The Journey so far…
Day 4 | Chaukori – Bageshwar – Baijnath – Kausani
22nd December 2012: We had a nice sleep last night though it was again decent cold and there was a similar routine by Junior of waking up and sleeping back π … I was pretty much used to this age of parenthood by now so it was not that difficult to manage. Next morning I had set the alarm for 5 AM to capture the sunrise but already there were quite a few people up at the tower to capture the sunrise and that too in such cold conditions π― … There was so much noise of people running around that I never required the alarm π … Such enthusiasts to see the Golden Glow over Peaks while I was more interested to capture the sun coming out of the mountains horizon.
After braving the chill for almost about 40 odd minutes, the moment came when sun started to come out of the range of mountains towards east of Panchulli Peaks. It was simply breathtaking view, quite a treat to the eyes to see the sun coming out of horizon and glowing the snow clad peaks in front, with Golden Colors… Just that within 15 minutes the whole sunrise serial was over but keep in mind I had to brave that bone chilling wind for more than an hour in total to capture couple of shots of this artistic drama by nature π
Well, I went back to the room and slept for couple of hours. We woke up, got our bags ready, Junior was all ready too and started running around in the garden in front. It was such a melodious feeling to be with your loved ones at the place which you love most, The Himalayas… Seeing the junior playing around with his mother, a series of dreams started developing and it took sometime to bring myself back to reality of returning home next day π … After quick breakfast and getting couple of milk packs for Junior, we left for Kausani, a place where time sleeps.
Kausani at an altitude of 1890 Mtrs, is about 85 Odd KMs from Chaukori and 52 KMs from Almora. The route goes via Bageshwar – Baijnath with lovely views of Panchulli, Mrigthuni and Trishul alongside. Since, it was about 3 Hrs drive from Chaukori so we were in no hurry and were driving at slow speed enjoying the vistas on the route. Roads were pretty decent all the way. After couple of hours came Bageshwar, a town which is situated on the confluence of Gomti river with Sarju river which is a tributary of Sharda or Kali river and joins Kali at Pancheswar. We were least interested to stop by the town and wanted a place to spend sometime near by Gomti river. Finally, we got an appropriate place to enjoy besides the river with a dhabha for Tea and Buns near by the banks. Getting to the bank was tricky but we all managed well and reached there. Enjoyed the tea and buns from the dhabha at the banks of the river whose water was cold enough :)… Junior was liking it completely and he started throwing small – small stones into the water and when the water splashed up, he used to laugh a loud. It was something new to him and he was completely enjoying a merry time there. Unfortunately, time was running so we had to move ON towards Kausani.
Baijnath Temple
Next planned stoppage was Baijnath Temple which fall on the route and is just 18 KMs from Kausani. Baijnath Temple is situated on the banks of the Gomti river and has idols of Lord Shiva, Ganesh, Parvati, Chandika, Kuber, Surya and Brahma. Temple was built by the Kumaon Katyuri king in almost 1150 AD and has its own importance in mythology as it is said that Lord Shiva married Paravati Mata, at the confluence of River Gomti & Garur Ganga. After spending about an hour or so where junior even got excited offering food for fishes in the river aside, we left for Kausani and reach in next half on hour by 4 PM.
Kausani
Again I had booked KMVN at Kausani which is the last hotel at the point where the road ends. The 180 degree views various peaks especially of Trishul were just majestic from the room itself or you can say corridor in front of the room. We arranged some Woodstock for bonfire in night by paying a local villager nearby and ordered food for late lunch. It was a place which gave the feeling that time had just stopped there. We enjoyed some quite moments sitting beside each other, ogling at the High and Handsome peaks in front and then came the time of Golden Glow Hour of Sunset. I took some pictures of sunset over the peaks and it was quite a dramatic view. Chill was increasing and the whole place was seriously quite with no sounds whatsoever around… We lighten up the bonfire, finally had some Old Monk as it was the last day of the trip followed by the dinner. Kausani felt like a perfect place, to spend good time with your family !!
We were only interested in the timelessness & splendid scenery of panoramic views from Kausani rather any tourist attractions. If you are interested then you can visit Anashakti Ashram, Lakshmi Ashram, Tea Gardens, Baijnath Temple which are among some of the tourists attractions around Kausani.
