Tons Camping & Trekking – Advanced 1
​Starting: Dehradun
Easy Grade Trek
Arman

Scheduled Departure:
May-24th - 29th, 2019
​5 Nights / 6 Days

  • A unique experience with expedition style camping and trekking .
  • Learn camping skills that will hold you in good stead forever - building a fire, map reading, using a compass, pitching a tent...so much to experience!
  • Yes this will be challenging for both you and your child, and oh so rewarding when you sit back and reflect on your experiences on the last day! 

AN OLD SHEPHERD ROUTE DISCOVERED BY MHE!

This trek is perfect for beginners or families with kids 6+ years.

A unique camping and trekking experience that involves 5 Nights/6 Days of expedition style camping and trekking - combined with swimming in fresh water pools and under waterfalls! If you're a newbie at this, it sure is a great way to start!

If you're coming as a family, we often find that kids find it way less challenging so don't really worry about that! It's a great family or team bonding trip and oh so rewarding when you sit back and reflect on the experience on the last day! 

Note: This program is cost effective if there's a minimum of 6 people in the group. If your group is fewer than that, we can run this as a customized trip as well.
  • WHY TREK WITH MHE​
  • TRIP SNAPSHOT
  • ​DETAILED ITINERARY
  • PRICE DETAILS
  • GEAR LIST & TIPS
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​When you trek with MHE, you can be assured that we are backed by many years in the business of providing safe and sustainable adventure trips. The staff you deal with in the office, all the way through to the guides and porters on trek, have years of experience in safe and enjoyable trekking behind them. We can advise you on the right gear, the right training, and no question is too crazy for us to answer. 

Our trips are designed for your maximum enjoyment and comfort, taking into consideration the environment and conditions, wherever you are.

We believe in sustainable, ethical and responsible tourism. Our guides are all certified and trained, the porters receive above standard wages, and we do not allow them to carry more than 30kg (the international standard set by IPPG). Our crew are all insured, and provided with suitable clothing and equipment.

​We support the local economy wherever possible, and do NOT encourage giving any gifts of sweets, pens etc to the charming local children you meet along the trail. If you are really interested to donate something, please discuss with us first. 

Our "all inclusive" trip means that you are not constantly rummaging for money, and you know up front what is included.
Trip starts from: Dehradun - Jolly Grant Airport or Dehradun Station will be your landing point.
No. of days of the trip: 6 days
​No. of trekking days: 3
​No. of fixed camp days: 1 
Trekking Grade: Easy
DAY 1: TRAVEL DAY - ARRIVE IN DEHRADUN OR HARIDWAR AND DRIVE TO BULL'S RIVER CAMP, TONS
Arrive at Dehradun airport or Haridwar railway station - you need to be there before 1 PM.

An MHE representative will meet you and we'll head out for a 6 - 7 hour drive that will take us to Bull’s River Camp in the Tons Valley. You will arrive just in time for dinner. Sleep early, tomorrow your real adventure begins!

Overnight at Bull's River Camp.
DAY 2: ACCLIMATIZATION DAY HIKE, SWIMMING AND VILLAGE VISIT - 4 HRS | PLANNING FOR NEXT DAY'S TREK
Morning energizers and breakfast. You start the day with a walk across the historical Sandra suspension bridge built across the Tons river in the early 1800s. A quick look at the local forest guest house from the same era and then back to the campsite for some quick refreshments. We then wade across the stream that passes by the campsite and head out towards De Gaon where the traditional water-powered grain mills still function and are used by the local villagers. Local weavers at work are a fascinating site - and you may even get a chance to try it yourself.  If you're up for it, you can help the locals by ploughing the field and working in their apple orchards. Move on to Mori village where our cars will meet you and drive back to camp - arrive by afternoon in time for a late lunch.

Later in the afternoon, it is time to build some camping skills - how to tie knots, pitch a tent, light a bonfire, packing techniques and expedition planning. Equipment will be allocated at this time. Team games, take a dip in the stream flowing past the camp, evening reflections around the campfire.

