CARACTERÍSTICAS GENERALES

Para quienes deseen estar en contacto directo con la naturaleza, encontrarán en el trekking el deporte ideal. Espíritu aventurero y ganas de recorrer parajes inhóspitos es una de sus principales atracciones, pues la idea es simplemente recorrer lugares donde sólo se puede acceder caminando con una mochila al hombro.
Por eso, lo más importante es tener el equipo adecuado que nos permita recorrer diversos tipos de terrenos y climas, una mala elección puede llevarnos a estropear nuestra aventura. Además, es fundamental analizar detalladamente el destino de nuestro viaje antes de comenzar la expedición.
La indumentaria que se debe llevar tiene que ser lo más liviana y cómoda posible, con el fin de no dañar nuestro cuerpo, ni provocar un estado de cansancio prematuro. Asimismo, un buen entrenamiento físico antes de emprender la travesía mejorará notablemente la resistencia y los ascensos que se puedan llevar a cabo.
El sur de Chile es un lugar privilegiado para practicar este deporte.

Zay Harding travels the length and breadth of Switzerland, beginning with a leap of faith in Locarno! The valley and damn are made famous for their starring role in 'Golden Eye' and Zay jumps his first ever 700 feet bungee drop. Once recovered, the journey continues to Flims and the bizarre Annual Celebration of the end of Winter, the 'Glashercruse' he joins with a sledging team and dressed in tinsel plummets down the snowy course. Then onwards to Zurich for the Burning of Winter Festival 'Sexalogs' in which they set fire to a giant snowman. The faster the snowman burns, the warmer the summer in Switzerland. Then to Langnau and on his bike Zay visits the Emmental region and experiences the horn making and yodelling traditions of Switzerland first hand! Finally the treks conclude in Bourg St Pierre, the last village before reaching the Italian border made famous by the St Bernard Pass. Zay skis up the mountain to a hospice and on to meet the life saving St Bernard dogs, famous for rescuing over 2000 people in the treacherous mountain range.



Zay meets a four-legged friend in St Bernard Pass

Zay Harding's trek through Austria takes him on a journey from the beautiful architecture and countryside of Salzburg to the vast and spectacular mountain peaks of the Alps. Beginning in the home of the Sound of Music and Mozart, Zay then takes a trip by Bus to Hallstatt. This fascinating little town has a dark history hidden in the depths of its lake where divers have found relics of the old Nazi regime. The church itself has its own special character with the tradition of digging up decayed bodies from the graveyard and keeping the decorated bones in a room in the church. Then upwards to the town of Lanrsbach and its C11th castle. Taking his life in his hands he goes canyoning and then to a spa to recover where he experiences the grass relaxation technique. Before heading up the mountain further, Zay cannot resist donning the traditional lederhosen and participating in a folk dance! Finally to Neustift and its glacial peaks 8000 feet up by snow shoe. After investigating the inside of an ice crevice Zay gets his reward with spectacular views of the stunning Austrian mountains

High Route Chamonix-Zermatt, Glacier Tour
offered by supplier M14290 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 7 day(s)
Group Size: 6 - 8 people
Destination(s): Switzerland France
Specialty Categories: Glacier Tours Hiking & Trekking
Season: June - September
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 872 Euro (EUR)
Maximum Per Person Price: 872 Euro (EUR)

Since the creation of our Summer Haute Route Chamonix-Zermatt, all our groups, despite atmospheric conditions sometimes quite bad, have reached Zermatt. This is the token of the qualities of our program and of our Mountain Guides, and of your very good physical and mental preparation to this splendid tour in the heart of the Alps.

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From 4,600 feet to 12,218 feet asl, from the huge Swiss glaciers to the mountain pastures of Champex and Zmutt, Chamonix - Zermatt High Route offers a superb tour, close to the most famous summits of the Alps: Chardonnet, Mont-Blanc, Argentière Peak, Hérens Peak, Matterhorn.

