Bijli Mahadev Trek

Given below is a list of all the gear you need for your Bijli Mahadev Trek:

If you don’t have certain items, you can rent high-quality gear like trekking shoes, backpacks, and jackets from the Crosstrek Rental Store by Indiahikes. It costs less than Rs 2000 for the entire trek. We highly recommend renting gear since it is both more affordable and environmentally friendly. 

Additionally, you’ll notice a small medical kit in the list. While our trek leaders carry medical kits with 17 medicines including life-saving drugs, you must bring your personal medical kit as well. We are already equipped with BP machines, oximeters and canned oxygen, but your medical kit is for quick access to you, especially while travelling.

Most importantly, you must digitally upload and carry mandatory documents to get government permits for the trek - your ID card, medical certificate, and disclaimer certificate. Keep them in a plastic bag to keep them safe in your backpack. There are no printing or photocopy facilities at the basecamp.

Here is a list of everything you need for your trek.

Shoes and backpack

• Trekking shoes with ankle support (Available on rent)
• Backpack with rain cover (Available on rent)

Warm Layers and Clothes

• Warm layers (Padded jackets available on rent) - 3 layers if you're trekking in spring, summer and monsoon (1 woollen sweater, 1 fleece, 1 padded jacket) - 4 layers if you're trekking in autumn (1 woollen sweater, 2 fleece, 1 padded jacket) - 5 layers if you're trekking in winter (1 pair of thermals, 1 woollen sweater, 2 fleece, 1 padded jacket)
• 3 Collared T-shirts (Wear one, carry two)
• 2 quick-dry trek pants (Wear one, carry one)

Accessories 

• Sunglasses
• Sun cap, preferably with flaps (Available for purchase)
• Waterproof gloves (Available for purchase)
• Waterproof socks (Highly recommended for trekking in snow. Available for purchase)
• Balaclava 
• Woollen socks (2 pairs of Dry fit + 1 pair of Woollen)
• Headlamp (Available on rent)
• Trekking pole (Available on rent)
• Rain jacket + pants / poncho (Rain-jacket is available on rent)

Toiletries:

• Sunscreen
• Moisturiser
• Light towel
• Lip balm or vaseline
• Toilet paper (Wet wipes are strictly not allowed on our treks)
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Reusable plastic covers (for used clothes)

Cutlery:

• Steel lunch box, spoon and a coffee mug (Lunch box is available on rent)
• Two water bottles or Hydration Pack (Water bottles are available on rent)

Once you run through this list, don't miss this ultimate guide on what gear to take on a trek. It contains tips on what gear to choose, where to get it from and how much to spend on it.

Our only tip: Keep your backpack light. Indiahikes practices low impact sustainable trekking in every aspect of the trek. Carrying your own personal backpack reduces your impact on the mountains by 20%. We expect all our trekkers to carry their own backpacks unless they have a justifiable reason not to.

These are documents required for legal purposes by Indiahikes and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.

1. Original and photocopy of government photo identity card. Anything such as a driver’s license, Aadhar Card, or passport will do. This is required by the forest department for your identification.  
2. Disclaimer certificate: There are two sections in this. The first part is a personal medical record.  The second part is a legal requirement. Download the PDF, read carefully, fill in and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during registration at the base camp. – Download disclaimer certificate
3. Medical certificate: The medical certificate needs to be filled out by an MBBS doctor, without which the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes – Download medical certificate

Note: Indiahikes has a panel of doctors who can help you with a medical certificate. They are available for online consultation. To get in touch with them, please write to trekmedicalcertificates@gmail.com. They will respond to you within 24 hours.

Consultation fee: Rs 300

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have consulted your trek leader. 

1. Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is paracetamol. It helps tackle fever and mild pain
2. Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one-half hour before the start of your road journey.
3. Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol. 
4. Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your  leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS. 
5. ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually mid-day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking.  Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.
6. Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.

Our trek leaders carry a high altitude medical kit with them, which also consists of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency, our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of the medicines listed here.

Pro Tip: We find that these medicines are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.