Greening the Desert – Build a Greenhouse

Dates: 8th – 23rd June 2018

In collaboration with Award Partner

9th Gold Level

Adventurous Journey and Gold Residential Project

International Award for Young People, India

in collaboration with Ecosphere

The International Award for Young People Ecosphere First Floor, 86/1 Shahpur Jat, August Kranti Marg, Main Market Kaza, Spiti, Near Asian Games Village, New Delhi - 110049, INDIA Himachal Pradesh, India. Tel: +91-11-41087062 / +91-11-26497164 +91-9418860099 / +91-9418439294 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.iayp.in Website: www.spitiecosphere.com

Dates: 8th – 23rd June 2018

In collaboration with Award Partner

Trip Essentials

Dates : 1st – 15th June 2019 Duration : 15 days Route : Delhi - Shimla – Spiti – Manali – Delhi Maximum Altitude : 5000 mts. Key features : Volunteering on projects to enable access to green vegetables throughout the year, Homestays, weekend excursions

During this journey you will be travelling through Spiti and will spend 5 days assisting the local community in the construction of a Greenhouse enabling a local family or a Monastery/ Nunnery to have access to green vegetables throughout the year. You will participate in the actual construction of a greenhouse and will be assisted by a dedicated team of a qualified mason and trained person from Ecosphere. The activity will entail physical work and you will get a hands on learning of traditional mud building techniques – both mud blocks and rammed earth. One will also learn the basics of solar passive architecture and how best to insulate using readily available local material and the sun to heat up the structure.

The trip is intermixed with work and pleasure. During this trip you will also be visiting some of the highest villages in the world, going on a high-altitude trek, visiting some ancient monasteries dating back to over a 1000 years. Traditional homestays will further enrich the experience by giving one an authentic understanding of the life and culture in a Spitian home.

Significance & Impact

The greenhouse project is of special significance in Spiti since it is very hard to grow green vegetables in the region and in the 6 month long winters there is no access to green vegetables. As a result all vegetables have to be brought in from outside. Most of the supply comes in from the plains, which takes up to 2 to 3 days. This excessive transportation makes the vegetables both expensive as well as high in their carbon footprint. Moreover in the 6 month long winters there is no availability of green vegetables as most villages get snowed The International Award for Young People Ecosphere First Floor, 86/1 Shahpur Jat, August Kranti Marg, Main Market Kaza, Spiti, Near Asian Games Village, New Delhi - 110049, INDIA Himachal Pradesh, India. Tel: +91-11-41087062 / +91-11-26497164 +91-9418860099 / +91-9418439294 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.iayp.in Website: www.spitiecosphere.com

Dates: 8th – 23rd June 2018

In collaboration with Award Partner

in. The greenhouses developed by Ecosphere enable local farmers to grow vegetables not only in the summers but also in the winters at temperatures as low as -20 degrees centigrade. These green houses contribute to better health for the locals, reduction in emissions and also in providing them with an additional source of income.

See what earlier volunteers had to say - https://www.facebook.com/207226002637934/posts/2556946827665828/ https://www.facebook.com/EcosphereIndia/videos/2106168902743625/

Read what a volunteer has said about the program here: http://ecospherespiti.blogspot.in/2015/05/the-bigger-person-bigger-picture.html

Some glimpses from the previous program here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1182417491785442.1073741834.20722600 2637934&type=3

Dates: 8th – 23rd June 2018

In collaboration with Award Partner

The Journey

1 Delhi Overnight Volvo Bus to Shimla – 9 to 10 hours Overnight in Today we leave Delhi to begin our journey to Spiti via Bus Shimla. Please arrive in Delhi by 5pm. 2 Shimla Drive to Kalpa – 8 to 9 hours Kalpa We depart Shimla early morning today for Kalpa. We Overnight travel from Shimla along the famous apple growing belt Hotel/ of the State and zig sag our way to the valley floor of the Guesthouse Satluj River which originates in Tibet. We follow the Satluj for most of the journey till we start the ascent for Kalpa through some lovely sections of forests. Kalpa is a quaint village offering breathtaking views of the Kinner Kailash Range. 3 Kalpa Drive to Kaza – 8 to 9 hours Kaza Today we leave Kalpa and the beautiful view of the Overnight Kinner Kailash to head to Tabo. The journey today takes Hotel/ us from the lush Satluj Valley into the start desert Guesthouse landscape of the Spiti valley. The drive is spectacular as we drive along what is commonly known as one of the World’s Most Dangerous Roads! If time permits we will visit Tabo enroute. 4 Kaza Drive to Kee – 1 hour Kaza Today is a day to acclimatize and get used to the Overnight altitude. Today we will first head to the Ecosphere office Hotel/ where we will get more details about our time in Spiti Guesthouse and the Greenhouse that we will be building. We will also get insights into Ecosphere’s initiatives in the Spiti region that your trip helps to support. Do drop into the Sol Café for the best coffees and cakes in town ☺. Later today we will head to the iconic Kee monastery and also visit an existing greenhouse built by previous volunteers to get a sense of what we are going to be building.

