Hiking and trekking share similarities, but they have key differences:

Similarities:

• Both are outdoor activities in nature.
• They can last two or more days.

Differences:

• Hiking typically involves walking on established trails and returning to a base or designated spot each day.
• Trekking often takes you into more remote or wild areas, and you adapt to the terrain and environment as you go, sometimes without a clear base to return to each night.

There isn’t any one golden rule for trekking. But, here are a few golden rules that trekkers go by:

1. Leave No Trace (No one needs to know you were there!)
2. Plan and Prepare (Fail to plan? Plan to fail!)
3. Respect Nature and Local Cultures (Tread Lightly, you’re a guest!)
4. First (Better safe than stranded!) 
5. Travel in Groups (Solo adventures? Not as fun when you're lost!)

The following are the best exercises for trekking:

• Squats (Builds strength in your quads, hamstrings, and glutes.)
• Walking lunges (Improves balance, stability, and lower body strength.)
• Single-leg deadlift (Strengthens your lower back, hamstrings, and glutes.)
• Step-up (Strengthens your quads, hamstrings, and glutes.)
• Plank (Enhances your core stability.)

You can turn back from any point you like, no one will force you to continue. We ensure there are enough team members in the team if a situation like this arises. Some members will descend with you and you will be safely dropped at the Base village. Note here that any money will not be refunded and you will pay for your accommodation from the base village to your return destination.

Yes. You can trek if you are on your menstrual cycle, but you should take extra precautions for a safe and fulfilling trek experience. Here are some points to keep in mind:

• Bring sufficient sanitary products, such as pads, tampons, or menstrual cups, depending on your preference. Consider bringing a few extra in case of unexpected needs or delays.
• Carry biodegradable wet wipes or a gentle cleanser to maintain personal hygiene. Bring hand sanitizer and tissues as access to water may be limited in certain areas.
• Wearing moisture-wicking and breathable clothing will reduce discomfort. Change pads or tampons regularly to avoid irritation and maintain comfort while trekking.
• If you have cramps bring over-the-counter pain relief medication, such as ibuprofen. Also, consider using a hot water bottle or heat patch if needed.
• Dispose of used sanitary pads or tampons responsibly. Carry eco-friendly, resealable ziplock bags or specialized sanitary disposal bags. Store the used items until you can dispose of them in a proper trash bin. Don’t leave any waste in nature, as it harms the environment.
• If you're comfortable, a menstrual cup can be convenient for trekking. It’s reusable, can hold more flow, and doesn’t need multiple disposable products. Clean it in a safe and sanitary way during the trek.
• Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet to help with energy levels and menstrual symptoms. High-altitude trekking dehydrates you faster, so drink water regularly. Trekking Compass provides suitable options for disposing of used sanitary products, so you shouldn’t worry about it.

We have female trek leaders working for us and we understand your desire to be led by one, but it’s not possible for us to disclose the treks assigned to different trek leaders. Rest assured, no matter the trek leader (a male or a female), they will both maintain the utmost safety for you.

Send us (Trekking Compass) a detailed account of the foods you are allergic to and we will adjust things accordingly. You should inform us before the trip begins, at least 25 days before the trip’s start date.

High-altitude treks are challenging, even for adults, therefore a child needs to be both mentally and physically prepared for the trek. These are some definitive ways to do it:

1. Physical Conditioning: For trekking, regularly involve your child in walking, exercising (squats and lunges), running, swimming, or biking. This will help them build strength and stamina.
2. Gradual Acclimatization: Start with shorter, easier treks, and the child gets familiar with high altitudes. Their body will adjust to the lower oxygen levels and reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
3. Hydration Habits: High altitudes dehydrate the body faster, so teach your child about the importance of hydration. Make it your child’s habit to regularly drink water on the trek.
4. Mental Preparation: Educate the child on extreme conditions they might face on the trek like tiredness or cold weather. Build resilience in the child to keep them positive and lively during challenges.
5. Pack Smart: The child should be taught to pack efficiently wherein some essentials like warm clothing, water, snacks, and a small first-aid kit are important. Keeping the backpack light will make the trekking experience more enjoyable for them.
6. Layering and Gear: Introduce them to apt trekking gear and adapt them to wearing layers. They should have a sturdy pair of hiking shoes, a cap for protection from the sun, and layered clothing.