Seven days within a wild environment, in full harmony with nature, to appreciate the authenticity of the mountaineers' welcome and of the Swiss mountain huts. The two last stages of the tour, linking Arolla glaciers to Zermatt glaciers, are known worldwide as the most beautiful stages of all the Swiss Glacier treks.

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Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Meeting point at MontRoc train station, valley of Chamonix, on the railway linking Chamonix (France) to Martigny (Switzerland), at 1.30 pm. A few minutes walking, and then we catch the cable-car going up from the village of Le Tour, the highest village of the valley of Chamonix, to Charamillon mountain pasture, 6,076 feet.

From there, a pleasant path crosses the mountain pastures, providing a fantastic wiew on the "seracs" of the "glacier du Tour". Following the ridge of a moraine, the footpath will finally reach "Albert 1er" hut, height 8,865 feet. Night in the hut. Duration of walking: 3 hours. Length: 4 miles. Difference of level: 2,789 feet up.

Day 2: At dawn, a short footpath will quickly bring us up to the glacier. You will rope on, adjust your crampons, and easily acquire the techniques of walking with crampons, linked to other members of your roped party, on the way up to the pass of Le Tour, 10,768 feet, on the Swiss border. By this pass, we will not find any customs officer, but a magnificent wiew on the glacier of Trient, the "Aiguilles Dorées", and all the summits of the Swiss Valais, including Matterhorn.

The easy crossing through Trient plateau will bring us to Orny pass, 10,164 feet, a perfect place for pic-nic. In the afternoon, we will follow the footpath of Orny till the Breya chairlift, 7,178 feet, which will bring us down to Champex village, 4,724 feet. We will sleep by the Alpine Club lodge, on the shore of Champex lake (this lodge has hot showers!). Duration of walking: 6 hours. Length: 10 miles. Difference of level: 1,902 feet up, 3,596 feet down.

In order to avoid an extra descent of 2,400 feet of variation of height on a uninteresting and stony ski run joining the top of Breya chairlift to Arpette lodge, we have chosen to go down by chairlift right to Champex village, built on the shores of a very nice lake. Champex offers many small shops where to buy food for the next pic-nics, and most of all, a warm welcome by the family De Rivaz which manages the Alpine Club lodge.

Day 3: In the morning, a private minibus will bring us to the height 6,443 feet, on top of Mauvoisin dam. Following the footpaths of Paturau and Pierracarro, we will walk through the mountain pastures of Mauvoisin lake, and we may have the chance to see marmots, chamois or ibexs. Far above us, the peaks of Grand Combin, 14,153 feet, tear the clouds of the end of afternoon. Night by Chanrion hut, 8,077 feet. Duration of walking: 3 hours and a half. Length : 6 miles. Difference of level : 2,218 feet up, 584 feet down.

Day 4: A splendid stage on Otemma glacier, immense river of ice which moves down of nearly one foot per day, due to the persistent thrust of the glaciers of its basin. We leave Chanrion hut by a easy descent, and then reach Otemma glacier by its downstream side. Just a few crevasses on this wide glacier which makes its way through the sharp-edged peaks of the Italian border (Singla, 12,185 feet, Grand Blanchen, 12,067 feet) and the easiest swiss mountain group of Portons.

After four hours walking easily up on Otemma glacier, we will reach the wide snowy pass of Chermotane, and, close to it, the Vignettes hut, 10,361 feet, which looks like an eagle nest built on the top of a vertical wall. Duration of walking: 6 hours. Length: 9 miles. Difference of level: 2,776 feet up, 492 feet down.

Day 5: From the hut, ascent of the Evêque pass (11,128 feet), on the Italian border. A beautiful descent on the High Glacier of Arolla, near the Bouquetins hut, will lead us to Plans Bertol, 8,530 feet. This descent, close to the Blessed Virgin summit (10,604 feet) and to the Bishop peak (12,191 feet), has a little taste of Mountaineer's Paradise. From Plans Bertol, a good footpath goes up, following old moraines ridges, till a small glacier, and to the fixed ladders which give access to Bertol hut, 10,863 feet, one of the most beautiful hut of the Alps. Duration of walking: 7 hours. Length: 10 miles. Difference of level: 3,770 feet up, 3,268 feet down.

