Micro-Volunteering Himalayan Conservation Tour

Meals: On Own
Accommodation: The Lohmod Hotel or similar

Arrive in Delhi. Our representative will meet you and transfer you to your place of stay. You have the rest of the day at leisure. If time permits, you can explore Delhi with a guided tour of the city.
 

If time permits, there will be an opportunity to meet the stalwarts of wildlife conservation in Delhi.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast in Delhi, Lunch, and Dinner in Pangot
Accommodation: Kafal House or Similar

Today, you will begin your Himalayan ecotour. From the lowland plains of Delhi, you will take a train journey to Kathgodam, the Himalayan foothills. We will meet you in the train car and transfer you to Pangot (a 2.5-hour uphill drive). The last leg of the journey is along a picturesque mountain road through lush oak and rhododendron forests, full of beautiful birds and other wildlife. You have the rest of the day at leisure to rest and relax. 

Later that night, we will organize a slideshow explaining the activities of the next few days. Over the next five days, you will be involved in exploring various elements of conservation, wildlife viewing, environment, local culture, and heritage appreciation. You will have the opportunity to learn about traditional farming methods, festivals, and traditions. A lot of these experiences will be in the village, outdoors, and in the open, so you will have the chance to connect with nature as you learn about its protection.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Kafal House or Similar

Spend the day visiting the village of Pangot. Apart from a general overview of the local rural way of life, you will understand the deep connection with the livestock of the hill folk. 

The livestock sector plays a vital role in the economies of many developing countries, particularly in rural regions. It provides food, usually dairy in India, income, and employment. For low income producers, livestock also serve as asset investment, as well as providing labour and organic fertilizer for crop production, and also to transport farm produce. Consumption of livestock and livestock products in developing countries, though starting from a low base, is growing rapidly.

We will engage in activities such as storytelling with the local children and the ladies of the village, drawing their versions of how they see the world treating livestock and it'll be a lot of fun. 

Upon returning to the lodge in the evening, you will have time to freshen up and relax for a while before enjoying a bonfire dinner.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Kafal House or Similar

Pangot has become a popular birdwatching hub in the western Himalayas, while ease of access from Delhi makes it a popular holiday destination as well. 

Spending the day visiting the nearby settlements and other tourist facilities will open up additional dimensions related to the use of man-made and natural resources.
Besides, the usage also entails the management of waste generated. You may choose to interact with the representatives of these lodges to get their views on what they can do, what is possible, and where they see room for improvement. Your experiences from your countries will help the community look within and improve and the gains will be for you as well.
 

This will be an interesting day as you will see and photograph the larger landscape, and enjoy picnic meals or a meal in a local house.

Return to the lodge in the evening.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Kafal House or Similar

After spending two full days looking at two different sides of Pangot, you will have gotten a much clearer picture of life here. You may spend the morning summarizing your activities of the two previous days, as well as summing up the results you have gotten. You can do this in form of vlogs, social media information, and collaterals, trip report, etc.
 

As an ecotourist, this is the best way you can promote a destination for the livelihood and sustenance of its people. This ensures sustainability and paves the way for balancing the environmental, cultural, and social elements.

Post lunch, there will be a discussion on the architectural aspects of the houses and construction in the village of Pangot. You notice that there are many traditional aspects of this architecture that have been adopted from the British Raj.

Another fruitful day that you'll enjoy. Dine with our team this evening.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Kafal House or Similar

How the education is now being imparted in every nook and cranny of the Himalayas, you will get a glimpse today.
 

Today Pangot’s youth will keep you engaged as some youngsters will make you visit the nearby schools. You will spend time with the students and teachers, understanding the local school curriculum, as well as their views on various subjects such as local wildlife and the need for conservation as well as how they feel things can and should improve.
 

Mapping the aspirations of the youth for all that the modern world gives can be detrimental to the sustenance of traditions and culture. The ancient value system can be damaged.
Your viewpoints and interactions will be of utmost importance for them to see the middle path. This will help them keep traditional wisdom and make a delicate balance with modernity.

After your school visits, you will have the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Kafal House or Similar
 

This morning we will visit the local market for shopping for vegetables and groceries. This is our cook-out day with the ladies of Pangot.
You buy, negotiate and interact with the sellers in the farmers' market and we will pay.

While you engage with the women in the village and prepare an elaborate fare, it'll be a golden chance to know a lot more about them.

After spending time with farmers, children, and tourism stakeholders, it is important to consider the views of the local women of the village. You will learn about their aspirations, as well as their views on various aspects of Pangot, be it tourism, development, agriculture, and so on.

