Travelling tale7-A Himalyan Excursion-Nainital and its surroundings
Snow -capped glimpses of peaks,
Chilling blow of breeze in steeps,
Infinite turns and endless beeps,
Fortune of mine,watching falling sunshine,
Appearing like silver creeks.
My never -ending fascination to wander in hills set me off to explore yet another popular hilly town Nainital(6837 feet),derives its name from Naini peak and Naini devi temple, nestled in Kumaon foothills,Uttranchal.Undoubtedly,Himalayan ranges have their own charm of hilly terrains.
Started off the journey from Pune to Delhi via flight(Jet air),reached old Delhi railway station to wait till the time the train arrives(.Sampark Kranti,3:30 pm)As usual,waiting room was trying to accommodate much more than its capacity, though thanks to McD for opening a joint on platform 1,at least got a decent place to sit ,eat and pass time chit-chatting .Sharp 3:30,a fully packed train arrived at platform number 5....got into chair car compartment to cover some 280 km via GZB-Hapur-Amroha-Muradabad-Rampur-Rudrapur-Haldwani-Kathgodaam.
In fact,a better train, Shatabadi(daily) is much more comfortable(Food+less hrs) option except the fact that it departs very early in the morning i.e 6:AM from the New Delhi
Little did we know that train does not have its pantry;neither does it have any other arrangement for providing food,so passengers were totally at the mercy of food vendors standing on platforms.As a matter of fact,Muradabad station is the only halt where passengers get chance to get down and have Poori and Aloo...no matter how much you disdain eating oily stuff.....no more options except starving till the last station.
Around 8:30pm got down at Rudrapur city.... As it is certainly not advisable to begin the hilly ride in dark, so people opt to stay for a night either in Kathgodam, Haldwani or Rudrapur.And so did we..........
Day 1:Nainital--Tibetan market----Snow-View point.(rope way)
With bags full of snacks and cold drinks,began driving (10:00am)towards Nainital,crossing Haldwani,Kathgodam ,tiny hamlets and some really bad patches of road,finally reached a panoramic lake in a town surrounded by little abodes,huts and hotels.Pulled out the luggage as soon as saw the board of hill queen palace(resort).
In afternoon,took a bird 's eye view of the Tibetan market(Bhotia Market)full of colorful candles,a good collection of warm clothes and Chinese stuff(bargain hard).Tasted lip-smacking authentic, very spicy and steamy momos at a Tibeten joint...
Having seen the market,decided to take a ride of cable car,starts from Millital which ends at Snow-View point.Let me tell you it is one of the best experiences one can have over here by enjoying the amazing aerial view of lake and the town.And, of course reaching the top and watching the snow- capped Nanda devi hills is another out-of- the-world experience.
Panoramic view from rope way
Snow-Capped peaks of Nanda Devi
Day 2-Saat tal----Hanuman Garhi-----Bheem taal
Plan was to visit another picture and adventure perfect location, situated in Kumuon hill,popularly known as Saat tal(Seven Ponds) .As soon as i started clicking, camera fell in love with the location(See to believe).Took an enjoyable walk around...
Next point was a beautiful temple with pleasant location around called Hanuman Garhi,with a huge statue of Lord Hanuman, located at some 3.5 km away from Nainital . Next destination was Bheem tal,another immensely beautiful bluish water lake with a rich flora and fauna around.
Dropped plan to visit Jim Corbett,as from the past experience learnt that one has to be extra ordinary lucky to spot big cats over there.Moreover one needs to devote full day for that excursion.
Was not very keen to visit the Pt.G.B Pant zoo located on Sher Ka Danda hill either.
Bluish Bheem Tal
Greenish Saat Tal
Serene Hanuman Garhi
Inside Cave of the temple
Day3:Bhowali ------Ramgarh----Mukteshwar
Got down at Traveller inn hoping to relish some local food located in Bhowali,home of Kumaon regiment and Naga regiment of Indian Army.Must say that food did not disappoint .Pleasantly surprised to see a picture of Om mountain(Chotta Kailash) where nature puts its signature in the shape of om with snow....Went ahead for the next destination,Mukteshwar.
