Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Trekking


India’s trekking and hiking trails prove irresistible. The serenity and beauty that one experiences in the tranquil and peaceful Himalayas is incomparable to any in the world.

Trekking provides a few pleasures such as enjoyment of the landscape of wild flowers and fantastic scenery.

The Himalayan region varies widely, resulting in differing weather
conditions, terrain, flora and fauna. The Ladakh valley particularly Leh, Zanskar and Nubra, offer spectacular and challenging treks.

In Himachal Pradesh, there are the alpine regions of Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur and Kulu. Sikkim, on the other hand, is a trekking destination with a difference. Its colourful traditional cultures and exotic landscapes have lured trekkers since long.

The Uttar Pradesh hill areas of Garhwal and Kumaon, together with their towering peaks, bordered by mixed deciduous and alpine forests are home to some of the most exotic species of wildlife and a amazing variety for the flora lover. You may, if wanted, cross small streams on log drifts!

The Himalayas are ‘the abode of snow’. Walking in the Himalayas does not require any technical skill although physical fitness is a must. The shimmer of the morning sun on snow peaks covered in mist, swift and gurgling streams, pine forests…lead to incredible solitude and peace.

There are trails that ascend steeply, paths that go around local villages, passing through forests of rhododendron. This is interspersed with Juniper and conifers. This is truly captivating
Har-ki-Dun is a difficult trail. It for the experienced trekker. You can go the trail by the road linking Delhi and Dehra Dun. A word of caution: there are several potholes. Trekking through Naogoan, Purola, Jermola, and Naitwar you reach up to the road head at Sankri. The climb is steep at times, and if it has rained, you should be prepared for the occasional landslide. Just before you reach Taluka, you will come across a difficult river. Situated at a height of 1900 m, the Taluka bungalow commands an imposing view of the hills. From the canopy like structure one is afforded a birds eye view of the hills of Har-Ki-Dun.

The walk from Taluka to Seema, at a height of 2560m, takes about 6 and 8 hours. This is a complicated trail. Even a single wrong step could prove fatal. Seema was earlier called Osla. The walk from Osla to Har-Ki-Dun has another river crossing. No logs here since there is a man-made bridge. After this, the incline is steady. At a distance the Bandar punch and Swargarohini ranges, youwill witness a profusion of flowers.

After this, you may move in the Ruin Sara Tal direction. There are 2 routes to approach this picturesque lake, a popular base camp for expeditioners, from Har-Ki-Dun. There is no further to go and you back-track towards Osla until the river crossing and then follow the Ruin Sara trail along the Tons river. In case you fell tired and need a breather, you may rest in a nomad’s hut here!

Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti are shorter treks. These are well-trod-on treks because of easy access in the nullah, north west of Manali.

A short drive gets one to the road lead at solang village.The trek trail is towards Dhundi, a green patch next to river Beas. This affords a pleasant walk through the Bhojpatre trees and Hanuman Tibba or Solang.

While only one day is required for Solang, the more experienced and trained can take the Tentu or the Solang Pass.

In the month of July, the Rohtang Pass, the watershed between the Kullu valley and Lahaul, opens up and the road journey is itself an adventure. The Rohtang Pass is at 13,500 feet, and makes an excellent view of the mountain ranges of Chandra Bhaga, Mulkila and the Kao Rong.

For the beginer, the trek to the Beaskund area in Himachal Pradesh is an ideal one.

A middle-aged person can also go on a trek for the first time to the Garhwal in the Uttar Pradesh hills.

One of the famous treks in the state is to the Amarnath Caves (a place of Hindu pilgrimage) at 3,900 m. The trek can be done in four days beginning at Chandanwari. Beautiful fresh water lakes and mountains are the highlight of the region.

The ideal season for trekking is between May and June and again from September through October.

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