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**The Monk** · 05-04-2017, 12:47 PM

Re: Camping Trip to Himalayas (Uttarakhand)

Travelogue Approved

Very nice Shivanshu sir. Waiting for more

**saikarthik** · 05-04-2017, 04:19 PM

Re: Camping Trip to Himalayas (Uttarakhand)

BEAUTIFUL!!!

Was that snow or High ISO???

in the pic with tent, clouds and sun rays.

**The Monk** · 05-04-2017, 04:24 PM

Re: Camping Trip to Himalayas (Uttarakhand)

Originally posted by saikarthik View Post

BEAUTIFUL!!!

Was that snow or High ISO???

in the pic with tent, clouds and sun rays.

Those are two different pictures

**Shivanshu** · 05-05-2017, 12:55 AM

Re: Camping Trip to Himalayas (Uttarakhand)

Day 1: Indirapuram – Moradabad – Kashipur – Ramnagar – Ranikhet – Village Sail → 374 kms

Google Map Link: http://goo.gl/BWqAHd

The day started today at 2 am with hardly 2 hrs of sleep. The plan was to leave from our place by 3 am which got extended to 4:30 am, with an unplanned visit to 24X7 store for battery and tea in morning. The route was selected by me, this is not the normal route as many opt for much better route conditions from Rampur – Haldwani – Nainital – Almora. Why did I select this, because I wanted to go through the famous Jim Corbett National Park (https://www.jimcorbettnationalpark.co.in).

So finally, after starting at 4:30 am we stopped ahead of a place named Gajraula, was thinking to have something at McDonald, but it was only 6:30 am and it was closed. So, we moved ahead and found a dhaba named Moga Punjabi Dhaba. The tea was good but the parathas were just pathetic.

After Moradabad, there is a board which gives you direction towards Jim Corbett National Park. Just need to follow it. We were lucky that it was cloudy and hence even at 8 am sun was not there. It started drizzling we had our raincoats on top of our luggage and hence we didn’t have a problem in taking it out. Though after drizzling for sometime the rain stopped, but the clouds were there and there was a cool breeze in air which helped us to reach the entrance of Jim Corbett National Park comfortably. We stopped there for breakfast which was way better than the previous stop we had for food.

After filling our tummy. we were riding through the Jim Corbett National Park. The roads are butter smooth, though in this season the trees were shedding their leaves and it was all dry and brown. But the ride itself was amazing. Now having Impulse as our motorcycle, it doesn’t make sense if we do not go off road. Hence, when we saw a dry river bed we stopped and looked at each other and then took the turn towards the unpaved track we thought we will ride to the bank of the river where we can find some water. But soon the sand beneath turned very soft and our loaded bikes were sinking in it. So we decided not to venture more as this was just the starting of the trip and we did not wanted to get exhausted here. So after few clicks we turn around back to tarmac.

Riding through Jim Corbett National Park was simply beautiful, I love these type of roads where the tarmac is surrounded by forest. It would be amazing to cross this stretch sometime in night, and also after rain, will try that soon. After riding from this dry river bed point we again stopped after few kilometers at a sort of cliff point by road side. We clicked many pics here and enjoyed watching the troop of monkeys playing near us.

We both decided to move ahead as the sun was getting on top and the heat was increasing. We got some awesome views en-route and we both were enjoying. We stopped at a road side shack for tea in a place called Toluyun, we stopped for tea as this place was isolated and had a good shade for our bikes. It was hot at this time. Here, the vendor made tea using the dry pine fruit instead of normal wood charcoal, which was new for me. I was so engrossed looking to it that I forgot to click any pic here. The vendor said it burns very efficiently and easily available on road so why to cut wood, which made a lot of sense to me. We spent some good time here as the vendor and his younger brother were inquiring about our bike and where we going to pitch in our tent and all. It is always interesting to chat with these local guys, they told us stories how leopard makes frequent visit to their village in search of food. And also we saw some amazing birds in this area.

