Every year I intend to do 2-3 trips. One is a religious trip on my birthday (March), 2nd one during monsoon (either a short / long trip) and during Diwali. This march, I had been to Indore. Had planned a trek in May. ( I am addicted to treks, however for the past two years had missed). Sanchita, one of my friend suggested Tirthan Valley, Kullu, Manali. Last year, I could not visit since it was already booked for April - June. Hence had confirmed Tirthan Valley trip in March itself. I was planning a solo trip to Tirthan Valley. Out of curiosity, happened to check BNHS schedule for this year. Was surprised to see they too had organised a camp at Tirthan Valley in April. I immediately confirmed my participation for the camp.
BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society, HQ - Fort) is mainly into birding. The locations of their camp are into dense forest, jungles, where usual public do not have entry. So even if you are not a bird watcher, environmental lover would suffice the need for you to join the BNHS camps. Another advantage of being with them is their knowledge of flora and fauna. It doesn't become only a walk / climb...but you get to know about the plants, rocks, insects, birds, etc whatever is on/above/across the mother earth (except humans!!) very closely.
Day 1.
We started our journey from New Delhi. Volvo buses ply from Majnu ka Tila to Aut (Kullu Valley). It is an overnight journey (approx. 10-12 hrs). From Aut, we went by jeep to our destination Trout Valley home stay (60kms), 2 hours drive from Aut. You will not find any resorts in and around the villages of AUT, all are homestays.
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| Aut |
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| Aut |
Day 2:
We reached at around 10 am at Khem Bharti's Home stay (also called as Trout Valley Home stay). We were supposed to camp initially at Sai Ropa (Forest Rest House). Since a bigger group of government officials were to check in , we were shifted to Trout Valley Home stay). I was glad we were shifted at this place. The place was bang opp Tirthan river. You could see the river from your balcony. Listening to the soothing sound of the river, thoughts of the bustling city would be nowhere near you!!!!. All the home stays are wooden in structure and earthquake proof. The room had all the basic amenities. It fitted a perfect description of home. Only difference was, we had the luxury of getting tea, breakfast lunch,snacks, dinner made by the organisers and not by us. We all settled at our rooms, freshened up, had breakfast and then went for a short 4km trek to a nearby water fall to acclimatize ourselves. We were at 3000ft above sea level.
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| Can you see me? |
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| Balancing on the rock!!!! |
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| Waterfall |
Evening we went for a walk in the vicinity. The place was beautiful....On one side there was mountain, on the other side there were trees and in between the river was flowing....And if this was less, we were welcomed by the rains!!!..Since we had put on sweaters and not raincoats, we had to rush back.....(Mind you, the BNHS fellow was fully equipped!!!He was carrying windcheater and Barsati)
Scenic around the home stay:
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| Please, it is NOT a cemetery, but storage of the honey!!! |
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| Rufus Vulture |
Day 3 & 4:
Day 3 Gushaini to GNHP (Rolla 11kms) 2100m
Day4: Rolla to Kharongcha gate (10kms)2450m
We started our trek from Gushaini, which was 3kms away from our home stay. We were supposed to start at 9.30 am. However, when we woke up , it was raining !!!!!...We waited for some time for the rains to stop. At around 11.30am we started our trek ...It was 11km trek from Gushaini (6900ft) to GHNP. The path was beautiful. We came across many trees (Oak, Deodhar, Pine, Fir), birds, insects, streams, etc. At times, the path was so narrow, that you could keep one foot at a time..one slip and you were down below in the river.
It took us 5 hours to reach the GHNP gate and another one and half hour to reach the camp site.
We didn't feel the distance since the way was simply wonderful, company was nice, and then few birds, insects, trees, streams, smell of the leaves, added to our delightful journey..... We waited for lunch at one point and then second halt was at Mobile point...( only point where you could get a mobile range!!)..
We didn't feel the distance since the way was simply wonderful, company was nice, and then few birds, insects, trees, streams, smell of the leaves, added to our delightful journey..... We waited for lunch at one point and then second halt was at Mobile point...( only point where you could get a mobile range!!)..
Once we reached the GNHP gate, we were eager to reach the camp site.....When we saw our little tents tucked near the river surrounded by mountains..we lost all our tiredness and scrambled to get towards the tent....
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| GHNP gate |
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| Rolla camp |
We were welcomed with Fruit juices. Later on, soup and snacks were served. In the night, full four course meal was served... Food menu was superb. There was soup, salad, vegetable curry, dal, rice, papad, and sweet dish. Remembered one incidence on sweet dish..One of the members' birthday was not known to us. In the morning, we came to know it was her birthday, The organisers said if they had known earlier, they would have arranged a cake. We wished her and were busy packing for the day trek. In the evening, for the dinner as a a sweet dish they served us CAKE!!!...AND ONE OF THE BEST I EVER HAD......Noodles, pop corn, Gulab Jamuns, pancakes with honey, oats, cornflakes were served at the height of 8000ft!!!!!Hot chocolate, tea, coffee was served post dinner over camp fire. The stay was very comfortable, every needs was looked after ..(of course, when we are in the forest, there are hardly any needs..only the need of enjoying the nature...smell of the leaves, flowers, sound of the river, chirping of the birds....what more you want??? WE never felt it was a camp.....It was a beautiful dense forest
Some of the birds sighted...(there were many, but I could take snaps only of the few!!...I have an earnest request to all the birds family there, that please please for few seconds be still on the branch or on the electric wires so that we can take your snaps!!!!)
