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Information Pack
Trek India
7th – 17th November 2019
About India
India conjures images of lush green tea plantations, brightly
coloured saris, jasmine-scented incense, ancient palaces and
adorned maharajahs. A huge country, India is often known as
the Indian Subcontinent; and is the 7th largest country by
landmass on earth. There are many highlights in this vast
country, from the stunning backwaters of Kerala, the mighty
Himalayas and the inhospitable deserts to the bustling cities,
magnificent coastline and diverse and delicious local cuisine.
Kerala
The state of Kerala is situated on the tropical South West coast
of India. Kerala is famous for its important role in the export of
spices, beautiful backwaters, houseboats, Kathakali dancers,
tea plantations, lush green scenery and a calmer pace of life.
The region has a much more relaxed and slow pace for visitors
compared to the hustle and bustle of the ‘Golden Triangle’
region (Delhi, Agra and Jaipur) in the north of the country.
Keralan cuisine makes good use of the spices for which the area
is famous, as well as taking advantage of the waterways and
coast which provide fish and seafood for many traditional
dishes.
The Project
You will spend two days assisting at a hospice care project in
Trivandrum which provides assistance to children with cancer
and their families, to enable high standards of treatment, care
and support, and to ensure that no child suffers for want of
treatment through lack of finance. Possible tasks include
redecorating and painting, creating a garden and relaxation
areas, or generally working to improve the environment for
those who are supported by these facilities.
Trip Overview What is the climate like on the trek?
In November the daytime temperature in Kerala can
This trip starts with a trek in the beautiful Kannan
range from 19-26˚C and can drop to 3˚C at night. The
Devan hills area of Kerala which will take you along a
sun is very strong so sunscreen is important. Rain is
route through the highest tea estate in the world;
possible in November, with around 33% chance of
Kolukkumalai. You will cross the foothills of the
precipitation. As we reach higher altitudes during the
second highest peak in South India and trek through
trek the temperature will feel cooler with possible
the rolling grassland and natural brooks of the
night time temperatures of around 0˚C. You must
Western Ghats.
ensure you have warm layers to wear at camp in the
After the trek you will spend two days supporting a
evenings and an adequate sleeping bag. As with all
hospice care centre in Trivandrum on a range of
mountainous areas weather conditions can be
activities and tasks to help improve the facilities for
unpredictable so you should be prepared for all
the benefit of the patients and their families.
climatic eventualities, such as rain, cold, high winds
and high temperatures.
Although the conditions mentioned above are
historically accurate, we cannot be held responsible
for deviations.
Who will accompany us?
The trek is accompanied by English-speaking local
guides who have an excellent knowledge of the local
culture and hiking in the region. You will also be
supported by a team of cooks and porters and a UK
Different Travel Company tour manager. What is the terrain like?
The terrain will vary each day but will generally be
undulating with some steep sections. Underfoot you
will find uneven stony pathways, grass, rocks and
perhaps a few small streams to cross too. Care
should be taken and walking poles used if required.
The trek is not a race; you will walk at a steady pace
and stop for a short breaks throughout the day,
however you must ensure you are fit enough to trek
for many hours a day, for multiple days.
How tough is it?
This trek is graded moderate to challenging for
people of a good fitness level who having undertaken
plenty of fitness training (see below for more details
about training).
Each day you will cover approximately 12km (7 miles)
which can take up to 8 hours because of the
undulating terrain. The maximum altitude you will
reach is 2640m (8650ft) on trek day two. You will trek
over uneven terrain in a hot climate, carrying a
daypack which may weigh 6kg, and you will sleep in
basic camps each night with limited facilities.
How can I prepare for the challenge?
Whilst it is difficult to specifically prepare for the What about bathroom facilities?
combined challenges you will face during your trek, Bathroom facilities at the hotels are en-suite. While
at the very minimum you should ensure you are fit camping the toilet will consist of a hole dug in the
enough to walk for periods of 7-8 hours a day for ground with a privacy tent. There will also be a basic
multiple days over challenging terrain (including cold water ‘shower tent’ available with buckets of
uphill). Having a positive and determined attitude is water to wash with. The mountain hut has Western
another key element to your success and enjoyment. style toilets and basic showers. Toilet paper is not
provided so you will need to bring your own. During
the trek you will need to pack up any toilet paper you
use to dispose of properly at camp. Never leave toilet
paper, fruit peel or other litter on the trail.