Day 6: Through the high plateau of Mount-Miné glacier, the tracks lead us to the highest point of this tour, Tête Blanche, 12,218 feet. The immense west face of Matterhorn, the giant piles of seracs of Dent d'Hérens north face fill the horizon, while, soon far behind us, the Mont-Blanc group waves us goodbye. The magnificent descent of Stöcki glacier may offer us a few jumps over small crevasses. Further down, the moraine footpath will bring us up to Schönbiel hut, 8,838 feet, from which the wiew on Matterhorn North face is an extraordinary scene. Duration of walking: 6 to 7 hours. Length: 9 miles. Difference of level: 1,991 feet up, 4,016 feet down.

Day 7: Following the moraine of Zmuttgletscher, our footpath goes through many small mountain pastures, rich with numerous small chalets with slate roofs, decorated with flowers. Our tour will end right in the center of Zermatt, facing Matterhorn and all the 13,000 feet high summits on its left: Breithorn, Castor, Pollux, Lyskamm, Monte Rosa. Duration of walking: 3 to 4 hours. Length: 6 miles. Difference of level: 3,570 feet down. End of the course by mid-day, in Zermatt. Easy return by train to Visp, Lausanne, Paris or Chamonix valley.

To go back from Zermatt to Montroc, we use to reserve, only for clients interested, a private minibus which is allowed to pick us right in the center of Zermatt. A minibus transfer is faster than a train transfer (2 hours 15 minutes instead of 4 to 5 hours by train) and cheaper (55 to 60 EUR, instead of 70 EUR by train).

Trekking in India
Trekking in india is one of the famous adventure sports awaiting the trekking enthusiast in India. One who are fascinated by the unexplored. The mountain ranges of India offer breathtaking, enthralling trekking routes. In the vast amphitheatre of the Indian Himalayas and Karakorams, there are limitless possibilities for trekking tours, mountaineering, skiing, and river rafting tours. Within this alluring arena, the Garhwal and Kumaon regions, occupy the central place, with special points of interest for the trekker.. In India Trekking enthusiast can also explore the rugged beauty of the lofty mountains romancing the shimmering waterfalls cascading down in glee, like a merry village belle. Experience the thrill of sheer adventure by our trekking tours in India amidst the world’s most beautiful places.

Major tourist attractions of Nepal

Trekking: Trekking is one of the best way to explore and experience Nepal's unbeatable combination of natural beauty and cultural riches. If you are reasonably fit, have a spirit of adventure and are not afraid of walking in the mountains, you qualify for it. The entire length and breadth of the kingdom is a paradise for trekkers. There are easy and strenuous treks lasting from a few days to several weeks. All of them have great scenery. Some of the best know trekking regions are:
1) Everest Region (fe Everest Base Camp or Gokyo trek) 2) Annapurna Region (fe Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp or Jomsom trekking) 3) Langtang and Helambu Region (fe Helambu circuit trekking)
Mountaineering: It is another prime attraction of Nepal. Mountaineering can range from climbing the highest peak of the world to climbing lower peaks.
Mountain flight: For those who can not withstand the rigorousness of mountain climbing there are mountain flights which fly around Mt. Everest. Mountain flight offer passengers a spectacular view of the Himalayan peaks. The one hour mountain flight takes with in camera range of some of the highest peaks in the world.
Booking a trekking in advanceIt should not be a problem to book your trekking directly through a Nepali travel agency while still being in your homeland. There are plenty of reliable agencies and the good ones at least need to be registrered with the TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal) organization and deposit a significant amount of money into a government warranty fund. If you are hesitant just ask for copies of these documents, check this link for some examples.

Why Trek In Nepal?

