Hiking and Highlights of Bhutan 10/15 10/28, 2017

Transcription

1 TRIP AT-A-GLANCE Hiking and Highlights of Bhutan 10/15 10/28, 2017 Trip Highlights Dates: 10/15 10/28, 2017 Location: Paro, Bhutan Cost: $4295 Rating: 3 Activities: Hiking/Cultural First Meeting: Date: 10/15/2017 Place: Bangkok airport Arrive: Early morning. Exact time TBA Departure: Paro, Bhutan airport, morning of 10/28/2017 WHAT S INCLUDED An English-speaking Bhutanese guide and an AGC guide Double occupancy in 2 3 star category standard hotels All transfers (private Toyota Coaster bus) and sightseeing Internal flight from Bumthang to Paro Bhutan Visa fee & processing All meals in local restaurants Fees for museums and permits to enter temples & monuments WHAT S NOT INCLUDED Airfare to/from Bangkok Airfare from Bangkok to Paro (currently about $900) Guide and driver gratuities, Beverages (including water) Climbing to the stunning Tiger's Nest Monastery Learning about the rich cultural and natural history of Bhutan Visiting some of its major temples, fortresses (dzongs), monasteries, schools, and museums Hiking on trails through a variety of terrain, with snow-capped peaks never far away Understanding the challenges and opportunities of Bhutan's move toward modernization Wandering the streets of Thimpu and Paro Trip Overview Until recently Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, was the last Himalayan Buddhist Kingdom. Its transition to democracy says much about broader changes in the country as it seeks to embrace the best of tourism and the modern world without losing what has made it special: a spiritual tradition based in Buddhism that permeates every dimension of the culture. This is most clearly seen in the concept of "Gross National Happiness", a development model based on the belief that the true development of human society takes place when material and spiritual development occur side by side. Ancient fortresses, diverse temples, and jagged snow capped peaks provide the backdrop for a visit to one of the most interesting countries in the world. Our Itinerary Like all adventure itineraries, this is our proposed itinerary. We may follow it exactly or modify it based on weather, new opportunities, airline schedules, or airline schedules. If you are coming from North America, you will likely need to depart October 16 in order to be at the Bangkok Airport by the morning of October 18. Sunday, October 15: Arrive Paro, Drive to Thimpu Our journey starts when we assemble at the Bangkok Airport Sunday morning in time for our early morning Druk Air flight. Although airfare to Paro is not included, we'll arrange a group flight so we can all arrive at the same time. The flight into Paro is renowned for being one of the most exciting in the world, as the airplane wings seem to almost touch the high mountain walls. Fortunately the pilots are very experienced and we'll arrive safely to the airport, where we'll be met by our Bhutanese Last revised: 11/15/2016

2 PAGE 2 CANCELLATION POLICY In the unfortunate event that you must cancel your trip, your refund will be determined by the following formula: Days Prior to Trip Refund days All but $ days 50% of deposit days 50% of trip fee 45 days or less No refund Adventures in Good Company reserves the right to cancel or alter a trip due to unforeseen weather, unsafe conditions, low registrations or other circumstances. On the rare occasion when Adventures in Good Company must cancel a trip, all payments received to date will be refunded, including the non-refundable portion of your deposit. Adventures in Good Company is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation for any canceled trips, including airplane tickets. TRAVEL INSURANCE We highly recommend travel insurance for your trip. If you decide to purchase insurance, you can secure a policy through your own insurance company or enroll with the company we use, Travelex Insurance. Call or visit The location code is Our Itinerary Continued guides and driver. Since we'll be returning to Paro later, we'll head straight to Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan and home to many of its governmental and cultural institutions. Along the way we'll stop at a viewpoint of Tachogang monastery, founded towards the early part of the 1400s. We'll walk across an old suspension bridge to a private temple, looked after by three generations of a family that are believed to be descended from the temple's founder. This short minute walk will