Himalayas have left me an addiction. Every visit attaches me more and my thirst seems not easy to quench now. This was my 3rd visit within a year, this time in Uttrakhand (unlike my last 2 in Himachal). An easy trail, a bunch of new friends and a lot of moments to cherish.We were a gang of 9: Gagan, Harwinder, Ishita, Prerna, Akhil, Vaibhav, Ashutosh, Ankita and Navdeep And followed the plan as:
day1: trek from binsar to zero point to TRC to Dhaulchina
day2: trek to Jageshwar, exploration trek and lodged back at Jageshwar
day3: visit to temple and return Journey
There were so many moments worth taking a note.. i penned some in brief, hope these cover my experiences well..
First tea
it was dark, around 5.30am, when we started our journey from kathgodham. Soon the dawn broke. After about a 50km drive we took our first stop. Couldn't have been perfect. There was a polite stream flowing on one side along the road, and an almost isolated tea shop on the other of it. There was hardly any traffic early morning. The weather wasn't much clear. I could observe the lush green peaks around us covered by clouds.
There was lot of silence at that place broken just by our chatter, or by an occasional vehicle or the river gush breaking it. The sips of our first hot tea tasted great at this unique halt. The cold breeze added more flavor to it.
The lake of clouds
Post tea shop we gained altitude really fast leaving the cloud cover below and then the view of valley I never experienced earlier. The entire valley, with all those villages roads and people, vanished beneath this never ending lake of clouds that sat calmly over it giving us a feeling of a world left below and we rose above the dimensions of it.
The snowy slide
Hours later we were now inside Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. This was an entirely forested area with a small road leading us to the temple from where we were to start our trek. But just before the temple we hit a snow laden patch on road, that too on the steeper side. With 10 people onboard our Tavera couldn't manage to climb it and it slided for a few seconds.
This was it, the maximum we could have driven. We were now on our foot for rest of the journey.
The unsuccessful shortcuts and the Himalayan range view
We had sufficient time to trek to Dhaulchina, then why not conquer a local peak Jhandi Dhari (or zero point, 2412mtrs).
The trail being not very well defined, and our tendency to take shortcuts, we kept losing our way, at times receding back fully due to an unsuccessful attempt. Eventually we took the broader route till the end and reached zero point in about an hour. The view was completely worth with mount Trishul (7120mtrs) distinctly visible along with a long range of other snow laden peaks.
A mysterious cloud of black smoke now and then from behind the mountain kept us guessing.
We were the only ones there and the untouched patch of snow beneath also waiting for us where we left our marks.
The Maggi and breads
It took long and was already 1pm. Our eco-camp at Dhaulchina had our lunch ready but that seemed another 2-3 hrs away. We all hungry since morning attacked on whatever the TRC guest house offered us, Maggi, bread, omlete etc.
The pine fruit collection
The downhill trail towards dhaulchina sounded pretty smooth for all and without any serious stop we had a continuous 2.5hr descend. Most interesting was collecting the fallen and dried fruits of pine tree which served as the best possible souvenir from this Himalayan trip. They were so many that I kept exchanging with the next best one I found.
The star gaze
We had our dinner, the long chatting session and little bit of dumb cherades. But the best part of the night was yet to unveil. The star gaze on 24rd Jan 2014 is the best I ever had. It was me and Prerna curious enough to check out the dense sky spanned above. Thanks to Ashu, I got hold of a small notebook to make some notes this time. What all we observed, I verified later. The constellations of Orion, Taurus, Ariga. The planet Jupiter and the star Sirius. That distant star near the horizon glittering green, yellow, red, blue and white colors was amazing. And the best part, the Milky Way: Near Orion's head we observed a hazy cloud of light with good density of stars. I just guessed it was our Galaxy but could verify it only when I reached back Hyderabad. That made it a really memorable gaze which I did continue next night as well to witness few more constellations and the longest trail of meteor of my life (most others caught a snap as well). All my notes of this and future star gazing am planning to put in this blog: http://mystargazes.blogspot.in/
The sunrise
Early morning at around 6 we climbed a small peak close by to witness the first rays hitting the Trishul that was clearly visible on the other side. We waited patiently for about half an hour with our chats and photo session.
The view of sun rays overtaking the span of Himalayas, we enjoyed and was totally worth after the early morning wake up.
The language switch
A broad road (infact we called it highway for trekkers) when we started for Jageshwar. We did a non stop trail for almost 2 hrs talking and chatting. Me, Ishita and Prerna were leading the pack. Little anyone had a clue what kept us going. It was my first multi-lingual bakar that lasted for long. I took a African slang, while Ishita practiced the european, and Prerna Latin. We were continuously talking all nonsense possible in this world and hardly realized the trail that we covered during that. Memorable.
