Mountains called us again.....this time at HAR KI DUN in
UTTARAKHAND. This journey left us awestruck as always. My firm belief was
reaffirmed once again that NATURE never fails to surprise you, enchant you,
mesmerise you with its beauty. I’ll try to give an account of my wonderful
journey but I’m sure that I won’t be able to do justice. You JUST CAN’T
DESCRIBE IT IN WORDS. It’s something
that you feel and live and soak in you. It is after such an experience that you
realize what you have been missing in your so called cities.
Myself
and my wife Charoo joined the first batch of INDIA HIKES after the rains (10’th
September -17’th September 2016) for this trek. There were 13 members in this
trek including us.
The group was as usual a very young, chirpy, friendly and energetic one. Abhirup Paul and Prahalad were our trek leader and trek guide respectively. Apart from them were the supporting staffs of cook, kitchen helpers, porters and mules men. Altogether an excellent team...not only jolly and helpful but also experts in their respective fields. For all of them this was not just a job but their passion. This was first trek batch to Har Ki Dun by India hikes after the rains this year.
Standing L to R:Jarna, Mitesh, Kartik, Ajay, Mohit, Atul, Rahul,Pritesh, Prahalad(guide)
Sitting L to R: Charoo, Nitisha, Priyanka, Bhavani, Neha
|
Abhirup- Our Trek Leader |
The group was as usual a very young, chirpy, friendly and energetic one. Abhirup Paul and Prahalad were our trek leader and trek guide respectively. Apart from them were the supporting staffs of cook, kitchen helpers, porters and mules men. Altogether an excellent team...not only jolly and helpful but also experts in their respective fields. For all of them this was not just a job but their passion. This was first trek batch to Har Ki Dun by India hikes after the rains this year.
My purpose
of writing this blog is not to give you the technical and detailed information
of this trek. This you can easily get on INDIA HIKES site (Link to IH site). They have given a
very good description with the minutest details. I write blogs like memoirs.
This is an account of the experiences of a couple who love walking in
wilderness, someone who is head over heals in love with nature, experiences of
an non professional trekker. Trek route is from Sankri in Uttrakhand to Maninda Tal (Click to view route)
DAY 1.....DEHRADUN TO SANKRI (10’th September 2016)
All 13 of us met at DDN station at 6:30 am. Vehicles arranged
by India Hikes were waiting for us there. After an informal introduction
amongst ourselves, we started for our base camp Sankri. No points for guessing
that the journey was a visual treat. It was just a trailer of what we were
going to experience in the coming days. After two breaks for breakfast and
lunch at places recommended by our driver Lyke Ram Ji, and one break by the
River Yamuna and few short breaks for photography, we reached Sankri by 5pm.
The journey was a bit bumpy as it is in the mountains but the scenic beauty
made up for it. The entire journey was along the river and mountains covered
with thick pine forests.
Sankri Hotel |
View from Sankri Hotel |
We were briefed about the Do’s And Don’t and other precautions to be taken while on trek. We were all given green bags to put our trash into and also collect the non biodegradable trash on the trail. This is a part of green initiative taken up by INDIA HIKES. They encourage to take back lots and lots of memories of the mountains but leave behind nothing more other than foot prints. We all had an early dinner and went to sleep with dreams of next day.
DAY 2.....SANKRI TO TALUKA TO PUANI GARAAT (11th Sept. 2016)
The best part of our group was that we
were all very punctual. This quality of all of us was reflected on the first
day itself. All of us were ready perfectly on time. We had our breakfast at the
hotel itself and were given packed lunch. Then we all boarded the bus and
reached Taluka. Taluka is the place from where our actual trek started. Here we
waited for sometime for our mules and supporting staff to come. We utilised the
waiting time by doing some warming up exercises and took some snaps. At about 9:30
am. we started for Puani Garaat. We walk along the river Supin throughout the
trek. Today we had to walk for 13 kms. The trek is not very steep but for us it
is carrying of the backpacks on the first day that made our shoulders cry,
which reminded us that we need to exercise more. But this discomfort is very trivial
in face of what we get to see there. From Taluka itself, the red fields of “Ramdana(Chaulai)” greet
you.
Ramdana Plantation |
House Inserted in cave at Gangwad |
After having tea here we started towards our
destination for the day. We reached our campsite by about 5 pm. but our
supporting staff was yet to reach ! It’s getting cold and fellow trekkers who
did not have fleece jacket with them are now feeling the chill. Soon the staff
along with the mules arrived. Abhirup and Prahalad
showed us how to pitch the tents. We all with their help pitched the tents.
