BACHI BIRDING & WELLNESS RETREAT-APRIL 2020

@ MUSKOTIA, KILBURY FOREST, NAINITAL

• CHECK IN 15TH APRIL 2020 (WEDNESDAY)-ALL DAY, LAST ENTRY @ 6 PM)
• RETREAT 16.17.18.04.2020 
• Check out 19THAPRIL 2020( CHECK OUT (SUNDAY-BY 11 AM)

MAIN VENUE :

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

Age :MINIMUM 16 YEARS AND MAXIMUM 65 YEARS of participants

Language used during the retreat: ENGLISH AND HINDI

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. Travel with Bachi in the Kilbury forest for 3 days understanding Birds and forest.

BACHI BIRDING cum WELLNESS Retreat @ MUSKOTIA Retreat is a 5 Day/4 night full residential program.

Enjoy the enchanting Himalayas from Muskotia, Kilbury, Nainital. Muskotia cottages is situated on top of the Mountain at a height of 7200 feet/2100 meters overlooking the snow-clad Himalayas and surrounded with thick Oak and Rhododendron Trees. The Kilbury forest area is an International Birding (Naina Devi Bird Conservatory) destination with estimated > 400 species of Birds/Butterflies and Moths. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How to Reach Muskotia?
2. Can I come for part of a workshop or miss some sessions during the Retreat?
3. Who can join this event?
4. What should I carry? 

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/KathgodamSamparkKranti 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 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/Pantnagar or Nainital. Payment to be made in Cash to the taxi driver.

The program is an integrated and immersive in nature, 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. Birding is a hobby with lot of patience. Our endeavor is to help you see and identify many bird varieties, this would be possible only with you attending all sessions.

People from all kinds of backgrounds can participate. The program is not suitable for children and severely ill individuals.  Seekers of every ilk are welcome. No previous experience of Birding or Retreat is required.  In case you plan to have your family with you,please ask them to join you post the Retreat is over.

• Yoga Mat 
• Comfortable clothes- avoid sarees, shorts, skirts etc. Wear Pants/Tracksuits Churidarkuta/pyjama
• 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
• Lunch box
• Torch & extra batteries
• Mosquito repellant
• Sunscreen/Hat/Sunglasses
• Any prescription medications you are taking.
• Optional-Camera/Binoculars
• A small day packs.

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

1. Weather in Kilbury forest, Nainital during the retreat? 
2. Can I smoke or drink during the program?
3. Will my cellphone/mobile work at the venue? Is wi-fiavailable.
4. Will the program be tiring?
5. How to I implement what I learnt in BACHI BIRDING & WELLNESS RETREAT once I am back?

APRIL 2/3 RD WEEK is initial period of start of Summer season @ Muskotia. We expect Maximum temperature 24-26’C and minimum 12-14 ‘Centigrade. Himalayan weather can some time get unpredictable, please come prepared with woolens .  Evening (post sunset) do tend to get a little nippy. 

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.

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.

The activities in the program involve Observing, listening, discussions, story telling. Forest walk requires little walking technique in the hills. It is not high on endurance. 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 inform us in advance so that necessary bookings can be made by you.

That is the most important question. Participating in a BIRDING cum wellness retreat can be revolutionary but the real test begins after the retreat. How to make the knowledge sustainable and build on same?   

• As a beginner BIRDER, we would recommend spending lots of time listening, observing, photographng and recording Birds by yourself or attending Retreats like these. Please Research on Birds and knowing more about them
• Most importantly BACHI can be contacted through hisfacebook page or whats app phone for counselling and queries.

1. I have attended BIRDING Retreat in the past, can I join again. How will the repeat retreat benefit me?

Think back to when you learned to ride a bike, drive a car or play a new sport. First, you needed to learn the essential skills. Then it was all about practice and more practice until you increased your confidence, improved your speed and became skilled.  Have you found a deeper meaning in a book you read more than once? Some profound meaning percolating in your being each time you read the book. 

If you have attended BIRDING retreat like these before, we encourage you to repeat it as much as you like for strengthening and deepening your practice of observing BIRDS.

11.Any other perks?

Well, if what we said above is not enough as a cherry on the cake there are some free-bees too!

• One copper water bottle per participant (this copper water bottle is for your water 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 use this Glass for all beverages Hot/Cold)
• 20% Discount on BACHI’S personal BIRD tours
• 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

12.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 to July month retreats), avoid spaghetti tops. Suggest to carry jacket and woollens as per the climate/temperatures prevailing @ Nainital during the month of the year.

    13. 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

14. 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

15.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.