Let's Go Wanderers

posted by Sanjukta @ 1:05 PM 13 comments

Wanderers 3rd trip-Kalsi

Wanderers 3rd Trip. This time it was Kalsi. Tavera was the vehicle of the wanderers and this time the cab came on time unlike Rishikesh Trip.

Amit Gupta (2) made all the arrangments for the cab, Santosh made arrangements for the accommodation and Sanjukta and I, as usual, were following up with people.

Kakan could not be a part of this trip because she was down with viral and Santosh all the time was saying, "keep me as a last minute add-on". Ramit was in a fix, "kya karu, kaha jao, but after lot of persuasion and Amit Gupta (1) some secret magic words, Ramit finally joined us. Though we had promised Ramit that we would take good care of him and would make sure that he enjoys the trip.

So, Amit Gupta (2) Chhota Amit as we now call him, got picked up 1st then was Sanjukta, Santosh, me, Amit Gupta (1) NOIDA wale, Deepak, Aneesha and then Ramit. NOIDAale Amitji had come back from Saudi Arabia the same day and everyone was looking forward to his Jack Daniel that he promised to share with all of us. I got Coke for everyone and Tambola too as I badly wanted to gamble and make some money however, could not make any as no one played any Tambola :-(

I would write a looooong post mentioning about the beauty of the place that we visisted as one would have to personaly visit the place to experience how it is like to be close to nature, to be driving through pine covered serpentile hilly roads with a groups of crazy friends cracking silly jokes and laughing at every thing. How it is like to walk through lush green meadows, sorrounded by herd of sheep and young local girls sitting on a rock along the main road.

For this I am giving the Flickr links of my fellow Letsgoers....in the mean time while you click on the link you can also read the informative piece that Aneesha has sent on Chakrata.

Our stay was at Dak Patthar, at a GMVN Guest Hosue. We initailly tried Asan Barrage for its cottages but since it was booked we stayed at Dak Pathar, another beautiful place close to the River Yamuna.

The breakfast, the 1st day was chhole Puri, Bread Omlette in the Guest House, lunch was at a local dhaba, dinner again was in the guest hosue. The next day breakfast was Asan Barrage, Parantha, bread Omllette, lunch was at Poanta Saheb Gurudwara and dinner was at a high way resturant, forgotten the name though. In between snacking were on all the time with regular rounds of chai, pakora, vodka, etc etc....

To sum it up all, it was a great fun, and Ramit and I had extra doze of fun as we also got to enjoy the rains early in the morning.

Thoda jhagda, thodi ladai..lots of masti..lots of fun...that is what this trip was all about.
Being close to nature and being with friends.

Aneesha's Well Arranged Pictures:-
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/aneesha2001/album?.dir=/674ascd&.src=ph&.tok=phyykPFB6p5_X6NH
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/aneesha2001/album?.dir=/cc4dscd&.src=ph&.tok=phn2kPFBDk_MnxlP
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/aneesha2001/album?.dir=/bb74scd&.src=ph&.tok=phYokPFBzPoDFoG6
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/aneesha2001/album?.dir=/deacscd&.src=ph&.tok=phnmkPFBM1.xidi_
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/aneesha2001/album?.dir=/dbaescd&.src=ph&.tok=phfqkPFBHePTxkZl
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/aneesha2001/album?.dir=/6cb8scd&.src=ph&.tok=ph9jkPFBjsUsFz0w

Amit Gupta NOIDA wale:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/herecomesamit/sets/72157594214552653/

Chhota Amit's take on kalsi
http://flickr.com/photos/amit_gupta/sets/72157594209915880/

posted by encounter specialist @ 11:10 PM 4 comments

Event: Trip to Kalsi

Little known Kalsi slumbers on the banks of the writhing Yamuna. Once an important little township in the region (the two parganas which were once a part of Sirmour which were annexed to the British Empire after the expulsion of the conquering Gurkhas), it deteriorated eventually into a decrepit little village. In earlier days the region has seen the invasion of Timur in 1398 and in the 3rd century BC it marked one of the furthest limits of the dominion of King Ashoka amongst the Himalayan foothills. Today this tiny hamlet shoulders its historic lineage with quiet ease.

This gorgeous tract of land, enriched and nourished by the waters of the Asan River, and the confluence of the Yamuna River and the Tons at Kalsi, offers some of the finest landscapes of the Doon Valley. Bounded by the summits of the densely wooded hills of Chakrata, this picturesque plateau offers visitors the pleasures of hill living without its discomforts.

