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Balashram Himalaya Trek 2010
DHARAMSALA, INDIA
27 June - 6 July
BACKGROUND
Balashram is a residential school in rural Orissa, India 80kms from Cuttack. It was set up in 2004 for the poor and destitute children of Orissa. The school which is entering it's seventh year of operation, presently takes care of 200 children, both boys and girls giving them an opportunity for a complete education. There are immediate plans to expand the school and this April another 40 disadvantaged children are joining Balashram. The children are being educated in English and are growing up beautifully in all areas of their lives- academically, creatively, physically, socially, morally and spiritually.
Children are admitted to the school from the age of 4 years with a plan to educate them to18 years of age. Balashram is funded by voluntary donations and gives the most disadvantaged children the chance of an education normally only affordable to children from wealthy families. Balashram is managed by the board of trustees of Prajnana Mission, an Indian based charity founded by Paramahamsa Prajñanananda. 
Paramahamsa Prajñanananda has recently commented "When I see these children and how much they are achieving in their lives, it gives me so much joy. I do not think I have ever seen a group of so many children living together and being so happy and joyful. An act of charity on our part gives them an opportunity that they would not otherwise have. Human civilisation will survive better when its under-privileged children are properly taken care of and helped to grow up successfully as the future of humankind."
The school ultimately needs to accommodate 480 children and substantial investment is still required to complete construction of the school buildings and infrastructure. The purpose of the Balashram trek is to raise funds for this construction work; however previous treks have also proved to be a wonderful experience for all those that have taken part.
WHO CAN TAKE PART IN THE TREK?
Anyone who is over 18, fit and healthy and with a spirit of adventure can join the trek and by doing so can make a real difference to the children’s lives.
Each trekker needs to raise sponsorship of at least £2,500 (EURO2,875, USD4,000) and pay £600 registration fee (EURO 690, USD960) towards the cost of the trek themselves. In addition each trekker will need to organise and purchase their own flights to Delhi in addition to £72 payable to the operator for group travel insurance. Places are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The registration fee and insurance payment are due when you register and the sponsorship monies are due by the 30th April 2010 latest.
This will be our third trek in different regions of the Himalayas. While this years trek is lower than the previous two in the himalayas, trekkers will still need to be of good health and fitness to walk up to 8 hours a day and in addition be committed to raising the sponsorship monies or sponsoring themselves.
The trek will be professionally organized by Challenges (Un)Limited who also trade as Charity Challenge and are an experienced trek and tour operator. Marketing, initial administration and fund-raising will be co-ordinated by Kriya Yoga UK.
The treks are very popular and tend to fill up quickly so book early to avoid disappointment. However please read all the information provided on this site before deciding. We are delighted that Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji, Rajarshi Peter Van Breukelen and Swami Mangalananda will be trekking with us.
THE ITINERARY:
HIMALAYAN TREK 2010,
DHARAMSALA, INDIA
(Download copy of the Itinerary)
This challenge combines awe-inspiring Himalayan scenery with visits to the beautiful temples of this region and gives us time to meditate in the morning and evening. The trek proper, which begins and ends in Dharamsala, is home to the Dalai Lama and an exiled Tibetan community. Dharamsala is situated, in the upper reaches of the Kangra Valley at the foothills of the magnificent Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas.
Day 1 – Sunday 27th June 2010
International travel to Delhi
You will need to book your own flights to and from India and provide Charity Challenge with your flight details within 4 weeks of booking by emailing
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. When you arrive in Delhi, India you need to go to our meeting point at Hotel Swati Deluxe by 1700 hrs at the latest where you will meet your Challenge Leader and receive a welcome briefing. (Please see the Q&A section for more information on hotels and flights). After dinner at the hotel we will transfer to Delhi train station to board the overnight sleeper train to Pathankot (Chakki Bank Station).
Day 2 – Monday 28th June
Pathankot to Dharamsala Orientation Walk and Visit to the Residence of H.H. the Dalai Lama(1,800m)
Early this morning we will arrive in Pathankot at Chakki Bank Station and will transfer to Dharamsala (approx 3hrs.) visiting Kunal Pathari Temple (dedicated to one of the forms of Goddess Durga) and Church of St. John in the wilderness enroute. Upon arrival in Dharamsala, we will check into the Surya Resort hotel where we can freshen up and enjoy some lunch. Dharamsala is divided into two different parts – Lower Dharamsala or Kotwali Bazaar at an average height of 1,380m and Upper Dharamsala or McLeod Ganj at the height of about 1,800m. Dharamsala is also the seat of H.H. the Dalai Lama. Dharamsala is also known as Little Lhasa, the capital of the Tibetans in India. After lunch, we will set off on an orientation walk with our Challenge Leader and visit some of the town’s most notable temples. The main Buddhist temple in McLeod Ganj is Tsuglakhang which is the Dalai Lama’s temple. This was built in 1960 as a replica of Jokhang Temple of Lhasa (the first Buddhist temple of Tibet built in the 7th Century). Tsuglakhang contains images of Sakyamuni Buddha, Avalokitesvara and Guru Padmasambhava. The complex also contains the Dalai Lama's residence, a monastery, temples, and stupas. We will visit Tsuglakhang temple and Kalachakra temple which is famous for its paintings and carvings and take the ‘Kora Walk’ around the beautiful grounds and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Overnight hotel in Dharamsala.