After the scrumptious meal, you will need rest - so your 'me' time.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Kafal House or Similar

It would be unfortunate to visit a place as naturally beautiful as Pangot and not be able to enjoy the outdoors. You will have the full day to do exactly that. With guided treks and birdwatching with your guide, you will have the chance to explore the bounty of nature at Pangot, as well as learn about the importance of Pangot as a birdwatching hotspot.

Not only will you have the opportunity to watch some amazing Himalayan wildlife, but you will also learn how birdwatching tourism can and should be conducted in a responsible and sustainable manner, so as to cause minimal impact on the environment and respect local culture and traditions.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Kafal House or Similar

Today, you will spend the first half of the day on a simple 5-hour long trek towards Kunjkharak. This forest trek has an altitudinal variety of 2500m to 4500m conveying the opportunity to see a bewildering 500 bird species and a similarly amazing array of mammals, including the elusive Serow. Highly suggested for beginners, this is a trek along old horse trails, thick broadleaf woodlands, and shallow streams. Thick conifer timberlands of oak and pine open into beautiful valleys and canyons. With astounding perspectives of the cold Himalayas, you go through forest cottages made in colonial times and small towns and villas, where you can see simple hill people living in concordance with their wild surroundings.

Since this range is really a high pass, it gets exceptionally breezy and winter temperatures may drop to 0 degrees, with intermittent snowfall in the region. Colossal rocks in forested edges make it a decent place to sight birds of high altitude like Lammergeier, Himalayan, and Eurasian Griffon. Different raptors you might spot are Tawny Eagle, Steppe Eagle, and Kestrel. Hardly a kilometer after Kunjkharak, you get an astounding view of the 380 km expansive Himalayan range. A unique component of this dampish forest is the Khoola greenery that covers the ground beneath. This greenery ingests water and aids in holding dampness in the backwoods. Be that as it may, because of aimless extraction and accumulation for its utilization in various cosmetic items, this moss has turned out to be exceptionally endangered. Nighttimes are mystical here, as the rays of the evening sun turn the white snowy cap of Himalayas across Kunjkharak into gold.

Upon returning to the lodge, you will spend the second half of the day summing up the first leg of your conservation journey, including all that you have learned about Pangot, its people, its wildlife, and how tourism has developed here.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast in Pangot, Lunch, and Dinner in Jageshwar
Accommodation: Van Serai - The Himalayan Spiritual Lodge or Similar

The next leg of your conservation journey begins. Today, you will travel from Pangot to Jageshwar, a pilgrimage site that is home to the rich history and surrounded by lush cedar pine forests. After setting out from Pangot, you spend the morning at the popular hill station of Nainital with a packed lunch. Situated at an altitude of 1,938m above sea level, the city is set in a valley containing an eye-shaped lake and surrounded by mountains. The hill station attracts tourists round the year. Nainital has numerous tourist spots including Nainital Lake. You will also get the chance to do some shopping here. After your time in Nainital, you will continue on your journey to Jageshwar, reaching your lodge in the evening. You have the evening at leisure in Jageshwar.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Van Serai - The Himalayan Spiritual Lodge or Similar

The small town of Jageshwar has long been a pilgrimage hotspot. There are 125 ancient temples of the 7th-12th century that have drawn many to Jageshwar over generations.

You will spend the day understanding the spiritual science and history of these temples, and how they have shaped the local way of life here.
You will also find it very interesting to learn about local architecture and Kumaoni cuisine.
 

You will learn some ancient Yogic techniques for building inner stillness.
It will improve your perception, intellect, and inclusivity.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Van Serai - The Himalayan Spiritual Lodge or Similar

You will trek to a nearby village of Jageshwar to see the organic farm. It will be worth noting that the farming methods here are different because of latitudinal variation. You will have moved higher in the Himalayas, although the altitude is 150m less than that of Pangot. 

The livestock rearing differs in Jageshwar and the reverence towards animals is much more. Most people are vegetarian in this region. The food is devoid of meat and not only it is wholesome; it is lip-smacking. 

You may detox here during your stay. If keen, we will devise a plan for you.

Return to the lodge in the evening.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Van Serai - The Himalayan Spiritual Lodge or Similar

Today, you will visit the ancient houses of Jageshwar to understand the consumption patterns of food, water, electricity, and other resources. 

You will really be impressed with the ancient science of wooden carved doors, windows, and the use of slate on the house roofs.
 

