Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Social Cause Tourism

Appointment with few Warli Tribes today along with friends. Preparing with associates for Launch of a New Campsite on-lines of Social Cause Tourism.

The Campsite is over 40 acres located on banks for a river; our NGO plans to work with Local Tribals for empowering Tribal Women; Children and the whole community. Helping them in skills enhancements; socioeconomic development and lively-hood generation etc.

The campsite will have Large Tents; High Rope Adventure Courses; Two different types of Commando Obstacle Courses; Raft Building; Kayaks; Coracles; Agriculture Farms, Fishing; Mango and Chikku Orchards; Cow Sheds; Kitchen and Restaurant; and all camping amenities to host events for Groups; Corporate; Families and Students...

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Ladakh - Young Explorers Trans-Himalayan Safari 11 Days

TREKKING, HOME STAY WITH LOCALS, OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WILD LIFE IN LADAKH, SAFARI, CAMPING, PEOPLE, CULTURE, MONASTERIES, BEING AN EXPLORER..


Highlights
Experiencing Ladakh Region the Explorer's way.
A Youthful experience and an opportunity to be an explorer, a journey that takes you very close to three distinctly different cultures. Amazing larger than life landscapes surrounded by some of the highest mountains in the world. An opportunity to live in some of the remotest home-stay in the world. A complete once in a life time adventure.


Manali – Rohtangpass (3980 m) – Koksar – Sissu – Thandi (2573 m) – The confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga Rivers to form Chandrabhaga river - Keylong – Baralachla (4892 m) – Camp at Sarchu in middle of nowhere (4253 m) –  Lachung La (5065 m) – Pang (4630 m) – Debring (4500 m) – Tanglangla – Upshi – Leh – Monasteries and Temples (Shey, Thiksey, Hemis,  Pather sahib, Basgo Palace – Spitul – Lamayuru) – Exhotic destinations – Pangong Lake Highest Lake in the world – Magnetic Hill – Moon Landscapes – Kargil (Passing under enemy observation)   Drass (The place of famous Indo-pak war and also the second coldest habituated place on the earth)  - Also passing Baltal – Sonmarg – Zoji La Pass (11,250 feet) – Gumra (11,250 feet) – and finally reaching heaven on earth Kashmir – Stay and enjoy Kashmiri hospitality in (Optional - Luxury House Boat – Experience Shikara Ride)



Explorers Ladakh Safari and with Home Stay Guest House and Tents
(Budget Trip)

(If you have bigger groups call for discount).


Capacity: Minimum 10 Persons and maximum 24

Tour fee includes
Travel in private transport as per planned program (Point to Point)

Stay on triple sharing basis

Meals 
(Breakfast and Dinner at Homestay Guest Houses)
Campsites (Breakfast; Lunch and Dinner at Campsites)

Transport as per planned program (Non AC Scorpio / Tavera / Sumo Grand or Tempo etc as per no of persons.)
Inner line permit to restricted area as per program plan

Tour fee does not include
Airfares, train fares (We assist in booking these tickets).
Volvo / Luxury bus cost from Delhi to Manali
Items of any personal nature such as drinks, tips/ gratitude, food ordered that is not part of package
Cost of Backpacks, trekking bags
Extra hotel nights due to flight cancellations etc.
Extra expenses due to mishandled luggage
Exptra expenses due to act of God
Any thing that is not included is excluded
Resources not utilized will not be refunded.

Other Terms and Conditions with Cancellation Policy

Tour Summary
Day 1: Arrival at Manali Hotel O/N at Manali
Day 2: Trans-Himalayan Safari  Manali to Keylong -to Sarchu O/N Sarchu (Campsite)
Day 3: Trans-Himalayan Safari  Sarchu to Leh
Day 4: Culture Tour - Leh Local Monastery Circuit
Day 5: Trans-Himalayan Safari Leh to Nubra Via Stop at Khardungla O/NStay at Hundar
Day 6: Trans-Himalayan Safari Hundar to Diskit Monastery to Leh
Day 7: Trans-Himalayan Safari Leh to Pangong O/N Pangong Campsite
Day 8: Trans-Himalayan Safari Pangong to Leh O/N Leh

