Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Excellent sajal bhai truly inspiring

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Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim


PART –II



7. Day 5 = 30th Sept 2015



Guwahati to Sohra (Cherrapunjee) =

PART - II.







Now I was riding on most beautiful and scenic road towards Cherrapunjee( Sohra )




The Landscape around was breathtaking.




Those green mountains ….




Along with the beautiful roads…




I used to stop every now & then to capture the beauty.




Shadow of clouds were making mountains amazing.




There are mountains on left side of the road.




Stopping and looking at the good scenic points.




Imagine riding on mountain top road with scenic mountains view on left side.




More mountains






The journey from Shillong to Cherrapunjee is a great experience through some unique landscapes






And there was a lake too .




I was riding at a height of 4500 feet and all big lush green mountains were on left side.




Just imagine how it will look in case of full rains




At 1.20 pm saw some houses on the right side of the road.




Shadow of cloud on vast landscape.




Imagine staying in these houses with great landscape around




Then comes the first big waterfall of Sohra (Cherrapunjee)….Wah Kaba Waterfall…




Here we can see the waterfall from top.




But from this view point one cannot see full waterfall.




This is the mountain top road in which I was riding. See the depth of mountains.




It was around 1.40 pm, and I was looking lunch. I saw this on right side of road.
The name was attractive and place was good. So I decided to have my lunch there.




I had Rice-Dal-Sanji for the lunch.




Moving ahead I was trying to find a place from where I can see Wah Kaba Waterfall from front. At 2.10 pm, found that place also.




There I met these young boys, they all asked me about my bike ride and gave me a round of applause after learning about my past rides . I clicked a picture with them.




It was best place to pose with Wah Kaba Waterfall.




This is another view of Wah Kaba Waterfall with big mountains around.




A close up picture of Wah Kaba Waterfall.




Suddenly saw clouds coming and covering the view of waterfall.




In this area, we need patience to see the beauty of the place.
Riding ahead saw a road going on right side with sign board of Dainthlen Waterfall.
I saw a small waterfall with clear water.




Water was so clear and one can wish having bath in that fresh water




I thought it to be Dainthlen waterfall. There was nobody around whom I can ask. So I moved ahead and then I saw this big water stream.




After crossing a bridge on that water stream, saw this on left side of road.




Saw a car with some boys on it parked ahead. I rode till the end of the cliff and parked my bike.




This was last off road, where I can take my bike.




Then I saw this magnificent waterfall …Dainthlen Waterfall.




View with my bike.




Another view.




Sound of falling water was soothing.




I walked ahead to get better view of waterfall from front.




See the clear water of this Dainthlen Waterfall.




Another view…Can you see my bike ?




There is protective railing for visitors.




But one has to cross this main water stream to see front view. I removed my shoes and crossed it.






That is the bridge you have to cross to reach here. Those boys having fun in water steam.




This is view of the area from the top of waterfall.




This waterfall has an interesting legend associated with it.

The waterfall derives its name from a Thlen (Khasi word for Python). As per the legend, people decided to rid themselves of evil, captured the Thlen and killed it at the wide flat rock over-looking the waterfall.Adjacent to the very spot where the Thlen was slaughtered lies the Dain-thlen Waterfalls.
This info board tells it all about it.




This waterfall is 5 km inside from main road. Riding back saw some lush landscapes.





I have seen such landscapes in my south India ride also.




At 3.40pm reached Sohra main market.




So finally I reached Sohra from Cuttack, Odisha riding 1655 km.
One part of Dream was fulfilled.




Suddenly I got a call from Harsh, he told that he is only 10 km from Sohra and is reaching shortly….! I was surprised. I left at 6.10 am and reached Sohra at 3.40 pm and he is reaching in 15 minutes and that to after repairing his bike !
He reached Sohra Main Market at 3.55pm.
He told me that he did not get needed spare so he went to a welding garage and sprocket hub was welded with nuts. This was his last option and he started from Guwahati at 10 am after welding job done.
I was really very fast of Harsh, to reach so early. He also saw Elephant waterfall and Air Force museum on the way. In Shillong police caught him for not wearing helmet and fined Rs.400/=. After all this he reached Sohra just 15 minutes after me.


We had planed to stay with “By The Way” home stay. It was 2-3 km away from Main Market.
On the way saw this important info board. Clicked a picture here for memory and rememberance.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/SLF321]


We stayed with “By The Way” home stay for Rs.250 per person. Owner’s name is Haprit (09856630274). You can his picture below.




We went to see seven sister waterfall, but there were too much clouds restricting its view. And at 5.30 pm there was dark. We met a die hard trekker from Delhi…Mr Chander. He shared the same room with us.


