Resources
Resources page content for The Great Indian Trails — trek preparation guides, gear lists, FAQs, downloads, and blog content
From first-timer fitness plans to technical altitude guides — this is our library for prepared trekkers. Bookmark it. Share it. Use it.
A four-step path from curious to trail-ready — no experience needed.
Trek grades at TGIT range from Easy (suitable for first-timers with basic fitness) to Challenging (technical terrain requiring prior high-altitude experience). Each trek page lists the grade, daily elevation gain, and a honest fitness benchmark.
Start 8–12 weeks before departure. A weekly routine of brisk walks, stair climbs, and progressive weekend hikes will take most people from couch to confident. Our free 8-week prep plan is in the downloads below.
You don’t need to buy everything — TGIT provides tents, sleeping bags, and kitchen equipment on all departures. Our personalised packing list (grade-specific) tells you exactly what to bring and what to leave home.
Treks above 3,500m require a basic medical check. We recommend a GP visit, altitude sickness awareness, and — for treks above 4,500m — a consultation on preventative medication (Diamox). Download our medical prep guide below.
A progressive training schedule designed around the specific demands of multi-day trekking — sustained uphill, load-bearing, and high altitude. Week-by-week breakdown with rest days built in.
AMS affects 25–40% of trekkers above 3,000m. This guide covers early symptoms, the golden rule of descent, acclimatisation schedules, and when medication helps vs. hinders.
The most common mistake first-time trekkers make is over-packing. This guide breaks down layering systems, footwear, the one item most people forget, and how to keep your pack under 12kg.
Inner Line Permits, forest department fees, national park entry, Protected Area Permits for Ladakh and Arunachal — demystified. What you need, where to apply, how long it takes.
Monsoon, post-monsoon, winter snow, and pre-summer windows vary significantly across the Himalayas. A region-by-region calendar to help you choose the right month for the right mountains.
Practical ethics for the trail — waste management, campfire rules, interaction with wildlife, respectful behaviour in mountain villages, and how to support local porter communities.
PDF · 4 pages
Free
PDF · 2 pages · Grade-specific versions
Free
PDF · 1 page · Laminate-ready
Free
PDF · 6 pages · 2025 updated
Free
PDF · Fillable · For your GP
Free
The physiological process of adapting to reduced oxygen levels at high altitude. Usually requires 1–2 rest days at intermediate elevations on any trek above 3,500m.
Acute Mountain Sickness. Headache, nausea, and fatigue caused by insufficient acclimatisation. The only reliable cure is descent.
High-altitude alpine meadows found in the Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas, typically above 3,000m. Among the most beautiful terrain on any Uttarakhand trek.
The altitude at which you sleep — typically 300–500m lower than the day’s highest point. Sleeping low helps acclimatisation even on summit push days.
Inner Line Permit — required for Indian citizens and foreign nationals to enter restricted areas in Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, and parts of Sikkim.
Any route requiring the use of ropes, ice axes, crampons, or fixed lines — beyond standard walking. TGIT labels all technical treks clearly in the difficulty section.