Day 9: Trans-Himalayan Safari Leh to Kargil O/N Kargil
Day 10: Trans-Himalayan Safari Kargil to Sringar O/N Srinagar (Optional Deluxe House Boat Stay experience at extra cost).
Day 11: Srinagar drop to Airport

Planned Schedule
Day 01 Manali O/N at Hotel
Meals: Dinner and Next Day Breakfast
On arrival at Bus stand take a cab for hotel; Welcome tea at Hotel. Rest at Hotel. You may visit market or plan your own agenda. Suggestion - Hit the bed early as your have to wake-up early next day to begin your trans-Himalayan Safari toward Keylong.
Room Sharing: Triple with attached wash rooms (hot water in shower room or
with buckets)


Meals:
Breakfast - Eggs / Veg Dish / Tea and Coffee
​Lunch - ​
Veg; Dal; One Non Veg and Pickle Rice and Roti or Chapati or Ladakhi Bread discuss with customers.


Campsites: All Meals

(Refer day wise halts for meal plan)

DETAILS OF TRANS-HIMALAYAN YOUNG EXPLOERS SAFARI - 2 (11 Days)


Day 1: Arrival at Manali Hotel O/N at Manali
Meals - Dinner and Next Day Breakfast


Reach Manali by morning and check-in to a hotel. Basically a relaxing day... time for the body and mind to acclimatize to the high altitudes. This process of acclimatization is one of the most important components of any trip to the high altitudes.

Day 2: Manali to Keylong to Sarchu O/N Sarchu (Campsite)
Pkd Lunch for next day; Evening Tea/Coffee; Dinner and next day breakfast

5:30 am Depart Manali Early morning, few minutes after start immediately after we are outside outskirts of Manali our vehicle start passing through high altitude topography passing through forest have a rich growth of Birch, Fir and Spurce. The landscape begins to change as we near our first halt, Marhi a barren landscape offering extensive views of the valley and the mountains. We proceed to Rohtang Pass 3790 M (over 13000 feet) is most popular with visitors, being one of the highest road points and gateway to Lahaul and Spiti Valleys. Pass remains closed during winter due to heavy snow from November to May end.
After crossing Rohtang Pass border we are in the Barren Himalayas above to tree line with the landscape completely changing Khoksar is the first village and gateway to Lahaul.








Darcha is situated at the junction of Yotche Nullah and the Zangskar Chhu which takes off from the Shinkun La. Both these nullahs meet with the main river Bhaga at this place. The valley broadens out from Darcha. The altitude of Darcha is about 3500 meters, which makes it an ideal base camp for acclimatization. Darcha is the jumping off point from treks to Padum over the Shinkun La or Baralacha La and Phirtse la and for treks or mountaineering expeditions to Leh and peaks of Chandra Bhaga series. However no tourish bungalow or rest house facilities are available on either side of the nullah. A police check post is also there. Darcha is the last village where one can see sparse growth of trees. Beyond Darcha hardly any trees can be seen on either side of the highway. Landscape start looking desolate and absolutely barren. Glance at JISPA. The beautiful spot is 22 km away from Keylong and 4 kms ahead of Ghemur. The Village is situated at the junction of two nullahs with the main river Bhaga. Jispa has a very large dry river-bed, a rarity in Lahual. Jispa is a new tourism  centre coming up with the monasteries of Yarji and Photang where his Holiness the Dalai Lama gave the Kal Chakra Sermon a few days back to the Buddhist all over the world. The mountaineering institute of Manali has a sub centre here for adventure tourism. Sarchu is the last inhabited point in Himachal Pradesh. On arrival at Sarchu check into your campsite tents..


