Uttarakhand trip

 

On the morning of October 19th, I and my dad left early in the morning for the Kempegowda International Airport. We had to go to the Terminal 2 of the airport to catch the 8:40 am flight to Delhi. Then we reached Delhi airport. We got our luggage and our 8-hour-long journey to Mussoorie started.

At around 7pm we reached the foothills of Mussoorie and the view of lights was just breathtaking. We reached the hotel also situated on a mountain. Then we had dinner in the hotel. It was around 9℃ at that time. We turned on the heater feeling warm but after sleeping we had no feeling of the temperature dipping.

The next day we woke up and thought of just going for a walk to the hotel for breakfast but as soon as we stepped out the views of the snow-capped Himalayas were just beautiful. Then we had breakfast and left for Kempty Falls the first destination.

Nestled in the Indian Himalayas, amidst soaring mountains and sparkling air, lies Kempty Falls It is 1364 meters above sea level. A cascading curtain of water plunges 40 feet, breaking into five playful rivulets that gurgle and sing. Kempty Falls roars with a million happy tourists, drawn by its charm since way back in 1835. (Word on the street is a British officer named John Mekinan started the whole party with his love for "camp-tea") .

We enjoyed the sights there then left for Santura Devi temple nestled on a hill at Nautha. We took a break there then we again left for Dalai Hill for a trek and to just go to a monastery

The Dalai Hills in Mussoorie is about a 400-meter walk from the Tibetan temple, Shedup Choephelling Temple in the Happy Valley, Mussoorie. Dalai Hills is one of the very magnificent and extremely beautiful places located in Mussoorie. It is decorated with Buddhist Prayer Flags all over and has a statue of Lord Buddha constructed by the 20th Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Mussoorie to prevent disease, war, conflict, and natural disaster that occurred on 13 June 2014.

Then we left Dalai Hill and went to Company Gardens. 

Tucked away in Mussoorie's Happy Valley, the seemingly serene Company Garden holds a past cloaked in colonial whispers and botanical intrigue. Originally christened the Botanical Gardens in the early 20th century, its origins lie with Dr. H. Fackner, a geologist captivated by the region's unique flora. Few know that this haven was once a humble potato farm, later transformed into a sprawling showcase of over 800 plants, including vibrant dahlias and delicate begonias. A hidden gem lies within the garden's archives: a meticulously hand-painted flora list from 1928, a silent testament to the dedication of early botanists. Legend whispers of a secret tunnel constructed by British colonials, though its purpose remains an alluring mystery. As you breathe in the crisp mountain air, remember, that beneath the blooming beauty lies a tapestry of forgotten stories, waiting to be unraveled.

Then after visiting the company gardens, we left for the George Everest peak for a trek. First, we went to the museum in an ATV that took us to the hill.

Firstly, it's not the highest peak in the area. That title belongs to Lal Tibba, a scenic viewpoint. But George Everest was mistakenly identified as the world's tallest in 1852. The error was later rectified, but the name stuck, a testament to Everest's pioneering spirit. Beyond its historical significance, George Everest Peak is a haven for adventure seekers. Trekking through rhododendron forests and scaling rocky paths, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Himalayas and the Doon Valley below. So, the next time you hear the name "Everest," remember. The iconic George Everest House, perched near the summit, was once a scientific laboratory and residence. Local folklore claims the peak is haunted by the spirits of British surveyors who perished in the unforgiving terrain. This 6,578-foot giant holds secrets within its folds. George Everest Peak, Mussoorie, India Hidden in plain sight. Hike through rhododendron forests and past to reach the summit, rewarded with breathtaking views of the Doon Valley and snow-capped peaks. The mesmerizing "winter line" phenomenon, where the setting sun paints the horizon in fiery hues. Beyond the peak. The ruins of Sir George Everest's house, are a testament to his pioneering spirit. So, ditch the crowds at the "real" Everest and embark on an adventure to George Everest Peak. Unearth its hidden gems, soak in the panoramic vistas and create your own Everest story. The peak was originally called Peak XV! Ironically, Everest himself vehemently opposed the idea, arguing that local names should be respected. George Everest's fame lies in leading the Great Trigonometric Survey of India, meticulously mapping the subcontinent, and paving the way for the mountain's identification and measurement. As you hike up you'll stumble upon the ruins of Sir George Everest's House and Laboratory. This 19th-century marvel once housed astronomical instruments and served as a crucial base for the survey. More Than Just a Hike: The trek to George Everest Peak is a delightful mix of scenic beauty and historical intrigue. Breathe in the crisp mountain air, traverse quaint villages, and soak in panoramic views of the Himalayas. Keep an eye out for exotic birds, crazy cows, and playful monkeys along the way! 

