The Complete Guide to Nokrek National Park Trek

Nokrek National Park, situated in the East Garo Hills of Meghalaya (translates to the ‘abode of clouds’ in Sanskrit), is a treasure trove for nature lovers, hardcore adventurers, and history buffs alike.

The verdant landscape as far as the eyes can see, plenty of waterfalls, combined with the experience of witnessing the local culture of Garo tribes in remote villages brings a unique characteristic to trekking in this region.

Unlike our other documented treks, Nokrek National Park is a combination of trekking on foot and travelling in vehicles each day. This guide has multiple trails that you can mix and match according to your scenery and difficulty preferences.

The trails take you deep inside the rainforests, meandering through villages, descending steeply to the snout and to the base of waterfalls amidst a dense canopy of trees. Rivers, brooks, and makeshift bridges are a common sight, every day of the trek. Be prepared for bumpy rides in 4x4 vehicles to reach these trailheads.

While exploring Nokrek National Park we found that most of the trails to remote villages and waterfalls are completely untrodden, and hence they are extremely tricky to navigate. One small misstep will leave you tumbling down the steep trails, or at the bottom of waterfalls.

We strongly recommend hiring a local guide from Williamnagar, which is the Headquarters of the East Garo Hills region, before venturing out on these trails. Given the difficulty of the terrain, trekkers with prior experience on technical trails will be able to better navigate these trails.

Trekking in Nokrek National Park is not for everyone, but if you’re someone who loves venturing deep into jungles on uncharted terrain, exploring this region of East Garo Hills makes it worthwhile.

Table of Contents

Just like you, we love trekking! And this is a trek we’ve documented in great detail to help you do it on your own. Drop-in comments at the end of the page if you need any help!  You will get all the information required to do the Nokrek National Park trek on your own.

To navigate through the documentation easily, use this section of the Table of Contents.

• What to Watch Out for
• Quick Itinerary
• Know Your Trek
• How Difficult is Nokrek National Park Trek?
• Is Nokrek National Park Trek Safe?
• Best Time to do the Trek
• How to Plan Your Travel
• What to Take on Your Trek
• How to Get Fit for Your Trek
• Frequently Asked Questions

What to Watch Out for

1. Many waterfalls every day of the trek

Like Kilsik Dare, the one in the picture, Nokrek National Park is filled with waterfalls. Every day of the trek, you descend down to a new, uniquely-shaped waterfall and return. Dare in the local dialect means a waterfall.

What makes it interesting is the unexplored trails that lead to these waterfalls. It is almost as if you are playing a real-life Temple Run game.

2. Rainforests of Meghalaya

Meghalaya as a region receives the highest amount of rainfall. It is no wonder Mawsynram in the East Khasi Hills district is regarded as the wettest place on earth.

As a result, rainforests thrive all over the start, and they are no less in the East Garo Hill district. It is a treat to walk amidst the thick foliage of these forests for almost all of your trek days.

Keep your eyes and ears open for a variety of flora and fauna this region possesses.

3. Villages of the East Garo Hills District

Quick Itinerary

Since Nokrek National Park is huge and has many trails that aren’t possible to trek, we have selected the two best trails that can be done over multiple days. They may seem short, but we recommend doing them at a leisurely pace so that your body doesn’t take a toll due to the technical nature of the terrain.

Kakwa Duragre Waterfalls Trail

Day 1: Drive from Williamnagar to Kakwa Duragre via Nengmandalgre Fish Sanctuary
Drive Distance: 25 km | Duration: 4 hours

Hire a vehicle along with a guide, and drive from Williamnagar by taking a detour to Nengmandalgre Fish Sanctuary. Spend some time here before heading to Kakwa Duragre village and camping for the night.

Day 2: Trek from Kakwa Duragre to Kilsik Dare and Namerum Dare, and back to Kakwa Duragre. Drive back to Williamnagar

Trek Distance: 7.75 km | Duration: 8 hours
Drive Distance: 15 km | Duration: 1 hour
Altitude Loss and Gain: 2,480 ft to 1,750 ft, and back to 2,480 ft
Trek Type: Moderate. Trek through the tricky descents and slippery ascents under the cover of thick rainforests.

