Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Kemmanagundi
 
Kemmanagundi is a hill station located in the district of Chikmagalur in the Baba Budan range of Karnataka. This was the summer retreat of Krishnaraja Vodeyar IV and as a mark of respect to the kind it is also popularly known by the name of KR Hills (Sri Krishna Rajendra Hills). The station is ringed by the Baba Budan Giri Range, with cascades, mountain streams and lush vegetation. The region is covered with plantations of coffee and tea along with thick bamboo groves forming a dense forest cover. There is a spectacular sunset view from the Raj Bhavan.
 
 
 
Kemmanagundi is 260 km from Bangalore, 225 km from Mangalore (the closest airport), and 55 km from Chikmaglur. Trains halt at Tarakere or Birur junction, the nearest rail head. State Transport buses come to Kemmanagundi from Bangalore, but the most convenient way to get here is to drive.
 
Kemmanangundi is a great place to get away to at any time of the year - summer, winter and even the monsoons, a season that can be quite spectacular, with waterfalls gushing over and the trees on the hills wearing a sparkly rain-washed look.

In Kemmanagudi the temperature never rises above 28ÂșC. Summer is peak tourist season, while the crowds thin during the monsoons, making it a great time to be here.
Places to See :-
 
Z - Point : A steep uphill trek leads to the Z point, a spectacular vantage spot at Kemmangundi. Breathtaking, serene views of the sunset from this hilltop, is the best way to unwind at the end of a tiring trek to the top!
Z-point also offers a nice ariel view of the distant Shola grasslands in the undulated Western ghats. 
 
Hebbe Falls : Hebbe Falls is one of the prime attractions of Kemmanagundi. Gushing down from a height of 168 meters, it is split half way on a rock face into what is called Dodda(big) Hebbe & Chikka(small) Hebbe. A relaxing picnic spot, the falls is known to have medicinal properties & hence taking a bath here is popular among locals & tourists alike. These waters are said to cure common cold & skin diseases.
 
Shanti Falls : Shanti Falls is situated around 2 km away from the Z Point. The beautiful Shola Grassland is situated near the falls, in the Western Ghats.
 
Rock Garden : Perched on the peaks of Kemmanagundi, the Rock garden has well laid out pathways carved out of rock. Home to a variety of flowers, the garden is also famous for its spectacular sun set views amid the verdant green mountains & plains. The Bhadra Reservoir at the far end can also be viewed from certain vantage points in the garden. So, coming here in the evening closer to sun set time would be ideal to soak in the beauty of the garden, the views & a breathtaking sunset - marking a perfect end to your day.
 
Kalhatti Falls : The Kalhatti Falls, also known as Kallathigiri falls and Kalahasthi falls, Cascading from a height of 122 m is yet another imposing waterfall in Kemmanagundi. An ancient temple built between gaps in the rocks is assumed to be built in the period of Vijayanagar empire. According to many locals and folk legends, the famous Hindu saint Agasthya is associated with this place.
 
 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Roopkund – The Mysterious Lake
 
 
Roopkund situated in the state of Uttarakhand is at an altitude of 5000mtrs. It is known as mysterious lake because of Human Skeletons found on the edge of the lake. It is beleived that these skeletons are of the heroes who had fought here in the earlier times. The report says that these skeletons belong to 12th century to 15 century. The skeletons were re-discovered in 1942 by H K Madhwal, Ranger in Nanda Devi Reserve.

In 2004 a team of Scientists visited the area to gain more information about the skeletons. After research they found there was a group of short people and tall people who were closely related to each other. Almost 500 skeletons were found and it is beleived that an equal number of skeletong perished due to natural environment.

Becaus of the cold and icy weather condition the skeletons dint decay off or decompose into the soil. The bodies that fell into the lake had a greater shelf life as compared to the onves which remained int he open. Though its still not clear if this group of poeple lived here or if they were heading towards a destination.

Roopkund treak is an adventurous journey which passes through many beautiful forests and lush green grassy land. It is a picturesque destination and a delight for a nature lover or a photographer. The trekking begins from Wan and leads you to one of the finest grasslands Bedni Bugyal, where you would find amny grazing lands for horses, sheep and mules. It is full of charming green meadow adorned with flowers in a spell binding varieties, in full bloom. There is a small lake situated in the midst of the meadow and you will find many temples and waterfalls along the way.