Unlike Pangot, where most visitors are birdwatchers, most visitors or pilgrims in Jageshwar come to visit the ancient temples. This will give you an opportunity to see if the type of tourist changes the facilities, and resource and waste management methods.

Return to the lodge in the evening for a wonderful evening with a campfire, local music, and food.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Van Serai - The Himalayan Spiritual Lodge or Similar

Today the young guides of Jageshwar will trek with you to Vridha Jageshwar, an interesting forest trek (6 km) leaving the forested deodars to the open views of snow-clad Himalayas. 

At Vridha Jageshwar, we will visit a homestay and an ancient temple that has consecrated linga buzzing with energy. Simple yogic practices will help imbibe the energy of this region.

You will visit a nearby school, and spend time with the students and teachers, understanding the local school curriculum, as well as their views on various subjects such as local wildlife and the need for conservation, preservation of local culture and traditions, as well as how they feel things can and should improve.

Trek back or drive back to the lodge.
Enjoy vegetarian fare and bar-be-Que.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Van Serai - The Himalayan Spiritual Lodge or Similar

After spending time with farmers, children, and tourism stakeholders, it is important to consider the views of the local women of Jageshwar. You may meet them, learn about their aspirations, as well as their views on various aspects of Jageshwar, be it temple tourism, development, agriculture, and so on.

You can choose to sum up what you have learned in Jageshwar to plan how tourism can be promoted to international tourists keeping sustainability and conservation in mind.
 

The power of social media and your voice can make all the difference to bridge gaps for ecotourism to flourish here.
 

In the evening, we will visit the museum that houses ancient statues and also meditate late in the evening outside the Dandeshwar temple.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Van Serai - The Himalayan Spiritual Lodge or Similar

You will travel today from Jageshwar to the nearby town of Almora. Spend the day at the Almora Bazaar, where you will be able to find local ethnic wear, woolen clothes, decorative items, brass items, local produce, and more. Apart from being a great place to shop for souvenirs, this will also give you an insight into life in this part of the Himalayas.

You will have a chance to see the temple of bells that reverberate with the energy of Lord Golu Devta.

Return to Jageshwar in the evening.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Kafal House or Similar

From Jageshwar, you will travel today back with a packed lunch towards Pangot. The first leg of your journey will take you to Sat Tal. 

Sat Tal is named after the seven lakes in its vicinity and, like Pangot, is also a great birdwatching hotspot.

We will spend a few hours here visiting the lake and the old church. This is a beautiful experience for tourists as they can go boating, eat to their heart's content, enjoy meeting local people, etc.

From Sat Tal, you will travel to Pangot, reaching by nightfall.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Kafal House or Similar

Spend the morning birdwatching in Pangot, one of the most popular activities here. Pangot is a birding paradise, and one can see a variety of Himalayan species such as Himalayan Vulture, Blue-winged Minla, Spotted & Slaty-backed Forktail, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Kalij Pheasant, a variety of thrushes, and more. We have recorded almost 250 bird species at Pangot and the surrounding areas.

After your birdwatching session, at about 1100 hrs, you will meet the expert on the natural history, geology, and the ecology of Pangot, and its surroundings. The meeting will carry on until about 1630hrs, with a lunch break in the middle.

In the evening, we will organize a bar-be-que dinner. You can help the cook marinate the meat to your taste.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Kafal House or Similar

These two days will be the most interesting and important days of your entire journey.

The itinerary for these next two days will be unique. You will spend days learning about Indian mythology and spirituality, and how this has translated into wildlife conservation.
 

You will then have a guided open-air yoga and meditation session, the perfect way to get in tune with your natural surroundings, develop a natural subconscious connection to Mother Nature, and enjoy the tranquility of life as you go along.
 

India is all about learning the secret methods of balancing your inner energies to improve perception, inculcate equanimity, and the delivery methods through the laws of karma.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Kafal House or Similar

Morning trek to Kilbury for photography, birds, and wildlife with a packed breakfast. 

With all that you have seen in the last few days, you will now have the knowledge and experience to give your views about ecotourism and ecolodges in the Himalayas.
 

By now you will have seen the differences and similarities between Pangot and Jageshwar, and how similar or different sustainable management methods may be between the two places, based on resources. You will also have a well-rounded view of Himalayan forests, culture, and the factors that drive local populations.

Today & the next day you may choose to revisit your notes and draft an action plan on how you can help promote, correct, and suggest ways to help to make tourism sustainable in these areas.