Dates: 8th – 23rd June 2018

In collaboration with Award Partner

5 Kaza Drive to Project Village – 1 to 2 hours Project Site 6 Project Today we will depart for our project site and begin Camping/ 7 Site working on building the greenhouse. We will spend the Homestay next 3 days working on building our greenhouse. 8 Project Drive to Langza – 2 to 3 hours | Trek to Komic – 3 to 4 Komic Site hours Overnight Today we head to the beautiful village of Langza. Homestay Adorned by a Buddha statue and a temple Langza is a picture perfect village. The mainstay of this village in the olden days was mud craft. Vessels of all shapes and sizes were produced here and supplied to the entire valley for household use. However this art has largely died down. Ecosphere works with the only remaining potter to help conserve this art. Langza is also famous for the fossils that could be found here however very few remain. For those interested in delving into their creative side – one can spend some time with the local potter and learn the basics of Pottery* and make your very own fossil replica to take back home with you. We will spend time visiting the famous Buddha statue in Langza, before starting our trek for Komic – the highest village in the World. (please note the jeep will drop you at Langza and from there you will be trekking for the next 2 days with your own backpack – it is advisable to carry as little as possible. You can store excess luggage with us in Kaza). Enroute we cross the highest post office in the world at Hikkim an ideal opportunity to post a postcard back home (remember to buy a postcard from the Sol Café or Taste of Spiti on Day 4!). From here we head to Komic. Komic is adorned by a monastery which we will visit before heading down to the village where we will spend the night in homestays. We can spend the rest of the day exploring the village or just relaxing at the highest village in the World and getting to know our hosts.

Dates: 8th – 23rd June 2018

In collaboration with Award Partner

9 Komic Trek/Yak-back Safari* to Demul – 4 to 6 hours Demul Today we head to the village of Demul which is fast Overnight becoming Spiti’s model sustainable village. We can Homestay either trek or have the option to adopt the local mode of travel - sit on a Yak-Back*. Today’s route is across the alpine high altitude meadows of Spiti. These are the grazing pastures of the village livestock and the hunting ground of the Snow Leopard. Demul is a beautiful village sent on the highlands of the Spiti Valley, famous for the local brew – Arak and folk performances*. A flavor of both can be had during your stay in Demul Village. You could also get a flavor of local life by signing up for some activities* – Yak rope twining; Cheese making; Session with the Amchi. 10 Demul Trek/Yak-back Safari* to Balangri – 2 to 3 hours | Drive Project Site to Dhankhar – 1 to 2 hours | Drive to Project Site – 1 to Overnight 2 hours Camping/Ho Today we will trek to a spectacular vantage spot which mestay offers a view of close to 18 villages of the Spiti valley. It's a steep ascent to close to 5000 mts but definitely will be one of your trip highlights. There is also the option of going on a yak-back* and making this ascent easier ☺ From here we drive on to Dhankhar village which was the erstwhile capital of Spiti. Dhankhar houses an ancient Monastery perched precariously between unique wind eroded structures. Remnants of the Dhankhar Fort, which housed the royal family of Spiti, still remain. A visit to the monastery, fort and other subsidiary temples leaves one spell bound at the traditional architectural marvels. The Dhankhar Monastery was recently declared as one of the 100 Most Endangered sites in the World. One can trek to the Dhankhar lake as well if keen and time permits (2 to 3 hours). Later in the evening we head back to the project location.

