Travel Plan

Archive for July, 2009

UK Camping Guide

Camping is fun and can be a great way of relaxing and bonding with family and friends its also a great way to meet new like minded people but while its fun we still have to think safety.

If your going camping on your own make sure you tell people where you are going and give them the exact location of where you are staying also think about taking a map and compass with you if your out in the wild.

Sometimes the reason for people going camping is to get away from the rat race for some peace and quiet but make sure you take some kind of communication device you with like a mobile phone it would also be a good idea to take some twoway radios with you so you can communicate with friends or loved ones if you or they happen to get lost. Packing a GPS device with you is a great idea as well but dont forget the good old map and compass as a back up solution.

If you plan on hiking your way to a campsite then make sure everyone is in good health if you have young children then arrange to get them to your camping area before you go the same goes for older people as taking long walks over rugged terrain may make them tired or aggravate health problems.Muggings and sexual assaults can happen and have no doubt happened in the past when people have been camping so make sure you stick together safety in numbers. If you have been the victim of a crime then make sure you report it to the police and/or campsite warden right away.

Be aware of your surroundings. If your camping out in a woodland area make sure you tell the kids not to go off on their own look out for any potentially dangerous areas like lakes ridges and marshes and never approach wild animals. Also never eat anything you find on the plants and trees unless you are absolutely 110 sure you know what it is you are eating and never drink water from lakes or rivers.

Remember to check the weather forecast before you set off so you know roughly what kind of clothes to pack if its cold and rainy you want to wrap up warm so you dont become ill.

If you or anyone you are camping with smokes then make sure the cigarette is put out properly and never throw it down still lit you could put water on it or stub out it in sand as long as its not part of a kids play area.

Take a first aid kit with you if you are unsure what to take in this then visit your local outdoors shop and tell them where you are going most first aid packs contain the basics. If your still in doubt visit your local GP and ask there.

If you need to see in the dark make sure you use a torch and never use a candle because hot wax may drip on you or it may catch fire your tent is highly flammable a long with your clothes sleeping bag and other material. In case of a fire get everyone out quickly but calmly and call the fire service as quick as you can. Try to give an exact location to the fire rescue crew so they can get to you quickly if you do not know your exact location then tell them of any landmarks pubs farms or nearby roads. You should also alert any campers near you in case the fire spreads and remember never smoke in a tent.

When setting up your tent make sure you keep it at least 6 meters away from your neighbours because you do not want to stumble over guy ropes in the night and hurt yourself.

Never have a campfire near your tent or inside your tent fire can easily spread and get out of control.

Make sure you keep any valuable items on you and do not leave them in the tent slash and grab theft can occur where the thief will cut through your tent with a sharp object such as a knife and steal anything they see as worth taking.

You may want to put a padlock on your zip to stop anyone looking inside your tent but just beware that to a thief having a lock on your tent might make them think you have something worth taking inside.

If you find a stranger inside your tent do not attempt to drag the person out by force and do not start arguing alert a campsite warden or tell someone near by.

If your travelling in a caravan make sure you install a fire alarm and check that it works and never block any air vents. When you cook never leave fat pans unattended and keep matches and lighters away from children have a fire extinguisher next to the main exit.

If there is a smoker in the caravan make sure they put the cigarette out in a metal ashtray and never use any paper cups or paper plates.

Remember to never leave any gas bottles in side the caravan and if you suspect a gas leak never smoke or use a lighter/matches open up all doors and windows and make sure you turn off all appliances and the main cylinder valve. Never fit any gas appliances yourself make sure you get a Corgi Registered installer to do it for you. To find a registered installer visit the Trust Corgi website.

Make sure that when you tow your caravan it doesnt present any danger on the road. For more information check the NTTA Guide To Safe Legal Towing.

When you leave your caravan unattended make sure you close all the windows and lock the doors. If you have any bikes and toys makes sure you chain them up before leaving or even put them in the caravan before you go out.

About the writer:  I am the webmaster at Camping Guide.org.uk which offers free information on UK camping.