Overnight at Bull's River Camp.
DAY 3: TREK : 6 - 7 HRS 
Early morning wake up call and energizers. Today will be slightly more  challenging – and both parents and children will need to work together. Take a short 15 min drive via Mori village to De Gaon bridge. We'll leave the cars here, cross over the Tons river and start our trek to Salra village. You will be walking upstream along the Tons river till you come to the junction of the Salra valley. A walk up this valley on a forest trail passing through dense woods of pine and fir, with sunlight desperately trying to sneak in is an ethereal sight! .  After a few hours the trail starts to incline up towards our first campsite. It's not a steep incline but challenging enough. Camp in the fields of Salra village. You will get some amazing views of the Banderpoonch range, Swargrohini and Kedarkantha! Packed lunch enroute. 

Bonfire circle and reflections in the evening.

​Overnight in expedition tents.
Day 4: ​TREK : 6 - 7 hrs
Early morning wake up call, morning energizers. Today is really one of the best days for mountain views with glimpses of some high mountains like Swargarohini peak, Kedarkantha and many more ranges of the Garhwal Himalaya! The day starts with a trek to the top of the ridge to approximately 7000 feet and then you make your way down through dense forest to Banugarh village - your campsite for the night.
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​Reflections and camp overnight in expedition tents.
Day 5: 2.5 - 3 HRS HIKE TO AN AMAZING WATERFALL AND THEN BACK TO BULL'S RIVER CAMP
As always – an early morning wake up call. This is your last trekking day.

It's a 1 Hr: 30 Min walk up into the thick forests of fir and pine that leads up to an amazing waterfall - only the last 25 minutes is a bit of an incline, but easily doable. ​Take a dip here and cool down and head back to some hot lunch waiting for you at the campsite. Post lunch, we make our way back to Bull's River Camp by crossing over a stream. It's a 3 hour hike back to Bull's River Camp - your home for the night.​
DAY 6: DRIVE BACK TO DEHRADUN
 Time to head back. It’s a 6-hour drive to Dehradun airport, just in time to catch your afternoon flights back home.

All-Inclusive Costs:​

​Our "all inclusive" cost means that you are not constantly rummaging for money, and you know up front what is included and what is not.
  • ₹ 33,100/- Per Person including GST (for a minimum of 6 persons travelling together)

Costs Include:

  • A qualified and experienced MHE Trekking Leader
  • All meals starting from Lunch on Day 1 to Lunch on Day 6. Fruits and snacks while travelling.
  • Filtered and boiled water/treated drinking water is provided.
  • Accommodation in twin sharing Deluxe Tents at the Base Camp, and in expedition tents while on the trek.
  • Transportation by Innova Car/Traveller Dehradun - Tons – Dehradun and local transportation while on expedition and at Base Camp. 
  • All camping equipment including sleeping bags and mattresses and all trekking arrangements including kitchen equipment and staff – cook and helpers, trekking guides, tents etc.
  • Adventure sports insurance – includes medical evacuation and hospitalization.
  • Cost of trekking guides and instructors and their travel and medical insurance.
  • MHE T-Shirts and MHE Certificates.
  • All government taxes.

Costs Do Not Include:

  • International/Domestic air fare or train fare.
  • Unforeseen expenses that demand a change in itinerary like natural forces, changes in weather, road blockages, flight/train cancellations and illness.
  • Standard Travel, insurance.
  • Expenses of a personal nature - tips, laundry, phone calls, beverages.
​Gear List, Packing and Trekking Tips 
 