Day 5: Back to Gushaini
It was time to return to Gushaini. The stay, the food, the hospitality was good. One of the member's (Sunita's) birthday happen to be on the day when we were camping at Rolla Camps. Mr. Ankit Sood (Organiser of the camp) apologized for not arranging the cake since we didn't intimate him earlier. We wished her in the morning and completely forgot till the dinner when we were served cake as dessert!!!!!Cake at 2100m !!!!!It was one of the best cake I had in years....Food was superb:)...Right from soup to dessert...........and yes not to forget their own local TROUT fish which you will find only in Kullu!!!!
Some beautiful pictures taken en route..pic courtesy Vandan Jhaveri
Day 6: Jalori Pass:
Last day at the Home stay. After the breakfast, we headed towards Jalori Pass, famous hill station of Shojha giving us a bird's view of the Kullu Valley. It was a beautiful journey approx 1 hr from the home stay to the pass. From the pass, we could view snow clad mountains, It was chilled weather. On the top is the Raghavpur fort. Before starting for the fort, we had hot and spicy noodles. It was perfect for the weather!!!!!...The climb was a bit strenuous. Jalori Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 10, 800 ft above the sea level situated in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The pass is the nearest mountain pass from Delhi, approx. 600km away.
Two things definitely to be done: Try their local TROUT fish and Rhododendron Juice.
It was one of my most memorable trip. The forest, the trees, beautiful flowers, the mountains, the birds, the valley, the food..not to forget the company, .....Esp Harshvardhan, who was the youngest and the cutest guy( 14 yrs old).....One evening we were sitting near the window pane...was telling him that we have not heard any call for a long time...normally with birding people, call meaning birds calling...he responded saying, no there is no network!!!!.what more you want????
PN: GHNP became a UNESCO world Heritage site on June 23, 2014.
The Western Tragopan is considered to be the rarest of all living pheasant. It is mostly found in the Kullu district of HP. This is the state bird of HP. Please watch this bird on the You tube. However we could not sight that bird.....I have a very earnest request to all the birds nesting around there...why cant they pose for US for a minute !!!! It would save our time and disappointment....for not able to capture them in the frame......
Post this visit, I have started watching NATGEO, Discovery, Animal Planet channels and simply liking it.
I have watched series on Anaconda , Bears, Snakes, Lions, Leaopards, Tigers. My favourite being the adventures of Bear Grylls. After watching his survival mission, I have stopped cursing the cooks....and the GOD...!!!!
Finally, this blog would not have been completed without constant pestering of Manisha..Thank you Manisha...And of course, two rounds of Marathi songs and Ginger+Mint Chai kept me from sleeping!!!!
Some of the birds sighted...(there were many, but I could take snaps only of the few!!...I have an earnest request to all the birds family there, that please please for few seconds be still on the branch or on the electric wires so that we can take your snaps!!!!)
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| Magpie |
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| Is that a snake between the rocks?? just noticed |
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| So peaceful!! |
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| Can hear people's voice!!!invaded our area?/ |
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| Who am I??? |
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| Click fast!!!! |
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| thank you for posing!!!! |
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| Helloooo!!! |
Day 5: Back to Gushaini
It was time to return to Gushaini. The stay, the food, the hospitality was good. One of the member's (Sunita's) birthday happen to be on the day when we were camping at Rolla Camps. Mr. Ankit Sood (Organiser of the camp) apologized for not arranging the cake since we didn't intimate him earlier. We wished her in the morning and completely forgot till the dinner when we were served cake as dessert!!!!!Cake at 2100m !!!!!It was one of the best cake I had in years....Food was superb:)...Right from soup to dessert...........and yes not to forget their own local TROUT fish which you will find only in Kullu!!!!
Some beautiful pictures taken en route..pic courtesy Vandan Jhaveri
Day 6: Jalori Pass:
Last day at the Home stay. After the breakfast, we headed towards Jalori Pass, famous hill station of Shojha giving us a bird's view of the Kullu Valley. It was a beautiful journey approx 1 hr from the home stay to the pass. From the pass, we could view snow clad mountains, It was chilled weather. On the top is the Raghavpur fort. Before starting for the fort, we had hot and spicy noodles. It was perfect for the weather!!!!!...The climb was a bit strenuous. Jalori Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 10, 800 ft above the sea level situated in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The pass is the nearest mountain pass from Delhi, approx. 600km away.
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| Meadows |
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| FATSO, Get ME down, NOW !!!! |
Two things definitely to be done: Try their local TROUT fish and Rhododendron Juice.
It was one of my most memorable trip. The forest, the trees, beautiful flowers, the mountains, the birds, the valley, the food..not to forget the company, .....Esp Harshvardhan, who was the youngest and the cutest guy( 14 yrs old).....One evening we were sitting near the window pane...was telling him that we have not heard any call for a long time...normally with birding people, call meaning birds calling...he responded saying, no there is no network!!!!.what more you want????
PN: GHNP became a UNESCO world Heritage site on June 23, 2014.
The Western Tragopan is considered to be the rarest of all living pheasant. It is mostly found in the Kullu district of HP. This is the state bird of HP. Please watch this bird on the You tube. However we could not sight that bird.....I have a very earnest request to all the birds nesting around there...why cant they pose for US for a minute !!!! It would save our time and disappointment....for not able to capture them in the frame......
Post this visit, I have started watching NATGEO, Discovery, Animal Planet channels and simply liking it.
I have watched series on Anaconda , Bears, Snakes, Lions, Leaopards, Tigers. My favourite being the adventures of Bear Grylls. After watching his survival mission, I have stopped cursing the cooks....and the GOD...!!!!
Finally, this blog would not have been completed without constant pestering of Manisha..Thank you Manisha...And of course, two rounds of Marathi songs and Ginger+Mint Chai kept me from sleeping!!!!
