Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Friday, July 6, 2007
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Facts About Malari
Malari : Fast Facts
Location: North East Uttaranchal,Himalayas, IndiaAltitude:Approx. 10,000 Feet from Sea LevelHow to reach there:Dehradun-SrinagarNandprayag-Joshimath-MalariPopulation: 500-1000Acco. Facility: PWD Rest HouseIdeal in: Summer (May to October)Surroundings:Villages of Niti, Bampa, Jelam(Indo-Tibet regions)
Location: North East Uttaranchal,Himalayas, IndiaAltitude:Approx. 10,000 Feet from Sea LevelHow to reach there:Dehradun-SrinagarNandprayag-Joshimath-MalariPopulation: 500-1000Acco. Facility: PWD Rest HouseIdeal in: Summer (May to October)Surroundings:Villages of Niti, Bampa, Jelam(Indo-Tibet regions)
Malari
Malari
In search of the mystiqueIt had been a long time, since the last time, I had ventured out of my place in search of new horizons, new places, to meet people I had not met before and to get an altogether different experience of the world we are living in. With Dusshera holidays falling in between and a weekend, I decided it was the perfect time to move out. At least a few days of traveling and sight seeing in the Himalayas would be tranquilizing, energizing and an educating experience. I spread out the map of Uttarakhand and closely scrutinized the area from Askot to Arakot. Trying to identify, which destination would be the most suitable for this time of the year. Finally my gaze was locked on a road on the map, which led towards further north of Joshimath and then suddenly disappeared and had the comment “To Malari”. As far as I can recall, I had my introduction with Malari almost 25 years back. Had heard that it was very far off and the climate was quite hostile for other than those who actually lived there.
Malari, behind and beyond the scene!Malari, a non-descript village and one of the last outposts on the Indo-Tibet (China) border, lies in the district of Chamoli Garhwal. Lodged in a narrow valley at an altitude of 10,000 feet from mean sea level and surrounded by giant and perennially covered snow peaks. Malari lies beyond the snow covered ridges of the Greater Himalayas as seen from Mussoorie, Pauri, Khirsu, Nainital, Kausani and Choukodi. For most of the people and even among the Uttarakhandis, the general perception is that the ridges of the greater Himalayas are natural boundaries separating India from Tibet. But what they actually do not know that Indian Territory extends far beyond the snow covered peaks, which have been worshipped and revered by the Uttarakhandis and other Indians for almost five thousand years. Malari is approximately 60 kilometers from Joshimath and lies en route to Niti village, the last village on the Indo-Tibetan border. Motor-able road goes all up to the village of Bampa and from there you have to trek 6 kilometers to Niti village. Niti pass is just a few kilometers from Niti village and no one apart from ITBP and Army is allowed to go to Niti pass.
Dehradun to Nandprayag, the tranquil drive!Starting from Dehradun at 9:30 am and negotiating through the Dun roads, choking with traffic with vehicles varying from two wheelers, cars, mini truck, mini bus, trucks, buses, cart (driven by bullock) and tractors. The intersections on both sides of the Raspina bridge are jammed as there are no traffic lights, no policemen to control the traffic during the peak hour. Somehow, after patiently moving through the maddening traffic chaos, I finally get out of the city and traffic starts to flow with relative ease. The travel time between Dehradun and Nandprayag is almost 6 to 7 hours long. The drive was quite uneventful and nothing much was happened except the work currently going on for broadening of New Delhi – Niti Pass National Highway. The story remains the same for most of the part of the journey. Restaurants and dhabas coming up on the NH, in full violation of building bye laws and NH conventions. Almost all the towns of Uttarakhand have one thing in common, unchecked growth and unregulated construction activities going on. Without a proper Town Planning blueprint and getting buildings approved without getting proper permissions and clearances from the various government, the towns of Uttarakhand are fast collapsing into the slums of 21st century. But, I have said enough about this in my previous travelogues and as such I would refrain from this as much as possible. The road widening is still going on at places and Border Roads Organization (BRO) is the one looking after the maintenance and activities. The slip at ‘Kaliyasaun’, between Srinagar and Rudraprayag has stabilized to a great extent and now doesn’t pose much of a problem to the BRO and the commuters. Karnaprayag, which is situated at the confluence of Alaknanda and Pinder (source: Pindari Glacier in Kumaon) is another sleepy town of Uttarakhand. From Karnaprayag one can go straight to Simli, Adi Badri and Gwaldam or one can cross the Alaknanda and go to Nagnath Pokhari. Since neither Simli route nor Nagnath Pokhari was in our travel itinerary, we crossed over the Pinder via the new bridge and went to Nandprayag. After a long day’s drive and feeling completely exhausted, it was decided to have a night halt at Nandprayag. Nandprayag has Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam rest house and they provide good quality of accommodation at fairly reasonable price.
