Spiti Valley Expedition - June 2020

 S P I T I V A L L E Y E X P E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0 15 JUNE- 04 JULY 2020

PROGRAMME BROCHURE

Aims & Objectives: TISB’s motto is ‘Life is for Learning’ and a strong element of TISB education is to ensure we give every opportunity for our students to develop mentally, physically and morally.

With this in mind one of the main aims of the expedition is to encourage the students to actively plan and carry out certain aspects of the Spiti 2020 expedition. Although participants will inevitably have differing abilities, experience and personalities, it is not a requirement to have specific skills or experience to be involved. It will, however, be necessary to be openminded, possess a willingness to take part and experience as much as possible in order to learn from the opportunities presented. Participants should want to give as well as to gain from the experience and will certainly require a sense of humour.

THE VIEWS ARE ESPECIALLY BREATHTAKING WHEN YOU'RE ON TOP OF THE WORLD

The Expedition Leaders and the local support team hope to make the TISB Spiti Expedition 2020 an unforgettable experience for all involved.

In brief we will: Integrate with the community and village life of Burua Village, Manali, Himachal Pradesh.

Live and acclimatise in the Himalayan foothills.

Visit places of interest around Manali Town.

Complete a 7-day trek through villages and monasteries of the Spiti Valley.

S P I T I V A L L E Y

BE THE START OF SOMETHING

The Spiti Valley is a desert mountain valley located high in the Himalaya mountains in the north-eastern part of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

The name Spiti means “The Middle Land”, i.e the land between Tibet and India.

This region has been chosen for the expedition because: • The region is guaranteed dry weather which makes trekking easier.

• The route enables an experience of isolation amongst 6000 meters snowcapped peaks.

• The route passes through many significant villages and monasteries.

The cultural immersion will be very engaging, different and, we hope, inspiring.

• The route has been walked by members of the leadership team and hence the safety of the team has been previously tested and assessed.

• The area is physically and geographically very different to other parts of India.

DAY 1

15 JUNE 2020 Bangalore to Chandigarh Flight Chandigarh to Manali Volvo A/c Bus Overnight stay at a Hotel in Manali

DAY 2

16 JUNE 2020 Transfer to Burua Village Preparations for the Community Project

DAY 3, 4, 5 & 6

17 - 20 JUNE 2020 Community Project at Upper Valley School Visit the Vashisht Hot Springs Visit Solang Valley Visit Mall Road, Manali Cultural Evening

TISB Students during their Community Project at the Upper Valley School, Burua

DAY 7

21 JUNE 2020 Manali to Chanderal Lake Bus Journey Rohtang Pass Kunzum Pass Camping overnight at Chandertal Lake

Kunzum pass

DAY 8

22 JUNE 2020 Journey to Rangrik, Kaza Camping overnight at Rangrik

Campsite at Rangrik, Kaza

DAY 9

23 JUNE 2020 Community Project at Rangrik Village Vist Kaza Town & Sakya Tangyud Monastery Camping overnight at Rangrik

Sakya Tangyud Monastery, Kaza

DAY 10

24 JUNE 2020 Trek to Key Monastery Camping overnight at Rangrik

Key Monastery

DAY 11

25 JUNE 2020 Trek to Langza Buddha Statue Camping overnight at Langza

Trekking to Langza Village

DAY 12

26 JUNE 2020 Trek to Komic Hikkim - Visit the highest Post Office in the world Komic Monastery Overnight camping at Komic