help us start acclimatizing to the altitude here. We'll then continue our drive to Thimphu (2,400m), the only capital in the world without a traffic light! We ll visit the Fortress of Trashicho Dzong on the northern edge of the city. This Fortress is the traditional seat of Bhutan s civil government as well as the kingship with the royal palace on site. We'll next visit the "Takin Preserve" and learn the story behind the existence of the national animal of Bhutan. Our final activity for the day before checking into our lodging will be a vist to the National Memorial Chorten to the 3rd King. This large Tibetan-style chorten is one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu, and for many Bhutanese it is the focus of their daily worship. Overnight Hotel Peaceful Resort, Thimpu Monday, October 16: Hike Tango-Drolay loop (3 4 hours), visit National Institute for Zorig Chusum, Great Buddha Dordenm, enjoy shops of Thimpu. We start this morning with a hike in the beautiful Bhutanese countryside. We then drive north of Thimphu for 45 minutes to Tango and the Drolay Gompa hike, a 3 hour loop hike offering great views of Thimpu. The hike starts at the Tango temple founded in the mid 13th century and known for its unique architecture. We ll then follow a trail up the mountain above a hot stone bath frequently used by the monks. The trail crosses a creek and continues to a meadow, site of the monks soccer field, before continuing along a ridge to the gompa. We ll descend back down to the soccer field and take another downhill trail back to our waiting bus and lunch. After enjoying our wonderful hot picnic lunch we ll drive to and visit to the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, the 13 forms of traditional arts and crafts commonly referred to as "the painting school". The institute was established decades ago to assure that traditional arts would continue to flourish. We can watch students taking classes in all the traditional art forms and then visit the school gift shop where everything has been made by the students. We ll finish our day with a visit to the Great Buddha Dordenm, a more recent addition to the Bhutan landscape, a gift from China. The statue commemorates the centennial of the Bhutanese monarchy as well as fulfilling 2 prophecies;; in the twentieth century, the renowned yogi Sonam Zangpo prophesied that a large statue of either Padmasambhava, Buddha or of a phurba would be built in the region to bestow blessings, peace and happiness on the whole world. Overnight Hotel Peaceful Resort, Thimpu. info@goodadventure.com Phone: Fax:

3 PAGE 3 Our Itinerary Continued Tuesday, October 17: Thimphu - Punakha (4 hours scenic drive, 3-5 hour hike) We leave Thimpu today and drive a winding road to Punakha. If time and weather allow, we ll stop along the way at a roadside market to sample some of the local delicacies dried cheese, fresh fruits and maybe even the infamous Betel Nut! Continuing our journey, we ll reach Dochula Pass (9900 feet), where we will be greeted by 108 Chortens. After paying our respects to all 108 Chortens, we ll take the Botanical Gardens path to the top yes, there is more to this pass! We ll hike up to the Lungchutse Monastery for spectacular views of the snow capped mountains and the surrounding valleys. The LungchuTse monastery, built in the 18th century is home to the main sacred statue is of Guru Pema Jungney, one of the eight manifestation of Guru Padmasambhava, also popularly known as Guru Rinpoche. The statue is believed to have spoken and is considered one of the most sacred in the country. Descending to the car park and our waiting bus, we ll transfer a short distance for a late lunch at the Dochula Resorts before continuing to our lodging for the night. Overnight: Hotel Kingaling, Punakha Wednesday, October 18: Chimi Lhakhang, Khamsum Yuley Namgey Lhakhang, Punakha Dzong We'll spend today exploring the Punakha Valley, which at 3600 feet is subtropical and warm enough to grow bananas and oranges. We ll begin our day with a pleasant hike through rice paddies and farms and along the way stop to talk with as many locals as possible. Our path will eventually take us to the beginning of our up for the day to Khamsum Yuley Namgey Lhakhang, a 2-hour round trip hike and an absolute architectural delight! The temple was built over a 10 year period in the 1990s by the Queen Mother. It is majestically located on a ridge in idyllic countryside north of Punakha, with amazing views