Trekking and Outdoors: Why is Safety a Critical Factor

Trekking and outdoors is a fast growing interest in the country and India with its diverse geographical spread is on the top five Go-To destinations in the world. Hence, numerous trek locations and offbeat outdoor vacation destinations are attracting a lot of travellers from not only India, but from around the world. 

Wilderness travel is as exotic and attracting, as it is challenging. Though trekking is a hit in a lot of locations in the country, The Himalayas are the unbeaten king in the category, because of the magical experience and the dream-like terrain. Every season, The Himalayas witness huge number of trekkers and hikers – both, first timers as well as experienced adventurers.

While the Himalayas are attracting more and more trek enthusiasts every season, the safety, however, still remains an issue. The high altitudes, tough & remote terrains and extreme & unpredictable weather conditions – everything is a potential problem that is known to halt treks, leaving people stranded or trapped. Hence, Safety is probably the biggest concern in the current outdoor adventure travel scene.

Recently, the Chadar Trek of Ladakh was put on a hold by Leh Govt because of a potential natural mishap. The various groups of trekkers that were already starting this popular trek, were hence, stranded. Last season, the Valley of Flowers trek was in news because of a broken bridge that closed down commute. 

Himalayan treks are often faced with landslides blocking the roads, snow fall covering ever surface, strong winds making it impossible to camp outside and the simplest to deal with – rains. All this is what a travellers’ nightmares are made of, not to mention, the travel company’s too. To combat all the above, this is what is required:

1. An extremely well thought of trek plan. The trek has to be well thought through, including the trail, the time of travel and the group strength. It is best to travel in small groups because it ensures more safety and attention. 
2. Expertise, experience and leadership quality of the guides. To lead the trekkers expertly under unpredictable weather conditions, to have the kind of experience that helps you foresee the nature conditions, and to act quickly and cleverly in times of need. 
3. A strong back up for safe stay, that has to be a part of the main plan. The backup planning need to count for every possible What-If situation, with the safety of trekkers in mind.

At GIO Adventures, safety of our trek groups is our first concern. When you go outdoors for an offbeat or adventure activity such a trekking and camping, along with your physical well being, your mental state is equally important. One tiny detail, like a smelly sleeping bag can make you feel unsafe or uncared for. In India, especially for first timers, mental and emotional fitness is often overlooked, which is a pity. A trip should never make you want to change your mind about outdoors and head back home instead. This is something we at GIO Adventures treat as a priority. 

We believe that a trek is successful only when every possible crisis condition is thought about, tended to and prepared for. When you are in the Himalayas, anything less that fully prepared is not acceptable, and we follow it like our Bible. From small trek groups, minimum of two professionally trained mountain guides per group, and a strong backup from our Himalayan Eco Lodges – GIO Adventures is the safest outdoor offbeat and adventure firm in India. And take it from us – Safety is the MOST crucial factor in outdoors.

At GIO Adventures we pride ourselves on well trained, safety savvy and an extremely experienced team of guides and experts for all our activities. GIO Adventures has a team over a hundred highly experienced and motivated Outdoor Specialists. All our guides are professionally trained and the team is led by the legendary Mohan Singh Gunjiyal. Mohan Singh is a Padam Shree awardee and a mountaineer par excellence and is GIO Adventures’ Chief Instructor.

When it comes to safe practices, small groups come on top. Operating in small groups of never more than 12 people at a time, is our mantra. Each group has a minimum of 2 guides who have proven their capability over the years – from leading treks efficiently in the wilderness, to even carrying trekkers on their backs in cases of emergencies. The commitment and compassion are the driving force in the team, that has been our pride since 1999. Safety is crucial and critical when it comes to outdoors.

The nature is wonderful and exhilarating, and there is immense joy in exploring new places, but remember – safety first! Adventure is out there, go explore. But start after making sure it is as safe as it is thrilling. In short, what we want to say is, please put safety first when planning a trek.

Himalayan Adventure: Contest

The mighty Himalayas are India's pride, the world's spiritual destination and a magical treasure of spell-binding beauty that captivates the hearts of millions. Himalayas have been the favorite travel destination for people around the world for centuries, because of the unmatched beauty and the everlasting magic.

Himalayas are a dream destinations for those seeking peace and tranquility. It is one the bucket lists of thousands around the world looking to get closer to nature, to experience the famous Himalayan Magic. But there's more - The Himalayas are also the world's most popular adventure site for treks, hikes, camping and SO much more.

We at GIO Adventures, want to begin 2015 with a lot of Himalayan adventure and magic, and we want you to be a part of it!

So, tell us about your Himalayan Dream, and stand a chance to win a relaxing holiday amidst the breathtaking view of Himalayan Peaks, along with custom made goodies and vouchers.

Here's what you have to do.
Contest rules:

• Blog about your Himalayan Dream. It can be anything, from an adventurous snow trek you want to undertake, or a bonfire outside a camp next to a enchanting Himalayan lake that you dream off, or a morning where you wake up to the stunning view of a rugged Himalayan Peak from your window. Anything at all! 
• Blog about it in a minimum of 400 words
• You can take inspiration from our treks and trips from our website here, and our ecological lodges and camps here and link your post to your dream trek/trip. Or you can plan a completely new dream holiday! It's your dream, just make it magical.
• Your post must include the following line: This post is a part of the Himalayan Dream contest by GIO Adventures: India's Premier Adventure & Outdoors Travel Specialists since 1999.
• Submit your entry to us through a comment on this post.

That's it.

If you like your Himalayan Dream, you might just get it for real! Yes. GIO Adventures team will pick up five blog posts that we like the most. Let's talk about the prizes, shall we?

