Sunday, 4 November 2018

Chitkul, Sangla - Himachal Camp Report

Himachal camp in the beginning of October was full of wonderful scenery and amazing biodiversity. Sharing a list of some of the sightings observed during camp.
We are thankful to all participants for joining us. Special mention to Dr. Narasimha from Department of Forest - Himachal for answering our various queries calmly about birds, social life of locals and of course... their food etc etc. 

During this camp we visited  beautiful patches of Western Himalayn Temperate Forests and Dry Deciduous forests. Observed species like Prunus americana, species of Quercus, Pinus girardiana, Pinus wallichiana, Pinus roxburghii, Cedrus deodara, Rhododendrone spp., Horse Chestnut, impatiens, polugonum spp., Senecio spp, Abelia triflora, Dioscorea app., Acer spp and variety of  Pteridophyte spp. etc. 



Friends, Please feel free to get back to us in-case you have any query. Don't forget to comment here if you like it or if you have any suggestion.

Our schedule for 2019 can be checked on this link -
https://oikoessence.blogspot.com/2018/11/programme-schedule-for-2019.html

List of Sightings (Fauna) observed during Himachal camp

Butterflies:

  1. White bordered copper
  2. Indian tortoiseshell
  3. Great Satyr
  4. Chocolate pansy
  5. Large hedge blue
  6. Cabbage white

Reptiles:
  1. Himalayan Agama
  2. Skink

Birds
  1. Yellow breasted green Finch
  2. White wagtail
  3. European gold Finch
  4. White checked nuthatch
  5. Coal tit
  6. Oriental white eye
  7. Himalayan Griffon
  8. House sparrow
  9. Jungle crow
  10. Rock bunting
  11. Black throated tit
  12. Spotted nutcracker
  13. Large spotted nutcracker
  14. Yellow vented warbler
  15. Hume's leaf warbler
  16. Jungle babbler
  17. Blue whistling thrush
  18. Streaked laughingthrush
  19. Oriental turtler dove
  20. Common kestral
  21. Green bee eater
  22. Chestnut headed bee eater
  23. Eurasian collared dove
  24. Kashmir flycatcher
  25. Brown dipper
  26. White capped redstart
  27. Yellow Hammer
  28. Plain mountain finch
  29. Russet sparrow
  30. Alpine cough
  31. Bank myna
  32. Lanceolated warbler ?
  33. Yellow wagtail
  34. Common stonechat
  35. Black redstart
  36. Grey bushchat
  37. White browed wagtail
  38. Common myna
  39. Rufuous babbler
  40. Red billed chough
  41. Hoopoe
  42. Rufous naped tit
  43. Northern raven
  44. Fire fronted serin
  45. Black francolin
  46. Juvenile of golden bushrobbin
  47. Plane prinia
  48. Blue rock pigeon
  49. Himalayan woodpecker
  50. Black redstart
  51. Spot-winged tit
  52. Common rosefinch
  53. Purple sunbird
  54. Longtailed minivet
  55. Grey hooded warbler
  56. Pink browed rosefinch female?
  57. Chestnut bellied rockthrush
  58. Plumbous water redstart
  59. Redbilled blue magpie
  60. Gray Treepie
  61. Black headed jay
  62. Yellow billed blue magpie
  63. Himalayan bulbul
  64. House crow
  65. Great barbet
  66. Slaty headed parakeet
  67. Green backed tit
Mammals
  1. Hanuman Langur
  2. Rhesus macaque
  3. Jackal

Enjoy the Photographs clicked by Organizers and Participants:

Pic by Shreya
Pic by Rupali G
Pic by Shreya
Pic by Shreya
Pic by Rupali G
Pic by Rupali G



Pic by Rupali G

Pic by Rupali G

Pic by Rupali G

Pic by Rupali G

Pic by Rupali G

Pic by Rupali G

Pic by Rupali G

Pic by Rupali G

Pic by Rupali G
Pic by Charuhas K (in phesantry ) 

Pic by Charuhas K

Pic by Charuhas K
Pic by Charuhas K

Pic by Charuhas K

Pic by Charuhas K

Pic by Charuhas K

Pic by Charuhas K

Dr. Narasimha interacting with particpants


Saturday, 3 November 2018

Programme Schedule for 2019

For details and registrations, contact us on Email ID: oikoessence@gmail.com; Ph: 9969440476 / 9869611810 / 8433769487
Please note:
·         Go through the Rules & Regulations, given at the end of this schedule before registering. Once you are registered, it will be considered that you agree to all our rules and regulations which you must follow during our camps & trails. Please fill the declaration form attached herewith and submit/emailed to us before commencement of camp.
·         Participants should be 8 yrs and above (no upper age limit). Child between 8 yrs to 12 yrs should be accompanied by parents/guardians.
·   Payments are accepted by Cash/Cheque (should in Favor of – ‘OikoEssence Edutour LLP’/ NEFT. Participants must inform us either by Email/phone before transferring any amount. Our bank details for NEFT are as follows.

