A TWO-DAY TREK TO OOTY ON JUNE 17-18, 2006 IS BEING CONDUCTED BY BMC, THE DETAILS OF WHICH ARE AS FOLLOWS.  THOSE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING, KINDLY REGISTER IMMEDIATELY.

About Ooty:

Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam, which stands 7,349 feet above sea level in the Nilgiris, is known as the Queen of southern hill resorts of India. Apart from coffee and tea plantations, trees like conifers, eucalyptus, pine and wattle line the hillside in Udhagamandalam and its environs. Kodanadu viewpoint is 20 km from Kothagiri on the eastern edges of Nilgiris. On either side of the road one can experience the sight of the endless view of the distant plains, tea estates, the River Moyar, dams and the green pastures of the paddy field, a place not to be missed. Other areas of attraction around Ooty are Mukerti Lake, Pykara Lake, Tiger Hill and Marlimun Lake. The Nilgiris are home to a great variety of carnivorous animals like tigers, panthers, jackals and hyenas. Elephants, wildcats, civet cats, giant squirrels and mongoose are also part of Nilgiri fauna. The Nilgiri marten, nightjar, hill mynah, and golden oriole are some of the region's avifauna.

Tentative schedule:

Departure at Bangalore: Symphony theatre, 10:00 p.m., Friday, June 17, 2006 (SHARP)
Arrival at Ooty: 6:00 a.m., Saturday, June 18, 2006
Start trek (Kodanadu view point): 9:00 a.m., Saturday, June 18, 2006
End trek (Thegamaruda): 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2006
Night safari,1 hour: 10:00 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2006 (optional)
Morning animal sighting, 1 hour: 4:30 a.m. Sunday, June 19, 2006 (optional)
Departure to Bangalore: 10:00 a.m. Sunday, June 18, 2006
Arrival at Bangalore: Symphony theatre, 6:00 p.m. Sunday, June 18, 2006

Food
Breakfast, Saturday, June 18, 2006: Ooty
Lunch, Saturday, June 18, 2006: Packed
Dinner, Saturday, June 18, 2006: Thengamaruda rest house
Breakfast, Sunday, June 19, 2006: Thengamaruda rest house
Lunch, Sunday, June 19, 2006: En route to Bangalore

Transport
Tempo Traveller

Accommodation
Thengamaruda rest house

Total trekking distance
About 18 km

Possible bird/animal sightings
Bison, elephant, fox, panther, peacock, hyena, hare, sambhar, spotted deer, black buck, wild boar, etc., and wide variety of birds.

Difficulty level
Moderate

Type of forest and trail
Shola and dry shrub forest; descending trail.

Present climate
Possibility of rain; waterproof baggage and dry clothes.  Limited baggage is, however, recommended.

To Carry
For Backpacking details see: http://www.bmcindia.org/backpacking.htm
IMP: Carry your own Sleeping bags, Sleeping mats, energy food/drink, torch light etc.

Expenditure: Rs. 1250 per person includes only transportation to and from Ooty; two breakfast, two lunch, one dinner, accommodation, trekking permit and forest fees, medical kit, sundry expenses.

Note: Since the no. of participants are limited, registration is on a first come-first served basis.  Kindly make the online transfer or cash payment and call to confirm the same without fail.

Please make a contribution payment to one of our Team BMC by Cash or Online Transfer:
Please write "<your name>-OotyTrek" in online transfer description. (eg. "John Smith-Ooty Trek"), and mention the transaction confirmation no in the following form.

For any clarification please write back to team@bmcindia.org

Regards,

T A R S H

9845743688

Team BMC
http://www.bmcindia.org