Just as New York is not representative of the USA, so Kathmandu is not representative of Nepal. If you have the time and energy to trek, don't miss the opportunity to leave Kathmandu and see the spectacular beauty and the unique culture of Nepal. Fortunately for the visitor, there are still only a few roads extending deeply into the hills, so the only way to truly visit the remote regions of the kingdom is in the slowest and most intimate manner - walking. It requires more time and effort, but the rewards are also greater. Instead of zipping down a freeway, racing to the next "point of interest," each step provides new and intriguing viewpoints. You will perceive your day as an entity rather than a few highlights strung together by a ribbon of concrete. For the romanticist, each step follows the footsteps of Hillary, Tenzing, Herzog and other Himalayan explorers. If you have neither the patience nor the physical stamina to visit the hills of Nepal on foot, a helicopter flight provides an expensive and unsatisfactory substitute.
Trekking in Nepal will take you through a country that has captured the imagination of mountaineers and explorers for more than 100 years. You will meet people in remote mountain villages whose lifestyle has not changed in generations. Most people trust foreigners. Nepal is one of only a handful of countries that has never been ruled by a foreign power.
Many of the values associated with a hiking trip at home do not have the same importance during a trek in Nepal. Isolation is traditionally a crucial element of any wilderness experience but in Nepal it is impossible to get completely away from people, except for short times or at extremely high elevations. Environmental concerns must include the effects of conservation measures on rural people and the economic effects of tourism on indigenous populations. Even traditional national park management must be adapted because there are significant population centres within Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) and Langtang national parks.
Trekking does not mean mountain climbing. While the ascent of a Himalayan peak may be an attraction for some, you need not have such a goal to enjoy a trek. As far as most people are concerned, trekking always refers to walking on trails.
While trekking you will see the great diversity of Nepal. Villages embrace many ethnic groups and cultures. The terrain changes from tropical jungle to high glaciated peaks in only 150 km. From the start, the towering peaks of the Himalaya provide one of the highlights of a trek. As your plane approaches Kathmandu these peaks appear to be small clouds on the horizon. The mountains become more definable and seem to reach impossible heights as you get closer and finally land at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan Airport.
During a trek, the Himalaya disappears behind Nepal's continual hills, but dominates the northern skyline at each pass. Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang, Gauri Shankar and Everest will become familiar names. Finally, after weeks of walking, you will arrive at the foot of the mountains themselves - astonishing heights from which gigantic avalanches tumble earthwards in apparent slow motion, dwarfed by their surroundings. Your conception of the Himalaya alters as you turn from peaks famed only for their height to gaze on far more picturesque summits that you may never have heard of - Kantega, Ama Dablam, Machhapuchhare and Kumbhakarna.

A Trek is Not a Climbing Trip

Whether you begin your trek at a roadhead or fly into a remote mountain airstrip, a large part of it will be in the Middle Hills region at elevations between 500 and 3000 metres. In this region, there are always well-developed trails through villages and across mountain passes. Even at high altitudes there are intermittent settlements used during summer by shepherds, so the trails, though often indistinct, are always there. You can easily travel on any trail without the aid of ropes or mountaineering skills. There are rare occasions when there is snow on the trail, and on some high passes it might be necessary to place a safety line for your companions or porters if there is deep snow. Still, alpine techniques are almost never used on a traditional trek. Anyone who has walked extensively in the mountains has all the skills necessary for an extended trek in Nepal.
Though some treks venture near glaciers, and even cross the foot of them, most treks do not allow the fulfilment of any Himalayan mountaineering ambitions. Nepal's mountaineering regulations allow trekkers to climb 18 specified peaks with a minimum of formality, but you must still make a few advance arrangements for such climbs. Many agents offer so-called climbing treks which include the ascent of one of these peaks as a feature of the trek. There are a few peaks that, under ideal conditions, are within the resources of individual trekkers. A climb can be arranged in Kathmandu if conditions are right, but a climb of one of the more difficult peaks should be planned well in advance.

