Uttaranchal- Faces that Count

I feel One should travels for two things - To see new places and understand the people that reside there - Culture, food, lifestyle and thougths. A place without people is a like a body without a Soul.

The people in Uttaranchal are very friendly. I dont know - if it's because of tourism or its genuine. I felt the second was right. The people of Uttarnchal Stood Out in my journey to make it worth every bit of it , In all terms of it- Hospitality, food, info and help.

Would like to Thank few people for making the journey special: Anuj ( Professional Adventurist and can surely help you plan your trip -09411384804, Ram Singh - Hotel incharge @Joshimath and excellent cook, Vishal and Ruchir for their important tips and Billoo the Horse @ Auli.

And offcourse to the unknown ones....

“What most people need to learn in life is how to love people and use things instead of using people and loving things"

Delhi Express

I had reached to the end of my memorable tour and the day had sadly come to return back to Pune. In the concluding part of the journey, Delhi was just a pit stop and not the finish line. So with a heavy heart, I left Dehradun in the morning at 7 pm via the Uttaranchal State transport bus. The buses to delhi ply every half an hour and the tickets are available only at the counter (No reservations plz). Preferably please take the AC bus, as the jourmey is quite mundane and if have the need to travel further to Delhi.

Reaching Delhi, i called up my two old buddies, Mr. Vij and Mr. Sah and got to know that i further need to travel for an hour to reach to their place. Rs. 120 was the target fare given to me and i was told not to pay a penny more then that. I spent the next half an hour confidently bargaining with Rickshaw fellas and finally suceeded to find one. Half an hour of my precious time gone and i didnt have more than 4 hours left for my flight.

WIth limited time, the only Plan now that stuck me was to get these fellas to take me to the nearest Restaurant and have a nice cold beer and exchange important notes (Gossip and updates). However the next few hours spent at Delhi left me fully satiated and excited. My plan was put to a halt, the car bought out and we Zoomed around for a quick Delhi Darshan. The must see places were quickly mapped and zeroed down under.

• Quenched my thirst with Flavoured Milk at Cannaught Palace
• Zoomed fast in the Metro
• Gave a Salute at the India Gate
• Shot the Rashtrapathi Bhawan
• Glanced at the Parliament
• Ate Gol Guppa and Chat
• Eyed the Delhi hotties
• And most Importantly exchanged Notes while travelling

Wat more could i ask for?....Luv you guys, you made my day....

"You only live once - but if you work it right, once is enough"

Mussoorie

Hrishikesh- Aarthi at Parmarth and Trviveni Ghat

" When you get in touch with the Almighty, you are bound to get in touch with Yourself"

Auli

Famous for: Skiing destination of India
How to reach: Travel to Joshimath- Take the cable car and reach to the base camp. Another option is to drive by car right to the base camp.
Cable Car Travel: This is the highest and longest cable car in the world and constructed by GNVML. They charge Rs. 500/- per person. But I guess it’s worth the ride.
Season: October to February. But to me, this place is simply too attractive. I recommend a 365 days holiday season.

Tips:

• Don’t stop at the base camp. The real beauty of Auli lies about 1.5 kms above base camp. Take a phony ride or just walk. But get you ass there to see the real Uttaranchal.
  A pony ride for 2 is approximately 500/-. You can still negotiate, as this is India.
• The cable car ride has a fixed time plan. They allow you for a stay of 1 hour at the base. Talk to station master, convince him that you are more than just a tourist and spend the day up there enjoying the view.
• A must visit for Photographers. Recommended visit time is 4-6 pm as the cable car services starts only at 8 am in the morning.

“I wish to travel to the deepest corners of this world, just to satiate my hunger for the next shutter click”

Valley of Flowers

"The Himalayas must be approached humbly. Respect their beauty, their majesty, and their power, and they will treat you as you deserve. Other Mountains may Forgive you, But not the Himalayas"- Frank S. Smythe ( Discovered- Valley of Flowers 1931)

Trek to Gangaria

The trek from Govindghat to the Base camp of Valley of Flowers- Gangharia is just 13kms. Yes, you heard me right that it just 13kms. But I bet you that if haven’t been much into climbing, than this 13kms will be one hell of a trip. The first 6 kms is quite a start – Up and down, so you won’t feel much of the heat. But then the honey moon period ends and what comes is a ride of your life. You climb, climb and keep climbing. With that you curse, curse and keep cursing.

It took us 4.5 hours (Avg: 6-7 hours) to reach the base camp. But the sight of a plateau had never been beautiful. I must admit, it’s been one hell of a trek.

Tips:

• At Govindghat and Gangharia, you pay thrice the MRP price for everything. So what you need to remember is to carry everything- torch, cigs, soap and just anything from Joshimath or Rishikesh.
• Climb with minimum luggage. Drop all you’re belonging at Govindghat@Gurudwara, at free of a cost.
• Food and Water are easily available in plenty en route to Gangharia. So you don’t need to carry the basics.
• Do carry glucose and chocolate mints. You surely need those.

P.S: However I guarantee you a nice and entertaining journey, as you are bound to have a close encounter with the Sardar community. They are unique breeds which are hard to ignore.

“I admit I'm being paid well, but it's no more than I deserve. After all, I've been screwed more times than a hooker.”