After the trek, drive back to Williamnagar. You can either explore more of the region in the hired vehicle or make your travel arrangements to head back the next day from Williamnagar.

Rongchekgre - Mandalgre Trail

Day 1: Drive from Williamnagar to Rongchekgre
Drive Distance: 35 km | Duration: 1.5 hours

Hire a vehicle along with a guide, and drive from Williamnagar to Rongchekgre village. Camp for the night here.

Day 2: Trek from Rongchekgre to Chirinma Forest Campsite
Trek Distance: 10.70 km | Duration: 8 hours
Altitude Gain and Loss: 2,950 ft to 4,395 ft, and to 3,840 ft
Trek Type: Moderate-Difficult. Trek through lush green forests, hop over streams, get to a vantage point, and descend down to camp inside the forest.

Day 3: Trek from Chirinma Forest Campsite to Mandalgre
Trek Distance: 6 km | Duration: 5 hours
Altitude Loss: 3,840 ft to 3,000 ft
Trek Type: Moderate. Continue on the trail towards Mandalgre village. Trek through young bamboo forests and deforested lands to reach Mandalgre on a gradually descending terrain.

Day 4: Trek from Mandalgre to Mandal Dare, and back to Mandalgre. Drive back to Williamnagar
Trek Distance: 4.5 km | Duration: 4 hours
Altitude Loss and Gain: 3,000 ft to 2,415 ft, and back to 3,000 ft
Trek Type: Moderate. Steep descent to Mandal Dare and steep ascent on the way back to Mandalgre. Depart to Williamnagar on the same day.

Know Your Trek

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Nokrek National Park trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Don’t miss the ‘Frequently Asked Questions' section. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

Kakwa Duragre Waterfalls Trail

Day 1: Drive from Williamnagar to Kakwa Duragre via Nengmandalgre Fish Sanctuary

Upon arrival at Williamnagar, get into your hired 4x4 vehicle and start your journey towards Kakwa Duragre village. You’ll cross the Simsang river on the Simsang Bridge and soon enter the countryside.

But before entering the countryside, take a detour and head over to Nengmandalgre Fish Sanctuary. It is a natural sanctuary on the banks of Simsang river where hundreds of fish approach you as you feed them their favourite snack!

After spending some time here, continue on the road to Kakwa Duragre.

The tar road slowly turns into a muddy trail, only fit for the SUVs to navigate. You’ll pass through arecanut farms, bamboo forests, and pretty villages. Even though the distance is short, it will take a good amount of time to reach the village.

When you hire a vehicle, make sure you ask for a guide who can arrange for food when you camp in the villages. Since there are no restaurants anywhere nearby, you should sort out food and camping arrangements in advance.

Rest for the night at Kakwa Duragre. Feel free to explore around the village. If you don’t want to camp for the night, you may continue to Kilsik Dare and Namerum Dare waterfalls the same day and return to Williamnagar by sundown.

Note: Do this only if you have at least 8 hours to spare before it gets dark.

Day 2: Trek from Kakwa Duragre to Kilsik Dare and Namerum Dare, and back to Kakwa Duragre. Drive back to Williamnagar

Trek Gradient: Moderate. Trek through the tricky descents and slippery ascents under the cover of thick rainforests.
Water Source: You’ll trek to the base of two waterfalls and come back. We’d suggest carrying drinking water from the village and using iodine tablets to purify if you are allergic to natural water from the streams.

Kakwa Duragre is a quaint little village in an opening amidst the rainforest. Except for a couple of houses, and the Nokma’s (Village Headman) house, you won’t find anything else here.

Start southwards towards Kilsik Dare. It is an undulating trail for the first 1.5 km and a steep descent thereafter to the base of the waterfall, which is another 1.5 km.

The trail takes you through the thick canopy of trees and bushes. There is absolutely no trail marked till the waterfall. The GPX File that we have at the bottom of this page, and your local guide are the only ones you can trust.

There are trails that can take you anywhere inside the jungle, and then there are trails that are blocked by undergrowth.

You hear the stream gushing and you know that you’re closer to the Kilsik Dare waterfall. This is where the trail gets really difficult to negotiate.