You should wait a while, if not, you can contact us at trekkingcompass@gmail.com. We will ensure that all your queries are resolved.

Booking a trek with Trekking Compass is summed up in the below steps:

1. Firstly, register an account on the Trekking Compass website. Here, you’ll fill in your name, contact, and other information to make it easier for us to get a hold of you.
2. Next, you will go to the trek page you prefer. Here choose the date and month from the available dates and click on the 'Book Now.'
3. Hereon, you’ll be asked for the payment. You can pay the booking fee or full payment and then the payment method.
4. After the payment, you will receive a confirmation email from Trekking Compass on your registered email ID.
5. For more queries, you can contact us at trekkingcompass@gmail.com.

You can register an account with Trekking Compass by clicking the ‘Create Account’ icon on the homepage. All you need to register an account with Trekking Compass is:

• Your Name
• Email or Phone Number
• Password (make it strong!)

The other way is to register while booking a trek.

A trekker needs to be fit and in good health. Regular stretching, working out and breathing exercises 2-3 weeks before the beginning of your trek can prove a great deal.

Trek dates and routes reflected on the calendar of Trekking Compass are fixed. A customized itinerary and dates can also be planned out for a group of people.

Absolutely. Trekkers should carry medicines for specific medical conditions. Trekking Compass group leaders have a general medical kit containing basic first aid tools and medicines for general sickness and conditions.

The available drinking water is from the freshwater streams. It is clean to drink but you can ask your Trekking Guide and our support team for safe drinking water (Boiled at 100 degrees).

Trekking Compass serves trekkers and travelers with locally grown stock of grains and vegetables of Uttarakhand.

Good quality breathable, water resistant, high-ankle hiking shoes are a must as a trekker will have to walk through the mountain trails in snow and rain.

We have mules and porters for carrying camping equipment and food stock. Ideally, trekkers need to carry their rucksack hence it is advised to choose the right size of your backpack and to carry only the essentials. If a trekker fails to carry his/her l.uggage, a porter/mule can be arranged in exchange for suitable payment. This payment is exclusive of the trek payment that you paid us (Trekking Compass)

A complete list of all necessary things to carry is mentioned in the book and on the Trek page of the Trekking Compass website. Before the beginning of the trek, we will inform you by mail as well about all that the trekkers are required to carry with them.

We welcome women trekkers to trek with Trekking Compass. Ensuring safety for our women trekkers is highly important to us and we are striving to do the best we can.

Usually, our trekking group size is a maximum of 15 people in one group, while for school students, a maximum of 50 people in one group.
 

Trekking Compass tour guides are experienced mountaineers who come from high mountain regions and know the trek route very well. If any adverse situation due to climate change arises, our team leader will bring back the entire team safely to the base camp or safer campsites.

Till 3000 meters there shouldn’t be any problem for a person. It’s still advisable to consult your doctor beforehand.

Every day trekkers walk for a minimum of 5 km to a maximum of 15 km. The duration of each trek route depends on variations in altitude (low to high) and the nature of the mountain.

A trek’s expertise level depends on the altitudinal variation, topography of the destination, effect of climatic attributions, and atmospheric oxygen level. Generally, trek levels are of 3 basic category. 

1. Easy, 
2. Easy to Moderate, 
3. Moderate to Difficult.

For Trekkers who enjoy trekking in winter, the months of October to March are a great time to enjoy snow-capped peaks and trek routes. The summertime trekkers are welcome from April to June. Lovers of wild flora and fauna and lush green nature will surely enjoy monsoon trekking in August and September.

Age is not a barrier for trekkers in good health. Moreover, we at Trekking Compass encourage senior trekkers to trek with us. We have special treks designed for seniors keeping the trek levels from easy to moderate. Please consult our website for details of such short treks.