A Journey Cum Trekking Expedition In The Himalayan Region

Weather was very pleasant at morning and I was enjoying my sleep on that weekend suddenly, my phone started ringing until I receive. I felt a little bit disturbance to my sleep though I picked up my phone and found one of my friends from Mumbai has called. This    wake-up call made my weekend more energetic coz I came to know about a new trekking route and program in Himalayan region arranged by 'Youth Hostel Association of India' from the month of May 2017 and our gang of trekking has decided to join. Till afternoon I have decided to book this program along with my other fellow trek mates. We have booked for batch 3 program on January in 2017 which was held from 3rd of May to 12th of May in 2017 though, everyone has same question for me "Digu tumko chutti milega na", then I said I will manage but, I did not receive approval for long days and I have decided to select two option trekking or, job which was secret till the end of trekking program. I have started my journey from my native Guwahati to Delhi and towards Haldwani in Uttarakhand. I prefer journey mostly by train coz it’s not about journey it’s an experience and medium to collect knowledge and information about multicultural India. I was enjoying my journey until I came to know that my train got delayed for 6 hrs. I got upset coz we have decided to meet and planned together from Delhi to base camp and we had booked ticket for Ranikhet express to Kathgodam. I already got late so, decided to get down at Ghaziabad stn. instead Delhi to catch Ranikhet express. I was so excited but, my train halted before to reach platform and when I reached platform unfortunately Ranikhet express has left station and it was not possible to jump from running train with rucksack. Then I asked google mama for alternate journey and as per google mama I have decided to journey by bus but, at that time all counter was closed and except railway stn. there was no option to stay night but, place was terrible and my mind was not ready to stay there and I met station master and he has suggested me to catch local passenger from Ghaziabad to Muradabad jn. to get train to Kathgodam. I was thinking at least I could sleep and safe at night in train but, when that train arrives in platform I gotta mad coz rush was two times more than Mumbai local. I entered by force and kept my bag on a small place and sat down with 8 people on a seat; I felt uncomfortable and scary to journey with those people and after a while one guy has started lighting bidi in front of me and I have shouted and he did not replied instead stopped smoking ; actually they were illiterate but, good and cooperative. I reached Muradabad Jn. at early morning and booked a ticket to Kathgodam. After booking ticket there was another drama coz in entire platform, I did not find that platform no. where this train was halted. After all I met one Coolie and asked him and came to know about that platform which was located far away from main stn. I reached the platform and found another drama coz there was two train and both has same name. When I asked someone came to know it depends on which engine start first. I reached Kathgodam around at 1:30 PM and my friends were already had gone from Kathgodam to Gwaldam at morning. I called to my gang and came to know from Haldwani to Kathgodam it is 12 hrs journey by bus and buses are available only at morning. It was confirmed I could not report on reporting day at base camp so, I decided to stay night at hotel. I have calculated distance and timing to reach base camp on next day morning and accordingly I travelled to Almora for night stay in hotel. I reached Almora after 1hrs and 20 min Journey and I got down from bus and it was just WOW! Almora is the heaven in the earth and the natural beauty of Almora & pleasant weather made me so happy to forgot my bad experience and tiredness. I just fall in love of Almora. I have checked -in a hotel and took shower and did not take relax coz Almora made me too active to explore the beauty of Almora so after taking a sip of tea in hotel I had gone to explore an evening in Almora.  Almora is 1,638 meters from sea level and geographically Almora town is situated over a horse saddle-shaped ridge of a mountain. Almora is developed by King Chand dynasty and later developed and maintained by British regime. Almora is also famous for its variety of sweets and I have tasted dark chocolate sweets of Almora. I returned to hotel before 10:00 O'clock as per hotel guidelines and had delicious dinner. Weather was chill at night and I had tight sleep.  I woke up at early morning and started journey by bus from Almora town to Gwaldam for base camp. After 3hrs and 50 min journey I reached Gwaldam. Gwaldam is a small hill station above 1,940 meters from sea level located between Garhwal and Kumawan region of the Himalaya in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. I got down from bus and take a deep breath of happiness to reach destiny.                                                                               