Camping at Komic Monastery

DAY 13

27 JUNE 2020 Trek to Demul Village Overnight camping at Demul

Campsite at Demul

DAY 14

28 JUNE 2020 Day in Demul Village Interaction with the villagers Overnight camping at Demul

Demul Village

DAY 15

29 JUNE 2020 Trek to Lalung Village Overnight camping at Lalung

Lalung Village

DAY 16

30 JUNE 2020 Trek to Dhankar Visit Dhankar Monastery Overnight stay at the hostel in Dhankar Monastery

Mani Stones on the way to Dhankar Monastery

DAY 17

01 JULY 2020 Bus Journey from Dhankar to Manali Overnight stay at a Hotel in Manali

Lunch at a wayside Dhaba

DAY 18

02 JULY 2020 Shopping at Mall Road, Manali Overnight stay at a hotel in Manali

Shopping at Mall Road, Manali

DAY 19

03 JULY 2020 Bus Journey from Manali to Chandigarh Overnight stay at a hotel in Chandigarh

The eight stupas at Kaza Monastery

DAY 20

04 JULY 2020 Chandigarh to Bangalore Flight Journey

TISB Expedition 2019 - group photograph

Game of Volley ball with the Lamas at Komic Monastery

T R E K

Participants will be required to walk for between 4 - 8 hours every day and will carry essential items(listed in the Kit List) in a day pack.

Jeep taxi’s will carry the bulk of the group's luggage.

Comfortable, well worn, lightweight trekking boots are essential. Regular trainers, sneakers, heavy boots should be avoided as they may cause blisters.

Full sleeved t-shirts, full length trousers (not jeans), a wide brim hat and sun glasses are also essential items for the trek.

Training and Fitness: Enjoyment of the trek will be enhanced if participants ensure they are as fit as possible prior to departure. Participants in a good state of health should have few problems. The best way to prepare physically is by cycling, running and walking, preferably up and down hills, with stamina and endurance being the main focus.

Participants will gain far more from the expedition with the following preparation: Reading about the area Studying maps Reading about the culture Reading about general mountain travel

Community Project at Upper Valley School – Burua Village Dr Caroline Pascoe was a founder of the Upper Valley School in 1997 and since that time it has grown from the initial 6 pupils to around 140 ranging in age from 3 to 17. Over the years, expeditions from the UK have given their time and resources to the school to help develop it from a one room organization into a facility with 8 classrooms and support offices, a playground and flushing toilets. It is our plan to continue that development through TISB students. However, the exact activities that our students will be involved with will be finalised after the winter snows have dissipated in March of next year.

However, students will definitely be involved in some teaching and the organisation of a cultural event.

Previous expeditions have: Painted and decorated classrooms, public areas & furniture.

Paid for the plastering of the toilet block and stairs.

Paid for electrification of classrooms & public areas.

Shared skills with children and staff of the school.

The project will qualify participants for the IAYP Gold Award Residential Project and for the majority of the CAS requirements at IB. Specific journals will be created and issued to all expedition members to record their achievement, provide evidence of their participation and for their personal reflection upon all they achieved during our expedition.

C O M M U N I T Y P R O J E C T

T R A V E L

All travel will be by coach, bus, jeeps, taxis or rickshaws. We will use buses belonging to private companies which from experience, are found to be safer, more reliable and more efficient than government run buses.

Driving conditions are naturally different to Bangalore. However, the bus companies are sensible and realistic when traveling.

Travel to and from the airports will be by a private bus where TISB expedition members are the sole users.

To navigate the mountainous route to Spiti and the start of the trek, the group will travel in jeeps/ vans. A number of vehicles will remain in Spiti to transport expedition equipment and to act as emergency vehicles.

Flight Details: Onward jouurney: Bangalore to Chandigarh - 15 June 2020.

Flight 6E 3512 departs Bangalore at 7:05am.

Students must report at the airport by 4:30am for group check in.

Return Journey: Our Flight to Bangalore (6E 491) leaves Chandigarh at 10:40 am and is expected to arrive Bangalore at 13:40 hrs. Parents are requested to arrive well ahead of time to meet your child.

Accommodation will be in tents (during trek), classrooms (at Upper Valley School) & homestay (during community project), and hotels/ hostels (in towns).

Participants will share rooms and tents according to the capacity available.

