Hi everyone,

This will be my first time using airport lounge access, so I have a few questions.

I have both:

• HDFC Millennia Visa Debit Card
• HDFC Millennia Visa Credit Card

For my debit card, I can see an unclaimed Hoi (HDFC DCI) lounge voucher for the current quarter. I don't really understand what DCI means or how this voucher system works.

I'll be travelling from Dharamshala → Delhi → Ahmedabad (flight details attached). I have a 6 hr 25 min layover at Delhi T1, so I was hoping to use a lounge during the wait.

My questions are:

1. Can I use this HDFC/HOI lounge voucher at Delhi Airport Terminal 1?
2. If yes, what are the exact steps?
   • Do I need to claim the voucher before travelling?
   • Should I claim it on the day of travel or a few days before?
   • Do I show the QR/voucher at the lounge, or do I simply swipe/tap my debit card?
3. What documents do I need? (Boarding pass, debit card, ID, etc.)
4. If the debit card voucher doesn't work, can I instead use my HDFC Millennia Visa Credit Card?
5. Since I have a 6+ hour layover, can I enter the lounge as soon as I land in Delhi, or do lounges only allow entry within a certain number of hours before the next flight?

I'd really appreciate it if someone who's recently used HDFC lounge access at Delhi T1 could explain the process step by step. Thanks!

Flight details

HDFC voucher details

TL;DR: This was my third Himalayan trek, and unfortunately my worst organized one. Our batch of around 60 trekkers (combined from Trekkers of India and Searching Souls) faced poor management, inadequate facilities, rushed itineraries, unprofessional trek leadership, and several safety concerns. I wouldn't recommend Trekkers of India based on this experience.

Hey everyone,

I recently completed the Hampta Pass Trek (22–26 June) with Trekkers of India, and I thought I'd share my experience so future trekkers can make an informed decision.

For context, this wasn't my first trek.

I've previously completed:

• Kedarkantha
• Sandakphu–Phalut

So I have a fair idea of what to expect from an organized trekking company. Himalayan treks are naturally difficult, and that's not what this post is about. My issues are with the management, logistics, safety arrangements, and overall professionalism.

The Group Size

We were told one thing while booking, but in reality two groups (Trekkers of India + Searching Souls) were merged into a single batch of around 60 people.

The entire trek felt like it wasn't planned for that many participants.

There were only 3 trek leaders and 4 local guides managing the entire batch.

Campsite Management

The campsite arrangements were disappointing.

• Only 3 washrooms for around 60 trekkers.
• No hot water in the mornings.
• There wasn't enough mud/soil kept near the toilets for basic sanitation.
• The tents were pitched on a slope of roughly 30°, making it difficult to sleep without sliding to one side.

These aren't luxury expectations—they're basic campsite management issues.

Equipment & Logistics

Before the trek, we specifically confirmed that all required trekking gear would be available.

Once we arrived:

• Some trekkers didn't receive the gear they had confirmed beforehand.
• Several headlamps had dead batteries, which is unacceptable when night trekking is involved.
• People who forgot to carry a lunch box weren't even provided aluminium foil to pack their lunch.

Individually these may sound like small issues, but together they showed a clear lack of preparation.

Food

The food quality was average at best.

The bigger issue was the quantity.

Meals would often start running out before everyone had eaten, which shouldn't happen on an organized trek with a known group size.

The Itinerary

The schedule was extremely rushed.

Instead of taking in the scenery, clicking pictures, or simply enjoying the mountains, we were constantly told to keep moving.

It felt more like finishing a marathon than experiencing Hampta Pass.

Trek Leadership

This was the biggest disappointment.

Our trek leader, Yatharth, would often walk far ahead and reach the destination long before the group. Many trekkers ended up following local guides instead of the actual trek leader.

What bothered me even more was the approach towards people who were struggling.

From the very first base camp, people who found the trek difficult were told they should consider returning instead of continuing.