Where will we sleep?
You will stay in a hotel in Kochi, Munnar and
Trivandrum (twin or triple en-suite rooms) before
and after the trek. What is the food like?
During nights one and three of trek you will sleep in Fish and seafood forms a major part of southern
three-man tents (two people per tent) in campsites, Indian cuisine and is fresh and delicious; vegetarian
many of which have spectacular views across the and meat dishes are available too. If you have any
Western Ghats. On the second night of the trek you dietary requirements please ensure you have
will stay in a basic mountain hut. You will need to informed The Different Travel Company.
bring your own sleeping bag comfortable for use in Meals while trekking are cooked by your trek chef
temperatures of around 0˚C. Tents and sleeping mats and will be eaten in a mess tent where a table, chairs,
are provided while camping; beds, blankets and plates, mugs, cutlery etc. is provided for you. Meals
pillows are provided at the mountain hut. are plentiful and comprise a variety of Indian style
meals full of flavour (but not too spicy).
Altitude
The highest altitude on this trek is 2640m (the top of
Meesapulimala, day two) but the average altitude is
around 2000m.
It is generally accepted that high altitude is
considered anything from 3000m and above however
some people may notice mild altitude-related
symptoms such as a mild headache or disrupted
sleep at lower altitudes. Your local guides are familiar
with spotting signs of altitude sickness but it is
important that you also do some research into the
effects so you can be aware of how your body is
adjusting. A great source of information can be found How fit do I need to be?
at http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Altitude- It is advised that you start training at least 6 months
sickness/Pages/Introduction.aspx or before departure for your best chance of success and
http://www.traveldoctor.co.uk/altitude.htm. enjoyment. Hill walking, using the same boots and
It is vital that you make your guides and tour daypack you will use for the trek, should form a
manager aware of any symptoms immediately so you major part of your training, and is the best way to
can be monitored, in the interest of your safety. prepare your body for the ascents and descents.
Increasing your cardiovascular endurance and core
Will I receive advice on training? and leg strength will benefit you greatly so hill
In addition to supplying training tips, The Different walking can be complemented with swimming,
Travel Company has a link with online personal running, cycling, gym workouts, team sports etc. You
training company Brightside, who offer online can download a number of free apps to help you
training packages tailored to your requirements: train and track your progress. E.g. MapMyWalk, C25K
http://brightsidept.kajabi.com/sp/34357 (couch to 5k run), MyFitnessPal etc. If you attempt to
Try it out for just £1! complete the challenge without training it will make
the trek unnecessarily difficult and may hinder your
experience, and the experience of your team mates.
Is there an age limit?
You must be at least 18 years old to participate on
this trek. It may be possible for you to participate if
you are 16 or 17 years old but you must be
accompanied by a parent or guardian. There is no
upper age limit.
How will I fundraise the amount required?
Most people find that this is easier than they
imagined and we will give you as much support as
you need to reach your target! Here are some
suggestions on how you could achieve this. We will
send you more ideas when you sign up!
Non-uniform day at local school: £300
2x supermarket bag-packs: £500
Car boot Sale/ eBay auction: £250
2 x quiz nights: £500
Sponsorship (friends, family etc.): £300
Host a party, charge £10 to attend: £400
Who can take part? Ask five friends/ family to raise £100 each: £500
The trek can be undertaken by anyone with a good Dress down days at work: £300
level of fitness, who is healthy and determined. Donate your skills e.g. cooking/gardening: £250
Adequate preparation, planning and training is Karaoke Night: £250
important because the fitter you are the more you Sponsored beard-shave/ leg wax: £200
will enjoy this experience. An ideal candidate would 4 cake sales at work: £50 a time: £200
be an open-minded hill walker with a sense of Bucket shake at supermarket: £100
adventure, or someone who would like to take part Total: £4,050 (target exceeded!)
in a life-changing fundraising experience in the
beautiful Indian countryside. Is the trip ATOL protected?
The Hospice of St Francis is acting as agent for The
Medical issues Different Travel Company, ATOL 6706. The flight-
A medical declaration form is to be completed by inclusive trip in this brochure is financially protected
everyone and any pre-existing conditions, by the ATOL scheme. When you pay your registration
medications used and other medical issues must be fee you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate and
declared and (if relevant) confirmed by your GP. If ATOL Confirmation Invoice. Please ask for it and
your health situation changes after booking please check to ensure that everything you booked (flights,
inform us as soon as possible. hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see
our booking conditions for further information or for
Trip cost more information about financial protection and the
£395 registration fee + £3,200 fundraising target for ATOL Certificate go to:
the Hospice of St Francis. www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate.