The rocks around the stream are completely covered in moss. Every step you take is prone to slippage. Having a pair of trekking poles is a life saver on this trek. At the same time, be nimble on your feet. Do not spend too much time on a single rock/boulder. Hop across or climb up on wet surfaces quickly.

The Kilsik Dare is a multi-level waterfall, which means you climb a stage, and the next one comes. After a series of climbing moss-covered, slippery rocks, you’ll come face to face with the magnificent waterfall. You’ll be stunned by its beauty!

The base is like a perfectly carved pool, with natural stone structures that appear like pillars. If you are a good swimmer, take a dip, and you’ll have the time of your life. You’ll marvel at the surreal setting as you laze around in the pool of fresh, cold water.

A Word of Caution: Get into the water only if you know swimming. Since the depth is unknown, it is dangerous to get in without proper swimming knowledge.

After relaxing, make your way back to Kilsik Dare and head towards the next waterfall, Namerum Dare.

Unlike Kilsik Dare, you’ll go till the snout of the waterfall and not to the base of Namerum Dare. The distance is shorter than the former, but the experience of trekking deep inside the jungle is what captivates you.

It lies about a kilometre away from Kakwa Duragre slightly to the northwest. Descend completely till you reach the forest floor covered with huge boulders. Gingerly make your way over these boulders amidst the age-old trees to reach the snout of Namerum Dare.

You may further descend to the base of the water as it is a short one, but the rocks are extremely slippery. One small misstep, and you will tumble down to the base which is almost 25 ft below.

We strongly recommend returning from the snout unless the rocks are dry and provide good grip to your hands and feet

Return to Kakwa Duragre and leave for Williamnagar while there is still daylight. If you are not back to the village before dusk, you may depart to Williamnagar the next day by camping for the night in the village.

Rongchekgre - Mandalgre Trail

Day 1: Drive from Williamnagar to Rongchekgre via Nengmandalgre Fish Sanctuary

Similar to the previous itinerary, you’ll pass through the Nengmandalgre Fish Sanctuary on your way to Rongchekgre village. Spend some time at the sanctuary before heading to Rongchekgre.

If you arrive early, say, before 9.00 AM, you may start your trek to Chirinma Forest right away. But if you reach Rongchekgre post 10.00 AM, we’d recommend strolling around the village and camping for the day as it is a long and tiring walk to Chirinma Forest campsite.

Day 2: Trek from Rongchekgre to Chirinma Forest Campsite

Trek Gradient: Moderate-Difficult. Trek through lush green forests, hop over streams, get to a vantage point, and descend down to camp inside the forest.
Water Source: Multiple water streams on your way to Chirinma are the only water sources that are spread across long distances. Carry at least 2 litres of water before starting from Rongchekgre.

The trail to Chirinma takes you through some of the oldest forests of Meghalaya. You’ll come across trees so tall, with roots growing in and out of the forest floor, forming a natural staircase inside the forest. The occasional clearings in the forest with soft grass offers a welcome change in scenery.

Head south from Rongchekgre on a trail that goes amidst the forest. It is an undulating trail that climbs gradually till Dokru Dokram. You’ll cross multiple streams that glide gently on the moss-covered rocks.

It is a 7-kilometre long trail to Dokru Dokram. The viewpoint known as Dokru Dokram in the Garo language is at the edge of a cliff that gives sweeping views of Meghalaya till the India-Bangladesh border, and even beyond if the weather is clear.

Take a breather here before heading out into the forest again.

Continue away from the cliff for about 3.5 km to find a beautiful open space with fewer trees around. This is Chirinma campsite. Your guides will arrange camping equipment like tents and sleeping bags if you inform them beforehand. But if you prefer to carry your own camping gear, you don’t have to depend on the local guides.

Pitch your tents for the night and get into your sleeping bags. The temperature in Meghalaya varies drastically. If it is humid and sunny in the day, it will be freezing cold and wet in the night. Hence it is suggested that you stay warm inside your tent.

