The DoDa Trek

At Jack & Hill Adventures, we dedicate ourselves tirelessly to uphold the highest standards of quality and safety in the country, comparable to international leaders in the adventure tourism realm. To ensure exceptional experiences, we prioritize the following key aspects:

1. Exclusivity We intentionally limit the size of our groups, as we firmly believe in the value of quality over quantity. Drawing from over a decade of hosting outdoor experiences, we have learned that smaller groups tend to be happier and, more importantly, safer. Your time spent with us in the great outdoors is of utmost importance to us. Interestingly, a significant portion of our guests are solo travelers, and we take pride in maintaining a balanced gender ratio, often with a distribution of 70% women to 30% men.

1. Anti-Crowd Locations We meticulously curate our trails, deliberately avoiding crowded and uncomfortable environments. Our aim is to safeguard your interaction with nature from the disruptive presence of large crowds, where thousands of individuals clamor unnecessarily, causing disturbance and detracting from the sanctity of the natural surroundings. We refuse to lead you to mountains marred by litter or plagued by individuals blaring music through portable speakers. Your time in nature holds tremendous significance for us, forming the very essence of our mission. Over the years, we have invested substantial effort, spanning more than a decade, in comprehensive research, exploratory expeditions, and demanding physical endeavors to ensure the trails we offer meet our exacting standards. This is what you invest in when you choose us.
   

*While we strive to provide you with solace and guide you through hidden or lesser-known mountain routes, we must acknowledge that we cannot guarantee complete exclusivity due to the ever-changing circumstances. Nonetheless, we exert our utmost efforts to minimize external influences and ensure it is primarily our group occupying the mountains.

1. Professional Hosting by Certified Mountaineers: With 13 years of experience in the Western Ghats, this region is our expertise. Your trip leaders are not only seasoned and knowledgeable but also trained and certified by globally recognized outdoor institutions.
   

2. Internationally Recognized Wilderness First Responder Safety: As trained wilderness rescuers, we possess certifications acknowledged worldwide. We have received training from esteemed organizations such as NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) and WMA (Wilderness Medical Associates). Our commitment to ensuring your safety in the wilderness remains unwavering.
   

For more information about us, please visit: Jack & Hill Adventures - About Us

This hike can be categorized as a moderate grade hike. Some general fitness or regular activity is ideal to have in order to join. If you are uncertain about your ability, feel free to speak with us on Call at 9833376765. Nonetheless, prior to every experience, we speak with all guests to check on their physical ability and mental status while setting realistic expectations. We also conduct our calls to ensure that all members can prepare well before the experience.

You can meet us directly at the mountain base if you would like to drive down to the base of the mountain.

The Google Map location shall be shared after signing up and a few days prior to the event.

In case you do not have a vehicle, we will be separately arranging an AC Vehicle (Car or Bus - depending on the number of members that require transport) starting from Borivali and passing through Bandra on the western express highway. The charges for the same are Rs 1000. These costs go purely towards hiring a decent AC vehicle that is at par with our standards of service. You can opt for this add-on service when signing up.

Carry 1 wholesome Packed meal that is easy to carry & consume on your hike. Energy bars, a packet of biscuits, or snacks to munch on is always good idea.

If you aren't aware yet, then you should know that we do our best to host our outdoor trips responsibly and reduce the detrimental impact on the environment.

Since the past few years, we have noticed how social media, irresponsible & over-tourism in the Maharashtrian mountains has ruined the great outdoors we have. A significant number of treks in Maharashtra receive thousands of irresponsible humans that cause severe environmental damage. In order to reduce the impact and not contribute to it, we host our experiences in lesser-known, hidden, or unexplored locations in the mountains. When you do join us on this trek, there is a very strong request to keep the whereabouts of the location to yourself.

Grab a small to medium-sized bag and put in items mentioned in our Essentials list. The less heavy your bag is, the easier & more comfortable your hike will be.

- Cap - Sunscreen - 1-2 liters of water

- A raincoat if you want to stay dry. A big no to umbrellas. - Munchies to snack on to energize if you feel a dip in spirit - Personal Identification - Personal medication if any

A bad pair could turn your trek into a nightmare. With 13 years of hosting guests in the mountains, we have noticed that this is the most commonly overlooked item. Wearing a good sturdy & durable pair of shoes is one of the most crucial elements to having a good trek. Quite often people make the mistake of choosing to wear an old pair that they would like to soon get rid off, however that is one of the biggest mistakes one can make. Check your shoes for possible wear and tear before you wear them. Our personal preference is towards full ankle hiking boots.

General Clothing advise

• T-shirt & shorts/full pants are ideal.

• Ensure that you are comfortable with what you choose to wear and that the material does not restrict your movement while trekking and climbing.

• Avoid jeans at all costs.

• Full clothing is recommended if your hike is passing through thick shrubbery In Monsoon Season

• We strongly recommend dry-fit clothing vs cotton. If you are joining us for a Nature Trail or Wildlife Experience | Any fauna-based experience

• Wear only natural colours that camouflage with the environment. Colours include brown, black & green. Avoid bright colours as it will easily indicate your presence to nearby wildlife and you will miss out on opportunities of great wildlife sightings.

If you suffer from any medical conditions, mild or severe, please bring it to our notice prior to the trip with us. Accordingly, our Wilderness First Responder will advise on joining and can also prepare the team towards making appropriate measures for your safety on trip.

Staying open minded, positive & faithful A trek in the forest requires for one to stay positive and open minded at all times regardless of the situation. Mind you, this is not a picnic but a trek in the mountains. Mother nature could choose for the weather and environment to be tough or easy on us. However it is important for us to stay grounded and keep our heads over our shoulders, to not panic and to keep confidence in the decision of your trek leaders.