Trek To Valley Of Flowers 2008

TREK TO VALLEY OF FLOWERS 2008
BADRINATH

DISTRICT CHAMOLI UTTARANCHAL

PACKAGE VALID FROM JUNE OCTOBER 2008
08DAYS/ 07 NIGHTS

Valley of Flowers

It was in 1931 that Frank Smythe and Holdsworth stumbled on the valley while returning from their successful Kamet expedition. There were “at once transported from a region of solemn austerity to a fairyland of dainty flowers most of them dwarf but brilliant in colour”. Bustling with beautiful lively and vibrant colours this park spread over an area of 87.5 sq. kms. has the largest collection of wild flower species.

As though created by nature itself the beauty of the park is enhanced by the Pushpawati River flowing in the vicinity overlooked by towering Rataban peak in the background. More than 300 species of wild flowers bloom and swing with life during the monsoons. Also inhabiting the place is the amazing variety of Himalayan butterflies. Hidden from the probing eyes of civilization this valley had been known to the inhabitants as the Bhyundar Valley the playground of fairies and nymphs. Legends also associate this valley with the area from where Hanumanji of Ramayana collected “Sanjeevani” herbs to revive Lakshmana the younger brother of Rama. The valley can be visited only during the day and overnight stay is prohibited.

RARE FLORA

Ranunculus

Pedicularis

Marsh Marigold

Rhododendrons

Brahmakamal

Corydalis

Bistorta

Epilobium

Nomocharis Oxypetala

Daisy

Sibbaldia

Anaphalis

Cypripedium Strawberry

Arisaema Costatum

Himalayan blue Poppy

Dianthus

Calendula

Yellow Anemones

Lilium

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY

ITINERARY

DISTANCE/ TIME

Delhi Haridwar

Pick up from Railway Station or Airport and departure for Rishikesh. Evening at leisure to explore the holy town of Rishikesh and Aarti Darshan at Triveni Ghat. Overnight stay at Rishikesh.

225kms/ 6hrs drive

Haridwar Joshimath

After breakfast leave for Joshimath. Lunch enroute in Rudraprayag. Overnight stay at Joshimath.

Joshimath: is the winter home of Sri Badrinathji. It is situated on the slopes above the confluence of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga. It is one of the ‘maths’ established by Adi guru Shankaracharya

251kms/ 10hrs drive

Joshimath Govind Ghat Ghangaria

After breakfast leave for Govindghat thereafter 13 Kms trek to Ghangharia. Overnight stay at Ghangharia.

Govindghat: is the confluence of Alaknanda and Laxman Ganga Rivers. It has an imposing Gurudwara named after Guru Govind Singh.

Ghangharia: is the base camp for trek to valley ofFlowers where lodging and boarding facilities are available.

Drive20kms/45min

Trek 14 kms/5hrs

GhangariaValley of Flowers Ghangaria

After breakfast with pack lunch leave for Valley of flowers. Return back to Ghangharia. Overnight stay at Ghangharia

Valley of flowers: East of Badrinath is the exotic valley of Flowers in a conical shape with the river Pushpawati flowing through it. This valley has been declared as a National Park It is 18 Kms trek form Govindghat. A must see for all nature lovers

16kms trek/ 6hrs

Ghangaria Hemkund Sahib Ghangaria

After breakfast leave for Hemkund Sahib. After Darshan and Pooja return back to Ghangharia. Overnight stay at Ghangharia.

Hemkund Sahib: Near the Valley of

Flowers is the holy lake Hemkund

an important pilgrimage of the Sikhs and Hindus. Along it shores is the sacred Sikh Shrine where Guru Govind Singh the tenth guru unified with God after prolonged Meditation in his previous birth. Nearby is the Laxman temple. The reflection of surrounding snowclad peaks in its placid waters offers a scenic sight.

12kms/ 5hrs

Trek Ghangaria Govind Ghat Drive Joshimath

After breakfast trek to Govind Ghat and drive to Joshimath. Overnight in Joshimath.

14Kms.Trek/ 4Hrs. 22Kms Drive / 1Hrs.

Joshimath Rishikesh

After breakfast drive to Rishikesh. Overnight in the hotel.

251kms/ 10hrs drive

Rishikesh Delhi

After breakfast leave for Delhi. Arrival Delhi in the afternoon.