On my previous treks, leaders always encouraged participants with something like:

>"Walk as far as you comfortably can. If you can't make the summit, we'll make sure you get back safely."

That reassurance makes a huge difference, especially for first-time trekkers.

Instead, we were told things like:

>"It's our responsibility to take you to the summit, not our responsibility to bring you back if something happens."

Whether that was meant seriously or not, it's not something you'd expect to hear from someone responsible for a trekking group.

There were also several instances of rude language, including remarks like:

>"Ek koni maro inko aur aage lao."

and

>"Chutiya hu kya main jo khada hu yaha."

That isn't professional behaviour from a trek leader.

Safety Concerns

This was the part that genuinely worried me.

One trekker recorded an SpO₂ reading of around 75%, and the reading was taken by the trek staff.

Despite that, there was no oxygen cylinder available for immediate use.

The trekker took medication, vomited once or twice, and eventually decided to continue because, at that point, moving forward was easier than turning back.

Another participant had to be transported on a stretcher during the trek.

I don't know the exact medical reason, so I won't speculate, but it reinforced my concerns about emergency preparedness.

Other Incidents

One trekker's GoPro was damaged during an interaction with the guides while recording, and as far as I'm aware, there was no compensation or acknowledgement from the organizers.

We were also expected to wash our own utensils after meals.

Communication throughout the trek was average and there wasn't any representative from the company collecting feedback or checking on participants after the trek ended.

Final Thoughts

Hampta Pass itself is absolutely stunning. The landscapes, river crossings, and mountain views were everything I'd hoped for.

The problem wasn't the trek.

The problem was the organization.

This post isn't because the trek was physically difficult—I knew what I had signed up for. It's because the management fell well below what I experienced on my previous Himalayan treks.

Several trekkers in our batch shared similar concerns, which is why I felt it was worth writing this post.

I'm attaching my trek completion certificate as proof that I was part of this batch.

https://preview.redd.it/700rzuzlz5ah1.png?width=957&format=png&auto=webp&s=184136d187639ce90911e3b1f9f0afcb17008966

TL;DR: This was my third Himalayan trek, and unfortunately my worst organized one. Our batch of around 60 trekkers (combined from Trekkers of India and Searching Souls) faced poor management, inadequate facilities, rushed itineraries, unprofessional trek leadership, and several safety concerns. I wouldn't recommend Trekkers of India based on this experience.

Hey everyone,

I recently completed the Hampta Pass Trek (22–26 June) with Trekkers of India, and I thought I'd share my experience so future trekkers can make an informed decision.

For context, this wasn't my first trek.

I've previously completed:

• Kedarkantha
• Sandakphu–Phalut

So I have a fair idea of what to expect from an organized trekking company. Himalayan treks are naturally difficult, and that's not what this post is about. My issues are with the management, logistics, safety arrangements, and overall professionalism.

The Group Size

We were told one thing while booking, but in reality two groups (Trekkers of India + Searching Souls) were merged into a single batch of around 60 people.

The entire trek felt like it wasn't planned for that many participants.

There were only 3 trek leaders and 4 local guides managing the entire batch.

Campsite Management

The campsite arrangements were disappointing.

• Only 3 washrooms for around 60 trekkers.
• No hot water in the mornings.
• There wasn't enough mud/soil kept near the toilets for basic sanitation.
• The tents were pitched on a slope of roughly 30°, making it difficult to sleep without sliding to one side.

These aren't luxury expectations—they're basic campsite management issues.

Equipment & Logistics

Before the trek, we specifically confirmed that all required trekking gear would be available.

Once we arrived:

• Some trekkers didn't receive the gear they had confirmed beforehand.
• Several headlamps had dead batteries, which is unacceptable when night trekking is involved.
• People who forgot to carry a lunch box weren't even provided aluminium foil to pack their lunch.

Individually these may sound like small issues, but together they showed a clear lack of preparation.

Food

The food quality was average at best.

