Know your trekking route well and always carry an area map with you.

Services of a local guide are essential before embarking on a trek.

Before leaving on a trek inform the nearest Tourist Officer, detailing your trekking program and inform the office of your return as well.

Carry medicines and first aid kit for use in the event of an accident. Also carry a bottle of boiled water while trekking.

After using temporary toilets at camping sites always fill them up with mud or sand.

Do not use wood as fuel for fire at camping sites. Under any conditions do not harm the forests and plant life.

After camping carry all the garbage, empty bottle, polythene bags and cans with you and throw them only in the municipal garbage dump.

Choose your camping site away from the villages so that there is no ill effects on the local, forest and plant life. Keep eatables out of reach from local children.

Always trek at a medium pace and maintain mental equilibrium all along the way.

Remove shoes while visiting Temples.

By following local customs and respecting local etiquette you will be accepted and welcomed.

Be patient, friendly and sensitive remember you are a guest.

Do not interfere in the day to day lives of the locals and do not take photographs without permission.

Do not wear clothes of loud colors to eliminate any chances of exciting the locals.

Do not wander alone in the forest and refrain from teasing animals.

Never leave lit cigarettes or any kind of burning in the forest area.

Abstain from taking alcohol and drugs while trekking.

Do not take off your clothes inadvertently on reaching very high spots to avoid exposure.

Allow the flora to flourish in its natural environment. Taking away of cuttings, seeds and roots is illegal in many parts of the Himalayas.

Never touch or remove religious objects and respect holy places.

Avoid encouraging beggars.

Indian nationals need not to take permission for trekking in any area outside the Inner Line. For routes inside the Inner Line, the local District Magistrate's permission or that of the Central Home Ministry is necessary in advance.

For foreigners, crossing the Inner Line is not permitted. Trek upto 4,900 m need no permission and can be undertaken on tourist visas. Above 4,900 m, trek can also be undertaken with prior permission from the IMF provided no peak is attempted. Camera permits are also necessary.

For expedition permits and other details contact:

Secretary
Indian Mountaineering Foundation,
Benito Juarez Road, Anand Niketan,
New Delhi 110021
Phone +91-11-2671211, +91-11-2602245, Fax +91-11-6883412.