Climb to the Second Highest Volcano Of Indonesia

TREK DIFFICULTY

TREK DURATION

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

SUITABLE FOR

Doing a trek to Mt. Rinjani in Indonesia is like killing many birds with one stone. 

First, Mt. Rinjani is on the island next to Bali. So you get all the stunning beach beauty of Bali without the maddening crowd.  

Then you get to do one of the most popular and challenging treks in Indonesia. Towering at 12,224 feet on the island of Lombok, Mount Rinjani is one of the highest volcanoes in Indonesia. Rarely do trekkers get to trek to a volcano and witness a natural wonder as striking as this.

As you climb over the ridges, you get to see an active volcano—the rarest of rare sights. Puffs of smoke spew out of the volcano as you trek past it. This is Mount Barujari, the active component of the volcano, sitting inside the crater of Mount Rinjani but away from the trail.

Mount Rinjani is also known for stunning views of the aquamarine crater lake, Segara Anak, hot springs, and beautiful waterfalls. The journey to Mt. Rinjani is an adventure and a once in a lifetime opportunity that should not be missed.

Having said this, it is not an easy trek. The trek requires a good level of fitness and preparation for the climb. 

Read through this trek documentation to learn more about this unique trek.

This fee includes everything after you land in Lombok and back to the airport after your trek

Backpack Offloading: If you wish to offload your backpack, there will be an additional charge of Rs 4,500 + 5% GST for the entire duration of the trek. The backpack cannot weigh more than 10 kgs.

Mount Rinjani - Complete Trek Information 

➤ Mandatory Documents required: It is mandatory for trekkers to carry original documents (Passport, Visa, Covid Vaccination Certificate) for entry inside the Rinjani National Park. Keep a watch on the Visa site for any changes in the law on things to be carried inside the state. Along with this, you need to carry the medical certificate and disclaimer form for the trek. 

➤Stay facility: In Sembalun, your stay will be arranged in a homestay/lodge. On the trek, you will be staying 2 in a tent

➤Cloakroom facility for excess luggage: You may leave behind the luggage that you won't need on the trek at your hotel, near the reception. There will not be any specific cloakroom facility with lockers.

You are going on an international trek where there are several unpredictable factors. It's best to book flexible flight tickets, which you can reschedule if required. These are available for a small added cost with most travel companies.

It is not required to have a visa / e-visa in advance. visa on arrival (VOA) for Indians is convenient and hassle-free at the Lombok airport before immigration. No long queues either. The visa fee can also be paid in SGD or Malaysian ringgit. You can also apply through the E-Visa Immigration Online portal. Once filled out, it takes about 7–10 days to get approval.

We strongly suggest trekkers reach Lombok a day earlier than the scheduled day of initial pickup and stay close to the pickup point in Mataram. This also ensures you have enough time to rest after a long journey and be fresh before starting on the trek. 

The Mt. Rinjani trek reaches an elevation of 12,224 ft, earning a rating of 'moderate-difficult' in terms of altitude. The volcanic soil and the ash on the terrain makes this trail earn its upgraded 'difficult' rating.  The trek might be short, but it is formidable - even for experienced trekkers. Beginning at an altitude of 3,609 ft, you ascend to nearly 5,000 feet in just one day. This is a significant test of endurance and stamina.

Over two days, trekkers ascend more than 8,600 feet to reach the summit of Mt. Rinjani. Besides the altitude and steep climbs, prepare yourself for a long hike across scree, gravel, and loose lava-black soil. The rugged terrain and considerable trekking distance on the final day can be daunting.

Cutting the trek short - such as skipping camping - increases the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). It is crucial to remain vigilant and attentive to any signs of discomfort in your body that may indicate the onset of AMS. Having know-how about Acute Mountain Sickness, HAPE and HACE greatly help in dealing with altitude issues you may face on the trek.