But looking at the watch we realized that we have been yapping with them since last hour. So, we got up quickly and started riding ahead, we still had to ride some distance and pitch in our tent. We crossed the beautiful Ranikhet and time was around 4:30 pm so a short break was needed, I have visited this place when I was a kid and everything seems to have changed. Now we both decided that we need to pitch in the tent before it gets dark. That is one thing you have to keep in mind whenever you are pitching tent. So after having maggi and tea, we decided that we will ride for another hour and then start looking for the area to tent, before the sun sets in.

Now just after the Golf Course, Ranikhet, somewhere near a place called Majhkal we saw a beautiful place perfect for camping. But that place had a board stating the name and number of the owner of the land. We called him and asked if we could camp in here? Man did I do a mistake calling him, that person was on call with me for more than 15 mins explaining the leopards are roaming here and there and all that stuff, and lastly I got his point for eating my head when he said, i have a hotel where if you want you can stay. I said no thank you.

We moved ahead a bit disappointed as it was already 5:30 pm and sun was setting fast. We crossed the milestone which said "Binsar - 24 kms", and then just aside the road we found a perfect spot to pitch in our tent. We stopped there, it was an isolated place and last 5 kms we rode, we did not see any settlement or shop. We were a bit skeptical first but once we got down from our motorcycle and did a survey of the place, we were like, "Yes" this is the place. The time was around 6 pm, we took our motorcycles off the tarmac and to the point where we would be pitching our tent and inspected it once again.

We sanitized the area by removing any stone or any other object which could tear our tent or the plastic sheet which will be the base. After that we unloaded our luggage from the bike and then pitched in the tent. It hardly takes around 15 mins to pitch in tent. And by the time we were all settled with our luggage, time was already 7 pm. So, after resting for another half an hour, told my brother to get food from some nearby dhaba. And it was decided that I will arrange the luggage in tent in proper manner and arrange for firewood in the meantime. After some time food was there, even got some snacks. We came to know later that we are near Sail Village which is just around 2 to 3 kms ahead from where we have pitched in our tent. The luggage was arranged, firewood arranged, motorcycle parked and secured and we were all done for the day. We had a good wash and then time was to celebrate with drinks n food and yapping till late and watching the beautiful stars twinkling.

That was all for day 1, now enjoy some pictures:

**arunrr18** · 05-05-2017, 09:10 AM

Re: Camping Trip to Himalayas (Uttarakhand)

Awesome brother!!waiting for more [emoji2]

**MidnightEvil Parth** · 05-06-2017, 11:37 AM

Re: Camping Trip to Himalayas (Uttarakhand)

xbhpian from Haldwani here ! Nice to see you guys visiting.

**krishna77** · 05-09-2017, 08:42 PM

Re: Camping Trip to Himalayas (Uttarakhand)

Nice read o far.
Waiting for more!

**Shivanshu** · 05-09-2017, 09:14 PM

Re: Camping Trip to Himalayas (Uttarakhand)

Originally posted by arunrr18 View Post

Awesome brother!!waiting for more [emoji2]

Thank you !

Originally posted by MidnightEvil Parth View Post

xbhpian from Haldwani here ! Nice to see you guys visitinh.

Wow would have known before then I would have pinged you definitely, will ping you whenever planning next time.

Originally posted by krishna77 View Post

Nice read o far.
Waiting for more!

Thank you. More will be there today

**MidnightEvil Parth** · 05-09-2017, 09:16 PM

Re: Camping Trip to Himalayas (Uttarakhand)

Originally posted by Shivanshu View Post

Thank you !

Wow would have known before then I would have pinged you definitely, will ping you whenever planning next time.

Thank you. More will be there today

No problem, next time !

**Shivanshu** · 05-10-2017, 12:29 AM

Re: Camping Trip to Himalayas (Uttarakhand)

Day 2: So we did not reach Binsar just short of 24kms, now the destination for Day 2 as per planned is Munsiyari, but did we reach there. Read on to know.