How to Reach there :-

From Delhi to Kathgodam : Take Ranikhet Express that leaves at 10.40 PM and reached kathgodam at 6 AM
or take bus from Anand Vihar ISBT to Haldwani or Kathgodam.
From Kathgodam to WAN : By Taxi the route to WAN is via Almora - Gwaldam - Tharali - Debal - Mundoli - Lohajung - WAN (Rs. 5000)

Alternate route: From Rishikesh/Haridwar hire a cab to WAN. The route would be through Devprayag - Srinagar - Rudraprayag - Karanprayag - turn right to Tharali - Debal - Mundoli - Lohajung.

By bus(Economic option): From Rishikesh take early morning bus to Karanprayag. From Karanprayag take any bus/shared jeep to Tharali (any bus/jeep to gwaldam will go via tharali). It is 2 hrs from karanprayag. From Tharali take another shared jeet to Debal and take another shared jeep WAN

There is a direct bus from Rishikesh private bus stand that goes to Mundoli/Lohajung. It leaves Rishikesh at 4 am. Alternatively there is a direct bus from Delhi to Mundoli/Lohajung. It leaves Delhi Anand Vihar terminal at 9.15 pm, arrives at Kathgodam at 4 am and reaches Lohajung at 5.30 in the evening.
Chamba - The Dominion of Clouds
 
 
About 50 km from Mussoorie, the small hill town of Chamba, Uttaranchal, is another of those destinations yet unknown to most tourists and therefore unspoilt and fresh like a daisy for the lucky few who venture out seeking new places to explore and enjoy. Chamba is situated at an altitude of 1600m above sea level. There are pleasant forests of pine and deodar trees, with some good views. Unlike Mussoorie, this place is fairly quiet and picturesque, hence an excellent place to relax and wash off the city blues. One can reach Chamba in about 7-8 hrs from Delhi via Hardwar, Rishikesh and Narendranagar (290 km). One can also combine a stay at Chamba with a visit to Mussoorie or Dhanolti and reach via Dehradun, Mussoorie and Dhanolti.
 
One of the best thing about Chamba is that there is no set list of where to go and what to do . When you are in this small little town, all you have to do is nothing and enjoy the beauty around and take a walk and breathe in all that fresh air and the smell of pine and deodar trees.
 
Chamba is a re-energizing pastoral haven for all the city people. A perfect place to reclaim our harmony lost within many fold. It is reassuring as well. That we are never far if only we could reach out and let the nature in its intact immaculate self take over our mundane city existence. The savor of it when the bounty of mother earth bestows its manifold surprises is sublime. And it’s never too late to draw on the sun shine, to be cradled on the misty clouds, to be ensnared by the sheer pristine environs. I remember a writer – read Hugh Prather – once said that …
 
“if I had only
forgotten future greatness
and looked at the green things
and the buildings and reached out to those around me
and smelled the air and ignored the forms and self styled obligations
and heard the rain on the roof
…and it’s not too late”
 
You will find richness of birds and butterflies, and profusion of quietude. As Simon & Garfunkel would have loved to get inspired again“because a vision softly creeping; left’s its seed while I was sleeping; and the vision that was planted in my brain, still remains; within the sounds of silence.” Chamba will stick with you even as you come back to the hustle and bustle of your everyday existence. But it will not haunt you. It will stay with you as the reminder of a haven which is lingering by waiting in silence and anticipation, to once again greet you in its gentle soothing embrace.
 
When to go : the best times are between March and June and October to December. The views are best in April  and November
 
Getting There : Air : Nearest airport : Dehradun (81 Km/3Hrs) Taxi to Chamba via Mussoorie costs about Rs. 3000 for a drop
Rail : Nearest railhead : Haridwar (84 Km/3 Hrs) Best Option to Mussoorie Express (Dep. Old Delhi 10.20 PM, Arr. Haridwar 5.52 AM) Best option from Dehradun Shatabdi (Dep : Haridwar 6:13 PM, arr: New Delhi 10:45 PM). Taxi to chamba costs Rs. 2000 for drop
 
Car via Meerut, Roorkee, Haridwar and Rishikesh. The hill roads are good though very narrow in parts
Bus : Night buses to Tehri (hop off at Chamba) leave from Kashmere Gate
 
Where to Stay : The only real option for a stay is the 4 Star Classic Hilltop Resort (Tel : 01376-255252, 255836; Tariff : Rs. 4500 - 7500) located in 7 acres of verdure.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Rajaji National Park - Elephants You will Never Forget
(A Weekend Destination for Delhites)



State : Uttarakhand
Distance from Delhi : 208 Km
Journey Time : By Road : 6 Hrs, By Rail : 7.5 Hrs + 0.5 Hrs by road
Route : NH 58 to Haridwar via Meerut, Muzaffarnagar and Roorkee, state road to chilla, the main entrance of Rajaji.
 