Day 3: Trek from Chirinma Forest Campsite to Mandalgre

Trek Gradient: Moderate. Continue on the trail towards Mandalgre village. Trek through young bamboo forests and deforested lands to reach Mandalgre on a gradually descending terrain.
Water Source: Water streams on your way to Maldalgre are the only water sources that are available. Refill your water bottles where the water is clean and potable by asking your local guide.

The next morning, wake up to the sounds of birds chirping, primates calling, and a lush green surrounding. Pack your tents and head northwards to Mandalgre village. Today is all about descending on an undulating trail for about 6 km.

Navigate across streams, hopping over boulders, and man-made wooden gates to reach an open, deforested land in 3 km. It is a shocking sight to witness so many trees cut, right after the forest. The people freely use the forests and convert them to farmlands.

You’ll briefly go in and out of the forest before crossing paddy fields, which marks the sign of civilization closeby. Mandalgre village is half a kilometre from the paddy fields.

Hop over the boulders of Simsang river one last time to enter Mandalgre village, with a man-made suspension bridge offering a grand entrance into this quaint and pretty village.

There is a football field just before the suspension bridge. You may choose to camp here, or inside the village after obtaining Nokma’s permission through your local guide

Walk around the village, talk to the locals and if you’re lucky, you’ll be invited for dinner by one of these nice people in the village. Do accept their invitation. It is an opportunity to experience the culture of Meghalaya.

Retire for the day at this village. The next day is going to be short, but eventful.

Day 4: Trek from Mandalgre to Mandal Dare, and back to Mandalgre. Drive back to Williamnagar

Trek Gradient: Moderate. Steep descent to Mandal Dare and steep ascent on the way back to Mandalgre. Depart to Williamnagar on the same day.
Water Source: Refill your water bottles at Mandalgre village. 2 litres of water should suffice till you are back in the village.

Today’s short trek begins by going north, passing clusters of huts. It is largely a descent till the Mandal Dare waterfall, and then a steep ascent back the same trail.

Cross the paddy fields a kilometre before the descent begins. As you descend, tread carefully as there are quite a few large-sized boulders to cross over the gushing stream. Take your local guide’s help in these tricky sections.

You’ll reach the Mandal Dare waterfall about 2 km from the start. The beauty about waterfalls in Nokrek National Park is that they are completely secluded. There is not a soul that you see except the people you trek with. Which means, you have the entire waterfall to yourself. This is a luxury when you think of it.

Enjoy your time around this small waterfall before heading back to Mandalgre village, and on to Williamnagar post lunch.

Take the same trail back to the village, up a steep ascent, through the bamboo forests and paddy fields.

Plan your travel out of Williamnagar by late evening this day.

How Difficult is Nokrek National Park Trek?

At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider a number of factors. These include altitude gained every day, length of trek, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Based on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.

Here, we rate Nokrek National Park trek as a ‘moderate-difficult’ trek. It is a trek that takes you through some notoriously technical terrain. The trails climb and descend rapidly and your safety depends a lot on how surefooted and nimble you are while negotiating these trails.

Is Nokrek National Park Safe?

The trails in Nokrek National Park are considered safe where the location is concerned. There is no human-animal conflict, even though you’ll be trekking deep inside the jungles on all days. Except for being surefooted, and having someone to help navigate the trail, no special skill is required.

Given the nature of the terrain, the trails are tricky on all days of the trek, except when you approach the villages. So be alert while trekking to avoid slips and falls, which the trails are known for in this region.

Exit points on the Nokrek National Park Trek

Medical Emergencies can strike on any trek. The key to dealing with them lies in knowing your exit points. Know how to get out and reach the nearest village quickly.

On the Nokrek National Park trails, your best bet is to exit from any of the roadhead to a nearby village and seek help. However, finding vehicles from these villages is going to be a bottleneck since the mud roads don’t see much vehicular traffic deep inside the National Park.

Closest Hospital to Nokrek National Park Trek

On the Nokrek National Park trails, your best bet is to exit from any of the roadhead to a nearby village and seek help. They have Primary Health Centres capable of treating minor emergencies.

Since Williamnagar is not more than 50 km away at any given point, reaching there won’t take more than 3-4 hours.

Williamnagar Civil Hospital is the closest in case of a medical emergency.