Now yesterday night after enjoying the drinks, disposing the food, and lighting the fire for the night we slept around midnight. Got up around 7 am the place where we pitched in was beautiful. Though, in the night we did hear sounds of some animal close by or passing by our tent, but as the rule says, we did not react to it. We got up did morning chores and started packing up our luggage. It was decided that we will have to pull to Munsiyari today which was around 200 kms. We decided that we will have a heavy breakfast at the first outlet available on this road.

The morning when we woke up it was nice and cold with very soothing breeze but as the day started the sun got strong and wind subsided. We were all packed and ready to move by 9:30 am. Just few kms ahead we had a good breakfast at the Sail Village, after which we started moving ahead. As we crossed Zero Point, Binsar; I checked my GPS and saw that Munsiyari was showing 212 kms that also through Bageshwar, now this was the longer route. I got a bit skeptical, as I knew there is a back road which goes through Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary and then it is less than 200 kms. I stopped and informed my brother about it, that this is a longer route and we should inquire. So, we came back around 2 kms where there was a small shop. We had cold drink as it was getting hot, and asked the person about the route through Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. One elderly person came and informed that yes there is a road which will take us to Dhaulchhina and it is shorter. The only major drawback is that it goes through the forest and is complete off road for 18 kms. Good for us.

The route diversion was much before the Zero Point, Binsar which we have crossed a while back. So we went our way back for almost 5 to 7 kms and confirmed the route from the guards who were sitting at the Zero Point barricade. As we took the route, there is this famous temple of the locals out there named Golu Devta Temple. We crossed that temple paying our regards and respect to the almighty and moved ahead.

The road is non-existence here, it’s just the dirt track wide enough for a vehicle to pass by comfortably. It wasn’t even 5 kms of our riding in this wildlife sanctuary, I saw a movement on the left side which was the hilly side. And till I could realize what it is, or wait, or do anything, the Wild Goat which I later on google to be Himalayan Goral (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayan_goral); jumped right across me and crossed the road and ran into the forest. It happened so fast, that I could just only think of taking my camera out. The animal was beautiful I wish I had helmet mount cam to capture it. But at the same time I knew it was a close call as literally the Wild Goat jumped over me. My brother was very excited and also saying at the same time that the Goat jumped over me. Well we gathered our breath and moved ahead.

The road becomes quite tricky as we get more deeper in the Sanctuary. The so called roads are covered with the dry Pine Needles, and from my past experience I know it does not give any traction on your tyre or your feet. There were few patches which were completely red with these dry Pine Needles though it looked beautiful but was scary as well, my tyre did loose traction on this stretch couple of time. In this 18 kms stretch, we encountered just one car which passed us from the opposite side. It is a beautiful stretch and would definitely do it again after rainy season, it would be amazing to see the lush green surroundings.

Now we got connected to the Highway and started riding towards Dhaulchhina. We were quiet at leisure in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, and hence till the time we hit the highway it was already around 1 pm. We started pulling up so that we can reach Munsiyari by evening. From here i.e. Dhaulchhina, Munsiyari was around 160 kms, so as per calculation we should be there by 7 or 8 pm comfortably. Hence, taking the lead we started riding at good speed. As we were approaching a place called Berinag, we could see that the cloud formation have started place and its getting a bit dark. We decided to stop for some snack so that later on we do not stop for longer duration..

At Berinag, the place where we stopped for snack, the shop owner warned us that since past few days in evening it is raining and hailstorm is coming. And they said looking at the clouds, same will happen today as well. Some people seeing the sleeping mat and sleeping bag, they said if you thinking to pitch in tent then don’t, instead get a room. So we told him that yes we will. We quickly had our snacks, paid them, took out the rain gear, and started ahead. Time was around 4:30 pm when we started from there. We did not even ride for half an hour, when it started pouring, we kept on riding and thinking it will subside. But man I was so wrong, the rain went intense, I could not see anything in spite of keeping the visor of the helmet open. The size of the droplets made loud noise inside my helmet, and it felt as if I was being hammered. We kept on riding in this wet condition with the chilled water seeping inside our riding pant and boots, oohhh it was cold.

