There are a wide variety of
trekking possibilities which have, as of
yet, been barely exploited. The Himachal
Pradesh Tourist Office can supply a booklet
titled Trekkers Guide Himachal Pradesh which
concentrates on treks in the Kulu and Manali
area. They also have three excellent large
scale maps of Himachal Pradesh which are
invaluable for intending trekkers. The
trekking season in Himachal Pradesh runs
from mid-May to mid-October. In Manali there
is a Department of Mountaineering and Allied
Sports which can advise you on trekking
possibilities in the state and also on the
numerous unscaled peaks.
Equipment and provisions will depend very
much on where you trek, In the lower country
in the Kulu or Kangra Valleys or around
Simla there are many rest houses and
villages. On the other hand in Lahaul and
Spiti the population is much less dense and
conditions much more severe. You will need
to be much better equipped in terms of cold
weather gear and also food and provisions.
Some of the better known treks are detailed
in the appropriate sections. There are a
great number of Forest Rest Houses, PWD Rest
Houses and other semiofficial accommodation
possibilities along the Himachal Pradesh
trekking routes. Enquire at local tourist
offices before setting off about using these
places.
The HPTD's Trekking Guide lists 136
mountains over 5000 metres high. The
majority of them are unclimbed, most not
even named. It's virgin territory for
mountaineers.
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