Prizes:

1^st prize: 1 winner will get a 3 day/2 night stay at one of our lodges in Sursingdhar (Tehri Lake), Viraatkhai (Chakrata), Kawalag (Shimla Hills) or Jayalgarh (on the banks of river Alaknanda).

• The last date to avail this prize by the winner will be 30^th June 2015, post which this offer will not be valid or entertained. 
• No cash or or any other benefit would be offered in lieu of this prize/package
• The winner can choose one destination from the above mentioned choices. However, the dates will be subject to availability at the time. 
• This package will only include the stay and food
• This package does NOT any of the activities that particular lodge/camp may offer (like hike, rafting, rock & rope activities etc). If the winner wishes to try out any of these activities, they will be charged separately.
• This package does NOT include transport of any kind/

2^nd Prize: 2 people will win a Flipkart Voucher of Rs.500 + a custom made GIO Adventures Fleece jacket each, for your future Himalayan adventures.

3^rd Prize: 2 people will get a GIO Adventures Fleece Jacket each.

Last date of submission is midnight 2nd Feb 2015. (edit: last date is extended from 31st Jan till 2nd Feb on popular demand)

What are you waiting for? Start already!
Adventure is out there.

5 Reasons Why You Should Travel With Kids

No matter what people say, what your past experiences tell you, or how tough you find it in the beginning, traveling with kids is worth it. 

 Image Source: supershuttle.com

Yes, you will have to plan every detail. 

Yes, you will have to be on your toes all the time. 

And yes, it is going to be demanding. Very.

But - Traveling with kids is as special as it is important. 

Let us tell you why.

1. Travel makes kids Aware, Compassionate and Humble.

New places, new people and new surroundings – they all make kids more aware of the difference in our regular lives and the world outside our homes. Travel teaches kids to be compassionate and humble, instilling in them a quality that the world needs more of. As kids observe new places and people, they learn to be more accepting of ways that are different that ours, and they learn to appreciate what they have. Watching your child mingle with children of different cultures and backgrounds, without any preconceived ideas or prejudice is something every adult should take the chance to see and learn from. We told you how Travel is the Best Teacher of all times, and it teaches kids the qualities that makes them good human beings. What more can we want?

2. Travel Pushes Their Educational Horizons

Our kids education will NOT suffer if we take them out of school for some time - this is something every parent needs repeat five times. We are so caught up in percentages, and careers and attendance, that we forget the real meaning of education. Traveling provides children of all ages an education that simply can’t be matched. Kids are like sponge, they absorb every tiny detail and when traveling to new places, they learn things that no school, no story book and no TV show can teach so quickly. Travel can make History and Geography come alive, but that’s not all. From remembering all the botanical names of all the flowers in The Valley of Flowers, to learning about Buddhism in a part of Himalayas, from learning how to camp in wilderness, to singing songs in a new language around a bonfire  – Travel teaches our kids the language of love, of tolerance and of gratitude, which is exactly the kind of education they need.

3. Travel with Kids Teaches You

Not only the kids get to learn by travel, but traveling with kids teaches us adults a lot too. Yes, it works both ways! Children tend to have an open and untainted view of the world, and while traveling with them, parents find themselves noticing things that they would otherwise have overlooked or missed. Traveling with little ones teaches us to be more informed about the place we’re visiting – so that we can answer their endless questions. It teaches us to be well prepared – for little allergies or demands. And it teaches us to be more grateful for little things – like a bowl of hot Maggi on a cold morning? Yeah, it is pure bliss. Travel can be a very rewarding, as well as a character developing experience, for the entire family, if you take advantage of the opportunity. Learning should never stop, they say, and travel shouldn’t either! 

4. The Gift of Experiences

 

Contrary to what the TV and magazines have us believe, our kids do not need a room full of toys to be entertained. The best entertainment we can provide for our kids is a life full of memories and moments that they will cherish for life. Some experiences fulfill us, while others teach us a lesson. Both are equally important. Whether it is a small hike on a Himalayan trail with the wrong shoes, or a Snow-Man with your favorite (and very expensive) lipstick smudged on his lips, whether it’s a rash you got from a tree or the spicy food you ate at a local dhaba – you will be laughing at it later, narrating these stories in your living rooms, and the kids will take these experiences with them for life. 

5. Traveling with Kids Makes the Family Come Closer

Travel will help kids develop an immense sense of home as wherever their family is, rather than it being a place. Isn’t it beautiful? Travel provides the opportunity for families to spend quality time with each other, and bond over things that will become shared memories you’ll cherish. The time you spend making memories, is the time you and the kids will remember. Years later, someone will ask you “Where was that picture of your daughter taken?”, and you’ll smile, remembering the time when you carried her to the top of a small hill, looking for rabbits and finding peacocks instead. “She’s dancing like the peacocks”, you’ll tell them happily.

So, there you go. People will tell you it’s a hassle to travel with kids, they will tell you about snarky looks of fellow airline passengers or requests to ‘keep it down’ from people on the train – and you might have experienced it yourself too. You will have to be extremely well prepared, you will have to give it your all, yes. 

But the joy of passing your love for travel on to your kids, is unmatched. Ingraining a sense of travel and adventure in your child from the get-go could help the entire family dynamic, and will help kids grow into good human beings. 

“One of the under-reported stories of the internet is this: it constantly reports on what’s possible. Somewhere in the world, someone is doing something that you decided couldn’t be done.”

– Seth Godin

Travel teaches kids a lot more than anything else ever can. Take it from us, India’s Premier Adventure & Outdoors Travel Specialists since 1999. Come spend a family vacation with us at one of our Himalayan Ecological Lodges, and let the kids explore nature.

Happy traveling!