ECOMANTRA | ECO TOURS | ECO LODGES | ECO ADVENTURES | EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ACROSS INDIA

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1. Accommodation consists of rustic eco cottages, safari cottages and huts made of natural materials that are designed to be small, low impact and which blend with the local environment.
2. Cement - The cement usage in the construction of Rivertrail Eco-Camp is minimal and baked mud bricks, stone, natural mortar, cultivated wood and bamboo have been used instead. 90% of materials used are renewable natural materials.
3. Furniture in the cottages are made of cane & cultivated bamboo and minimum wood, plastic and metal have been used. Bamboo saplings have been planted to replace the bamboo used during construction.
4. Natural Terrain Maintained - The natural terrain and topography of the Eco-Camp has been maintained and landscaping is minimal. Only native plants have been planted.
5. Solvent Paints - Red Oxide natural paints and natural plaster of Paris were used for interiors and exterior walls instead of solvent paints.
6. Televisions - Not used except for showcasing wildlife films

Rivertrail has been designed and constructed keeping in mind maximum energy conservation.
1. Large Windows � Large windows not only let the cool breeze and nature in; they also allow ample natural light.
2. Natural Material Construction � Rivertrail is made of Mud, Stone, Grass, Bamboo and Social Forestry Wood that are breathable and have high thermal mass allowing the cottages to be warm in winter and cool in summer.
3. Minimum Lighting - Minimum lighting is being used with each unit having separate power connection.
4. Dimmers provided - Dimmers has been provided all over the camp to enable reduction in ambient light as per requirement.
5. Manual Control - the room lights and the air-conditioning are started only when the guest�s actually retires to their room from central control.
6. No Air-conditioning - No air-conditioning is used to save power and eliminate pollution caused by it. Fans are provided for cooling when the breeze dims.
7. Traditional Cooling - In summer wet mats made of Vetiver (Khus) grass is hung on the windows to considerable reduce the heat and at the same time a gentle pleasant scent of the khus creates a soothing environment.
8. Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) / Fluorescent Tubes which provide as much as light as ordinary bulbs but consume substantially less energy are used as primary means of lighting.
9. Diesel Generator � In case of load shedding, a small, efficient diesel generator is started only when the guests retire and during meal times.
10. Bio Gas - EcoMantra uses a sustainable approach to waste, sewage, recycling and water management with on-site managed waste disposal using Bio Gas plant to convert the human and animal waste into energy to heat water.
11. Own Electricity - The Camp has plans to generate its own electricity using scheffler solar for kitchen, convectional heaters for hot water and wind power for lighting.

1. Water Management: The campsite takes its water from river Kundalika and it is filtered twice before it reaches your tap.
2. Soap water from Bathrooms �are used for plantation like banana etc. that are not affected by the alkali content of the waste feed.

1. The campsite has its own solid waste and sewage treatment systems for collection, recycling and disposal of the waste.
2. Bio- Gas - A policy of �zero garbage� according to which all organic waste and night soil is utilized for the process of Gobar Gas Plant and transformed into bio gas, which is then used to heat water. Waste out of gobar gas is used to make fertilizer feed.
3. Organic Waste - The kitchen waste is used in �Vermiculture� or Rapid Organic Compound.
4. Non Organic Waste: All non-organic waste is sold to scrap merchants.
5. Zero Disposable Items - No disposable items such as plastic cutlery, tissue paper or paper plates are used in any our Eco-Camps.
6. Recycle- The Eco-Camp uses 50% - 100% PC (post consumer) paper for all paper work.
7. Non-decomposable but combustible waste - Items like packing materials consisting of cardboard boxes and paper bags are bought back from the campsites.
8. Non-decomposable and non-combustible waste - Wastes like plastic bags, aluminum foils, glass bottles are as far as possible avoided or are carried back to the city where they are either recycled, destroyed or buried in garbage dumps.

1. Local Employment - EcoMantra hires only local people from the immediate community for its full time staff, even in management positions. Local guides - Locals are employed on full time and/or part time basis to inform guests of local customs, local flora and fauna, local architecture and cross-cultural issues.
2. Local Cuisine � Our village cooks cook local cuisine and minimum 2 local dishes are served at all meals. We purchase food locally for our operations as much as possible.
3. Volunteer and Reforestation Program - Volunteer reforestation program utilizing guests to plant native trees are practised.
4. The Clean Act: The Clean Act activity conducted while trekking cleans up the nature trail
5. Sponsoring Ecotourism for Underprivileged: We organize environmental education excursions for underprivileged children and senior citizens

1. Minimum Impact - We ensure that there is zero or minimum negative impact on the local environment / communities in which we operate
2. Smaller Groups - There is a limit on the maximum number of clients that is compatible with the environmental sensitivity of the area visited.
3. Nature Awareness and Education - EcoMantra places great emphasis on educating guests, staff and locals on natural issues of India and the world.
4. Guest Participation Program - This allows the guest to voluntarily participate in the environment conservation programs. We reciprocate by giving free/ discounted camps in future.
5. Photography and Wildlife interaction - We encourage wild life photography and viewing as long as it does not disturb the flora and fauna. However, personal interaction with the wild life is discouraged.
6. Potted Plants- The campsite does not use fresh cut flowers anywhere in the Eco-Camp and decorative potted plants have been used wherever required.
7. Stationary - All stationary used at the Eco-Camp is made from recycled products.
8. Zero Pesticide - Neither pesticides nor herbicides are used on the campsite.

1. Environmental training - All Ecomantra Eco-Camp managers and staff undergo �Environment training� to understand different eco-friendly operations of the Eco-Camp and how to protect the environment.
2. The Eco-Camp managers and staff are encouraged to give their ideas to improve the eco-friendly initiatives of the Ecomantra Camps.
3. Environment Workshops - Eco-Camp managers and staff undergo regular classes and workshops to update their knowledge about the environmental practices of the Eco-Camp.