What gear you will need to bring with you:
  • A WATERPROOF duffel bags / kit bags, lockable. No hard top suitcases please – the ponies have a hard time with that (no pun intended).
  • Water-proof day packs (small haversack) to carry your personals, water bottle/water bladder, camera, packed lunch, snackies and your warm layers. AT NO TIME SHOULD YOU BE WITHOUT YOUR WATER BOTTLE/BLADDER, JACKET AND RAIN GEAR).
  • Rain coat (a poncho style one if you prefer – it covers your day pack as well).
  • Insect repellent.
  • Sun Glasses. Avoid the blue tinted ones. Experts argue that high-energy visible (HEV) radiation, or blue light, penetrate deeply into the eye and can cause retinal damage.  Most sun-glass lenses that block a significant amount of blue light will be bronze, copper or reddish-brown (again there is research to argue this either ways, so go with what matches your comfort level).
  • Water Bottles or Water Bladder (if you’re carrying a water bottle, please make sure that they’re easy carrying ones that fit in the side of your day pack).
  • Sun hat or peak cap.
  • Sun Block (50 SPF).
  • Lip Balm.
  • Flash light or head torch with spare batteries.
  • A small towel to wash up every morning – a gamcha works best – it dries up quickly and soaks up enough water even for a cold-water bath. Otherwise, Decathlon has those soft  trekking towels which work well too.What we supply for your trek in terms of gear:

Your Packing List:

Take clothing suitable for extreme cold and warm temperatures, the mountain sun can make the days really warm, but there is always a wind chill factor, so plan for layers. Here’s a suggested packing list:
  • Warm, waterproof down jacket preferably with a hood.
  • Warm inners - poly pro or thermal long johns and top X 2 pairs.
  • Thin Fleece jacket x 1
  • Woolen socks - pure wool socks are the best to wear while walking, breathable and comfortable. They tend to slip around less when your feet are wet (river crossings remember?) and they dry faster. If you don’t have pure wool, wear thin cotton under and then wool on top – yes, two layers.
  • Fleece cap – make sure it covers your ears totally.
  • Fleece gloves.
  • Full sleeved shirts – preferably the dry fit variety x 4.
  • 1 pair of good hiking boots. They must be well broken in. DO NOT WEAR NEW ONES.
  • Comfortable shoes for while in camp after the days walk. Or a pair of Teva/Keen/Merrell sports sandals (basically floaters) which will be good for wading in the streams as well.
  • Short sleeves T-shirts – dry fit variety x 2 pairs. Avoid the cotton ones.
  • Trekking trousers/Track suit pants x 2 pairs.
  • Thick cotton socks for the night x 2 pairs.
  • Dri-fit shorts ((or what are called river shorts) x 2 pairs.
  • Personal toiletries - carry as many band aids as possible. It’s the one thing that could stop your trekking holiday from turning into a nightmare. A useful tip - tape up any abrasion areas before you start walking to prevent blisters. And carry some in your pocket to apply the moment discomfort starts.
  • And most importantly, pack in your sense of adventure!
 
Some Trekking Tips to ensure you're ready for anything:

Your day-pack must always have the following:
  • 2 litres of water (please make sure your water bottles will take boiling/hot water)
  • Sunscreen, sun glasses, sun hat, lip balm, dust mask / scarf / ‘buff’ to help on dusty trails
  • Warm fleece or thermal layer and gloves
  • Rain jacket
  • Head torch
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Your camera - personal choice. We personally prefer to use our mobile phone cameras!
  • Any money you want for snacks/drinks along the trail
  • CRITICAL – take any personal medications you require during the day – you will not see your kit bag until evening.
 The rest you can put into your kit bag which will be carried by the porters or ponies, whom you won’t see until camp in the evening.

It’s a great idea to use dry bags (i.e. airtight/waterproof) in your kit bag to store your dry clothes in to keep them DRY in case it rains and one to put your dirty laundry in (to keep from making everything else in your bag smell bad!).

Food on trek:
  • You will probably be surprised by the menu items on an MHE/Outward Bound India Himalaya trek. We know how important food is, and we don't stint by giving you 2-minute noodles and Cup a Soup. You'll get real food, home cooked style. And plenty of it!​
  • If you have any special dietary requirements, please advise us when booking your trek so that we can cater for you. Note: sometimes not all dietary requirements are able to be met, but please inform us and we will certainly do our best!
 
