ANKIT TREKKING & WELLNESS RETREAT-JUNE 2020

Check In: 9TH JUNE 2020 (TUESDAY) TO

Trekking Retreat: 10.11.6.2020

 Check out: 12TH JUNE 2020 (FRIDAY)

@ KILBURY FOREST, MUSKOTIA, NAINITAL, UTTRAKHAND

INDIA

The Retreat’s Concept

Retreat indicates a period of time when we take a break from our usual activities and come to The Himalayas. Just be with yourself and connect with Nature while being at ANKIT TREKKING & WELLNESS RETREAT

Conducted by Mr Ankit Loiwal in collaboration with Muskotia Wellness @ Kilbury forest, Nainital Himalayas, Uttrakhand, INDIA.

The retreat is a 2 days residential Retreat (3 nights and 4 days with Check in and Check out) dates Check in- 9TH MAYJUNE (TUESDAY) TO Check out- 12TH JUNE 2020(FRIDAY)

 for a select group of participants so that individual care & attention can be provided to every participant.

THE RETREAT

ü Trekking through trails in Kilbury forest observing, studying and enjoying the rich flora and fauna on this untouched forest

ü Identifying Birds (check out Kilbury-Naina Devi Birds Conservatory on the internet), trees, plants and other flora and fauna @ kilbury forest

ü Trekking in the forest is very healing for good mental and physical health (check out healing properties on human beings while being in the forest and its benefits on the internet)

Activities during the retreat:

- Walking forest trails: One Morning and One Post lunch Trekking trail into the forest experiencing different moods, colours and flora fauna in the Kilbury

- Vegetarian Healthy food and Himalayan cuisine

- Every Evening Bon fire and music

-One meditation session

-Time with yourself…….

ANKIT Trekking & wellness Retreat will be mainly conducted by Mr. Ankit Loiwal, who is a native of Kumaon, a naturalist, Birder, photographer and keen trekker. He has grown up in the Himalayas. His experiences are from Field guiding and providing outdoor adventure experiences. He is a very keen bird watcher, mountaineer and trekker. His knowledge on Flora and fauna in the Himalayas is building up well. He is also known in the Nainital area as OWL expert ( has many Owl sightings to his credit) Ankit has qualified from The Nainital Mountaineering Institute has done over 7 years of extensive Trekking from the foothills to the Glaciers in the Himalayas. He is keen Bird/ wild animal watcher, photographer

ANKIT Trekking & Wellness Retreat is a 2 Day/3 night full residential program.

All-inclusive packages:

1. Cost Rs.17500 per person/ 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.12500 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. 10% early Bird discount for booking with an advance of Rs.5000 latest by 1ST APRIL, 2020

4. Balance money to be paid latest by 15st May 2020

5. 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.

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

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

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

9. 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.

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

11. Age group to be part of Retreat Minimum 18 years and maximum 60 years

MUSKOTIA

·       Muskotia Resort, Nainital, Uttarakhand is a boutique-family owned property for the discerning holiday traveller. Situated at a height of 7200 feet (2100 meters) above mean sea level. Nearest hill station to New Delhi (Capital city of India). Muskotia is virtually part of kilbury forest, an International Birding destination (Naina Devi Bird Conservatory), 17 kms from down town Nainital. Drive through beautiful kilbury Oak Tree forest to reach Muskotia, situated on mountain top overlooking the snow clad Himalayas. Team Muskotia will provide all hospitality services.

ACCOMODATION

·       Cottages (Muskotia and Muskotia facilities (500 meters walking distance from main Muskotia) are located in wildscape setting using sustainable methods of construction, contemporary/ethnic style mountain architecture. Hot water for bathing, DIY herbal tea making in suite cottage. Cottages done up very tastefully yet minimalist in living but high on comfort. We discourage Room service. All vegetarian food served in Main Muskotia Dining Hall. Clean bedsheets and towels would be provided at the time of check in. These would only be changed at the discretion of the housekeeping only (help us conserve water).

·       All activities would be at main Muskotia-Yogshala/Lawns/open fields /adjoining Kilbury forest.

·        Two types of accommodation are being offered to the participants. Please check the one of your choice and preference:

A. Muskotia Cottages: High class sustainable building with Contemporary-Mountain architecture. Fitted with Infra-Red heaters, Independent water geysers, Towel warmers, Cable television (with most of the popular channels), DIY Herbal tea making and hot water kettle, fully furnished. Package price Rs., 17,500 on twin sharing basis in the room all inclusive of the program and facilities at the Retreat. We discourage room service.

B. Muskotia facilities-Cottages (500 meters walking distance from main Muskotia premises): Ethnic/Vernacular architecture using local sustainable building material, fully furnished with DIY Electric kettle for herbal tea making, Hot water geyser. TV in common dining hall, Electric heaters can be provided on request, with no charge. Package Price Rs.12,500 on twin sharing basis in the room. We discourage room service. All food served @ Muskotia Dining Hall. Any items ordered from Menu at this facility will have to be paid in Cash separately.