It was a second day after reporting day. I have started to walk to base came but, before to reach I saw our gang and other co-trekkers along with group leader were coming for

With our gang star Rupa 

acclimatization trek and I can not explain that scene of get  together after long days and they were also worried for me after I missed train. After group leader permission I moved along with them and reported after returning from                  

First step at Gwaldam

acclimatization  trek. As usual in trekking program this time also I met new folks and added in           

my friend circle. In base camp we had tent accommodation for men for day 1 and day 2 program. As  per scheduled Orientation has been started at evening. After dinner, there was camp fire inside a hall at where we learned about this trek routes and things to do and don’t    do and met Group 2 members who were prepared for trekking on    next morning. One more important thing is that camp fire is also a  platform for us to show our hidden talents inside camp. After camp fire bournvita was served to become taller, stronger and smarter for next morning or, day 3. When trekking in the mountain it is very      important to consume a lot of liquids by drinking tea, soup, juice, clean water coz in the          mountain, atmospheric pressure  falls as the altitude above sea level increases and this affects your body. YHAI truly care and strict for their trekkers health and always offer drinking          water, morning tea, soup at evening and bournvita or, milk at night before to sleep.                  

On day 3, after breakfast and packet lunch we were gathered on ground to wish batch 2 for their higher camp and our acclimatization. it was Acclimatization Level 2 where our group leader taken us to long walk and rock climbing where we did climbing and rippling guided by well-trained person of YHAI. After completing rock climbing session, we had tiffin and

                                                                                                                                                              

returned to base camp; Batch 3 members were already came at base camp for their reporting day. After dinner, it was again camp fire session for instruction, fitness tips for higher camp. After completing instruction session talent hunt program has been started. After ending session Bournvita time came and we went to our men’s tent for sleep. In tent, as usual we discussed on topics, mocking and arguing, joking and after that we fall asleep till wake-up whistle for morning tea.                                

On day 4, after having breakfast and collecting packet lunch we were gathered on ground for higher camp.      Batch 3 were also gathered to wish us and for their level 1 acclimatization. We have started journey from base camp to Kulling by safari. After 55 KM journey we reach reached Kulling and we get down from safari and started trekking towards Didana village. During this trek

Gathering on ground for higher camp at base camp

we explored jungle and water falls and enjoyed with our jolly friends; in our group a friend from Bengaluru makes always better to feel active in trek and she never tired and I guaranteed, you will not get bore if, she's in your group. We reached Didana village after 5 hrs trekking before sunset. At Didna camp we were welcomed with sarbat by camp leader. Didana was small village and amazing for its view and our eyes were ready to catch wild life but, we did not meet any wildlife instead an eagle made us curious about something like discovery channel. Didana camp was our last camp for house accommodation. At Didana there was no other session after dinner; everyone fall    asleep for next day trek. Didana camp was 9000 ft. from sea level.                                        

At Didana Camp 

                                                                       

On day 5, We woke up at early morning and after breakfast, packed lunch started trekking towards Bedini Bugiyal. As per YHAI this trek takes 07 to 08 hours to      
reach Bedini Bugiyal via Ali Bugiyal; Ali Bugiyal is a lush green meadow resting at the top of the mountain like a luxury          
penthouse of a skyscraper. Bugiyal is also the main source of the River Neel Ganga. It was a long trek and we were worried a little bit for one of our senior lady fellow-trekker from Ahmedabad and Junior fellow-trekker from Bengaluru But; both are more             
energetic instead we thought. We reached Bedini Bugiyal after sunset and it was    around 10 hrs trekking. During trekking we enjoyed more natural beauty, found many species of colorful flowers. But we were already informed in base camp not to take smell coz it

                                                                                                                                                               

Wild flowers

could be poisonous at high altitude. In Bedini Bugiyal there are no village or, no men’s land; Bedini Bugiyal is a very fascinating plain ground with greenery above the tree line at an altitude of 11004 ft. Before we reached dinner was already ready and asked    us to take as early as possible due to there was no electricity          facility. Weather was very chill and wind was terrible. After          dinner, we all fall asleep for next day trek towards high altitude.                                                                                                              