I had dinner of noodles.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2dvZSxk]

In the night we listened to Haprit and his friend’s songs and went to sleep. His friend is a quarry worker but sings so well, that to all English songs. He also played guitar along with singing. Haprit and his friend circle are fans of “HARDCORE”.

This was our ride map for the day.




Click HERE for next update.

Coming up….next…. Around Sohra (Cherrapunjee), Kynrem Waterfall (7th Highest in India), Single & Double Decker Living root bridges, Seven Sister waterfall (5th Highest of India).

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Again some scintillating captures!

Sent from my Xperia L.

Off -Topic : Odisha Trip

Sir,

Shibadip here. Sorry for being off topic Here. tried to PM you, but i guess your Inbox is Full. Thus stating here. I stay At Kolkata , and have been planning to make a trip to Vizag & Puri, this December on my NS along with two other friends of mine having CBR. I have already made three Successful trips (Bhutan , Sikkim, Lava & Lolegaon) on my bike.

On my research, your travelogue of DUDUMA and Deomali came to my notice, and have been blown away by the pictures you have presented up there. It was surely one of the I do generally strive for such lonely and beautiful places, and deomali certainly ticks all the categories. So for sure, those two places were a must to be included in our trip schedule.

This is what I have planned as of now -

Ride plan for Vizag & Puri

Day Kms Place
Sat Night 252 Kolkata -Balasore
Sunday 445 Balsore - Khandagiri - daringBari
Monday 443 Daring Bari -TaptaPani - Vizag
Tuesday 127 Vizag- bora Caves -Araku
Wedneday 164 Araku - Duduma-Similiguda - Deomali - Similiguda
Thursday 490 Similiguda - chilika - Puri
Friday 50 Puri -Konarak -Puri
Saturday 140 Puri - Paradeep
Sunday 466 Paradeep - Kolkata

Total 2577



I have included Paradeep, since i have spent my childhood up there, and have to visit to get the nostalgia back.

Now, i would require a little clarification from you, on the following Matters -

1) what i Have understood from your travelogue, enjoying Duduma fully, will take up almost 60% of a day. So i have given an extra day for Araku+ Bora Caves, and a seperate day for Duduma +Deomali. Is this a wise Idea? Or can we merge Araku, Duduma, and Deomali in one Single day?

2) You have stayed at the Ashram at Deomali. And to Some other person who enquired on your travelouge, you suggested staying at Sunabeda, or Simliguda.
So, I want to ask you, if we Can stay at the Ashram itself (3of us)? or do we need to have some reference?
Because, I have seen that the distance from Deomali to Similiguda is (40+40 up down) 80 kms. So, with the amount of time, Duduma will take up,I doubt how much we can enjoy the whole scenario of Deomali, if we have to make that extra kilometers back to the hotel at Similiguda by day light.

3) I Have found tha place Taptapani (hot spring) from our Google Baba. But there is hardly any good info about the place. Can you please throw some Light about the place, whether there is any sight to visit (and bath and stuff) on that hot spring?
Or is it just a religious place, where the only thing we will be allowed is to offer prayers?

4) A friend of mine has told me that there is only a Govt. lodge at Daringbadi, which we need to pre-book before going.
Can u pls confirm if the Statement is true, and there are no other safe hotels (considering our bikes) at daring badi, and the govt lodge Is our only option?


5) Any other inputs you would like to provide.

Will be OK, if you reply at inbox, keeping the thread clean
Thanks you in advance, And hats off for your enthusiam for touring. Keep inspiring us.

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Thank you @taufique bhai

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@Shibadip ji.... already replied to your PM
Do you want me to reply here again?

Also [MENTION=19266]coolmaverickguy[/MENTION]..aka..Anupam Behera has given you detailed systematic map and places to visit, will be helpful to you.

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Thank you @krishna77 ji.....It seems only you follow this travelogue thoroughly...and thank you for that

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

So, S1 is completed.
Waiting for S2 and S3. Eagerly waiting for the most challenging Sandakphu experience.

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Feels good that I could be of some help - Thanks Sajal ji.
Your pictures are mesmerising and the narration is very intuitive - I am glued to it . Please continue ...

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

[MENTION=32054]sambit[/MENTION] ....S1 is not complete yet.

Nohkalikai Waterfall ...(4 ht Highest in India) , Kynrem Waterfall (7th Highest in India), Single & Double Decker Living root bridges(3000 steps) , Seven Sister waterfall (5th Highest of India), caves etc are still remaining

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Sajal Sir,

I have applied for a week's leave in office.

Only to read this awesome thread and enjoy the pics of all the beautiful locales you have been to.

Excellent. Keep it up sir.

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Sanjoy ji...going to Sandakphu without proper study might be a failure trip.
And you had given me that data about Sandakphu.
Thank you.... next update soon.