Tour Concludes.

225kms/ 6hrs drive

COST PER PERSON IN INR:

NO OF PAX

DELUXE PACKAGE

STANDARD PACKAGE

2 3

17375

16160

4 5

14793

13578

6 7

15613

14398

8 9

14003

12788

Government Service Tax 3.09

SUPPLEMENTS FOR EXTENTION IN THE ITINERARY

NO OF PAX

01 NIGHT EXTN OF BADRINATH

03 NIGHTS EXTN FOR KEDARNATH

01 NIGHT EXTN OF AULI

DLX

STD

DLX

STD

DLX

STD

2 3

3399

2612

9143

7169

3220

2734

4 5

3095

2309

8232

6257

2916

2430

6 7

3216

2430

8596

6622

3038

2552

8 9

3034

2248

8049

6075

2855

2369

Government Service Tax 3.09

NO OF PAX

VEHICLE TYPE PROVIDED

NON A/C

2 3

INDICA

4 5

QUALIS

6 7

TEMPO TRAVELLER

8 9

TEMPO TRAVELLER

10 12

TEMPO TRAVELLER

LIST OF HOTELS / GUEST HOUSE WITH ROOM CATEGORY USED:

TOWN

DELUXE

STANDARD

Haridwar

Classic Residency

Himgiri Residency

Joshimath

Mount View

About the writer:  Started as a free lance writer earlier for Maharashtra Herald Newspaper then with the PuneMidDay. Have also contributed for articles on websites

Thinking About Winter Camping?

Have you ever thought winter camping might be an adventure you’ll remember forever? I’ll bet it will be if you have the guts to try it. You need to take some time and plan just how you’re going to go about it but it can and will be all kinds of fun and an experience you’ll always remember.

Camping in the snow offers you the ability to get away from sleeping in a tent and making your own shelter by burrowing into a pile of snow and escaping the harshest elements that way. These little snow huts are known as a quinzee and can provide a great degree of comfort and warmth when you need it. The Eskimos have lived in houses like these until fairly recently and it has always worked for them so you know it’s going to be more than adequate for you.

It takes time to build one of these little huts. You need to shovel snow into a mound until it reaches about six feet in height. You then will take small sticks at a length of about a foot or a foot and a half and poke them into the bank so that they point into the center. These sticks will act as a guide to what thickness you are making the walls of the structure while you excavate it. It will take a good amount of sticks to do this maybe a couple of dozen or so..

Once you’ve made your pile and poked your sticks into it then it’s time to walk away for a while and let the pile harden. If you were to try and dig it out right know it would just cave in on you. The colder it is outside the better the pile of snow will harden. Likewise the longer you leave it to sit the more it will harden as well.

When you start digging out your quinzee be sure to start at ground level and if possible work your way up so that the sleeping area is slightly elevated. This will help ensure the cooler air flows down and will help to keep you warmer when you’re inside your quinzee. Keep digging until you begin to reach the ends of the sticks you had poked through the wall earlier. As I said before these are the gauge of how thick your walls are so don’t dig past them or your structure will be weaker. Be sure to smooth off the roof area on the inside so that water doesn’t have a place to drip from and irritate you or worse yet make you wet cold and uncomfortable.

When you’re winter camping in a quinzee or a tent then it’s imperative that you stay warm. A quinzee will be much warmer than a tent but it is quite a bit more work. In either case be certain to use a self inflating air mattress to keep yourself insulated from the ground. A good four season sleeping bag in conjunction with it and you’ll be toasty and comfortable.

One thing I like about the idea of winter camping is that many of the animals that can be either a nuisance or a danger tend to hibernate in the winter so in a way it’s safer to camp in a way as long as you’re prepared for the cold.

Give winter camping a try. Build yourself a quinzee even and be amazed at not only how comfortable you are but what a great time you can have when you’ve properly prepared for your winter time camping trip. Add a hot meal and a piping hot cup of coffee or cocoa and things just don’t get to be much more perfect.

About the writer:  Ian Kurz is an enthusiastic camper and is the owner of the website www.everythingaboutcamping.com where you can find all kinds of tips and help related to camping. Don’t forget to check out his winter camping page when you visit!