The bigger issue was the quantity.

Meals would often start running out before everyone had eaten, which shouldn't happen on an organized trek with a known group size.

The Itinerary

The schedule was extremely rushed.

Instead of taking in the scenery, clicking pictures, or simply enjoying the mountains, we were constantly told to keep moving.

It felt more like finishing a marathon than experiencing Hampta Pass.

Trek Leadership

This was the biggest disappointment.

Our trek leader, Yatharth, would often walk far ahead and reach the destination long before the group. Many trekkers ended up following local guides instead of the actual trek leader.

What bothered me even more was the approach towards people who were struggling.

From the very first base camp, people who found the trek difficult were told they should consider returning instead of continuing.

On my previous treks, leaders always encouraged participants with something like:

>"Walk as far as you comfortably can. If you can't make the summit, we'll make sure you get back safely."

That reassurance makes a huge difference, especially for first-time trekkers.

Instead, we were told things like:

>"It's our responsibility to take you to the summit, not our responsibility to bring you back if something happens."

Whether that was meant seriously or not, it's not something you'd expect to hear from someone responsible for a trekking group.

There were also several instances of rude language, including remarks like:

>"Ek koni maro inko aur aage lao."

and

>"Chutiya hu kya main jo khada hu yaha."

That isn't professional behaviour from a trek leader.

Safety Concerns

This was the part that genuinely worried me.

One trekker recorded an SpO₂ reading of around 75%, and the reading was taken by the trek staff.

Despite that, there was no oxygen cylinder available for immediate use.

The trekker took medication, vomited once or twice, and eventually decided to continue because, at that point, moving forward was easier than turning back.

Another participant had to be transported on a stretcher during the trek.

I don't know the exact medical reason, so I won't speculate, but it reinforced my concerns about emergency preparedness.

Other Incidents

One trekker's GoPro was damaged during an interaction with the guides while recording, and as far as I'm aware, there was no compensation or acknowledgement from the organizers.

We were also expected to wash our own utensils after meals.

Communication throughout the trek was average and there wasn't any representative from the company collecting feedback or checking on participants after the trek ended.

Final Thoughts

Hampta Pass itself is absolutely stunning. The landscapes, river crossings, and mountain views were everything I'd hoped for.

The problem wasn't the trek.

The problem was the organization.

This post isn't because the trek was physically difficult—I knew what I had signed up for. It's because the management fell well below what I experienced on my previous Himalayan treks.

Several trekkers in our batch shared similar concerns, which is why I felt it was worth writing this post.

I'm attaching my trek completion certificate as proof that I was part of this batch.

certificate

Hi everyone,

This will be my first time using airport lounge access, so I have a few questions.

I have both:

• HDFC Millennia Visa Debit Card
• HDFC Millennia Visa Credit Card

For my debit card, I can see an unclaimed Hoi (HDFC DCI) lounge voucher for the current quarter. I don't really understand what DCI means or how this voucher system works.

I'll be travelling from Dharamshala → Delhi → Ahmedabad (flight details attached). I have a 6 hr 25 min layover at Delhi T1, so I was hoping to use a lounge during the wait.

My questions are:

1. Can I use this HDFC/HOI lounge voucher at Delhi Airport Terminal 1?
2. If yes, what are the exact steps?
   • Do I need to claim the voucher before travelling?
   • Should I claim it on the day of travel or a few days before?
   • Do I show the QR/voucher at the lounge, or do I simply swipe/tap my debit card?
3. What documents do I need? (Boarding pass, debit card, ID, etc.)
4. If the debit card voucher doesn't work, can I instead use my HDFC Millennia Visa Credit Card?
5. Since I have a 6+ hour layover, can I enter the lounge as soon as I land in Delhi, or do lounges only allow entry within a certain number of hours before the next flight?

I'd really appreciate it if someone who's recently used HDFC lounge access at Delhi T1 could explain the process step by step. Thanks!

Flight details

HDFC voucher details