Best Time to do Nokrek National Park Trek

The best time to do the Nokrek National Park Trek is from October to the end of March. It is because the forests are lush green soon after the monsoon season. The greenery stays until the start of winter and the greenery starts turning golden brown towards summer.

It is impossible to trek in the monsoon season as the trails become slushy and extremely difficult to navigate.

During summer too, the terrain turns dry and all the water sources are depleted. It is best to avoid trekking in any other season other than autumn and winter in Meghalaya.

How To Plan Your Travel

Onward Journey to Williamnagar

The quickest way to reach Williamnagar is to reach Guwahati and take a shared transport from either the bus stand or the railway station.

There are only two vehicles that go to Williamnagar via Tura, the main town of the East Garo Hills district – a Tata Sumo (6-seater) at 6.30 AM and a Tempo Traveller (12-seater) at 2.30 PM. Tata Sumo costs Rs 700, while Tempo Traveller costs Rs 500 per person.

If you arrive at Guwahati early, it is best to take the Sumo as you’ll reach Williamnagar by afternoon. It takes at least 7 hours to reach Williamnagar from Guwahati.

Note: It is important to pre-book your seats by calling up the transport coordinator. Here is the contact number: Mr Bikas - +91 70057 29724

Once you reach Williamnagar, stay at the Circuit House, which is a tourist house on the banks of the Simsang river maintained by the government of the East Garo Hills district. We found this option budget-friendly and scenic. It costs Rs 200 per person, per night.

Make your arrangements with the guides before taking the SUVs arranged by them based on the trek of your choice.

Here is the contact detail of the main person in charge of arranging trek logistics: Mr Marley Marak: +91 97744 40322; ‎+91 84158 18131.

Return Journey from Williamnagar

Similar to the onward journey, there are just two vehicles in a day that take you to Guwahati from Williamnagar – one in the morning and the other one in the late afternoon.

Plan your travel out of Guwahati only post 10.00 PM on the day you travel from Williamnagar.

What To Take

Nokrek National Park trek is a regular trek inside the jungles of Meghalaya. The trekking gear you need to carry for this trek is a bit similar to our high altitude treks. So pay careful attention to this entire section.

– A list of everything you need for the trek

– A list of medicines for your trek

First, The Essentials. You cannot do the trek without these.

1. Trekking Shoes:

Nokrek National Park Trek requires trekking shoes that are sturdy, have good grip, have ankle support and can handle uneven terrain.

Buying Tip: The Trek series and MH series are good options by Decathlon. They are tried and tested. There really isn’t any necessity to buy the higher-priced models. Here is a list of other budget shoes that trekkers are using.

2. Backpack:

For a trek like Nokrek National Park, you need a 30-40 litre backpack. Make sure your backpack has good hip support, shoulder support and quick access pockets. 

Buying Tip: Wildcraft, Decathlon and Adventure Worx usually make good backpacks. While Wildcraft has more expensive ones, the other two brands have budget-friendly backpacks to choose from.

3. Clothes:

Wearing layers is the mantra in the jungles. Layers give you maximum protection from all elements. And when the weather changes, you take off or put on layers as required. 

Base Layer:

One T-Shirt:

Wear one T-shirt and carry one. Carry full sleeve dry-fit T-shirts (preferably collared). These prevent your arms and neck from getting sunburnt or bitten by insects.

Dry-fit T-shirts quickly dry your sweat, they are easy to wash and in case of a rainy day, they dry quicker. Round neck T-shirts are ok, but collared ones are better.

Buying Tip: You can get dry-fit T-shirts from Decathlon. Also, stores like Reliance Trends and Max have dry-fit T-shirts. They don’t usually cost much.

Pro Tip: If you are extra susceptible to cold, you could get a set of thermal inners. In our experience, wearing two T-shirts over another works as a better thermal. And they save you weight and space since you’re already carrying them. 

One Outer Layer:

A padded jacket serves the purpose here. You don’t really need a water-resistant material. But you need an outer padded jacket that keeps the wind and cold out. Ensure your padded jacket has a hood as well.

Do you need a down/feather jacket? Not really. A regular padded/shell jacket will do.

