trekking Archives - Tourist in India

Easiest and Magnificent Trekking – Triund Hill Trekking

March 21, 2018October 26, 2018 George T. George Leave a comment

Triund Hill Trekking is very popular among trekkers in India. Triund hills are situated near Dharamsala, the spiritual capital of Buddhism. These hills are situated on the lap of Dhauladhar mountain ranges at an altitude of 2,842 meters.

Triund Hill Trekking route

The trekking path is full of rhododendrons (a woody plant which is either evergreen or deciduous). It is better to go when rhododendrons flowers. The forests here is full of oak and deodar trees.

Triund offers spectacular view of the dhauladhar mountains on one side and kangra valley on the other.

Triund Trekking is suitable for people of all ages and is not very risky. The first 5 kilometers are quite easy to trek. the last one kilometer or so is slightly tiring. 22 curves are there in the last one kilometers. Refreshments are available on the trekking path, though it may cost higher at these shops.

There is a Forest department guest house also at the top of the hills, which should be booked in advance, as there are only 6 rooms here. Booking can be done at the state forest department office, situated opposite to Dharamsala police station.

Triund campsite

There are trekking operators who offer Triund trekking package tours. You have the option of returning on the same day or staying overnight at the Triund camping tents put up by trekking operators, on top of the hills.

Trekking to Triund should be avoid during the snowfall season; i.e. during the months of January and February.

How Do I Go for Triund Hill Trekking?

Dharamsala alias Mcleodganj is the nearest major town to Triund hills.

Route 1 – Galu Devi temple is the starting point in this route for trekking to Triund hills. You can hire a cab or walk from Dharamkot or Mcleodganj to Galu Devi temple. It takes around four hours to reach the top. Mcleodganj to Triund trekking is the most popular trekking route.

Route 2- Bhagsu Nag waterfall is the starting point in this route for trekking to Triund hills. This route is a little more tougher than the first route and chances of getting lost are higher in this route. It may be better to engage the services of a guide, if you prefer to go by this route.

Ajodhya Hills – Bird Watching, Trekking, Landscape Photography, Wildlife & Learn Rock Climbing

October 22, 2017October 9, 2018 George T. George

Ajodhya Hills is a picturesque hill station at an average altitude of 748 feet or 228 meters. It is situated in Purulia district, West Bengal – Jharkhand state border in India. Its an ideal weekend getaway destination, on a small hill top. Bamni Falls is a beautiful falls on River Bamni, at Ajodhya Hills.

Shimul flowers at Ajodhya hills

Ajodhya hills is part of the Dalma Hills and an extended part of Eastern Ghats. Gorgaburu alias Gorshabru is the highest peak in Ajodhya range of mountains.

Turga Dam, a Lake and a hydroelectric project are situated here. The hydroelectric project, Purulia Pumped Storage Project, is situated at Ajodhya Hills. It has a total installed capacity of 900 Mega Watts (4 X 225 Mega Watts). Damodar, Kangsabati, Kumari and Subernarekha rivers flows through Purulia district.

Ajodhya hill tour for the adventurous includes Trekking to the hills along the stream side and deep forests. Its ideal place to learn rock climbing. Bird watching is a major activity here. You can also enjoy the wildlife here. Its a paradise for nature lovers and photographers. Strikingly scenic, this picturesque hills are known for its landscape photography.

It is believed that Lord Rama and Goddesses Sita stayed at Ayodhya Hills, while in exile.

How Do I Go to Ajodhya Hills?

Bagmundi. is the nearest town to the hill station at around 12.5 kilometers distance. It takes more than two hours to drive this distance, through the serpentine hilly roads. Purulia town is at around 40 kilometers from Ajodhya Hills Bus Stand. It takes more than 7 hours to cover this distance. Jamshedpur is at around 76kilometers distance and takes around 16 hours of drive.

Purulia Junction railway station with station code PRR, under South Eastern Railway zone is the nearest railway station. Currently, Iis a three way junction. Once the Bankura / Durgapur direct line constriction is over, this station will become a four way junction.

Bokaro Airport, Sonari Airport at Jamshedpur and Dhanbad Airport are the nearest airports at 64 kilometers, 80 kilometers and 100 kilometers distance respectively, from Ajodhya hill station.

Is Accommodation Available at Ajodhya Hills?

Forest rest house offers staying facilities at Ajodhya hill station. Baghmundi hotels are budget friendly hotels, as they are situated in the small town, Baghmundi. Baghmundi hotels are at around 12.5 kilometers distance.

September to March is the ideal season for tourists to Ajodhya hill station.

Great Himalayan National Park

June 21, 2017October 10, 2018 George T. George

Great Himalayan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is spread over an area of 1,171 square kilometers, at an altitude of 1500 to 6000 meters, among the mountain peaks of Kullu, Himachal Pradesh state in India.

A Bulbul in the Great Himalayan National Park.

The Great Himalayan Park is classified by UNESCO as one with “outstanding significance for biodiversity conservation“. The park can be considered as the junction of world’s two major faunal regions.

The Park is having more than 375 species of fauna and hunting of any sort is strictly prohibited. Himalayan Thar, Himalayan Brown Bear, Blue Sheep, Musk Deer and Snow Leopard are the common animals found in this park. Around 181 species of birds are found in this national park.

This Himalayan National Park, one of the major high altitude national parks in India, is also rich in Flora. It ranges from pines, spruce, horse-chestnuts or conker trees, alpine herbs, junipers, etc; home to a great diversity of floral life.