After all, it's Himalayas! Reaching Joshimath.After taking a rather heavy breakfast we started from Nandprayag at around 07:00 hrs towards Chamoli. We were soon greeted with sights of mighty mountains with their peaks, coated with perennial snow, thus indicating the start of the snowline area. Situated down at the abdomen of the mountain was the town of Gopeshwar, which is becomes visible just a few kilometers from Chamoli. Chamoli is not much to talk about as it is situated in a narrow valley and there is nothing special worthy of mention apart from the fact that it is a district headquarter. A few kilometers from Chamoli is a place called Birhi, which is just another place on the route that does not deserve any mention except that years ago there was lake, called ‘Birhi Taal’. The lake was formed when the falling rocks and debris obstructed the flow of one of the tributaries of Alaknanda. The lake remained in existence for several years and then in the late 1970’s, a cloud burst knocked off the barriers and the lake caused inundation and devastation along the Alaknanda valley. Now no trace of the lake remains today, but still I watched a group of Bengali tourists on their way to Birhi Taal. Since it was only the second week of October, there was not much traffic on the road. With the onset of winters and the date of temple closure approaching fast, the volume of pilgrims had lessened down to a great extent. Though, one could still see buses carrying pilgrims to and from Badrinath, there was not much traffic as one would see in May-June. Just when we were about 10 kilometers from Joshimath, where the road starts its climb, one is greeted with an unadulterated view of ‘Haathi Parvat’. I must confess, I feel some inclination, nostalgic though. It reminds me of the days gone by or rather years, almost 25 years back, when I was told about the name of the peak. This particular peak and ‘Chaukhamba’ peaks have since been hard burned in my mind. I had always gazed at these peaks with awe. I always harbored the dreams of observing them from a close distance. Though Haathi Parvat is not the tallest and mightiest peak of the greater Himalayas, still it looks massive and daunting. It was well past 10 ‘o’ clock in the morning, when we reached Joshimath. Though the day had clear skies, it was quite cold. I went to the SDM‘s office, as I was advised that anyone going to Malari has to procure a permit first. The SDM, however informed me that going to Malari as such would not require a permit, but if one has to go to Niti village, then a permit must be procured. Issuance of permit takes no time and one has to carry his/her identification proof along with him. While waiting for someone at the bus stand, I saw a stray Himalayan Shepherd Dog (HSD) sleeping peacefully under the carriage of a truck, unmindful of the prevailing noise, hustle-bustle and chaos in sheer yogic calm. I really envied his peaceful sleep and wished if I had the same peace of mind. But anyway, some of our earthy companions are luckier than us, the human beings.
Malari, behind and beyond the scene!Malari, a non-descript village and one of the last outposts on the Indo-Tibet (China) border, lies in the district of Chamoli Garhwal. Lodged in a narrow valley at an altitude of 10,000 feet from mean sea level and surrounded by giant and perennially covered snow peaks. Malari lies beyond the snow covered ridges of the Greater Himalayas as seen from Mussoorie, Pauri, Khirsu, Nainital, Kausani and Choukodi. For most of the people and even among the Uttarakhandis, the general perception is that the ridges of the greater Himalayas are natural boundaries separating India from Tibet. But what they actually do not know that Indian Territory extends far beyond the snow covered peaks, which have been worshipped and revered by the Uttarakhandis and other Indians for almost five thousand years. Malari is approximately 60 kilometers from Joshimath and lies en route to Niti village, the last village on the Indo-Tibetan border. Motor-able road goes all up to the village of Bampa and from there you have to trek 6 kilometers to Niti village. Niti pass is just a few kilometers from Niti village and no one apart from ITBP and Army is allowed to go to Niti pass.