Two Trek Pants:

Two pairs of trek pants should suffice for this trek. Wear one pair and carry two just in case it rains. Trek pants with zippered cut-offs at the thighs are very suitable for treks. Also, choose quick-dry pants over cotton. They dry up soon in case of small stream crossings/rain.

Buying Tip: Go for pants with zippered pockets. They come in handy to keep your phone, handkerchief or pocket snacks.

Track pants or trek pants? Stretchable track pants make a good backup and can double up as your thermal bottoms. But track pants are not trekking pants — so don’t use them as your main outerwear. Keep them only as a backup.

Mandatory Accessories, without these too you won’t be able to do the trek. 

These accessories are mandatory. Don’t go to Nokrek National Park Trek without them. Trekkers generally put off purchasing / borrowing the accessories for the last minute. We suggest the opposite. Start gathering these accessories first.

 1. Sun Cap:

A sun cap is mandatory. Trekking without a sun cap can lead to headaches, sunstrokes, quick dehydration and a sharp drop in trekking performance.

Pro Tip: Sun caps with flaps are a blessing for trekkers. They cut out almost all UV leaks, and prevent sunburns in every possible way. Also, they are a lot more effective than sunscreen lotion. A wide-brimmed sports hat also helps to prevent sunburn in a big way.

2. Socks (2 Pairs):

Carry 2 pairs of sports socks to give you cushioning plus warmth. Again the mantra is to wear synthetic socks or at least a synthetic blend. Cotton socks soak in water and sweat. They are very hard to dry. As for woollen socks, they help you to keep warm and snug at the night. If you cannot get woollen socks, wearing two sports socks serves the purpose as well. 

3. Headlamp:

Trekkers are often confused about whether they need to get a headlamp or a handheld torch. You need to get a headlamp because it leaves your hands free to do other activities. On the Nokrek National Park Trek, you’ll need your hands free to wash dishes, pitch tents and hold your trek poles.

Buying Tip: Ensure your headlamp covers a wider area and is not too focused as a single beam. On a trek, your headlamp must help you see around you as much as ahead of you. 

4. Trekking Pole (A Pair):

Trekking poles give you stability and balance. They reduce your energy consumption by almost 40%. On the Nokrek National Park Trek, there are steep ascents and descents. A pair of trekking poles will make the difference between a comfortable and a strenuous trek. In India, we tend to use a single trekking pole. However, two trekking poles give you greater stability and balance. They also increase your walking pace.

5. Rainwear:

On a trek, the weather can change quickly. A bright sunny day can turn into a downpour in a matter of minutes. Carry a poncho or a rain jacket to tackle this. A poncho is a big rain cover with openings for your arms and your head. It is extremely effective because it covers both you and your backpack. It is extremely light and weighs next to nothing.

Rain jackets are more streamlined and less cumbersome but weigh more. Rain pants are really not required. Dry fit trek pants dry quickly even if soaking wet.

6. Rain Cover for your Backpack:

Backpacks are your life. You carry all your dry clothes and your warm gear in your backpack. It is important that your backpack stays dry at all times. Modern backpacks usually come with built-in rain covers. If your backpack does not have a rain cover, ensure you get a rain cover by either (a) buying a rain cover (b) or cutting a large plastic sheet to the size of your backpack. You can roll the plastic sheet around your backpack and keep it in place with a string or elastic.

Pro Tip: It’s good practice to compartmentalise your clothes, accessories and other things in plastic covers inside your backpack. That way, even if it rains and your backpack gets wet, your things are waterproof inside the backpack.

Other Mandatory Requirements:

1. A Toilet Kit:

Keep your toilet kit light. Carry just the basics — toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap, toilet tissue roll, a small moisturiser, lip balm, and a roll-on deodorant. You will not be able to have a bath on the trek, so don’t overload on soaps and shampoos.

Pro Tip: Carry miniature-sized items. You will not need more than that. If you’re travelling in a group, share one toothpaste for all.

Avoid getting large toilet rolls. The smallest size roll is more than enough for a trek like Nokrek National Park.

