
Indian Grey Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii)
“Mongoose Nature Trails” is a branded nature oriented program carried out by Fulcrum Tours that cater for the need of the concrete jungle dwellers on further enhancing their interests in nature and related activities…
Under ‘Mongoose Nature Trails” we do organize overnight trips (an ideal weekend getaway destinations that take around 2 to 5 hrs drive from Chennai) as well as long distance tours to selective destinations that take more days of touring where stay could be organized in Forest Guest House / Resort / Hotel / Improvised accommodation (subject to the location of the visit).
Fulcrum co-ordinates and organizes the complete logistical supports required for the Mongoose Nature Trails being carried out at different exotic places…

Overnight trip destinations:
- Talakona
- Mamandur
- Nagari
- Venkatagiri
- Amiriti
- Yelagiri, etc.
Long tour destinations:
- Yercaud
- Kodaikanal
- Kolli Hills
- Muthumalai
- Kaniyakumari
- Horsley Hills
- Valparai
- Topslip
- Athirapally
- Coorg, etc.
Mongoose Nature Trails Activities (Subject to feasibility / time availability / permission from concerned authorities):
Nature Activities:
- Trekking (Mild / Medium / Hard Treks)
- Riverbed Trek
- Wildlife Watching
- Birding
- Basics of Birding
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Nature Photography
- Angling, etc
Wild Crafts:
- Fun & Learn with Rope Knots
- Direction Finding
- Target Indication
- Sky Gazing
- Jungle Survival Tips
- Bivouac Making
- Tent Pitching
- Field Cooking
- River Crossing (Basics)
- Improvised Rafting
- Improvised Chopsticks, etc.
Hobbies:
- Self Defence Basics (Body Techniques / Nunchaku / Silambam)
- Magic
- Juggling
- Solving the Rubik’s Cube (Basic), etc.
General:
The Package Cost:
(The Package cost depends on the Group Size / Mode of Transport / Food Preference / Other Connected Services)
Food:
- Simple vegetarian food will be served during the complete trip
(Non-Veg menu can be organized at additional cost on prior information & subject to feasibility)
Package cost includes:
- Overnight stay accommodation at the Forest Guest House / Resort / Hotel / In open (subject to the location of the visit)
- Food as mentioned in the itinerary
- Basic Survival Ration, in case if trekking is involved
- Two bottles of drinking water (Additional requirement to be procured at own cost)
- Entry fee into the Reserve Forest
- Trek Guide charges
- Bonfire (Subject to feasibility & permission from Forest Department)
Package cost does not include:
- Transportation from own location to destination and back (can be organized at additional cost)
- Food other than mentioned in the itinerary
- Entry fee into any other places of visit
- Camera charges / Safari charges / Dharshan charges, etc
- Snacks during bonfire (can be organized at additional cost on prior information & subject to feasibility)
- Personal expenses, if any
Note:
- The trip can be customized as per the group’s exact interest.
- No guarantee will be given on sighting any wildlife / Birds / Plants, etc during the trek.
- Since the area of visit may have only the basic amenities for stay, it’s advisable to carry own bed sheet / blanket along with personal toiletries for overnight stay.
- All participants are requested to carry their personal medicines, if any.
- All participants are requested to carry a bed sheet (this can be a standby in case of any shortage of the same in the Forest Guest House).
- It’s the responsibility of the coordinating person / team leader of the participating group to collect and maintain the emergency contact details of each participant.
- Outdoor activities are not mandatory and will be subject to weather as well as feasibility conditions.
- All participants are requested to follow the law of nature to ensure that the ecology of the mother earth is preserved at its best.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the forest area.
- Basic Survival Ration will be provided by the organizer, subject to the exact need / feasibility.
- The area of visit is under the control of Forest Department and there may be any last minute restriction to enter into the assigned area without prior notice
- The organizer is not responsible for any untoward incident if happens during the course of the trip. However, basic precautions will be taken by the organizer to ensure that the trip ends in a good note.
Clothing / Personal items (General Guidelines):
- Additional set of clothing
- Trekking shoes
- Drinking water – One litter water bottles – 2 (can be refilled along the trail)
- Cap / Hat
- Binoculars / Telescope
- Camera with necessary accessories
- Pocket Knife
- Kukhri (May be required to clear the pathway)
- Match box / Lighter
- Personal medicines, if any
- Common medicines like Vicks, Iodex, Nebaself, Band-Aid, etc.
