Pachmarhi Bound? - Some helpful notes:

Seasons
October to May inclusive are the months when you can best expect to enjoy India, unless you have a preference for the monsoon downpours of June to September when communications and travel become extremely difficult. Pachmarhi, being on a plateau, suffers from virtually continuous cloud and rain during the monsoon although the scenery becomes lush and colours vibrant at this time. We leave Pachmarhi for the monsoons to conduct charity activities abroad so would expect to see the move conventional traveller from November 1st onwards, when the National Parks traditionally open. We can, however, receive guests prior to this by previous arrangement in their interests lie in areas outside of the Park.

The period from October until December is pleasantly warm during the day, becoming chilly in early evening. January and February are cool and you will chase the sun, rather than shadows, during the day and need to wrap up well at night - temperatures dropping to a low of minus 4 degrees C at night sometimes. Late February and March are similar to an English summer (the better days!) and the nights are pleasantly cool. Late March, April and May become progressively hotter, climbing (in the plains) to a maximum of about 55 degrees C just prior to to the monsoons. The practice of chasing the sun in the earlier months is substituted for chasing shadows but a cool breeze is a constant companion in Pachmarhi, it's elevation of 3500ft keeping the plateau a welcome few degrees lower.

Clothing
The above seasonal description should give ample indication of the type of clothing to wear but the following may also help: Cotton clothing will 'breath' well and will absorb and then aid the evaporation of perspiration. The general rule, especially if staying in Pachmarhi is to bring the absolute minimum. There is nowhere to 'pose' and the local Dhobi (washerman) will destroy anything of a delicate nature albeit he charges only pennies to do it! Shorts and T-shirts are acceptable in the forests (preferably in jungle colours - no whites) whilst within villages women are advised to wear trousers or long skirts to avoid offense, to or unwelcome attention from, the locals.
Long sleeves and trousers are advisable for those who suffer the attentions of mosquitoes which are active at dawn and dusk, which are most in evidence from April through to September and just after. Strong walking shoes are advisable but we don not bother with heavy boots. Head covering is useful as the breeze can deceive whilst your head cooks.

Mosquitoes
We have avoided conventional malaria prevention because of a reluctance to absorb chemicals over a long period and have opted for a homeopathic solution. If you wish to obtain homeopathic malaria preventative tablets for yourself we recommend that you contact the following Pharmacist who will accept credit cards and post the medication to you:

Ainsworths Homeopathic Pharmacy, 36 New Cavendish Street, London, W1M 7LH Tel 020 7935 5330 Fax 020 7486 4313

Please telephone Ainsworths for current pricing but our experience is that the tablets are considerably cheaper than conventional preventatives and (to date) effective.

Eco-friendly
We endeavor wherever possible to avoid harming the environment around us. To this end we would request that all visitors attempt to minimise (if not avoid) the use of soaps, cosmetics and other substances containing ingredients which may be harmful to the area when released into the air, discarded, or poured down the drains. There is no satisfactory method of plastics disposal so this in an increasing hazard within Pachmarhi (if not the rest of India) - please try to avoid bringing any with you unless you'll be taking it back again!
Anyone who is able to bring out any Ecover products for us, such as washing up liquid, washing powder, toilet cleaner etc, will be particularly welcomed, as these are unavailable in India and do least damage to the environment. We are happy to reimburse you for these. You will doubtless become aware during your travels in India that environmental problems are significant - we are trying to do our best not to add to these.

Insurance
Whilst we will do everything to make your stay with us enjoyable, please realise that we are not a commercial travel organisation and are in a very remote location. We wish to make you aware that you are personally responsible for any mishaps, accidents or ill health and therefore strongly advise you to ensure that you have adequate cover, medication and vaccinations for your trip.

	LifeForce homepage click on tiger to return
	Click tiger for views local to Pachmarhi
	LifeForce - what we have achieved, our plans for the future, how you can help or be involved - click tiger for details