In the towns, meals will be eaten in restaurants/ dhabas. The menu is predominantly vegetarian (Indian) with occasional servings of noodles, pastas, non-veg and desserts. During the Trek & Community Project, fresh food is prepared by our cooks with the help of the duty crew (the expedition participants). Participants will play an integral role in planning the menu and the preparation and serving of the food.

In the towns and cities bottled water will be available at all times. Fizzy drinks, coffee and tea are available in cafĂŠs and shops and are also fine to drink at any time.

During the Community Project phase and Trek, water will be taken from local sources. If the water source is not clean (which may occur if the rivers and streams are at a low level), the expedition will use iodine to sterilize the water. The group will not have access to packaged drinking water during the trek.

A C C O M M O D A T I O N & F O O D

M E D I C A L M A T T E R S

Our Expedition Leaders are NOLS Wildernesss First Aid Certified practitioners. Any minor incidents will be treated on site and any incidents that require expert intervention will be treated at the nearest available hospital.

The group will be covered by a general insurance cover.

1. Kindly submit the Medical Form (https://katepotts.wufoo.com/forms/z1xdni790rqqu18/) on priority. The details provided by you will be shared with the chaperones.

2. Students on any medication should carry their prescribed medicines in a zip pouch with proper instructions to administer medication and a copy of the prescription.

3. Please DO NOT carry any over the counter medicines that have not been prescribed.

4. If the student has any food allergies or medical problems, it should be communicated to the Expedition Leaders.

5. In case of any existing medical problems, details of the condition, medicine dosages to be taken and the name and contact number of the doctor treating the student should be given to the Expedition Leaders.

6. If, prior to the departure, there is any change to the medical information that you have submitted please email the Expedition Leaders at the earliest opportunity. If this is not possible, please ensure that you speak to the Expedition Leaders on the morning of departure.

7. In case of motion sickness, please inform the Chaperone to administer medicine half an hour before the journey.

8. Kindly pack an extra pair of glasses in case one pair is lost.

9. Contact lenses are to be avoided.

10. There will be jeeps and local staff on standby in case of emergencies, or in the rare event of evacuation being required.

Cost per head for participation is â‚š78,000 (for a minimum group size of 25 students). This will include all expenses related to travel (TISB to TISB), food, accommodation, guides, support crew, equipment hire, medical/ travel insurance etc.

Payment deadline: Participation will be confirmed only on 100% payment before 31 December 2019.

Payment to be made to TISB account (pocket money account) via online transfer or Demand Draft (DD) in favor of "The International SchoolNAFL Trust" payable in Bangalore.

Cancellation & Refunds: Parents are requested to write to the Travel Coordinator (only the date of that email will be considered the date of the notice) a. For intimation before 31 March 2020, 75% refund of the program fee will be made to the students pocket money account. b. 100 % cancellation charges will apply for withdrawals made after 01 April 2020. There will be no refund in such case as we pay and confirm travel, accommodation and most of the related bookings in advance for the group.

Pocket Money: 1. Students are allowed to carry a maximum of â‚š5000 as pocket money.

2. We will not be responsible for any loss or theft of personal money.

3. Any expenses of personal nature or any damage caused will be chargeable.

F I N A N C I A L I N F O R M A T I O N

K I T

L I S T

We will be in the Himalayas during a warmer time of the year, however, some of the trek will be at altitude and the temperatures do drop when the sun falls behind the mountains.

Therefore, participants must have adequate clothing and equipment to cope with low temperatures and blazing sunshine.

Points to consider: 1. Try to borrow things rather than buy items; do not spend unnecessarily.

3. Clothes will get dirty (filthy!) and sometimes are not worth keeping, so don’t bring any of your best or favourite items.

4. For cultural reasons clothing should not be too revealing.

5. Please do not carry any expensive jewellery/ watches/ gadgets. We will not be responsible for any loss or damage.

6. Restrict to a single compact piece of luggage (Max. 15 kg check in baggage) and your day sack (Max. 7kg hand baggage).