In addition to being mindful of AMS, be careful during descents. The trail is long and especially tricky during the rains or if there is a whiteout on the ridge section. Wearing high-quality trekking shoes with a good grip helps. (For details read: How To Choose The Best Trekking Shoes In India)

The Mt. Rinjani Trek is open for trekking between April to December. Rinjani National Park remains closed from January till the end of March due to heavy rainfall and extreme weather. April and December are bordering seasons where visitors may encounter more rain. 

The weather is mostly pleasant from May to July. The months between July to September are ideal for clearer views. 

One can expect the temperature to be around 20 degrees during the daytime. Nighttime temperatures can fall to a minimum of 3-4 degrees. Carrying four warm layers is ideal for the trek. 

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have complete knowledge about them. 

Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet of Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend to Mweka Gate. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Kilimanjaro trek.

Dexamethasone (1 Strip): This is part of the Life Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your Trek Leader will inform you in case the need arises.

Nifedipine (5 tablets): Again part of the Life-Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your Trek Leader will inform you in case the need arises. 

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

Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one-half hour before the start of your road journey.

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. 

Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS. 

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.

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 consist 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 these medicines listed here.

Pro Tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers 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.   

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

Original Passport. This is required by the National Park authorities for your identification.

Original and photocopy of government photo identity card. Anything such as a driver’s license, Aadhar Card, or passport. This is required by the National Park authorities for your identification.  

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

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

Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet. Please note there might not be any no facility to get printouts and photocopies at Senaru. 

Mount Rinjani trek requires trekking shoes that are sturdy, have good grip, have ankle support and can handle snow. Here is a quick video on how to choose your trekking shoes.  

| 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.

For a trek like Mount Rinjani, you need a 50-60 litre backpack. Make sure your backpack has good hip support, shoulder support and quick access pockets. Here is a guide on how to choose a backpack.

| 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.

Wearing layers is the mantra in the mountains. Layers give you maximum protection from all elements. And when the weather changes in the mountains (as it happens every few hours), you take off or put on layers as required. 

Wear one T-shirt and carry two. Carry full sleeve dry-fit T-shirts (preferably collared). These prevent your arms and neck from getting sunburnt. In the rarified air on the trek, especially at high altitudes, UV rays can burn you in no time.

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, Max have dry-fit T-shirts. They don’t usually cost much.

| Cotton or Synthetic? As Indians, we love cotton. Down in the plains when the heat is a blistering 40°C it makes sense to wear cotton. But it takes a long time to dry when it gets wet. In the mountains, where it is cooler, synthetic is what you wear. They wick sweat rapidly and keep you dry. (But they do tend to smell quickly, so carry a roll-on deodorant with you.)

| 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. 

The highest altitude you reach on this trek is 12,224 ft. At these altitudes it can get freezing cold during the night time. You will need at least 2 insulation layers for this trek.

You will need 2 light fleece layers or full-sleeve light sweater. Do not get your grandma stitched sweaters, which can be very heavy. You need sweaters and fleece jackets that can fold into compact rolls.

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. This video here will help you to learn more about the difference.

Note: Down/feather jackets are really not available these days. Many jackets masquerade as down/feather jackets. They are essentially fine polyester-filled jackets. They mimic the function of a down jacket but are usually expensive.

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 Rinjani trek without them. Trekkers generally put off purchasing / borrowing the accessories for the last minute. We suggest the opposite. Start gathering these accessories first.

Wear sunglasses if the trekking day is bright and sunny (on open sections, meadows). On a snowy section you must absolutely never take off your sunglasses until the section has been fully crossed. You need sunglasses with UV protection.

| If you wear spectacles: If you wear spectacles, you can get oversized sunglasses that you wear over your regular glasses (available at Decathlon). If that is cumbersome, photochromic lenses work equally well. Here’s a quick guide on managing sunglasses with spectacles.

| Contact lens users: If you use contact lenses, you can use them on the trek too. The lens solution will not freeze. You will also not face any problems in changing your lens in your tent. Just carry enough cleaning solution with you to clean your fingers well. Wear your sunglasses over your contact lens.   

| Tip: Try getting sunglasses that wrap around instead of those that have openings on the side. Even peripheral UV ray exposure is not a good idea.