After few more kilometer riding in this rain, I spotted a closed shop with a shed in front, straight away rode under the shed. Damn the rain was intense, the lower part of the body was all wet. We stood there and I saw the time, it was only 5:15 pm. After discussing with my brother, we decided we will wait and as soon as the rain subsides we will push towards Munsiyari and reach till wherever we can. We checked our motorcycles just to kill time, took out water and some biscuits, we yapped and was enjoying the beautiful greenery and the amazing clouds. But man it was quite some time, the time was already 6:30 pm and the lightning and thundering along the heavy rain was not looking to subside in any way. I knew it is Uttaranchal where landslides are normal and I have been stuck in one of them for five days. Then all of a sudden the rain started slowing down and we started getting ready to ride out. But God saw us getting ready, and as the rain was subsiding the frequency of lightning was increasing its pace, and the thundering of cloud was deafening at time. We both were joking that signal to get out asap, but good we did not. We both were sitting on our motorcycle ready to go, but God had some other plans.

All of a sudden it started raining very heavily, and the tin shed on top of us started making noise as its being showered with stones. And we were just sitting on our motorcycle, all ready, as the rain increased and we saw on the road, we saw the black tarmac turning white. Damn it was hailstorm. The hailstorm increased and so did the size of the hail. The rain never stopped during all this time. Now, when we checked the time it was already 7 pm. after discussing and surveying the area, we decided to go ahead and pitch in our tent here only under this shed, as it is, we didn’t had any other option. Also the time was getting close to 8 pm, so we had to take a decision. We decided not to unload our saddle bags as it was all wet and only take out the essentials. We checked our cell phone, it was all dead, we didn’t wanted to risk it charging from the moist socket of USB charge on the motorcycle.

We took out some snacks which we were carrying and had it for dinner. We tried to light some fire but in vain, there was no dry wood. It was getting freezing with the night. So, for heat what we did is, we started our motorcycle and tried to get the warmth from the engine bay, which did make us feel a little better. And then we got inside the tent, with the thunders of lightning and hail and rain hitting hard on the shed. We thanked that at-least we have tent or else we would be sitting all night in our wet riding pants and shoes. We did yap a bit and slept after some time.

So again the destination was missed today. Munsiyari is still 94kms. Second day of not being able to reach our destination, this was turning out to be more leisure tour for me riding only 100 odd kms in a day...hehehe let us see what the 3rd day holds for us.

So the route taken for today was : Village Sail - Dhaulchhina (through Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary) - Berinag - Near Udyari → 102kms
Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/DZ7Ecx

Now lets see what was clicked today -

**sajalsheth** · 05-10-2017, 05:36 PM

Re: Camping Trip to Himalayas (Uttarakhand)

great @Shivanshu ji

**Shivanshu** · 05-12-2017, 12:43 AM

Re: Camping Trip to Himalayas (Uttarakhand)

Day 3:Birthi Waterfall Munsiyari Pithoragarh Uttarakhand - Birthi Fall Travel GuideThe Panchchuli Peaks right in front of us (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panchchuli). Suddenly there was thunderstorm and it started drizzling. We got up, geared up and rode back to the main market now certain that we will take Hotel tonight and not pitch in tent.

While crossing the main market of Munsiyari my brother had seen a hotel, so we went to that hotel and then my brother checked the room and it was a green light. We both unloaded the motorcycle and the luggage got shifted to our room. The hotel was good and the person who owned the hotel was a very nice man. He was into adventure tourism organizing treks and camping in and around Munsiyari.