Day 3 – Tuesday 29th June
Dharamsala warm up walk and visit to the residence of H.H. the Dalai Lama (1,800m)
After breakfast, we will go on a warm up walk to Naddi Village where we will visit Adi Shakti temple as well as another small temple in the village dedicated to the form of Durga and which is locally known as Akashkuddi. From our hotel, it is a downhill walk for about 45 minutes to Heeru Village and then a gradual ascent to Bhagsu Nag for another one and a half hours. After reaching the village, we will continue to walk uphill to Dharamkot. From Dharamkot it is a level walk to Naddi through mixed Cedar, Oak and Rhododendron forests. After a leisurely lunch in Naddi Village, we will walk back to McLeod Ganj taking a different route via Dal Lake (Please note that there is major work going on at Dal Lake and they have emptied the lake for de-silting. If the lake is empty at the time of trek, then it can actually be avoided by taking an alternative side route). Overnight hotel in Dharamsala.
Day 4 – Wednesday 30th June
McLeod Ganj to Boh Village. Trek from Boh to Kanol Village (1,500m)
After breakfast we will drive 45kms (approx 2hrs) to Boh village, which will be the starting point for our trek. We will begin with a steep ascent (approx 2hrs) from Boh to Batuni village. From Batuni we will continue to ascend (approx 1hr) to a temple dedicated to Lingru Nag, one of the sacred serpents of Lord Shiva. We will stop for lunch here. After lunch we will descend through the lush green fields until we reach Kanol village. In Kanol we will visit a small temple dedicated to Chamunda Devi. We will camp in Kanol for the night.
Day 5 – Thursday 1st July
Kanol to Kareri Village (1,900m)
Our trekking route today takes us through several small Himalayan villages and we will visit a local Shiva temple at Salli. We will stop for lunch at Chatrimug before continuing our trek to arrive at our campsite in the late afternoon. Our campsite is located on the banks of Nyund stream near Kareri village where we will camp for the night.
Day 6 – Friday 2nd July
Kareri to Bahl Village (1,900m)
This morning our trek begins with a relatively flat walk from Kareri village to Khari Behi village. Along the route we will stop at Chamunda Devi Temple situated on the banks of the Baner river and dedicated to the goddess Kali. When we reach Khari Behi we walk downhill for around one hour to Rawa village, situated on the banks of a small river. From Rawa village we have a steep ascent (approx 2hrs) to Bahl village. We will camp overnight by a small stream close to the Bahl village.
Day 7 – Saturday 3rd July
Bahl to Triund (2,875m)
We will start early today as we will be trekking uphill for most of the day. We will cross the Bhated River and will follow a rough trail which climbs steeply through the forest to Galu Temple (2,100m) which is dedicated to the Goddess Shakti. From Galu Temple the terrain changes to a wide paved mountain path as we continue our gradual uphill climb to Triund village stopping on the way to have lunch at Magic View. Triund is set in an alpine meadow, on a ridge, facing the snow-capped peaks of the Dhauladhar range on one side and the beautiful Kangra Valley on the other. We will arrive here in the late afternoon and camp here for the night.
Day 8 – Sunday 4th July
Triund to Leta and on to McLeod Ganj
This is the final trekking day which brings us through areas with fantastic views. This morning we will trek in the direction of Leta village, which is home to another temple dedicated to the Goddess Kali. As we return towards Dharamsala it is downhill all the way. We will return to Bhagsu Nag village and visit the ancient Bhagsu Nag temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and rest for lunch at Bhagsu Waterfall. After lunch we will transfer by vehicle back McLeod Ganj. On arrival at our hotel we will freshen up before meditation and our celebratory dinner. Overnight hotel in Dharamsala.
Day 9 – Monday 5th July
Dharamsala to Pathankot visiting Bajreshwari and Jwalamukti Temples and Masroor Rock-cut Temples en route
After a very early breakfast in our hotel we will travel by road (27 Kms) to Kangra to visit Bajreshwari Devi Temple. Bajreshwari Devi is considered as one of the 51 power spots or “Shaktipeethas” of India. After this, we will continue to Jwalamukhi Temple (36 Kms) dedicated to the ‘Goddess of Light'. Jawalamukhi is also considered as one of the 51 “Shaktipeethas” and is an unusual temple as there is no idol in it. An eternally burning and shining blue flame coming from the rock is worshipped here as a manifestation of the goddess Jwalamukhi. After lunch in Jawalamukhi town, we will continue to the Masroor Rock-cut Temples. Dating back to the 8th century they form a group of 15 monolithic rock-cut temples that are richly carved. The main shrine contains three stone images of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. A figure of Shiva is also seen here. From here we will continue to Pathankot Railway Station where we will catch our overnight train to Delhi.
Day 10 – Tuesday 6th July
Delhi. Return home
We will arrive in Delhi early in the morning and transfer from the station to our hotel where we can rest and freshen up. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy some shopping or sightseeing in Delhi before taking your flight home.
| N.B. The itinerary is there as a guide and may change due to unusual weather patterns, wildlife movements, the strength of the group and so on. We will do our very best to keep to the set itinerary however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, your challenge leader will have the final say. |