Dehradun to Nandprayag, the tranquil drive!Starting from Dehradun at 9:30 am and negotiating through the Dun roads, choking with traffic with vehicles varying from two wheelers, cars, mini truck, mini bus, trucks, buses, cart (driven by bullock) and tractors. The intersections on both sides of the Raspina bridge are jammed as there are no traffic lights, no policemen to control the traffic during the peak hour. Somehow, after patiently moving through the maddening traffic chaos, I finally get out of the city and traffic starts to flow with relative ease. The travel time between Dehradun and Nandprayag is almost 6 to 7 hours long. The drive was quite uneventful and nothing much was happened except the work currently going on for broadening of New Delhi – Niti Pass National Highway. The story remains the same for most of the part of the journey. Restaurants and dhabas coming up on the NH, in full violation of building bye laws and NH conventions. Almost all the towns of Uttarakhand have one thing in common, unchecked growth and unregulated construction activities going on. Without a proper Town Planning blueprint and getting buildings approved without getting proper permissions and clearances from the various government, the towns of Uttarakhand are fast collapsing into the slums of 21st century. But, I have said enough about this in my previous travelogues and as such I would refrain from this as much as possible. The road widening is still going on at places and Border Roads Organization (BRO) is the one looking after the maintenance and activities. The slip at ‘Kaliyasaun’, between Srinagar and Rudraprayag has stabilized to a great extent and now doesn’t pose much of a problem to the BRO and the commuters. Karnaprayag, which is situated at the confluence of Alaknanda and Pinder (source: Pindari Glacier in Kumaon) is another sleepy town of Uttarakhand. From Karnaprayag one can go straight to Simli, Adi Badri and Gwaldam or one can cross the Alaknanda and go to Nagnath Pokhari. Since neither Simli route nor Nagnath Pokhari was in our travel itinerary, we crossed over the Pinder via the new bridge and went to Nandprayag. After a long day’s drive and feeling completely exhausted, it was decided to have a night halt at Nandprayag. Nandprayag has Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam rest house and they provide good quality of accommodation at fairly reasonable price.
After all, it's Himalayas! Reaching Joshimath.After taking a rather heavy breakfast we started from Nandprayag at around 07:00 hrs towards Chamoli. We were soon greeted with sights of mighty mountains with their peaks, coated with perennial snow, thus indicating the start of the snowline area. Situated down at the abdomen of the mountain was the town of Gopeshwar, which is becomes visible just a few kilometers from Chamoli. Chamoli is not much to talk about as it is situated in a narrow valley and there is nothing special worthy of mention apart from the fact that it is a district headquarter. A few kilometers from Chamoli is a place called Birhi, which is just another place on the route that does not deserve any mention except that years ago there was lake, called ‘Birhi Taal’. The lake was formed when the falling rocks and debris obstructed the flow of one of the tributaries of Alaknanda. The lake remained in existence for several years and then in the late 1970’s, a cloud burst knocked off the barriers and the lake caused inundation and devastation along the Alaknanda valley. Now no trace of the lake remains today, but still I watched a group of Bengali tourists on their way to Birhi Taal. Since it was only the second week of October, there was not much traffic on the road. With the onset of winters and the date of temple closure approaching fast, the volume of pilgrims had lessened down to a great extent. Though, one could still see buses carrying pilgrims to and from Badrinath, there was not much traffic as one would see in May-June. Just when we were about 10 kilometers from Joshimath, where the road starts its climb, one is greeted with an unadulterated view of ‘Haathi Parvat’. I must confess, I feel some inclination, nostalgic though. It reminds me of the days gone by or rather years, almost 25 years back, when I was told about the name of the peak. This particular peak and ‘Chaukhamba’ peaks have since been hard burned in my mind. I had always gazed at these peaks with awe. I always harbored the dreams of observing them from a close distance. Though Haathi Parvat is not the tallest and mightiest peak of the greater Himalayas, still it looks massive and daunting. It was well past 10 ‘o’ clock in the morning, when we reached Joshimath. Though the day had clear skies, it was quite cold. I went to the SDM‘s office, as I was advised that anyone going to Malari has to procure a permit first. The SDM, however informed me that going to Malari as such would not require a permit, but if one has to go to Niti village, then a permit must be procured. Issuance of permit takes no time and one has to carry his/her identification proof along with him. While waiting for someone at the bus stand, I saw a stray Himalayan Shepherd Dog (HSD) sleeping peacefully under the carriage of a truck, unmindful of the prevailing noise, hustle-bustle and chaos in sheer yogic calm. I really envied his peaceful sleep and wished if I had the same peace of mind. But anyway, some of our earthy companions are luckier than us, the human beings.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Valley of Flower's
Way back in 1931, English mountaineer Frank Smythe, on his way back from an expedition to Mt Kamet, literally stumbled across the paradisal Bhyundar Valley, an 8-km long glacial corridor in Chamoli Garhwal. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and carpeted with flowers- some 500 species, including the elusive brahmakamal, the cobra lily, the Himalayan edelweiss and the ethereal Himalayan blue poppy- the Valley forms one of India's most unusual protected areas. Declared a National Park in 1982, the Valley of Flowers stretches over an expanse of 87.50 sq km- an area which has steadily gained in popularity, not just among nature lovers, but also among eager-beaver trekkers over the past few years.