Dates: 8th – 23rd June 2018

In collaboration with Award Partner

11 Project We will spend today and the next day completing our Project Site Site greenhouse. 12 Drive to Kaza – 1 to 2 hours Kaza Today we will complete our greenhouse and inaugurate Overnight it. Later we will head back to Kaza for the night. Once Hotel/ back in Kaza do drop into our office for a quick chat. We Guesthouse would love to hear how your trip went and get your feedback. We can spend the rest of the evening shopping for souvenirs. Do remember to visit the shop at Sol Café/ Taste of Spiti for an interesting array of handicrafts and Spiti souvenirs or if your up for a movie night – check what movie is playing at the Sol Café in the evening ☺ 13 Kaza Drive to Manali – 10 to 12 hours Manali We bid farewell to Spiti today and head onto Manali. Overnight Add a visit to one of the most picturesque lakes in the Hotel/ region – Chandratal, at an additional cost of INR 500/ Guesthouse person. Payable at the time of booking. 14 Manali Overnight Volvo Bus to Delhi – 12 to 14 hours Overnight in Today we spend the day at Manali at leisure and in the bus evening catch the overnight bus to Delhi. 15 Arrival in Delhi. Please arrange onward journey from Delhi only after 12 noon.

Costs INR 35,990/person for a group of 10 persons (taxes extra) = INR 37790 including taxes

Dates: 8th – 23rd June 2018

In collaboration with Award Partner

Includes: • All accommodation Day 2 to Day 13 on a sharing basis • Guide starting Day 4 to Day 12 • Meals starting Day 5 lunch to Day 12 lunch (lunches packed while trekking) Meals have been left open on the rest of the days to enable greater flexibility on meal options and places to eat. • Transfers Day 1 to Day 14 - Overnight Volvo Bus to and from Delhi. Rest of the Days: Sumo/Tempo Traveler • Monastery fees while in Spiti • I Love Spiti Bottle • First aid kit Excludes: • Mineral water and beverages (other than those provided) • Tips & Insurance • Visa & Inner Line Permit (For Foreign Nationals only) • Expenses arising out of unforeseen circumstances • (*) activities entail an additional charge

Transfer Details: Bank – State Bank of India Branch – Kaza, Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, India Swift Code – SBININBB288 Account Name – Ecosphere Account Number – 30769923704 IFSC Code – SBIN 0003337

Please Note:- a. Spiti is a high altitude region. Since few people have been to such altitudes, it is hard to know who may be affected by high altitude sickness. There are no specific factors such as age, sex, or physical condition that co-relate with susceptibility to altitude sickness. Some people get it and some people don't, and some people are more susceptible than others. If one has not travelled to these altitudes before, it is recommended that you consult your doctor especially if you suffer from any heart and lung related issues. We usually advise dosage of Diamox 2/3 days before reaching

Dates: 8th – 23rd June 2018

In collaboration with Award Partner

Kaza as a safe precautionary for this trip, however please consult your doctor before considering to take this medication as it does have side effects. b. Please note that we do not take responsibility for reimbursements in the event that you are unable to complete the trip due to high altitude sickness and/or other personal reasons, bad weather, road blockages, etc. Any additional costs as a consequence of high altitude sickness and/or other personal reasons, bad weather, road blockages will have to be borne by you directly. c. All timings between places mentioned in the itinerary above are based on ideal road conditions with limited stops en route. d. Roads to and within Spiti are rough and mostly un-metaled hill roads. While the experience is exhilarating it is not the most comfortable. Persons with medical conditions that could worsen with such road travel are advised they consult their doctor. e. A different kind of holiday - Ecosphere is a social enterprise and your travel with Ecosphere will contribute to the development and conservation of the region. Insights into the local development and conservation issues and a peep into Ecosphere’s initiatives to ensure the sustainable development of this Trans-Himalayan region can be seen during your trip. f. Accommodation: Homestays - provide you with a clean and comfortable room in a local house with environment friendly and clean toilets. Hot water can be made available on request. Cuisine comprises of local delicacies. However if you would prefer to stick to basic Indian meals (lentils, pulses, rice, chappati/ local bread) you can inform your hosts in advance. Boiled water is provided for drinking purposes. Guesthouse – comprises of a clean and comfortable room with attached/common bath and toilet. Camping – alpine tents with sleeping bags Kindly inform us in advance of any food preferences.

For more details and registrations please connect with

Ishita Khanna, Ecosphere +91.9418860099 [email protected]