trip to Gangtok- March, 2015

After being to most of the hill station in northern India, this time we decide for Gangtok, Sikkim. We have flight early morning from Delhi domestic Airport to Kolkatta and than Kolkatta to Bagdogra. Due to some operational reasons we have to board two flights, otherwise the flight to Bagdogra is of 2 hours. Since we departed on 6th March that's the day for Holi festival, hardly any mode of conveyance was available to Gangtok. We take prepaid taxi from the airport only for Rs.2210. the driver told us that its only 117 KM but charges are more and sharing is not available due to festive season. After hectic travelling finally we reached to Bagdogra and check in at Hotel Gajraj. At first they told us the fare of Rs.3000 but after few negotiations and we landed at fourth floor for rs. 1500/ each day. As we were very tired we decided to rest in the hotel only and ordered dinner.

Mode of transportation: Delhi- Bagdogra..Air flights/ Train
Bagdogra to Gangtok- City Buses: charges are around Rs.60-70/ per person but they are very time consuming
Private Taxis are also available, they charge Rs. 210/ per person and let 10 person sit.
Nearest Airport: Bagdogra
Hotels: many options are available but you will hardly get any good hotel for less than Rs.1000.
Places to visit: MG road/ Mall road, Vanjhakri fall, Nathula,

Day 1:
We started at 11:00. Had breakfast from Agarwal's snack, pure veg hotel. They serve a variety of North Indian snacks starting from pav bhaji, chhole bhature to burger. After having filling breakfast we decided to move for nearby places. We hired a Taxi who started with 1200 and finally negotiated and given him 1100 for the ten spots. Though we could only cover seven spots.

Things to carry before starting: Umbrella, water bottle, we also got biscuits, cup noodles and other things.

Gonjang Monastery: Its a nice place, very beautiful and quiet. Here you will feel a little more cold as its a big place with large open area. Here you can spend hours if you like peace and want to explore something heavenly.

                                                              Inside of Monastery

                                                               entrance of monastery

View Point: Than we visited to View point but find it useless to visit as there was nothing except a balcony having mountain view.

Ganesh tok, Hanuman tok, - Than we visited to two temples but hardly find them of any use as we have visited a lot temples in Delhi/NCr.

Tibetianology: That was another place to visit, but we couldnot as we got quite late.

Flower exhibition: There is a ticket of Rs.10/ per person but its worth visiting. Amit, since very fond of flower, he loved the place most.

Namche Monastery: We went there a bit late so that's why couldnot go inside. This monastery remain closed after 4:30 PM in the evening.

After getting free around 6:00 in the evening we decided to explore MG road. It's most clean place and very well maintained. You will find the mainly all the big brands showroom over here. But I suggest you to explore the local shops as you can easily get branded items  from anywhere.

Things to remeber: Gangtok is quiet costlier than any north India hill stations. You cant think of going anywhere without hiring taxis. Also the charges are fixed, and there is not scope of negotiations. Just you can confirm with two three localities to make sure , they are not charging more.
Also traffic rules are strict so no chances of bending them

Day 2: to be continued..

Trek To Tungnath

Something about Tungnath (Courtesy Wikipedia)

Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in the world and is one of the five and the highest Panch Kedar temples located in the mountain range of Tunganath in Rudraprayag district, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Tunganath (literal meaning: Lord of the peaks) mountains form theMandakini and Alaknanda river valleys. Located at an altitude of 3,680 m (12,073 ft), and just below the peak of Chandrashila, Tungnath temple is the highest Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is believed to be 1000 years old and is the second in the pecking order of the Panch Kedars. It has a rich legend linked to the Pandavas, heroes of theMahabharata epic.

Tungnath is identified as the place where the bahu (hands) of Lord shiva were seen.

Day 1
We started our trip on Wednesday (11th june, 2014) early morning around 7:00 Am. Thanks to good weather , with few stops, we were able to cover more of our distance till 6 in the noon and took a night stay at Devprayag. We took a hotel there and relaxed after having dinner. We went to bed early as tomorrow we have to cover along journey ahead.

Hotel: Vijay Laxmi

Room rent: Rs.600 
Dinner: After confirming with local people, we had our dinner at Roxy Hotel. They serve Thali with unlimited food at just Rs 75.

Day 2
Next day was a real hot day. we started our journey after having breakfast and some fruits. We couldn't think of stepping out from AC till OKHIMATH where we got some relief from hot and chilling sun. Roads were plain, newly built but than also it took us 6 hours to cover a distance of 70 KM as roads were less wide and there were very steep turns. Finally we reached CHOPTA at 5:15PM where we had our Maggi, tea and milk for tomato. We changed our clothes ( as temperate was quite low over there) and packed our bag packs for trekking.

You can also opt for horses which will charge from Rs.200-300/ per person. But will advise you to walk as the 3.35KM is full of springs, natural scenary, beauty and huts for the refreshments.

Must haves in bagpack : Torch, extra batteries, umbrellas, shawl, extra pair of socks, medicines for loose motion, aches, fever and allergies(if any), 

                                                 All set for our Day 2 trip from Devprayag

                                                                                      Amit busy in driving.

                                                         Tomato Busy in posing

                                                            Tomato's taashan

                                            We took a stop near Okhimath. Its full of natural beauty

                                            Tomato also enjoying the trip and natural beauty

                                                            Natural Spring near Chopta

                                                    another beautiful stop near Chopta

                                                                         some poses

                                                           

                                                Finally we reached Chopta.."Jai Baba Bholenath"

                                                      Having Maggi, tomato all set in her winter clothes.

So, Finally we are just few 3.35 KMs away from our destination. In my next post will take you to Tungnath, a wonder place on earth.

Variety of Mushrooms at Kalatop, Dalhousie

During autumn you will find a number of variety of mushrooms at Kalatop. They are of different categories varies in color, size and even designs. You can find red, yellow or even pink mushrooms. Localites have asked us not to touch anyone of them until or unless we are sure that they are no poisonous. Here are pics of few of them.

This is the only one which can be eat. Moreover before cooking it they used to boil it twice or thrice. Also everyone cant digest it easily so they are bit reluctant to serve it to us.

                                                                 Butterfly shaped

                                                              Yellow flat mushroom

                                                               Yellow fat Mushroom :P

                                                           Eye shaped mushroom

Dark brown mushroom

Sapna amit agarwal