The first thing when we got into the room is that we switched on the geyser for a bath. We called it a day, and was laughing at each other that what an achievement of the day to ride 90 kms and stay in a hotel room, being sarcastic to each other. But the room was good, neat and clean which I like. The rain stopped in the night, we went to stroll around on our bike and also just checked out the local market. Then we came back in our room, it was quite cold, and hence, time to open the last bottle of the trip along with some yummy local dishes and the yapping session we had.

Tomorrow is going to be a long day, we ride back to Delhi. But wait the route is not yet decided. We will decide on that after getting up.

Route for the day was : Berinag Thal Road - Thal - Birthi - Munsiyari → 94kms

Google Map Link : https://goo.gl/A85XCu

Some pics of the day:

That would be all for Day 3.

**krishna77** · 05-13-2017, 08:55 AM

Re: Camping Trip to Himalayas (Uttarakhand)

Great going!

**Shivanshu** · 05-13-2017, 11:47 PM

Re: Camping Trip to Himalayas (Uttarakhand)

Day 4: So we need to go back to home today, do we take the normal route which is Munsiyari - Almora - Nainital - Moradabad - Indirapuram : 529 kms OR we take some other route. Well we got up early today even after finishing the bottle last night and yapping till late night. Early; yes at 5:30am I was awake and did my morning chores and then woke up my brother.

Went out and asked for tea which was delivered in our room. With the magnificent view of the sun rising behind “The Panchhuli”, we decided to go on terrace for a better glimpse and enjoy the tea. My brother and I were discussing which route to take for our return leg. Remember in my first post that we had to be in Dharchulla today, but no problem. We can go to Jauljibi and just pass through there. Though I was warned before that Munsiyari to Jauljibi is a more of broken roads. But hell yeah we decided to take this route only, though it will be a bit longer but we are here to ride so let us ride and munch some kms today. So the route was finalized:

Munsiyari - Jauljibi - Pithoragarh - Dhauladevi Town - Suakhan - Panauli - Bhimtal - Haldwani - Moradabad - Indirapuram Ghaziabad → 570kms

Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/e1JYaF

Don’t ask why we took this route, just that since, we are roaming and have time so better be on the road and explore more. Till the time we left from Munsiyari it was 9am. We had good heavy breakfast so that we did not have to stop early.

One thing I would like to mention. The route which we took were mostly the back roads. Munsiyari to Jauljibi it’s almost broken roads as its a Old State Highway. But enroute we saw many surveyors doing the survey of the road, so may be in next 5yrs it will go worse before getting fixed. But this route is amazing, I don’t think people do this route as apart from locals I did not see any tourist vehicle in this area. But the beauty along with this whole route is simply amazing. I loved this route and would definitely love to do again and spend more time in this belt. There are many camping areas as well.

Jauljibi to Pithoragarh is mainly a pain, I would say 60% of the roads are broken and still under construction and 40% roads are broad, smooth and amazing. We had a tough time on this route as sun was getting on top and the heat was growing. But anyhow we reached Pithoragarh.

We stopped for a quick lunch and rest, there was not much of Photo Stops in between. We were just pulling up and riding. Enjoyed riding in these twisties. From Pithoragarh again we took the back route and old state highway to Haldwani. These roads were very smooth, but yes it was too narrow at many places and isolated one as well. It was beautiful and we enjoyed a lot riding on these roads.

When the sun was setting down we stopped before Amritpur, just to have last glimpse of the mighty Himalayas. And to thank the Himalayas to pamper us and taking good care of us for past few days. Also, as usual made promise to come back and explore her more.

We started riding down now with darkness already there, we stopped at Haldwani for dinner, and then with some multiple stops we reached our home at 3am.

Not much pics today as we were more busy riding today for a change,

.

That would be all for this travelogue. I would like to thank the moderators for approving this thread and fellow members to take time out to go through this travelogue, thank you once again.

Keep Riding and Keep Sharing.

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Camping Trip to Himalayas (Uttarakhand)

Camping Trip to Himalayas (Uttarakhand)

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