Mukteshwar is another tourist attraction situated at 7500 feet where trees are laden with Apples,Peach,Apricot,Plum and other exotic fruits in widespread orchards.Besides,one can always give treat to the eyes by watching spectacular sites of the place.For example Chauli ki Jaali,amazing overlapping cliffs,Mukteshwar Maharaj ji Samadhi temple,a serene ,calm place for spiritual up-liftment on the top of hills,Methodist church architecture and much more.......Spent a lot of time near those ancient cliffs capturing beautiful views of surrounding. Freezing wind was blowing really hard and temperature dropped suddenly.Was badly in need of something really hot and spicy.Spotted few villagers preparing and selling noodles.
Orchards
Primrose resort
View from hotel room
Booked Primrose resort , a budget friendly place to spend the night amidst hills. The Town packs up as soon as it gets dark,so one can face tremendous problem spotting a place for dinner beyond 8pm.Found a secluded resort Greene Oak with dinner facility.Though the location is too good , but the narrow road and tricky parking sucks..Nevertheless,almost every thing you want to eat or order,is instantly available.Early morning saw a fabulous view of seven ranges wrapped in sunshine and mist.
Army base in Bhowali
Signature of God
Reception area of Travellers Inn
Hot,simmering noodles
Overlapping cliffs
Multiple Ranges
Day 4- Kainchidhaam---- Ghorakhaal-------Ghanti temple-------Tea garden
Next day, had standard breakfast of alooo parantha with butter and curd.And set off to explore Kainchidhaam of Neem Karoli Baba.
The temple is situated on the way to Almora ,became more famous after SteveJobs visited here along with his friend Dan Kottke, in 1973 to meet Neem Karoli Baba.Outside the temple multiple hotels and food joints are situated ,offering almost standard food of the region.
Tried Sarsoon raita (mustard curd)and Pakoode,Kadi chawal,Rajma Chawal and lemon soda.....a must try.From this point moved to Ghorachal,a picturesque location overlooking Bheem tal, (reminded me Kodaikanal )with panoramic view of paragliding.1500 rs for 45 minutes....
Very closed to it,Another strange and one of its own kind of temple called Ghantiwala Mandir ,having billion of bells.(At the entrance one will be welcomed by couple of canines:).Some Bollywood directors used the location for film shooting as well.Worshipers buy bells from outside and tie inside the temple premises to fulfill their wish.
Just at stones throw,a 100% organic Tea garden is situated ,having a sales outlet also.Not very vast,however sufficient to give the idea of tea cultivation...
Local Cuisine
Kainchidhaam
Ghorakhaal overlooking bhimtal
Day 5-It was time to leave the lovely place with some unforgettable memories.
All in all,a magnificent place for leisure and supremely blessed with abundance of beauty around.
Snow -capped glimpses of peaks,
Chilling blow of breeze in steeps,
Infinite turns and endless beeps,
Fortune of mine,watching falling sunshine,
Appearing like silver creeks.
My never -ending fascination to wander in hills set me off to explore yet another popular hilly town Nainital(6837 feet),derives its name from Naini peak and Naini devi temple, nestled in Kumaon foothills,Uttranchal.Undoubtedly,Himalayan ranges have their own charm of hilly terrains.
Started off the journey from Pune to Delhi via flight(Jet air),reached old Delhi railway station to wait till the time the train arrives(.Sampark Kranti,3:30 pm)As usual,waiting room was trying to accommodate much more than its capacity, though thanks to McD for opening a joint on platform 1,at least got a decent place to sit ,eat and pass time chit-chatting .Sharp 3:30,a fully packed train arrived at platform number 5....got into chair car compartment to cover some 280 km via GZB-Hapur-Amroha-Muradabad-Rampur-Rudrapur-Haldwani-Kathgodaam.
In fact,a better train, Shatabadi(daily) is much more comfortable(Food+less hrs) option except the fact that it departs very early in the morning i.e 6:AM from the New Delhi
Little did we know that train does not have its pantry;neither does it have any other arrangement for providing food,so passengers were totally at the mercy of food vendors standing on platforms.As a matter of fact,Muradabad station is the only halt where passengers get chance to get down and have Poori and Aloo...no matter how much you disdain eating oily stuff.....no more options except starving till the last station.
Around 8:30pm got down at Rudrapur city.... As it is certainly not advisable to begin the hilly ride in dark, so people opt to stay for a night either in Kathgodam, Haldwani or Rudrapur.And so did we..........
Day 1:Nainital--Tibetan market----Snow-View point.(rope way)
With bags full of snacks and cold drinks,began driving (10:00am)towards Nainital,crossing Haldwani,Kathgodam ,tiny hamlets and some really bad patches of road,finally reached a panoramic lake in a town surrounded by little abodes,huts and hotels.Pulled out the luggage as soon as saw the board of hill queen palace(resort).