Day 3: Sarchu to Leh
Meals Dinner and Next Day breakfast


Depart in the morning at dawn. Our journey throught Nakeela and Lachlangla pass 16,617 feet, reach Pang by afternoon lunch breaks at Pang, enroute More Plains (Biggest and Highest Plateau on Earth on Stretch of 42 kms), Taglang La Pass (2nd Highest Motorable Road in the World at height of 17,585 feet) and reaching Upshi, from there the road follows the Indus River, passing villages with their terraced fields and neat-White Washed Houses. On the way one notices the ruins have an ancient Fort or Palace or the distant glimpse of gompa on a hill. And at last we reach Leh

 

Day 4: Leh Local Monastery Circuit
Meals: Dinner and Next Day breakfast


After a leisurely breakfast, we drive to visit Hemis Monastery situated 45km west of Leh; Hemis is the largest and wealthiest monastery in Ladakh. From Hemis, you are driven back taking the same route to visit Thiksey Monastery, located on a hillock with formidable views of Indus valley. Thiksey is especially noteworthy for its gigantic seated statue of the Maitreya and is also know for its (Drukhang) assembly hall which houses hundreds of rectangular prayer books, stacked between wooden covers and bound in silk. After that we continue to drive through series of chortens to visit Shey Palace the former summer palace of the King of Ladakh. Sindhu Darshan visit.

 



Day 5: Leh to Nubra Via Stop at Khardungla O/NStay at Hundar
Meals - Dinner and Next Day Breakfast



Driver 120 Kms 4 to 5 hours Khardungla is the World’s highest motorable road at 188832 feet above sea level. At KhardungLa pass the snow capped peaks and the mountain view are amazing. The road then pases throught a bridge laid on Glacier which finds its way in Guinness Book of World Records, Drive through the Valley which is exteremely beautiful for photography. Nubra Valley is the Oasis of Ladakh as you see some colourful trees in this region. Later reach your camp visit the Sand Dunes if Lucky you will get the sight of Two Hump Bacterian Camels, enjoy time at the Sand Dunes of Nubra Valley spread across Hundur Village.

 



Day 6: Hundar to Diskit Monastery to Leh
Meals - Dinner at Leh and next day breakfast

After Breafast proceed to Diskit Monastery with is 515 year old.
Situated on a hill top giving panoramic view of the valley later walk around the town of Diskit which has a small village market. Giant Budha Statue. Proceeed for the tour of Samsthaling, Panamik, Yaraptso Lake along with the splendid view of the Karakoram Himalayan Rage.. Samsthaling is situated on the mount side just above Sumur. This was the route taken by the trade caravans, and Panamik, the last village on this circuit, was at that time a busy centre, the last major settlement before the caravans proceed back to Leh cross the Khardungla pass once again and reach Leh.






Day 7: Leh to Pangong O/N Pangong Campsite
Meals - Lunch; Evening Tea/Coffee; Dinner and Next Day breakfast



It is the highest land locked lake (155 Kms One way from Leh 5 hour drive each way). After an early breakfast we leave for Pangong Lake through Changla Pass 5486 meters. Pangong Lake, situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 meters). A long narrow basin of inland drainage, hardly six to seven kilometre at its Widest point and over 130 km long, it is bisected by the interenational border between India and China. A few years back the government decided to open it to tourists though the lake and its surrounding is under army surveillance. Enjoy the landscape in the backdrop on the Lake. One rarely feels so close to nature and environment and scenery is unforgettable.




Day 8: Pangong to Leh O/N Leh
Meals - Dinner at Leh and Next Day breakfast



Drive back to Leh.. 
Optional you may visit market during the evening for shopping or exploring Leh Palace or Sunset from Shanti Stupa.


Day 9: Leh to Kargil O/N Kargil
Meals - Dinner and Next Day Breakfast

Sightseeing tour of Moonlandscape, visit Lamayuru, the oldest Monastery of Ladakh Giant Statue of Maitreya Buddha in Mulbekh. Evening stroll in Kargil Market street, checkout bakeries in Kargil/ Apricots.
 
Day 10: Kargil to Sringar O/N Srinagar
On the way - Army memorial; Stop for lunch at Sonamarg
Meals: Dinner and Next Day breakfast

5:00 am proceed to Srinagar via Drass. The second coldest inhabited Place in the world. Experience the splendid view of Kargil famous Peaks Tiger Hill and Tololing Peak. At Vijay Smarak we shall pay homage to the martyrs of the Indian army. Arrive Srinagar by afternoon. Rest day for free to do your own activities. Evening Shikara Ride at Dal Lake.