The park has been created in 1983 by amalgamation of three sanctuaries- Rajaji sanctuary, Motichur sanctuary and Chilla sanctuary after the name of renowned statesman and freedom fighter Sri C. Rajgopalachariya - The first and last Governor General of independent India popularly known as "Rajaji". The park is spread over an area of 820.42 sq. km. in three Districts- Dehradun, Haridwar & Pauri Garhwal of Uttaranchal State, India.
 
The area is covered with diverse forest types ranging from semi-evergreen to deciduous and from mixed broad-leaved to terai grassland and has been classified as Indus-Ganges Monsoon Forest type. Lofty strands of sal dominate in many parts. 
 
Rajaji is home to avian species which are found in forested foothills and in open grassland. It's location in a transition zone between temperate western Himalaya and central Himalaya enhances the species diversity and consequently the viewing prospects. Rajaji's checklist has 324 species and includes good birds like Greater Scaup, White-naped Woodpecker, Great Hornbill, Black-bellied Tern, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Northern Goshawk, Black-necked Stork, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Scaly Thrush, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, Pale-footed Bush Warbler, Tytler's Leaf Warbler, Green Avadavat and Reed Bunting.
 
The park is home to the Tiger, Leopard, Himalayan Bear, Cheetal, hog deer, barking deer, Sambar deer, wild boar, antelopes such as the Nilgai, Goral , Jackal, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Civets, Himalayan Yellow-Throated Marten, Sloth Bears, Pythons, King Cobra, Common Krait, Indian Cobra and the Monitor Lizard and above All the Asian Elephant.

 
 
 

Tuesday, January 22, 2013


Dodital Trek (Angler’s Paradise)

 
Dodital, literally meaning the Dodi Lake, is at an elevation of 3024 mts north of Uttarkashi. Crystal clear waters are surrounded by dense oakwoods, pine, deodar and rhododendrons. The lake is full of fish and is known for some rare species like the Himalayan Golden Trout. The forest surrounding the lake is also full of wildlife. It provides an idyllic set up for rest and recreational activities like angling, boating and bird-watching.
 
The walk to Darwa top is 5 kms (2-3 hrs). It is a pass at a height of 4150 mts. The entire walk is an uphill climb. It starts with the climb along the feeder to Dodital breaking into a thick birch forest opening into the high meadows. A perfect setting for Himalayan wild flowers, Darwa top offers an amphi-theatre view of the Bandarpunch and Swargarohini range of peaks.
 
Getting There and Out
 
From Uttarkashi to Sangam Chatti (Kalyani), its 15Km/45 mins by car (Taxi Rs. 200) or 1.5 Hrs by bus (Rs. 15).
 
Delhi to Haridwar is 203 Km/5 Hrs by road. Taxi Rs. 2600 ; deluxe bus from ISBT Kashmere Gate. Rs. 127, its 4.5 hrs by rail (Shatabdi Rs. 465)
 
Haridwar to Uttarkashi is 173 Km/6 hrs by taxi (rs. 1500) or 8 hrs by bus (Rs. 150). The main route to uttarkashi via New Tehri and Dobata no longer exists, instead head left directly via Bhaldiana.
 
Alternate Route
 
Mussorie to Uttarkashi via Dhanaulti is 125 Km/4 hrs by taxi (Rs. 800) or 5 hrs by bus (Rs. 80)
 
Dhanaulti is 125 Km/4 hrs by taxi (rs. 800) or 5 hrs by bus (Rs. 80)
 
Return from Hanuman Chatti you can either get to Haridwar (taxi 9 Hrs/Rs. 3500; bus 11 hrs/Rs. 160) via Chamba and Narendranagar or drive down to Mussoorie (taxi 4 hrs / Rs. 800; bus 5 hrs / Rs. 80) via barkot.
 
TIP L You can break journey at Uttarkashi for the night, going to and coming back from the trek.
 

