Transport Options (Delhi – Dehradun – Delhi)

For travel to Dehradun and back one can choose between air, rail & road. For air travel, the closest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport (at Dehradun) and is well connected to Delhi and other parts of the country by Air India, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines & Spice Jet. Train travel is highly recommended with enough options being there. For train details, you could log on to www.indianrail.gov.in and for online railway ticket bookings you could log on to www.irctc.co.in .

There are frequent Public Transport buses including Volvos available from Delhi to Dehradun that cost about Rs. 200-700 per person. These buses depart from Delhi ISBT every 30 mins. or so and take about 7 hrs to cover the distance. The same is also applicable on the return journey. A private vehicle could also be arranged for if you require the same.

Weather Details

As the season starts in March there can be snow along the trail which generally melts by the end of March. Days are going to be sunny and moderately warm (16-25 °C) throughout the summers while the night temperature at the highest campsite would be in the range of 8-16 °C. In the monsoon months this area generally experiences rain but it is rarely of the torrential variety. In the upper reaches it just drizzles and that too not very occasionally. Temperatures around this time are almost like the previous months. We don’t run trips in the monsoon months. In the post monsoon season (Sep-Dec) the days are sunny with temperatures hovering around (14-22 °C) the evenings start getting cold with the onset of October and nights are comparatively colder (6-14 °C).

Please keep in mind that the above information is not exact and does not account for sudden changes. Whatever the temperatures and conditions rest assured we will be prepared to handle it with ease as we use equipment of very high specifications.

List of Essentials

It is very important for this adventure trip that you need to be equipped properly and with a bit of back up. Mountain/adventure travel requires one to be adequately equipped with the right kind of personal gear. Since one is travelling in the wilderness there will be hardly any opportunity to buy anything once you hit the trail so we urge you to carefully pack everything into your bags. Also please keep in mind you can rent out or purchase equipment from our Gear Store, if required.

    Shirts / T-shirts – 2/3
    Jeans / Trekking Pants - 2
    Windproof jacket of decent quality (no flimsy wind cheaters please!) preferably with a hood
    Warm and thick Fleece / Full-sleeve Woollen sweater
    Thermal inner wear (upper & lower)
    Woollen cap
    Woollen gloves
    Woollen socks & regular socks (3-4 pairs)
    Scarf/muffler (optional)
    Comfortable Trekking/Hiking shoes (shoes with a thick sole are recommended)
    Lightweight floaters/sandals/slippers
    Raincoat / Poncho
    Small light weight towel
    Water bottle (sturdy ones, no empty Bisleri bottles!!)
    Cap / Hat to keep the strong sun away from your face
    Sun glasses
    Walking stick / Trekking pole
    Sunscreen Lotion
    Lip Balm
    Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries)
    Medicines, if requiring any specific medication
    Personal toiletries
    Books, if you like reading
    Day pack/small bag which you will carry on your back every day and keep your essentials in it
    Carry rain cover for your bags
    Keep a few poly bags or waterproof bags in your bag in which if required you can put your belongings in case of heavy rain
    Camera if you like (with fully charged batteries)

…LOADS OF ENTHUSIASM!! AND A PLEDGE TO LEAVE NO TRACE

Carry your stuff in a duffel bag, soft shoulder bag or a rucksack. Avoid suitcases, trolleys or any other hard luggage. As you will be walking long distances carrying a rucksack, avoid bringing unnecessary items on the trek. Please avoid carrying expensive watches, jewellery and electronic items on the trek.

NOTE: In case you are planning to put your bag on a mule or taking a porter please get a duffel bag or rucksack and keep it in mind that there is a possibility that the bag at times might brush against a rock or a tree and get slightly damaged so don't get very expensive bags. Also in case of damage we shall not be held accountable.

