YetiQuest

Introduction YetiQuest

Bhutanese do not dispute the existence of the Migoi. They have always accepted it as part of their existence and there is no real desire to prove to the rest of the world that it really does exists. The Bhutanese consider the Migoi to be an integral part of their culture and they are even depicted in ancient Bhutanese manuscripts.

High in the uplands of Bhutan, encounters and sightings of the Migoi are so common among the nomads that it does not stir excitement.

For many nomads who have seen the Migoi, the skepticism of Westerners in the existence of the Yeti is seen merely as yet another manifestation of their arrogance.

Bhutan

Land area:	38,394 square kilometres
Forest area:	72.5 %
Altitude:	between 240 metres and 7,541 metres above sea level
Inhabitants:	734,340
Language:	official language “Dzongkha”, English widely spoken
Religion:	Vajrayana stream of Mahayana Buddhism (Also known as Tantric Buddhism)

Very few countries in the world match Bhutan’s biological diversity and fewer still have taken such strong steps to conserve their biodiversity. Bhutan, for example, has its own Biodiversity Action Plan. The country ranks amongst the top ten percent of highest species density (species richness per unit area) in the world, and it has the largest proportion of land under protected areas.

Bhutan maintains 70% of its land area under forest cover which is the highest in Asia. Some 26.23% of the country’s area is protected through National Parks. In addition, a further 9% has been declared as Biological Corridor, connecting protected areas, and there are a series of Conservation Areas intended to protect important conservation sites outside the formal Protected Areas system. As a result, more than 35% of the country’s area is under the protection of some form of conservation management. This system serves as a globally unique system for the conservation of biodiversity.

A land of spectacular extremes, Bhutan has few rivals on earth. So remote are some areas that they are yet to be mapped or traversed. In this age of global positioning satellites, it strains the imagination of most westerners to learn there are true blank spots left on the map. Located on the southern slopes of the Eastern Himalayas, it is the only place on earth where a 650 sq km reserve has been set aside to protect the natural habitat of the Yeti.

Expedition

DragonQuest Adventures will be organizing, for the first time in Bhutan, a three week scientific expedition to search for the elusive Yeti or “Migoi” as it is locally known, in early October 2008. The expedition shall be called “YetiQuest”

Location

DragonQuest Adventures has sought special permission to enter the “Sakten Wildlife Sanctuary, a 650 sq.km reserve created specifically to protect the habitat of the Migoi. This area is also home to many extremely rare animals such as the Blue bear, Snow leopard, Clouded leopard, Tiger & the Takin.

Sakten Wildlife Sanctuary is a very remote area in eastern Bhutan and thickly forested with mixed conifer, rhododendrons & bamboo forest. It is also home to the nomadic Brokpas who have regular encounters with the Migoi.

Expedition Teams

The expedition will consist of THREE teams with FOUR members to a team. We would like the teams to consist of mainly serious enthusiasts to ensure that the expedition is both successful and enjoyable.

Expedition objectives

The aim of this expedition will be to prove the existence of the Migoi through pictures & videos or through DNA samples from hairs, bones etc. The method of coleecting these samples must be conducted in a scientific manner and the teams/members will be responsible for bringing along the necessary tools and equipment.

Logistics & Information

Basecamp

The base camp will be located at an altitude of just over 3,000 metres above sea level and the closest road head will be a two days trek. A central base camp / command post will be set up from where the three teams will start their expedition. Each team will further be provided with their own local trackers, cooks & horses should they require to setup satellite camps in their quest for the Migoi.

DragonQuest Adventures will provide the basic camping equipment. All hotel and tented accommodation will be based on the twin sharing basis.

