Arjun Haarith: A sojourn in the Kumaon and Garhwal Himalayas

Monday, January 4, 2016

A sojourn in the Kumaon and Garhwal Himalayas - (Part 1)

Wishing all the readers a very Happy New Year 2016 !!!

Travelling along the most beautiful and scenic routes of Uttarkhand was always in my mind. I wanted to travel in this route for a long time and that wish was finally fulfilled in the year 2015.

Drawing the plan

The plan was done almost 6 months back by my uncle Mr Satish. When he eventually discussed about it, we were completely excited. every time I hear about a trip to Himalaya, my excitement will have no bounds. Accordingly, this new route made me more eager about the journey.

This being a complete family trip, it was hard to co-ordinate with the members. Finally 8 of us undertook this adventurous journey to the mighty mountains.

The team

(From L to R : Teju , Mr. Manu , Arjun , Ambika , Mr. Satish , Mrs. Manjula , Akshay , Mrs. Sharadha)

The Journey

Day 1 - Oct 2nd, 2015

We departed from Bangalore on October 2nd, 2015 , a government holiday (Gandhi Jayanthi). Our Indigo flight was scheduled to depart at 13.20 hours from the KIAL and within no time our magical journey to the enchanting Himalayas had begun.

At KIA - Bangalore

Nandi Hills from top

Cloud scape

Waterbody

Yamuna river ?

Delhi

After arriving in Delhi, we roamed around Connaught place and Chandni chowk. Delhi was a first time visit for many people in this group and they were very excited after seeing the Nation's capital.

Later, we had a sumptuous dinner at Saravana Bhavan and then headed towards Old Delhi railway station for our onward journey to Kathgodam.

We then boarded the Ranikhet express which took us to the magnificent town of Kathgodam (nearest railhead to the Kumaon Himalayas)

(Team at Kathgodam railway station)

Kathgodam is a town in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand state. It is part of the twin township of Haldwani-Kathgodam, and is north of Haldwani.

It is the last station on the Indian Railways line; from this point, one must travel by road to the Kumaon region of the Himalayan Mountains. From Kathgodam, mountain roads lead to tourist destinations like Nainital, Bhimtal, Sattal, Mukteshwar, Ranikhet, Binsar,Kausani,Naukuchiyatal and Almora.

Sandeep, who was our travel companion(driver) for the rest of the days came to the Kathgodam Railway station with his Tavera. This vehicle became the mobile accommodation for the remaining days of our magical journey

The itenary

1. Day 1 ( Oct 2nd ) - Bangalore to Delhi by flight (Indigo airlines)

Delhi to Kathgodam by train (Ranikhet express)

2. Day 2 ( Oct 3rd ) - Nainital

3. Day 3 ( Oct 4th ) - Nainital to Choukori

4. Day 4 ( Oct 5th ) - Choukori

5. Day 5 ( Oct 6th ) - Choukori to Munsiari

6. Day 6 ( Oct 7th ) - Munsiari

7. Day 7 ( Oct 8th ) - Munsiari to Gwaldam

8. Day 8 ( Oct 9th ) - Gwaldam to Joshimath

9. Day 9 ( Oct 10th ) - Joshimath - Badrinath - Chopta

10. Day 10 ( Oct 11th ) - Chopta

11. Day 11 ( Oct 12th ) - Chopta - Tungnath - Karnaprayag

12. Day 12 ( Oct 13th ) - Karnaprayag - Nainital - Kathgodam

Kathgodam to Delhi (Ranikhet express)

13. Day 13 ( Oct 14th ) - Delhi to Bangalore by flight (Indigo)

The story of the wandering souls along Himalayas

From here onwards, our journey is covered across multiple blog posts. Each place mentioned below has its own narration with a representational description.

This is a journey that is taken along the Kumaon and Garhwal Himalayas.....
This is a journey that is Magical....
This is a journey which cannot be explained, but has to be experienced....

..... Let's Get Started.....

Before getting started, these are the abbreviations that you might have to keep in mind, as I have used them at many blogs going forward...

KMVN - Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd.,
GMVN - Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd.,
TRH - Tourist Rest House

List of travelogues in this series ....