Have you met Nature lately?

ave a yen for the great outdoors? Fancy adventure travel or a camping holiday? Need a good hike or trek to feel refreshed before you get back to the daily grind?

Here are a few deals you might want to look at!

Don't forget to check out our tips on how to prepare for a hike.

Where: Nainital
When: Book before September 30
Package: 3 days, 2 nights
Rates: Rs 4,999 for a standard room and Rs 6,999 for a lake-facing suite per couple, on a twin sharing basis

The cost includes
~Stay in Palace Belvedere
~Breakfast
~All taxes
~Children below six years stay free in the same room
~Late checkout, till 4 pm

For more information, please contact
Welcom Heritage

Phone: (011) 26266650-55

e-mail: welcom@ndf.vsnl.net.in

Where: The Himalayan Trout House via Kullu, Tirthan Valley
Book before: September 30
Package: 3 days, 2 nights
Rates: Rs 4,999 per person on a twin-sharing basis

Cost includes
~Three meals a day per night of occupancy
~Bed tea/coffee, morning/evening tea/coffee
~Light evening snacks
~Light snacks around the bonfire at the camp area

For more information, please contact Traveljini.

Where: Rajmachi Fort, Khandala
When: October 2, 3
Rates
India Outdoors members: Rs 1,100 per person
Others: Rs 1,250 per person  

Please assemble on October 2 or October 3 at 2 pm at
Punjabi Chandu Halwai
Dadar TT Circle
Mumbai

Cost includes
~Breakfast
~Packed lunch
~Private/public conveyance

For more information, please contact
India Outdoors

Phone: (022) 24186360/ 24102446

Fax: (022) 24166944

e-mail: info@indiaoutdoors.com

Web site: www.indiaoutdoors.com

Where: Darjeeling (Kanchendzonga Tea Break)
When: Book before October 30
Rates: Rs 3,500 per couple per night, on twin-share basis (Rs 850 per child)

Cost includes
~Stay at a tea bungalow in Darjeeling
~All meals
~Visit to the nearby Planters Club

For more information, please contact
Camp Forktail Creek

Phone: (011) 26914417/ 26831792

e-mail: info@campforktailcreek.com

Web site: www.campforktailcreek.com

Where: Darjeeling (Cuppa of Tea)
When: Book before October 31
Rates: Rs 3,500 per person per night, on a twin sharing basis

The cost includes
~Stay at the Tea Bungalow in Darjeeling
~All meals.

For more information, please contact
Camp Forktail Creek

Phone: (011) 26914417/ 26831792

e-mail: info@campforktailcreek.com

Web site: www.campforktailcreek.com

Where: Sangla
When: Book before October 31
Rates: Rs 3,300 per couple per night on a twin sharing basis

Cost includes
~Stay at Baikunth Adventure Camps in Swiss cottage tents
~All meals by the bonfire
~Camp activities like mountain biking and angling

For more information, please contact
The Caravan

Phone: (011) 26451482, 26478096, 98106 72006

e-mail: info@caravantraveltalk.com

Website: www.caravantraveltalk.com

Where: Nainital
When: Book before December 20
Package: 3 days, 2 nights
Rates: Rs 2,444, per person on a twin-sharing basis. Rs 980 per child.

Cost includes
~Accommodation for 2 nights in a deluxe room
~Welcome drink on arrival
~Morning tea, breakfast, dinner
~All taxes

For more information, please contact Traveljini

Preparing for an adventure trip: A checklist

Make sure you have all the required information about your trip.

Make advance reservations for both your to and fro trips (take photocopies of your tickets; keep one in your bag and one in your wallet).

Take enough money, make sure you have notes in different denominations.

Carry an identity card with a photograph. Include your residence address and telephone number.

Take a sheet of your medical history in which your blood group is clearly mentioned.

Carry your family doctor's name and number.

Make a list of the items that you are carrying and put the list in your bag.

Carry extra pairs of clothing and footwear.

Carry a windcheater, rainwear and warm clothes.

Carry a thin towel.

Carry a bottle of drinking water and some dry snacks.

Take along sunglasses.

Take a peak cap.

Carry insect repellent.

Carry any medication you need to take. Get your GP to prescribe medication for headache, fever, cold, pain and carry those as well. Include a pain-relieving balm.

Carry a first aid kit.

Keep spare plastic or paper bags (to put away used/wet clothes).

Take a sturdy, good quality haversack.

Put an address label on your haversack; also put an identity tape, string or badge on it.

Carry a bed roll, bed sheet and an inflatable pillow

You'll need a diary, pens and pencils or a dictaphone if you want to record your experience.

A camera, if you want to capture your trip.

A Swiss knife and a torch.