5 route point
The route became narrow after we crossed a tar road intersection. After a climb of 15-20 min we were at a junction of 5 different trails to chose from. Never had so many options in my life earlier. My inclination was towards the snowy track, which was nothing but a loop ending to other option. It was the downhill trail we were supposed to take as we confirmed from the villagers.
Water stream
Finally a place worth taking a pause. Everyone took a sip of the treasure stream that we found after almost 4 hrs of continuous trekking. Worth was to check out the seclusion and click some photos.
Entry to Jageshwar
Trail ended to a tar road. It was the end of our trek. In excitement we had a small performance on 'balam pichkari':P . The sight of Jageshwar was quite welcoming.
Advantage of off season, we owned that place literally. No other tourists we could spot there. Disadvantage, no operational dhaba or restaurant. We just sat at one that offered a really fresh and homely meal, though it took its leisure time for preparation. The tea that followed relaxed us more.
Search for the lodge
Though a small city, we all wanted to stay amidst the woods rather than among the people. We started exploring options. As suggested by a local, a bamboo hut option 2kms away sounded really interesting. Leaving few tired souls behind, Me, Harwinder, Ashu and Prerna went ahead to check it out. The trail was itself interesting and the location of the bamboo huts infact mesmerized from a distance. Though we already made our mind to stay there, a closer investigation dissapointed as they were not completely developed yet. We trekked back till Jageshwar and then trekked another 3Km to finally stay at a lodge amidst forest.
Story sessions
The mahaul was set. There was a decent bonfire already burning and cane chairs surrounding it as we reached the lodge. I din't even check the rooms, just threw my bag and took a seat. We all sat there for our never ending interesting talks. All stories being shared about thefts, horror, lucky escapes and childhood. The first times of drinkings, smokings kind of questions. It all just kept going on and on and on.
The Jageshwar temple
The last day, i.e.26th Jan. After our luxurious morning and breakfast we trekked back to Jageshwar to visit the temple and take our return cab. Now how should I describe this temple. I would say unquestionably one the rarest temple where I found so much peace and calmness. The temple is architecturally very beautiful with numerous shivlings residing in small chambers spread all over the site as if Shiva waiting for the true followers to search each corner for these spiritual marks and go back in content. Atleast I was really content, especially visiting the section of the temple little away from any human interference.
The silence where was broken occasional clinging of bells from a distance and the calls of beautiful jungle birds. I had a glance at almost each shivling inside there. Some areas of temple still had snow that fell few days back giving an idea so few people visited this place in recent. The entire experience was containing and felt so blessed with these moments.
Bakar at Kathgodham
No clue what suddenly hit to everyone, we were continuously laughing during the last few hours of our trip. The PJs kept flowing and a different sense of humour deeply connected everyone during those last moments. Couldn't have been a better ending for this amazing trip.
day1: trek from binsar to zero point to TRC to Dhaulchina
day2: trek to Jageshwar, exploration trek and lodged back at Jageshwar
day3: visit to temple and return Journey
There were so many moments worth taking a note.. i penned some in brief, hope these cover my experiences well..
First tea
it was dark, around 5.30am, when we started our journey from kathgodham. Soon the dawn broke. After about a 50km drive we took our first stop. Couldn't have been perfect. There was a polite stream flowing on one side along the road, and an almost isolated tea shop on the other of it. There was hardly any traffic early morning. The weather wasn't much clear. I could observe the lush green peaks around us covered by clouds.
The lake of clouds
Post tea shop we gained altitude really fast leaving the cloud cover below and then the view of valley I never experienced earlier. The entire valley, with all those villages roads and people, vanished beneath this never ending lake of clouds that sat calmly over it giving us a feeling of a world left below and we rose above the dimensions of it.
The snowy slide
Hours later we were now inside Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. This was an entirely forested area with a small road leading us to the temple from where we were to start our trek. But just before the temple we hit a snow laden patch on road, that too on the steeper side. With 10 people onboard our Tavera couldn't manage to climb it and it slided for a few seconds.
This was it, the maximum we could have driven. We were now on our foot for rest of the journey.
The unsuccessful shortcuts and the Himalayan range view
We had sufficient time to trek to Dhaulchina, then why not conquer a local peak Jhandi Dhari (or zero point, 2412mtrs).
The trail being not very well defined, and our tendency to take shortcuts, we kept losing our way, at times receding back fully due to an unsuccessful attempt. Eventually we took the broader route till the end and reached zero point in about an hour. The view was completely worth with mount Trishul (7120mtrs) distinctly visible along with a long range of other snow laden peaks.
A mysterious cloud of black smoke now and then from behind the mountain kept us guessing.
We were the only ones there and the untouched patch of snow beneath also waiting for us where we left our marks.
The Maggi and breads
It took long and was already 1pm. Our eco-camp at Dhaulchina had our lunch ready but that seemed another 2-3 hrs away. We all hungry since morning attacked on whatever the TRC guest house offered us, Maggi, bread, omlete etc.
