Don't have any plans for Christmas weekend? Celebrate it with GHAC in a serene beautiful hill station in karnataka

Honey valley is a breath taking homestay in the middle of thick forests, in the scenic little village of ‘Kakkabe' near the capital of Coorg district, Karnataka. Coffee and spice plantations encircle Honey Valley Estate. Outdoor lovers and naturalists can take their pick from trekking, spice plantation tours, nature walks and bird watching. Its proximity to few of the best treks in south India makes it quite popular base, Tadiyandamol (1,700 metre) peak being the famous of all can be trekked within a day from Honey Valley. A rocky road takes you the home-stay which is 3kms up the hill.

Suresh Chengappa the owner is an educated agriculturist, has encyclopedic knowledge about Coorgi culture, bee keeping and above all runs the home stay more as a treat to nature lovers than mere business. The food served by his wife was authentic coorgi and home made and so was the electricity. A small private hydroelectric turbine generates their energy needs. If not trekking, it has a well-stocked library and hot coffee to keep one busy all day.

Honey valley was India's biggest honey producer until a virus wiped the bees 10 years ago. Now Suresh grows coffee, cardamom and spice plantation at his estate which spans 76 acres which also has waterfalls and streams running across the property. Whether you're looking for adventure, nature walk, trekking, angling , food or just relaxing - Honey valley an amazing way treat yourself.

Asst Organiser Arun Raj has been to this place before and is arranging a special deal with honey valley for GHAC members.

When: 24,25,26,27 December 2009
What: Trekking, Hiking, Photography and comradeship among the forest and Hills in Coorg Valley
Rating: Moderate to Moderately Difficult

Transport:
We will go by Bangalore Express Train SL class starting from Sec'bad at 7 PM on 23rd Dec reaching Bangalore on 24th Dec by 6:30 AM, take breakfast and move to Kempegowda bus stand to catch a 9:00 AM bus to Virajpet, then we take a local auto or taxi to kakabe, walk another 3 kilometers among the green and serene hills and reach honey valley by 6 PM, when you reach there and see the beauty around you will think it was all worth the effort

The return journey will be the same way back, we will start on 27th Sunday Morning and we will reach Hyderabad on Monday 28 Dec Morning well in time to reach offices

Whats Included ( travel to and back from Honey valley, stay for 3 nights and 2 days, food while staying at honey valley)

Cost: Approximate Rs 3500 per head

Rules:
No Smoking or Drinking during the entire trek
you cannot RSVP existing GHAC members as guests

Itinerary:

Pre-trip: Thanks to the number of packed foods we have today, the backpacks could be a good reserve for you food cravings. Please make sure you carry just enough to keep you happy for the next 3 days. Do not forget to take you medicines, cold cream, at least one extra pair of clothing and yes SMILES.
Above all make sure you are wearing a good pair of trekking shoes for a happy trek.

Dec 23: We assemble at Kachiguda Railway station at 6.20 PM and board the train to Bangalore.

Dec 24: 7:00 AM board the bus to Virajpet and then take another bus to “Kakkabe”. We would reach Kakkabe around 2 PM and have a charming walk to “Honey Valley” 3Kms up the hill. Half way up the hill is the waterfall “Chingaara” where we’d spend some time and carry on to Honey Valley before its dark.
After reaching Honey Valley get fresh and have a team gathering and then proceed to dinner. Post dinner, no wasting time and hit the bed to make sure we are up and running by 7.30 AM.

Dec 25: 7.30 AM we have our breakfast and start trekking the highest peak “Tadiyandamol”. We’d be escorted by a guide for this day long trek. Do not worry about the lunch, our friendly staff would be preparing us a picnic lunch. “SORRY” for all those who started smiling with the word picnic-lunch, all you have is just two choices. It’s either English- bread, butter with cucumber and egg or South Indian – Lemon rice. I’d have both.

6.00 PM back to Honey Valley, get fresh, team gathering and dinner. No wasting time again, post lunch we are off to bed for a much required rest for another trek the next morning. Lazy bums, time to gather all you energies.

Dec 26: 7.30 AM we have our breakfast and start our half day trek and reach Honey Valley by 4 PM. Get fresh for a DISCO. Oh! Did I say DISCO? Sorry lads it’s a bon fire. Share our experiences and know more about our team.

Dec 27: Finally some respite for people who like to stay late in bed but make sure you get to the dining hall before 9 AM as the kitchen will be closed soon after. 10.00 AM start our way back to the city of Nawabs , board the train at 6.30 PM to reach Hyderabad the next morning.
It’s a pleasing trip not just for nature lovers but an engrossing one for insect and animal photographers as this place is known to have some rare species of frogs and insects which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Note: Most of us may not be serious trekkers but all of us have equal responsibility in protecting our beloved earth. GHAC earnestly requests all its members to be socially responsible whilst the treks and avoid any littering, shouting when in wild or causing anything that would disturb the normal ecology. Try to avoid plastics as much as possible, especially plastic smiles.

Important Instructions:
1) no smoking and no alcohol
2) No littering, no pollution of water
3) This is not a luxury trip, but out most care has been taken to make your trip comfortable
4) ladies and gents accommodation is separate
5) Food will be mostly vegetarian
6) We carry Basic First Aid and if you need anything you can ask the organizers
7) if you feel unwell bring to the notice of the organizers immediately.
8) If you cant swim don't go deep into the water

Things to Bring
1) A good and positive mood
2) 1 track pants/ loose trousers or jeans - full length
3) 2 T-shirt - ( please avoid bright coloured and shiny clothes)
4) 2 pair socks
5) 2 pair under garments
6) mosquito cream
7) insect repellent ( for outdoors)
8) sun hat/ screen ( for the ladies and fair and handsome)
9) walking /trekking /sport shoes
10) Digi / Video Camera
11) Torch / Flashlight /headlight with spare batteries
12) Medicines you need
13) Tiffin Box to carry lunch or u can manage with a plastic cover or paper
14) Refreshments / chocolates / energy bars/ Energy Drinks / sugar salt mixture ( for the poor)
15) water bottle - 2 Litres
16) Toilet paper / wet tissues
17) Toiletries ( tooth brush, paste, small towel/napkin, comb, shampoo)
18) 2 biodegradable plastic bags medium size to carry waste
19) Photo Id ( passport, Employee/College Id, Pan card/Election Card/ Driving License) with a xerox copy
20) A rucksack / haversack, in other words a bag u can put all your stuff in and hang on ur back, try to keep the bag less then 5 kgs
21) 2 Labled emergency Notes with your name and address, phone numbers, emergency contact name and number, Blood Group, doctors name and number, with information on any medicines you take and any allergies you have with food or medicines, keep 1 in pocket and 1 in bag.
22) Sleeping Bag or a bedsheet
23) Warm Clothes - Its cold

Expectations from participants:
a. Reach the station on time.
b. No alcohol and No smoking.
c. Strictly No quarrels, calling Nicknames, getting personal or making jokes about anybody
d. No anti social, deviant or unacceptable social behavior
Anybody not following this guidelines and rules will be asked to leave immediately and removed from the group.