Posted: 23 Oct 2015 06:01 PM PDT

Dayara Bugyal is often placed at the top position only to be hotly contested and pushed to the next best. But there is no debate amongst trekkers that Dayara Bugyal would fall within the two most beautiful high altitude meadows in India. It is not difficult to see why. For hundred of years shepherds from far have been taking their flock to graze at Dayara. They have come back with stories of the abundance of grass and splendor of the mighty Himalayan mountain peaks cradling the meadows. They described the place with such intensity that soon word about Dayara Bugyal reached explorers. When the explorers got back from their treks to Dayara Bugyal, they came back profoundly affected. The meadows were exactly as the shepherds had described them – but only more beautiful. The mountains they talked about were the Bhagirathi peaks, Bandarpoonch, Black peak and scores of other peaks they could not name. They discovered clear water bodies strewn across the green meadows – in whose reflection the peaks looked even more beautiful. Flowers sprung up around streams and brooks that ran across the meadows. Dayara Bugyal along with its twin Gidara Bugyal is perhaps one of the most beautiful alpine meadows in India. The meadows stretch out far and wide and all around the meadows are the many towering snow peaks. The trek showcases some of the best scenery the Himalayas have to offer. The Bugyals and the sky around with their every changing hue can show you new scenery at every season of the year. The trek starts from the tiny village of Barsu tucked away on the Haridwar – Gangothri road 32 kms away the town of UttarKashi. Barsu houses about 90 homes and has a GMVN overlooking the village on one side and the mountains on the other. The GMVN serves as a good base camp for the trek. The rooms are neat and spacious and the view in front is lovely.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1 :- Haridwar to Barsu (7545 ft) 200km.
Night stay in guesthouse.
Day 2 :- Barsu to Barnala (8530 ft) 4km.
Night stay in guesthouse / tents.
Day 3 :- Barnala to Dayara Bugyal (9980) 5km.
Night stay in tents
Day 4 :- Dayara Bugyal to Bakaria Top, back to Dayara Bugyal(12000 ft).
Night stay in tents
Day 5 :- Dayara Bugyal to Pichkiya (7873 ft).
Night stay in tents
Day 6 :- Pichkiya (7873 ft) to Barsu(7545 ft).
Night stay in tents
Day 7 :- Barsu to Haridwar.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Haridwar to Barsu (7545 ft) 220kms whole day drive.
We leave at dawn break and drive to Barsu which is a day long journey. We pass through the towns of Rishikesh, Chamba and Uttarkashi. Barsu is a small village about 32 kms from Uttarkashi and is on the way to Gangothri. The drive to Barsu from Uttarkashi is along with Bhagirathi river. Barsu is the base camp for Dayara Bugyal trek, Overnight stay at Barsu in a guest house
Day 02: Barsu to Barnala (8530 ft) 4 Km, 3-3½ hrs trek.
The trek to Barnala is 4 Kms and is a normal step ascend. We pass through the beautiful landscape of laced of Rhododendr
The post Dayara Bugyal Trek appeared first on Mumbai Hikers Network.

Posted: 24 Oct 2015 01:00 AM PDT

Tucked away in a beautiful corner of the country, Nagaland each year plays host to thousands of Amur Falcon halting here before their onward migration to Africa. Due to its strategic position, sandwiched between Assam and Myanmar, Nagaland is also home to a few specialities found nowhere else on the subcontinent. This makes it a must on the wish list of birders. Even birds common to the area like Grey Sibia and Crested Finchbill are a first for many. During this camp one could see birds like Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Striped Laughingthrush, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Blyth's Tragopan, Brown Hornbill, Naga Wren-babbler, Gould's Shortwing, Yellow-throated Laughingthrush, Rusty-capped Fulvetta, and Golden Babbler.
Grade: Easy (Walks for birding).
Dates:
Batch I: 24th – 31st October, 2015 (ex Dimapur)
Batch II: 5th – 12th November, 2015 (On demand)
(Batch limit 9 participants only)
Camp Charges: Rs. 41,500/- for members, and Rs. 42,700/- for others (ex Dimapur)
Accommodation: Twin/triple sharing in home-stays
Reporting: Reporting on Day One outside Dimapur Airport at 01:30 p.m. Drop to Dimapur Airport on last day at 10:30 a.m. How to reach: Dimapur is connected by air. It can also be approached from Guwahati by bus.
Registration*: Kindly contact us at 22871202/22821811, Mon–Fri 09:30 a.m. to 05:30 p.m. or e-mail us at bnhs.programmes@gmail.com. visit us at http://www.bnhs.org
The post NAGALAND – Land of the Amur Falcon appeared first on Mumbai Hikers Network.

Posted: 24 Oct 2015 11:00 AM PDT

Harihar s a triangular massif with sheer vertical walls & edges. The only way up the fort is by climbing rock cut steps in a 70 degree rock edge. There are a couple of caves, water tanks, & a temple atop the fort. The top offers one a birds eye view of the entire region & also gives one the gratification of having gotten over the fear of heights.
The post THRILLING HARIHAR FORT TREK appeared first on Mumbai Hikers Network.

Posted: 28 Oct 2015 01:00 AM PDT