7 Hidden Backpacking Gems in India
Apr 22, 2025
Author: Samiksha Khanduri
Certainly the Himalayas are unpredictable & travelling here brings its own learnings. So here are 5 top hacks that we recommend you to consider before & during your adventure in the Himalayas.
1. Time for Travel – Always keep a picture of the destination you are travelling to in the back of your mind. Apart from the knowledge of the best time & season to travel, keep a check on the real time weather situation in the Himalayas.Say during the Spring season travel (March–May) you will have clear skies and blooming landscapes, an ideal time for trekking and sightseeing. But clear skies also means bright sunny days which bring us to highly recommend wearing caps & sun glasses of the best quality to save yourself from the brighter sun of the Himalayas. If you travel during Autumn (September–November) the post-monsoon clarity is a win-win with fewer tourists and pleasant weather. But keep on your checklist a sudden weather change from monsoons to winter which means a windcheater & woollen cap is a must in your packing list. Then comes travelling during the mid-summers (June) to monsoon (July–August), while we give it a thumbs down, but if you still plan around these months, keep yourself a few more days from your travel window. Since all these regions in Himalayas are prone to landslides and heavy traffic, like seen in Himachal or Uttarakhand frequently, we suggest better late than sorry. The planned date of reaching a destination can be delayed & should be taken into account. So we suggest you start the road journeys and treks before sunrise to make the most of daylight to avoid traffic jams.
2. Travel Light and Efficiently- Here is a must read hack that will save you all the uncertainties in the Himalayas. When you pack your backpack for mountain travel, consider slipping in layers of clothing, which includes a base layer ( an inner), a fleece, extra pair of socks & a waterproof outer jacket for variable weather. This can save you from unpredictable heat, rain & chills of the Himalayas. The best part of carrying layers, is that you can take them off or add them to your clothing as per the weather conditions. One highly ignored fact about the mountains is depending on your phone & camera batteries, if you are an avid instagrammer or a photographer keep power banks as a must have back up when electricity is in question. Also we suggest keeping the power bank in a warm cloth ( not wooden) but maybe inside a cap to keep the batteries from running out too soon.A Reusable water bottle, ideally of steel with filtration process for clean drinking water on the go is a must have, not only because it’s Eco friendly but will save you from water borne sensitivity, depending on where you are travelling from. The last and most relevant hack is to pack light, know how to avoid too many varieties of clothing in mountains, as a jacket is your only saviour at the end of the day. You can also learn some Mary Kondo ways of backpacking from YouTube to travel efficiently.
4.Snacking – Availability of food in the Himalayas is limited to the local produce & of course the poultry available. Most food options are organic and best for your stomach, however, we suggest keeping snacks in your backpack for all days of travel.Quick and High-Energy Foods like dry fruits, trail mix, energy bars, chocolates & maybe some fruits on the way will keep you uptight during the long journeys. Packing your daypacks with ready-to-eat meals, or oatmeal, recommended in case the options for you to eat run out. While local snacks in the Himalayas are also recommended to be tried, keep in mind they will not be of your city taste buds. A simple add on could be tea dips & coffee packets, ready to drink soup for days to keep you warm.
5. Ensuring a Local’s Assistance- This is not just a hack but an unavoidable suggestion, where you must know or get to know one local who can help you when in need. And we are not suggesting you to depend on local guides, but local folks whom you can keep as long term friends as well. This is a suggestion based on several solo travellers who choose not to hire agencies, and therefore fail to keep themselves updated with local insights. The weather & local authority decisions are not fixed, hence having a local consultant can ensure safe navigation through remote areas. Additionally you can discover hidden attractions, shortcuts, and the best eateries through them. They save a good lot of time as they can help you arrange permits for areas requiring local body permissions, arrange for last minute changes in accommodation & keep you posted on how to make a sound decision when stuck somewhere.
To conclude Himalayan adventures are best enjoyed when they are well prepared for. These hacks will make you more prepared & thorough about your destination of travel. One may say they like the adventure of uncertainties, but we say find yourself a good consultant who can help you make your adventure more certain.
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