First solo backpacking trip at 18 and half years old — Rishikesh → Kedarnath → Vasuki Tal → maybe Mussoorie. Need advice from experienced trekkers/travelers
Hey everyone,
I’m planning my first ever solo trip and honestly I’m both excited and nervous about it. I’m 18 and half , and planning a 15–20 day backpacking trip starting from Rishikesh, then heading towards Kedarnath trek. I’m also planning to do the Vasuki Tal trek and hopefully camp there overnight if weather and conditions allow. After that I might spend a few days in Mussoorie before heading back.
This will be my first time:
travelling completely alonebackpackingdoing a proper Himalayan trek
I do walk around 8–9 km daily, so I’m not completely inactive, but I know mountain trekking is a completely different thing compared to normal walking.
I recently bought:
Boldfit trekking shoes
Tripole Walker 55L rucksack
I also wanted advice regarding camping gear. Since this is my first trek, I’m confused whether I should invest in buying a Decathlon tent + sleeping bag, or if I can rent decent gear around Sonprayag/Kedarnath/Gaurikund itself for the Vasuki Tal camp. Not sure what makes more sense for a beginner.
Right now I’m mainly looking for advice regarding:
how difficult Kedarnath + Vasuki Tal actually is for a beginner
things first-time solo travelers usually underestimate
how safe it is to camp around Vasuki Tal
whether renting camping gear there is reliable or buying my own gear is better
fitness/things I should prepare before leaving
how much budget I should realistically keep for 15–20 days
any gear/items that become lifesavers on these trips
common mistakes beginners make in the Himalayas
Also if anyone has done this route solo before, I’d love to hear your experience, especially about weather, altitude, network availability, and whether this itinerary sounds too ambitious for a first trip.
Would appreciate any tips/advice/warnings 🙏