Just got back from a VOF+ Hemkund Sahib trek, dated 12-17th August, 2018. Booked through Thrilophilia and organised by Renok.
Our whole group had to face multiple issues including tempo traveller break down, no briefing, lack of coordination or interest for safety, from the organisers side.
One of our tempo travelers broke down and was driven with a makeshift accelerator rope for almost 4 hrs at night in the ghats. Renok team on the ground was clueless and had no authority to offer any help or suggestions. In fact they suggested to continue all night in this fashion till govindghat which was 7hrs away. When we protested and asked for accommodation they quoted their caveats and totally ignored the fact that their van had broken down. After a lot of argument they agreed that we should indeed halt for the night and to book our own accommodation. After further argument they reluctantly agreed to compensate rs 500 for accommodation and food for the night(but subject to their own investigation that the van break down was their fault!- I mean whose fault was it, ours?)
Unfortunately this was just the beginning, the tone set from the beginning continued for the entire trip. There were too many issues. But it all boiled down to.
Unprofessional and rude staff, no communication, no authority or responsibility, no guidance, other team leaders helped us out when we were in trouble. Pathetic food served in dirty casseroles on stools in a balcony. First day packed lunch had spoiled by lunch time and had to be thrown out. Food the rest of the days was so pathetic that almost all of us ate out.
Dirty, dingy and damp was the best way to describe the guest house accommodation.
There were hidden charges(’payable directly’ - which the trek leaders kept stressing on) everywhere in a place with no ATMs.
Renok and Thrilophilia(who we hold equally responsible for assigning Renok as out trip organisers, without any diligence from their part) are spoiling the name of this beautiful valley and trek and so is the town of Ghangaria, where people are only interested in fleecing customers and making the most of season.(We saw an old gentleman being hassled about mule charges on the way to hemkund.) There is no service mentality and will ultimately effect the tourism to that area. People like the Renok organisers whom we had to deal with are unprofessional, rude and irresponsible. This is a major accident waiting to happen in the valley.
Please proceed with caution before booking through thrilophilia.