Lansdowne Tadkeshwar Chopta Tungnath Adventure

So, we took out our DHANNO(Maruti Suzuki Swift ZDI+ ) and the journey started at about 6 o' clock in the morning from Pilani, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan with 4 passengers including me as the driver. In luharu the vehicle had its first fill of about Rs. 2250 (Full tank) and then the aircraft was launched towards its first destination i.e. Satpuli(Pauri Garhwal) which is by the way, also my maternal grandparent's place. We took the route from Pilani-Bhivani - Sonipat -Express Way(with all toll plazas closed paying only Rs.75 at a toll plaza before Bhiwani)- Khatoli- Najibabad- Kotdwar- Satpuli. In the journey to Kotdwar, we had a stop at Jhilmil Dhaba for tea and snacks which cost us around Rs. 448. At about 2 o' clock we reached Kotdwar which is roughly about 53 km prior to Satpuli. Going ahead 5-10 km, we had our lunch which we had brought with us. After arriving at Satupli at around 3:40 pm , we turned our DHANNO towards Dangleshwar Mahadev mandir which is approx. 2 km from the main Satpuli market before reaching home. Its a Shiva Temple which is situated at the bottom of the valley with NYAR river flowing beside it which is a tributary to river Ganga. It has a whole different kind of peace residing in it. We sat by the river, had some photos and then went inside to bent down to Lord Shiva himself asking to have a great years to come for everyone. After that we went home and in-between the DHANNO had its second tank full as its mountains and you can not find filling stations more often. Reaching home we had our share of snacks and roamed around nearby. After a tiring journey of around 9 hours and 40 mins, all we were looking was for a sound sleep.

OK cool so its day 2, we woke up around 8 and had our share of shower and breakfast. At around 10 we took the road to Lansdowne which is around 35 KMS from Satpuli. Lansdowne is a place which was established by Britishers who made it to cater for the Recruits Training center of the Garhwal Rifles, which basically makes it a camp site for Gharwal Rifles which is known for its acts of bravery. The Churches and the design of the city is inspired from British colonies, which makes it a beautiful town. Our first stop there was TIP-N-TOP(Rs. 100 tourist tax for a vehicle and Rs 20 per person for TIP N TOP entry), which is the highest point as the name suggest made just to giving you a green tonic of hills for your eyes. There we had Maggie, Tea and hot chocolate(not so hot chocolate) at TIP N TOP Point Café (average rated) which cost us around Rs 370. Coming back we visited a Church which as in its full glory and was mesmerizing.

Our next destination was BHULLA Lake(man made), which is a beautiful location and even is made more awesome with white pigeons and rabbits. The entry fee there is 150 per person with boating included in prior (earlier it was 50 without boating). That frustrated us because it was a little costlier but in the end boating made it all worth it. Then we visited café Ullasa which was newly built with an amazing ambience and pocket friendly prices. A lunch for four people cost us around Rs. 900(specializes in chinese and momos are must try items).

At about 3 PM we head towards Tadkeshwar Mahadev mandir which is around 35 kms away from lansdowne as there are alot of "Tad" trees there and it is situated amongst a forest of tress. It has a stay(dharamshala) and the place will leave you mesmerising when you are in center of the place. It is also a picnic spot for the people nearby. But if you are there near lansdowne it is a must visit spot. One important fact by the way, any kind of oil must be avoided either on head or on body if you are visiting Tadkeshwar beacuse it is not allowed there. Bad stuff happening to many has been heard who ignore this. At about 5PM in the evening we headed back to Satpuli. Reaching there we had our dinner and had a bone fire. We had to sleep early beacuse the next day Chopta was calling us.

Okay it was day 3, we got ready about 9 AM, packed our bags after having breakfast and took off towards Chopta, Tungnath. Chopta, Tungnath is famous for the heighest Shiva Temple which is known as Tungnath Mahadev Mandir which is at about 5KM trekking distance from main Chopta itself. One important fact though , if you are planning to visit in december you will find the gates to the temple closed due to heavy snowfall in the end of December. The closing duration is from December to March. Regardless to that, if you are a nature loving person, these mountain and their beauty will call you again and again and you will find youself singin "Ilahi mera ji aaye aaye" every time you visit chopta.

Well we took a route from Satpuli-Devprayag-Rudraprayag-Ukimath-Chopta which is around a 5 and half hour journey(around 160 KM). In Devprayag we had our "chalan" as we were not having our masks on. So, remember to have masks on bacause you will find policemen here there everywhere checking on these little details and as a responsible citizen it is our duty to follow the norms. After reaching Chopta which was crowded by the way due to 31st . We had booked a hotel in prior because in the season you will find yourself struggling with a good stay. It cost us around Rs 1000 (Rs. 5200 intotal with dinner and snacks included)to book the hotel "The Green View" and it definitely stood up its name. The evening view there was so breath taking that you would stay in the same state forever. Okay so Tungnath was closed and we were ready there for the view and welcome this 2021 and hope that this year can be cherished over the year which we were leaving behind with our two furry friends"Montu and Jimmy". We ordered snacks there and about 9 we lit a bonfire after having dinner and we sat and chatted with the view. We welcomed 2021 with love and asked it to be nicer to all people, and then we had a sound sleep. It is super chilly by the way and the hotels will give you two quilts on a bed.

Next day we woke up and got fresh with a bum freezing water. Well be prepared that you wont be able to have bath unless you are a "yogi". We had our morning tea and toook off to explore rest of the Chopta. Along side road we found some snow and we took a halt to have photographs there and we enjoyed alot. like if you are there for snow, kindly check the weather forcast and then make you plan. Then we headed towards "The Bunker House in" for breakfast which is a very beautifully made roadside restaurant run by two very young and enthusiastic entrepreneurs . They provide you with an amazing stay with wifi where you can work from home and delicious food which is very pocket friendly(Rs. 450 approx). If you are visiting chopta it is must place to take a halt and have an experience of lifetime. We then took off from there and enrouted ourselfs back home towards Satpuli. Near Rudraprayag, we had our last tank full of our journey and then we headed home. Total fuel cost was around Rs. 6000 which a very reasonable price looking at our car which is diseal varient. We had our next stop at Samrat Resort, which is a good looking hotel but the food prices are little on expensive side looking towards the food. Lunch for 4 cost us around Rs. 1300. We reached home at 6 PM in the evening, had our snacks and dinner with the family, chatted till 10 and then went to sleep.

So, it was the final day, we had to say good bye to all that we have been into, leaving the mountains behind and taking their memories in our heart. We left around 11 AM in the morning and reached our destination Pilani by 10 PM. We can not define that journey in words, how beautiful and "dil ko sukoon dene wali" journey it was. All those five days were fun, full of adventure and love for mountains. Your eyes will be filled with the dreams to visit these mountains again and again. I ll conclude this as we might have come back to work but our hearts will always be there in mountains.