1. Knowledge.

You have to know what you are getting your self into.
 
Every thing such as:

The terrain: You should know what sort of strain you will be under and condition yourself to it.

The weather: A cold climate person trekking in a hot and humid place. That is Hell, pure and intense as it can be.

The duration of the trek: Travel planning is very important. Plan for a couple of days in advance to the actual Trek, add another two days after the trek and time for some site seeing, if you plan to do that. Let all of your activities be in a line, the last one being near, from where you want to go home from. So study the Geography, the transport options available and determine your route. Any mishap in this aspect will leave you stranded.

The local traditions and customs: Make an effort to learn this. Knowing the basic greetings and gestures is an advantage. Nothing pleases the natives than a mad foreigner greeting them in their own language, that too in a strange accent. You may be the source of amusement, but you will be a friend. A good thing indeed, when you are in trouble and need help. “Mad” because you will be doing what they do as a necessity, Trekking. To them, you obviously are wealthy, and do not know how to spend money! Why not relax, instead of slugging it out in wilderness! A trekker got into trouble for greeting a local woman, in a very conservative place.

The local political conditions: Most of areas under political unrest are violent. Tours to these places is cheap! My advice is not to go to these places. There is a good chance of you getting in the cross fire! You may be kidnapped for ransom! Something worse could happen! Having an adventure should not result in a disaster.

The formalities: You don’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere just because you don’t have a piece of paper which is issued a hundred miles away!

The local diseases: You need to know this to identify and carry emergency medication for the chance infection and such.


These are vital and need to be known to you.

2. Medical and fitness.

Visit your Doctor. Tell him your plans. Tell your previous history of illnesses and your families too. Give him the data of your trek’s location and terrain, and the common deceases there. Ask for the medication and the dosages to be taken for each one. Take help for your first aid kit. Sort and label all that is in there. Take a copy of Physical fitness report.

Go to a trekking trainer. Chances are that, the trainer would have been in that or similar location. Get the real dope along with the training. No short cuts here. While physical conditioning is to toughen you physically, in each of the muscles required specifically for the trek and overall, the dope about the trek is to mentally condition you. Discount 30% of what he says, the rest is true! He needs to embellish. That is natural. I had an accident a long time ago and the Doctors put in 14 stitches on my head. I am still going and telling people 21! I feel very important on seeing their faces. A survivor! Great!

Practice Yoga and Pranayama or Tai Chi, this will consolidate your physical condition. Pranayama, a breathing exercise, is helpful in high altitude treks, where lack of oxygen is a real danger. Practice meditation to toughen you mentally.
 
Get your trekking gear from a well known and a safe source. Your life depends on it. No compromise on it. Carry a fully loaded back pack in your home to get used to it. There can be serious blistering problems which will ruin your trek.

The trekking company usually arranges all the documentation. Do some research, check for any misses. Get it done.

Buddy up with all of the mates in the trek group, you need them and they you. Help them here, the will be useful there!

I have been on a trek four times, to Sabarimalai in the state of Kerala. It was for a religious visit. It involves trekking 64 Kilometers, barefoot, through dense forest and mountains.

This preparation should start two months in advance. All that you do during this time will fire your passion. The trek is all the more enjoyable. Good luck and don’t break a leg.