Meanwhile our cook and his helpers set up the kitchen tent and we are served
hot steaming kavah. Supporting staff expertly pitched up the dining and toilet
tents in no time. We are now informed that our staff got late due to two
reasons...firstly they had to take a longer route as mules are unable to jump
over the fallen trees and secondly one of our mules had slipped and hurt itself
but luckily the mule was not hurt much and so all is well that ends well. After
having a very very tasty dinner of Dal-Chawal, we called it the day and returned to our tents.
DAY 3...PUANI GARAAT to KALAKATIYADHAAR (12’th September 2016)
Today
we have to cover a distance of 7 kms. We will be going via Seema. After wake up
call, followed by kawah and then breakfast, packed lunch and morning exercise
we are all set for the trek. We all unpitched our own tents, packed our
sleeping bags (taught to us by Abhirup ) and were ready for the trek. Inhibitions
and apprehensions of yesterday (first day of the trek) were all gone and we all
were now chatting as long time friends. At village Seema, Prahalad showed us
an Atta Chakki where villagers use strength of water to grind the cereals.
Hydraulic Atta Chakki |
Today we are encountering more ascents than descents. Walking, taking pics, and after taking numerous short rests, we reach a junction point where one road goes towards HAR KI DUN and other towards OSLA, which is one of the oldest villages of India. It has a beautiful Someshwarnath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. We’ll be visiting this village on our way back. Just after this junction is a temple of VAN DEVI where we offered our prayers before proceeding further.
Detouring Due to Landslide |
DAY 4......KALAKATIYADHAARR to HAR KI DUN (13’th September 2016)
Few among dozens of varieties of flowers |
On the way to Har Ki Dun with Sheru |
Our Orange Homes in background |
Campsite was at 11,700 ft heigth. The campsite is besides the River Maninda. Never in our previous experiences had I seen such a beautiful campsite. Every effort, every pain was worth taking for this place. It’s just Heavenly....neither the photographs nor the words do justice to the actual place. Our supporting staff was already there We had our packed lunch here. After lunch we had the day for ourselves. We explored the area around campsite at HAR KI DUN. Peaks of Swaragrohini, Har Ki Dun 1 2,3, Hataa peak are clearly visible.
View From Har Ki Dun |
DAY 5....HAR KI DUN to MANINDA TAAL and back to HAR KI DUN (14’th September 2016)
Morning Tea at Har Ki Dun |
Today
was the easiest and most relaxing day of the trek. There was no hurry today but
still almost everyone was up early and went for the morning walk. Everyone
seemed to capture everything surrounding us either in eyes or camera. Childlike
enthusiasm was clearly evident. The peaks we had seen yesterday were now
glowing under the morning rays....a completely different view. Having breakfast
at riverside reminded me of my childhood school picnics. After the daily
routine of breakfast, exercise, we started for Maninda Taal..
Maninda Taal (at 12,500 ft) is about 3 kms from Har Ki Dun. Trek to Maninda Taal is slight ascent, being picturesque comes without saying. Prahalad was as usual leading the group. Walking at a lesuirely pace along the river, we reached Maninda Taal. As soon as we reached there, we all dropped our bags and once again relived our childhood.
The lake was so clear that you could clearly see the stones beneath.All were busy ...clicking pics, standing on small rocks, adventourous ones climbing a difficult huge rock, etc. The water was freezing cold and stones beneath were pricking us....but almost all of us did this after initial hesitation. After river crossing we headed back to our camp as clouds appeared. We reached our camp in an hour and half . Lunch of steaming hot Rajma-Chawal was awaiting us.
Maninda Taal |
Maninda Taal (at 12,500 ft) is about 3 kms from Har Ki Dun. Trek to Maninda Taal is slight ascent, being picturesque comes without saying. Prahalad was as usual leading the group. Walking at a lesuirely pace along the river, we reached Maninda Taal. As soon as we reached there, we all dropped our bags and once again relived our childhood.
The lake was so clear that you could clearly see the stones beneath.All were busy ...clicking pics, standing on small rocks, adventourous ones climbing a difficult huge rock, etc. The water was freezing cold and stones beneath were pricking us....but almost all of us did this after initial hesitation. After river crossing we headed back to our camp as clouds appeared. We reached our camp in an hour and half . Lunch of steaming hot Rajma-Chawal was awaiting us.