Some tips for staying healthy:
  • Do NOT drink tap water or untreated water!
  • Drink only properly boiled water or use water purification tablets, such as iodine. Bottled water is available, but as the plastic cannot be recycled we request you to consider the waste impact of your bottles – we recommend you drink boiled water or use iodine.
  • Your hands are perhaps your biggest enemy in terms of your health as they get very dirty during the day. Wash your hands before every meal or snack. People often think they get sick from the food, but it’s far more likely they forgot to wash their hands!
  • During the trek DO NOT try to test your fitness and walk too high, too quickly! Listen to your guide and take their advice as they are trained to look after your safety. Altitude sickness is a killer and you MUST take it seriously.
  • It is recommended that your personal medical kit includes not only your preferred painkillers, but also throat lozenges, plasters, strapping tape for blisters, etc. If you are taking regular medication you MUST bring those medicines with you PLUS an extra supply in case one pack is lost.
  • If you have any allergies and/or take any medications, you MUST advise us when booking your trek!

The trails:
  • Trekking trails vary from wide, road-like avenues to narrow, slippery paths built out over enormous drops. In many places, a fall from the trail would be fatal. One must pay attention at all times to where you are placing your feet. Be especially careful not to move while looking through the view finder of your camera!
 
Be prepared for the weather:
  • Each altitude has its own weather, from tropical heat to arctic cold. In the main trekking seasons in the spring and autumn, the weather is generally stable and even the high passes may be free of snow and relatively easy to traverse at times.
  • Some trekkers who have encountered an easy day at altitude may spread the word that boots and warm clothing are not required. This is a mistake. Sudden storms occur at any time, dumping snow on the passes without warning. At that point, anyone poorly equipped will not be able to proceed and may even be stranded for a number of days risking their life and the lives of others.
  • You are heading into the worlds highest mountain range. Be prepared for changes in temperature and weather!!
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Tipping and cash requirements:
  • While all main meals are provided on trek, do not forget to bring some  money for drinks or snacks that you might purchase on the way. You will be surprised by what is available on the popular trekking routes.
  • The amount to carry on the trekking routes depends on the area you are going to trek in, so please ask your guide for advice. Tipping is now common  but there is no strict rule about how much the tip should be. Needless to say, you should only tip if you are satisfied with the service.
 
Photographing and interacting with local people:
  • During your trek you will have many opportunities to photograph local people and the amazing scenery and you will use tons of film/memory space! When you want to take a photo of a person, please ask them first and respect their right to refuse – you will be surprised how easy it is to convey the request to take someone’s photo even when you don’t share a common language!
  • If you have a digital camera it is considerate (and fun!) to show them their photo and if it’s possible to arrange to have copies printed and sent to them this is an amazing gift! However do not promise to do so if you are not sure you can deliver on the promise, so please talk to your guide about this! Photos can be a brilliant way to establish a connection with local people, but please respect their right to privacy.
  • Refrain from giving money or food to children. There are many good organisations working to help these children and we recommend you support them instead of encouraging them to beg. One other way is to collect books, pencils and other such articles and donate them to village schools you will find on your way.

Considering the Environment:

There are many ways you can help to conserve the environment of the area in which you trek. Here are some simple tips.
  • While trekking you have to be careful not to destroy the very environment you are enjoying so much. It is not only for your enjoyment - people and wildlife rely on this environment for their drinking water and food supply and many places are of enormous religious significance to local people.
  • Pick up any litter along the trail.
  • Burn all your toilet paper and bury your faeces when not in camp, make sure you go at least 50m away from any water source.
  • Try and avoid making a campfire - if you must, be sure to use only fallen wood. Do not consume food cooked on wood fires.
  • Drink boiled/treated water instead of mineral water as the plastic bottles are a problem.
  • Stick to the trails to prevent erosion and damage to fragile alpine flora.
  • Ensure all rubbish is packed out (or burnt/buried if appropriate).
 
Insurance:
  • This particular trip includes adventure sports insurance. ​