About Our Trip / camp / expeditions

All of our trip / camp / expeditions are led by experienced guides. Their knowledge and love for natural history will be communicated in a relaxed and informal atmosphere and will expand your appreciation for the natural world. To guarantee the quality of each trip / camp / expedition, we will keep the number of participants to an average group size of 10 - 15 per EcoMantra guide/escort/resource person to allow for a more personal experience. Each individual itinerary will specify the maximum number of participants that we will accept for that given destination and activity.

Reservation & Payment Schedules

To reserve a space, forward a completed registration form with 100% of the Eco Tour / Nature Camp / Experienial Learning Program stated cost per person to our office. Final payment is due 45 to a minimum of 30 days days prior to departure, unless otherwise stated on your invoice and/or trip / camp / expedition itinerary. Payment may be made by cash, check, demand draft or money order. Reservations made within 45 days of the departure date require payment in full.

Pre Trip / camp / expedition Information

Upon receipt of your registration form an invoice will be mailed to you confirming your reservation. A detailed trip / camp / expedition itinerary listing the day by day schedule and trip / camp / expedition details will be provided to all participants and are also available upon request. Pre departure information will be included with your invoice, detailing governmental regulations requirements, insurance information, health and medical recommendations, climate, recommended reading list, flora/fauna checklist, suggested clothing and other travel tips. A letter to participants and any travel documents, will be sent approximately 21 days prior to departure outlining meeting instructions, orientation program, leader's travel schedule, any itinerary changes, list of participants and accommodations.

Cancellation

If notice of your cancellation is received in writing up to 60 days prior to the trip / camp / expedition, your deposit and any payments will be refunded, less a Rs.500 administration fee per person. Cancellations received between 60-30 days prior to departure, the deposit is forfeited. If notice of your cancellation is received less than 30 days prior to departure, the trip is 100% non-refundable.

Trip / camp / expedition Changes

We reserve the right to make any necessary changes to trip / camp / expedition itineraries. As many of our trip / camp / expeditions are planned a year in advance, changes in the proposed itinerary, its dates and/or leaders may occur. It is our intention however, to provide you with accurate information and we will do our best to provide you with the details outlined on the itinerary.

EcoMantra reserves the rights to withdraw any trip / camp / expedition prior to the departure date for any reason, including insufficient enrolment. A "small party" surcharge may be applied when enrolment is low, to enable the trip / camp / expedition to operate. This is because most of EcoMantra's Eco Trips / Camps are not commercially oriented and operate at smaller margins. In the event a trip / camp / expedition is withdrawn, trip / camp / expedition fees will be refunded. EcoMantra is not responsible for costs incurred by the participant such as non-refundable air tickets or travel costs separate from the trip / camp / expedition fee, in the event a trip / camp / expedition is cancelled.

Trip / camp / expedition Fees

The following are included in all trip / camp / expeditions/expeditions; all accommodation (based on multiple sharing occupancy), in EcoMantra Lodge / Camp / Retreat / hotel / motel / inns. Single accommodation may usually be obtained at an additional cost, we assign a roommate if travelling alone, meals as stated, admission fees, local guiding and leadership. All meals are included too. Please see the detailed itinerary for your trip / camp / expedition for exact details.

What's not included

What is not included in our trip / camp / expedition fee is all surface transport (unless Eco Tour Duration is more than 5 days) return airfare from your point of departure to the starting point of the trip / camp / expedition, air and airport departure tax, insurance and internal airfares unless stated. Insurance unless stated. And all service taxes and other government taxes, if applicable. Air travel for our entire trip / camp / expeditions can be arranged through our office.

Single Travelers

If you are travelling alone, we will provide you with a roommate of the same sex. Should you prefer it, we may be able to arrange single accommodation. Please contact us for single supplement rates, if you are interested.

Physical Activity

Our trip / camp / expeditions are designed for the eco traveler with a keen interest to learn about the natural world and feel connected to nature. Many of the destinations we travel to are in remote areas and one should therefore be tolerant of the various customs and living conditions they may experience in these regions. Our days are full and often begin early as wildlife is most active at this time and birding is at its prime. We'll follow a steady pace to show you as much as possible (although you may skip a field trip if desired); taking breaks for meals and rest, enroute. All EcoMantra trip / camp / expeditions involve a moderate level of physical activity and involve walking a reasonable distance each day. All participants are required to be in general good health and capable of performing the required exercise to participate. It is the responsibility of each participant to properly inform EcoMantra of any medical problems or special dietary requirements well before departure. Special considerations of physical or dietary restrictions are provided where possible by EcoMantra, solely for the comfort and convenience of the participant. EcoMantra assumes no responsibility, however, for providing specialised medical expertise, care, or services to trip / camp / expedition participants. EcoMantra strongly recommends that all persons wishing to participate in a trip / camp / expedition and questioning their ability to do so, consult and obtain the advise of their family physician to confirm their fitness for travel. A detailed itinerary shall be sent upon request and in any event upon the receipt of a completed registration form. By registering, the participant agrees that he/she is in general good health and capable of performing the required physical activities to participate, and will inform EcoMantra of any health problems or physical restrictions in writing upon registration, and accepts as his/her personal risk the hazards of such participation, and will not hold EcoMantra responsible.

Liability

All participants are required to complete and execute EcoMantra Registration Form prior to participating in any trip / camp / expedition. EcoMantra reserves the right to reject any proposed registrant on the basis of non-compliance with registration requirements. The EcoMantra registration form will include an acknowledgement of release of EcoMantra, its agents, employees, officers, and assigns from the liabilities specified in the registration form.

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