BACHI BIRDING & WELLNESS RETREAT @ MJUSKOTIA

• CHECK IN 25TH DECEMBER (WEDNESDAY)2019 (ALL DAY, LAST ENTRY @ 6 PM)

• RETREAT 26TH DECEMBER TO 28ST DECEMBER (THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY) (7 AM TO 8 PM)2019:

• 29ND DECEMBER 2019 (SUNDAY): CHECK OUT (BY 11 AM)

• 3DAYS/4 NIGHTS: RESIDENTIAL RETREAT

MAIN VENUE :

MUSKOTIA, MUSKOTIA ROAD, KILBURY, 3 KMS AHEAD OF PANGOOT, NAINITAL 263001 UTTRAKHAND, INDIA

FREE PARKING BY ROAD SIDE: 500 METERS BEFORE MUSKOTIA, BY THE ROAD SIDE. It is generally safe to park vehicles by road. Organizers donot take any responsibility of your vehicle safety.

Age :MINIMUM 21 YEARS AND MAXIMUM 65 YEARS of participants

Language used during the retreat: ENGLISH AND HINDI

BACHI BIRDING & Wellness Retreat @ MUSKOTIA is a 3 Day/ 4 night stay residential program @ Muskotia , Kilbury forest, Nainital, Uttrakhand.

Retreat design:

1. BIRDING @ KILBURY FOREST (NAINA DEVI BIRD CONSERVATORY, AN INTERNATIONAL BIRDING DESTINATION ( Level Begineers and Intermediate, minimum- 4 HOURS OF WALKING AND RESTING/ each session)

1. YOG (YOGA)

2. DHYAN (MEDITATION)

3. RELAXATION….Just be with yourself

4. Bon fire with Bar Be Que (Music and dance. In case you play any instrument, please bring along the same)

5. HEALTHY FOOD

Muskotia / Muskotia facilities Setting is on top of the Mountain overlooking the snow clad Himalayas. Muskotia is surrounded with Oak forest which is also an international Birding destination with rich Flora and Fauna. Mountain at a height of 7200 feet/2100 meters.The Kilbury forest area is an International Birding (Naina Devi Bird Conservatory) destination with estimated > 400 species of Birds/Butterflies and Moths.

Muskotia location is 17 kms off main Nainital town, UTTRAKHAND. To reach Muskotia, one has to drive into Nainital town and then take a detour on Kilbury forest road to reach location. Beautiful mesmerizing drive to the venue with snow clad Himalayas running along side of the road. Nainital is 270 kms from Noida (6.5 hours drive), Regular Shatabadi-Chair Car connections and other trains to Kathgodam (35 kms from Nainital), Nearest Airport Pant nagar, 65 kms from Nainital.

The program includes boarding and lodging at with all vegetarian meals, snacks, beverages (Herbal Tea/Detox water) as per program schedule. Only vegetarian food. In case interested get in touch on whats app with Team Muskotia on 7599741949 for any queries and process for confirmation of your booking.

BACHI Singh Bhist is a home grown name in Birding and Tiger conservation at Corbett National Tiger Park. Himalayan forest, especially Corbett (Ramnagar) is like a second home to Bachi. 30 years of extensive experience in the forest. Having conducted workshops at Uttrakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Rajsthan forest. He has also travelled to East Africa including Masai Mara studying the wildlife. Bachis personality and knowledge of Himalayan forest is something to learn from. Travle with Bachi in the Kilbury forest for 3 days understanding Birds and forest.

BACHI Birding & Wellness Retreat is a 3 Day/4 night full residential program.

All-inclusive packages:

1. Cost Rs.20,999 per head on twin sharing basis. Stay at Muskotia cottages with 24/7 Cable TV, Hot water geyser, Infra red heating, Towel warmers, In suite DIY Tea and Coffee. We discourage room service. All food in Main Muskotia dining hall

2. Cost Rs.15,999 per person/twin sharing basis. Stay at Muskotia Cottages facilities (500 meters from main Muskotia, walking trail. Hot water geyser, TV in common hall, DIY Tea/Coffee in suite. We discourage room service. Any service insisted upon will attract 50 % over charge. All food at Main Muskotia Dining hall

3. All money to be paid in advance

4. No refund on cancellation or transfer to any other Retreat @ Muskotia. You can adjust your booking to Ankit’s next Retreat @ Muskotia, subject to Package, terms and conditions of that retreat.