In afternoon,took a bird 's eye view of the Tibetan market(Bhotia Market)full of colorful candles,a good collection of warm clothes and Chinese stuff(bargain hard).Tasted lip-smacking authentic, very spicy and steamy momos at a Tibeten joint...
Having seen the market,decided to take a ride of cable car,starts from Millital which ends at Snow-View point.Let me tell you it is one of the best experiences one can have over here by enjoying the amazing aerial view of lake and the town.And, of course reaching the top and watching the snow- capped Nanda devi hills is another out-of- the-world experience.
Day 2-Saat tal----Hanuman Garhi-----Bheem taal
Plan was to visit another picture and adventure perfect location, situated in Kumuon hill,popularly known as Saat tal(Seven Ponds) .As soon as i started clicking, camera fell in love with the location(See to believe).Took an enjoyable walk around...
Next point was a beautiful temple with pleasant location around called Hanuman Garhi,with a huge statue of Lord Hanuman, located at some 3.5 km away from Nainital . Next destination was Bheem tal,another immensely beautiful bluish water lake with a rich flora and fauna around.
Dropped plan to visit Jim Corbett,as from the past experience learnt that one has to be extra ordinary lucky to spot big cats over there.Moreover one needs to devote full day for that excursion.
Was not very keen to visit the Pt.G.B Pant zoo located on Sher Ka Danda hill either.
Day3:Bhowali ------Ramgarh----Mukteshwar
Got down at Traveller inn hoping to relish some local food located in Bhowali,home of Kumaon regiment and Naga regiment of Indian Army.Must say that food did not disappoint .Pleasantly surprised to see a picture of Om mountain(Chotta Kailash) where nature puts its signature in the shape of om with snow....Went ahead for the next destination,Mukteshwar.
Mukteshwar is another tourist attraction situated at 7500 feet where trees are laden with Apples,Peach,Apricot,Plum and other exotic fruits in widespread orchards.Besides,one can always give treat to the eyes by watching spectacular sites of the place.For example Chauli ki Jaali,amazing overlapping cliffs,Mukteshwar Maharaj ji Samadhi temple,a serene ,calm place for spiritual up-liftment on the top of hills,Methodist church architecture and much more.......Spent a lot of time near those ancient cliffs capturing beautiful views of surrounding. Freezing wind was blowing really hard and temperature dropped suddenly.Was badly in need of something really hot and spicy.Spotted few villagers preparing and selling noodles.
Booked Primrose resort , a budget friendly place to spend the night amidst hills. The Town packs up as soon as it gets dark,so one can face tremendous problem spotting a place for dinner beyond 8pm.Found a secluded resort Greene Oak with dinner facility.Though the location is too good , but the narrow road and tricky parking sucks..Nevertheless,almost every thing you want to eat or order,is instantly available.Early morning saw a fabulous view of seven ranges wrapped in sunshine and mist.
Day 4- Kainchidhaam---- Ghorakhaal-------Ghanti temple-------Tea garden
Next day, had standard breakfast of alooo parantha with butter and curd.And set off to explore Kainchidhaam of Neem Karoli Baba.
The temple is situated on the way to Almora ,became more famous after SteveJobs visited here along with his friend Dan Kottke, in 1973 to meet Neem Karoli Baba.Outside the temple multiple hotels and food joints are situated ,offering almost standard food of the region.
Tried Sarsoon raita (mustard curd)and Pakoode,Kadi chawal,Rajma Chawal and lemon soda.....a must try.From this point moved to Ghorachal,a picturesque location overlooking Bheem tal, (reminded me Kodaikanal )with panoramic view of paragliding.1500 rs for 45 minutes....
Very closed to it,Another strange and one of its own kind of temple called Ghantiwala Mandir ,having billion of bells.(At the entrance one will be welcomed by couple of canines:).Some Bollywood directors used the location for film shooting as well.Worshipers buy bells from outside and tie inside the temple premises to fulfill their wish.
Just at stones throw,a 100% organic Tea garden is situated ,having a sales outlet also.Not very vast,however sufficient to give the idea of tea cultivation...
Ghorakhaal overlooking bhimtal
Day 5-It was time to leave the lovely place with some unforgettable memories.
All in all,a magnificent place for leisure and supremely blessed with abundance of beauty around.