Rajma Chawal Lunch |
Rest after lunch |
DAY 6....HAR KI DUN to PUANI GARAAT VIA OSLA (15’th Sept. 2016)
Nearly
everyone went for morning walk today also. Today was a long trek of about 11
kms. Following the daily routine we all started back at about 8:50am. As we were going by the same route we were more relaxed. On my return journey I concentrated more on flowers nearby than on the scenery far away and realised that there were at least 100 variety flowers. Rain was playing hide and seek but now we had also got used to wearing and taking off our raincoats.
Beauty Revisited |
Beauty Revisited |
We were literally making our way through flower bushes and some thorny bushes also. Prahalad showed us a bush which had pea like pods that exploded on just touching them and seeds coming out of them. It was fun trying this...Charoo gave the name PAHARI BOMB to this plant. Prahalad told us the name of that plant but I can’t recall. We took our lunch at the same place where we took while going up. After lunch we proceeded towards OSLA after bravely crossing the scary landslides.
Osla is a nice small village with a unique architecture. Few home stays are coming up for the trekkers. Signs of invasion by city people is clearly visible here. We could spot wrappers of chips, toffees etc on the roads there. Someshwara temple is situated in the middle of the village. A beautiful temple in beautiful natural surroundings with a unique architecture. It has been raining since lunch but now suddenly a massive rainbow appeared in the sky...Verrryyy Beautiful.
Someshwar temple at Osla |
DAY 7.....PUANI GARAAT TO TALUKA TO SANKRI (16’th Sept. 2016)
Today was the
last day of our trek. As we had come by the same route we all were very
comfortable as we knew no major challenges awaited us. But surprisingly those
challenges were no more challenges for us, the trek has made us confident.
We all walked at our own pace taking our own time. Our trek leader and guide were very patient with us. Never rushing though at times we were going just too slow as if not wanting to go back. By 2 o’ clock we reached the open grassland which was our first Group Rest Point while coming. We had our packed lunch here and just kept sitting there. It seemed as none of us was in a hurry to return. But as all good things do come to an end and so was our marvellous trek. After going as slow as possible we reached Taluka by about 5 pm. Lyke Ram ji were waiting there for us with the bus. we all congratulated each other for successfully completing the trek. After an hour or so we were back at Hotel SWARAGAROHINI PALACE . All of again rushed to have bath, after all we were having bath after 5 days. BSNL network was available here. Everyone informed their family members about their well being. After tea and snacks of mixed pakoras we all gathered for the formal closing ceremony of the trek. We all shared our experiences and suggestions regarding the trek. We were given trek completion certificates by India HIKES. According to Charoo, the joy of receiving this certificate was no less than what she experienced receiving her graduation degree. Both gave her a sense of achievement. So this was literally the end of my trek.
We all walked at our own pace taking our own time. Our trek leader and guide were very patient with us. Never rushing though at times we were going just too slow as if not wanting to go back. By 2 o’ clock we reached the open grassland which was our first Group Rest Point while coming. We had our packed lunch here and just kept sitting there. It seemed as none of us was in a hurry to return. But as all good things do come to an end and so was our marvellous trek. After going as slow as possible we reached Taluka by about 5 pm. Lyke Ram ji were waiting there for us with the bus. we all congratulated each other for successfully completing the trek. After an hour or so we were back at Hotel SWARAGAROHINI PALACE . All of again rushed to have bath, after all we were having bath after 5 days. BSNL network was available here. Everyone informed their family members about their well being. After tea and snacks of mixed pakoras we all gathered for the formal closing ceremony of the trek. We all shared our experiences and suggestions regarding the trek. We were given trek completion certificates by India HIKES. According to Charoo, the joy of receiving this certificate was no less than what she experienced receiving her graduation degree. Both gave her a sense of achievement. So this was literally the end of my trek.
DAY 8.......SANKRI to DDN (17’th September 2016)
Today is
officially the last day of the trek. After breakfast we started for Dehradun.
We are passing through the same beautiful route but my eyes are still roaming
at HAR KI DUN. Now I am back into city life. Network is available and so am I
to the office. As soon as the network came my mind automatically reached
Mumbai. This was not the case with me only...I noticed everyone busy on their
mobile phones...We reached Dehradun at about 5 pm. We were dropped at railway
station, the place from where we were picked up
on 10’th morning. OFFICIAL COMPLETION OF THE TREK.
Some of our
trek mates were going back next day, so they checked into their hotels. 9 of us
were going by Nanda Devi express today itself. 9 of us spent few more hours
together. Had a sumptuous dinner at Doon Darbar—a place recommended by Abhirup.
All of us boarded the train at 11;30 pm. This was the end of our marvellous trek. I would
like to come here again in month of April when valley is full of snow.
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Trek Through The Eyes Of the camera !!!!!!!