5. Drinking alcohol during the Retreat timing is not allowed. Participant can be disqualified and ask to leave with no refund

6. Smoking of cigarettes during Retreat timings or with Retreat group is not allowed

7. Please adhere to the Retreat program and timings to enjoy the complete design

8. Muskotia and Muskotia facilities have limited Mobile phone and WIFI connectivity. BSNL and Reliance JIO have reasonably good connectivity. For any emergency use a BSNL telephone line is provided at Muskotia dining hall for making calls anywhere in India with no extra charge.

9. Any purchases of Muskotia farms products or order from the Menu @ Muskotia, kindly make payment in cash.

 Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How to Reach Muskotia?

Nainital is the nearest hill station from Delhi about 270 kms by road. Here is how can travel from Delhi:

By Road: Regular Bus connections from Delhi ISBT station or take AC VOLVO Bus till Haldwani from Delhi (various operators, please check net for the one suitable to you). From Haldwani Bus tation/Railway station one can get sharing taxi, full taxi or Buses to Nainital town (35 kms). Check online portals.

By Train: Nearest Rail head is Kathgodam / Haldwani (both are twin towns with a gap of 2 kms)

Popular trains are Shatabadi Chair Car/ Ranikhet express overnight/Kathgodam Sampark Kranti Chair Car. In case travelling by train, advise to book your tickets much in advance (Nainital is a very popular hill station)

Muskotia is situated 17 kms from Mall Road, Main NAINITAL town. Once you are in the main town of Nainital, drive through the beautiful Kilbury forest to reach Village Pangoot (famous birding destination). Keep driving for another 3 kms from Pangoot to reach Village Gugukham where Muskotia Shuttle will be standing for you to take you to Muskotia (last 500 meters of your journey to reach Muskotia on top of the Mountain overlooking the snow-clad Himalayas) on Top of the Mountain.

Please intimate 1 hour is advance to Team Muskotia on your time of arrival by whatsapp on 7599741949 with your name and number of passengers for the Muskotia Shuttle to be there for receiving you.

For taxi services for you/your group call Afsar Bhai on 9758848339 (ask for special rates for MUSKOTIA customers) or choose to hire your own taxi guy at Haldwani/Pantnagar or Nainital. Payment to be made in Cash to the taxi driver.

2. Can I come for part of a workshop or miss some sessions?

The is an integrated program and missing part of the workshop is a sure way of missing out on the self-learning processes that the workshops seeks to trigger in participants. Participating in all sessions is mandatory.

3. Who can join this event?

People from all kinds of backgrounds can participate. The program is not suitable for children and severely ill individuals.No previous experience in Trekkig is required but you need is stamina to walk. Level of trekking trails from Easy to Moderate. Yoga/ meditation

4. What should I carry?

• Comfortable clothes- avoid sarees, shorts, skirts etc. Wear Pants/Tracksuits/ Jeans….avoid loose clothing

• Warm jackets, pullovers, Fleece/woolen cap

• Comfortable walking shoes - Normal sneakers are fine. Avoid No flats/stilettos or heels, crocs/slippers for walking.

• Warm clothes. Always carry a jacket as weather in Himalayas can be unpredictable.

• Personal toiletries

• Torch & extra batteries

• Mosquito repellant

• Sunscreen SPF 35/50/Hat/Sunglasses

• Any prescription medications you are taking.

• Optional-Camera/Binoculars

• A small day packs.

Tip: Visit Decathlon for reasonable and good mountain gear.

5. Weather in Kilbury forest, Nainital during the retreat?

December mid is Winter season. In all probability last spell of snow fall. We expect Maximum temperature 22-24’C during the day and minimum 6-8 ‘C in the night. Himalayan weather can some time get unpredictable, please come prepared with proper woolens. Evening (post sunset) do tend to get cold.

6. Can I smoke or drink during the program?

Drinking is strictly prohibited. It is recommended you avoid smoking as much as possible. If you need to take a smoke that will have to be outside the venue perimeter and should not inconvenience any fellow participant.

7. Will my cellphone/mobile work at the venue? Is wi-fi available.

Some cellphones (BSNL and JIO) work, while others don't.

In any case best to give your phone a little holiday while you attend the program. You will be required to keep your phones switched off during the program activities. For any urgent calls, there would be a BSNL telephone available to call anywhere in India, free of charge to the Retreat participants, you can make as many calls as you want. Reliance JIO has reasonably good connectivity for the WIFI, please carry your own dongle in case you desire to be connected in WIFI post Retreat timings.

8. Will the program be tiring?

The activities in the program involve mild to moderate physical activity (e.g. hike, forest walks, yoga) but provides ample opportunities to rest and be with yourself. The agenda is designed to give you enough gaps to soak in nature, contemplate and rest between each activity.