Amazing Journey into 2013 - Binsar (Almora)

New Year Bash…..

Have you ever felt “I want to be alone, where no one talks, but nature… nothing distracts, but nature” well I've had that feeling for quite some time now, hence decided to plan a trip to Almora (Binsar) for the New Year :)

I din do any kinda research for this trip, although had booked my tickets to Kathgodam from Delhi. So this trip was pretty much unplanned.

[Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is a beautiful, quiet and wild Himalayan destination with rich natural surroundings among dense forest. Binsar is perched on top of the Jhandi Dhar hills. This place is situated 33 km north of the Almora town in the Uttarakhand state of India.

Binsar, which was the former capital of the Chand Rajas of Kumaon, is now home for a pristine mid altitude wildlife sanctuary. In the older days people came from far-flung villages, trekking on paths they themselves created to pay homage to Bineshwar Mahadev. Unlike Shimla, Nainital and Ranikhet - north Indian hill stations discovered and developed by the British, Almora is a truly Indian hill resort with its own unique flavor. (Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binsar_Wildlife_Sanctuary)]

It was 10:15PM (dated 30^th December 2012) when I boarded the train to Kathgodam. Lots of people chatting and having fun, I on the other hand, was busy reading a novel and passing my time. The train journey was easy – one night’s sleep to Kathgodam, during that journey I found out about Binsar, from fellow passengers and got down @ Haldwani around 5AM. From Haldwani it was one direct bus to Almora, took some fruits and got into the bus and off I went (it was very cold brrrr).

The journey was amazing with the beautiful landscapes and natural beauty; it took approximately 4 hours to reach Almora. I reached around 9AM and boarded another bus towards Binsar (it’s not a town, just a forest reservoir). It was an hour’s journey from there, with all the hill paths (snake turns) that made my stomach wooosy. 

Finally reached Binsar @ 10AM, spoke to the forest guard & paid the entry fees (150rs). Forest guard called me back and warned me “Don’t leave the road route, entering the jungle might turn dangerous as there are leopards, STICK TO THE ROAD”. I understood what he said by the tone he used for the last four words.

Trek Begins

From the gate the “0 point” (highest peak) is about 11 kms, so it was one hell of a walk. I started the journey by capturing few pics of myself (It was a beautiful place and I wanted a new profile pic for FB :)).

I was expecting to find few birds on the way, but due to the road and movement of vehicles it was difficult to see any bird or animal…

There were few villages inside the reservoir, not on the road route but somewhere interior I guess. I met few people from the village (called themselves “Kumauni” – People from Kumaon region). They had a unique language (Kumaoni) was hard to grasp anything. I spoke to them for a few minutes and continued my journey.

It was too much to walk and though I was tired and hungry I din stop to rest, bcoz I wanted to reach the top or get a glimpse of the Himalayan ranges before I rest. After couple of hours I grew a little impatient as I dint find any animal/bird in the jungle, so I took a detour into the jungle. 

My conscious had a conflict-

Jungle detour..

“dude, what are you doing?? Don’t you remember what the guard said??” 

“Relax if we encounter a leopard we’ll play ‘fetch’ with it, u worry a lot…”

In the jungle the mighty jungle...
the lion sleeps tonight...

Well at first I found a path leading into the jungle, so followed it. After walking quite a distance the path disappeared into a thick forest, I decided to explore a little more. 20 mins later I found Spotted deer running for its life, at first I thought “guess I must have scared the poor animal” but after sometime I wondered “was it really me that scared the deer or is there another predator”. The thought scared the soul out of me… I din know if it was my instincts or my fear but all of a sudden the forest became silent (too quite) as though any minute a jungle cat might attack. I turned white with fear, but later gathered up the courage which was shattered on the ground and walked slowly ahead. Followed the same path and to my surprise found few caves… I told myself “No fear no fear no fear” and turned back and took a different route towards the road…

My body relaxed and loosened up once I reached the road… The fear and shivers had made me hungry; I walked for half an hour and had my lunch (Couple of parata’s brought from home).

The First Glimpse

After lunch, energy was restored in my body and I continued my trek. After 20 min of trekking I caught the glimpse of Himalayan Ranges. It was AMAZING, real treat to the eyes… I spent some time getting a good picture of the Majestic Himalayan Glimpse and continued the journey. After the first glimpse I saw many more in the journey…

The time was 1PM and it wasn’t hot as such, but I was exhausted. The moment I thought of taking another pit stop, I heard chitter chatter of children and guessed I must’ve reached the top… To my surprise it was the temple and I went in got some supplies (chocolates, groundnuts etc.) and filled the water bottle with fresh water. I asked the shopkeeper about '0 point', he told “there are 2 ways, 1 is a short cut but it’s a steep climb, the other is 4 kms and it’s a easy route.” I thought “ who’s gonna walk another 4 kms, lets finish it with a 1km hard trek bonanza”… and so I went through the shortcut and after an hour I reached the “0 point” all tired sweaty and legs swollen and almost numb… 

I took some time off; enjoyed the view, a little bit of sun’s heat and rested my numb legs… The sight was Amazing… one could see the entire Himalayan Ranges from there and it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen… I enjoyed the view for a while and started the trek back to the starting point. 

Snow...

Some interesting things i saw

While heading back I took a different route and found some interesting things, found snow (very little). Took that route until I reached Kumaon Tourist Rest House, looks nice and good price…I started walking back to complete the journey… after walking for an hour in the new route I was certain that I’m lost and I have to return back to the ‘0 point’ and take the initial route… but luckily I met a stranger and he told me “you’re right, you are lost, you have to take another route” I asked him if there was no way at all, as I din wanted to return so far and start afresh. He told me “well this path leads to the road but there’s no route and it’s a tough trek”... That was a treat for my ears, I told him that’s good enough and started walking (falling on the way also :)).As I left the good stranger also warned me “as soon as you reach the road take the right hand path as it leads to the temple…DON’T take the left hand path it leads to deeper jungle”.

I reached the road after 20 minutes and took the left hand road “why not try this it might be shortcut” walked for some time and realized that the time was 4:45PM and its best if I don’t try new routes. So came back to join the right handed route... Finally I reached the temple and realized that the route is in the opposite direction... was glad that I din't take the other route…

I rested near the temple saw the time 5PM and decided to walk… Later I realized that it took me 3 hours to reach the temple and if I leave at 5PM will reach only by 8 PM (Dark, Leopard hunts at night, danger, am jungle food) such thoughts were running my mind… In any case I thought to continue walking… 

Every time I saw the sun sinking slowly, I was speeding up… It was 6PM and it started getting dark and there were no vehicle anywhere around… I thought I might not be so lucky this time and started walking faster… But as luck would have it, my right thigh had ideas of its own, making me stop my trek and rest.

I lost all hopes and started walking slowly converting pain into motivation for survival… after 20 min when the darkness had almost conquered the jungle. I heard something… “Is it my mind playing prank or is it actually a car”… I waited patiently and silently trying to listen to the sound again... “Yes, yes it is a car, thank god; I will live to see New Year…” I immediately waved my hand and asked for a lift… They were very kind enough to offer me a drop till the Binsar gate.

I reached the binsar gate and enquired with the guard about the bus timings... He said there are no more buses towards almora... I had to request for lifts again… it was dark and I started walking. After requesting couple of vehicles, a 2-wheeler stopped to help and advised me that it’s not safe to walk this jungle, as there has been news about tiger… He dropped me to a hotel and I rested…

Next day the sunrise was beautiful... enjoyed the warmth and started back to Delhi… my whole new year's day went travelling to Delhi… 

But for me, my new year began on 31^st December, 2012…

I loved it :)