Next morning, I woke up early again braving the cold to capture the golden glow over Trishul Peak and get both perspectives of Sunset as well as Sunrise Golden Glows on Trishul Peak !! I cannot explain the feeling capturing both these majestic moments of everyday of our life… Something special it was. Well, I hardly felt any cold and took series of pictures over sunrise before going back inside the room. We had to make a long run back to home from Kausani about 430 odd KMs, so without wasting much time I asked everyone to get ready and specially the junior π …
Day 5 | Kausani – Almora – Kathgodam – Moradabad – Delhi
23rd December 2012: We had our breakfast by 9 AM & we all were ready to leave the place with heavy heart and knew that we are into the mad run from Kausani to Delhi without any pictures or breaks further. We drove through Almora and then towards Kathgodam while enjoying the drive. However, there was a setback again as we descended from Almora,the Junior threw out again π₯ … Well, I guess there was something wrong with the ascend and descend around Almora only as he threw out both times near Almora. May be frequent short curves were responsible for it. However, some clean-up process and after a while he was fine again.
As we descended further smiles were back on his face and finally after long grueling run we managed to reach near Rampur where we bought some 5 Kgs for Guavas as my wife is very fond of them π … So, set, this was our lunch π and we continued the drive only to meet the engraving traffic jam at Moradabad, though this time it did not last that long and within an hour we were out. Finally, stopped at a restaurant near Gajaraula, just aside McD, where we had our dinner. Food was just OK. After that, simple drive home to Delhi to end this lovely Travel Trip…
I hope you enjoyed the Travel Tale and before I say end to this emotional as well as special Family Travel Tale, being maiden trip to Himalayas for my Junior Devil, please treat your eyes with both magical Golden Glows of the day at Trishul Peak as seen from Kausani having Sunrise & Sunset in a single frame…
THE END !!
13 Comments
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Hi…………… Firstly I like to thank you for your beautiful pics and description.
We, friends, are planing to go to Nainitaal, Binsar, kaushani, Chaukori, Munsiyari in January’14. I’m little-bit worried about, in January, is it possible to go Munsiyari ???…because in the month of January, it might be a chance getting ice in road to Munsiyari, If the road is blocked .. it is not possible for us to reach Munsiyari. What is your opinion .. January is good or bad option ??? Pls suggest…
Hi Subhadeb,
It might be possible that road to Munsiyari might bbye open but it might close if there is snowfall though main road gets cleared if possible in month of January. So, chances of making the trip is possible. What I will suggest is that you keep your plan upto Chaukori in mind and then if the roads conditions and weather are favorable for making trip to Munsiyari further ahead of Chaukori then make a trip from there. You can easily do Munsiyari from Chaukori in a day, may be stay there for a day and then can reach Kasauni from Munsiyari next day.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks ….. Thanks for Suggestion….. But Without Munsiyari…..Kumayun is incomplete….. isn’t it ????
No, its not like that. Chaukori is equally wonderful. Do not miss Patal Bhuvaneshwar in any case π … I think you can visit the rest of the places to enjoy them and if possible visit Munsiyari too but it can be left for next trip to this beautiful Kumaon π
Nice trip and travelogue brother. You really enjoyed your time with Junior.
Yeah Varun, it was a special one, really enjoyed with the kiddo. Now in plans of making another one with him this December π
PS: Sorry for delayed reply as I was traveling Ladakh for last couple of weeks.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Lovely……
Thanks alot π
PS: Sorry for delayed reply as I was traveling Ladakh for last couple of weeks.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Lovely description. It reminds me of my visit to that area in 1979, ’81, ’85 & ’88 when we made our camp fire at Kaushani Tourist Bunglow (just inaugurated at that time ), Gwaldam Tourist Lodge (yet to be inaugurate at that time ), Binsar FRH & Sattal ( Pravari Paryatak Niwas at that time ), while returning from treks to Pindari Glacier, Sundardunga Glacier, Rupkund and Satopanth Tal respectively. Anyone in love for Himalaya will always long for a visit to those area again and again ( although virginity of those area has been spoiled to a great extent). My last visit to Himalaya was in May – June this year in Leh Ladak Lahul area in my Innova which I along with my friends drove all the way from Durgapur in West Bengal. All my thanks to Dhiraj who helped me with all the information through his wonderful website DOW. Keep it up Dhiraj. I feel inspired to visit Himalaya on wheels more & more now even at this age of seventy years. God bless you Dhiraj and all the young lovers of Himalaya.
Hello Jayanta ji,
Well, we can just dream of such days and now since loads of development has happened things have a bit eased out as a traveler for everyone. Salute to your spirit of travel. Thank you so very much for the wishes sir and your blessings… π
PS: Sorry for delayed reply as I was traveling Ladakh for last couple of weeks.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thank you Dheeraj for your complements. Keep up your work. God bless you.
Lovely description and pictures brother. I got the memories refresh of my first trip to Kausani in March 2007. Thanks…
Thanks a lot bhai, it is lovely place to spend some real quality time with your loved ones. Will soon go there back again !!