Welcome to Astounding Himalayas – The Village Tourism Promoters. We are sure that you enjoy traveling in Himalayas ……Yes??? Well, no one can say No……This overland Adventure takes you away from your daily hectic life to the North Indian Himalayan States. You shall visit some of the Most Breathtaking Natural Scenery, crossing uninhabited Plains, Gorges, Valleys and Mountain Passes. You shall also be exploring isolated Monasteries, Trekking in the remote areas, walk or drive through the stunning Landscapes and be Staying in Village Houses at some places. We start from Shimla – The Former Summer Capital of British Empire in India before 1947, and before returning to Manali, we cross the highest passes on the way Kunzum Pass (4551mt) & Rohtang Pass (3978 mt) OR Head towards Lehn crossing world’s second motorable highest pass Tanglang La (5350 mt).
Kindly Read the Following Carefully before you Take These Trips
Travel Research
v These trips are for those who enjoy traveling without the knowledge of what is around and the next corner. Although we run these tours on fixed itineraries but still we keep the trips as flexible as possible for your convenience and comforts of our clients. In these trips we offer the opportunity to travel to some remote areas where every one wishes to go at least once in his or her life but due to certain reasons such as health or time sometimes can’t go there.
v The following is to inform you that these trips require a very Special Type of Traveler;
· One who enjoys in the unknown.
· One who is ready for the ups and downs of exploratory travel.
· One who does not expect silky comforts during the trips.
· One who is prepared to pitch in and help when required.
· One who does not care what is there around and after the next curve.
Physical Rating
v The participant to these trips should have a good level of fitness. You may be expected to Walk, Cycle, Travel for 5-6 hours a day with your own day pack. During the Jeep Safari Trips we carry a supporting vehicle that is a lorry or a truck or an additional Jeep to carry all the material such as Tents, Your Luggage, Kitchen Equipment, Kitchen staff and injured. If required, ponies, mules & porters will be hired to carry additional supplies.
v The terrain of the region is Mountainous and Challenging. The roads at a number of places are narrow, bumpy or dusty. At some places our vehicle might be crossing the streams or water flowing over the roads. So due to these conditions vehicle are likely to run at slow speed and might become irritating for you. But only those shall enjoy these trips who know how to enjoy the Natural beauty and the landscape around.
v We are dead sure that the Geographical Carvings and the Landscape on these tips is so stunning that it does not give you any opportunity to get irritated and leave your camera.
v The effects of altitude can be a problem, so the itineraries have been designed in such a way that we gain height gradually.
Group Size
Looking at the comforts of the Travelers and the Staff our group size remains as follows :
· Maximum – 18 pax
· Minimum - 2 pax
Accommodation
Guest Houses, Low Budget Hotels, Tented Resorts.
v During these trips we shall be traveling away from the usual and crowded tourist places. So some accommodations are very basic and may involve group share.
v Although all the guest houses used are decided after a personal visit and have attached toilets and bathrooms but may not be able to provide hot water showers.
v At some places where are unable to reserve the accommodation in advance, so we just approach them on our arrival and by chance if we are unable to get the accommodation as they might be sold out, then we have to camp and we use pit tented toilets.
v Body sponging is possible at the places where showers are not available.
Transport
Train, Jeeps, Bus, Walking.
v There are some very long travel days, often on rough dirt roads.
v Landslides, road Blockage or Vehicle Malfunction may cause disruption to the trip. So be ready for a sudden change in the itinerary that might extend your stay in India by two to five days.
Meals
v All the trips are accompanied by a Professional Cook, Helpers and an Escort cum Guide who take care for comforts of the groups.
v All possible kitchen equipment and ration is carried along and Chinese, Continental & Indian items are the parts of the meals.
v Every time we try our best to provide the best possible food that includes, Fruits, Salads, Drinks, Juices, Mineral Water, Soup, Sweet Dish and the Main Course, but at some places may be we are unable to provide some particular item due to the shortage or unavailability of the material.
Travel Insurance
v It is compulsory to get your Travel Insurance certificate to participate on any of our trips. When traveling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been checked by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details.