of the Mo Chu valley below. Descending to our bus, we ll be transported to one of Bhutan s most beautiful national parks, on the shore of the Mo Chhu, where lunch awaits us. Continuing our journey after lunch, we ll make our way to the magnificent Punakha Dzong, located at the confluence of the Mo and Po Chhu (mother and father rivers). A dzong is a combination of monastery, fortress, and administrative seat, built without iron nails and one of the most striking examples of Bhutanese architecture. Until 1955 this Dzong served as the capital seat of the Kingdom for over 300 years, and is now used as the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (the Spiritual head of Bhutan). The Royal Wedding was held at the Dzong on October 13, Our final stop for the day will be at Chimi Lhakhang. This temple is dedicated to Drukpa Kunley ( ), also known as 'The Divine Madman' for his often outrageous and sexually explicit teachings. He is an important character in Bhutanese history and the subject of many stories and legends, which we'll hear. He originally built a chorten on this site, and the temple was later built in 15th century. It is a pilgrim site, especially for childless couples seeking to improve their fertility. Overnight: Hotel Kingaling, Punakha Thursday, October 19: Punakha - Phobjikha Valley (5 hours scenic drive, 4-5 hour hike) This morning we'll head down the valley to Wangdi Phodrang, the name of both a dzong and the town that is the capital of this District. We then continue our scenic drive east to Phobjikha valley, stopping at the village of Longtey for a hike into the beautiful Phobjikha Valley. Our trail climbs gradually and steadily towards the Pele La (pass) at 10,944 feet, passing under hemlock and rhododendrons, with occasional stands of bamboo. It's about 2 to 3 hours moderate hike to the pass and although it gets steeper towards the summit, gaining the crest is well worth it. We'll then descend for about 45 minutes until we reach a place with a panoramic view of the entire Phobjikha Valley before us, the perfect place to stop for lunch. A steep descent brings us to Khumbu Lhakang, and from here a further 50 minute walk on a dirt road takes us to our bus for the last part of the drive to Phobjikha.

4 PAGE 4 Our Itinerary Continued Phobjikha Valley, a beautiful bowl-shaped valley that was carved out by glaciers, is best known as the wintering place of the endangered black-necked cranes. It is also one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country and home to muntjacs (barking deer), wild boars, Himalayan black bears, leopards and red foxes. Typically the black cranes start their migration back to the valley in mid-october but it can be earlier or later;; with any luck we'll see at least the beginning of their return. Overnight Yue-Loki Guest House.Phobjikha Village Friday, October 20: Phobjikha Valley (4-6 hour hike) After a few days of driving, it will be great to spend most of our time today on foot. The vast and remote flat valley of Phobjikha is an excellent place for day hikes and today we'll go for a full day circumnavigation of the valley. Leaving from our hotel, we'll walk first to the Black-Necked Crane Information Center, which has lots of information both on the valley and its famous migrating birds. From here we walk to Beta Village with a small school that we can visit if we choose. We then continue our walk to Gangtey Gompa, one of Bhutan s oldest monasteries and recently extensively renovated. We'll continue along the Gangtey Nature Trail, past Semchubara village, through forests of blue pine trees covered with lichen (known as old man s beard). If the cranes have returned, this is where we're most likely to see them. From the end of the nature trail we continue to Kingathang village, where we can visit a temple built by the Queen Mother. From Kingathang, we'll walk via Yusa village back to our hotel. Overnight Yue-Loki Guest House.Phobjikha Village Saturday, October 21: Drive to Jakar in the Bumthang district (approximately 6 hours) Today is mostly a travel day with several stops along the way, including Trongsa Dzong and a local weaving shop. The local weaving shop offers the opportunity to watch local artisans in actiona and to purchase items as well beautiful crafts and good prices. The Trongsa Dzong, built in 1647, is a masterpiece of architecture, and its strategic location, perched on a narrow spur that juts into the gorge of the Mangde River, which gave it great