Day 11: Srinagar drop to Airport after breakfast..

Friday, February 20, 2015

Ladakh High Places

Ladakh Trans-Himalayan has some of the Highest Motor-able passes in the world; some of the highest lakes; planes etc. Its truly a trans-Himalayan Safari / Bikers dream destination. Sharing few pictures of High Places in at Ladakh.

to join us Nature Knights our adventure check us out at www.offbeatmandala.com (A new website where we will provide you and/or your groups with life time travel experience adventures of your life time). It still a work in progress constructed by persons who are not web designers but have hands on travel and adventure exposures of almost over 3 decades.

Check our line-ups for 2015 (Ladakh Special)








Ladakh High Places

Ladakh Trans-Himalayan has some of the Highest Motor-able passes in the world; some of the highest lakes; planes etc. Its truly a trans-Himalayan Safari / Bikers dream destination. Sharing few pictures of High Places in at Ladakh.

to join us Nature Knights our adventure check us out at www.offbeatmandala.com (A new website where we will provide you and/or your groups with life time travel experience adventures of your life time). It still a work in progress constructed by persons who are not web designers but have hands on travel and adventure exposures of almost over 3 decades.








Udhampur

How we got here (Udhampur) is a long story and full of adventure.. Almost like a War Zone like situation. Still cherish the moments we all stuck together thru thick and thru thin of situations..

Will soon write the story..

to join Nature Knights at our adventures at www.offbeatmandala.com 




Thursday, February 19, 2015

SOME IRONIES THAT CAN EXIST IN INDIA

Interesting Read..

1) Politicians Divide us, Terrorists Unite us
.
2) Every1's in hurry, but no one reaches in time

3) Priyanka Chopra earned more money playing Mary Kom, then Mary Kom earned in her entire career.

4) Its dangerous to talk to strangers, but it's perfectly ok to marry one

5) Most people who fight over Gita and Quran, have probably never read any of them

6) We rather spend more on our daughter's wedding than on her education

7)The shoes we  wear are sold in airconditioned showrooms, the vegetables we eat are sold on the footpath..

8) Most of the guys who are ignored by Girls in young life, are actually the nicest and better husband material :)

9) We live in a country where seeing a policeman makes us nervous rather than feeling safe

10) In IAS exam, a person writes a brilliant 1500 words essay about how Dowry is a social evil. Impresses everyone and cracks the exam.

One year later same person demands a dowry of 1 crore, because he is an IAS officer.

11) Indians are very shy and still are 121 Crore.

12) Indians are obsessed with screen guards on their smartphones even though most come with scratch proof Gorilla Glass but never bother wearing a helmet while riding their bikes.

13) Indian Society teaches
'Not to Get Raped',  rather  'Don't Rape' !

14) Reserved people get more benefit than deserve people...!

15) The worst movies earn the most

16) It is shallow to ask for dowry but prospective bridegrooms should make six or seven figured salaries , preferably settled in U.S.

17) A porn-star is accepted in society as a  celebrity, but a rape victim is not even accepted as a normal human  being.



Try 2 undr stnd people b4 trusting them ... Bcoz v r living in such a world, where artificial lemon flavor is used 4 "WELCOME DRINK" nd real lemon is used in "FINGER BOWL"...!!

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Rajmachi Trek

Rajmachi The Backpacker's Classic Trek

Experiences
Night Trek from Lonavala to Rajmachi
Night Stay in Tents (Multi-sharing) with attached washrooms
Early morning summit climb to Shrivardhan Fort
Post Breakfast; downhill trek from Rajmachi to Karjat Side (Kondivita Village) 
Village Breakfast at Kondivita
Dugduggi Ride from Kondivita to Karjat Station


Rajmachi during monsoon


Rajmachi Summit


Event Date: March 7, 2015 Team Category: ModerateTotal Trek Distances: 
Tungarli Dam to Rajmachi - Approx 17 km
Rajmachi to Shrivardhan Summit (approx - 2.5 km up and down)
Rajmachi to Kondivata Village Trek distance (7 to 8 KM) 

Trek Grade: Medium Grade.