Our Trekking Code

We are mountain lovers and have pledged to bring no harm to them in our pursuit of running organised wilderness travel in the Himalayas and seek your assistance too in this regard. We are more than convinced that one can have more fun on a trip if we go about it in a way that no harm is caused to the ecology. In this regard we have a set of guidelines that we adhere to based on the tenets of 'Leave No Trace' & 'Tread Light' policies. These guidelines are very simple and emphasise on travelling in small groups, better planning, understanding impact of camping, proper waste disposal, respecting local cultures, sensitivity towards wildlife and so on. We have a complete section on our trekking code in the 'Namoh trekking Manual'. This manual will be couriered to you once you confirm a trip with us.
Acclimatisation & high altitude sickness

This is one of the most important aspects of travelling in the high Himalayas and cannot be ignored or set aside. Acclimatisation basically means our body adjusting to lower levels of oxygen (rarefied air) & reduced air pressure as me move up. In case one does not acclimatise properly there are chances of the person facing extreme discomfort and this can be fatal in extreme cases. While there is no set route to getting properly acclimatised there are a general precautions and steps that one can take to initiate good acclimatisation. Our trekking guides will assist you with these steps and also once you book a trip with us the 'Namoh Trekking Manual' which will cover this aspect extensively will be couriered to you. This is sure to help you enjoy the trek in very good shape.
Selecting the right trek & training for it

Most important thing is to select the right trek keeping in mind your experience or inexperience, health, objectives & ability. Our senior team people can assist you with this, so when contacting us do mention if you need guidance on this front also refer to our trek grading system mentioned below. Once the right trek is selected comes your preparation. Once you have booked a trip with us we will courier the 'Namoh Trekking Manual' to you which will have a complete practice drill explained in details.

Trek grading system

We have broadly classified our treks as below:

Easy These treks are 3 to 5 days long and involve walking for about 3/4 hrs daily. The trail on such treks is well defined but not always flat. These are great for families and first timers

Moderate On these treks one is not required to trek for more than 5/6 hrs a day. Also the terrain is not too difficult. These treks are normally a week or so long. For these treks prior trekking experience is not necessary. Very rarely on these treks would one camp at altitudes higher than 3800m. These treks are great for first timers or for veterans wanting to go on a trail which is relatively less demanding

Moderate+ These are moderate treks with mostly one difficult day. These trails are fine for fit beginners also.

Vigorous On these treks one can be required to trek continuously for more than a week through remote areas and at times trekking for more than 7 hrs a day. On most of these treks one has to cross passes or areas which are snow covered and involve camping at altitude of more than 4000m. Fit people with some kind of hiking experience & a spirit of adventure can contemplate going on these trails.

Strenuous These treks apart from having continuous trekking stretches are at places technical and might require assistance from trip leader/guide and other staff people. All these treks have rest days in between. Also all of them involve crossing passes or areas having altitude of more than 4500m. First timers are discouraged from walking such routes.

Expedition Style These involve long walks at high altitudes at times around 6000m. Camping can also be well over the snow line and on glaciers at times. Safety ropes, ice axes and crampons might be required on these treks. These treks are not technically very difficult but are considerably challenging. Previous vigorous/strenuous trekking experience is required.

Disclaimer

Great Indian Outdoors (P) Ltd. takes utmost care to ensure safety of its clients. However in the case of any unforeseen mishaps, Great Indian Outdoors (P) Ltd. will not be liable for any injuries caused or for loss of life. All disputes rising due to the above are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in New Delhi/Delhi only. All participants would be required to sign an Indemnity Form before the start of the program, without which they would not be allowed to take part in the trip/program/activities.

Duration: 3 Days

Season: Jan-Dec

Grade: Moderate

Region: Uttarakhand

Sketch Itinerary

Day 1: Dehradun Koti Cloud end Mussoorie Binog sanctuary campsite [drive total 1.5 hrs & trek 5-6 hrs]

Day 2: Binog sanctuary campsite - Clouds end Binog tibba top - Binog sanctuary campsite [trek 5-7 hrs]

Day 3: Dobhighat Kempty falls Mussoorie Dehradun

Description

This is a wonderful & easily accessible hiking trail around Mussoorie which can be done over a weekend. The hike will take you in and around the beautiful and completely unspoilt Binog wildlife sanctuary. This short 3 day trek has everything a hiker could ask for. There are fabulous views of the snow capped Himalayan ranges, underlying valleys & Mussoorie town. There are long stretches of mixed forest regions with great variety in terms of flora & fauna. The trail goes through a region which is completely cut off from everything and has little or no habitation. Another big attraction would be the location of our campsite. The campsite by a meandering stream has thick forests all around and great views of mountains looming on top of the sanctuary.