Astonishing Uttrakand!

This winter vacation was a different one. We chose cold colder vacation. Covered beautiful places at Uttrakand,India.

Day 1: Bangalore to Delhi

Evening flight to Delhi - Indigo airlines. Better to book late afternoon or evening flights to and from Delhi during December as fog/poor visibility can delay or cancel the morning flights. 

We had made our booking at Hotel Ajanta at Arakashan Road for two reasons: 1. This hotel had free airport pick up 2. It's closer to NDLS from where we had train to Haldwani(6AM). Hotel worked out pretty well, the airport pick up was waiting right at the exit and they confirmed the pick up before we left Bangalore itself. It took about 30 minutes to reach the hotel from Airport at night 11PM. 

Day 2: NDLS to Haldwani

We didn't want to do too much road travel. Chose the NDLS-KGM SHATABDI express. Note: Reach NDLS sooner than schedule there is baggage scanning. Keep some time to walk as platforms are pretty far.

One of best new trains is this Shatabdi express. Courteous staff, good hot food. Chai on demand. Didn't feel any strain of travel at all.

We had a taxi booked for entire trip, we had asked that taxi to pick us up from Haldwani as well. From Haldwani to Ramnagar(Jim corbett National park) it takes about 1.5 hrs. 

At Corbett we had our booking at Sarapduli FRH. Sarapduli is a smaller Dhikala. It comes 15KMS before Dhikala. Nice place. Sarapduli doesn't have canteen, so one has to carry all the essentials and cook is available, who would cook and serve. We can buy all of it at Ramnagar before entering Dhikuli forest gate.

We did shop at Ramnagar. Bought atta(wheat) flour, rice, Rajma, curd,milk, masala,oil, tea powder, salt,sugar. Some vegetables. Filtered water as well. All these were packed and loaded on our jeep. The jeep journey from Dhikuli(after Ramnagar) till FRH itself is a safari.

Jim corbett national park is a serene forest. There are rivers Ram ganga and Kosi flowing everywhere. Tall trees and very many birds. We spotted barking deers, Monkeys, Samba deers, many birds on this day.

We are given strict instructions to return to FRH before 5:30PM, after dropping bags at FRH we did a short trip to watch tower and came back.

Sarapduli has power only till 7:30PM. After that a solar powered lantern is provided. Bathroom and room is basic and neat. It gets cold in the night.

Day 3: Jim corbett National park - Dhikala

We woke up had nice tea and headed to our safari. Forest in the morning looks at it's best. Sunlight trying to enter through leaves. We spotted some more deers, peacock,langoon monkeys, birds.

We went to high bank from there one gets complete view of the river. High bank as name suggests is at a elevation providing better view of entire river.

We reached Dhikala and had breakfast at canteen. There is canteen and there is a restaurant at Dhikala. Dhikala is another FRH and it's beautiful. Complete river view from FRH itself. This is much bigger FRH and there is  a lot of open space to walk around and enjoy! We couldn't get a booking here!

After breakfast headed to river bank. Spotted enourmous number of spotted deer groups! Many many birds. We also saw a Jackal. He was swift! Amazing!!

Afternoon we had booked for elephant safari. This is one must do at Dhikala/Corbett. One really gets a feel of entering forest like an animal. Elephant's height gives a huge advantage and in a forest like corbett where grasses are so dense and tall, this gives a massive view.

While returning to Sarapduli, we spotted a group of elephants.

Day 4: Bye bye Jim corbett and hi to Nainital

Morning we spotted some fresh pug marks of the big guy(Tiger). But chasing/waiting didn't help. We didn't spot a tiger but we did saw a group of wildbore, massive sambar deer family. Jim corbett is an unique forest experience.

Helpful inputs:

1. During peak season booking Jim corbett without agent or connections is impossible.

2. All the rates in website is not what they would charge you. The place is so corrupt. Influence or money alone works.

3. Everyone expects tip

4. The guides/jeep drivers are not so knowledgeable as they claim to be. Ask them to slow down when you spot something. They argue but don't give in.

5. Tiger spotting seem to be happening here pretty frequently but accept what nature provides you.

6. Bargain hard or at least try :).

All of the above shouldn't stop you from visiting this place. Chose a off season, book yourself and go.

We were dropped back at Dhikuli at around 11 AM. Our taxi was waiting. We headed to for Nanital. On the way, we went to beautiful Corbett water fall. This water fall has entry fee of Rs.50 per person and Rs.100 for car. Well worth it.

At this time of writing Jim corbett museum is closed for renovation.

We reached the beautiful lake city at around 4 PM. We had booked our stay at Lakeview homestay. This place is right on mall road. Convenient location, but one has to climb stairs(like 100) to reach room. The caretaker is a very helpful guy. Rooms are spacious. Has a small kitchen. Loved the place. The room overlooks naini lake.