This part of Uttaranchal, in the upper reaches of Garhwal, is inaccessible through much of the year. But when the snows melt and the monsoon arrives, the earth comes to life- all along the Bhyundar Ganga river. For miles on end, flowers- orchids, poppies, primulas, calendulas, daisies and anemones among them- in every conceivable colour, carpet the ground. Alpine forests of birch and rhododendron cover a part of the area, and are home to tahr, snow leopard, musk deer, red fox, common langur, bharal, serow, and Himalayan black bear. They're elusive, though, and a trek through the Valley may not result in actually seeing much wildlife other than the myriad butterflies which flutter over the blossoms.The local villagers say that the Valley of Flowers is inhabited by fairies who carry off anyone who ventures too far into their domain; and that there bloom, in the valley, flowers with a fragrance so potent that it can make you faint. Another story would have you believe that this valley- known in Hindu mythology as `Nandankanan'- was created when the gods showered flowers down on earth. The last story's actually very believable. See for yourself. Entry RequirementsAll visitors to the Valley of Flowers need to obtain an entry permit from the Forest Checkpost at the entrance to the park, beyond Ghangaria. The fee is a nominal one- at least for Indians, who pay significantly less than foreigners. The permit is valid for three days, and additional charges are levied for still cameras; video cameras are allowed only if you're carrying a special permit from the Chief Wildlife Warden in Lucknow. Visitors are allowed into the park only during the daytime.
AccessGetting to the Valley of Flowers isn't exactly a cakewalk: getting here requires a trek of about 17 km. The nearest major town is Joshimath in Garhwal, which has convenient road connections from railheads such as Hardwar and Dehradun, both about 270 km from Joshimath.From Joshimath, a vehicle can be hired to take you to within 17 km of the park, to the settlement of Gobindghat. The route from Joshimath to the Valley of Flowers goes along the main road to Badrinath; roughly midway along this road, a minor road branches off to Gobindghat, the roadhead for the Valley. From Gobindghat, a trek of 14 km brings hikers to the tiny settlement of Ghangaria, beyond which the toll gate to the National Park is about 3 km.
Best time to visitThe Valley of Flowers is accessible only in the summer, between June and October. The rest of the year, heavy snows make passage impossible, and usually block off the trail leading up to the National Park. Although you can visit the park any time during the summer, it's best to go in August or September, when monsoon showers turn the valley into a mass of blooms.
AccommodationVisitors are not allowed to stay overnight at the Valley of Flowers; in consequence, there are no facilities for accommodation within the park. Places nearby, however, have a fairly respectable range of accommodation facilities- none of them too luxurious, but usually adequate. There are state-run tourist resthouses at Joshimath and Ghangharia; both in addition, have several tourist lodges and resthouses. Accommodation tariffs along the way can range from anywhere between Rs 50 to 700. Further information on the Valley of Flowers National Park can be obtained from the many offices of the GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) in Uttaranchal, or from the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Nanda Devi National Park, Joshimath, Chamoli District, Garhwal, Uttaranchal
This part of Uttaranchal, in the upper reaches of Garhwal, is inaccessible through much of the year. But when the snows melt and the monsoon arrives, the earth comes to life- all along the Bhyundar Ganga river. For miles on end, flowers- orchids, poppies, primulas, calendulas, daisies and anemones among them- in every conceivable colour, carpet the ground. Alpine forests of birch and rhododendron cover a part of the area, and are home to tahr, snow leopard, musk deer, red fox, common langur, bharal, serow, and Himalayan black bear. They're elusive, though, and a trek through the Valley may not result in actually seeing much wildlife other than the myriad butterflies which flutter over the blossoms.The local villagers say that the Valley of Flowers is inhabited by fairies who carry off anyone who ventures too far into their domain; and that there bloom, in the valley, flowers with a fragrance so potent that it can make you faint. Another story would have you believe that this valley- known in Hindu mythology as `Nandankanan'- was created when the gods showered flowers down on earth. The last story's actually very believable. See for yourself. Entry RequirementsAll visitors to the Valley of Flowers need to obtain an entry permit from the Forest Checkpost at the entrance to the park, beyond Ghangaria. The fee is a nominal one- at least for Indians, who pay significantly less than foreigners. The permit is valid for three days, and additional charges are levied for still cameras; video cameras are allowed only if you're carrying a special permit from the Chief Wildlife Warden in Lucknow. Visitors are allowed into the park only during the daytime.