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Thanks [MENTION=79311]silent_rambler[/MENTION] ji..... Thanks for appreciation .....I am overwhelmed.


THANK YOU ALL

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Have read lot about sandhakphu in 4x4 forums never knew it can be scaled by bike ;you are a brave man sir,RESPECT.Waiting eagerly to see sandhakphu through your travelogue;Your committment towards biking is really astonishing(You engaging in bicycling and all pre-trip preparations);btw very nice pics .

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Thanks [MENTION=31437]raja_roadster[/MENTION] ji... Ride to Sandakphu is 31 km only, but it took one & half days to reach Sandakhu.....you can imagine how tough it was for me and my bike....
It was 4x4 verses 1 wheel drive.
next update soon.

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim| 8. Day 6 = 1st Oct., 2015 | Around Sohra


8. Day 6 = 1st Oct., 2015



Around Sohra (Cherrapunjee) .





Total km traveled 65. Ride time 6.30AM to 5.30 PM.
We rode around to Sohra (Cherrapunjee), covering Kynrem Waterfall, Nohsngithiang / Mawsmai / Seven Sister Waterfall, single & double decker living root bridge, Laitkynsew view point.

Yesterday night, before sleeping we discussed about double decker living root bridge. We know that it won’t be easy to trek 3 km with 3000 steps. It may take 5 hours to trek that difficult route. We got ready early and were ready to leave at 6.30 am. Mr.Chander, who was our room mate, was joining us for Nongriat double decker root bridge trek also. But he will not come back same day with us. He will stay there for a day.

Mr. Haprit, owner of By The Way home stay had different looking two and four wheeler in Sohra.




All marked “HARD CORE”






Maruti 800 is king of road at Shillong as well as Sohra. But Haprit had modified it into differently looking vehicle.




We started riding at 6.30 am. We carried some dry fruits and biscuits with us along with sufficient water. Only back pack was taken to carry all this snacks with camera. We also took bathing trunk and towel.
We rode via Mawmluh-chera cement factory road. Our plan was to ride up to Tyrna village and then park our bike and then start trekking.


At around 7 am we entered a road, which was looking like a green tunnel. And a loud sound was coming out everywhere. It sounded like too many small temple bells. It also sounded like omm.
We stopped there and feared at first.




I recorded that sound on my mobile. Here it is :-


<font color="#141414"><span style="font-family: Georgia"><strong><strong><strong><strong><font color="#660000">




Chander clicked few pictures of Harsh and me on that green tunnel type road.











Then there was this diversion towards right. The info board was showing motorable road of 1.63 km from there after that foot road for 3 km.





Dots are erased, don’t worry it is not 300 km .!
We reached last point of motorable road at 7.20 am. This was Um-Sohpie village.




This info board showing 3 km of foot path. Another info board ahead shows “Jingkieng-ri-tymmen, the single root bridge, was also in same path.




Harsh & Chander had breakfast of noodles at a local shop of Um-SohpieVillage, but I moved ahead as I wanted to eat biscuits while trekking. It was 7.20 am that time.
The foot path from UmSohpie village to Nongthymmai village is full of concrete steps.




Foot step path was looking good.




There was greenery on both side and concrete steps in between.




Foot step path was partly having sun light.





Steps were steep and going down the mountain. There were dustbins in many places.


At 7.45 am I saw this waterfall on the top of mountain. This water goes down and passes below double decker living root-bridge at Nongriat.




At some places there is support for trekkers for climb or go down on these steep steps.




Local villagers were climbing these steep steps easily and that to bare foot! And some of them carried luggage also.




Imagine if you fall from here then you just go tumbling down!




At 7.55 am I saw a road bifurcation at a small village.




Right one goes to long root bridge Rittymmen and it is 5 minutes walk from there.




Right side also shows “Jingkieng-Ri-Tymmen “ a single decker living root bridge ahead. A villager took Rs.10 as entry fee and Rs.20 as camera fee.




The left foot step path goes to Double decker living root bridge at Nongriat, and it was 30 minutes away as per that info board.




But one should NOT go right via this way. If you walk towards Left side, little ahead there is another bifurcation and then you walk right. This right foot step path also goes to single decker living root bridge.

This way you can avoid paying entry and camera fees!
Anyway I moved ahead and heard sound of water stream. Looking ahead I saw root bridge’s far view.




There were lots of tree and greenery around.




Moving ahead I saw this scenic place with small foot bridge.




Then I saw this “under construction” living root bridge.




I went down towards water stream to see that bridge. Sun rays were falling on that under construction bridge and I saw another living root bridge.




It was 8.05 am and that was “Jingkieng-Ri-Tymmen” single decker living root bridge.