State Bank of India
A/c name: Oikoessence Eduours LLP
A/c No.: 37485993230, Current Account
IFSC: SBIN0003428
Add.: N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower parel, Mumbai: 400013

HDFC Bank
A/c name: Oikoessence Eduours LLP
A/c No.: 50200029911271, Current Account
IFSC: HDFC0009040
Add.: N. M. Joshi Marg, Mumbai: 400011

January, 2019
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15th – 20th January, 2019 – Mighty Mewar – Chittorgarh with Valleys & Plateaus of Bhaisrorgarh.  
Chittorgarh , famous for its Rajput chivalry and pride, was home to Chhatari Rajputs. The fort was built by Maurya rulers in 7th Centuary.
Bhainsrogarh Wildlife Sanctuary, an exquisite habitat for wildlife animals, was declared as a Sanctuary in 1983.
Camp charges: Rs. 22000/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs. The cost includes food, stay and transport Udaipur-Udaipur. Flight tickets to Udaipur abd back can be arranged at extra cost by us. Registration before: 15th November , 2018.

February, 2019
8th – 17th February, 2019 – Lakshadweep
Image result for lakshadweep
India’s smallest Union Territory Lakshadweep is an archipelago consisting of 36 islands with an area of 32 sq km. The underwater view at Lakshadweep is kaleidoscopic and breathtaking.
Camp charges: Rs. 68,000/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs. The cost includes individual entry fee, food, stay and transport from Agatti to Agatti. Water sports or any other adventure activity cost is not included here. Mumbai- Agatti-Mumbai flight tickets can be arranged by us at extra cost.
Registration before: 21st December, 2018.

24th – 27th February, 2019 – Anerdam & Yawal
Image result for aner dam yawal wildlife sanctuary
Yawal and Anerdam sanctuaries have dry deciduous forest and are part of Western Satpuda hills.
Camp Charges: Rs. 13,500/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs. The cost includes food, stay and transport from Mumbai to Mumbai.
Registration before: 10th February, 2019
Meeting point: Bus will leave from swami narayan temple, opposite to Dadar railway station (east, central line) at 6.30 am sharp.

March, 2019

12th – 17th March, 2019 – Madhai and Bori Wildlife Sanctuaries
Image result for madhai wildlife resort
Madhai delights you with its rich wildlife, sprawling meadows, unending backwaters and spell-binding views that leave you awestruck and get you to be completely in sync with the magic of nature. Bori Reserve forest is India’s oldest forest preserve established in 1865.
Camp charges: Rs. 27,500/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs. The cost includes food (except train journey), stay and transport from Mumbai to Mumbai.
Registration before: 2nd November, 2018.
Journey Details: 3AC
12th March (Tuesday), 2019: Departure by 12137 Punjab Mail from Mumbai CST at 19.35hrs. Reach Hoshangabad at 08.00hrs on 13th March, 2019.                                       
16th March (Saturday), 2019: Departure by 12138 Punjab Mail from Hoshangabad at 18.15hrs. Reach Mumbai CST at 07.35hrs on 17th March, 2019.

27rd - 31st March, 2019 – Diu-Fudam Bird Sanctuary
Image result for diu fort
Diu, perhaps, is India’s best kept secret. A former Portuguese colony that is still as idyllic as it once was.  Fudam Bird Sanctuary is home to flamingoes, western reef egrets, spoonbills and a host of migratory birds.
Camp charges: Rs. 13,000/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs. The cost includes food (except train journey), stay and transport from Mumbai to Mumbai.
Registration before: 10th November, 2018.
Journey Details: 3AC
27th March (Wednesday), 2019: Departure by 22945 Saurashtra Mail from Mumbai BCT at 21.35hrs. Reach Veraval at 15.35hrs on 28th March, 2019.                                       
30th March (Saturday), 2019: Departure by 19570 VRL MMCT Exp from Veraval at 13.20hrs. Reach BCT at 07.10hrs on
31st March, 2019.