The Great Himalayan National Park, GHNP, conducts pre-trek meeting every day at its headquarters at Shamshi (near Kullu). Those who are interested in trekking the mountains are advised to attend this meeting,

How Do I Go to The Great Himalayan National Park, GHNP ?

The Great Himalayan National Park, GHNP, is situated in the Kullu Valley. Kullu valley is accessible by road. Kullu airport is at around 63 kilometers from GHNP.

The capital city of India, New Delhi is at around 500 kilometers from Kullu. Chandigarh railway station is the nearest Major railway station to The Great Himalayan National Park.

Pathankot Junction railway station in Punjab is another major railway station, from where narrow gauge trains (toy trains, as it is popularly known), are available up to Joginder Nagar (Mandi). From Joginder Nagar, you may hire a cab, to complete the last leg of around 143 kilometers to Kullu.

Kanchenjunga National Park and Khangchendzonga National Park – UNESCO World Heritage Site (Mixed site)

March 8, 2017October 10, 2018 George T. George

Kanchenjunga National Park which was renamed as Khangchendzonga National Park, is situated in Sikkim state, India, bordering Nepal. Its also a Biosphere reserve known by the name Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first Mixed Heritage site from India. Mixed Heritage sites are world heritage sites with cultural and natural significance,

Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) are seen in Kanchenjunga National Park.

A rare and genetically distinct wild dog, Dhole, also known by names like Asiatic wild dog, Indian wild dog, red wolf, whistling dog is seen in this park.

Kanchenjunga National Park is home to around 550 birds species. Himalayan Forest Thrush (Zoothera Salimalii), a new bird specie, was found at this park in 2016.

Kanchenjunga National Park offers plenty of trekking opportunities, for those interested in trekking. The main starting point for trekking is Yuksom, at around 145 kilometers from Gangtok. You need to get the trekking permits from ‘The Wildlife Education and Interpretation center’ at Yuksom or from the check post at the entrance to the park.

Kanchenjunga National Park is spread over an area of 849.5 square kilometers and is located on the Kanchenjunga Himalayan Peaks, the third highest peak in the world. Many glaciers are there in the park. Himalayan Tahr, musk deer, snow leopard, Clouded Leopard, etc, are seen in this park.

How Do I Go to Kanchenjunga National Park which is now renamed as Khangchendzonga National Park?

Kanchenjunga National Park which is now renamed as Khangchendzonga National Park, is accessible from NH 31 A (Sevok–Gangtok National highway). The Nearest towns are Yuksom Town and Chungthan town, at around 20 kilometers distance.

Gangtok is the nearest city which is connected by helicopter services. The nearest airport is at Darjeeling district, West Bengal state, at around 220 kilometers distance. New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station (twin city Siliguri) is the nearest railway station at around 220 kilometers away.

Accommodation inside Kanchenjunga National Park

Kanchenjunga National Park has four rest houses, which can house up-to 20 persons. Bookings may be made at the Forest Range Office.

April and May are the ideal time to visit this national park. Monsoon and Winter months should be avoided. Restricted area permits are required for Non-Indian nationals. Indian nationals are required to obtain Inner Line Permits from the State Home Department. Permission from the State Chief Wildlife Warden is also required to visit this park.

Maitreya Statue at Nubra Valley known for Wild Bactrian Camels and Himalayan Trekking

March 8, 2017October 10, 2018 George T. George

Nubra Valley is a tree-armed valley at an average altitude of 3048 meters or 10,000 feet, located along the Himalayan mountain ranges, in Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir state in India.

33 meter tall Maitreya statue, a symbol of peace, facing Pakistan, in Nubra Valley.

Nubra Valley is situated to the north-east of Ladakh valley. Buddhists constitute majority of the population. Lower altitude and western end of the Valley has Muslim populated areas.

Shyok River, a tributary of the Indus River, meets the Nubra river (which originates in the Siachen glacier), in Nubra valley and then the widened river flows from here. Siachen Glacier is situated to the north of Nubra valley.

Diskit town in the valley is the main town here. Diskit Monastery, established in 1420 A.D, is situated here. The 33 meter tall Maitreya Buddha statue, facing Pakistan as a symbol of peace, is maintained by the Diskit Monastery inside the Monastery premises. As per Buddhist belief, Maitreya Buddha is the future Buddha of this world.

A Baktrian Camel.

Wild Bactrian Camels can be seen here. They have two humps on their back. (There are wild Bactrian camels and domesticated Bactrian camels). Known for its tolerance for cold conditions as well as drought conditions and high altitudes, people here use thse domesticated Bactrian camel for riding.

Due to the rivers that flows through the valley, the villages along the valley are fertile. Many a fruits, nuts and pulses are grown in the valley.

How Do I Go to Nubra Valley?

Nubra Valley can be accessed from Leh town, through the Khardung La pass, which was once regarded as the highest motor-able road in the world and is open all through the year. Diskit town is the main town in the valley which is connected to Leh.

In 2008, an alternative route was built from Sakti, connecting the main Nubra road, via Agham and Khalsar, along River Shyok. For the trekking enthusiasts, there are many passes over the Ladakh Range of mountains, from the Indus Valley.

Leh is connected to Srinagar, the state capital, by buses. There is an airport and a railway station at Srinagar.

Inner Line Permits to Nubra Valley

Foreigners are required to get the Inner Line Permits to visit Nubra Valley. Indian citizens are not required to get this permits from 1st May 2014.