So, you find you've got 10 days of vacation and you want to head out for a trek - or maybe even a rafting expedition. You scour the net. And you find something strange ... the same trip seems to be priced differently by different operators. Why should one operator charge ₹21,500 and another ₹56,000 for what sounds like the same trip? The Chadar trek is after all the Chadar trek right? Wrong.
How do you pick the operator that is right for you then?
Look for an operator that offers Adventure, Quality, and Safety!
ADVENTURE
Outdoor expeditions are all about the journey, never just the destination. It’s best to pick operators that take small groups (rarely exceeding 12 people), so there is never a rush to get from point A to point B. A small group ensures that you get time to admire those little blue forget-me-nots besides the gurgling stream, take a moment to enjoy the beauty of the sun seeping through the thick forests you are walking through, or soak in the views from the top of a Himalayan pass.
Quality
Gear: When it comes to gear, different operators will give you different options. You could be carrying your load or the operator would organize porters or ponies and you are only expected to carry your day pack and camera. Ask the right questions: Are the tents on twin twin-sharing basis? Which tents does the operator use? If you are a woman traveling alone, check if a single supplement is available. Does the operator provide air mattresses and sleeping bags or do you have to carry your own?
Hygiene: Hygiene is greatly influenced by group size and the resources allocated. So check what’s the ratio of number of toilets to guests. A good operator will place the dry pit loo tents some distance away and many even have western-style seating frames with a sanitizer on the side if you feel the need for it. Drinking water is another thing you need to ask about - it can be boiled or filtered. Don’t forget to check if the gear that the operator is providing, be it sleeping bags or air mattresses, has been cleaned and disinfected. There also needs to be a clear garbage disposal plan!
Hidden Costs:
The best operators will not have any hidden costs and will usually include all costs - from the point of pick up till you are dropped back - in the package. Be cautious of the "if you want a porter to carry your luggage, it will cost an extra Rs.650 per day" fine print.
Safety:
Safety is paramount! Ask the operator about contingency plans depending on the trek difficulty and region, making sure there are buffer days. Check the client-to-staff ratio and the qualifications of the staff that will be accompanying the group. The guides and trek leads should be trained in first aid and CPR. Apart from this, the vehicles must be in good condition and serviced regularly, driven by licensed experienced drives with several mountain miles under their belt.
So, the next time you're confused about who to go with, ask yourself - and the operator - the following questions:
- Is the adventure tour operator recognized by the Government of India and a member of ATOAI - the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India?
- What's included in the inclusions and exclusions - especially read the fine print, often never found on the first page of the trip description. Don't be lazy. Dig deeper.
- How many people in a tent? What's the food going to be like? And how many meals per day?
- Are the guides and porters adequately clothed and is proper food provided to them by the operator?
- Is there a limit to how much a porter or a horse will carry? (15 Kgs and 40 Kgs respectively)
- What's the operator's policy regarding garbage disposal?
Go ahead. Ask on. Don't feel shy. Even if it feels like a Spanish Inquisition. Before you part with your hard-earned cash, be sure you know exactly what you are getting - and more importantly what you aren't!
DILSHAD MASTER-KUMAR is an adventurer and explorer. She has led several treks in Nepal and India including Everest Base Camp, tackled Grade 5 rapids on the Zanskar river in Ladakh, and is the first and only female to ever lead a civilian trek to the Siachen Glacier – all of this after surviving cancer.