JEWELS OF INDIA: MOUNTAINS

Home to some of the highest mountain peaks in the world, India stands tall in the world map. It’s located in the Southern Asia and has complex geologic history. It has wide array of mountain ranges like Himalayas, Karakorum, Western and Eastern Ghats to name a few.

KANCHENJUNGA :-

Kanchenjunga is the country’s highest mountain, standing at it’s full glory at 8,586 meters . It is located between Sikkim and Nepal border. It is covered by Tamur River on the west, Jongsang La and Lhonak Chu in the north and Teesta River in the east. If you wish to see the stunning view of Kanchenjunga, wake up early before the sun rise and hit the road to reach the nearest spot from where the peak is visible. Once the rays fall on the peak, it seems as if Buddha is sleeping. Hence, it’s name “The Sleeping Buddha”.

If you are lucky enough to visit the peak at right time of the year, when the sky is clear, you will witness the most magnificent of views. One will be taken back by the changing color of it’s snow clad mountain peak, which happens only during sunrise. Gangtok offers several view points, one of them being Tashi View Point. More amazing view are observed from North of Sikkim such as Lachung , Dzongu Valley, Gurudongmar Lake, etc.

KALSUBAI PEAK :-

Kalsubai peak is situated on the Western Ghats, in the state of Maharashtra. It’s height is 1646 meters, the highest point in the state. It provides one-day trekking option from the base village Bari. The trek is 6.6 km long with moderate difficulty, which is the perfect combination if you got few days in your hand. The trek passes through lush green paddy fields, waterfalls and rocky slopes, taking 4-5 hours to reach the peak of Kalsubai. A short interval in between is recommended. Well, this is for beginners. The difficulty can seem to add up during ascent, for which iron ladders are provided which are still in good condition.

The nearest train station to Bari is Igatpuri, 19 miles away from Bari, the base village. From there, any cab/taxi can be booked to reach to the village. Alternatively, it is connected via Mumbai-Nasik Road.

MT SARAMATI :-

Nestled among the mountainous range of Saramati, near the India -Myanmar border, it stands at a height of 3,841 meters. It situated in the Kiphire District of Nagaland. Being the highest point of Nagaland, it’s peak remained snow covered. In January of 2022, it witnessed snow fall after almost 4 decades. Various trekking options is available for the tourists. While trekking , you will see various flora and fauna as the mountain has natural and diverse forests at various attitudes. Although it can get quite chilly at times, you arr recommended to carry durable trekking objects like shoes, sturdy camps and sleeping bags since you’ll have to stay on the mountain. Nonetheless, the view from the top is incomparable.

There is plenty of options to reach the base from Pungro town. From the town, rental motorcycles are available. State transport buses also offer rides from the town.

TRIUND HILL :-

Triund is a part of Dharamkot, a hill station in Himachal Pradesh. It is at the foot of Dhauladhar ranges and spans to a height of 2,828 meters. If you are looking for treks little longer than a couple of days, Triund trek is the perfect one for you. You can customize your trekking package, with the picturesque view of snow capped Dhauladhar ranges, red rhododendrons and alpine trees all along the trek is worth it. Although the length of the trek is short, it is one of the adventurous trek as it is a birdwatcher’s delight to witness the extensive varieties of birds. Triund trek is considered to be one of the easiest treks. However, this does not guarantee the safety of your health. Carrying durable trekking equipment is a must.

Dharamkot is connected to various places like Delhi and Chandigarh via highway. Buses depart from these places at regular intervals. Once you reach Dharamkot, book a cab or taxi for McLeodganj which is 8 km away.

ANAMUDI MOUNTAIN :-

Anamudi is a mountain in the Southern Western Ghats. It is situated in the district of Ernakulam and Idukki of the state of Kerala. It’s height is 2,695 meters. From the Ervakulam National Park, it will take approximately 2 hours to reach the peak of the mountain. Camping is also done for those who want to enjoy the scenery for little longer. Thrill seekers among us will find this place very interesting, the wild life and the flora along the trek will capture one’s heart and mind. The ideal time to visit this place is between May and November, when it is still hot. It can get quite chilling at times, but not to worry the trek is quite the exhausting one.

All of the above destinations are marvelous in it’s own. Make sure to visit them. If you have any queries, drop them here!

Featured image source: Mountain forest photo created by wirestock – www.freepik.com