Rupin Pass Trek - Part 4

Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

Upper Waterfall campsite belonged to another world. It was below minus 10 degrees here. Everywhere we could see there was snow. It took some effort just to change clothes and settle in our tents. We were finding it ridiculous to come out and have lunch. Few things are mandatory on a trek and that includes not skipping a meal.

On way to summit, a view of our Upper Waterfall campsite

Rupin Pass Trek - Part 3

Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

We reached our next camping ground called Dhanderas Thatch half past noon. By now almost everything in our view was white. We were told to refresh ourselves for lunch after which we will go for a small trek sideways and practise some snow gliding which was a needed skill to navigate the other side of summit.

View on the way to Upper Waterfall, our campsite is visible

Rupin Pass Trek - Part 2

Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

From this night onwards there was neither any electricity nor network. It was just us bantering in the dark while trying to sleep in an alien environment. Tiredness cocooned us into deep slumber in some time. Next day we were as fresh as ever and started with spring in our legs. I still remember this day as the most beautiful of the trek. First came the forests, then a ravine and finally a winding stairs to flatlands at the end of which was our camping ground.

The ravine on way to Saruwas Thatch

Rupin Pass Trek - Part 1

Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

Rupin Pass is a moderately tough trek. On the day we attempted it, it was difficult because of the 14ft ice that was covering our path from Dhanderas Thatch which is 2 days away from the summit. We were the second group of the season that had successfully attempted the summit @ 15279ft. This was a feat of no small proportion given the motley group we were.

15279ft @ Rupin Pass

Andaman’s Day 4: Havelock Island

Andaman’s: Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - Day 6 - Day 7 - Day 8 - Day 9

Our plan for the day was very simple. Reach the point where the trek to Elephant Beach starts. Cover the two kilometers to Elephant Beach on foot. Return back before dark. There was a small matter of rain that was easing in and out but with our raincoats and helmets we were mostly safe or so we thought. We parked our two-wheeler at a designated parking lot.

Muddy trek to Elephant Beach

Tungnath Trek - Part 2

On our last leg Tungnath Temple was visible from more than a kilometer away. This last leg is straight. It took us about three hours in total to reach the complex. Holy chants and bells were ringing around the temple. Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in the world and it attracts its due lot of worshippers.

Last leg of Tungnath trek, temple is visible now

Tungnath Trek - Part 1

We reached Chopta before it went dark. Our hotel was far away from the entrance of Tungnath trek. Because Chopta area comes under military there was no electricity and no network. This was to discourage illegal construction around the base of trek.

Details at the entrance of Tungnath trek

Deoriatal Trek - Part 2

Next day we started afresh for Deoriatal. We had a hot water bath and a good breakfast in our hotel which also operated a well running restaurant. The entrance was right in front of our hotel so we were on the uphill trek quickly.

First leg of Deoriatal Trek

Deoriatal Trek - Part 1

We started early morning from Rishikesh for Sari village. Within an hour we were at Devprayag. I have been to this place couple of times but its beauty never ceases to amaze me. Two rivers, one muddy another pristine, meet here to create Ganges. We stopped and descended down to the point of merger and just stayed there for a while.

Devprayag, merging of Bhagirathi and Alakananda rivers

Nagtibba Trek - Part 2

Nagtibba Trek Part 1 - Part 2

Breakfast at The Goat Village was equally tasty. The manager told us to pack some parathas to enjoy at the  summit. One of the hotel workers accompanied us as guide. We were the only ones on the trek. The first leg was pleasant. We were able to hit the forest within an hour. Then the challenging segment started.

The snow clad trek to Nagtibba

Nagtibba trek - Part 1

Nagtibba Trek Part 1 - Part 2

• Book The Goat Village in advance. You will not regret it.
• Better to have own vehicle. It will help specially in the return leg if you want to reach Mussoorie.
• Plan two nights if you want to enjoy in leisure, else one night stay is enough.
• Nagtibba is a day trek. Some people attempt it early morning to see the sunrise.

I have been to mussoorie so many times and heard of Nagtibba so often that it was a surprise when we found ourselves going there on a split second decision. We were drinking tea at the Mall Road in Mussoorie. It was 4PM. We were coming from Kanatal after visiting the famous Surkanda Devi Temple. What should we do now? I tossed in the idea of Nagtibba and in few minutes we were on the way.