Situated as it is in the cleft of the hill states of Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh, Kalsi is a divine location for enjoying this gorgeous slice of the Doon. It's also the perfect base for forays into the Chakrata and Mussoorie Hills. The prefect scenery invites long drives and leisurely picnics by the riverside and for the more active there's river rafting (for the first time on offer on the Yamuna) and angling for mahseer, and hikes and treks in the surrounding hills for all age groups.

Walks
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An incredibly charming and easy walking trail (about 3.5 km) runs along the ashram road all the way to Katta Pathar Village, where the Yamuna first bursts out of the mountains.

To your left are the glorious 180 degree panoramas of the Chakrata Hills embellished at their base by the patchwork quilt of cultivated fields edging the banks of the turbulent Yamuna River.

The river may be a muddy brown when it rains, but it's a glorious aqua, clear as crystal, when the monsoons are banished. River crossings in the shallows are then most rewarding for anglers who can find a secluded spot to lure mahseer, which abound in these waters.

Drives and Picnics
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Widen your explorations of this side of the Doon's landscape with driving, tours and picnic out of Kalsi. The drive to the Asan Barrage last the power house (a true engineering marvel as the water of the Tons is channeled through a tunnel cut through the hills) and Dak Pathar further on will enchant you with their waterways and birding opportunities. You can stop at Paonta for darshan at the temple, by crossing the sturdy bridge over the Yamuna, after the Asan Barrage. The return drive to Kalsi via the serene and verdant Timli Pass (through which columns of British soldiers once moved to assist Major General Ochterlony in his retaliations against Gurkha general Amar Singh Thapa's army) is a delight.

For the History Buff
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Pencil in a tryst with history in your crowded agenda for enjoying nature's bounty at Kalsi. Cross the new iron bridge over the Yamuna to Haripur (see the handsome carved stone piers of the old cantilever bridge, a magnificent example of engineering expertise, on your right) and the Kalsi bazaar where a rocky path leads down to the celebrated Ashokan Rock Edict.

Housed within a brick structure (created in the early 20th century to protect it from vandals) is the 2000-year rock edict of the Emperor Ashoka, discovered by an Englishman one Mr Forrest in the year 1860. When first discovered the rock was covered with the grime of ages. Once this film of moss was cleaned the surface emerged almost marble white.

The Kalsi edict appears to be in fine condition in comparison to other Ashoka edicts that have been discovered. The 10-ft high and long and 8-ft wide pear shaped quartz boulder inscribed with the edicts of King Ashoka, is the third of fourteen scattered in the outer reaches of the dominion of the emperor's kingdom in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and several cities in Pakistan.

posted by Sanjukta @ 6:09 AM 3 comments

All that this group needs to get hyperactive is a little nudge... they just got it and we are back planning again. Lets go or not Go..... Lets plan for sure..... :D

Lots of new wanderers joined the caravan.... those walking in the front need to turn back and meet those who joined the trail...

So,
Next Saturday 24th June 2006
Lodhi Garden
5 pm


We shall meet the new and old members, shall know each other and plan for a forth coming trip hope fully in the 2nd weekend of July. Members Please mark your attendance in the comments box. For queries contact me - samyukta[underscore]basu[at]yahoo[dot]com

See you there

posted by Sanjukta @ 12:17 AM 3 comments

A Sample itinerary for a weekend trip to Jaipur from Delhi

Prepared by Ramit Mitra
FRIDAY
Leave in the evng (AC Volvo/AC QUalis)....reach late at nite ....Sleep.

SAT Morning
Start with some shopping and then visit Amber...Sheesh Mahal, Jaigarh (Chk out Jai Vaan, recall That SizeDoes Matter) & Nahargarh Fort....Catch the Setting Sun over the City of Jaipur from the ramparts of the Nahargarh Quilla and if possible Do a Rang De Basantee Style Beers & Jig sitting at the same spot (providedPolice/Fort Gaurds dont play spoilsport, ) .....or May be if we decide then we can go to Chowki Dhaani for some Fun & Sumptiuos & Yummy Desert Style Food.... Slurp !!!!

SUNDAY morning
Start the day with Crunchy & Deliciuos"Rawat Kee Pyaaz Kachoree & Maawe Kee Kachoree" and end with more shopping for the Shopaholics (nee the Ladies) & then lunch & leave back for Delhi...

TRAVEL: Either AC Qualis (Cost Rs 7.5 to 8 /KM and Dist is 260KM one way from Del 2 Jpr, & within city max of 100 KM ) or the AC Volvo Buses from Bikaner House (Cost-Rs 460/Head, One Way, Del 2Jpr)..... Qualis/own carwill take abt 3 Hrs max while Volvo Bus will take 4.5Hrs Max.

