5 amazing treks we lost to Guided Trekking Companies in 2016

This is worth sharing with all the fellow and wannabe Trekkers!

WANDER THE HIMALAYAS

5-treks-we-lost-to-guided-trekking-companies1To be clear, we are mostly talking about the proliferation of Guided Trekking Companies which has changed the ecological landscape of the Himalayas. This post isn’t an indictment of Guided Trekking culture as a whole. Rather, it comes from a concern many independent Trekkers feel strongly about.

While a majority of people trek independently in the western countries, the same cannot be said for here. In India, trekking is still at an antecedent stage, largely dependent on Trek Operators. The “worry free” wilderness experience these Organizers offer has not necessarily helped in developing a true trekking culture. The clients are relatively inexperienced and require a thorough handholding. A lot of resources are put forth by the Trek Organizers to cater to the creature comforts of the clients.

Out of this niche, a very small fraction of people have learned to trek independently. The numbers are dismal. This dependency works in favor…

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10 thoughts on “5 amazing treks we lost to Guided Trekking Companies in 2016”

  1. This is sad indeed! I haven’t been to the Himalayas yet but I have been trekking around Sahyadri fairly regularly. Even though the impact of Guided treks is not immediately apparent here in Maharashtra, it is beginning to affect those of us who trek independently. Every weekend the forts and trails are swarmed by a motley group of people from all walks of life who think they they have no responsibility to maintain the sanctity of the place or care about the environment. It pains me to see plastic wrappers thrown in water tanks on forts which has rendered them unfit for drinking and thus put paid to any chance of doing a self sufficient range trek because you have to depend on the villages for drinking water. The trekking groups are partly to be blamed here for it is a vicious cycle that they aren’t willing to end for the fear of losing lucrative clients who are not fit for trekking on their own, mentally as well as physically.
    Hope better sense prevails!

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    1. Indeed it’s sad to hear that trekking groups are being so irresponsible. I often wonder how can people be so careless and not think about the damage they are causing to the environment and the place. While some are unaware of their action, other are being callous! I will recommend you to at least do some thing to make these and people aware. Next time, you find trash thrown around, click few picture, print them and send them to the registered address or email these companies. Also, contact local newspaper for the story. It’s important to spread the message and make people aware about their action. I’m sure, it’ll help. Every step counts! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience.

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  2. Absolutely! The local newspapers do run articles periodically highlighting the damage being done to these fragile monuments and I ‘ll continue to do my bit by posting pictures of the litter thrown around trails on my blog as and when possible!

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