Hiking the Sham Valley Trek in India

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures for the Sham Valley trek, India, please refer to India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,  India’s Department of Foreign Affairs, and the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India webpage.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure:

• • An experienced, local hiking and trekking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • Full 8 days of hiking, trekking, and sightseeing
  • Accommodations for 3 nights in a camp/tent
  • Accommodations for 4 nights in 3-star hotels in Delhi (1 night) and Leh (3 nights)
  • Full board meals during trekking (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
  • Breakfasts in hotels in Delhi and Leh
  • All ground services in an A/C vehicle
  • Trekking gear
  • Trekking poles, water bottle, rain poncho, etc. can be borrowed for free
  • First-aid kit for immediate service
  • Taxes

What’s not included:

• • Transportation before and after the trip
  • Domestic flights (Delhi – Leh and Leh – Delhi)
  • All meals not included in the itinerary
  • Sleeping bags (can be borrowed for free, but cleaning charges will apply)
  • Rescue and evacuation services

In order to hike the Sham Valley trek, you need to have a moderate level of fitness since you’ll be hiking anywhere between 3-5 hours covering 5-9 km (3.1-5.6 miles). Even though this trek is also called “Baby Trek” and is considered to be among the easier treks in this region, you’ll still need to be able to acclimatize to the altitudes in these mountainous areas. Keep in mind that you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.

All trekking gear is included in the price. It includes tents, thermal mats, a blow pillow, a hot water bag for warmth during the night, a pressured altitude bag for emergencies, and a basic medical kit.

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

• • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (approximately 40-50L)
  • Sleeping bag rated -10 to -20C (can be borrowed, cleaning charges will apply)
  • Trekking poles (can be borrowed for free)
  • Sun hat or scarf
  • Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
  • Lightweight gloves
  • Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell
  • Underwear
  • T-shirts
  • Light- and expedition weight thermal tops
  • Fleece jacket or pullover
  • Fleece wind-stopper jacket — optional
  • Waterproof shell jacket (preferably breathable fabric)
  • Down vest and/or jacket — optional
  • Hiking shorts
  • Lightweight cotton long pants
  • Light- and expedition weight thermal bottoms
  • Fleece or wool pants
  • Waterproof shell pants (preferably breathable fabric)
  • Thin, lightweight inner socks
  • Thick, warm wool hiking socks
  • Hiking boots with spare laces
  • Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals)
  • Gaiters — optional
  • Headlamp with spare bulbs and batteries
  • Small pad or combination lock-to-lock trek bag
  • Basic first aid kit
  • Large plastic bags (for keeping items dry inside trek bags)
  • Thermarest sleeping pad
  • Water bottles
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  • Sunglasses 
  • Small wash towel
  • Binoculars — optional
  • Compass — optional
  • Swiss knife — optional
  • Camera — optional (but recommended)

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and prices:

• • For this group adventure, the client-to-guide ratio is 15:1. Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.
  • It takes a minimum of 6 people for this tour to operate. The maximum number of participants is 30.
  • If joining alone, you’ll be placed with peers that share a similar level of experience.

Hiking the Sham Valley trek can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies, and deposits are no longer refundable. The remaining 70% of the amount is paid at the latest 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.

All cancellation requests need to be sent in written mail. If you cancel your booking, the following cancellation fees will apply.

• • Cancellation 61 days or prior to departure, all deposits will be refunded after deduction of transaction fee and services booked in advance on a non-cancellable basis;
  • Between 31 and 60 days prior to departure, 75% of the total package amount will be deducted
  • 30 days or less prior to departure, there will be no refund and the full package amount will be forfeited.

If you leave a trip for any reason after it has commenced, your guiding service is not obliged to make any refunds for unused services. If you fail to join a tour according to tour booking dates or join it later or change departure date no refund will be made (in case of a group booking).

To get to your meeting point in Delhi, most people fly into Indira Gandhi International Airport about 50 minutes away from Delhi. From there, your guiding service will transfer you to your hotel in Delhi. On Day 2, you’ll take a flight from Delhi to Leh. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group. 

At the end of your adventure, your guiding service will transfer you from your hotel to the airport in Leh, where you’ll board a flight for Delhi and, from there, take your flight back home.