Sigri

Trip: Delhi - Nainital - Sigri - Delhi

• Go for the village walk in the evening. A golden sunset and glimpse of village life in the hills will be worth the exertion. You can even restock at the village shop.
• A trek to the highest point is the best way to spend the afternoon. Both the view and the effort to reach the high point is invigorating.
• Remember there is no cell signal in here. Visit Nainital in the evening. It is hardly an hour away and the buzzing marketplace is a good balancing act against the seclusion of Sigri.

Imagine a cozy resort nestled in an islotaed heaven deep in the Himalayas, inhabited with simple hillfolks, few hutments and no cell signal. What can you do, disconnected from the city? How about if you are with a bunch of close friends, enough booze and an entire resort staff at your command, not to forget a stunning view of the ice-capped Himalayas and pleasant weather. You would definitely want to go there.

Golden Sunset, Sigri

We started for Pangot from Haldwani after lunch. It was a three hour drive that took us five due to weekend rush and election check points. We reached Pangot and then learned that the resort we are scheduled to stay is another five miles ahead in a place called Sigri. It took us ten minutes to reach our destination, another hour to check in and settle for hot pakodas, maggi with tea. There was no cell signal which we later agreed was the best part of the trip. The sun was dying but still the April weather was pleasant.

Village walk, Sigri

We were told that for all and sundry supplies the village shop is half mile walk and we decided to take it. It took us fifteen minutes but we were in another world. A golden evening in a quiet village at the edge of a hill is a magnificent view to behold. We were happy we took the walk. By the time we were back, hungry and tired, the food and bonfire was on its way. The night gets chilly in these parts. We quickly settled around the bonfire. The hours went past quickly. It was time to sleep in the nest.

Trek to the top

Next morning, after a sumptuous breakfast in warm morning sun, we started a trek to an unnamed high point from where the view of The Himalayas was better. It was a two hour steep trek. We had to take lots of breaks. However when we reached the top, we forgot all encumberances. The white Himalayan range was like a painting in the horizon. The mountains was rising and falling at their own whim. We switched on the panoramic setting of our cameras and started taking pictures as if the view will go away.

Steep Trek to Viewpoint

Hills near us were mostly green but we could see patches of habitation. It was windy at the top. On the positive side, all cell signals were available and we indulged in checking mails and surfing for a while. Trekking down was easier although only comparatively. We reached our resort by 1 and after a short break started for Nainital. Thukpa and Chicken Noodles were planned at China Town near the lake which we executed to perfection.

Picturesque Himalayan Range, Sigri

A quick boat ride in the lake and some shopping later, we were on our way back. It was time for another round of gossip around the bonfire. The combination of chill, booze and fire made us unsurprisingly loquacious. It was midnight and we were dead tired. We had a long drive to Delhi the next day with a brief halt at Haldwani.