May-June 2015 Volume 4, Issue 3 STFP Bulletin

STFP promotes tourism practices that are environmentally sustainable, economically beneficial to the local communities, and educational experience for tourists. Weekend Trip to Banjosa Lake

Newsletter Highlights: Banjosa Lake is located in Tehsil Hajira of District Poonch in Azad Kashmir. It is located at an altitude of 6,499 feet from sea level. The lake is surrounded by dens pine forest and mountains,  Weekend trip to Banjosa which make its very charming and romantic. The weather in this area remains cool and pleasant in Lake, AJK 1 summer and cold and chilly in winter. Spring it the best time to visit this place when its weather is  Adventure Trip to very pleasant. Shogran, 2 Banjosa Lake is accessible by road from via Rawalakot. We will drive to Banjosa on the  Eco Adventure Weekend Trip to Nathiagali 3 morni ng of Saturday enjoying beautiful scenery all the way. After lunch and some rest at  Eco Adventure Trekking Rawalakot, we will proceed for Banjosa where we will stay in AJK Tourism Rest house. In the Expedition to Base Camp afternoon we will go for a nature walk along the lake to enjoy the charming beauty of this lovely to Nanga Parbat 4 tourist spot. On Sunday we will go for an easy trekking trip to the mountain top behind the lake.  Explore Alpine Lakes of After lunch we will start our return travel towards Islamabad reach there in the late evening. Kaghan Valley 5 Date: 09-10 May and 12 -13 June  Youth Nature Camp Batakundi 6 Days: Saturday to Sunday Duration: 2 days  Benefits of Sustainable Tourism 7 Departure Time: 0800 hrs Base: Islamabad Per head Fee: Rs. 6,500/-

Booking Deadline: 5 May To register for this trip please send us an email at: [email protected] For further information contact: Tufail at 051-2612448, 0345-8566048

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Adventure Weekend in Shogran - Kaghan Valley

Shogran, one of the most beautiful plateaus in Kaghan Valley is situated 219 km from Islamabad. It takes about six hour to reach here via Abbottabad, Mansehra, and Kawai. Surrounded by thick pine forests and with an altitude of 7747 feet, the earl y summer climate of Shogran is very mild and pleasant. From here you can have a breathtaking view of Kaghan Valley’s snow covered peaks such as Musa Ka Musalla

(4419m), Makra (3885m) and (5290m).

On Friday morning we will drive in a coaster to Shogran with couple of photo/refreshment stops. Shogran will be our base for two trekking excursions. On day one, we will go on a four km easy trekking in the Malakandi Forest after lunch and on day two we will go on a moderate trekking trip to Sari and Paya (5 to 6 hours both ways on slow pace). We will climb 2300 feet through thick pine forest to the top of Paya ridge, a lush green meadow with spectacular view of Malika Parbat and a panoramic view of Kaghan Valley. On day thee, morning will be free for rest and recreation in Shogran. After lunch we will leave for Islamabad.

Date: 05-07 June Days: Friday to Sunday Duration: Three days

Departure Time: 0800 hours

Base: Islamabad Per head Fee: Rs.10, 900/- "The man who follows the crowd will Booking Deadline: 02 June usually get no further than the crowd. The man who walks alone is likely to To register for this trip please send us an email at: [email protected] find himself in places no one has ever For further information contact: Arif Tufail at 051-2612448 0345-8566048 been before." — Anonymous

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Eco-Adventure Weekend in Nathiagali

Ayubia National Park is 33sq.km in area on the Murree-Abbottabad road between Changlagali and Nathiagali in the Himalayan moist temperate coniferous zone, at roughly 2,700m elevation. Blue Pine dominates, but the forest is mixed Fir, Spruce, Deodar, Himalayan Poplar, Elm, Walnut, Maple and Oak trees. Troops of rhesus monkeys welcome you, and beg food at many places. Several female still have babies clinging to their backs. Two species of flying Squirrels glide from tree to tree give their good view with a torch light at night. Palm civet and Yellow Throated Martin is a chance sighting. A large population of Koklas Pheasants calls from their roosting trees early in the morning.

We will drive to Nathiagali on the morning of Saturday. After lunch and some rest, we will go for nature walk on a level pipeline trek (4 km walk), next day we will go on a gentle climb from Nathiagali to Mushkpuri Top (2817m) and return to Dongagali after covering about 7 km distance. We will be back in Islamabad on the evening of Sunday.

A quiet weekend to enjoy the arrival of spring in the mountains and enjoy the beautiful views of mountains of Western from Mushkpuri Top.

Date: 06-07 June Days: Saturday and Sunday Duration: Two days Departure Time: 0800 hours Base: Islamabad Per head Fee: Rs.6,500/- Booking Deadline: 02 June To register for this trip please send us an email at: [email protected]

For further information contact: Arif Tufail at 051-2612448, 0345-8566048 "When one door closes, another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones that open for us." — Alexander Graham Bell

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ECO-ADVENTURE TREKKING EXPEDITION TO THE BASE

CAMP OF NANGA PARBAT

Nanga Parbat (8126m) is the second highest mountain peak of and its base camp is one the most assessable base camps of any 8000-meter peak in Pakistan. On this 7 days adventure trip we will take you to the Fairy Meadows side of Nanga Parbat. This area offers excellent trekking opportunities with lush green meadows, pine covered slopes and superb views of Nanga Parbat and other high peaks. On this trail porters carry the camping equipment and heavy luggage while you hike carrying your day pack to a series of camps located at 3000 to 4500 meters from sea level. A unique opportunity for ad venture and nature lovers.