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

| Tip: In the mountains, the general rule is to keep your head covered at all times. During the day a sun cap protects you from the harsh rays of the sun (it is doubly stronger with naked UV rays). A sun cap keeps your body temperature in balance. In the evening/early morning, the reverse is true. Your head loses your body heat quickly. A woolen cap prevents heat from dissipating from your head.

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

On a trek like Rinajni, you might handle heavy rains at the higher altitude. You also want the gloves to keep you warm. Get synthetic hand gloves that have waterproofing on the outside and a padded lining on the inside. If you find the combination difficult to get (not likely), wear a tight-fitting fleece hand glove inside a synthetic hand glove. Hand gloves are mandatory on this trek. These are also very useful when it rains to keep your hands dry and warm.  

Ensure these cover your ears. In the cold mountains, you lose maximum heat from your head, not from your hands, feet or the rest of your body. Which is why you need to keep your head protected, especially when the sun is down. Early mornings, late evenings, a cold trekking day are when you must use your woollen cap.

Your ears are sensitive too, so a woollen head cap that covers your ears is absolutely essential. A balaclava is a modern version of the woolen cap. It covers your ears, neck and parts of your face as well. Do not get a woollen cap that only covers your head. 

Apart from two sports socks, take a pair of woollen socks. Sports socks 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 in the night. If you cannot get woolen socks, wearing two sports socks serves the purpose as well.

Headlamp is mandatory because it leaves your hands free to do other activities. On the Rinjani trek, you’ll need your hands free to wash dishes, pitch tents and hold your trek poles. On top of that, the early morning summit requires you to use the trekking 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. 

Trekking poles give you stability and balance. They reduce your energy consumption by almost 40%. On the Rinjani 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, on this trek, two trekking poles are required. They give you greater stability and balance. They also increase your walking pace.

On this trek, the weather can change quickly. A bright sunny day can turn into a downpour in a matter of minutes. Instead of a regular poncho, we would recommend trekkers in carrying a rain jacket and rain pant. The trail can get very windy and ponchos can get blown away. 

Backpacks are your life. You carry all your dry clothes, 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 back pack 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 water-proof inside the backpack.

Some trekkers opt to offload their bags to a porter on the Rinjani trek. While we do not encourage this practice, in case you opt for offloading, then carrying a daypack is mandatory. In your daypack you carry essentials like water bottles, rainwear, emergency medicines, headlamp, some snacks and a warm layer. Your main backpack that carries most of your equipment is accessible only at the campsites.

A day pack is a smaller backpack that is usually of 30-40 ltr capacity. Laptop bags are not daypacks. Do not get them.

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 Rinjani. 

| 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. There will be toilet tents where you can get changed. 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 your sanitary waste.

Carry a lunch box along with you for the trek. This will be required for the packed lunches that are part of the trek itinerary. The other cutlery will be provided for trekkers. 

3. Two 1 litre bottles or a 2 litre hydration pack:

Rinjani 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.

| Rental: You could rent lightweight thermos flasks from the Indiahikes store. 

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mount Rinjani Trek

We recommend jogging as the best routine to get fit for a trek. It works on the same muscles that you use while trekking — your calves, glutes and hamstrings. It helps increase your stamina day by day. It is also an easy routine that does not require any equipment or tools.

To do this trek comfortably, you must be able to cover 10 km in under 60 minutes. This is the minimum fitness required for this trek.

If you cannot run 10 km immediately, start with 2 km and increase to 2 km over 2-3 weeks.

Once you’re able to run 5 km, increase your pace day by day. 

Gradually increase your pace and bring it down to 10 km in less than 60 mins.

You must be able to run 10 km in 60 mins consistently for at least 2 weeks before the trek. 