- Energy bars like chocolates / Dates / Chikis, etc.
- Identity card, if any
- Field guidebooks on Birds / Animals / Plants / Butterflies, etc.
- Polythene carry bag
- Whistle
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Personal toiletries
- LED Torch
- Mosquito repellent (Odomos, etc)
- Compass / GPS / Maps, etc (if available & know how to use)
- Additional pair of sandals
- Anklets (Additional protection from snake bite)
- Toilet paper
- Sleeping bag / Ground sheet / Sleeping Mat with bed sheet
- Hammock
- Lock & key for the backpack
- Emergency contact details
- Backpack to carry luggage, food, water, etc
- Your personal talents, if any…
- Travel light to carry more joyful memories
Eco – Travel Guidelines:
While traveling through natural areas / Wildlife Sanctuaries / National Parks, you can help preserve the nature by following a few guidelines:
- Stay on trails. Don’t wander into the bush or onto the prairie; the trails are there for a reason. Leaving the pathway, you might unknowingly disturb wildlife habitat or endangered or threatened plant communities. Besides, if you stay on the trail, you won’t get lost!
- Follow directions given by signage / ranger / guide. These directions are for your protection and for the protection of the natural area you visit.
- Do not venture alone into the wild. Always have a guide or local person with you.
- Do not wear bright coloured clothes. Wear forest-friendly colours like green, brown, Khakis, etc.
- Do not talk loudly / make noise / play music. Listen to the sound of nature.
- Do not apply any perfume.
- Do not disturb wildlife or natural habitats. Do not tease animals.
- Do not feed the wild animals. They know how to get their food.
- Reduce, Reuse & Recycle. Think of ways you can cut down on waste. For e.g. instead of taking all those plastic forks and paper plates when you go camping or picnicking, use items that you can wash and reuse. Also don’t use up more of anything than you need, especially water.
- Put waste where it belongs; do not litter around. Leave only footprints.
- Be environmentally aware; dispose of your waste responsibly; do not smoke in inappropriate places. Do not pollute water bodies with soap, detergents or any other chemicals.
- Learn about the flora and fauna of the area you are visiting. Learning about the world around.
- Leave plants, animals, rocks, logs, etc. alone. That flower may be the most unusual you've ever seen, and that little critter may look really cute, but they're not there for you to pick or to pet. You're in their home. Wild animals are wild, and they need their space. Give animals plenty of room when viewing them as the plants, the animals and insects need them. And that log or rock you come across may be someone’s home.
- Do not pick up anything from the forest floor as souvenir. Take only photographs (no "souvenirs" from the wild). The cumulative effect of many travelers taking away natural 'souvenirs' can soon destroy a delicately balanced ecosystem. Enjoy the different environments that you visit and leave them just as you found them for others to appreciate in the same way
- Do not introduce foreign plants or animals.
- Do not touch insects/ bird nests / anthills etc.
- Whenever you can, walk, skate or bicycle and leave your vehicle turned off. Park your car, save some gas and spare everyone from the emissions. Enjoy the beauty of the park as close as possible.
- Support parks & forests. As a visitor, your entrance fee helps pay to maintain and improve the area.
- Purchase local products and handicrafts - Remember to make sure that you are not buying products made from endangered species.
- Don't buy things made from endangered animals (e.g., products containing ivory or tortoise shell).
- Think before you snap - Always ask before you photograph someone to avoid causing offence
- Follow and respect local regulations.
- Do not go for swimming, as it may be risky and prohibited.
- Observe and obey safety rules during coracle / boat rides, rafting etc.
- Do not disturb the tranquility of the place - others have come to enjoy the peace
- Do not get off the vehicle unless asked
- Always be alert
- Turn off lights and air-conditioning when you leave your room.
- Be a good example for others; spread the word about responsible eco-tourism.
Follow the “ Leave No Trace” principles, given below:
- Plan ahead and prepare camp on durable surfaces.
- Dispose of waste properly and responsibly.
- Leave what you find.
- Minimize campfire impacts.
- Respect wildlife.
- Be considerate to other visitors.
"Knowing is not doing; Doing is doing"
I hear, I forget! I see, I remember!! I do, I understand!!!
Start as ‘I’ and end as “V”
Nature Trails Organized By

Capt. Subbu – A Nature Lover by Nature!!!
Explore a Memorable Experience!!!
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