Date: 07-13 June

Days: Sunday to Saturday

Duration: Seven day

Departure Time: 0600 hours

Base: Islamabad

Per head Fee: Rs.24,900/- (all inclusive)

Booking Deadline: 02th June

To register for this trip please send us an email at: [email protected] "It is more sensible to spend For further information contact: Arif Tufail 0345-8566048 Tel: 051-2612448 energy focusing on the solution rather than worrying about the

problem." — Dalai Lama

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EXPLORE ALPINE LAKES OF KAGHAN VALLEY

Kaghan is a jewel among the many beautiful valleys in the of Hazara.

This 160 kilometer long valley is most popular summer holiday spots for both Pakistanis as well as foreigners.

The valley features pine forests, alpine meadows, crystal clear lakes and cool mountain streams. , the main feature of the valley, is famous for its trout. Nestled along the banks of the river are the towns of Balakot, Paras, Mahandari, Kaghan and . The local people are friendly and simple.

This soft adventure vacation in Kaghan Valley will be an unforgettable experience for adventure lovers. We have planned a 4 days family adventure trip to Kaghan Valley. Participants will visit Naran, Shogran, , Lake and while staying at the most beautiful location of Kaghan Valley.

Date: 12-15 June Days: Friday to Monday Duration: Four days Departure Time: 0800 hours Base: Islamabad Per head Fee: Rs.15, 600/-

Booking Deadline: 6th June

To register for this trip please send us an email at: [email protected] For further information contact: Arif Tufail 0345-8566048 Tel: 051-2612448

"Moving towards better rather than moving away from bad is an attitude of embracing life rather than rejecting it." — Dalai Lama

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Youth Nature Study Camp at Battakundi – Naran Take your students on an inspiring outdoor experience this summer!

We provide exciting and educational adventure outings for young students of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. Our “Back to Nature- School Summer Nature Study Camp focuses on providing leadership training and learning opportunities that are not available in the classroom or at home. We realize that youth today are faced with many challenges in their everyday world, including peer pressure, low self-e steem, and overly busy lives. Our programs strive to deal with these challenges by exposing young people with experiences that open their eyes to a larger world around them, and to realize that they are valuable human beings with tremendous potential. To achieve these goals, we teach students necessary skills and how to work together to

Date: Any time from June to Sep. successfully complete their journey in the mountains. To enhance the experience, we incorporate group and individual challenges that develop self awareness, spark significant Days: Friday to Monday personal growth, and build confidence. Duration: Four days We strongly believe that the experience must be fun to be successful! In this way we make sure Departure Time: 0800 hours to give students the chance to spend quality time in the natural environment, away from their usual lives, and to have a great time! Base: Islamabad The benefits of our youth wilderness adventure programs are immeasurable. They have a Per head Fee: Rs.11, 800/- (all significant impact not only on the students who participate, but on family and friends as well. inclusive) We are always inspired by the incredible experiences we share during these journeys, these are

To register for this trip please send the seeds that change lives. us an email at: [email protected] Highlights of Summer Nature Study Camp-2015 For further information contact: Arif Tufail  Learn camping and trekking skills Cell: 0345-8566048  Learn leadership and teamwork skills Tel: 051-2612448  Learn basic map reading and navigation skills  Learn about mountain formation  Learn about water cycle  Collect information about the moist temperate and dry temperate forest zones  Tree plantation "I gain more confidence once I  Learn how to become an eco-friendly tourist overcome a challenge."  Hiking trip to Saiful Muluk Lake National Park — Roy Chung, Hong Kong OB Chairman  Trekking adventure to Lalazar  Discover the natural and cultural heritage of Naran and Upper Kaghan Valley

 Trip to Jalkhad to study the wild flora of sub-alpine ecosystem  Enjoy camp fire on the last night

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Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan

Islamabad House # 9, Street # 11, Main Road, Banigala Islamabad Ph # 051-2612448 Cell # 0345-8566048

Karachi House 53/3, Maqbool, C.H.S, Alamgir Road, Karachi. Ph # 0300-8216787

E-MAIL: [email protected]

We’re on the Web!

See us at: www.stfp.org Upcoming Events

 Eco-Adventure Trek to Makra Top 24-26-July  Shandur Polo Festival Jeep Safari August  Eco Adventure Trip to Deosai 8-14 August  Trip to Neelum Valley 11-16 August  Eco-Adventure Trek to Dodupatsar Lake 22-27 August "It is the quality of our  Family Camping trip to Kaghan Valley (on request July to Sep ) experiences, the satisfaction, excitement or  Nature study weekend at Batakundi (on request July to Sep ) joy that we get or fail to get from them that will Field trips are also open for your family members and friends, determine how those so you are welcome to invite them on these trips with prior experiences will change intimation to the concerned staff of STFP at the time of signing us, in short what we learn." John Holt up. Minimum group size for each trip is 8 persons.

Your participation in our trips, expeditions and knowledge sharing events provide support to STFP’s mission of increasing awareness through exploration, environmental education, exchange of ideas and research work.