Looking up I saw how this under construction bridge is being developed. It may take another 10-15 years to compete this. This is made from aerial roots of living banyan fig trees.




This Ritymment is longest living root bridge of that area.




I saw Chandar coming here. I left Harsh and Chandar at the beginning of trek. He told me that Harsh had gone ahead towards double decker root bridge.
I was happy to see him as we can click each other’s pictures at least.

This is the entry




After walking in middle, view of bridge I walked.





And this is yet to walk




View of that under construction banyan fig tree bridge from Rittymmen bridge.




That’s me on the starting right side of bridge.




What a feeling to walk on root bridge….! I am walking for the first time on such living root bridge.





Happy Chandar and me….. we clicked a selfie using mobile.




Water flawing down was nice n clear.




This Rittymmen living root bridge was 30 m long.
This is view from left end to right end.




This is view from right end to left end of bridge.




Now it was time for a last click on middle of that bridge. It was 8.30 am and we moved ahead.




That is Chandar trekking ahead.




At around 9 am saw this iron road and wire bridge on a clear water stream.




Walking on that was an awesome experience due to water stream flawing below it.




I was tempted to take bath on that crystal clear water.




Looking right from that iron, I saw another root bridge. But it did not look like under construction. It might be damaged that’s why this iron wire bridge might be build.




That was view of bridge after crossing it.




An old fallen tree on the way.




Then I saw some houses in dense greenery. That waterfall was also visible.




Trekked ahead




Then another iron wire bridge was visible.




A hut was also visible on the other side




This iron bridge was built in two parts




Looking down I saw a true blue water stream flowing




Who will not be tempted to take bath in this clear water.




This was the first part of that bridge.




And this was second part.




Just imagine walking and crossing this bride with a blue water stream flowing below you.
This was a natural swimming pool with purest water.




View after crossing that bridge. You can see local villager carrying so much luggage and crossing it.




I was tempted to walk on it again.




The sound of water flawing below was adding to its beauty.




That hut was actually a tea stall.




I climbed ahead. View looking back there.




Then I crossed an old living root bridge. It was very thick. It must be oldest one there.




At 9.35 am, I reached Nongriat village.




This info board was at entry point of village. But there were more steps.




There were many info boards there. This one welcoming us to NongriatVillage & DoubleDeckerRootBridge.




There was another home stay with lots of facility and food. Chandar went for search of home stay as he wanted to stay for a night here. He will trek ahead and come to Sohra via Nohkalikai waterfall. It must be a 4 km trek.




At 9.45 AM, I reach at Double Decker Living Root Bridge of Nongriat after crossing 6 big & small bridges. This was first view.




I paid Rs.10 as entry fees and Rs.20 for camera. The village girl there issued this slip, but with wrong date.




That waterfall we saw on top of mountain was coming down here. There were two small waterfalls there.




I could not stop myself from walking on that root bridge.




View of both decks.




This was left side view of aerial roots of living banyan fig trees.
Amazing art by villagers.




Full view of both side of bridge.




The waterfall was tempting me to take bath.




Some say that a species of Indian rubber tree with botanical name of FICUS ELASTIC is used for making this root bridge.
It takes 10-15 years to built one living root bridge and it life span is more than 200 years.

This double decker root bridge is only one of its kind in entire world.




I met Harsh there. He reached before us and was taking bath in the water stream. I was also tempted to take bath in that cold water stream.




It is refreshing to take bath here after 2 and half hours of trek.




What a feeling to take bath in that fresh water.




One can see happiness and joy on my face.




Another view of bridge with water stream, from the point, where I was taking bath.




But the first waterfall pond was not deep. All trekkers were coming and taking bath in second waterfall pond as it was little deep.




I also joined there. Swimmed there fun.




I felt like sleeping and floating on that fresh cold water pond with view of bridge.




It was around 5 – 6 feet deep.
I floated there for some time closing my eyes and felt the sound and be part of mother nature.




It was 10.45 am, I ate some dry fruits and biscuits. Now was the time to pose with double decker root bridge.




What a view and feeling standing there on top deck of bridge.




I shouted loudly “Hari Bolo” and Thanked God for allowing me to reach there.




Also posed with bottom deck of bridge.




I also felt proud of myself to reach this place by riding bike all the way from Odisha.




This is view of left side of bridge.




This is view behind the bridge from top deck.




See the base of bridge. Wood base is made to keep it light. Some say that this bridge can carry weight of 50 people also. See how roots are tied up.




View of right side entry.




It was 11 am and more & more trekkers were reaching here. Many of them were international tourists. It was time to trek back. This was my last view of the Nongriat Double Decker Living Root Bridge.




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Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu &amp; Sikkim

Simply amazing !!!! i will visit this part of India very soon .