AccessGetting to the Valley of Flowers isn't exactly a cakewalk: getting here requires a trek of about 17 km. The nearest major town is Joshimath in Garhwal, which has convenient road connections from railheads such as Hardwar and Dehradun, both about 270 km from Joshimath.From Joshimath, a vehicle can be hired to take you to within 17 km of the park, to the settlement of Gobindghat. The route from Joshimath to the Valley of Flowers goes along the main road to Badrinath; roughly midway along this road, a minor road branches off to Gobindghat, the roadhead for the Valley. From Gobindghat, a trek of 14 km brings hikers to the tiny settlement of Ghangaria, beyond which the toll gate to the National Park is about 3 km.
Best time to visitThe Valley of Flowers is accessible only in the summer, between June and October. The rest of the year, heavy snows make passage impossible, and usually block off the trail leading up to the National Park. Although you can visit the park any time during the summer, it's best to go in August or September, when monsoon showers turn the valley into a mass of blooms.
AccommodationVisitors are not allowed to stay overnight at the Valley of Flowers; in consequence, there are no facilities for accommodation within the park. Places nearby, however, have a fairly respectable range of accommodation facilities- none of them too luxurious, but usually adequate. There are state-run tourist resthouses at Joshimath and Ghangharia; both in addition, have several tourist lodges and resthouses. Accommodation tariffs along the way can range from anywhere between Rs 50 to 700. Further information on the Valley of Flowers National Park can be obtained from the many offices of the GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) in Uttaranchal, or from the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Nanda Devi National Park, Joshimath, Chamoli District, Garhwal, Uttaranchal
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
History
The history of Garhwal is older than that of the Ramayan and Maha- bharata. It is a land of popular myths, like that of Lord Shiva appearing as Kirat, of Urvashi, Shakuntala and the Kauravas and Pandavas. Worship of Lord Shiva is pre-dominant in this region. Historically, it has been described in the ancient text of Kedarkhand to extend from Gangadwar (modern day Hardwar) in the South to the high mountains in the North, and from the Tamsa (Tons) river in the in the West to Buddhachal (probably the Nanda Devi group of peaks between Garhwal and Kumaon) in the East. Today it is an administrative division of the raising state of Uttaranchal, comprising the districts of Chamoli, Dehradun, Pauri, Tehri and Uttarkashi.
The people of Kumaon are said to have been the original inhabitants of the Kols (also related to the Mund, ethnic group). One of their groups migrated to Kumaon after they had been defeated by the Dravidians. The Shilpkars of Kumaon are said to be the descendants of the Kols. The Kirats are believed to have been the ancestors of the tribes which are today known as Shaukas, Banrajis. Tharus and Boksas. While the Shaukas were active from the Tarai region to Tibet, the Tharus and Boksas confined themselves to the Tarai, and the Banrajis had always lived in 'splendid' isolation. Later on, the Khasas came from West Asia and settled down in many parts of Himalaya. A major portion of the population of Kumaon is said to have descended from the Khasas.
The people of Kumaon are said to have been the original inhabitants of the Kols (also related to the Mund, ethnic group). One of their groups migrated to Kumaon after they had been defeated by the Dravidians. The Shilpkars of Kumaon are said to be the descendants of the Kols. The Kirats are believed to have been the ancestors of the tribes which are today known as Shaukas, Banrajis. Tharus and Boksas. While the Shaukas were active from the Tarai region to Tibet, the Tharus and Boksas confined themselves to the Tarai, and the Banrajis had always lived in 'splendid' isolation. Later on, the Khasas came from West Asia and settled down in many parts of Himalaya. A major portion of the population of Kumaon is said to have descended from the Khasas.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
HISTORY
Uttaranchal finds mention in the ancient Hindu scriptures as Kedarkhand, Manakhand and Himavat. The Kushanas, Kudinas, Kanishka, Samudra, Gupta, the Pauravas, Katuris, Palas, the Chandras and Pawaras and the British have ruled in turns. It is often called the Land of the Gods (Dev Bhoomi) because of its various holy places and shrines. The hilly regions of Uttaranchal offer unspoilt landscapes to the tourist -pilgrim.