Trip Includes How do I sign up?
Return flights from London (inc. airport taxes), all Complete the booking form and return with a
transfers and transport in India, accommodation in photo of your passport data page to
hotels, a mountain hut and tents on trek (two to a Claire.Jones@stfrancis.org.uk.
tent), conservation fees and trek permits, meals as
specified, local expert English-speaking Indian guides, Alternatively you can post your form to:
trek support crew, a UK tour manager. Claire Jones,
The Hospice of St Francis,
Trip Does Not Include Spring Garden Lane, Off Shootersway,
Indian e-visa (US$75+2.5% bank charge), drinks, Northchurch, Berkhamsted,
souvenirs, vaccinations or medication required, travel Herts., HP4 3GW
insurance, tips, personal trekking kit etc.
Itinerary Day 4 (Sun 10th Nov): Kolukkumalai – Rhodo
Mansion
Days 1 - 2 (Thu 7th – Fri 8th Nov): London - Kochi
It is worth waking up early this morning to enjoy
Fly to Kochi on an overnight flight and upon arrival
spectacular views of the sunrise over the Western
transfer to a central hotel to freshen up. This evening
Ghats. Today we pass through more tea plantations
you will have a trip briefing and welcome dinner.
before reaching the foothills of Meesapulimala, the
Meals: Dinner.
second highest peak in South India. We continue on a
ridge which offers spectacular views of the Tamil
Nadu peaks and lowlands before summiting
Meesapulimala itself (2,640m). In the afternoon we
descend through rhododendron and pine forests, to
the Rhodo Valley where we stay overnight in a
mountain hut.
Approx. 13km/6 hrs. trekking.
Day 3 (Sat 9th Nov): Kochi – Munnar - Kolukkumalai Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
After breakfast we set off to Munnar (approx. 4
hours) where we will switch vehicles and transfer by
jeep to Kolukkumalai situated at the confluence of
three rivers and home to sprawling tea plantations.
Our trek starts fairly gently as we pass through the
tea estates (including the highest tea estate in the
world at 2,160m), and winds through the plantations
until we reach one of the oldest tea factories in the
region, built in 1935. From here we continue to camp
for our first night camping, and a hearty dinner.
Approx. 10km/5 hrs. trekking.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 5 (Mon 11th Nov): Rhodo Mansion – Camp
Footprint
Today we set off through fragrant pine forests and
rolling grasslands, enjoying views of the mountain
ranges above. We descend to Yellapatty tea
plantation which we cross to reach a small forest
which leads us uphill to our final campsite.
Approx.17km/7hrs. trekking.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 6 (Tue 12th Nov): Camp Footprint – Top Station - Days 8-9 (Thu 14th – Fri 15th Nov): Trivandrum
Munnar We will spend two full days helping with a variety of
After another sunrise viewing opportunity we tasks such as painting, improving facilities, gardening
continue our trek along the mountain ridges with and so on at the CanKids facility in Trivandrum. You
beautiful views over the tea plantations. Today is a will also have the unique opportunity to gain an
great day for spotting the endemic birds of the understanding of hospice care in India, and what
Western Ghats as the territory changes from forest CanKids does for the local community. The specific
to evergreen and grasslands. This afternoon we will tasks will depend on the most urgent need at the
pass through some small villages where we may be facility at the time of your visit.
welcomed in for a cup of chai before finishing our Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
trek at historic Top Station (2,200m) where we say
farewell to the trek support team and transfer back
to Munnar (approx. 5 hours).
Approx. 10km/5 hrs. trekking.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 10 (Sat 16th Nov): Trivandrum - London
Transfer to the airport for the return flight to London.
Depending on flight times you might arrive into
London the next day.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 7 (Wed 13th Nov): Munnar – Trivandrum N.B. This itinerary may change due to weather, the ability
Today is a travel day as we transfer from Munnar to of the group and so on. We will do our best to keep to the
Trivandrum by road (approx. 8-9 hours). There will be itinerary but cannot be held responsible for changes
outside of our control. In all circumstances your guide and
plenty of stops along the way.
tour leader will have the final say in the interest of the
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
group’s health and safety.
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