The next morning, the trek started with a steep climb!! At one point during the climb, we turned back and bade goodbye to the Sari base camp. It was not known whether we would successfully complete the trek or not. But I was sure that we will definitely come back with a life changing experience.
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Sari Base camp
📷 Supan Shah |
The road was paved with rough stones. But while climbing I was telling myself that these stones were better than walking in the slippery soil.
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| 📷 Pawan Gowda |
You can guess how much the climb was, from this photo, but if you want to know how we were climbing, there is a video!
विडिओ - सम्राट दर्डा
The initial, few meters part of the road passed through populated areas. But the houses there were very few and sparse. Green fields were visible everywhere. Farming was done on the mountain slopes, by step method. This greenery enlivened the entire slope.
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| The view 📷 Supan Shah |
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| 📷 Samrat Darda |
After walking on the steep uphill road for an hour, we arrived at a comparatively flat section and the heart started to say thank you!! Literally!! As soon as you start walking on plain road, heart has to pump less blood and is happy!!Chandrashila peak was also visible from this spot. After about an hour and a half we got some rest, that too again on a flat section! From here once again Sari was visible for a short while. Although due to the ascent, sometimes I was short of breath, the joy was immense! Joy of starting the actual trek after so many days of preparation and waiting!!
On the way, wherever we saw a blooming Rhododendron/ Buransh tree, the pace slowed down. Some were taking photos of the bloom. Time and again, our trek guides were telling us that we will see many blooming trees near our camp and not to stop here for photographs.
The road now passed through the forest area. There were no signs of human habitation. The sunrays reached to us after getting filtered through the trees. Our team had company of each other as well as of the mountainside in this patch.
After some time, we arrived at a large grassy plateau. The plateau is called Bugyal in Uttarakhand and each plateau also has its own name. So this plateau's name was Ropini Bugyal. There we had some time to rest.
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Near Ropini Bugyal
📷 Kedar Tembe |
Here we could see the glimpses of Chaukhamba Peaks but they were playing hide and seek! In a moment they would be visible and in the next moment they would be hiding behind the clouds.
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Chaukhamba peaks
in the veil of clouds
📷 Kedar Tembe |
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| 📷 Samrat Darda |
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| 📷 Supan Shah |
Even though the ambience was wonderful and clouds were there, so was the heat of the sun. Everyone was sweating due to the exertion. After a few hours of walking through rough stone roads and mountain paths, we reached the forest road. Many rhododendrons were in bloom and again happiness was in the air!!
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| 📷 Pawan Gowda |
Some of us were lingering for photographs. But our trek guides ushered us saying "Chalo chalo keep moving". They were right too. Because there was still a steep climb ahead. The noon sun was scorching.
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| 📷 Sumati Dhembre |
While looking at this photo, the uphill climb seems difficult, but the real test is the downhill!! To avoid tumbling down the slope, one has to be really careful, specially the one who is carrying bulky body weight like me!!!After this ascent, there was a short but steep descent. Along the way, every now and then, we could catch sights of the Deoriatal! It was a very beautiful sight.
As the air was not so clear, the reflections of the mountain peaks could not be seen in the water. When the air is clear, the Chowkhamba peaks and their reflections in Deoriatal make a picturesque sight. But what we could see, was also very beautiful.
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| 📷 Sumati Dhembre |
Pristine Deoriatal, which is surrounded by bushes and trees, occasional white flowers blooming on the trees, the road around the reservoir, the path going up through the neighborhood, everything about this place was charming.
This was the route of our four day trek. Day 1 and 6 were reserved to travel to and fro from Sari to Rishikesh.
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| 📷Indiahikes Website |
But of course there must be a motorable road near Deoriatal. Because all along the forest road from Sari to Deoriatal, we saw only two local women, who came to collect branches and firewood.
But there were many tourists around Deoriatal. Some of them were doing weird things for photos, selfies and reels. There was a forest department cabin nearby. People were trying to get into the water even though the forest officials had prohibited them from entering the water and putting anything in the water. Then the whistles of the forest officials were blowing to stop them. In fact, this traffic and noise, was not even 0. 001%, compared to our cities But still, after experiencing the silence of the forest for a few hours, even that much noise felt barbarous. Little bit of garbage left by the tourists could be seen around. Seeing all this, I felt relieved that we were not irresponsible tourists but responsible trekkers.
Our campsite for that day was at Deoriatal. But since the forest department does not allow camping near the lake, the campsite was about 500 meters away from the lake. We had to climb a gradual ascent to the camp site.
Today, while coming from Sari to Deoriatal, we had climbed from 6560 feet to 7810 feet.
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| 📷 Supan Shah |
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| Deoriatal Camp📷 Sneha Tilak |
After reaching the camp, we had lunch. Trek leader Sahil had told us not to sleep no matter how tired you are. So after the meal, we went to a view point near our camp, which was at some more height. 360 degrees view of mountain ranges, little mist, little clouds, blossoming Rhododendron/Buransh trees, Deoriatal peeping through the trees ..that view will remain forever in the memory.
After a while we again went near Deoriatal. That was where we would have our snacks and tea.
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| Sukun - Relaxed moment @ Devriyatal |
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Contemplative Devariatal
📷 Sneha Tilak |
The slanting rays of the evening sun had changed the sight of the lake. Our mood was also changed.
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| 📷 Sneha Tilak |
It was colder now. Everyone wrapped themselves in jackets and caps. Our trek guide Amitji told us the story of Yakshaprashan so vividly that we were engrossed in listening.
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| 📷 Samrat Darda |
Yudhisthira answered the Yaksha's questions. The story was over. Now engulfed in thoughts, we were sitting quietly in that serene atmosphere, enjoying the sunset.
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कहीं दूर जब दिन ढल जाए,
साँझ की दुल्हन बदन चुराए
📷 Sumati Dhembre |
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| 📷 Sneha Tilak |
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| 📷 Samrat Darda |
The sun had set. Now it was time to go back to camp. But at such a beautiful place, a group photo is must. Isn't it?
22 of us who were strangers yesterday morning, who met for the first time yesterday morning were connected by the bond of friendship till this evening.
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| TEAM |
#deoriatal #chopta #uttarakhand #chandrashila #deoria #tungnath #sarivillage #himalayas #uttarakhandheaven #mountains #instagram #trekking #travel #motivations #indiahikes
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