Beautiful Pantwari Village from above

Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 6

Everest Base Camp Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6

While I somewhat recovered, my friends suggested we arrange for a helicopter. This was something. From feeling almost okay to getting back to Lukla on a helicopter in such  a short time was something I was not able to comprehend. I resisted. Thankfully me friends were more sensible.

Golden crest @ Lobuche

Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 5

Everest Base Camp Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6

Next morning we started after another cold breakfast for Narkang. It’s an adjacent hill to Dingboche. The climb was steep. We started as a batch but someone kept calling quits so by the time we hit the top only five of us were remaining. The view from here was breathtaking. Dingboche and Periche (one of our stops upon returning) were clearly visible.

On way to Narkang peak

Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 4

Everest Base Camp Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6

Tiangboche is only 1000ft above Namche. However crossing a river means going 2000ft down and then 3000ft up. The route plan was also not helpful. Going down, the easy part, was before lunch and going up was post-lunch. Unaware of details since there was no briefing, we started merrily on the flat looking trek towards Tiangboche.

View from the Tiangboche climb

Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 3

Everest Base Camp Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6

At night we had a scuffle with our trekking agency as they were forcing us to eat food from restaurant of our hotel. Namche is unique in the EBC route as it has numerous options for eating and shopping. This was another way for the agency for earning money. We rebelled and ate at a nearby bakery.

First glance of Namche

Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 2

Everest Base Camp Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6

We rested in a restaurant that was only about 100m away from the airport. In fact entire Lukla is within the walking distance of the airport. By 11 we were fresh and started for our next stop which was Phakding. Professional trekkers go for Namchi directly but we were amateurs.

On way to Phakding

Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 1

Everest Base Camp Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6

We were all gathered in Kathmandu in one hotel ready to embark on one of the toughest trek we had attempted. It was evening and a small briefing was planned before we took off to Lukla next morning. It was here that I met the batch that was going to be together for next 10-12 days for the journey to the Everest Base Camp.

Lukla Airport

7 Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley

 While Kathmandu valley is a Unesco World Heritage Site, it actually constitutes seven separate entities that comprise into the WHS. They are:

A. Kathmandu Darbar Square

B. Patan Darbar Square

C. Swayambhu Stupa

D. Buddha Stupa

E. Pashupatinath Temple

F. Bhaktapur Darbar Square

G. Changunarayan Temple

 7 Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley

It takes 2 days minimum to cover all the sites although it may take more than a day to cover each one in the true sense, such is the grandeur of Kathmandu valley. Day 1 can be dedicated to A, B & C while day 2 can be used to cover D, E, F & G.

Kedarkantha Trek - Part 2

While resting and entertaining ourselves at Kotgaon we were informed that the entire trek is not possible and we can only go till Juda ka Talab which is the first night camp on the way to the Kedarkantha peak. We came back to our stay and prepared for the next day hike. Next morning our blood pressure and oxygen was measured before giving us a go ahead and we packed our lunch for the day trek.

Juda ka Talab, Kedarkantha

The trek to Juda ka Talab is steep but beautiful. There are stretches of Deodar and sound of running water all the way to the camp. On the way we halted at a tea stall, the owner of which was famous for playing flute. He entertained us while we munched some of his snacks. We covered the 3 kilometers and 3k ft in less than 3 hours.

Night Camping @ Juda ka Talab

The camps were enticing, surrounded by tall tress and beside the lake. We would have loved to stay here and take the next day journey to Kedarkantha. We took our lunch here and admired the beauty of twin lakes at 9k ft before starting downwards. We had to reach Sankri before dark as the downward journey get treacherous by the night.

Kedarkantha Trek - Part 1

• There was no internet in 2021 in Sankri. Jio had limited service here.
• If you can reach Sankri on your own, you will save one full day of commute. Also you may have options of trekking groups and destinations to choose from at the last minute.
• Sankri is base to some of the most famous treks in Northern India - Kedarkantha, Har Ki Doon, Swargarohini, Ruinsara Tal to name a few. Accommodation and food is not for those who seek luxury, be prepared for that.
• Kedarkantha is a winter trek and two of the three nights are in tents. At a modest height of 12k ft and 3 days of trek, Kedarkantha is the definition of a beginner’s trek.

Sankri is a trekker’s heaven. The entire village is tuned to make sure the trekkers who turn up round the year have as comfortable stay as possible - their livelihood depends on it. Most of the trekkers come from Dehradun which is the closest railway station / airport from here. Generally trekking companies arrange buses which take a whole day to reach this place.

Local Temple @ Sankri Village