Himalayan Wild flowers

On day 6, We have started our trekking towards Pathar Nachuni.  Pathar Nachuni is the highest camp site of this trekking expedition. Everyone was excited and expected to enjoy snow falls at this camp. After early breakfast and packet lunch we were ready for trekking. During trekking we saw too many lamb and the shelter made the Bedini Bugiyal very beautiful. On this route we met sudden rain and too heavy wind. After 4 hrs we reached higher camp Pathar Nachuni at around 1:00 PM. At Pathar Nachuni it was cloudy and we were little upset for rains at camp in evening. After raining we enjoyed snow fall. From mid night weather was clear and at morning We have seen amazing view of The Mt. Trishul covered up with snow was very nearby of camp. Actually, Pathar Nachuni camp is the most beautiful and attractive camp in this expedition which is located at an altitude of 13002 and offers the fascinating scenario of many snow covered           
mountain peaks. It was very chill at this camp but, we did not found any issue coz warm        water to hot snakes, tea, meal everything was well managed instead of crisis for toilet bucket coz it was not possible keep safe bucket at outside due to heavy wind at night.                         

                                                                                                                                                                  

On day 7, after early breakfast and pack        lunch we were started our next trekking          towards Kalu Vinayak for scenic                 beauty where      we enjoyed snow covered mountains near by Mt. Trishul; Mt. Nanda Ghunti, Mt.              Choukhamba etc. We had lot of fun in snow  and offered prayer to lord Vinayak. We returned from Kalu Vinayak before sunset to Pathar    Nachuni camp for night stay.                                                                                                        

On day 8, after breakfast we have started trekking towards downstairs for Minfar camp. It was a unforgettable trekking towards Minfar coz distance was very long and we faced heavy rains ; after struggling on road we had reached Minfar and received warm welcome with         

                                                                                                                                                                 

hot tea & pakora. Minfar is surrounded by dense forest and was habitant of wild   animals like bear, leopard and fox. At Minfar camp it was very tragic; we were just started to sleep suddenly we have received a bad news about one of our co-trekker's  father has expired at Mumbai residence and it was not possible to send him at night so we have decided to send him before sunrise and after discussion camp leader has arranged one guide to send with him at morning along with them one of friend also had gone towards Haldwani station. From this camp we had descend around 08 kilometres which can take maximum 05 hours to reach Wan Village;  From Wan village we were lifted by bus, and after travelling 62 kilometres reached at Gwaldam Base Camp. During this trek we saw many beautiful scenery and famous birds like Monal. At evening we have celebrated birthday of one of our friend and after dinner again we had joined camp fire and this time it was our time to share experience of higher camp to a      new batch. When all lecture and talent hunt entertainment program have been completed we  have received certificate of completion for Bedini-Bugiyal Trekking Expedition.                     

On day 9, After breakfast we were started our journey for returning home to Nainital or,        Kathgodam via Kausanai by bus; on this route we have visited most famed temple in              Uttarakhand Baijnath Temple located in Baijnath town in the centre of Katyur valley on the    banks of Gomti river. It is said this temple Baijnath or, Vaidyanath (Name of Lord Shiva)        

have been built by Kumaon Katyuri King in 1150 AD. It was an awesome place for beautiful scenery and peaceful environment. After offering prayer we have started journey to destiny Nainital and our gang star Rupa BV has made the journey shorter by entertaining until we reached with accompanied her by co-star Kalpana and Vilas bhau. Shree Latha played as villain by grabbing a window seat of Mr. Bechara Ajay dada among them I was just a medium to import - export for self-entertainment. Mr. & Mrs. Parmar were audience in this story of journey and remaining all gang members were discharged and expected to get charge from mutton curry at Nainital. We reached Nainital at around 3:00 O'clock and our gang star Rupa & other co-star has shocked to reach Nainital coz drama was not ended.... so, we have planned to complete this drama on next trekking program & Till then ... 
                             

.MANY THANKS FOR READING MY TRAVEL CUM TREKKING STORY 😊

Special Thanks to 👉"Youth Hostel Association Of India".👍