April, 2018
Betla National Park
16th April – 21st April, 2019 – Betla National park, Land of Jhumri-Talaiyya: Jharkhand
 Located in Chhota Nagpur Plateau, Betla is one the firsts National Park in India to become Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger. Palamau fort is attributed to the Vanavasi Kings of Chero Dynasty. It is also a time to explore the state’s artifacts. Jharkhand originally a tribal state is known for its wood work, bamboo works, pitkar paintings, tribal ornaments and stone carving.
Camp charges: 28,000/- Includes food, stay and transport from Ranchi to Patna
Flight tickets can be booked by us at extra cost.
Register before: 2nd March, 2019

27th April – 28th April, 2019 – Bhigwan
Image result for bhigwan
Birding Paradise - Ujani, A man made dam on Bhima River. It is located near Bhigwan attracts lots of migratory birds.
Camp charges: Rs. 5, 850/- Includes food, stay and transport from Mumbai to Mumbai
Register before: 2nd March, 2019
 Meeting point: Bus will leave from swami narayan temple, opposite to Dadar railway station (east, central line) at 6.30 am sharp.

May, 2019

5th – 12th May, 2019 – Askote, Munsiyari, Pithorgarh
Image result for munsiyari
Munsiyari is situated in Pithoragarh, the easternmost hill district of Uttarakhand, bordering Tibet, which is known as the 'Little Kashmir'. The region is a paradise for the nature lovers. Askote is enveloped in Rhododendron in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand and is primarily known for its diverse heritage and rich flora and fauna.  
Camp charges: Rs. 37,000/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs. The cost includes forest entry fees, food, stay and transport from Delhi to Delhi (Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai Train/Flight tickets can be arranged by us at extra cost)
Registration before: 2th January, 2019
Journey Details: 3AC
5th May (Sunday), 2019: Departure by 15035 UTR Sampark Kranti Exp from Delhi at 16.00hrs. Reach Kathgodam at 22.45hrs on 5th May, 2019.                                       
11th May (Saturday), 2019: Departure by 15014 Ranikhet Exp from Kathgodam at 20.40hrs. Reach Delhi at 03.55hrs on 12th May, 2019.

21st – 26th May, 2019 – Bandhavgarh
birding in bandhavgarh
Known for its large population of Royal Bengal Tigers, this reserve provides spectacular landscapes.  
Camp charges: Rs. 29,000/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs. The cost includes five safaris, stay, food and transport from Mumbai to Mumbai. 
Registration before: 20th January, 2019
Journey Details: 3AC
21st May (Tuesday), 2019: Departure by 12322 Kolkata Exp from CSTM at 21.30hrs. Reach Katni at 14.30hrs on 22nd May, 2019.                                       
25th May (Saturday), 2019: Departure by 12321 HWR Mumbai from Katni at 16.20hrs. Reach CSMT at 11.25hrs on 26th May, 2019.

June, 2019

5th – 9th June, 2019 – Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR)
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
Maharashtra’s oldest and largest national park.
Camp charges: Rs. 25,500/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs. The cost includes four safaris, entry fees, food (except train journey), stay and transport from Mumbai to Mumbai. 
Registration before: 2nd February, 2018.
Journey Details: 3AC
5th June (Wednesday), 2019: Departure by 12289 CST Nagpur Duronto from Mumbai CST at 20.50hrs. Reach Nagput at 07.20hrs on 6th June, 2019.                                       
8th June (Saturday), 2019: Departure by 12290 NGP CSMT Duronto from Nagpur at 20.40hrs. Reach CSMT at 08.05hrs on 9th June, 2019.

22nd – 23rd June, 2019 – Durshet Forest Lodge
Image result for durshet forest lodge
Experience the Sahyadri’s natural forest located not very far from the mega city.
Camp charges: Rs. 7,500/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs. The cost includes entry fee, food (except train journey), stay and transport from Mumbai to Mumbai. 
Registration before: 14th June, 2019.
Meeting point: Bus will leave from swami narayan temple, opposite to Dadar railway station (east, central line) at 6.30 am sharp.