For women: If you are likely to have your periods on your trek date, don’t worry about it. You can use your pads, tampons or menstrual cups on the trek. Make sure you carry ziplock bags to bring back your menstrual waste. Don’t leave behind any waste in the mountains. Watch this video to learn how to dispose of your sanitary waste.

2. Cutlery:

Carry a lunch box, a mug and a spoon. Your lunch box must be leakproof.

Pro Tip: Carry stainless steel cutlery. Avoid fancy high-grade plastic cutlery. Stainless steel cutlery is infinitely easier to wash in cold water. Grease is easier to remove and hygiene is at its highest. Watch this video on why steel cutlery is better than plastic.

3. Two 1-Litre Bottles or a 2-Litre Hydration Pack:

Nokrek National Park Trek has long walking days. You need to carry two one-litre water bottles to keep yourself hydrated over the distance. If you are used to a hydration pack, then that is ok too. If one among the two bottles is a lightweight thermos, then that helps you to store warm water on a really cold day or for late evenings and early mornings.

4. Plastic Covers:

Carry 3-4 old plastic covers to keep your used clothes. You could use them even for wet clothes. Re-use old plastic bags for this and do not buy new ones.

Personal Medical Kit

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times.  

1. Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, 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.

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.

How to Get Fit for Nokrek National Park Trek

Cardiovascular Endurance

This trek requires excellent cardiovascular endurance. You can begin by jogging every day. Start jogging at a slow pace and then keep increasing your pace day by day. In order to be prepared for high altitude trek, you should have a combination of distance and speed targets.

Here’s a fitness routine that works:

• Target completing 5 km in 45 minutes when you begin.
• Gradually increase your pace by running 4 times a week and bring it down to 5 km in less than 40 minutes.
• Once you reach this stage, increase your distance to 8 km over a few weeks, with not more than 2 km per week.
• At the end of two months, you should be able to cover 8 km in 60 minutes or less.
• If you are 45 years old and above and are more comfortable with long-distance walking than jogging, then before you go on the trek, you should be able to walk at least 10 km at a stretch. Target completing this in 90 minutes.
  If jogging is fine for you, your target should be completing 8 km in 70 minutes initially, and 8 km in less than 60 minutes before you go on the trek.
• If you are somebody who prefers cycling over running, your target must be to cover 24 km in 60 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nokrek National Park Trek

1. Do I get trekking equipment from Indiahikes for this trek?

No. Nokrek National Park is a documented trek which you can do on your own. Indiahikes does not organise treks in this region. Use the information provided in the “How to Reach” section to arrange your trek equipment by talking to the guides beforehand.

2. Can I do this trek without a guide?

We do not recommend that. The trails in this region are extremely tricky to navigate and are covered in dense vegetation. It is literally impossible to find trails on your own without the help of a local guide. While our GPX files will help you navigate the trail to a large extent, we strongly recommend hiring a guide to help you with permissions, food and accommodation inside the villages and in the forest.

3. Do I need permission to do these treks?

While you do not need permission from the forest department, you will need to talk to the Nokma (Village Headman) to obtain permission to camp in his village. This is where your local guide will do the talking.

4. How do I manage food and water on the trail?

The only sources of water are the villages you camp in, or the freshwater streams that you come across frequently. Carry iodine tablets to purify the water if you’re not used to drinking unfiltered water.

For food, it is best if you have a camping stove with gas canisters, along with ready-to-eat dehydrated food to get you through 3-4 days of trekking. Sometimes you do get invited to the local’s homes to have food. Do not hesitate to say yes in such a case. You’ll get to experience the local culture and hear a lot of stories about their ways of life.

5. Where do I stay on the trek?

You will pitch your tents inside the villages and in the forest. Even though the locals invite you for food, it is not customary to stay in their homes. It is best to have your camping gear ready when you plan to trek inside Nokrek National Park.

Nearby Places to Visit

Just like the scenery on the trek, you mostly have national parks, lakes, waterfalls and viewpoints in the Nokrek National Park region.

If you have time after your trek, we recommend visiting Nokrek Peak, Rongbang Dare, Siju Caves to name a few.

Trek Contribution

Trek explored, documented and photos clicked by Senior Trek Leader, Nitesh Kumar

Trek written by Gautam Singh