Pindari Glacier Tour Info
A warm mountain biker’s welcome to you all. We look forward to riding with you on one of our upcoming tours. Our Pindari Tour features everything you would expect from world class mountain biking, loads of grin factor fast flowing singletrack, massive climbs and even bigger descents, technical sections, drop offs and rock gardens all set amongst breathtaking Himalayan scenery. The trip comes highly recommended by both World Champ Tracy Moseley and MTB shutterbug legend Dan Milner amongst a host of others.
Who should come?
Suitable for riders with good MTB experience, comfortable on black graded trails with a good fitness level. Riding will be physically challenging with some long technical descents suiting fit experienced mountain bikers with a taste for adventure. We suggest you need to be familiar with riding black graded trails to maximize enjoyment of this tour. There is an element of carrying to do so those who like a physical challenge will be tested. Basically the more cycle fit you are the less pushing you will have to do. Distances vary with the longest day around 50 km but as we get to altitude; above 2500 meters; things get tougher, at these heights anybody; regardless of fitness; can find climbing difficult. We will be cycling at altitudes of up to 3800 meters so there could be a risk of mild altitude sickness.
What’s Included
All Accommodation
All Transfers*
Breakfasts
Lunches
Drinking water
Guiding
*If your flight arrives/departs on any other day except stated arrival/departure dates we can arrange for a cost-price pick up/drop.
Not Included
Personal travel insurance
Snacks, soft drinks etc
Personal expense
Tips, gratuities
Evening meals
India Visa
You can apply for an E-Visa with a 60 day stay-limit
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
If you are visiting India for a longer duration then a 6 month tourist visa could be worth considering but they are more expensive.
In the UK the link is below.
http://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/
Medical
Get in touch with your GP well in advance of your departure for latest information on vaccinations and any other medical considerations.
For additional information please visit: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries
Insurance
Get insured. It is a condition of our trips that you are adequately insured. Policies must cover mountain biking and the potential risks of a mountain bike holiday. If your usual insurance doesn’t cover mountain biking then consider specialist coverage such as Snowcard — specialists in winter sports, ski, activity and adventure travel insurance.
We need a copy of your insurance ready for us on arrival or send us on a copy via e-mail prior to the trip.
Flights
Tours start and finish in New Delhi. New Delhi is well served by international airlines with most offering New Delhi as their cheapest entry point into India. Check airlines for luggage allowance and what their policy is regarding cycles. We recommend Emirates with a 30kg baggage allowance.
Accommodation
All nights in the major towns are in outstanding mid range hotels and guesthouses. For nights spent on the Pindari Glacier Trail accommodation is more spartan with rooms simple yet clean and cosy with most having attached western toilet and hot water available in a bucket system. However on some occasions guests may be required to share a common toilet or washroom. All rooms are available on a single or double basis.
Food
There is a wide and excellent choice of western and Indian dishes available in all the larger towns. Meals in the trekking huts/tea houses are excellent using whatever local produce is available that day so expect freshly made vegetable curries, rice, chapatti with occasional meat dishes. On all days we provide breakfast and lunch.
Vehicle Support
We will have vehicle support wherever possible so those who have had enough of the climbs can recover in the vehicles or avail porter assistance. The back up vehicles will carry all sleeping bags, evening clothes, rucksacks etc so you only need to carry your daypack. We will have porters and donkey caravans to transport your equipment in the more remote areas.
Weather
Days should be clear and sunny with daytime temperatures in the mid 20C on the lower altitude trails but getting progressively cooler as we climb higher. Night times will be cool to cold. So bring that extra layer.
Baggage
Your bags need to be of the soft pack variety i.e. rucksack or sports bag to allow them to be easily carried by porters, donkeys etc. No hard cases please. Bike bags will be stored at our second nights accommodation and we will be re united with them on the night before we return to Delhi.
Bringing Your Own Bike/Bike Kit
As ever make sure your bikes are in tip-top condition before bringing them out. If you are unsure a part will survive the trip then replace or get it serviced by a bike shop. Performance bike parts are hard to obtain in India but we do have small stocks of spare parts.
Let us know in advance what bike you are bringing out and if there is anything specific to your bike that we might not have spares for.
Bringing your own bike then bring
Spare Mech Hanger
2 spare sets of brake pads
2 Tube
Spokes
Multi tool
Trail Pump
Tyre levers
Hydration pack with space to store extra cycling layers.
A waterproof in case of showers.
If you have any doubt on what you need to bring out with you as spares then just let us know.
Bike Rental
We do not expect to have bike rental available on this trip if bike rental is required then please intimate as early as possible minimum 2 months before tour commences so we can look at options in providing you a bike.
Cycle Wear
We recommend bringing both long sleeve and short sleeve tops, temps can vary day by day a good waterproof riding jacket in case we get caught up in mountain weather, leg warmers or full length riding trousers for higher altitude cold starts and a set of warm riding gloves for the same. We would also recommend shoes that you can also walk in so non-exposed cleats and non- aggressive tread patterns works best if you ride SPD.
Non ride kit to bring
Warm evening clothes, duvet jacket or heavy duty fleece.
Hydration packs should be of a large size to provide storage space for unneeded and extra clothing as temperatures can vary dramatically through the day. Head torch
Universal electric plug
Good quality sleeping bag
Good quality waterproof jacket
Mix of long sleeve and short sleeve riding tops in case of sunburn
Universal electric plug
High factor sun-cream
Sunglasses
Lip salve
Sandals/flip flops
Finances
ATM’s are available in all our destinations. Visa is the most widely accepted. Food items, snacks, gift items are all well priced so expect to pay £5 for an evening meal or just over £2 for an alcoholic drink.
Airport exchange rates are usually very poor so if you are exchanging money here then just change small amounts. There are money changing facilities near to our arrival hotel in Delhi.
Tipping
Our Mountain Bike Kerala do not expect tips but our riding guides, drivers and local staff would greatly appreciate them if the service is excellent. For a rough guide then consider from £50 to cover riding guides and back up team and £1-£2 per day for hotels/trekking hut staff etc if the service and food has been great.
Connectivity
All days except for the 4 nights spent in trekking huts have phone and internet connectivity.
Local Time
India’s Timezone: (GMT +05:30)
Electricity/Battery Charging
India’s Electricity: 230/240 volts AC, 50 Hz. 2 pin type.
There are recharging facilities at all the hotels and usually for short periods on nights spent in trekking huts. The electricity supply is not 100% reliable but it is usually only off for short periods of time. If you have camera/Gopro etc then consider bringing extra batteries or a power bank for charging.
Shop
We have a great range of MTB clothing available including long sleeve and short sleeve tops, t-shirts, buffs, shorts and socks all in our great looking shop.
All our riding gear is designed and made by our in-house Greenfrogindia team and is available both on tour and from our online shop so you can buy anytime before or after the trip. Look out for these and our great range of cycle-recycle products including sleek looking wallets, passport holders, pouches and phone protectors made from reclaimed innertubes.