July, 2019
7th – 21st July, 2019 – Srinagar – Apati, Suru valley, Kargil – Dah, Alchi, Hemis, Thikse, Nyoma, Tso kar, Tso Moriri, Pangong, Nubra, Leh-Ladakh (Plan A)
12th – 21st July, 2019 - Hemis, Thikse, Nyoma, Tso Kar, Tso Moriri, Pangong, Nubra, Leh-Ladakh – (Plan B) (CR)
Let your body and mind get the freshness of mother-nature and absorb the energy from highest mountain ranges of Great Himalayas & Karakoram.
Camp charges: Plan A – Rs. 60,000/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs. The cost includes entry fee, food, stay and transport from Srinagar to Leh
Plan B – Rs. 47,000/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs. The cost includes entry fee, food, stay and transport from Leh to Leh
Registration before: 5th May, 2019.
Flight tickets can be arranged at extra cost by us.

July-August, 2019
Image result for galapagos
29th July – 10th August, 2019 - Machu picchu, Amazon and Galàpagos
Peep into the heritage of Machu picchu and amazing natural beauty of Galàpagos and Amazon.
Machu Picchu is the site of an ancient Inca city, high in the Andes of Peru. Machu Picchu is the site of an ancient Inca city, high in the Andes of Peru. The Amazon represents over half of the planet's remaining rainforests and comprises the largest and most bio-diverse tract of tropical rainforest in the world, with an estimated 390 billion individual trees divided into 16,000 species. The Galápagos Islands, in Ecuador, offer wildlife and landscapes found nowhere else on earth.
Camp charges: Rs. 4,90,000/- All Flight tickets will be extra. (Minimum participation required 8 people). For further details please call us on numbers mentioned above. Dates mentioned, are excluding travel time from India to India
Registration before: 4th February, 2019.

September, 2019
Image result for melghat monsoon
14th – 20th September, 2019 – Melghat Monsoon
Experience the Melghat in Monsoon. Although the chances of Wildlife sightings become less but, the forest is lush green and always beautiful.
Registration before: 10th May, 2019.
Charges: Rs. 19,250/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs. The cost includes entry fee, food, stay and transport from Mumbai to Mumbai. 
Journey Details: 3AC
14th September (Saturday), 2019: Departure by 12111 CST AMI Exp from Mumbai CST at 19.55hrs. Reach Akola at 04.45hrs on 15th September, 2019.                                       
19th Sept (Thursday), 2019: Departure by 12112 AMI CSMT Exp from Akola at 20.30hrs. Reach CSMT at 06.25hrs on 20th September, 2019.

27th September – 29th September, 2019 – Jawli, Raireshwar
Photo of Embracing solitude at Raireshwar Fort By Aftab Damra
Good chances of sighting monsoon flora.
Camp charges: Rs. 10,000/- Includes food, stay and transport from Mumbai to Mumbai
Register before: 10th September, 2019
Meeting point: Bus will leave from swami narayan temple, opposite to Dadar railway station (east, central line) at 6.30 am sharp.

October, 2019
Image result for varanasi
15th – 20th October, 2019 – Lacknow & Varanasi
The journey From Nawabi Thhat to Ganga Ghaat will give you the chance to experience the real essence of these places.
Registration before: 10th August, 2019.
Camp charges: Rs. 23,000/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs. The cost includes entry fee, food, stay and transport from Luknow to Varanasi. Mumbai-Lucknow & Varanasi-Mumbai flight tickets can be arranged at extra cost.

November, 2019
Image result for keibul lamjao
2nd – 9th November, 2019 – Indo-Malayan Special, Manipur
Located in a lush green corner of North East India, Manipur is a mosaic of ancient traditions and rich cultural patterns. There is a chance to observe the place where First India’s Tricolour Flag was hoisted.
Camp charges: Rs. 36,000/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs. The cost includes entry fee, food, stay and transport from Imphal to Imphal. Mumbai-Imphal-Mumbai Flight tickets can be arranged at extra cost.
Registration before: 13th September, 2019.

24th November – 1st December, 2019 – Araku Valley
Image result for araku valley
Araku valley popular hill station of Andhra Prdesh. It's surrounded by the thick forests of the Eastern Ghats mountain range.
Camp charges: Rs. 37,000/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs. The cost includes entry fee, food, stay and transport from Mumbai to Mumbai.
Registration before: 13th July, 2019.
Journey Details: 3Ac
24th November (Sunday), 2019: Departure by 11019 Konark Exp from CSMT at 15.10hrs. Reach Visakhapatnam JN at 20.50hrs on 25th November, 2019.                                       
30th November (Saturday), 2019: Departure by 11020 Konark Exp from Visakhapatnam JN at 22.15hrs. Reach CSMT at 3.55hrs on 1st December, 2019.

