ESCAPE TO THE HILLS
Snow clad peaks , Loads of flowers , fruit orchards , picturesque grass fields ,breathtaking panoramic view of wild life , Dancing rivers ,clueless water sources and hard working women they all indicates to one region that is also termed as "Abode of Gods" (Dev-Bhumi) and better known as Kumaon .Kumaon is a beautiful region in the state of Uttarakhand . IT Nature Club is organizing its Summer Trail to this enchanting place in the month of April, which will take to some of the less explored yet enchantingly beautiful corners of the Kumaon.
Mount Abbot:
This historic hamlet of Abbott Mount is situated at an altitude of about 6500 ft above sea level in the eastern part of the Kumaon Hills near the small town of Lohaghat in Champavat District. Abbott Mount was founded by and named after Mr. John Harold Abbott an English businessman who wanted to start a hill station for the European community at the turn of the 20th century. Unlike many Indian hill stations Abbott Mount has changed little since its inception. There are only thirteen secluded cottages spread over this private hill. There is a picturesque church set amidst the forest and an old cricket pitch with an unsurpassed view of the mountains.
Champawat :
Champawat, once the capital of the rulers of the Chand dynasty, is famous for its natural beauty and well known temples. The ancient fort, now houses headquarters of the Tehsil office. A historical spot, Champawat has many well known temples of high artistic value. The Baleshwar temple is the noted attraction of Champawat.
The Nagnath temple at Champawat is also an excellent example of ancient architecture of Kumaon. 4 - 5 kms. from Champawat is the 'Ek Hathiya Ka Naula', which is said to have been constructed in just one night by the one handed artisan. The story of Golla Devta is also associated with Gorilla Chaur of Champawat. It was in Champawat that Lord Vishnu is said to have appeared as 'Kurma avatar' (incarnation as tortoise). This hill is also known as Mt. Kamdev. There is a small fort at Champawat. Jim Corbett had come to this region in the first decade of the twentieth century in order to hunt for the man eating tigers.
Mayawati :
Advait ashram is situated at Mayawati on an altitude of 1940 meters. Mayawati shot into prominence after the Advait Ashram was established here. The ashram attracts spiritualists from India and abroad.It is set amidst an old tea Estate.During his third visit to Almora in 1898, Swami Vivekanand decided to shift the publication office of 'Prabuddh Bharat' from Madras to Mayawati, from where it is published since then.As an ashram dedicated to the study and practice of Advaita Vedanta, no images or idols are worshipped here, not even of Sri Ramakrishna and no images were kept in the premises according to ashram ideals set by Swami Vivekananda himself. The only presence that has become a part of the peace and solitude of Mayawati, is that of the mighty Himalaya in all its splendor.
Patal Bhuwaneshwar :
Patal Bhuvaneshwar is one of the most mysterious and spiritual place of Uttarakhand. This hidden pilgrimage situated at 1,350mts above sea level is mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a limestone cave. The way to the cave goes through a long and narrow tunnel. Other than Lord Shiva the forms of Sheshnag, Kal Bhiarav, Ganesha and several other gods can be seen in Patal Bhuvaneshwar. It is believed that the cave is the abode of 33 crore Gods and Goddesses.Patal Bhuvaneshwar was discovered by the King Rituparna of Sun Dynasty in Treta yug, as mentioned in Skanda Purana. The great explorer Adi Shankaracharya visited this cave in 1191 AD. The priests of Patal Bhuvaneshwar from 20 generations are Bhandaris who live in nearby Bhuvneshwar Village.This mystical cave is 160m long and 90 feet deep where limestone rock formations have created various impressive stalagmite figures. Almost every god that you would have heard of resides in this mystifying cave. It is also believed that when worship at Patal Bhuvaneshwar it is equivalent to worshipping at Char Dham of Uttarakhand. There are four entrances inside the cave named as Randwar,Paapdwar,Dharamdwar and Mokshadwar. The Paapdwar was closed soon after the death of Ravana and the Randwar, literally, the road to war, was closed down after the great Mahabharata war. At present only two gateways are opened. People believe that limestones here resemble the tongue of Kali Bhairav, Aravati of Indra, hairs of Lord Shiva and several other wonders inside these caves.