The present state of Uttaranchal was earlier as part of the United Province of Agra and Awadh which came into existence in 1902. In 1935, the name of the state was shortened to the United Province. In January 1950, the United Province was renamed as Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal remained a part of Uttar Pradesh before it came into being on 9 November 2000, the 27th state of India.
The present state of Uttaranchal was earlier as part of the United Province of Agra and Awadh which came into existence in 1902. In 1935, the name of the state was shortened to the United Province. In January 1950, the United Province was renamed as Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal remained a part of Uttar Pradesh before it came into being on 9 November 2000, the 27th state of India.
Area
: 55,845 sq.km.
Population
: 70.45 Lakhs
Capital
: Dehradun
Districts
: 13
The new State Uttaranchal, formerly a part of Uttar Pradesh was formed on November 9th, 2000 as the 27th state of the Indian Union. The districts include Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Tehri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Hardwar, Pauri Garhwal, Bageswar, Pithoragarh, Almora, Nainital, Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar. Dehradun has been made the capital. Nitya Ananda Swami of the B.J.P party has become the Chief Minister of the state. Details under construction.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Kausani
Location:Standing 1890 mts. above the sea level, Kausani is nature's own reserve. Even the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi had contemplated on the beauty of the region.Several snow- capped peaks stand in a stately row, over 300 kms. in length, shining against the azure sky making the horizon as seen from Kausani and enviable spectacle. The glory of the snow crowned Himalayan range reaches its pinnacle when the sunrays turn them into crimson and gold.Mahatma Gandhi, who spent 12 days in 1929 at Kausani, penned his memorable commentary on the Gita-Ana-Shakti Yoga inspired by the scenic grandeur of this richly gifted spot. The guest house where the Mahatma stayed is now known as the Anashakti Ashram.Hindi poet laureate Sumitra Nandon Pant was born at Kausani. Some of his early poems composed here have described nature in its myriad manifestations.Kausani is ideal for those who seek to escape from the din and dust, hustle and bustle of big cities and wish to spend a quiet holiday in the lap of nature. Indeed, Kausani is a veritable heaven of beauty to which an excursion must be made on visiting Kumaon
How To Reach
By Air: Nearest airport to Kausani is at Pant Nagar.
By Rail: Nearest railway station to Kausani is at Kathgodam, which is 35 km away. Kathgodam is connected with major cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Moradabad, Dehradun and Calcutta.
By Road: Kausani is well connected by surface network with major cities like Delhi, Nainital, Almora and Ranikhet.
By Air: Nearest airport to Kausani is at Pant Nagar.
By Rail: Nearest railway station to Kausani is at Kathgodam, which is 35 km away. Kathgodam is connected with major cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Moradabad, Dehradun and Calcutta.
By Road: Kausani is well connected by surface network with major cities like Delhi, Nainital, Almora and Ranikhet.