Camp Fee: Rs.1950/- per head.

Includes: 
Trek Management
Travel cost from Divya Hilltop Cottages (Lonavala) to Tungarli Dam
Dinner and Breakfast at Campsite at Rajmachi
Overnight Stay in Large Multi-sharing Tents.
Village Lunch at Kondivita on Day 2
DugDuggi Ride Cost from Kondivita Village to Karjat

Excludes:

Travel Cost from Home-Town to Lonavala (Divya Hill Top Cottages) - Backpacking.
(Options to Reach -  Volvo / State Transport / Train / Share Cab etc..
Cost of any meals/ in-between snacks excluding what is mentioned above.
Bottled Water/ Beverages
Custom menu ordered.
Any kind of Insurance Policy CoverageAnything that is not specifically mentioned in inclusionsAnything that is not included is excluded. Kindly carry physical copy of voucher while reporting.




Planned Schedule:
Reporting Time 5:00 pm Lonavala (Divya Hill Top Cottages)Nagar Gaon6:00 pm Take a Rickshaw from Divya Hill Top Cottages to Tungarli Dam (20 minutes ride)

(Note: The participants who are late can join the trekker group who have gone ahead but the off-road transport cost for dropping them will be borne by the person coming late; Cost of hiring One Sumo Vehicle for a drop  is Rs.1400/- capacity up-to 7 persons).

6:30 pm Trek Starts at Tungarli Dam
Night Trek..



Expected to Reach Rajmachi village around 11:00 pm
Dinner with campfire at Rajmachi
Sleep in tents (as the sleeping is in group tents; separate accommodation for men and women.



Picture of Tent Interiors..

View from Campsite




Details for Internet Banking Transfers (RTGS / NEFT / IFSC):
Account Name: OFFBEAT MANDALA

Account No.: 50200006370273

Bank Name: HDFC Bank Limited

RTGS/NEFT/IFSC: HDFC0000019

Branch: THE AMALDAS CO-OP HSG. SOC. LTD., 

JUHU-VERSOVA LINK ROAD,



WARK-K, (WEST), ANDHERI (WEST), MUMBAI – 400053, MAHARASHTRA

Once you have made 100% advance payment kindly send email with transaction details to confirm your registrations - asif@natureknights.net / info@natureknights.net


Checklist for participants:

Attire:
Track Pants; Dry Fits; Three Fourth; Shorts with T-Shirt (preferably dry fits full sleeves)
Cap; Flash Light; Small personal medical pouch (General Medical Kit will be available with Organizers);
Mobile Phone and Re-charger
Personal Camera (Optional)
Water bottle (2 to 3 per head).
(One set of change clothes)

One bed sheet or small sleeping bag.
Carry all your belongings in small backpack
Personal Photo - ID and with emergency number.

FAQs

1) What is the refund policy for the event?
A cancellation charge of 25% will be deducted on the total amount if cancellation is done before before February 27, 2015.

50% Refund till March 4th, 2015
No Refund after March 4th, 2015.

2) What is the minimum and maximum age for participating in this event?
Minimum age is 16 years old and Maximum is 60 years old. (Unless requested and discussed)

3) Do we have to sign a disclaimer for the event?
All participants have to sign a disclaimer before the event that they are physically fit to participate in the outdoor event of this type.

4) Will there by any-kind of medical insurance policy or accident insurance policy coverage for this event?
We are not providing any type of insurance coverage for this event. 

5) How do we reach Lonavala?
Private Vehicle (car); or Train or State Travel Transport; Luxury Buses; Share Cabs ply regularly between Pune and Mumbai via Lonavala.

6) What is the last date of registration?
We will keep the registration open till we have approximately 20 registrations.

7) What are the chances of event getting cancelled?
If we do not have minimum 8 participants till March 1st, 2015. The event will be called off and entire money refunded.