December, 2019

11th – 16th December, 2019 – Sarangkheda, Toranmal
Image result for sarangkheda horse fair
Experience the Sarangkheda Festival commenced every year on the Occasion of Dattatreya Jayanti. Toranmal is a hill town nestled in the lap of nature in Maharashtra and is adorned with nature's best elements.
Camp charges: Rs. 16,000/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs. The cost includes entry fee, food (except train journey), stay and transport from Mumbai to Mumbai. 
Registration before: 6th August, 2019.
Journey Details: 3AC
11th December (Wednesday), 2019: Departure by 11057 CSMT ASR Exp from CSMT at 23.30hrs. Reach Dhule at 07.15hrs on 12th December, 2019.                                       
15th December (Sunday), 2019: Departure by 51118 DHI-CSN Passenger from Dhule at 19.20hrs. Reach CSMT at 04.05hrs on 16th December, 2019.

23rd – 31st December, 2019 – Jodhpur-Jorbeer, Gajner, Bikaner, Desert National Park, Jaisalmer - Rajasthan
Desert National Park Jaisalmer1
The best place to admire colours is Rajasthan. The Desert National Park is considered not only the largest in the state of Rajasthan but among the largest in India. Desert National Park is home to a number of exotic animal and bird species in a vast variety including chinkara, black buck, sand grouse etc.
Camp charges: Rs. 32,000/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs. The cost includes entry fee, food, stay and transport from Jodhpur to Jodhpur. Flight tickets from Mumbai-Jodhpur-Mumbai can be arranged by us at additional cost. Registration before: 10th September, 2019.

*All pics are sourced from Infternet

Rules & Regulations to be followed during OikoEssence Camps and Trails
1.       Oikoessence Nature Camps and trails are educational camps and not luxury camps or picnics.
2.       Basic necessities will be provided like simple and wholesome vegetarian food (tea/coffee, breakfast, lunch, and dinner), clean accommodation and toilets. During visits to remote forest areas participants will have to use open air toilets and rough it out.
3.       During multiple accommodation facilities at the camp site participants must adjust to them and no separate accommodation will be provided. The group leader will decide the room allotments and the participants in the room, no alterations will be done.
4.       Participants must follow strict discipline and no misbehavior will be tolerated any participant found doing so may be requested to leave the camp.
5.       Detailed program/itinerary of the following day will be briefed one day in advance.
6.       Participants have to adhere to the given itinerary and no alterations by the participants will be entertained.
7.       Participants should strictly follow the instructions of the group leader.
8.       Smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited.
9.       Participants should take care of their belongings & valuable articles & will be solely responsible for them.
10.   No portage will be provided.
11.   Mineral water will not be provided unless mentioned.
12.   OikoEssence will not be responsible for any mishap or catastrophe.
13.   Wear comfortable walking shoes and never wear any high heels foot wear.
14.   Please carry Water bottle, Cap, Torch, Mosquito repellents, Personal medicines and toiletries.
15.   Do not wear any kind of perfume or deodorant while in the sanctuary.
16.   Do not carry any music system or MP3, etc. in forest area.
17.   Do not carry any inflammables and do not light fire in the forest area.
18.   Do not tease any wild animal or destroy habitat of the Park or Sanctuary.
19.   Carry clothes according to climate and season (do not wear red, white or any bright/fluorescent colours).
20.   If a camp is canceled by OikoEssence for reasons such as lack of enough participation, unless any expense is incurred, a 100 % refund will be given. Participants who cancel their seats prior to cancellation of the camp will not get a complete refund. 50% of the total camp cost will be deducted for cancellation done 15 days prior to the commencement of camp. After that no refund will be given.
21.   Vehicles/transport used for local sightseeing/safaris etc mentioned in the Program are Non-AC private vehicles.
22.   In case of medical emergency or hospitalization of any Participant, OikoEssence will contact the nearest available medical facility (at additional cost, at actuals) and will contact the family of the participant. Family or one of the family members should reach the participants at the earliest has to take the responsibility there after.