Base Camp

• Two man tents for entire expedition
• Dining / Command center tent
• Latrine pit enclosures
• Camp showers
• Camp tables and chairs
• Lighting of campsite
• A professional guide for every four man team
• Horses
• Local trackers whose knowledge of the terrain will be invaluable
• Cooks for Base camp as well as for satellite camps
• Maps of the area to be covered
• Team Doctor

Recommended Individual Item list

.pdf document

Batteries drain out very fast at high altitude due to the cold, it is highly recommended that you carry several spare batteries for your electronic equipment.

Expedition Rate

Per person for 21 days	US.$ 8,800
Team of 4 members	US$ 31,750

Rates include

• Twin sharing accommodation (hotels & tents)
• All Meals and bottled water
• Inland transportation
• Professional Guides and Trackers
• Porters & ponies while on expedition
• Portable generators for the base camp to recharge batteries, etc.
• One Satellite phone for emergency communication
• Handheld 2 way radio sets for internal communication

Rates exclude

• International flights & taxes
• Personal/Group Insurance
• Internet & Phone charges
• Alcoholic beverages
• Gratuities
• Laundry service
• Personal expenses

Expedition emergency list (provided by DQA)

• Two “Gamo” Portable Hyperbaric Chambers” for altitude sickness
• One Medic with first aid medication & equipment.
• Access to emergency evacuation by chopper (with insurance only)

Terms & Conditions

Insurance

We strongly recommend that participants for the expedition have personal and health insurance with appropriate coverage before traveling to Bhutan. Insurance is indispensable in the unlikely event that anything should occur during the expedition. This insurance should cover emergency evacuation, loss of property and/or accident, injury or death.

Mother Nature

DQA is not responsible or liable for any acts of Mother Nature. We will make every effort to exceed your adventure expectations. However we are not responsible for any changes in format or cancellation due to weather and unforeseeable circumstances.

Trip Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel the expedition if there are insufficient reservations 30 days prior to the expedition date. We are not responsible or liable for any inconveniences or financial setbacks caused due to the cancellation of the expedition. Please ensure that you have insured your plane tickets in case of a cancellation.

Expedition & Registration FAQ

Teams

Team leader must be selected/appointed by the group

Individuals without teams will be clubbed under a team on arrival but will not receive group rate discount.

YetiQuest is a serious expedition and it is important for your safety and the safety of others that you have the right gear with you to keep you safe, warm & prepared. Due to the remoteness of the expedition location, all gear & equipment will have to be thoroughly checked and packed.

TRAINING

It is highly recommended that you train yourself physically and mentally at least one month prior to the expedition.

All members should have a knowledge of the use of their GPS to be able to locate their camp should they become separated from the group.

Payment

Advance payment for the entire tour must be paid in advance to DragonQuest Adventure. Please contact us for Bank transfer details.

We will confirm by email the moment we receive the race registration fee.

Risks

Our expedition entails risks, as it is virtually impossible to take the adventure out of adventure travel and the challenge of an expedition at an altitude of 3400 metres. This said, we put the safety of our guests first; it is our commitment not to jeopardize the health and safety of our guests.

A partnership is required to mitigate the risks and to keep them at arms length; this understanding is formed between you and our organization.

Mother Nature

DQA is not responsible or liable for any acts of Mother Nature. We will make every effort to exceed your expedition expectations. However we are not responsible for any changes in format or cancellation due to weather and unforeseeable circumstances.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you, your family and dependents have personal insurance and health insurance with appropriate coverage before traveling to Bhutan. Insurance is indispensable in the unlikely event that anything should occur while traveling, viewing or participating in this expedition. This insurance should cover emergency evacuation, loss of property and/or accident, injury or death.

Privacy Policy

DQA is committed to protecting your privacy. We will only use the information that we collect about you lawfully. We will never collect sensitive information about you without your explicit consent. The information we hold will be accurate and up to date. You can check the information that we hold about you by emailing us. If you find any inaccuracies we will delete or correct it promptly. The personal information which we hold will be held securely in accordance with our internal security policy and the law. DQA is the sole owner of any information collected. We will not sell, share, or rent this information to others in ways different from that disclosed in this statement.

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