The pine fruit collection
The downhill trail towards dhaulchina sounded pretty smooth for all and without any serious stop we had a continuous 2.5hr descend. Most interesting was collecting the fallen and dried fruits of pine tree which served as the best possible souvenir from this Himalayan trip. They were so many that I kept exchanging with the next best one I found.
The star gaze
We had our dinner, the long chatting session and little bit of dumb cherades. But the best part of the night was yet to unveil. The star gaze on 24rd Jan 2014 is the best I ever had. It was me and Prerna curious enough to check out the dense sky spanned above. Thanks to Ashu, I got hold of a small notebook to make some notes this time. What all we observed, I verified later. The constellations of Orion, Taurus, Ariga. The planet Jupiter and the star Sirius. That distant star near the horizon glittering green, yellow, red, blue and white colors was amazing. And the best part, the Milky Way: Near Orion's head we observed a hazy cloud of light with good density of stars. I just guessed it was our Galaxy but could verify it only when I reached back Hyderabad. That made it a really memorable gaze which I did continue next night as well to witness few more constellations and the longest trail of meteor of my life (most others caught a snap as well). All my notes of this and future star gazing am planning to put in this blog: http://mystargazes.blogspot.in/
The sunrise
Early morning at around 6 we climbed a small peak close by to witness the first rays hitting the Trishul that was clearly visible on the other side. We waited patiently for about half an hour with our chats and photo session.
The view of sun rays overtaking the span of Himalayas, we enjoyed and was totally worth after the early morning wake up.
The language switch
A broad road (infact we called it highway for trekkers) when we started for Jageshwar. We did a non stop trail for almost 2 hrs talking and chatting. Me, Ishita and Prerna were leading the pack. Little anyone had a clue what kept us going. It was my first multi-lingual bakar that lasted for long. I took a African slang, while Ishita practiced the european, and Prerna Latin. We were continuously talking all nonsense possible in this world and hardly realized the trail that we covered during that. Memorable.
5 route point
The route became narrow after we crossed a tar road intersection. After a climb of 15-20 min we were at a junction of 5 different trails to chose from. Never had so many options in my life earlier. My inclination was towards the snowy track, which was nothing but a loop ending to other option. It was the downhill trail we were supposed to take as we confirmed from the villagers.
Water stream
Finally a place worth taking a pause. Everyone took a sip of the treasure stream that we found after almost 4 hrs of continuous trekking. Worth was to check out the seclusion and click some photos.
Entry to Jageshwar
Trail ended to a tar road. It was the end of our trek. In excitement we had a small performance on 'balam pichkari':P . The sight of Jageshwar was quite welcoming.
Advantage of off season, we owned that place literally. No other tourists we could spot there. Disadvantage, no operational dhaba or restaurant. We just sat at one that offered a really fresh and homely meal, though it took its leisure time for preparation. The tea that followed relaxed us more.
Search for the lodge
Though a small city, we all wanted to stay amidst the woods rather than among the people. We started exploring options. As suggested by a local, a bamboo hut option 2kms away sounded really interesting. Leaving few tired souls behind, Me, Harwinder, Ashu and Prerna went ahead to check it out. The trail was itself interesting and the location of the bamboo huts infact mesmerized from a distance. Though we already made our mind to stay there, a closer investigation dissapointed as they were not completely developed yet. We trekked back till Jageshwar and then trekked another 3Km to finally stay at a lodge amidst forest.
Story sessions
The mahaul was set. There was a decent bonfire already burning and cane chairs surrounding it as we reached the lodge. I din't even check the rooms, just threw my bag and took a seat. We all sat there for our never ending interesting talks. All stories being shared about thefts, horror, lucky escapes and childhood. The first times of drinkings, smokings kind of questions. It all just kept going on and on and on.
The Jageshwar temple
The last day, i.e.26th Jan. After our luxurious morning and breakfast we trekked back to Jageshwar to visit the temple and take our return cab. Now how should I describe this temple. I would say unquestionably one the rarest temple where I found so much peace and calmness. The temple is architecturally very beautiful with numerous shivlings residing in small chambers spread all over the site as if Shiva waiting for the true followers to search each corner for these spiritual marks and go back in content. Atleast I was really content, especially visiting the section of the temple little away from any human interference.
The silence where was broken occasional clinging of bells from a distance and the calls of beautiful jungle birds. I had a glance at almost each shivling inside there. Some areas of temple still had snow that fell few days back giving an idea so few people visited this place in recent. The entire experience was containing and felt so blessed with these moments.
Bakar at Kathgodham
No clue what suddenly hit to everyone, we were continuously laughing during the last few hours of our trip. The PJs kept flowing and a different sense of humour deeply connected everyone during those last moments. Couldn't have been a better ending for this amazing trip.