STAY: Some Inn/Hotel which is Sastaa Sundar & Tikaoo (SST) Types....
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posted by Sanjukta @ 1:39 AM 1 comments

wanderers are going for a movie this sunday

:-)

posted by encounter specialist @ 10:06 PM 0 comments

Open Event - Chandrasheela Trek,

Hi Member,

Here is announcing the next Lets Go event. Every single issue has been dealt in great detail by Yogesh aka Uncomonz and he has shot a mail on the yahoo list... am reproducing his mail in verbatim here... Please respond on list or on the comments section.

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Day 0 - Wednesday

Take 4041 Mussorie Exp 20.45 (Sleeper-Rs. 151 / 3rd AC - Rs. 394 ) and reach Haridwar around 5.35 AM next day....

Day 1 - Thursday

Then we take a shared jeep (Rs 100-150) from Haridwar to Rudraprayag - 165 Kms/ 5 hrs . We stop enroute at Devprayag for abolution/breakfast. Devprayag is a picturesque confluence of alaknanda & bhagirathi , a place to just sit and bask in sun . Devprayag is about 100kms ?? from Haridwar..about halfway to Rudraprayag.

After having lunch at Devprayag, we can exercise one of the following 2 options :

1. Reach Okhimath & stay at the GMVN Rest house (Dormatory-Rs100/ Rooms 300 & upwards ). I have stayed at this place and it is at a good location with some great views. we can have a small bonfire in the night and just relax.
2. Reach Chopta ( 2800 mts/ 84oo feets) - the point where the trek starts. Stay overnight at some lodge thr.(Not sure of the price but it should not be more than 200-300). Now I am not sure till when would we get a taxi to go from okhimath to Chopta (starting point of the trek). This could only be exercised we we have the option to travel else we stay at Okhimath's GMVN.

If we exercise the first option, we have to take the early morning bus to chopta the starting point of the trek on friday. This is a 2 hour journey with some great views.

Day 2 - Friday

Start early and trek 3.5 kms /3-4 hrs ,to reach the temple of Tungnath. After lunch we get into into some hut/basic lodge and rest for some time. In the afternoon have tea and then explore the area around....Loads of bugiyals to walk and meditate. We oversee the great peaks of Himalaya- Mount Kedar, chaukahmba, Trishul etc a feast for someone wanting to be oneself and nature.

Day 3- Saturday

Wake up early in the morning around 4.30 to catch the the blissful sunrise at the Chandrashila hilltop. This involves another half a km of trekking. This perhaps would be the most taxing of the whole journey. Because of the lack of oxygen this would be done at at very easy pace. The golden sunrise behind Nanda Devi peak is just the sight to seek for. We be there for sometime and then return back to tungnath temple for breakfast.

After breakfast we start our climb down which would take about 2-2.5 hours. We still have half a day left that we would utilise to cover a part of our journey back. We would stay at some riverside GMVN guesthouse. This is the time to just bang have some music...booze if people want & @#(*!^@# depending on people's individual preferene to each other.

Day 4 - Sunday

Reach Haridwar intime to catch the Dehradun Shatabdi train (6.10 PM /AC Chaircar - 500) back to Delhi( 22.45). We can utilise the day for stopping enroute at Rishikesh or Haridwar,visit the temples, have bath in ganges to refresh, take the ropeway or just idle around...

I might want to throw in the option of river rafting on Sunday for 4-5 hours. But this would be too taxing and also would involve us to make bookings in advance. Also would increase the cost of the trip by a few hundreds. While back have food on the train and be back in Delhi around 11 to rest & catch office next day.

Some do's dont:

Carry as less luggage as possible if we are taking the public transport.Carry some very good sun screen as it would be very high around 4000 mts (13000 feets) Maybe some option/swiming costumes so as to be able to bathe in the ganges. No booze please while onward journey. Some sleeping bags if people have any - just good to have. Start brisk walking for some time two weeks in advance to acclimatise. The trek is not any taxing but would need everybody to be in a good physical shape.

Apart we would need some small things such as torches, medicines, a blanket each if thrs no sleeping bag,woolen jacket, a pullover, some warm innerwear as the temperature would be very low while our stay at the temple etc.

We might decide to go in a taxi all the way. But this would be too taxing in terms of driving all the way for about 12-14 hours. Also would cost us more. Though it also gives us ample felxibilty and opens additional options to go and enjoy. I would personally prefer taking the train as its more relaxing comfortable and gives us option to sleep.

Total money= Rs 1700-2000 & time 4 days.

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Commendable work on Yogesh's part let's make it happen by our participation and timely response

posted by Sanjukta @ 2:28 PM 2 comments