power over this part of the country. The view from the Dzong extends for many miles and in former times, nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchmen. Other stops will include stops for tea (of course!) lunch and just to stretch our legs. After a full day of traveling and sightseeing, we ll arrive in Jakar and our lodging for the next two nights. Overnight: Yu Gharling Resort, Jakar Sunday, October 22: Explore Jakar Bumthang (about one hour), short walks in the vicinity Bumthang is the general name given to a complex of four valleys - Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura. Choekhor and Chumey are agricultural valleys while Tang and Ura depend mostly on animal husbandry. Today will be more relaxed and we can get a later start from our hotel. The drive is short and most of the day is spent on cultural sightseeing. In Jakar, we ll visit both Jambay Lhakhang Temple and Kurjey Temple. Both temples are located side by side and if traffic is not bad, walking the 1.2 miles between them is a possibility. The Jambay Temple or Temple of Maitreya is said to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsän Gampo in 659 CE on a single day, to pin down an ogress to earth forever. Kurjey Temple is the final resting place of the remains of the first three kings of Bhutan. It is also revered for an 8th century event: Sendhu Raja (a Bumthang King) had invited Guru Rimpoche (Precious Master), who brought Buddhism into Bhutan, to cure him from a dreadful disease. Guru meditated at Kurjey for three months, left his body print on the rock and subdued the local deities including powerful Shelging Karpo, who had stolen the king's life force and was the cause of King's disease. Kurjey is complex of three temples, on the right beneath a giant cypress tree, the main temple built in 1652 by Minjur Tempa, Trongsa Penlop. This temple houses the cave where Guru Rimpoche had meditated and left his body imprint. The middle temple was built by the First King of Bhutan during his tenure as Trongsa Penlop in The third temple is recently constructed under patronage of Her Majesty queen mother Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuk. info@goodadventure.com Phone: Fax:

5 PAGE 5 We will continue our day by hoping on our bus for a short ride to Burning Lake where Pema Lingpa found treasures indicated by Guru Rinpoche at the river. Legend tells us he jumped in with a burning butter lamp and immerged with scared scrolls and the butter lamp still burning. There s still more! Next we ll drive to Ugyen Tekcholing Nunnery for a visit, lunch on the grounds and hike from there throught the small village and farmlands back to our lodging in Jakar another wonderful day in Bhutan! Overnight: Yu Gharling Resort, Jakar Monday, October 23: Drive to Ura/Shingkhar villages (4 hours total) and hike through villages (about 1.5 miles) We'll start with an early drive to Ura. Ura is the highest of the valleys in Bumthang and is believed by some to have been the home of the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan. Cobbled streets and a medieval feel give Ura villages an attractive atmosphere, and houses are unusually clustered. The old women of Ura still wear sheepskin shawls which double as blankets and cushions. On arriving Ura, we'll visit Ura monastery and a village home where we can learn more about rural life. Later we'll drive to Shingkhar village (30 minutes drive) on a dirt road. This village still retains many characteristics of the old villages, as people were isolated from road heads until recent times. These village still rear cattle and yaks, in addition to farming potatoes on a commercial scale. We'll walk through the village and, if school is open, visit a school and later a village home before heading back to Jakar for overnight. We'll also have a cooking class today so we can learn more about the food we've been eating and enjoy the fruits of our labors. Overnight Jakar. Tuesday, October 24: Fly to Paro, Drive to Haa Valley, Sightsee Haa Our flight to Paro is short (about 40 minutes) and very scenic, and flying back allows us to avoid backtracking over the narrow, winding roads we came across earlier on our trip. From the Paro airport we ll drive south to the Haa Valley. Its proximity to Paro means that more people are traveling there but it is still relatively isolated and quiet, with pristine alpine forests and nearby mountain peaks. We ll spend time today visiting Haa Town, located along the