Wildlife Tour to Pench National Park

The raised stress levels due to work & commute; the pollution that is no longer just felt but is visible; and many more are the things that every city dweller strives to get away from! Join us at Nisarga Bhraman as we head out to explore the calm and clean Jungle of Pench in Madhya Pradesh.
Get ready for the Wilderness in Pench...

Tour Date: 21st Feb 2013 to 24th Feb 2013
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights

About Pench: Located in the southern boundery of Madhya Pradesh and the districts of Seoni and Chhindawara, the Pench Tiger Reserve is named after the Pench river, flowing through the Satpura Hills. Pench Tiger Reserve and its neighbourhood is the original setting of Mowglee and Sherkhan (Rudyard Kipling's most famous work, The Jungle Book).
Pench National Park, comprising of 758 SQ Kms, out of which a core area of 299 sq km is the national park and and remaining 464 sq km is the buffer area. Rich in its biodiversity, its terrain defined by hills, valleys and the occasional precipitous slope, Pench is an important ecosystem supporting an abundance of flora and fauna, including a rich variety of aquatic life. 
Pench National Park is four different forest regions in one, an extravagance of trees, shrubs, grasses, climbers, weeds and herbs, with teak being the most prominent of the tree species. The park is home to 33 species of mammals, 164 species of birds, 50 species of fish, 10 species of amphibians, 30 species of reptiles, and a wide variety of insect life.While primarily and reservation for tigers and panthers, Pench is also home to sambhar, chital, barking deer, nilgai, black buck, gaur, wild boar, chausingha, sloth bears, wild dogs, langurs, monkeys, mouse deer, black-naped hares, jackals, foxes, hyenas, porcupines, and flying squirrels, to name a few. 
Here, birdlife is equally bountiful. The feathered denizens of Pench include both resident and migratory birds like Malabar pied Hornbill, Indian pitta, Osprey, Grey-headed Fishing Eagle, White-eyed Buzzard, Stork, Waterfowl, four endangered Vulture species, and the Green Pigeon, which is a State Bird. 

Trip Itenerary:

Day 1 - Thursday, 21st Feb 2013 
Departure from Mumbai CST by Vidarbh Express at 7:10 pm (Halts at Dadar and Kalyan)

Day 2 - Friday, 22nd Feb 2013
Arrive at Nagpur Junction at 8:55 am
Transfer to Pench and check in to the Jungle Home Resort 
Freshen up and Lunch
Afternoon Jungle Safari in open Gypsy
Talk on wildlife by Naturalist and Slide Show / Documentary
Dinner and retire for the day

Day 3 - Saturday, 23rd Feb 2013 
Wake up call at 5:00 am
Morning Jungle Safari in open Gypsy
Lunch and Rest
Evening Jungle Safari in open Gypsy
Enjoy the evening with Tribal and Folk Dance
Dinner and retire for the day

Day 4 - Sunday, 24th Feb 2013 
Wake up call at 5:00 am
Bird Watching and Jungle Trail
Snake identification presentation
Shopping etc., Lunch, Rest
Check out of the Resort
Drop at Nagpur Junction Railway Station
Return journey by Vidarbh Exress at 5:15 pm

Day 5 - Monday, 25th Feb 2013
Tour ends and we reach Mumbai by 6:20 am 

Tour cost:
Rs. 7250/- + Rail / Air Fare (For stay on Triple Sharing)
Rs. 8000/- + Rail / Air Fare (For stay on Twin Sharing)

The Tour Cost includes:  
> 3D/2N stay in Air conditioned rooms 
> Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner at the Resort
> Informative Slide Show / Documentary & Cultural Program
> Three Open Gypsy Safaris
> Bird Waching and Nature Trail
> All forest entry fees & guide charges
> Hotel Transfers in Private A/C Vehicle
> Camera usage fee

Cost does not include: 

> Train Tickets and Food in the train
> Mineral Water, Cold Drink etc. or Anything ordered other than whats on the spread.
> Anything other than that mentioned in cost includes

Resort - http://www.junglehomepench.com 


For more details and registrations, get in touch with -

Sameer Patel: 9820972043
Hemant Naik: 9819786136

To register, Hand over the cash in Person in co-ordination or transfer the amount to the account - 

Name of A/c Holder: Sameer M. Patel
Bank & Branch: Central Bank of India, TIFR, Churchgate Branch
A/c Number: 1451108345
RTGS/IFSC code: CBIN0283996

Special Notes:

1. The weather in Pench during the month of February would be pleasant, morning Safaris would be cold & carrying warm clothes is advised.

2. Please wear Dull/Earth colored clothing in the forest.
3. Avoid use of strong Perfumes/Deodorants.
4. Cap/Hat would come in handy during the afternoon Safaris.
5. Please carry your medications (if any) as the same would not be easily available in Pench.
6. Last date for the registration is 15th January

One Day Trek to Aja Parvat & Seetecha Palna on 20th Jan 2013

Aja Parvat or Ajoba known as grandfather of all other peaks in the range is an ideal one day trek from Mumbai. The Valmiki Rishi Ashram is situated on the platue of Ajoba hill where godess Seeta was said to be staying after seperation from Lord Rama. Seetecha Palna offers a very picturesque view of the adjoining mountain range. Forts like Kulang, Madan, Alang, Ratangad and peaks like Khutta, Kalsubai can be seen from here.

