, he/she will reciprocate to maybe even go overboard the itinerary to cover an additional place or two.
Washrooms: During the journey availability and cleanliness may be an issue and although our drivers and Trip Captain’s try to make the stops as per pre-searched or in some cases best possible judgment, these are some constraints while traveling offbeat.
Do’s & Dont’s:
Let’s keep our hills clean!
Smoking & Consumption of alcohol in the bus is strictly prohibited.
Travelers found or observed using offensive language or behavior with other travelers or any person connected to delivering the Tripver experience, under extreme cases may be terminated from the trip by the Trip Captain and blacklisted from subsequent community trips.
This is a journey of your lifetime, it’s our advice that you enjoy this trip not as a tourist but as a traveler.
Hope this helps! Sit back relax and get ready for a memorable trip and a tryst with nature.
Happy Tripping!