Haa Chu River. The northern section has the central bazaar, main shops, and restaurants. The southern section is the site on an Indian Military Training camp and a Bhutanese Army training camp. Rather uniquely, the local dzong is located inside the compound. Overnight Risum Resort, Haa Valley. Wednesday, October 25: Hike around Haa Yumthang Valley, 3 4 hours hiking Today we ll explore the Haa Valley and surrounding area on foot. The major livelihood here is agriculture: potatoes, chilis, apples and other cash crops are grown on the valley floor, on terraced hillsides, and in some of the side valleys. Livestock is also common here, mostly cattle and yaks, but also some chickens, pigs and horses. We ll do a circular hike through the village, cross Yatong Gompa, and take a steep downhill trail to Talung Village. Our trail winds around picturesque farmlands, fenced with piles of stone to protect the fields from deer and wild boars. Overnight Risum Resort, Haa Valley. Thursday, October 26: Cheli La hike and return to Paro;; 2 hours driving, 3 hours hiking This morning we'll return to Paro, stopping for a hike on Cheli La (pass). We'll drive to the top of the pass, from where we can see Mt Chomolhari, Bhutan s second highest peak. We then start our hike ascending up hill through meadows of flowers, crossing another pass where sky burials are conducted for the people of Paro and Haa. After about 1.5 hours, we reach top of the peak (600 feet ascent). After admiring the view we'll descend about 20 minutes to reach a flat area with temporary cattle sheds where we can have a picnic lunch. We'll continue to descend for 900 feet through a Rhododendron forest, and then past Rosary shrubs, hemlock, stunted bamboos, and pine forest. We reach a side path leading to the ancient Kylie nunnery, nestled on the mountainside below. The nunnery is home to about 40 Buddhist nuns, who lead a life of religious studies, prayer, and meditation. An hour s further descent and we are back on the road where our driver will be waiting for us for the one hour drive further to Paro. Overnight Hotel Olathang Paro.

6 PAGE 6 Friday, October 27: Hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery (5-7 hours hike) After an early breakfast we'll drive to the trailhead of the Taktsang Monastery, the most famous of Bhutan's monasteries and easily recognizable from the many photographs that have been taken of it. Taktsang means "Tiger's Nest," so named because Guru Rimpoche reportedly flew to the site of the monastery on the back of a flying tigress in the 8th century. The monastery is perched on a cliff nearly 3,000 ft above the Paro valley floor. This day hike is not only historically and culturally interesting, but also incredibly scenic! It takes about hour and half of steadily uphill hiking to reach the cafeteria, which gives a breathtaking view of the Tiger's Nest. This can be a good place to stop and rest, or if you still feel like hiking, it takes about another hour to reach the temple. Tonight we'll have our final Farewell Dinner, taking time to reflect on our experiences in this amazing country. Overnight Hotel Olathang Paro. Saturday, October 28: Paro Departure After breakfast, we'll drive to the Paro airport in time to catch our morning flight back to Bangkok. info@goodadventure.com Phone: Fax:

7 PAGE 7 Packing List NOTE: Please keep your luggage as light as possible. There is a weight limit on Druk Airlines of 40 pounds. Keep in mind you may leave with more than you arrived with if you buy local merchandise. FOOTWEAR 1 pair midweight hiking boots (Gore-tex, cordura, or leather). 1 pair comfortable shoes for sightseeing and camp wear (Teva sandals, Crocs, or athletic shoes work well) 2-3 pair thin liner socks: (only if you use liners) 2-3 pairs hiking socks: wool or synthetic equivalent (Thorlo, Ultimax, or Coolmax) CLOTHING ( temps range from 40 F to 70 F) 1 pair (top and bottom) lightweight long underwear: silk, wool, or synthetic (polyester) 1 long sleeved shirt (lightweight nylon, polyester or wool) for layering and for sun protection 1 lightweight fleece/wool shirt/pull-over OR a fleece, down or wool vest. 1 2 T-shirts or short-sleeved shirts 1 mid-weight fleece jacket (windproof fleece is nice, but you can also wear your raingear as a wind layer)) 1 mid weight down or synthetic-fill jacket (to wear in the evenings) 1-2 pair comfortable, lightweight, synthetic hiking pants (zip-offs are versatile) 1 rain jacket and rain pants: waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-tex 1 wide-brimmed hat or baseball type cap for protection from sun 1 warm hat (wool or fleece) 1 pair mittens or lightweight gloves (wool or fleece) Underwear Sleepwear 1 2 changes of clothing to wear in towns, lodges and out to dinner, etc. ESSENTIALS Passport and Xeroxed copy of passport Trekking poles (highly recommended) Sunscreen and lip block with SPF of at least 15 2 bandannas Headlamp with extra batteries 1 sturdy daypack preferably with hip belt and padded straps (see notes on packing list for size) 1 pack cover or large garbage to line your pack with for waterproofing. 