National Himalayan Mountain Biking Expedition-Leh-Ladakh:2008

Ladakh is paradise for adventure lover given by its world's mightiest mountain ranges.. Ladakh straddle four main ranges - Zanskar, Ladakh, Karakoram and the Greater Himalaya. The most important feature of trekking in Ladakh is its High Mountain passes which comes on the trekking routes gives you an opportunity to have wonderful view of colorful mountains and amazing landscape everyday. The small isolated villages and hamlets and friendly people on the way greeting you with a magic word "Juley" (hello) makes your trek memorable. It is a land of Buddhist monastery, which resonates with an ambience of peacefulness and serenity. Ladakh is located in Jammu & Kashmir at an altitude ranging between 2,500 and 4,500m. The best destination of mountain biking exploration among the Indian higher regions is Ladakh with numerous unspoiled areas, which are a little off-track because their high altitude location makes them inaccessible.

Overview:

The route of Mountain Biking is of scenic beauty and cultural diversity of Ladakh. This is a place with stunning beauties and sights, apart from being the center of Tibeto-Buddhist culture for ages. Ladakh is the land of medieval Gompas perched on roaring heights, gentle people, high altitude deserts, gushing rivers, high peaks and passes. It is one of the most sparsely populated regions in the country. The people are a mix of the Tibetan, Balti, Dard and Aryan ethnic strains. The first day of this route will be Biking from Leh to Nimo. You will see beauty of Indus river in your biking route. The next day onwards route is very beautiful and enjoyable up to Nurla which is located at a height of 10,020 Ft. provides an awesome and breathtaking view of some most beautiful snow clad mountain peaks. Next day the route is up to Lamayuru located at 11800 Ft. Lamayuru is a very high altitude deserted area of Ladakh and famous for 10th centuries old gompa (Buddhist temple). You may also meet simple Buddhist people who are proud of their land, culture and heritage.

Purpose:

The purpose of the programme is to expose the YHAI members to a high altitude unspoiled area of Ladakh with a sense of love for nature and outdoor recreational activity aiming at promoting adventure in tandem with national integration.

Dates:

The expedition is organized for a limited number of participants only. There are only 10 batches of 15 participants each reporting at base camp on 22nd Aug, 23rd Aug, 24th Aug, 25th Aug, 29th Aug, 30th Aug, 31st Aug, 1st Sept, 6th Sept, 7th Sep, 8th sept 2008.

You can choose any date mentioned above to report at the base camp.The Base camp for this programme is at:-

SEMNET GUEST HOUSE, OLD ROAD, SHEYNAM, NEAR LEH PUBLIC SCHOOL, LEH.

PHONE:- 01982-250494, 09419177404.

Schedule:

Age:

The minimum age for joining the expedition is 18 years. This condition will be adhered to strictly.

Selection:

As the number of participants is limited preference will be given to those who have already participated in our earlier National Himalayan Trekking/Mountain Biking Expedition Programmes.

Fees:

Rs. 4700/- per head will cover use of bicycle for the expedition, stay in tented/Guest house , simple nutritious vegetarian meals, other equipments, guidance and insurance. Participants will bear to and fro travel expenses from their home to base camp.

Equipments Provided by YHAI:

Things that YHAI is providing:-

Mountain Bicycle            Helmet            Knee Cap 

Elbow Guard                   Bicycle riding gloves  

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, 1 pair of woolen socks, hand gloves, torch with spare batteries, water bottle, lunch box, enameled or steel mug or tumbler, plate, spoon, water purifying tablets, pen, knife, needle, tread, spare buttons, goggles, cold cream or Vaseline, soap, toilet paper, towel, medicines which you normally use at home, camera and film rolls (optional).
Safety
Extensive and painstaking preparations have gone into the planning of mountain biking route for your safety. Our field staff and 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 and such other unforeseen eventualities.

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 checking out.

Notice:

Programme Schedule and Route are subject to change without prior Notice.

Physical Fitness :

High altitude sickness is a risky condition faced by the bikers who don’t have physical fitness. You have to be medically & Physically fit for this expedition.

Certificates:

Participants, who successfully complete the biking expedition and abide by the discipline of the programme, will be awarded certificates.

Special Casual Leave:

No Special Casual Leave applicable for mountain biking expedition.

How To Reach:

By Bus:

Route-1: from Srinagar 434 km via sonmarg zozila pass & kargil.

J & K State Road Transport Corporation (J&K SRTC) operates regular bus services between Srinagar and Leh on this route with an overnight halt at Kargil.

Route 2: from Manali 474 km via keylong, Baralacha, Tanglangla & Upsi.

Himachal Pradesh Tourism, HRTC and J & K SRTC operate daily Deluxe and Ordinary bus services between Manali and Leh. The bus journey between Leh and Manali with an overnight halt at Keylong or Dharcha.

By Air :

Indian Airlines & Jet Airways & Air Deccan operates regular flights to Leh from Delhi .

How to Apply:

Members desirous of joining this programme may apply on a prescribed Registration Form duly supported by a Medical Certificate, which is available free of cost from Units/State Branches and National Office. It can also be downloaded from our website: www.yhaindia.org

You can print these forms and send duly filled forms to  National Secretary, Youth Hostels Association of India, 5, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021 along with Demand Draft of Participation Fee drawn in favour of "National Secretary, Y.H.A. of India" and payable at Delhi.

Cancellations:

In case you are unable to join the trek after paying the participation fee, you will get a refund of Rs.2250/- 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.

Photographic Competition:

After the completion of each biking expedition, photographic competition is held for which attractive cash prizes and certificates are awarded. You may send your entries in the form of colour prints ( not slides or CDs) in the size 8”X10”. Themes of Photographic entries are : Scenic beauty, camping, biking and Nature - Birds, Flowers, Wildlife. Please give brief details of the location of the subjects and also your name, address and group number on the reverse of the photograph. YHAI has the right to retain/use even the entries which are not selected for awards. Last date for submitting entries is 10 Oct. 2008.

Your Attention

Please note that this is an environment friendly Biking Expedition. Do not litter any wrappers or spoil the trail in any way. In case you find any wrapper, plastic bag or any thing left by trekkers on the way, please carry the same with you and deposit at the base camp. We will be selecting and appointing two environ-leaders per group. If you have an inclination and an eye for environment protection, we will be glad to receive your particulars along with your registration form.

Note1: YHAI biking expedition are not subsidized by any Government agencies or doors.

Note2: 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 insaurance cover for your journey and other related matters.

WARNING:
Burning of wood during camp fire is strictly prohibited.
Smoking, use of alcohols and narcotics of any description are strictly prohibited during the course of the programme.

FINAL SELECTION :

FINAL SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS WILL BE DONE BY THE NATIONAL OFFICE AFTER VERIFYING MEDICAL REPORTS AND OTHER CONDITIONS. IN CASE IT IS REJECTED PARTICIPATION FEE WILL BE REFUNDED AFTER DEDUCTING 10 % ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES.

PARTCIPANTS APPLYING ONLINE ARE REQUESTED TO SEND THEIR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE TO NATIONAL OFFICE NEW DELHI IMMEDIATLY AFTER ONLINE REGESTRATION.

To Book Online //CLICK HERE//

For further information please write with self-addressed stamped envelope to :-

National Secretary,

 Youth Hostels Association of India
5, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi - 110 021

Tel.: 26110250, 26871969  Fax: 011- 26113469

Email: trekking@yhaindia.org., info@yhaindia.org

                            Website : www.yhaindia.org