Trekking expeditions to take away from the boardroom
Anushree Basu-Bhalla
March 20, 2013
LEVEL 1DEORIATAL UTTARAKHAND The trek begins at Saari village, 23 km from Ukhimath in Uttarakhand. The village is also the nearest motorable point. For people looking for short hikes in the woods over a weekend, this is an ideal trek. Saari village is four kilometres off a dirt track to Deoriatal. Start your trek in the afternoon when the sun is behind you. It is a 2.5km steep uphill climb and the hike usually takes about two hours or so. You should be in time for a glorious sunset behind the mountains. Once you reach the pristine and tranquil Deoriatal, you are greeted with beautiful panoramic vistas of Chaukamba, Kedar and Neelkanth peaks of the greater Himalayas. The lake is so still that the powdery peaks actually form a mirror-image on the waters. You can camp near the lake overnight. There are local tour guides in Saari village who can help you with tents, a cook and supplies for a fee of Rs 1,300 for six people. ![]() Saari village, the nearest motorable point and the base camp ![]() Level: Easy. No prior trekking experience required. When to Go: March through May How to Reach: Ukhimath is 416 km from New Delhi and Saari Village is a further 23 km by road from Ukhimath. Time: Half a day Equipment: Hiking shoes, rain gear, light carry bag with overnight (optional) supplies ![]() Kudremukh Peak, the highest point of Kudremukh National Park KUDREMUKH, Karnataka The Kudremukh trek is about 11km from Mullodi, the nearest village and start point to the summit. The closest town connected to a highway is Kalasa. The trek is a dirt track spread partly over the thick hilly and forested area on the Western Ghats. This region is famous for its rolling hills covered with shola grasslands. These highlands are spread across three districts, Chikmagalur, Udupi and Dakshin Kannada. The summit point and the final challenge of the trek, the Kudremukh peak, lies inside the Kudremukh National Park. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and home to steep cliffs, deep ravines and waterfalls. There is also a variety of flora and fauna including the spotted deer, wild foul, lion tailed macaque and wild boar. ![]() Hanumanagudi waterfall enroute to the Kudremukh Peak ![]() Level: Moderately challenging When to Go: August through November How to Reach: Kalasa is the nearest town from Mullodi, Kudremukh. It is about is 340km from Bangalore Time: One day Equipment: Sturdy shoes, rain gear, light carry bag with supplies ![]() Dzongri lake Photo: Michael Mellinger DZONGRI SIKKIM The trek starts from Kachenjunga National Park in Yuksom. The entry fee is Rs 1000 for four people including the trekking crew of porter, guide and yaks. The trek to Dzongri and back typically takes five days, with one day of acclimatisation at Tshokha village. The trek on the first day covers Yuksom-Saachen-Bakkhim-Tshokha (18km). This leg of the trek passes through dense sub-tropical forests of the Kachenjunga National Park, with magnificent views of mountain peaks, picturesque waterfalls, hanging bridges and rhododendrons in full bloom. Once at Tshokha village, rest for an entire day. Amateur trekkers should acclimatise well to avoid altitude sickness. For accommodation, opt for Sikkim Tourism's hutment at the village, available for just Rs 50 per day for one room. ![]() A hanging bride at Yuksom ![]() Yaks are your constant companions on your way up to Dzongri ![]() Level: Fairly challenging. Requires prior trekking experience and/ or special guidance When to Go: March-April and September-October How to Reach: New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal is 150 km from Yuksom Time: Five days, including one day acclimatisation at Tshokha Equipment: Winter gear, ice-ready shoes, supplies and medicines, tent for camping ![]() The Chadar trek is done in groups of 10-12 people Photo: Manish Lakhani ZANSKAR, JAMMU and KASHMIR A nine-day trek, covering 70 km and at a height of 11,123 feet, the Chadar trek (known so because it is literally walking on a sheet of thin ice on Zanskar river) is arguably the most adventurous and arduous treks in the country. The trek route begins at Chilling, 162 km from Leh. At Leh, one should acclimatise for at least two days before embarking on the journey. Chilling is the base camp and also last motorable point here. The route goes like this: Chilling-Tilit Sumdo-Singra Koma-Tibb-Nerak and back. ![]() Tilit Sumdo, the next stopover after Chilling ![]() Level: Extremely challenging When to Go: The Chadar forms fully from the 3rd week of January. The trek can be done starting the first week of March How to Reach: Leh is the nearest airport. It is 162 km from Chilling the base camp Time: Nine days Equipment: Heavy winter gear, headlamps, supplies and medications, nordic walking sticks, ice-ready shoes, camping gear | |||||||
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