Chaukori
Chaukori
Location:Chaukori is a dream,surrounded by the towering Himalayan peaks and dense forests. At a height of 2,010 mtrs. above the sea level. Chaukori is not just another hill station, but it's for the very few, who want to be there, in the majestic proximity of the Himalayas for an unbound view of the Nanda Devi and Panchchuli peaks.Sight Seeing: Chaukori is the vantaage point to the Himalayas. Due to it's small population(just 300), high altitude and the magnificent location, it's one of the most ideal spot for the travellers who seek a ideal hideaway, far from the maddening city life.One can look at the awe-inspiring distant peaks, walk in at own pace amidst forests and orchards or do nothing, just relax
How to Reach
By Air: The nearest Airport is Pithoragarh(125 Kms.).No regular flights are available at present
By Rail:The nearest Railhead Kathgodam,215 kms. By Road: Chaukori is connected through metalled hill roads with all the major towns in the area
Where to Stay:1. Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Rest HouseTel:05964-2443452. Him Darshan Hotel3. Hotel Panch Chuli4. Jhaltola Estate5. Uttarayan Rest HouseMany Private hotels at Berinag, barely 8 kms. from Chaukori
By Air: The nearest Airport is Pithoragarh(125 Kms.).No regular flights are available at present
By Rail:The nearest Railhead Kathgodam,215 kms. By Road: Chaukori is connected through metalled hill roads with all the major towns in the area
Where to Stay:1. Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Rest HouseTel:05964-2443452. Him Darshan Hotel3. Hotel Panch Chuli4. Jhaltola Estate5. Uttarayan Rest HouseMany Private hotels at Berinag, barely 8 kms. from Chaukori
Harsil
On the way to Gangotri,at a distance of 73 Kms. from Uttarkashi,this sleepy hamlet offers immaculate beauty of the Himalayas,at an impressive height of 2,620 mtrs. above the sea level.Harsil is still a sleeping beauty, unexplored by the travellers. It has unlimited beauty in the form of green valleys and sleepy meadows,surrounded by the breathtaking splendour of the Himalayan peaks.Harsil is a cantonment area. So it is restricted for the foreign tourist. Apart from being at the way to Gangotri, it's also the entry point to Kinnaur Himalayas in the Himachal Pradesh. One can walk through the pristine valleys,tall trees,encircling lakes and go for long treks
The Camp is a very scenic beach camp by the Ganga river, located upstream from Rishikesh and before Kaudiyala, in the Himalayan foothills. It stretches onto 800 meters of silver sand beach, surrounded by thick forests and mountains, bright sunshine and constantly flowing emerald green river Ganges. Night on the beach has its own mystic charm - starlit sky, silhouette of the mountains, the moon shimmering on the river, the rippling sound of water and the camp fire romance. This is a great way to explore the outdoors.Accommodation is in safari tents with a living area of the size of 10 x 12 feet which have a centre table and two beds with mattresses and sleeping bags. Each unit is weather proof and well ventilated with roll up windows. Dining is an interesting affair as well. Keeping up with the forest department guidelines we have dry pit toilets (sanitized by lime powder) at one end of the camp which also houses bathing tents and general wash area. People at the camp generally prefer to bathe at the river but hot water is also made available on request.Dining: Food is laid out in a separate dining tent overlooking river Ganga. Drinking water at the camp is sourced from a natural water spring about 200 meters from the camp. Alternatively bottled water is procured for drinking and cooking purposes. Adequate supply of bottled drinking water is also maintained at the camp. The camp kitchen takes care of the meals in a buffet arrangement with a large spread. The meal pattern is generally vegetarian. Chinese and continental food is also served at the camp with prior information and request for groups. Liven up your evenings on the beach under a starlit sky with mouth watering bar-be-cue, tandoori delights, music and bonfire !Activities: A host of activities await you here - rafting, kayaking, body surfing, forest walks, village visits, trekking, bird watching, star gazing, beach volleyball, cricket, rugby or simply building sandcastles or sunbathing. It is also a great venue for corporate programs like outbound training, team building, stress management. For those interested in adventure we offer rafting and kayaking on the Ganges with experienced river runners. The wilderness around the camp encourages you to go for scenic walks in the invigorating and pure morning air. Also on offer is trekking, rock climbing and rappelling
Binsar, located in the serene and heavenly Kumaon hills, lies 25 kilometres north-east of the town of Almora. Binsar is situated in the midst of a forest reserve known as the ‘Binsar Reserve’ which has been declared as a wildlife sanctuary. Binsar is perched on top of the Jhandi Dhar hills and completely surrounded by dense forests. Oak, rhododendron, pine and deodar grow in amazing abundance. The forests of Himalayan oak and rhododendron are excellent for trekking. The chief attraction of Binsar is the majestic view of the Himalayas - a 300 kms, stretch on famous peaks which includes Kedarnath, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, Nanda Kot and Panchchuli
Ramgarh is a picturesque hamlet in the heart of orchard land in the foothills of the Himalayas, located 25 kms from Nainital. Many writers and thinkers have been drawn to the beauty of Ramgarh and it is an ideal place for long walks, to let your creative juices flow or just unwind or introspect. This is the place where Rabindranath Tagore was inspired to write his Nobel Prize-winning collection of poems, Gitanjali.
