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It's now less than a week before I take off for my once-in-a-lifetime adventure. I'll be flying to India, then taking a train to the Himilayan foothills in the state of Sikkim. We're planning on trekking for 11-12 days to a pass called Goeche-la below 28k foot Mount Kangchenjunga. Then we'll check out Darjeeling for a while before heading home. Three weeks in all - much of it getting to and from the trek starting point Yuksom.

Being something of a novice at trekking - and for that matter international travel in general - I figured it could be educational (or at the very least amusing) to see what kinds of advice my fellow hikers and explorers might have for me. Particularly those of you who may have been to this part of the world before. I've never been off the continent (unless you count a week in Hawaii, which I don't).

So? Any last words of advice before I dive off the face of the earth?

For India, hand sanitizer

Take a camera this time And some extra batteries for your headlamp.

Be prepared to see dead bodies on the sidewalk.


Oh, and have a great time, too!

Keep some form of toilet paper on your person at all times. Many places don't use it. Ask someone you know from India for advice.

Where are your flight changes/stops?

Avoid Paris if at all possible as they are infamous for failing to forward your checked luggage on time.

PICTURES!!!!!!!! The Himalayans are on my "if I ever get rich" list. Oh, only shake someones left hand. And have to try the guinea pig from what I've heard.

kevinweitzel75 wrote: Oh, only shake someones left hand

Yes, and in right hand you should also be holding your shoes with the bottoms of the shoe facing the person you are greeting. If you do this exactly right you'll perfectly insult everyone you meet .

PM Desertgirl, Ambika has done several treks in that area and India is her family home-----

1. Avoid the Prickly Pear cactus at all costs.
2. I can't provide shuttle service over there.
3. Sounds like a great trip, hope you have a wonderful time.

I can't believe the trip is almost here! Have fun.

Al_HikesAZ wrote:Take a camera this time And some extra batteries for your headlamp.

Very funny - though I'm guessing that a replacement will be cheaper there than it was at the Grand Canyon ;)

SuperstitionGuy wrote:Where are your flight changes/stops?

Going through London via Chicago. 6 hour layover in Chicago, an hour and a half in London. Figures

mnlumberjack wrote:1. Avoid the Prickly Pear cactus at all costs.
2. I can't provide shuttle service over there.

What? You mean if I phone up at 8pm you won't drop everything and fly to New Delhi to rescue me? Man...maybe I better re-think this whole plan

RedRoxx44 wrote: PM Desertgirl, Ambika has done several treks in that area and India is her family home-----

She's being a great resource!

Thanks all! I'm SO SO SO excited!

What a great adventure! Look forward to your trip reports.

writelots wrote:So? Any last words of advice before I dive off the face of the earth?

yes, begin planning your trip to new zealand as soon as you come back stateside.

Try to learn a few words of the local language.

Tag any luggage with something bright, ugly, and noticeable from a good distance, in case it tries to get off at the wrong stop.

Plan to eat different food than you're used to.

Be careful with water - drink only bottled water, or that you filter yourself. Take out any ice cubes from drinks you are served. The locals are used to their water...you are not. Be careful when brushing teeth, or in a shower to not ingest any water or get it in your mouth. Bring diarrhea pills, just in case. These rules depends on where you are going...

Anything essential bring enough to get you through the entire trip, grocery stores in other parts of the world don't have as good a selection as here in the states.

You can probably find a laundry place in any city, if you just ask around.

Take lots of photos, try to talk to other travelers whenever possible.

Provide a full trip report when you get back.

+1 on the diarrhea pills. Essential.

johnlp wrote:+1 on the diarrhea pills. Essential.

I think you mean (+) 2 on the anti-diarrhea meds. ;)

Don't accidentally cross any international borders into a country that doesn't really like us.

te-wa wrote:

writelots wrote:So? Any last words of advice before I dive off the face of the earth?

yes, begin planning your trip to new zealand as soon as you come back stateside.

I think the plan is for Alaska, August 2013..... then maybe New Zealand

Gosh Wendy, sounds like you got all kinds of good, fun and worthwhile advice. I can't believe both my hiking buddies are going to be in India (though on opposite sides) during the same time. What am I to do?

Anyway, Bon Voyage. Travel and Hike Safe, and most of all, enjoy one of the greatest trips you'll have in your life .

tibber wrote:I think the plan is for Alaska, August 2013..... then maybe New Zealand

Then, THE WORLD MOAHA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!! :thanx: