SNOW TREK: CHOPTA, DEORIATAL & CHANDRASHILA PEAK

NATURE OF TRIP Snow Trekking

LOCATION Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand

DURATION 5 Days (Haridwar - Haridwar)

TREKKING DAYS 3 Days

MAXIMUM ALTITUDE Chandrashila Peak Summit (4000m)

GRADE Moderate+

SEASON Dec-Mar

ACCOMODATION Alpine Camping - 2 Nights

Hotel/Eco-Lodge - 2 Nights

GROUP SIZE Maximum of 12 people in a group - We do only small group trekking

DEPARTURE DATES DESCRIPTION ITINERARY COST WEATHER DETAILS GEAR ON HIRE LIST OF ESSENTIALS

DEC 2014 JAN 2015 FEB 2015 MAR 2015

25, 28 10, 17, 24, 31 7, 14, 21, 28 6, 14, 21, 28

SKETCH ITINERARY DAY 01: Haridwar Kund (1350m) (Drive/200 kms/6-7 hrs ) DAY 02: Kund (1350m) Deoriatal (2438m) (Trek/4-5 hrs) DAY 03: Deoriatal (2438m) Sari (1900 m) - Dugalbitta (2550 m) - Chopta (2800m) (Trek/2 hrs ) DAY 04: Chopta (2800m) Tungnath (3680m) Chandrashila peak (4000m) Kund (Trek/4-5 hrs & Drive/1 hr) DAY 05: Kund Haridwar (Drive/200 kms/6-7 hrs)

GIO GUARANTEE Maximum group size of 12 persons. MORE flexibility, MORE safety, MORE attention & information from

guides, RELAXED itinerary. 2 guides for a group. MORE safety, MORE personal attention No SMELLY sleeping bags!! International quality 3/4 season trekking tents (No summer tents!!) Toilet tents with portable seats Other amenities like Mess tent, Camping stools, etc. Base camp hotels with deluxe amenities Professionally trained & certified mountain guides High quality transport Best Value for Money pricing To preserve & protect the mountains we are committed to international Leave No Trace policies

TREK ROUTE MAP

OUR PLEDGE & PLEA We conduct all our treks following the principles of Leave No Trace policy and try to keep our impact minimal. We will request you to participate in this initiative by first knowing more about it and finally contributing by adhering to the tenets of this policy. You are sure to enjoy this kind of mountain travel where you dont compromise on any personal comforts and yet help nurture & preserve a habitat which is beautiful and a source of joy, happiness & life to many WHY US GIO Adventures has a strong background in trekking with a 15 year history and more than 2000 guided treks across the Himalayas under its belt. We understand the needs of the clients and are also passionate about sustainable trekking in the mountains and hence blend the two while planning our treks. 1. Unique trekking style

We absolutely love the mountains and care for them and have pledged to do our bit to take care of them. We know you love them too, else you wouldnt be reading this right? To further our pledge, we have adopted the Leave No Trace & Tread Light philosophy in all our trips. You are sure to love our style of trekking where you dont compromise on anything and yet help nurture and preserve nature. We believe in an inclusive style of running our programs where the guests are encouraged to contribute with their bit to run the trek whether it is in camp set up, wrap up kitchen and so on. This builds camaraderie within the trekking group and adds to the overall experience of the trip.

2. We only run small groups

We strongly believe that mountains are best enjoyed and preserved in small groups. You get the opportunity to be with yourself to enjoy the calmness and serenity of the mountains, walk at your own pace, in your own space, meet local people, get to know the trekking staff & get their full attention and the opportunity to engage and build friendships with fellow trekkers as well.

3. Great pricing We offer high quality trips at a great value. Our all-inclusive prices (on our fixed departures) include cost of good quality transport also. We are not the cheapest but if one were to do a fair comparison one will see that the little extra that we charge is for the extra services which we believe will surely enhance the whole experience. We urge you to get more informed by asking questions and knowing fully what youre getting for the price charged.

4. High quality Camping equipment Absolutely clean & washed sleeping bags (something you never get easily), inflatable trekking mattresses (not sure if anyone else offering these!) & high end high quality 3-season imported tents (cost 3-4 times the normal tents).

5. Our Team & Pedigree We are a 100+ strong team with 98% people represented from different parts of the Himalayas. We were born & raised in the mountains understand & appreciate wilderness travel very well. Our entire team is trained and certified from Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), and basic first aid. Apart from this, there is enormous emphasis on internal training and constant enhancement of skills and each guide is hand-picked for attitude & love for the mountains as much as sheer trekking excellence. Our team is headed by Nalin Khanduri (MD of the company) whose experience in the mountains is only surpassed by his passion for them.

6. Personal Gear purchase/rental facility You dont need to spend big sums on expensive personal gear as you could just take it on hire from us. Also we have a facility where you can purchase new gear from us. We store trekking boots, sleeping bags, jackets, rainwear, trekking poles etc. Please contact our team for more information on our range and prices.

7. Our Loyalty program

We always appreciate the opportunity you have given to us by our guests and in return reward them with meaningful benefits. So you get handsome discounts on other treks, our rafting trips, family vacation to our lodges (www.himalayanecolodges.com), skiing trips etc. also you are the first ones to get information on great deals & new trips. But the biggest benefit is the opportunity to join the GIO team on special reccee trips where you pay minimal amount. For more information this, you can write into us and we would gladly include you in the growing GIO Family.

...We welcome you to join us on this memorable trip to the Himalayas

http://www.himalayanecolodges.com/

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CLIMB & THE TREK For the mountain lover, the winters are a great time to be travelling in the Himalayas because of the clear views and

sunny days. This winter trek gives you the opportunity to scale a small trekking peak in the Garhwal Himalayas,

Chandrashila peak (4000m). On the trek you pass through undulating grass meadows in summer, but in winters this

terrain forms the perfect base for a snow trek with undulating meadows of snow. With the close proximity of this trek

to the road head, the trek is ideal for beginners wanting to experience the joys of snow trekking in a safe and relatively

comfortable manner.

In the first leg of the trek we hike up to Deoriatal. This is a beautiful lake at an altitude of 2438 m and has captivating

surroundings with forests all around. This trail would not have much snow and it forms an easy start for the trek ahead.

From Deoriatal, the Chaukhamba peak feels like it is an arms length away and the reflection of the mighty peak in the

crystal clear waters of the lake creates a beautiful effect. The story associated with this scenic place is that when the

Pandavas were in exile and were hiding from the Kaurava king, Duryodhan, they stopped nearby for a rest. When their

mother Kunti felt thirsty, one by one four of her sons went to fetch water from this lake but died, as they could not

answer the question put forth to them by the Yaksha Devta who resided here. When the eldest son's Yudishtra's turn

came, he answered all questions correctly and with the result the dead brothers also came back to life. Here we will

camp by the lakeside and enjoy the star spangled sky in

the night.

Next on our trail is Chopta, popularly referred to as the

Mini-Switzerland of India because of its undulating

green meadows (carpets of snow in winter!!) and a

breath taking view of the majestic Himalayan peaks.

We will start getting into big snows on this trail and

once in Chopta would have a lot of snow all around.

Depending on the snow conditions, we will either

decide to camp or we would stay in some homestays

that dot this place. Staying in here is a totally enjoyable

experience with the excellent views and beautiful

valleys all around. Next day, from here we will trek up

to the Tungnath temple, which at an altitude of 3680m

is the highest Shiva shrine in the world. There would be

thick snow all around and we would have a totally

enjoyable experience trekking through this terrain. All

along the route one gets wonderful views of the

Himalayan giants including Bandarpoonch, Kedar,

Chaukhamba peaks and many more. From Tungnath

you can trek up a further 1 kms to the summit of

Chandrashilla peak at about 4000 m. The 180 degree

view of the snow-capped peaks and the underlying

valleys all around make this trek well worth it.

Another interesting and beautiful part of this trip is the opportunity to spend time at Himalayan Eco Lodges & Camps at Kund (www.himalayanecolodges.com/kund.php). This lodge overlooks the Mandakini river and is in the shadow of the Kedar peak and is a beautiful base to begin and end the trip.

http://www.himalayanecolodges.com/kund.php

ITINERARY DAY 01: Haridwar Kund (1350m) Drive/200 kms/6-7 hrs We will meet at Haridwar railway station at 7:00 a.m and

from here board a vehicle and be driven up to Kund. This

is an interesting drive. You will, for most part of the

journey drive along the Ganga & Alaknanda river before

turning into the Mandakini valley. Enroute you will be

crossing the holy towns of Rishikesh, Devprayag and

Rudraprayag. Evening we will go for a short hike to

stretch our leg muscles and also spend some time by the

riverside. Overnight in the lodge.

DAY 02: Kund (1350m) Deoriatal (2438m) Trek/4-5 hrs Today when you start hiking from the lodge you will initially walk through a few villages and a small temple town, Ukhimath. The walk from here on is through an enchanting mixed forest abundant in bird life. Todays hike is mostly uphill. We will reach Deoriatal lake by afternoon and spend rest of the day exploring the serene surroundings. This is a fine place for photography and bird watching. Overnight in tents.

DAY 03: Deoriatal (2438m) (Sari 1900 m) - Dugalbitta (2550 m) - Chopta (2800m) Trek/2 hrs What a lovely morning by the beautiful lake. After exploring the beautiful surroundings in the morning we will trek down to the village Sari. From here we will board the vehicle and drive to Duggalbitta. At Dugalbitta we get off the vehicles and start the trek to Chopta. This trek is through the beautiful forest of Oak and Rhododendron to reach the meadows at Chopta. We will reach the campsite by afternoon and spend rest of the day exploring Chopta. The views towards the evening are going to be great so keep your cameras handy. The sunset from Chopta is also a photographers delight!! Overnight in tents.

DAY 04: Chopta (2800m) Tungnath (3680m) Chandrashila peak (4000m) Kund Trek/4-5 hrs & Drive/1 hr We start the day by climbing up the slopes of the snow meadow. The climb is demanding but short and extremely scenic. It will take about a couple of hours to reach Tungnath temple. Religious or non-religious does not matter, just sit by yourself for a few minutes in the courtyard of the temple with eyes closed you will feel very light! After a brief stop for refreshments and rest carry on with your climb to reach the summit of Chandrashilla peak at about 4000m. The effort is going to be rewarded multiple times with views which are surely unparalleled. From the summit you can see big Himalayan peaks (Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba and many more) and surrounding valleys in all directions.

After capturing the views in your camera start walking down to the base camp at Chopta and from there get onto your vehicles and drive down to the lodge in Kund where a refreshing shower and hot dinner awaits you. Spend time by the riverside. Overnight in the lodge. On this day we will take a call as in to summit the peak Chandrashilla. Those who want to summit Chandrashilla peak will start at 5 am in the morning. Who just want to trek towards Chandrashilla summit and Tungnath will start at 8 am in the morning.

DAY 05: Kund Haridwar Drive/200 kms/6-7 hrs Post breakfast, we drive back to Haridwar. Our trip ends here.

COST OF THE TRIP 1. Trek tariff (Haridwar to Haridwar)

- Double sharing basis (2 persons sharing a tent & room) Rs. 8,750/- per person

- Single sharing basis (1 person to a tent & room) Rs. 11,350/- per person

2. Transport tariff (ex-Haridwar as per the itinerary) Rs. 2500/- per person

TREK TARIFF INCLUDES 1. 2 guides for the group of maximum 12 trekkers so 1

guide for 6 group members. This will ensure high safety and more information and personal attention which are

necessary to appreciate a trek. All our guides are

professionally trained and have many years of relevant

experience in guiding treks.

2. Accommodation in a deluxe mountain lodge in Kund

on single/double occupancy basis

(www.himalayanecolodges.com/kund.php). This lodge

has an absolutely fantastic location and very good

quality facilities and services.

3. High quality Camping arrangements

We believe that roughing it out necessarily doesnt

mean sleeping in smelly sleeping bags, compromising

on safety by using low quality equipment and having

http://www.himalayanecolodges.com/kund.php

unappetising meals. We focus on your safety, basic comforts and the environment while camping. Keeping this is

mind, the following equipment is provided on the trek:

3/4 season imported alpine tents

Fresh and clean sleeping bags of very good quality

Good quality Camping Mattresses

Hot water bottles in the night (during the trek)

Camping stools

Mess Tent

Toilet tents (2) with portable toilet seats

First Aid / Medical kit

4. All meals starting from dinner on Day 1 till breakfast on

Day 5. A lot of emphasis is given to nutritional needs and a

menu of vegetarian dishes is prepared accordingly.

Tea/coffee will be served throughout.

5. Porter/mule charges for carrying camping equipment & rations

6. Forest entry charges, permits & camping fee 7. First aid kit (our guides are certified in handling first aid

situations) 8. Service Tax TRANSPORT TARIFF INCLUDES Do keep in mind that transport is a very critical component of your trek. This aspect is most often not given proper attention and can result in lot of discomfort especially in the mountains. We provide transfers to get you to the starting point and back as comfortably and in as less time as possible for you to enjoy the trip. We only use quality vehicles like Toyota Innova, Mahindra Xylo, Mahindra Scorpio, Tempo Traveller, etc. and no local jeeps or similar vehicles are used except where there are short transfers from the lodge to the trek points, etc. The transport tariff includes all driver charges, fuel, parking, toll and taxes. COST DOES NOT INCLUDE

Porter/mule charges to carry your personal bag

Any meals/services not mentioned above

Any charges for video cameras, still cameras, etc.

Alcohol, soft drinks, beverages, etc.

Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.

Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.

Insurance OTHER OPTIONAL CHARGES 1. Charges for a porter/mule to carry personal bag

throughout the trek (not more than 10 kgs): Rs. 1,200 per person for the complete trek

2. Personal Trekking Gear

You can save on buying expensive trekking equipment for the trek by hiring the same from our gear store. High quality equipment is provided at reasonable rental/sale and you are assured of clean equipment that has been checked for its efficacy.

EQUIPMENT RENT*

Windproof, Water resistant Warm jacket (with hood) 250

Down jacket (for additional warmth) 300

Lightweight & Warm Fleece pullover 75

Warm Gloves 50

Waterproof Trekking boots 300

Balaclava 50

Rucksack (60 ltrs) 150

Waterproof gaiters 50

Warm high-length woollen socks 50

Poncho/Raincoat 50

Trekking poles 60 *Cost in INR per day *Taxes extra

PAYMENT TERMS & CONDITIONS

We take 25% as booking amount and the balance to be paid 45 days before the start of the trip.

Payment to be made by Bank Transfer/Cheque/DD in favour of GREAT INDIAN OUTDOORS (P) LTD. payable at New Delhi/Gurgaon or online through our payment gateway

Payment for this trip will not be adjusted against any future trips

Cancellation policy

- >45 Days: Full refund (after deducting any expenses that have been incurred for hotel bookings, transport, etc.)

- 30-45 Days: 75% of trip cost will be refunded (after deducting any expenses that have been incurred for hotel bookings, transport, etc.)

- 15-30 Days: 50% of trip cost will be refunded (after deducting any expenses that have been incurred for hotel bookings, transport, etc.)

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION Transport Options (Delhi Haridwar Delhi) For travel to Haridwar and back one can choose between air, rail & road. For air travel, the closest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport (30 kms) in Dehradun and is well connected to Delhi and other parts of the country by Air India, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines & Spice Jet. Train travel is highly recommended with enough options being there. For train details, you could log on to www.indianrail.gov.in and for online railway ticket bookings you could log on to www.irctc.co.in. There are frequent Public Transport buses including Volvos available from Delhi to Haridwar that cost about Rs. 200-500 per person. These buses depart from Delhi ISBT every 30 mins. or so and take about 4/5 hrs to cover the distance. The same is also applicable on the return journey. A private vehicle could also be arranged for if you require the same. Weather Details This snow trek is organized between Jan & Mar when the region has had good snowfall. Contrary to popular belief, winters is a good time to be in the mountains if one is equipped properly. Most locals inhabiting higher reaches of the mountains dont mind the problems associated with snowfall and seem to have a good time during these months. Also there are lots of local festivals in these months. In these months weather is generally clear most of the days. Day time is pleasantly warm with one getting to enjoy sitting out in the sun and temperatures would be around 12-17 C. Evenings are quite cold and one would need to be inside a tent/room or sitting outside next to fire with proper winter clothes. The evening temperatures will be around -3 to 5 C. Nights can be very cold with temperatures in the range of -8 to 0 C. Please keep in mind that the above information is not exact and does not account for sudden changes. Whatever the temperatures and conditions rest assured we will be prepared to handle it with ease as we use equipment of very high specifications LIST OF ESSENTIALS Mountain/adventure travel requires one to be adequately equipped with the right kind of personal gear. Since one is travelling in the wilderness there will be hardly any opportunity to buy anything once you hit the trail so we urge you to carefully pack everything into your bags. Also please keep in mind you can rent out or purchase equipment from our Gear Store, if required. - Shirts/T-shirts 2/3 - Warm shirt/light micro fleece pullover/full sleeve T shirt - Trekking Pants (water resistant/repellent & having inside lining for extra warmth) - 2 - Windproof/water resistant outer shell (Jacket) of good quality (no flimsy wind cheaters please!) with a proper hood - Down Jacket (with min 600 fill power rating) - Thick Fleece / Full-sleeve Woollen sweater - Thermal inner wear (upper & lower) - Woollen cap (Balaclava) - Inner fleece gloves - Outer waterproof gloves - Thick woollen socks & regular socks (4-5 pairs) - Scarf/muffler (optional) - Comfortable waterproof Trekking/Hiking shoes (shoes with a thick sole and high ankles are recommended) - Camp shoes (these can be easy to slip in sneakers/sport shoes) - Gaiters - Raincoat / Poncho - Small light weight towel - Insulated water bottle & hydration pack (optional) - Cap / floppy hat to keep the strong sun away from your face - Sun glasses with UV protection and ability to cut the glare (imp when traversing through snow) - Sturdy walking stick / Trekking pole - Sunscreen Lotion - Lip Balm - Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries) - Medicines, if requiring any specific medication - Personal toiletries

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/http://www.irctc.co.in/

- Book, if you like reading - Day pack/small bag which you will carry on your back every day and keep your essentials in it - Carry rain cover for your bags - Keep a few poly bags or waterproof bags in your bag in which if required you can put your belongings in case of

heavy rain - Camera if you like (with fully charged batteries) LOADS OF ENTHUSIASM!! AND A PLEDGE TO LEAVE NO TRACE Carry your stuff in a duffel bag, soft shoulder bag or a rucksack. Avoid suitcases, trolleys or any other hard luggage. As you will be walking long distances carrying a rucksack, avoid bringing unnecessary items on the trek. Please avoid carrying expensive watches, jewellery and electronic items on the trek. NOTE: In case you are planning to put your bag on a mule or taking a porter please get a duffel bag or rucksack and keep it in mind that there is a possibility that the bag at times might brush against a rock or a tree and get slightly damaged so don't get very expensive bags. Also in case of damage we shall not be held accountable Our Trekking Code We are mountain lovers and have pledged to bring no harm to them in our pursuit of running organised wilderness travel in the Himalayas and seek your assistance too in this regard. We are more than convinced that one can have more fun on a trip if we go about it in a way that no harm is caused to the ecology. In this regard we have a set of guidelines that we adhere to based on the tenets of Leave No Trace & Tread Light policies. These guidelines are very simple and emphasise on travelling in small groups, better planning, understanding impact of camping, proper waste disposal, respecting local cultures, sensitivity towards wildlife and so on. We have a complete section on our trekking code in the GIO trekking Manual. This manual will be couriered to you once you confirm a trip with us. Acclimatisation & high altitude sickness This is one of the most important aspects of travelling in the high Himalayas and cannot be ignored or set aside. Acclimatisation basically means our body adjusting to lower levels of oxygen (rarefied air) & reduced air pressure as me move up. In case one does not acclimatise properly there are chances of the person facing extreme discomfort and this can be fatal in extreme cases. While there is no set route to getting properly acclimatised there are a general precautions and steps that one can take to initiate good acclimatisation. Our trekking guides will assist you with these steps and also once you book a trip with us the GIO Trekking Manual which will cover this aspect extensively will be couriered to you. This is sure to help you enjoy the trek in very good shape. Selecting the right trek & training for it Most important thing is to select the right trek keeping in mind your experience or inexperience, health, objectives & ability. Our senior team people can assist you with this, so when contacting us do mention if you need guidance on this front also refer to our trek grading system mentioned below. Once the right trek is selected comes your preparation. Once you have booked a trip with us we will courier the GIO Trekking Manual to you which will have a complete practice drill explained in details. Trek grading system We have broadly classified our treks as below: Easy These treks are 3 to 5 days long and involve walking for about 3/4 hrs daily. The trail on such treks is well defined but not always flat. These are great for families and first timers Moderate On these treks one is not required to trek for more than 5/6 hrs a day. Also the terrain is not too difficult. These treks are normally a week or so long. For these treks prior trekking experience is not necessary. Very rarely on these treks would one camp at altitudes higher than 3800m. These treks are great for first timers or for veterans wanting to go on a trail which is relatively less demanding Moderate+ These are moderate treks with mostly one difficult day. These trails are fine for fit beginners also. Vigorous On these treks one can be required to trek continuously for more than a week through remote areas and at times trekking for more than 7 hrs a day. On most of these treks one has to cross passes or areas which are snow

covered and involve camping at altitude of more than 4000m. Fit people with some kind of hiking experience & a spirit of adventure can contemplate going on these trails. Strenuous These treks apart from having continuous trekking stretches are at places technical and might require assistance from trip leader/guide and other staff people. All these treks have rest days in between. Also all of them involve crossing passes or areas having altitude of more than 4500m. First timers are discouraged from walking such routes. Expedition Style These involve long walks at high altitudes at times around 6000m. Camping can also be well over the snow line and on glaciers at times. Safety ropes, ice axes and crampons might be required on these treks. These treks are not technically very difficult but are considerably challenging. Previous vigorous/strenuous trekking experience is required. DISCLAIMER Great Indian Outdoors (P) Ltd. takes utmost care to ensure safety of its clients. However in the case of any unforeseen

mishaps, Great Indian Outdoors (P) Ltd. will not be liable for any injuries caused or for loss of life. All disputes rising due

to the above are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in New Delhi/Delhi only. All participants would be required to

sign an Indemnity Form before the start of the program, without which they would not be allowed to take part in the

trip/program/activities.

+91 124 4081500 / 1400 / 1300 (Delhi NCR)

+91 135 2760080 / 6450197 (Dehradun)

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