Evening we did boating and walked on the mall road.Boating is a must do at Naini lake. It gets real cold in the night. Among all the places we visited this winter, Nainital is the coldest. We had to use room heater.

Day 5: Nainital - Hi Himalayas!

Based on internet advise, we went to himalaya darshan viewpoint before 10:30 AM and yes it's captivating. Snow capped himlayas is visible clearly before noon. On way back stop over for Naini view. Entire lake is visible from this point.

Visited cave garden. This is a unique fun activity at Nainital. There are so many caves: Tiger cave, panther cave, porcupine cave, bat cave. It's easy and fun to do. Inside the cave is reasonably lit.

We took rope car and went to to snow view point. This place is poorly maintained nothing much to do. Once an old amusement park, now all broken. Still if you go with kids there are couple of rides which would interest them. This place also has a good view of Himalayas. Target and go before 10:30AM.

Rope car ride is fun and view through rope car glass windows is nice. But rope car needs more maintenance. The glasses can be cleaned for better view.

Nanital zoo

This is most underrated place in entire Nainital. Well landscaped with nice healthy animal collections. For animal lovers this is the don't miss place. We absolutely loved it.

Nainital zoo can be reached through their pick up and drop service only as the roads are too steep and narrow to navigate. They charge rs.30 per person for two way. A Sumo/tavera keeps doing this round trips.

Don't miss leopard, tiger, bear and massive Samba deers. Birds are also unique and beautiful. View from zoo is amazing too.

Day 6: Bye Nainital! Hi Almora, Binsar

Left Nainital and saw Hanuman gadi on the way. This place has a beautiful hanuman temple. Not too far from Naninital(< 5KMs).

We left for Binsar through Almora. Binsar has a beautiful bird santurary and a view point called zero point. Zero point requires a simple trek of 2KM one way. Zero point view point is strategically located at a place from where there is nothing between you and Himalayas. Take a guide if you are little scared to adventure it alone. Road is well laid so we did it without guide. Safe place. Plan in the morning so that you have a chance to see some birds and also would get a better view.

We stayed at Hotel Shivalik at Almora. We were given himalaya facing room. They have great room service as well. Comfortable clean rooms with a great view.

Day 7: Ancient Jageshwar and Lal Bazzar

We went to the ancient temple Jageshwar. This temple is from 9AD and it's one of the Jyothir linga. Beautiful temple set in a natural backdrop. There are 150 temples here I suppose. There is a archaeological museum opposite to temple do visit this place as well. Nice sculptures recovered from site are placed here. Keep a close watch on all tall trees while travelling to Jageshwar, many interesting birds can be spotted.

Have food at this "Welcome shop" at Jageshwar. Hot parathas made in seconds. Also try hot sweet lime/orange juice. Kind staff and tasty basic food.

Returned back to Almora and watched Mindblowing sunset from the room.

Night we went to Lal Bazzar. Awesome market. Prices are reasonable unique stuff. Almora is full of sweet shops. It is the sweetest hill station in 

 Kumaun. Try Bal mittai and another milk sweet covered in leaf.

Had dinner at Bansal cafe at Lal bazzar. They make great samosas and aloo tikkis. It just melts!

Sunset from Almora

Day 8: Pack and back in our favorite shatabdi express.

We left Almora at 8:30 bought some Bal mittai for home and headed to Katgodam. Enroute we touched Bimtal and Naukuchiatal. Both the places are beautiful. Plan sometime at these places. Paragliding is a happening thing at Naukuchiatal. They charge around 1.5k per person. We didn't have time to try. Looks beautiful. 

Beautiful Bhimtal

Beware of blanket hoax at Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal. This is all fraud. They would take 2k/5k from you. you are too far to come chasing them. Check the bills no one bought after 2011. Very convincing salesperson they have. So beware and don't fall for the trap.

After good food in train our favorite satabdi express dropped us back at Delhi at 9PM. We had made our booking at Krishna deluxe at Arakashan road close to NDLS. We took an auto and paid Rs.50 to reach the hotel. WE had made our booking through makemytrip and got confirmation mail and SMS. But hotel front desk said we have no rooms and we have to sort it out with makemytrip. We were bugged so asked them to put us somewhere. They put us at baba inn at same road little interior. On peak seasons better to call up hotel and get confirmation. Don't blindly trust the makemytrip confirmation SMS and all. 

Day 9: India gate and Sattar market

Headed to India gate at around 9 AM. There was march past. Had breakfast at Saravanabhavan at connaught place. Checked out room left luggage at front desk. Headed to Sattar market right down the Arakashan road. Took motorized rickshaw they take Rs.10 per person. Sattar market is massive, cheap and good. But everything is available at big numbers. We found very few shops who sell items as single piece. Others start at dozen or two. Fun it is!

Booked a ola and reached airport. It costs about 300rs.

Cold fun and adventurous trip ended with fond memories!