May 24 to May 30th 2014
The idea of a week long trip was floated by my father in law Shri GS Bhandari around third week of April, 2014. My sister in law Taru didi wanted a quiet place without any hustle and bustle. And through a quick google search we found Uttarakhand as a perfect place for holiday relaxation. All transportation and hotel arrangements were done in no time.
On 24th May, 2014, the Shatabdi Express from Anand Vihar Railway station to Kathgodom made our journey very comfortable though the seats were scattered for a 10 member family. Finding that majority of the travellers were students, our excitement knew no bounds. It was summer vacation and ideal time for students for tracking and adventure activity.
We reached Kathgodam at around 12 noon and boarded waiting Tempo Traveller for onward journey to Kausani. The temperature was rising so we wanted to reach on higher peaks as early as possible. We crossed Bhimtal, Bhawali and Almorah and finally reached our destination at around 6.30 pm at Himalaya Darshan Resorts, Kausani. Of course we had short breaks for tea and lunch at very serene locations.
We settled down very quickly with the hospitality of the owners Shri Manoj Arora. The Resort is having a combination of Luxury and Bamboo cottages, quite clean and comfortable. But the atmosphere outside rooms was very fascinating. The grand view of the majestic Himalayas was crystal clear. The Resort itself has been nestled in the lap of deep fruits and other trees. While you are busy in watching the beauty of nature, the birds were singing hymn in your welcome. We played card games in the evening while enjoying the cool weather.
On 25th morning, we got up sharp at 5 am. You should be ready to see the awesome view of the rising Sun. Chirping of the birds will wake you up otherwise you can sleep in peace as long as you wish. You get completely mesmerised when you see glimpses of sun from the behind the Himalayas. A completely mystic atmosphere will take you to the new world.
Nothing can be more enjoyable then playing in divine beauty of nature.
Afternoon was meant for ore exploration and excursion. We went to Bageshwar Town, a place with lot of historical and archaeological importance having small and big temples. Among them are the Baijnath temple and Bagnath temple; the latter is situated in the middle of the town just across the confluence of Saryu and Gomti. The weather was turning cloudy and become very pleasant. We had lunch in a restaurant and went straight to Sangam (confluence) of three rivers. Though it was raining, we went to close to river to capture the nature in Camera and play in river. What can be more pleasurable than finding Tea Stall in the midst of farm fields and at the bank of river. Just imagine you are soaked in drizzling in a cool weather and see the pleasure of hot tea and refreshments.
We returned to hotel by 7 pm and after a scrumptious dinner we had sound sleep.
The afternoon was meant for local sightseeing and intermingling with the locals. We went to Gandhi Ashram and saw some of the astonishing Himalaya peaks from there. Anashakti Ashram is a quiet and revered place where Mahatma Gandhi spent some days and wrote his commentary of Anashkti Yog. Pant Museum is another place of importance, this being the place where the famous poet of Hindi literature, Sumitranandan Pant was born. 
On 28th May, we went for tracking to villages surrounding our hotel while crossing small canals and fruits trees and bushes. The innocent villagers were busy in their morning chores, plucking fodders for their animals, cultivation of farm land, plucking vegetables, and so on and so forth. A real India indeed stays in our villages only. We had the most beautiful experience interacting with villagers, went to Tea Garden, took a few snaps and came back by 9 am, a perfect time for breakfast. Surprisingly, though in tough hilly terrain, almost all houses in the village were made of brick and mortar “pucca” houses. The villagers have small needs, but very happy with whatever belonging they have.
The owner of the Resort, Mr. Threes Kapoor takes personal care of each guest and feel very proud to show his Art Galleries which are coming up within the complex of hotel. He has chosen his life mission to promote budding artists and has created enough space for them to show their talent in his hotel cum Art Gallery.
Now our second round of tracking took place immediately after that. We went for hiking to a temple location known as Rudhradhari temple about 15 kms from our Hotel. While Papa mummy found solace in a small shop cum dhaba at the foothills of mountain, all other members Arpit, Kshitij, Prachi, Sarita bhabhi, Beenu, Taru didi, Mahendra Jijaji and I, set for tracking. Rudradhari Falls and Caves in Kasauni are located at a place with terraced fields, lush green paddy fields and dense green pine forests. The Rudhadhari falls is a natural attraction here and many ancient caves are explored nearby areas.
Our evening was full fun games like Dumb Sherar in Hotel. The hotel lobby was having brilliant wi fi signal so one can see almost all of us busy texting messages and photos to friends and relatives post dinner.
We had early breakfast on 29th May, 2014 at Cafetaria of the Hotel and set for Ranikhet, a beautiful hill station cum Army Cantonment about 50 km away from Kausani. The Hotel West View, a heritage hotel was waiting for our welcome. We reached there by 1.30 pm and by 2 pm we all settled in our respective room. The Hotel dates back to charms of twenties with architecture of English time, wooden flooring, big rooms, big bath rooms and big lobby. Sometimes you are in illusion to decide whether you are in India or in Europe. The hotel was beautifully decorated with multi coloured hanging flower pots and artificial birds much envious to the real birds. Ranikhet is a hill station and cantonment town in Almora district. It is the home for the Military Hospital, Kumaon Regiment(KRC) and Naga Regiment and is maintained by the Indian Army.
Ranikhet is at an altitude of 1869 metres above sea level and within sight of the western peaks of the Himalalays.
Evening was meant for local sightseeing. We went to Golf Course, Ram temple and Hotel Windsor Palace. The other note worthy places are Jhula Devi temple and Army museum which has a wide collection ranging from stories of the heroics of the First World War till date.
The next day 29th was meant for a trip to Apple Orchards known as Chaubatia Gardens, a huge area spread over more than 500 acres being maintained by Local Administration. Though named as Apple Orchard you can see almost all kind of fruits here, apricots, peaches, plums, almond and of course apples. The noteworthy part of this jungle cum orchard was that there were different fruits like apricot and almond on same tree. We took opportunity to buy a few kgs of fruits to give a new taste to our tongue. Evening was meant for lot of fun games.
On 30th we started early for Sattall (Seven lakes), a picturesque place with interconnected group of seven freshwater lakes situated in the Lower Himalayan Range near Bhimtal, a town of the Nainital district. The lakes sit at an altitude of 1370 metres below lush orchards in the Mehragaon valley. Set amongst dense forests of oak and pine trees, Sattal is one of the few unspoiled and unpolluted freshwater biomes in India. These lakes are a paradise for migratory birds. We had privileges of pedal boating while some members simply chose to appreciate beauty of surroundings. Lemon water drinks was our favourite drink here.
We had lunch at a South Indian Restaurant at Kathgodam and bade goodbye to Uttarakhand and boarded Shatabadi Express for Delhi at 4 pm.
We all thanked Mummy Papa for encouraging and guiding us.
Anybody
interested to visit these sites, yes, I am there to help.
Thanks and Jai hind.
PS : Just to mentioned that 26th May 2014 was special one when all members glued on TV to see new government of India into formation. What a splendour ceremony was it!!! We felt proud on our mature democracy and everybody had moist eyes with ecstasy to see galaxy of world leaders giving tribute to our great nation.
Thanks and Jai hind.
PS : Just to mentioned that 26th May 2014 was special one when all members glued on TV to see new government of India into formation. What a splendour ceremony was it!!! We felt proud on our mature democracy and everybody had moist eyes with ecstasy to see galaxy of world leaders giving tribute to our great nation.