At 8000 ft, Mukteshwar is an idyllic sojourn in the lap of the mountains and rolling meadows. Surrounded by fruit orchards and thick coniferous forest it provides a majestic view of the Himalayas. It is popular for the centuries old Shiva Temple, Chauthijalli rock formations, Angora wool sheep farm, rejuvenating forest walks and enchanting sunsets
Nestling amongst thick, dense pine forests, atop a narrow ridge, and separated from the towering mountains of the Nanda Devi range by low medium mountains, Kausani commands an incredible view of 300 km of silvery majesty of the Himalayan range. Praised by poets and philosophers, this scenic spot offers sightseeing, history and complete relaxation. Gandhiji stayed here at the Anashakti Ashram in 1929 and was inspired by the superb Himalayan panorama and the Hindi poet laureate Sumitra Nandan Pant grew up here
Ranikhet with no hustle-bustle of a busy hill station, no touts offering the best accommodation bargain in town, or cajoling to book a sightseeing tour for the morrow, or offering to escort you to ‘sunset point’ or ‘himalayan point’ in the evening is a perfect place for a peaceful and tranquil getaway !It is also the home for the Kumaon Regimental Centre (KRC). As soon as you enter the town, the ethereal beauty of the majestic deodhar welcomes you. Since the time the Britishers discovered this celestial piece of earth to the outside world, the ambience of the place seems almost unchanged. Ranikhet has a 9 hole golf course, ringed by verdant pine meadows.
Bhimtal is a small mountain haven with a huge lake, and is only 298 kms from Delhi and 16 kms from Nainital. Bhimtal at 4500 feet, is known for its tranquility and idyllic natural setting. It is famous for its beautiful lake, serene beauty and picturesque mountains.
Situated at a height of 8500 feet and built over a sprawling 5 acre plot, The Terraces comprises of 20 luxury rooms, each of them with a grand view of snow clad Himalayan Peaks. Each tastefully decorated room at this boutique resort is equipped with a wide range of latest amenities. Also fireplaces in each room ward off intense cold during winters. From here you can go for many walks in the adjoining forest and short treks around. Surkhanda Devi, on the other side, is almost a must-do. It is located 6 kms, from The Terraces, by road to Kaddukhal towards Mussorie and then a 2 km trek on foot to the little temple at a height of 9995 feet.
At 8000 ft, Mukteshwar is an idyllic sojourn in the lap of the mountains and rolling meadows. Surrounded by fruit orchards and thick coniferous forest it provides a majestic view of the Himalayas. It is popular for the centuries old Shiva Temple, Chauthijalli rock formations, Angora wool sheep farm, rejuvenating forest walks and enchanting sunsets
Nestling amongst thick, dense pine forests, atop a narrow ridge, and separated from the towering mountains of the Nanda Devi range by low medium mountains, Kausani commands an incredible view of 300 km of silvery majesty of the Himalayan range. Praised by poets and philosophers, this scenic spot offers sightseeing, history and complete relaxation. Gandhiji stayed here at the Anashakti Ashram in 1929 and was inspired by the superb Himalayan panorama and the Hindi poet laureate Sumitra Nandan Pant grew up here
Ranikhet with no hustle-bustle of a busy hill station, no touts offering the best accommodation bargain in town, or cajoling to book a sightseeing tour for the morrow, or offering to escort you to ‘sunset point’ or ‘himalayan point’ in the evening is a perfect place for a peaceful and tranquil getaway !It is also the home for the Kumaon Regimental Centre (KRC). As soon as you enter the town, the ethereal beauty of the majestic deodhar welcomes you. Since the time the Britishers discovered this celestial piece of earth to the outside world, the ambience of the place seems almost unchanged. Ranikhet has a 9 hole golf course, ringed by verdant pine meadows.
Bhimtal is a small mountain haven with a huge lake, and is only 298 kms from Delhi and 16 kms from Nainital. Bhimtal at 4500 feet, is known for its tranquility and idyllic natural setting. It is famous for its beautiful lake, serene beauty and picturesque mountains.
Situated at a height of 8500 feet and built over a sprawling 5 acre plot, The Terraces comprises of 20 luxury rooms, each of them with a grand view of snow clad Himalayan Peaks. Each tastefully decorated room at this boutique resort is equipped with a wide range of latest amenities. Also fireplaces in each room ward off intense cold during winters. From here you can go for many walks in the adjoining forest and short treks around. Surkhanda Devi, on the other side, is almost a must-do. It is located 6 kms, from The Terraces, by road to Kaddukhal towards Mussorie and then a 2 km trek on foot to the little temple at a height of 9995 feet.
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