Safe Treks of Flood Ravaged Uttarakhand
The monsoon of 2013 brought havoc to the holy land of Uttarakhand. Excessive rainfall from 14th to 17th June led to the melting of Chorabari glacier. Continuous rainfall along with water from the melted glacier made the Mandakini River erupt. The river swelled and swelled with great force, overflowing its boundaries. This flood of water led to several landslides, which in turn caused the river to change its path.
The water mixed with debris gushed towards roads, bridges, residences and other structures. Many of the roads got washed away; bridges broke down; buildings collapsed like a pack of cards. The houses which could sustain the strong stream of water were submerged in mud and stones carried by the water.
The Garhwal division of Uttarakhand has suffered the maximum destruction both of life and property. Uttarakhand's economy depends largely on tourism. Because of the tragedy, the number of tourists has come down very sharply.
Not all the places of Uttarakhand were affected. There are plenty of fascinating areas all around the state which are as breathtaking as earlier. And they can also be comfortably and safely reached.
Following are certain winter treks in Garhwal region which are sure to delight the adventure and nature lovers:
It is a lake which is located at 3024 meters above sea level. A jeep ride from Uttarkashi can take one to the starting point Sangamchatti. Dodital is 21 km from here. And the refreshing views of the forests, meadows and streams all through the way make the 21 km path the most pleasant one to tread. The trekker can also halt at a private lodge or camp at Agora or Bebra village. One can also carry a tent along and stop wherever one wishes to.
Spread over an area of 28 km, Dayara Bugya is a beautiful alpine meadow which is one of the easiest treks of India. The trek goes through dense forest and open land areas. A small lake called Barnala Tal, which comes along the way, is a treat to watch. There are two points from which one may begin the trek - Barsu and Raithal. The best thing to choose is to trek through one and come down from the other. This will give the trekker a chance to view the alluring sights at both ends.
Auli Gorson Bugyal
Auli is a popular skiing destination which is considered to be one of the longest in Asia. One can trek one's way up through a place called Gorson Bugyal which is 3 km trek away from Auli. Gorson Bugyal is a meadow at a high altitude of 3056 meters. Trekking through the meadow amid oak and conifer trees, with alluring peaks of the Himalayas in the background, is a truly magnificent experience.
Being situated in a secluded part of Uttarakhand the place has preserved its pristine natural beauty. Har ki Dun valley can be reached by trekking from Taluka village. Taluka lies at a distance of 20-25 km from the valley. The distance can be covered in a 2-day trek and the route will pass through some remote villages whose inhabitants still live life in a primitive manner.
It is situated close to the Har ki Dun valley and is even more isolated than the valley, and hence more exotic. The Kedarkantha peak offers a wonderful 360-degree view of the snow-capped mountain peaks. The trek begins from a village called Sankri. The summit is around 26 km from the village. One would come across a dense forest, which is gifted with rich flora and fauna and a small but simply delightful lake.
It is religiously believed to be the abode of Nag devta (Snake Lord) and is frequented by the villagers who come here to pay their respects. The trek begins from Devalsari, which is at a distance of about 13 km from Nag Tibba. One can stay at Devalsari at the forest guest house before beginning the trek. There is no accommodation at the top of Nag Tibba. One can carry a tent along if one intends to spend a night at the peak. One can further trek for 3 km from Nag Tibba to have a splendid view of Himalayas.
Chopta Chandrashila Trek is a 5 km long trek which begins from a place called Chopta. From Chopta the trek leads to Tungnath, which is a Shiva temple and is said to be a thousand years old. It is one of the five Panch Kedar temples. From here there is a 1 km steep path towards the final destination Chandrashila. Standing at the height of 4000 meters the peak offers a standpoint from which one can have an amazing view of the surrounding Himalayan peaks, like Kedar Peak, Trisul, Nandadevi and Chaukhamba.
The state needs funds to rebuild; the local people need employment to survive. A trip to Uttarakhand will offer hope to the local people and a wonderful retreat to the guests.
Get the wonderful experience of most beautiful and fascinating trekking trails of Garhwal Himalayas. Some of them are Chopta chandrashila trek and Har ki dun valley.
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