7. Students are expected to carry their own luggage during transfers at the hotel/camp and to and from the vehicle.

8. A rucksack or duffle bag will be ideal. Do not carry a suitcase/ trolley.

What to pack: 1. Aadhar Card (preferred) or original Passport 2. Foreign nationals must carry a copy of their FRRO Certificate/ OCI Card, whatever applicable 3. Cotton shirts/ tops/ t-shirts with sleeves (preferably full sleeves)– 6 4. Light weight full length trousers (not jeans) - 3 pairs 5. Loose fitting shorts (knee length) – 2 pairs 6. A pair of old trousers & t-shirts – to be used and discarded after the community project 7. Thermals (full set)– 1 8. Night dress (warm) – 2 sets 9. Fleece top/ hoodies – 2 10. Down jacket/ puffer jacket (with hood) - 1 11. Rain wear/ poncho (light weight) – 1 12. Undergarments – sufficient numbers 13. A pair of well-worn ankle length trekking boots (light weight) 14. A pair of Sandals or Flip-flops 16. Thick cotton socks (full length) - 6 pairs 17. Woolen socks - 1 pair 18. Bath towel (quick drying) – 1 19. Sun Hat (wide brim) – 1 20. Woolen Balaclava/ Beanie (ensure ears can be covered) – 1 21. Walking pole - 1 no 22. Sun glasses (UV Filter) – 1 23. Flash light/ head torch with extra batteries 24. Toothpaste and toothbrush 25. Comb 26. Moisturizing lotion 27. A mesh bag for soiled clothes to be stored for the return journey.

28. A day pack (20 to 30 liter capacity) preferably framed, to carry your basic essentials: a) Water bottles (3 x 1 liter bottles) b) Spare clothing c) Rain jacket e) Hand sanitizer f) Insect repellent g) Sun block cream (SPF 50 above) h) Lip balm i) Wet Wipes - 1 pack (80 pulls) j) Notepad and Pencil Sleeping bags are issued to all participants. However, they are not brand new and are used by previous participants. In case you wish to carry your own sleeping bag, we recommend one that is rated suitable for sub- zero temperatures(Quechua-Forclaz 0/5 is an option).

If you want to use our sleeping bags, we recommend you carry a polyester sleeping bag liner (available at Decathlon).

A D D I T O N A L N O T E S

Dress code: For minimum impact on local culture, clothes should not be revealing.

Revealing clothes of any type will not be permitted.

Behavior: 1. While on the trip, it is expected that students conduct themselves in a polite and mature manner, remembering that they are representing TISB. 2. When required, teachers will act as loco parentis.

3. We will have regular early morning departures. Stuents should complete their morning routine on time.

The following are not allowed during the trip: 1. Breaking curfew during an overnight stay.

2. Inappropriate peer interactions.

3. Breaking rules & procedures specific to any activity.

4. Breaking/ damage of hotel/ camp fittings & amenities.

5. Theft/ vandalism.

6. Smoking, drug, alcohol use or possession.

7. Any activity jeopardising the safety of the group/ themselves.

8. Going out of the hotel/ camp in the evening/ night after the students return at the end of the day.

9. Parents, relatives & friends visiting students during the programme.

As a visitor to another culture and as a representative and ambassador for our school, participants are expected to be sensitive and empathetic to the village organization and structure. This can mean adopting certain habits so as not to offend the villagers. Further details will be given to participants on our arrival for the acclimatisation phase.

The aim is to provide a unique experience that will live with participants for a very long time. India is an incredible country that participants will have the chance to experience in a small but meaningful way. It is hoped that some participants may wish to return to explore more of this area of our country either as trekkers, as leaders or even as aid workers.

Please contact Mr. Sudeep, Travel Coordinator, at ssudeep@tisb.ac.in for all your queries.

The International School Bangalore NAFL Valley, Whitefield - Sarjapur Road Near Dommasandra Circle, Bangalore 562 125