2 one-liter capacity water bottles or a hydration system Sunglasses (100% UV blocking) OPTIONAL Utility cord, clothespins, universal sink stopper (for laundry) Watch with alarm or small travel clock Book, cards, small game Small journal and pen, sketch pad Camera, xtra memory card, charger Sports drink powder to add to water earplugs ( for a good night s sleep!) Compact binoculars wash cloth (in case these are not provided at all lodges) Electrical plug adaptor and converter Favorite snack(s) Personal filtration/sterilization method. (Detailed information regarding water and water purification will be sent with the per-departure documents in mid-may 2015)

8 PAGE 8 Notes on the Packing List Please note: If you are not familiar with any of the terms used as explanation regarding the equipment or clothing required for this trip or would like help with any item listed please let us know. We are available to answer your questions and/or send more information to assist in determining appropriate equipment and clothing for your trip. Daypacks: You will need a daypack that is large enough to hold the following items: 1 2 liters of water, rain gear, lunch/snacks (for the day), warm layer (fleece pullover or vest), lightweight gloves, warm hat and any other desired personal items such as camera, journal, etc. We recommend a daypack with a capacity of between 1800 and 2400 cubic inches and preferably with a hip belt, padded shoulder straps and lifters. Please note: A fanny-pack is not large enough to hold all of the items you will need for the day. Pack Cover: These are waterproof, usually elasticized covers designed to go over your daypack and keep both the pack and its contents dry in case of inclement weather. Pack covers are sized. If you are purchasing a pack cover be sure to either take your pack with you or know the size cover you need. Many daypacks do come with built in pack covers. An alternative to purchasing a pack cover is to use a heavy-duty, plastic bag to line your pack to protect the contents from rain. Please Note: The Adventures in Good Company's packing list covers what we have found to be essential for your safety and comfort for this particular trip. Because we stay indoors every night, you may be tempted to skimp on the warm clothes. Please don t. It is essential that you have the warm clothing and the rain to stay warm in case of inclement weather You may not use everything you bring;; however, you need to come prepared for all possible weather conditions. Please follow the packing list as closely as possible. There is a weight limit on Druk Air of 40 pounds. This does not include your backpack but they are serious about the weight restriction. We recommend packing in a mediumsize suitcase or duffel with wheels. Footwear: Well-fitting, sturdy hiking boots are very important to your safety and enjoyment. If you plan to buy new boots, break them in by wearing them as much as possible and taking some short hikes before your trip. For general trekking/hiking there are many choices in both materials and styles of boots. Your choice will depend on the environment you will be hiking as well as your personal preferences and physical condition of your feet and ankles. Boots can be made of leather, nubuck leather, synthetic materials or a combination and come in low, mid or ankle cut styles. For general trekking/hiking we recommend low/mid-height height, lightweight/midweight hiking boots/shoes with Vibram or Vibram type soles. Please note: If you have weaker ankles or are recovering from an ankle injury consider either the mid-height or the ankle height boots. More information regarding choosing a hiking boot is available upon request. Remember to waterproof your boots before the trip. (Even boots billed as waterproof still need to be treated with a waterproofing product it s the interior lining