This trek requires at least 6-8 weeks of preparation. The longer, the better. So plan your trek soon and start preparing. 

Here's a complete guide to get you trek fit.

How to get Fitness Approval from the Indiahikes team:

Every trekker needs fitness approval from the Indiahikes team 20 days before the trek date. Without this, you will not be allowed on the trek. 

A minimum of 3 screenshots of your runs/jogs/walks/cycling 

Every high-altitude trek comes with a set of challenges. Steep ascents and descents, uneven terrain, snow walks, stream crossings, pass crossings, and summit climb. Even the easiest of treks have some of these challenges if not all of them. Without fitness, trekkers struggle, get injured easily, lag behind, or simply fail to complete the trek. 

At Indiahikes, we take pride in the fact that our trekkers are among the fittest in the country. Those who do not meet the fitness requirements are often sent back. Our philosophy is that trekking and fitness go hand in hand. Without fitness, there’s no trekking. 

Complete the steps below to register for your Rinjani Trek

We  go to great lengths to keep you safe on your trek. However, trekking  with the safest organisation in India comes with certain commitments  from your end.

Complete information on the Rinjnai trek. Trek details, experiences, photos, when to go, what to take, how difficult is the trek etc. 

Mount Rinjani 2024 - Trek in Lombok, Indonesia - Indiahikes

rinjani ranjani mount rinjani indonesia lombok bali volcano international

With terrific forests and mountain views, this trek is extremely rewarding for very little effort that you put in. It's family-friendly too.

The Benog Tibba Trek is a short day hike in Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary, Benog. Established in 1993, the sanctuary is home to the nearly extinct Mountain Quail.

The trek starts from the Cloud End Forest Resort. Right from the very start, you are in the wilderness. Trekking through lush green forests with the captivating sounds of birds makes this a perfect trek for beginners. The long forest cover ensures that you don’t feel the sun for a long time.  The fatigue of an otherwise steep trail doesn’t set in because of these settings.

Once the trail moves out of the forest, the view of the Yamuna valley below opens up to the west, with pockets of villages and their farms dotting the hills. During spring, this section of the trail has a growth of flowers that almost obscures the grass!

And to the east, the Greater Himalayan range -- Kalanag, Swargarohini, Gangotri I, II, III, Bhrigupanth, Kedarnath -- and a plethora of other mountains open up in a sweeping panorama.

The wildlife sanctuary is also home to a variety of flora and fauna. Himalayan Goats, Barking Deer, Flying Squirrel, Langurs and Mountain Quails can be spotted by keen observers. So keep your eyes and ears open for clues!

No wonder this isolated route makes for a very satisfying weekend trek out of Delhi, Dehradun, Chandigarh, or any other surrounding cities.

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan 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 Benog Tibba 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. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

Watch these videos to prepare well for your trek.

This fee includes everything from base camp to base camp.

Please note: The insurance is valid for only 7 days from the day of an incidence. 

An elevation chart of the Benog Tibba trek

- It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.

- At the base camp, your stay will be arranged in tents

Plan to reach Dehradun a day before the start of your trek (Day 0). Stay at any of the hotels/hostels closer to Dehradun ISBT, your pick-up point for the trek. If you plan to reach on the day of your trek (Day 1), take the Nanda DeviExpress (Kota – DDN Express – 12401) from Delhi so that you reach Dehradun before 6.30 AM, in time for your pick-up.

You will reach Dehradun late in the evening. Book your onward journey from Dehradun after 2 pm.

Benog Tibba is Best Discovered Through Pictures

The Benog Tibba Trek is an easy trek. Though it’s an easy trek, there are certain things that you must be aware of. Depending on the season, you might come across some weather-related difficulties. So be prepared according to the season you trek in. 

The terrain wise, trek is an easy one and a really good introductory trek to begin your trekking journey in the Himalayas.