Chopta – The Mini Switzerland


Chopta is situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand and popularly known as "mini Switzerland". Chopta is situated at an located at an altitute of 2600 mts above sea level amidst dense forest. Enchanting views of the Himalayas is visible from Chopta. Rhododendron and deodar trees are found in abundant here.It is one of the most picturesque spot of Uttaranchal as the natural splendours seen from here are very diverse. Chopta is situated on the Chandra Parbat and its most popular excursion are Tungnath Mandir dedicated to Lord Shiva and Chandrashila is the highest point of the mountain on which Chopta is situated.
 
Getting There

From Rudraprayag to Gopeshwar : It's 74 Km/3 hrs by car (Rs. 400 by Taxi, Negotiable) or 3.5 hrs by bus (Rs. 60) From here Chopta (39Kms) lies on the crest of a road that runs from Gopeshwar via Mandal down to Okhimath, before meeting the Rudraprayag-Kedarnath route. A jeep taxi (Rs. 300) should have you there in 1/5 hrs and a bus (rs. 20) in 2 HRs.

Alternate Route
Rudraprayag to Okhimath is 42 km/1.5 hrs by taxi (rs. 300, shared taxi, Rs. 30). From Okhimath, Chopta is 30 Km via Dubalbitta. 1 Hr by Taxi (Rs. 200) or 1.5 hrs by bus (Rs. 20). There are two buses from Gopeshwar to Chopta (12.30 and 1.30 pm) and two from Okhimath to Chopta (7.30 and 8.30 am)

Return the same way from Gopeshwar or Okhimath to Rudraprayag, Buses leave chopta for Gopeshwar (9.30 and 10 am) and Okhimath (1.40 adn 2.30 PM)


U-trip (www.utripindia.in)  is a young and dynamic destination management company, we show you the best of destinations, be it a well known tourist spot or the journey to virgin land. Travel business with a dab of adventure is natural for us as our Team is from Himalayas and engaged in various adventure activities in different Himalayan regions. Their love for traveling to beautiful landscapes and passion for adventure is the reason for the establishment of U-Trip.

Services we offer :-

      U-Trip Events

      Fixed Itineraries

      Ladies Spl

     •      Khanabadosh – the Nomads Tour

      U -Bikers

U-Trip Events

Utrip Events are the list of events where the departure dates are decided by Utrip Team keeping in view the upcoming holidays so that leaves doesn’t becomes a problem for the participants. Also sometimes the date of departures is decided as per the suitable weather condition for particular trek. Join our Events and meet other like minded travelers & share your experiences. The theme for the events could vary from thrilling jungle safari to leisure beach camp to tiring mountain biking or to a trip to popular tourist destination.

 Fixed Itineraries :

If you have a group, leave rest on us. We have documented several itineraries of some known and unknown destinations. All you have to do is select Itineraries from our list of various destinations that suit you best & leave with your group with your choice of date that is convenient to you. This is the ideal choice for Corporates, Group of friends or couples.

Ladies Spl :

Ladies Spl is for  all those women who want a break from their daily office /domestic routine and have interest in travelling. This is a great way to experience new exotic locations and make new like minded friends. 

We at U-trip understand that women usually have different needs than men, both in terms of what they want to experience in a new place and how they want to go about experiencing it. A trip with only women makes you feel more secure, and convincing your family for the getaway wont be a hassle. You can freely discuss any topic or any health issues.

The itineraries are designed keeping in mind all age groups and fitness levels. So, even if  you have crossed your sixties, but are young at heart, you can sign up for these trips and watch yourself become a girl once again.

Women bond really fast and really well. They also make great travel companions. So, at the end of a trip you are definitely going to have great friends.

Whether you are a single woman or a group of friends, there is enough place and plenty of reasons for you to come for our trips and join the other girls.

Khanabadosh – the Nomads Tour

The Khanabadosh Tour is part of  U-Trips exploratory tours. We undertake  Khanabadosh Tours on trails that are relatively unknown. Khanabadosh Tour happens in small team that is assembled together and led by an experienced trekker. Each member of the Khanabadosh team is assigned a role. For example, you may be assigned the task to photograph the trail; another may be assigned the task to gather factual details about the trek (names of villages, streams on the way), other one may be given a responsibility of transportation etc.
U-Bikers

The U-Bikers Tour is for all those biking enthusiasts. We select route and trails very carefully that is still unexplored, preserved and hidden on map and we share our passion and adventure for motorcycling touring. You get freedom to explore scenic beauty of the route & discover great picturesque with U-Bikers. We make each & every itinerary with great care & that suit our guest requirements & expectations on Motorcycle. We mix adventure, culture, beautiful accommodation so that every riders can enjoy their memorable Motorcycle holidays with us.