Youth Hostels Association of India with its long experience of expertise in organizing National Himalayan Trekking Expedition, once again organizing a breath taking beautiful trekking expedition route to Kedarkanth in Uttrakhand. Kedarkanth falls in the Western Garhwal Himalayas bordering Uttarakand.The trek route offers a breathtaking views of snowy mountains, peaks, dense forest,waterfalls,bugyals (high altitude meadows),wildlife and rare Himalayan birds. You can view the majestic peaks of Swargarohini, Bandurpoonch and Kala Nag from a close range .For ages, the land has been known for the temples and shrines with sacred mythological attachments.Duryodhna, the eldest of Kaurvas,is worshiped here. This trek route is virtually a paradise for the botanists, bird watchers, photographers, nature lovers, foot loose trekkers and anyone interested in exploring and learning in an unconventional way. In short, the more you trek in this area, the more curious you get to know more which has not yet been written but only found in folk tales and lores.

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME:

The purpose of the programme is to expose the YAHI members to a greater adventure and to rough out the rigors of plodding through snow with a sense of love for nature and outdoor recreational activity aiming at promoting national integration.

HOW TO REACH REPORTING CAMP:
For the convenience of the trekker coming from all over the country, our Reporting camp is situated in Mussoorie.Regular bus services are available from Dehradun/Delhi to Mussoorie.

DATES:
You may choose to report at Youth Hostel Mussoorie on any date from 1st May to 31st May 2010.

SCHEDULE:
DAY 1: Reporting at Youth Hostel Mussoorie. (Ht.6000 ft) 
DAY 2: Transfer to Base Camp Sankri by Bus. (Ht.5800 ft)   175 Kms - 8hrs.        
DAY 3: Acclimatization and Orientation.
DAY 4: Trek to Youth Hostel Juda Talao. (Ht.8000 ft)              4 Kms – 4 hrs.    
DAY 5: Trek to Youth Hostel Kedarkanth. (Ht.10, 000 ft)        7 Kms – 5hrs.
DAY 6: Trek to Kedarkanth Peak- (Ht.12500 ft) 2.5 Kms        3 hrs. from               Kedarkanth Peak and return back Juda Talo (Ht.8000 ft) 9.5 Kms,6hrs.
DAY 7: Trek to Youth Hostel Dhundha (Ht.10500 ft)               08 Kms – 6hrs.
DAY 8: Trek to Youth Hostel Talhouti (Ht.11500 ft)                11 Kms – 7hrs.
DAY 9: Trek to Youth Hostel Gian Gad via Taluka (Ht.7500 ft)      12 Kms- 4hrs.
DAY 10: Trek to Youth Hostel, Sankri -   (Ht.5800 ft)                 12 Kms – 4 hrs.
DAY 11. Transfer by Bus to Mussorie -175 Kms -8hrs   
DAY 12. Group breaks after breakfast.

AGE:
Minimum age is 15 years. Age restriction will be strictly adhered to.

FEE:
Participation Fee Rs 3050/- +Rs 150 Development Fund= Rs 3200/-per head which will cover stay at Youth Hostel, Mussoorie, tented accommodation, simple nutritious vegetarian food, transportation from Youth Hostel,  Mussoorie to base camp Sankri and back. 12 days forest entry fee, guidance, equipments and insurance. You will, however, have to bear to and fro travel expenses from your home town to Youth Hostel, Mussoorie.

Note 1:
YHAI trekking expeditions are not subsidized by any Government agencies or donors.

Note 2:
Development fund will be utilized for the infrastructural improvement of the campsites and equipment.

Imp:  YHAI Group Insurance cover is for accidental death or permanent disability only.  You are advised to take insurance cover for your journey and other related matter.

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS:
 Personal items to be brought by you – Rucksack (if you have one), cotton shirts, cotton pants, woolen jersey or jacket, woolen muffler or monkey cap, sun cap, light rain coat, shoes, socks, 2 pairs of woolen socks, hand gloves, torch with spare batteries ,water bottle, lunch box , enameled or steel mug or tumbler, plates, spoon, water purifying tablets  pen, knife, needles, thread, spare buttons, goggles, cold cream or Vaseline, soa,toilet paper, towel, medicines which you normally use at home, camera and film rolls .

SAFETY: 

Extensive and painstaking preparations have gone into the planning of trek routes for your safety .Our field staff and the experienced camp leaders have been visiting the area to check all details. While every care has been taken to ensure safety, the Youth Hostels Association of India cannot be held responsible for any accident, illness or such other unforeseen eventualities.  Smoking, use of alcohols and narcotics of any description are strictly prohibited during the course of programme. Deviation from the set route of the programme is not permitted. If participants desire to join any other activity, they may do so at their own responsibility and risk only after finishing the trek and the checking out.

In case you unable to join the trek after paying the participation fee, you will get a refund of Rs 1525/- provided your request is received directly in the National Office at least 7 days in advance from the date of your reporting. No refund will, however, be admissible if such notice is short of 7 days .Any unforeseen event /strike or natural calamity will not be considered as a cause of cancellation.

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE/ROUTE:

Programme schedule and route are subject to change without prior notice.

Participants, who successfully completed the trek and abide by the discipline of the program, will be awarded certificate.

Members desirous of joining the programme may apply on a prescribed Registration form supported by a medical certificate, which is available free of cost from Units/State Branches and National Office.  It can be down loaded from our website: www.yhaindia.org.  You can apply on line also. NB: Without admit card do not claim your registration as confirmed.

YHAI announces 50 adventure scholarships of Rs 1525/- each to handicapped youths including deaf and dump for this expedition. Deserving participant may apply to the National office, YHAI on plain paper supported by relevant medical certificates.

CASUAL LEAVE: 

The Trekking Expedition organized by Youth Hostel Association of India have the approval of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance and Pensions ,(Deptt. of Personnel and Training ), Government of India, vide office order No.28016/89-estt(A),dated 25th October,1989. Participants working in the Central Government organization can apply to the authorities concerned for availing special casual leave for the duration of the expedition. This leave can be sanctioned by their office up to 30 days in a calendar year

YOURE ATTENTION:

Please note that is an environment friendly trek. Do not litter any wrapper, plastic bag or anything left by trekkers on the way, please carry the same with you and deposit at the base camp.

WARNING: 

Burning of wood during camp fire is strictly prohibited.  Import of any Bio Non-Degradable Material in Uttrakhand is an offence.

PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION

We are sure that while trekking you must have across the different views which have a deep impression on your mind and brain.  For keeping a permanent record of such ever lasting impressions, you would like to capture them in your camera. We felicitate such delightful scenes. You may send your color prints (not slides) in size 8” x 10”. The themes of photographic entries are:

(a)  Nature (Wildlife, Birds and Flowers):     

(b) Camping        

(c)  Trekking       

Please do not forget to give details of the location and date of photograph, your Name, Group No. and address on the reverse of the photograph (preferably type on a paper and paste). Perhaps you may be the lucky one to get a cash and award and/or a certificate of Merit. YHAI has the right to retain /use even the entries which are not selected for awards with due acknowledge/compensation. Last date for submitting entries is 31st July 2010.