Vijaypur :
Situated at a height of 2050 metres Vijaypur rests on a ridge overlooking the magnificent Himalayan range. On a clear day Vijaypur offers one of the most breathtaking views of the entire range from Chaukhamba, Neel Kanth, Hathi Parvat, Trishul, Nanda Devi to Panchchuli and Appi (Annapurna) peaks.The picturesque valley around Vijaypur is dotted by tiny villages where no one is in a rush to get anywhere. Occasionally the peace of the place is disturbed by a pack of red-billed blue magpies quarreling amongst themselves. Here at Vijaypur, nature is at its unadulterated best.
At times watching a sunrise on Nanda Kot from here remain etched in one's memory forever.
Bhageshwar:
Situated at the confluence of rivers Saryu, Gomti and latent Bhagirathi, lies the holy township of Bageshwar; also revered as the pious land associated with Lord Sadashiva, the redeemer of all sins. As the puranas state, this undoubtedly is a place capable of liberating one from the eternal bondage of births & deaths. With the east and west flanked by the Bhileswar and Nileshwar mountains and surrounded by Suraj Kund in the north and Agni Kund in the south, this land of Lord Shankar is of great religious, historic and political significance.
Binsar:
Perched at an elevation of 2,412mts above sea level, Binsar is situated amidst Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Binsar is an ideal destination for writers, nature lovers and adventure lovers. The dense Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is the home of 200 bird species, Barking Deer, Himalayan bear, leapord, fox, musk deer, langur, porcupine, flying squirrel, chital, jungle cat etc.The views of major peaks like Chaukhamba, Panchachuli, Nanda Devi and Kedarnath are distinctly visible from here.
April 2 (Day 1) : Board the train to New Delhi
April 3 (Day 2) : In the train.
April 4 (Day 3) : Board the train to Kathgodam.
April 5 (Day 4) : Arrive early in the morning .Freshen up. Leave for Mount Abbot. Breakfast on the way.Reach Mount Abbot for lunch. Afternoon free for walks around Abbott Mount, bird watching or appreciate the British architecture.
April 6 (Day 5) : After breakfast visit Champawat. O/N @ Mt.Abot Cottage
April 7 (Day 6) : Day trip to Mayawati. O/N @ Mt.Abbot Cottage
April 8 (Day 7) : Early morning check out. Reach Vijaypur via Patal Bhuwaneshwar. O/N Vijaypur
April 9 (Day 8) : Birding in the morning. Noon visit the Musk Deer Farm O/N Viajypur
April 10 (Day 9) : After breakfast visit Bhageswar and proceed to Binsar. O/N at Binsar.
April 11 (Day 10) : Nature Trail in the Binsar Sanctuary. O/N Binsar.
April 12 (Day 11) : After early breakfast leave for Kathgodam to catch the train back to Delhi.
April 13 (Day 12) : Arrive New Delhi in the morning. Board the train to Bangalore in the night.
April 14 (Day 13) : In the train
April 15 (Day 14) : Arrive Bangalore by afternoon.
Cost per person : Rs.17,500 /- per person ( For Indian Passport Holders )
Cost Includes :
* Non AC Sleeper Class Three Tier train travel from your boarding point upto Kathgodam and back
* All meals ( Bed Tea/Coffee/Breakfast with Tea/Coffee/Lunch/High Tea with Snacks/ Dinner)
* Birding guide/Naturalist
* Twin sharing Non AC accomodation ( 2 Nights @ Mount Abbot / 2 nights @ Vijaypur / 2 nights @ Binsar)
* Non AC Transportation for all sight seeing as mentioned in the itinerary
* All entrance fees
Cost Does not Includes :
* Meals / Beverages during the train journey
* Any meal / excursion during the transit time if any at Delhi.
* Any other extra meal / beverages ordered apart from what is listed above will be charged on location.
* Mineral water
* Porter Charges
* Tipping
* Camera / Video Charges
* Anything that is not listed in the Cost Includes section
NOTE :
Guests who wish to join us at New Delhi on their own will pay Rs.16,950/- per person
Guests who wish to join us at Kathgodam on their own will pay Rs.16,800/- per person
In case of Tatkal booking , the Tatkal charges will be applicable.
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