Practice meditation and yoga to go a notch higher with your experiences.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Kafal House or Similar

This morning we will go up to a nearby village to see a house that has been built by using used plastic bottles. We will carry a picnic hamper along.

In the afternoon, we will make a driving trip to Kunjakharak for a different kind of landscape that is rich in Asian leopards and other wildlife.
 

We will return and sum up our conversations over dinner.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tiger Camp or Similar

Today, you will bid adieu to Pangot, a place you will by now have grown attached to, and travel to Kaladhungi, a town close to where renowned hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett spent most of his years. You will get the opportunity to explore the village and visit the Jim Corbett Museum, an Irish-style cottage built by Jim Corbett for himself and his family. It has now been converted into a museum in homage to this great conservationist.

While here, you will spend half a day working in Ittu Sa Restaurant, a village-style “Dhaba” that Asian Adventures has helped set up to train locals towards a livelihood where they are not dependent on the destruction of nature. While working here, you will not only gain an insight into the type of social projects that can be used for wildlife conservation but also get a glimpse of how a village-style dining room operates.
 

Asian Adventures helped CGVS involve with Wildlife Trust of India to monitor the wild elephant movement for protecting Asian elephant corridors.

You will also understand the concepts that drive the Corbett Gram Vikas Samiti (CGVS), an NGO formed by the community of Chhoti Haldwani in 2002 to realize the dreams of Jim Corbett and follow his principles. It offers nature guide services, heritage walks, bird watching, homestays, and folk dance & music programs by its members as part of its community-based tourism program. 

After your work is over, you will continue on to Corbett National Park.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tiger Camp or Similar

Explore the wildlife of Corbett National Park with morning and evening safaris. With a wealth of tigers, elephants, birds, and other wildlife, you will see why wildlife conservation is so important in this area. 

If time permits, you may also go for a quick guided village walk to see what life is like on the edge of a tiger reserve.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch
Accommodation: Atulya Taj or Similar

After spending more than three weeks in the Himalayas, it is time to say goodbye to the mountains. Take a day train from Corbett National Park back to Delhi. Upon reaching Delhi, you will then transfer to the nearby city of Agra, a city rich in Mughal heritage.

This historical city of Agra stands 200 km south of New Delhi, on the banks of the river Yamuna. Over three centuries ago, it was a powerful Mughal capital and the most important city of northern India. It was at this time that Agra's many timeless architectural wonders were born: the wonderful Taj Mahal, the awesome Agra Fort, and the sprawling Sikandra - a whole city in itself.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Atulya Taj or Similar

You have the full day in Agra to explore the sights and sounds of the city. Agra is home to the Taj Mahal, possibly India’s most well-known monument, as well as Agra Fort, various Mughal tombs, and other beautiful historical monuments.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Golden Tulip or Similar

From Agra, you will travel today to Fatehpur Sikri, another place rich in Mughal heritage. The city itself was founded as the capital of the Mughal Empire in 1571 by Emperor Akbar. Fatehpur Sikri sits on a rocky ridge, and the palace city is surrounded by a 6km wall on three sides with the fourth side bordered by a lake. 

From Fatehpur Sikri, you will travel to nearby Bharatpur, home to the Keoladeo National Park for a short 2-hour birdwatching session. This man-made wetland was created more than 250 years ago by Maharaja Suraj Mal, then the ruler of Bharatpur, as a duck hunting ground.

Keoladeo was designated as a bird sanctuary in 1976 and established as a national park in 1982. Over 230 bird species are known to be residents here, and many more visitors in the winter. The wetland system consists of many small habitats, including lakes, marshland, forest patches, and grassy patches. This variety of habitats results in a variety of wildlife being found here. 

From Bharatpur, you will travel to the “Pink City” of Jaipur. You have the rest of the day at leisure in Jaipur to relax or explore the streets.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Golden Tulip or Similar

Spend the day uncovering the regal history of Jaipur with guided sightseeing. Visit the palaces, forts, ancient observatories, and markets of the Pink City, seeing how the past and present come together to form the daily way of life here. You have the option of visiting Jhalana, a leopard-rich forest that was once a sport hunting ground for the nobles of Jaipur, for some wildlife viewing with a safari.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Lohmod Hotel or Similar

Your ecotour will end today. Transfer from Jaipur back to Delhi. 

Check in to your accommodation. You have the rest of the day at leisure, before gathering for a farewell dinner.

Should you wish to go shopping or wish to see additional sites, we will plan. 

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

You will be transferred from your accommodation to the airport or train station for your onward journey.

Tour ends.