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

Benog Tibba can be trekked in all the seasons, except Monsoon.

Witnessing this trek in only one season is like getting to know just a part of it. That’s because the trail is set in the Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary, which houses some vibrant varieties of flora amidst its forest. And the forest changes colours in different seasons.

So, in different seasons, the entire colour palette of the trek changes. Even the way the trek lights up, changes with the seasons. While spring and summer are known for their vibrant, verdant looks, autumn and winter are loved for their sharp views.

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

Norflox TZ & Lomofen – 6 tablets each (diarrhoea)

Omez/ Rantadine – 10 tablets (antacids)

Knee Cap, if you are prone to a knee injury

Our trek leaders carry a medical kit with them. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.

Pro Tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers 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. 

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.  

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.

Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet.

If you’re trekking to Benog Tibba, you will need to carry a minimum of two to three warm layers depending on the season. Apart from this, ensure you carry your warm accessories such as synthetic (water-resistant) gloves, woollen socks and balaclava.

Ensure you carry a pair of sandals, a poncho and full sleeve t-shirts and pants to have a comfortable trek.

Trekking shoes: Carry trekking shoes and not sports shoes. The trail will be slippery in several places and will require shoes with good grip and ankle support. You can watch this video to learn to choose the right trekking shoes. 

Backpack (40-60 litres): A backpack with sturdy straps and a supporting frame. Rain cover for the backpack is essential.

On a trek, carry fewer clothes than you would normally need. Do not pack for ‘what if situations’. That will only add to the weight of your backpack and not be used on the trek. Once your clothes get warmed up on a trek, you will not feel like changing. Just maintain personal hygiene.

Two layers of warm clothes: If you’re trekking in winter, carry a fleece jacket and a padded jacket. (Note: In summers, the minimum temperature hovers around 18 °C, so you wouldn’t need any warm layer.)

Two trek pants: Carry light quick dry trek pants. One of your pants can be tights that you can wear as an inner layer while trekking. Denim/jeans and shorts are not suitable for trekking.

Two collared t-shirts: Carry light, full sleeved t-shirts that prevent sunburns on the neck and arms. Let one of these be a dry-fit t-shirt. It will dry quickly in case you are trekking on a rainy day. A common mistake that trekkers make is not changing their tshirts often enough. Regardless of how cold it is, the body tends to sweat a lot. Trekkers who don’t change to fresh clothes after reaching the campsite fall ill due to wet clothes and are often unable to complete their trek. 

Sandals: Carry sandals on this trek as there are multiple river crossings. Trekking shoes are required for the forest but have a handy pair of sandals to slip into.

Sunglasses: Sunglasses are mandatory. This is to protect you from the harsh winter sun.

Sun Cap: In the jungles, even though there is heavy tree cover, the harsh sun can dehydrate you very quickly. A sun cap comes in handy to prevent the moisture to escape when you are sweating. 

Hand gloves: A fleece or woollen glove will do.

Balaclava: You’ll need this to cover your head, as most of the heat escapes from your head. (Note: Not required in summer)

Socks (2 pairs) and a pair of woollen socks: Apart from two sports socks, you can take a pair of woollen socks for the night.

Trekking pole: Watch this video to understand why you need a trekking pole. 

Ponchos: In a jungle, unexpected rain is possible at any time, and hence it’s mandatory to carry a poncho so that you don’t get wet.

Daypack (20 litres): You will need this to carry water bottles, light snacks and a medical kit in case you decide to leave your backpack behind.

Toiletries: Sunscreen, moisturizer, light towel, lip balm, toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitiser. Do not carry wet wipes since these are not biodegradable. We do not like biodegradable wet wipes because they take a long time to decompose in the mountains. Use toilet paper instead.

Sanitary waste: Make sure you bring your used sanitary napkins back to the city with you. Carry a zip lock bag to put used napkins. Bring this ziplock bag back with you to the city and do not dispose of sanitary napkins in the mountains.