Join us at Nisarga Bhraman for this one day trek to Aja Parvat and Seetecha Palna on 20th January 2013

Details about the Trek - 

Place: Aja Parvat or Ajoba Hill
Grade: Easy +
Height: 4511 Feet above msl
Region: Shahapur

Itenerary -

Sunday, 20th January 2013 -
Meet Dadar Station - Central Railway (Platform 1) at 5:20 am sharp.
Carry your own return ticket till Asangaon
We will be taking a slow train to Asangaon which arrives
Dadar at 5:32 am, Kurla at 5:43 am, Ghatkopar at 5:49 am
Thane at 6:10 am, Dombivali at 6:32 am, Kalyan at  6:41 am
and reaches Asangaon at 7:20 am

Note: Board in the 2nd coach towards Mumbai CST.

Plan -

> Travel to Dehane by private Jeep
> Post breakfast, start the trek at 10:00 am
> Reach Valmiki Ashram at 11:30 am
> Have rest and explore the area
> Trek to Seetecha Palna at 12:00 pm
> Lunch in the col at 1:00 pm
> Descend back at 2:00 pm
> Reach Dehane at 4:30 pm
> Travel to Asangaon by private Jeep
> Reach Mumbai at 9:00 pm approx.

Cost of the trek would be Rs 300/- for members and Rs. 30/- extra for non members.

The above mentioned cost includes -
> Travel from Asangaon to Dehane and back by public transport
> Breakfast and Evening Tea
> Guide charges

To register for this event, get in touch with our team - 
Hemant Naik: 9819786136
Sameer Patel: 9820972043

Here is a list of the things to be carried - 

1. Haversack to put in everything to be carried for the trek
2. Water at least 2 Ltrs
3. Lunch for the day
4. Camera and something to munch on
5. Personal medicines required of any
6. Identity Card

Lazy Ride/Drive to Korlai-Janjira-Phansad on 12-13 Jan 2013

The cold wave sweeping across the North has made the days in the otherwise humid coast much more pleasant and bearable.

To make the most of the beautiful weather, We at Nisarga Bhraman have decided to venture out on a Lazy Ride/Drive to the beautiful coastline of Maharashtra; Korlai – Janjira.

Note: Those who do not have a Bike/Car need not fret, just get in touch with us and we will try and set you up with someone for the travel.
...
Ride/Drive Plan: 
 
Saturday, 12th January 2013

Meet up Outside Mac Donalds , Kalamboli (On the left side before the expressway flyover) at 06.30hrs sharp.

Post a simple packed breakfast, we will head for our first destination of the day; Korlai Fort which is just a little ahead of Alibaugh.
The fort which was built by the Portuguese on an island also shares space with a Lighthouse & a beautiful untouched beach.

After exploring Korlai fort, we would ride down the beautiful coastal road to Murud & take the sail boats to go over to the Island Fortress of Janjira.
The fort of Janjira is famous because it is the only fort that remained undefeated in spite of the Dutch, Maratha, & British attempts to conquer it.

To unwind all the exploration & enjoyment of the day, we will head to the Quiet & Peaceful Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary for a Night Halt.

Note: Stay in Phansad will be in the Forest & in a simple Dormitory type Bamboo Hut.
There are no beds, a sleeping mat will be provided & hence one needs to carry their own sleeping bags & blankets/bedsheet.
There is only 1 Bathroom & 1 Toilet outside the Bamboo Hut.

Sunday, 13th January 2013

Early morning is the best time to go inside any forest for spotting birds & different animals. Phansad is well known as a Bird Sanctuary, one may also be lucky to see the Giant Indian Squirrel or Shekru.

Post sightseeing & breakfast, we would leave for Mumbai & should be back by 17.00hrs @ Panvel.


The cost of this trip for registered Nisarga Bhraman members would be Rs.750/-
Guest fee additional for Non Members: Rs.50/- 

The above cost would include:-

1. Simple Packed Breakfast on Day 1, Veg/Non-Veg Lunch, Evening Tea, Veg Dinner on Day 1
2. Breakfast & Tea on Day 2
3. Entry & Parking charges @ Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Stay in a simple Dormitory type Bamboo House/Log Cabin @ Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary
5. Boat & Guide Charges @ Janjira Fort

The cost does not include:-

1. Lunch on Day 2
2. Bottled water or Cold Drinks or anything other than what is included in cost includes.

Note: 1. The cost of Fuel/Maintenance should be shared between the respective travelers.
2. The route map along with the ride plan would be shared with all at Kalamboli.


Those interested in joining, please get in touch with us at the earliest:

Rohit Nayak – 9167 416 873

Things to be Carried: 
1. A Sleeping Bag/Mat/Blanket/Bedsheet (Unless you plan to sleep on the bare ground)
2. Warm Clothing (Considering the cold wave)
3. Atleast 2 Liters of Water
4. Mosquito Repellent
5. Personal Medication if any

Some Rules we Follow: 
1. All Vehicle Owners need to carry all their respective vehicle documents like RC Book, PUC, & Insurance.
2. Riders & Pillions need to wear a Helmet, Jacket, Jeans, & Preferably full sleeve T-Shirt/Top.
3. Shoes are essential when one is riding.
4. Alcohol consumption is strictly not permitted. Those found to be consuming & even possessing alcohol would be expelled from the trip.
5. Smoking will only be allowed with the Permission on the Tour Lead & the person smoking will have to move away from the group.
6. The Ride/Drive is labelled "Lazy"; There is no reason to Overspeed, Overtake - Just be slow so that you can enjoy the view.