TERMS OF PAYMENT and PARTICIPATION

A. 10% Early discount available till 1.4.2020

B. Booking with Paying advance of Rs.5,000

C. Balance to be paid latest by 15TH May 2020.

D. All payment through bank transfers only

E. To confirm your participation and get further details, kindly whats app your name and email to 7599741949 or email to nature@muskotiaretreat.com or call ANKIT on 6396543012

Inclusions in Package:

·       Check-in: anytime on 9TH JUNE 2020 (All day Check in. Last Check in at 6 pm)

·       Check-out: By 11 am on 12TH 2020 post Breakfast

·       Meals: 9TH JUNE Lunch/ Evening snacks herbal tea (depending on time of your arrival) and Dinner

o  11TH & 12TH JUNE: All meals++ + with unlimited herbal tea (Detox)

o  12TH JUNE 20: Breakfast

·        The food served in simple vegetarian, healthy food, detox, Himalayan & tasty! 

·       All program activities

·       All program material

Key Links for ANKIT and MUSKOTIA:

https://www.facebook.com/akd092

https://www.facebook.com/pg/MuskotiaNainital/events/

https://g.page/muskotia/review?gm

https://www.instagram.com/muskotia_nainital_india

www.muskotiaretreat.com

Frequently Asked Questions:

1.  Any other perks?

Following will be provided to you:

·       One copper water bottle per participant (this copper water bottle is for your water all drinking during the stay at the Retreat). Please keep it filled and carry along during the entire stay/course of the Retreat.

·       One Steel Glass with meenakari work (this glass to be used for all your drinking requirements. You are expected to only use this Glass for all beverages Hot/Cold)

·       10% Discount of Muskotia Farms: Herbs and Herbal Tea (Tissanes, caffine free. Check for products on Amazon.in)

·       In case you plan to extend you stay at Muskotia, you would get 10% of the rack rate available at Muskotia or Muskotia facilities, please independently check with Muskotia for same for availability of accommodation.

2.  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 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 600 meters of your journey to reach Muskotia on top of the Mountain overlooking the snow-clad Himalayas)

Please intimate 1 hour in 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/Kathgodam/Pantnagar or Nainital. Payment to be made in Cash to the taxi driver.

3.  Can I come for part of a workshop or miss some sessions during the Retreat?

The program is an integrated program missing part of the Retreat is a sure way of missing out on learning about the forest. Participating in all sessions is mandatory.

4.  Who can join this event?

People from all kinds of backgrounds can participate. The program is not suitable for children and severely ill individuals. Seekers of every kind are welcome. No previous experience in Trekking, yoga or meditation is required. In case you plan to bring your family with you, they are not allowed to meet you during ongoing Retreat timings. Check with Team Muskotia separately for their bookings on 7599741949

5.  What should I carry?

·       Your own Yoga Mat

·       Comfortable clothes- avoid sarees, shorts, skirts etc. Wear Pants/Tracksuits Churidar kuta/pyjama

·       Comfortable walking shoes - Normal sneakers are fine. Avoid flats/stilettos or heels, crocs/slippers for walking.

·       Warm clothes. Always carry a jacket as weather in Himalayas can be unpredictable. Please check weather conditions on line

·       Personal toiletries

·       Torch & extra batteries

·       One empty lunch box

·       Mosquito repellant

·       Sunscreen/Hat/Sunglasses

·       Any prescription medications you are taking.

·       Optional-Camera/Binoculars

·       A small day packs

Tip: Visit Decathlon for reasonable and good mountain gear, in all major metros.

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

JUNE 1ST th / 2ND WEEK is peak of Summer @ Muskotia. We expect Maximum temperature ~26-27’C and minimum ~15-17 ‘C. Himalayan weather can some time get unpredictable, please come prepared with proper woollens. Evening (post sunset) do tend to get a bit nippy in March month.

7.  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.

8.  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.

9.  Will the program be tiring?

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

In case you plan to extend your stay at Muskotia, please check with Team Muskotia well in advance so that necessary bookings can be made by you.

In case you are travelling with your family for the Retreat, please note they will not be able to meet you during the Retreat session timings.

10.              What should be my dress code

We recommend wearing normal fit clothes (not too tight or too loose) for your normal day to day activities at the retreat. Wear good walking shoes at all time while at the retreat to make your movement in the hilly region comfortable. Wear pants, normal fit (no tight fit)jeans, track suits, Cap/Hat, sun glasses. Do avoid Skirts, high heels, flats, rubber chappals, sarees, hotpants ( normal length shorts or bermudas are ok in April-July month retreats), spaghetti tops. Suggest to carry jacket and woollens as per the climate/temperatures prevailing @ Nainital during the month of the year.

   11. What would be my daily schedule

         Kindly note that the schedule for the Retreat would be explained

       and shared with you at the time of check in at Muskotia.

12.How do I remit payments for the Retreat

Kindly confirm your participation interest to Muskotia through email on nature@muskotiaretreat.com or whats app on 7599741949. You would then receive an email with information on the retreat and remittances to the respective bank account. Payments are only accepted into bank transfer through NEFT.

   13. Cancellation of the Retreat:

Possible scenarios:

Scenario 1: Retreat being cancelled due to unavoidable circumstances. Your money would be adjusted to your choice of future similar Retreat without any deduction, subject to availability of seats and applicable terms and conditions. No refund.

Scenario 2: You cancelling your participation: Your money can be carried forward to similar retreats, subject to availability of seats and applicable terms and conditions. No refund.

Scenario 3: Organisers cancelling the Retreat. You will receive a full refund without any deduction

14.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.