Cutlery: Carry a spoon, coffee mug and a lunch box. We insist on trekkers getting their cutlery for hygiene reasons. We do not allow biodegradable or disposable cutlery on our treks.

Three water bottles: 1 litre each.  We recommend the Paany bottle. Indiahikes trekkers can get it at a discount here. 

Plastic covers: While packing, use plastic bags to compartmentalize things and carry a few extra plastic bags for wet clothes.

Over 20,000 people trek with Indiahikes each year and vouch for our unmatched safety standards.

Click Here For Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend jogging as the best routine to get fit for a trek. It works on the same muscles that you use while trekking — your calves, glutes and hamstrings. It helps increase your stamina day by day. It is also an easy routine that does not require any equipment or tools. 

To do this trek comfortably, you must be able to cover 5 km in under 38 minutes. This is the minimum fitness required for this trek.

If you cannot run 5 km immediately, start with 2 km and increase to 5 km over 2-3 weeks.

Gradually increase your pace and bring it down to 5 km in less than 38 mins.

You must be able to run 5 km in 38 mins consistently for at least 2 weeks before the trek. 

At Indiahikes, we take pride in the fact that our trekkers are among the fittest in the country. Those who do not meet the fitness requirements are often sent back. Our philosophy is that trekking and fitness go hand in hand. Without fitness, there’s no trekking. 

Green Trails is our promise to leave the mountains better. We have removed over 1 lakh kilos of the waste left behind by others on trekking trails. Yet this is a small percentage of what we do. Green Trails dives into reducing the use of resources, reducing our carbon footprint and bringing about a change in the daily practices of our trekkers too.

Trekkers share their experience with Indiahikes

Here are the unedited reviews by trekkers

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Complete information on the Benog Tibba Weekend trek. Trek details, itinerary, reviews, cost, maps, photos, videos and more. 

Benog Trek 2024 - Weekend Treks In Uttarakhand - Indiahikes

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Gaumukh Tapovan is one of the most rewarding treks you will ever do.

There are summit views and there are ‘big’ summit views. On the Gaumukh Tapovan trek, you don’t just see the best views of Mt Shivling. You see Mt Shivling right from the base to its summit. And if you don’t know about Mt Shivling, it’s one of the most beautiful looking mountains in our country. No wonder the mountain has been featured in our gold calendar every year since it was published.

But wait. Not only Mt Shivling, you see the Bhagirathi sisters from top to bottom. Sometimes we feel the Bhagirathi sisters are even grander than Mt Shivling because the three of them form a massif, which dominates the landscape.

Then why do more people not do the trek you ask?

Unfortunately, the popularity of other treks brought the Gaumukh Tapovan trek down from its grace. It’s almost like a new generation movie star replaced an older star. It sounds silly, but that’s what happened to the Gaumukh Tapovan trek. Treks like Roopkund, Rupin Pass and the Hampta Pass gained popularity. And Gaumukh Tapovan fell in popularity.

As is the mentality of most trekkers, if they find one trek attractive, they just rush towards the new offering. It is a mistake.

Before we begin, here are some quick facts about the Gaumukh Tapovan trek:

Gaumukh Trek is a 46 km trek hiked over 6 days (8 days including the drive to and from the trek,) in the Greater Himalayas. It lies in the state of Uttarakhand and begins and ends at the pilgrim town of Gangotri.

The trail snakes through the Greater Himalayas within the confines of Gangotri National Park. It is a moderate-difficult trek (more on this ahead on this page) that can be attempted by beginners if you prepare well. 

Includes everything from base camp to base camp.

Please note: The insurance has to be claimed within 7 days from the specific incident for it to be deemed valid.

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Gaumukh Tapovan - Complete Trek Information

Use this section to learn about the Gaumukh Tapovan 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. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

Watch these videos to prepare for your Gaumukh Tapovan trek.

Study this map to get a visual cue of the Gaumukh Tapovan trek.

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