Health
v Before you travel to India it is advised that you should consult your doctor for up to date information and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial requirements and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses.
v Although a First Aid Box is always a part of our Kit along with the Oxygen Cylinder and Mask (One for each vehicle), still we recommend that you carry any personal medical requirements if you have.
v You might experience Acute Mountain Sickness and Oxygen deprivation while traveling in Spiti & Ladakh. If you reach these places by air you need minimum 24 hours to get acclimatized. As we reach these places gradually so we get sufficient time for acclimatization. A first aid box is always carried along with the trip that contains all the required medicines.
v You might experience Acute Mountain Sickness and Oxygen deprivation while traveling in Spiti & Ladakh. If you reach these places by air you need minimum 24 hours to get acclimatized. As we reach these places gradually so we get sufficient time for acclimatization. A first aid box is always carried along with the trip that contains all the required medicines.
Cultural Shock
v India is a country which may be very different from something that you may have experienced before. In most of the small of big towns here pollution, poverty and the crowds can result in initial culture shock. Some villages are still under the poverty line but they follow their traditions and culture strictly. So all this should be seen as an exciting new challenge.
Weather Conditions
v July to September is the monsoon months in India and there could be some unforeseen problems like road blockages due to land slides or roads damages. Although the Boarder Road Organization people are very well equipped and work very fast in these conditions but still then a change or delay in itinerary could be there or we reach the destination from some other route, however it is quite unlikely.
v In these conditions Government of India and the State tourism Department also become very active and extend the best possible help but we always seek your cooperation.
v Check out the India Meteorological web site http://www.imd.ernet.in/main_new.htm for the latest news on the weather forecast in India.
Inner line Permit
v Spiti falls in the inner line area as it shares it boarders with Tibet & China. So you need to have inner line permit to visit these places which is an easy process. We attach herewith a form for the same that is to be filled and send along with the documents required.
· A copy of Passport.
· A copy of Visa.
· 4 copies of your Photograph.
Safety and Security
v Check with the embassy in your country and follow their advice for their latest travel information.
v It is recommended that you use a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travelers’ cheques, cash and other valuable items.
v Leave your valuable jewelry at home as you won't need it while travelling.
v Keep your baggage under lock and key.
Check List
· Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets.
· Health requirements arranged. 1 photocopy of above documents, Money: cash/credit card/ travelers cheques, Money pouch.
· First aid kit including rehydration salts, Sunscreen, lip balm and sunglasses due to harsh sunlight and exposure to high altitudes.
· Wide brim hat or umbrella
· Antibacterial hand gel, when water is scarce.
· Day pack to carry your personal needs during the day.
· Trekking boots and warm socks. (Just incase if you have to walk).
· Alarm clock and torch/flashlight.
· Lightweight travel towel.
· Refillable water bottle, for filling from thermos.
· Iodine based water purification tablets.
· Ear plugs can be useful if you are a light sleeper.
· Inner sheet/sleeping sheet are recommended due to the basic nature of some of our accommodation.
· Please bring your own sleeping bag.
· Warm clothes. It is recommended to bring thermal under wear, and either a down or a fleece jacket.
· A wind proof jacket.
· A pair of gloves.
· A scarf or face mask for dust, Sarong for covering up when washing / showering.
· Food- although you can buy quite a variety of food (trek mix, nuts, dried fruit, chocolate) for the trek in Delhi, there may be specific brand items you should consider bringing from your home country if it is important to you.
· Underwear. Three pairs are enough.
· Bras. For Women, a couple.
· Tampons or Sanitary Napkins. They are easily available in the open market.
· Sleeping Bag
Travel Light
v During the itinerary you will be traveling most of the time so pack as lightly as possible (stay under 10 kg/22lb). It is in your own interest as you are expected to carry your own luggage, though distances are never great. Most travelers carry their luggage in a back pack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice. Avoid Suitcases.
v Keep your bags locked. The smaller your bag is the better, for when it comes to traveling on trains or buses usually only smaller bags will fit into the storage areas. If your bag does not fit in these areas, often the only place to put it is on your seat or on the roof. So to get maximum comfort, pack small and light!
v The mountains can be cold. Night time temperatures can be as low as 5 degrees, so bring a set of warmer clothes; thermal underclothes, being small and light, can be very useful. A warm jumper/jacket, cap, gloves and sunglasses no matter what time of the year, as we travel at altitudes above 3500m.
Dressing
v It is very important that when you are travelling to India, you kindly dress up keeping in mind the respect for the locale culture, especially Ladies. In some area you might have some people gathering around you, touching you and looking at you for a long time, as you are a foreigner.
