Churani- In the lap of Hidden Land!

" Journeys you set your foot on, imprints memories on the path you choose to take."
Our steps towards the magic that was about to explode were nothing less than the best tricks a magician never reveals. Nothing compared to what we expected, when we started our journey to Churani on 30th October, 2020 at 9am from Delhi, was awaiting us just 8 hrs and 300km (approx.) in a small village in Nainital called Churani.
Believe you me, this place is in every sense is a Hidden gem.
Pangot, another village very close to Churani is a sport recently discovered by travellers and so did by my fellow traveller friend. She suggested me to go there. And as it was planned during our discussion, Pangot was finalized and we started exploring hotels/cottages to reside at.
First, let me give a brief about the location of the place.
If you are leaving from Delhi, it will take you about 8 hours to reach Pangot( about 15km from Nainital Mall road) and from there it's about 1.5km more to Churani where our cottage was located. A car will accompany you(arranged by the hotel owner) and will take you to the point from where you have to walk for about 700m.
Our Cottage, Chalet Blue, is a recently established hotel, run by very hospitable owners, Karan and Mona munjal.
Located right in the middle of nowhere, I popped a question to Karan, " Why here?" and he very enthusiastically explained the history about the place.
3 years back the place was immuned from Humans and was home to Wildlife, when one of their friends suggested them to buy a place here and do something about this place. So they bought the land, and it took around 3 years for them to construct the hotel as the Mountain had to cut and due to no accessibility to Transport, every construction material had to be carried by hand or with the help of our beloved donkeys.
One might assume they are just another business owners and in race for Money but no. While they were constructing the hotel, they planted about 500 trees to preserve the nature and do their bit as they stepped into mother nature's home.
Chalet Blue is located right in the middle of a forest amongst the beautiful Pine trees, soothing sound of about 250 bird species, Himalayas and peace. It is just insanely calm (one has to go there to experience what I am trying to jot down here).
So, once we reached Pangot, car picked us up and took us to point from where a surprising trekk was upon us. I, for one was very excited but not my friends. It was about 5:30 in the evening and it was getting dark when started out trekk. As whispered by our driver friend, leopard have been spotted in the radius of 2-3km. Hence we were excited as well as scared to put it in respectful manner.😁
700m to our cottage, we started our trekk and on the first itself there was a waterfall. I mean what a beautiful start to the trekk. With no time in our hands, we continued trekking and I as I mentioned was little excited left my friends behind and was engrossed with the tall Pine trees and their Zephyr, a soulful backdrop of waterfall and the musical humming of the birds. I carried on.
It took me about 15-20 min to complete the trekk and upon reaching the hotel, Karan greeted us with full energy and excitement.
He immediately offered to take me to the room so I could rest, meanwhile my friends were still on their trekk.
I was welcomed with a welcome drink and the sky so clear that I can't even imagine to put in words after being in Delhi amidst the pollution crisis.
I am very poetic that ways, so when I was alone, admiring the mountains, sky, stars and the clouds, I had my small conversation to the breeze and thanked for the freshness they brought to my senses.
Shortly my friends joined and we were treated with a bonfire, home cooked meal and amazing tea.
Me and 3 of my friends sat, wishfuly looking up at the mountains, chatted, and brought our to an end at 11pm.
I won't even exaggerate here but that first night sleep there was the most peaceful and dreamless sleep I have had in past 6-7 years.

About 7:30 in the morning, I woke up, all relaxed and sorted to the view of beautiful mountains, Sizzling Sun and All clear blue sky.
I forgot to mention, right next to our room, was a beautiful garden they had planted. Few tables and chairs were placed there to enjoy the view and have a cup of tea and breakfast. Well, that was the plan but we sat there for 5 hours straight because how can one, even for a moment skip the magnificent mountains and magnitude of happiness they brought with them.
So next 5 hours passed on in silence and few chit chat sessions.
About 12pm, Karan comes and offers us to have lunch right in the middle of the forest amongst Pinewood tress, lush green field and 250 species of birds.
And we immediately said yes. And one by one started to get ready.
Around 2:30pm, we left from the cottage, did a small trekk of about 600m( easy), and reached at our spot.
Overlooking Humungous Himalayas, Vibrant Valleys, Peaked Pinewood trees, we sat down.
I am sort of lost cause when it comes to Mountains. I could see a trekk trail just going up, quite steep and just calling me to attend the conversation. So while they were setting up our lunch, I took a shot and did that trekk. At first it seemed easy, but with the steepness, it got tougher and tougher. So after a point, I decided to come back and join my friends for lunch.
Another delicious home cooked meal, and that too Rajma Chawal, was just a blessing for my soul tongue.
We had our lunch, sat there in peace for about an hour and headed back to our cottage.
By 5pm we were at the cottage (it's recommended not to step out of the cottage post that time as leopards have been spotted there).
Evening was pretty much the same like yesterday but no complaints.
We listened to our favourite songs, I recited few poems, some life altering sessions (as expected by a group of friends) and serenity.
We called it a day, again at 11pm and like yesterday, it was serene to sleep in the laps of mountains.

2 of my friends, woke up at 6am to witness Sunrise which I missed and joined them around 7am. We just sat there, admiring what we will miss once we leave from here today and what we will step into by the evening.
We checked out at 12:30pm, trekked for 700m, and the starting point, as I had mentioned, we saw the waterfall, we stopped there this time.
So as told by our friend from the cottage, there was a cave there where this, "Naga baba" resided for years and hence it's kind of spot to be in.
Since the place is still hidden and not known to many travellers, It was a pavement to another mystical experience.
Shortly, our car picked us from the point and we were dropped off at the parking. We picked our car, and with little sadness headed back to Delhi.
On our way back, we did stop at Nainital Mall road and tried the famous Momos, Sakley's Cheesecake and coffee.
By 12:30am we were in Delhi and it's been a week since the trip, I can't get over that place.
Hence I have planned another trip, hopefully solo this time around Christmas.
I hope my fellow travelers read this and we might end up chatting at the cottage, if mountains and forest call us.
" Journey is complete or incomplete in your mind, but one should keep moving on and on."