that is actually the waterproof part of the boot, not the exterior.) Personal First Aid Kit: We recommend bringing a small first aid kit with the following items: blister and/or foot remedies for blisters, hot spots, etc. (band aids/compeed/moleskin/personal choice), personal prescription medications, over the counter medications for common ailments (respiratory/colds, stomach issues, sore muscles/joints). Your AGC guide will have a first aid kit as well but if you already know what works for you it s best to have that with you rather than experiment on a trip. Please note: If you have severe reactions to insect bites/stings or other severe allergic reactions and have been advised to carry an Epi-Pen please do not forget to bring that with you and let your guides know. Clothing: All clothing for active wear should be made from synthetic/synthetic blends, down/down blends or wool/wool blends. NO COTTON for your active wear. The clothing listed on the packing list has been chosen for your specific trip conditions and for its versatility for layering. Layering is the most practical and efficient method of insulating the body. Several layers of varied weight materials provide better insulation than one thick layer of clothing. Also, adding or subtracting layers allows you to adjust to the temperature at your particular level of activity. info@goodadventure.com Phone: Fax:

9 PAGE 9 Notes on the Packing List Continued Rain Gear: You will need a jacket made of a coated nylon or a waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-tex, HellyTech, Membrane, H2No, or Ultrex. Be sure it keeps water out. Before making this important purchase, be sure that it fits you properly. It should be large enough to fit over all your layers. In particular, the hood needs to be effective. It should shield your face from the rain and turn with your head. Movement of your arms must not interfere with the hood. Put on your daypack;; can you still raise your arms? Lastly, the wind/rain pants. They should be comfortable, allow enough room for your layers, and permit free movement of your legs (for example, can you crouch comfortably?). Partial or full-length leg zippers are useful for easily putting your pants on over your boots. Hydration: It is very important to your safety and enjoyment to have an independent ability for accessing your water to facilitate drinking frequently. One method is to have a water bottle attached to your waist strap. Another option is to use a HYDRATION SYSTEM such as an MSR, CamelBak or Platypus type bladder system. These systems are simply collapsible water bags with a hose attachment that you drink from. These fit inside/outside your pack with the hose positioned over your shoulder where you can access your water without the use of your hands. Bladder bags traditionally come in 1, 2, and 3 Liter sizes. We recommend a 2 Liter size. Trekking Poles: Trekking poles are a highly recommended for this trip. Trekking poles contribute to your safety by improving your balance and stability, and to your health by saving stress on your hips and knees. In addition they help conserve your energy by transferring some of the work to your arms and chest. If you are not familiar with trekking poles we have written a blog spot that addresses the most commonly asked questions about trekking poles. You can find that at: If you will be purchasing trekking poles for your trip please make sure they meet the following guidelines: Height of the poles can be adjusted They have an upright (as opposed to cane-like) handle Have wrist straps that can be adjusted. o For a detailed description of considerations when purchasing a pair of trekking poles please see: Poles-for-your-Next-Hiking-Trip Please note: Trekking poles can be an expensive equipment purchase. If this is new to you we suggest purchasing an inexpensive pair (EBay, or some of the big box stores can be a good source) or borrow a pair from a friend. During your trip you will have the opportunity to learn the correct technique to use them, practice with them and also see what others may have chosen. Once you ve gained a bit of experience and you know that hiking is going to be a regular part of your life, you can make a more informed decision about whether you want to invest in the perfect pair of poles. Your trekking poles will need to be collapsed and placed in your checked luggage for your airline flights. Trekking poles are on the TSA list of items that cannot be carry on luggage.