A Treking Requires Physical Effort

A trek is physically demanding because of its length and the almost unbelievable changes in elevation. During the 300-km trek from Jiri to Everest base camp and return, for example, the trail gains and loses more than 9000 metres of elevation during many steep ascents and descents. On most treks, the daily gain is less than 800 metres in about 15 km, though ascents of as much as 1200 metres are possible on some days. You can always take plenty of time during the day to cover this distance, so the physical exertion, though quite strenuous at times, is not sustained. You also can stop frequently and take plenty of time for rest.
Probably the only physical problem that may make a trek impossible is a history of knee problems on descents. In Nepal the descents are long, steep and unrelenting. There is hardly a level stretch of trail in the entire country. If you are an experienced walker and often hike 15 km a day with a pack, a trek should prove no difficulty. You will be pleasantly surprised at how easy the hiking can be if you only carry a light backpack and do not have to worry about meal preparation.
Previous experience in hiking and living outdoors is, however, helpful as you make plans for your trek. The first night of a month-long trip is too late to discover that you do not like to sleep in a sleeping bag. Mountaineering experience is not necessary, but you must enjoy walking.

Three March Forward in the Top 10 Race

Dharmendra Sewan from Pokhara, Jhuma Niraula from Ilam and Shreejan Lwagun from Kathmandu have marched forwared in the fourth round to the top 10 spot in the famed talent hunt programme – Samsung Nepali Tara.

Tara Laksam, one of the expected top 20 contestants was out from the fourth round which in fact shocked one of the judges – Bimala Rai who said that the young man had talent in folk song like no other. But luck always favors the prepared. One of the contestants – Jhuma Niroula, who was already out of the competition, not only made it back to the race but went further to cross the line towards the top 10 finalists.

Dharmendra Sewan was one of the brilliant performers to come in the final 10. Shreejan Lwagun, as expected made no surprises as he bowed low to the star to come in the final Top 10's race.

After the selection of three contestants to secure their place in the top 10 hot list on the 18th of June 2005, Samsung Nepali Tara brings in the 'super' guy in the name of Rupak Dotel from the top 20 finalists in the 4th round on June 25, 2005.

Mr. Rupak Dotel, who was one of the favorites among all the 20 contestants and who had secured a charming spot in the judges' heart, did make to the top 10 run. He was the only contestant to be selected on the second episode of 4th round.

It was, but, unfortunate for Sheetal Yonjan who made her presence felt but was out from the war of the ten. Sheetal, who had impressed the audience by her high pitched voice will now no longer be available to make any impact among the top 10s.

Nepali Tara Basics

The next round of the Samsung Nepali Tara will pick 10 contenders from the 20 finalists from June 18, 2005. Four contestants will sing every week out of whom two would be selected for the next round. In this manner, it would take five weeks to select the top ten finalists.

In the initial round, contestants were made to sing without the accompanment of music, followed by singing on the piano in the second round, they performed to live music that was comparatively easier as the musicians would follow the singers even if they make a mistake. " But in the fourth round, contestants would be singing on the track so that if there is a slight mistake, that would be spotted and they would have to improvise or make up on the spot," says Ranjit Acharya, MD, Studio 4, said. Contestant will have to sing three songs - one folk, one pop and one contemporary song so that their skill could be tested in every genre

In the northern region of high Himalayas, the Tibetan speaking, the Sherpas, the Dolpas, the Lopas, the Baragaonlis, the Manangis live in different settlements scattered along the country. The Sherpas are mainly confined in the east in the Solu and Khumbu region. The Baragaonlis and the Lopas live in the semi- deserted area of the upper and lower Mustang in the part of the Tibetan plateau in the rain shadow area; the Managis in the Manang district and the adjacent areas; and the Dolpas in the highest settlements on the earth in the Dolpa district of Nepal ( in the west) at an altitude of above 4000 m.

In the middle hills and valleys, there coexists numerous ethnic groups. Among them are the Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Sunuwars, Newars, Thakalis, Chepangs and majority of Brahmans and Chhetris. The Brahmans and Chhetris have long dominance in all pervading social, religious and political realms. There are also some occupational castes e.g. the Damai ( tailor), Sarki ( Cobbler), Kami (Blacksmith) and Sunar (Goldsmiths). Though, there exists numerous dialects, the language of unification is the national language, Nepali, an Indo- Aryan language.