Then we took a small break to freshen up and we left for Mall road

Located at a height of 2,000 meters at the heart of Mussoorie city, The Mall Road is famous for its picturesque viewpoints providing amazing views of the Doon valley. Benches and lampposts are fixed at every viewpoint at the Mall. Colonial-style houses kept reminding me of British architecture.

Then we left back to the hotel room with a temperature between 5℃ to 9℃ at night.

The next day again we woke up early in the morning and left for our first destination of the day Lal Tibba.

In the local language, Lal Tibba means the Red Hill. This is said to be the oldest and the most populated place in Mussoorie. The place is known for its scenic beauty courtesy of the pleasant sunrise and sunset that leave the visitors spellbound. It's the best place to have a cup of coffee while having breathtaking views of the Himalayas.

Next, we went on a walk from Kellogg memorial church to the Landour Bakehouse passing by the Army houses. It was a quite calm pleasant 1.2-kilometer walk. amidst the mountains of the Doon range.

Then we left for Bhatta Falls. We had to go down a hill in a ropeway to the falls. We could see a small stream which we followed to see the waterfall. There we could see seats kept in the water for eating as there were few tiny hotels. Then we went higher at last we saw the point at which the water falls from a height and we returned back and left to Dehradun from Mussoorie, the queen of hills.

Then we reached Dehradun and went to a Shiva temple at the start of Dehradun. Then we went to Robber's cave where we rented a chappal.

Nestled amidst the Himalayan foothills, just 8 kilometers from Dehradun's bustling heart, lies the intriguing Robber's Cave, also known as Gucchu Pani. This 600-meter wonder isn't just a geological marvel of limestone carved by the gushing waters of the Suswa Nadi. It's believed bandits kept treasures for centuries hidden waterfall.

We then went past a old hindhu shiva temple called tapkeshvar mahadev with a stream of ganga passing

From Robber's Cave, we went to the Forest Research Institute for a break. There we went for a walk and we even saw 50-60-year-old tree barks.

The Forest Research Institute is a Natural Resource Service training institute of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education and is an institution in the field of forestry research in India for Indian Forest Service cadres and all State Forest Service cadres. It is located at Dehradun in Uttarakhand and is among the oldest institutions of its kind. In 1991, it was declared a deemed university by the University Grants Commission.

Then we went to the room to freshen up and again left to watch a movie after the movie we came back to the room and had a good sleep that day.

The next day after waking up we went to Haridwar to see the Divine River Ganga.

Mansa devi

Chandi Devi

In Haridwar, there are 2 temples of Devi(actually three) one is Mansa Devi and the other is Chandi Devi. Both are on Hilltops. In Mansa Devi temple you need to walk for the ropeway but in Chandi Devi, it is in the foothills. The deities in these temples are believed to protect the river Ganga from any calamity for years to come. 

The 3rd temple I was talking about was the temple for Hanuman's mother, Anjana. This is actually on the route to Chandi Devi temple left to chandi Mata straight you go Anjana temple. Then looking at both temples we left for the Banks of Ganga where we were astonished to see the number of temples there. 

We had a look at each temple cleansed our feet in Ganga and left for Rishikesh to see the Bridges or Jhulas.

Ram Jhula

Triveni Ghat

We first went to Ram Jhula.

It connects the Sivananda Nagar area of Muni Ki Reti in Tehri Garhwal district to Swargashram in Pauri Garhwal district, crossing the river from west to east. Built in the year 1986, the bridge is one of the iconic landmarks of Rishikesh. 

On the other side, there were temples around 100 years old. We saw hotels of pure Indian cuisine. We had lunch there and crossed the river to the other side by boat which was a cool experience.

Then we left for Triveni Ghat at Rishikesh for the sunset and the Ganga Arathi. We stayed there till 7 saw it and then left back to Dehradun. On the way, we passed through the Rajaji National Park and saw the place where the last day of the G20 summit took place, Narendrangar. After we reached we had a great sleep after a busy day.

Then the next day we woke up early in the morning caught the Vande Bharath at Dehradun station and left sailing at 110km/hr. Then reached Delhi at around 12:30 in the afternoon. Then met my father's colleague, saw the Indian gate and had lunch in a south Indian hotel in Delhi then we left for Delhi Metro to meet my cousins. After spending time with them it was finally time to leave back home. That night we left Bengaluru by air and reached the next day early morning and this was all a trip that would be a journey that would last a lifetime.