# Environmental standards & camping restrictions

> 💡 **Quick Summary:** Wild camping is prohibited across almost all stages of the trail to preserve working tea estates and sensitive ecosystems.

### 🔍 Detailed Guidance

- **Leave No Trace:** You are traversing a highly sensitive agricultural and natural corridor. Bring all wrappers, plastics, and trash back to your hotel. Biopiracy is punishable by law.
- **Bikes and Vehicles:** Motorized vehicles and mountain bikes are strictly banned on the narrow estate footpaths. This prevents conflicts with estate workers and preserves the physical condition of the trail.

### ⚠️ Critical Alerts & Requirements

- **Approved Stays:** Hikers are required to spend their nights in verified local accommodations, hotels, or homestays. The only officially designated, authorized wild camping spot is at **Haritha Kanda** on Stage 9.

### 🔗 Official Resources

- **Where to Sleep:** [Pekoe Trail Accommodation Directory](https://bit.ly/Accommodation-TPTO "null")