Accomodation:
-Rooms will be on a double OR triple sharing basis
-There will be common washrooms at the home stays
-These are home-stays and not hotels. There will be no room service
Meals:
-Vagabond will provide 2 meals a day
-We will take care of breakfast and lunch/dinner every day
-For our meals, we will try out new cafes. We will allow you a budget and you can choose to eat any item off the menu
-The cuisines will be shuffling between Indian, Israeli, Continental and Tibetan. You can try any of these cuisines at the cafes we visit
-We urge you to go explore the various cuisines that Parvati Valley has to offer
Transport:
-We will be traveling from Delhi to Parvati Valley and back in AC semi-sleeper Volvo buses
-We will transit around within Parvati Valley by jeeps
1. Sturdy shoes for walking/climbing (well-fitting, neither loose nor tight)
2. An extra smaller backpack for day outings (college bag types)
3. Water bottle (try avoiding buying mineral water bottles to reduce plastic waste)
4. Toiletries, Torch, Lip-balm, Sunscreen, Sunglasses.
5. Personal Medication (Asthma, allergen medication, etc.)
6. Slippers/flip-flops
7. Rainwear, rain cover for bags (VERY IMPORTANT if you're traveling during monsoons)
8. Binoculars, camera (optional)
9. Sufficient liquid cash
10. Crepe-bandage (each person should have 1 roll each)
11. Warm clothes (It's going to be freezing cold. Carry the best warm clothing you have)
-In Delhi, we will meet at RK Ashram Metro station (Pillar no. 9) at 5:00 pm. Please do not be late.
-On your return journey from Delhi, please book your train or flights post 1:00 pm (to be on the safer side in case of any delays)
-Despite this being a backpacking trip, we will be running on a fixed schedule. Punctuality will be appreciated.
-All of Parvati Valley is home to people across the world from different cultures. Please honour the local cultures and do not be disrespectful.
-This is a backpacking trip. Please be prepared for a good amount of walking up and down hills and hilly terrain.
-Carry enough liquid cash. There are barely any ATMs at Parvati Valley. The ones that are there, dont work at times.
-Carrying a backpack/haversack is essential. Do NOT carry trolley bags. You will find it very difficult to lug them up and down the slopes.
-Please carry enough winter wear like thermals, beanies, socks, gloves, and jackets. It is advisable to carry a few pieces of temperature-appropriate winter-wear as opposed to several layers of regular clothing.
-While we're moving in groups to various places, try and stick to the group and not wander off.
-Carrying rainwear is very important if the trip is between June-Sept. Take all necessary precautions to keep yourself and your belongings dry.
-The trip schedule is subject to change. Day of visits to the mentioned places could be shifted back and forth.
-While booking your transport to Delhi, please try and book refundable tickets wherever possible (especially flights)
-In the scenario that the trip gets cancelled, you will be refunded the entire trip amount.
1) What region of north India are we traveling to?
-We're traveling from Delhi to Bhuntar > Pulga which is a part of Parvati Valley in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.
2) What altitude would we be traveling to?
-Pulga is at an altitude of approximately 9,498 ft (2,895 m)
3) What will the temperature be like while we're there?
-Temperatures rise to a maximum of 15°C during the day and can drop to a minimum of 5°C during the night
4) Is there mobile connectivity in Parvati Valley?
-Other than our stay in Pulga & Kheerganga, you will have network and internet connection at Kasol & Katagla.
5) Are there any ATMs where we're traveling?
-There are a couple of ATMs at Kasol market, however, carry liquid cash at all times.
6) Can I smoke/drink on this trip?
-We at Vagabond do not refrain our participants from smoking or drinking on our backpacking trips. However, there are times you will be disallowed to do so (monasteries, treks, sacred spaces etc). Indulge in these activities very responsibly.
7) What will the group size be?
-We will be a maximum of 20 travelers and 1-3 Vagabond representatives.
8) Is there any age limit to join this trip?
-No, there is no age limit to join this trip. However, based on our previous experiences, the age group of travelers is usually between 18-30.
9) Can I join this expedition solo?
-Yes, of course, you can! We have a good number of solo travelers on almost every Vagabond experience.
10) How physically fit do I need to be to join this trip?
-This trip doesn't have a very high physical requirement. You need to be able to walk long distances on flat plains and be able to do a day trek too. Those who have a low tolerance of cold should be prepared with temperature appropriate clothing.
12) Are there doctors/hospitals in Parvati Valley?
-Kasol market has a doctors dispensary which is at a convenient distance from our homestay
-In case of cancellations 1 month prior to the trip, Rs 4,000 will be deducted.
-In case of cancellations 15 days prior to the trip, Rs 8,000 will be deducted.
-In case of cancellations 1 week prior to the trip, Rs 10,000 will be deducted.
-In case of cancellations within 1 week of the trip, Rs 12,000 will be deducted.
-In case of cancellations on the day of departure, no refund shall be admissible.
-All timings and activities are subject to weather, group size, capabilities of participants etc.
-Vagabond holds the right to cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances (for eg. unfavorable weather)
-By registering for this trip, you agree to have read through and abide by the Vagabond terms & conditions mentioned below:
I hereby agree, undertake and declare as follows:
IN CONSIDERATION of being permitted to the Vagabond trip/event/trek/activity, hereinafter referred to as Activities conducted by Vagabond, (Hereinafter referred to as the Conductor, under the guidance of Elton Dmello and/or Shannon Fernandes and/or Shajin Shaji and/or Nihar Nair, hereinafter jointly referred to as the Instructors, I do hereby:
Acknowledge and agree that I am aware of the risks involved in the Activities and have also been apprised by the Conductor through his/her Instructors of the inherent risks and dangers associated with the activity and having understood the risks associated with the activity I have willingly agreed to learn/agree to send my ward to learn and participate in the Activities.
- I assure that I am / my ward is in proper and good health and I am / my ward is physically fit to learn and also participate in the activity and represent that I am / my ward is not suffering from any disease which might remotely either put myself / my ward or the other participants at any risk or danger;
- I agree to comply with the stated terms and conditions of participation; further, agree and warrant that if at any time when the Instructors believe and think that any conditions to be unsafe, they will have the right to ask me / [my ward] to discontinue further participation in the Activities immediately;
- I shall not hold the conductor, instructors, employees, other participants, owners, lessors or anyone responsible for any injury that might happen to me / my ward in the course of my journey to the venue and my journey backward
- I hereby release, discharge and agree not to sue the conductor, Instructors, employees, any sponsors, advertisers, other participants, and if applicable, owners and lessors of premises on which the Activity takes place, from all liability, claims, demands, losses, injuries, damage to property or other damages caused or alleged to be caused on my account / on account of my ward in whole or in part by the bonafide errors of the Instructors.
- I have read this letter and I fully understand its terms; I also understand that this letter intends to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the largest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be not valid, the balance shall continue in full force and effect.
A Vagabond Experience isn't just one where you pack your bags and go visit a place outdoors. It's more than that. At a Vaga' experience, you meet new like-minded people and create bonds in comfortable social spaces that would last you a lifetime. By facilitating our understanding and appreciation for community living, we help you take a trip not only outwards but inwards too.
We lead treks, camps, river rafting trips, backpacking trips to Himachal, musical experiences all year round.
