Plan a road trip to Uttarakhand, the State nestled in the lap of the Himalayas..
As the people are getting out of 2020 lockdown, its time to plan a trip.. And……. Uttarakhand, nestled in the lap of Himalayas can be an option..
From the Uttar Pradesh days, when this Himalayan State was guided from Lucknow, the well developed State owned Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) and Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) Hotels are providing excellent service to the Tourists.
As I was exploring this beautiful State; three destinations Pithoragarh — Munsyari and Chaukri, (all under Pithoragarh Division) came to my mind that can be rounded off in ten days from Patna. The road journey break up can be Patna — Lucknow (or Sitapur) on day one, reaching Pithoragarh on day two, moving on to Munsyari on day four and to Chaukri on day six with a day’s stay each (third, fifth and seventh day) of them. Eighth day, time for return journey to Lucknow reaching Patna on ninth day with an additional day for any unforeseen circumstance.
Stage I — PATNA — PITHORAGARH..(970 kms)
The total road distance between Patna to Pithoragarh is around 970 kms with last 140 kms on hill roads. So, two days are required to comfortably reach there. The first stop can be Lucknow at 540 kms. However, If one departs early around 4–5 AM, can move further to Sitapur (around 90 kms ahead of Lucknow). This will provide additional time the next day to move comfortably on the hilly areas of Pithoragarh.
DAY 1 — Patna to Lucknow.. (540 kms)
The route that a car traveler has to take for Patna — Lucknow is Patna — J.P. Setu (Digha Setu) — moving on NH 31 and via Wheel Factory Road to Parsa — Siwan highway. Move on SH 90 and then to the East West Corridor (NH 27) to Gorakhpur. A lunch break can be done at any of Gorakhpur highways restaurant/ ‘dhaba’.
From Gorakhpur, the journey continues on NH 27 towards Lucknow. The time shown by Google for the 540 kms travelling is 12 hours on which two more hours be added. Thus, leaving Patna early will make entry into Lucknow by late afternoon and then one can explore whether to stay there or move 90 kms ahead to Sitapur. End of trip by evening provides sufficient time both to a traveler and car to relax. Also allows one to stroll on the streets of a new city.
DAY 2 ..
Move to Pitoragarh.. (440 kms)
The first day of the trip having been completed, time to move on the second leg. The Lucknow — Pithoragarh road distance is around 440 kms and time shown in Google map is 12 hours. Adding two more hours make it 14 hours. So there cannot be any laxity in the morning.
The route from Lucknow to Pithoragarh is via Sitapur (90 kms) through Sitapur Kasta Gola Road (popularly known as MDR 18C).Thereafter on MDR 76C (33 kms) — SH 730 (60 kms) followed by MDR 39 C towards Puranpur. Move on the NH 9 to reach Tanakpur, covering around 295 kms by 1 PM where lunch break can be done at KMVN, Tanakpur* situated on the highway itself.
The road distance from Tanakpur to Pithoragarh is around 144 kms and it being hilly area, at least six hours are required to complete the journey. The route from Tanakpur is — Champawat (around 72 kms)on NH 9. A tea break there and then continue for another 72 kms towards Pithoragarh. The KMVN TRH Pithoragarh* is a good option to stay.
DAY 3 — Pithoragarh, relaxing time..
Pithoragarh is 1627 meter above sea level and is also a Head Quarter. Kailash Mansarovar route goes through Pithoragarh and Lipulekh. Amongst the places to visit are: Pithoragarh Fort and the Pithoragarh War Memorial. After two days driving, it’s time to relax and watch some picturesque beauty of the valleys and the hills surrounding the town. Pithoragarh also has an Airport, the Naini Saini Airport.
Religious people can visit temples in around the city including the Ulka Devi temple. In the evening can stroll in Simalgair market. Can also relish some local sweets there.
STAGE II —
DAY 4 — Pithoragarh to Munsyari (130 kms) ..
Munsyari, a sub division under Pithoragarh Division is 2200 meter above sea level and is the starting point for the trekkers into its interior. Situated on the banks of Goriganga river, it was also an ancient Salt route to Tibet.
The road route from Pithoragarh to Munsyari at times will have some scenic view and as such it is preferable to start early to make stop overs at will during the journey. Remember the old saying, ‘Happiness is found along the journey, not at the end of the road’. The time google shows is around five hours. After around 60 kms drive on the Delhi- Dharchula NH, one turns left to Jauljibi — Madkote Road. Time to make a stop over here for refreshments.
The distance from Jauljibi — Madkote to Munsyari is around another 64 kms. Munsyari too has State owned KMVN TRH Munsyari* for stay.
DAY — 5 — Munsyari, the nature’s beauty..
Munsyari offers splendid view of the nature. Munsyari means place with snow and thus is also called Mini Kashmir. However, the locals resent this nomenclature and want it to be known with no other name but Munsyari. The snow capped peaks of the Himalayas offer splendid vistas of natural beauty.
Places to be visited are:
1. Maheshwari Kund.. (around 2 kms).. legend has it that it was cursed by Yakshi for not letting him marry the Sarpanch’s daughter, it now is in the form of a pond.
2. Goriganga river (12 kms ).. Munsyari is situated on the Goriganga river and is famous for rafting.
3. Nanda Devi temple (around 2 kms) — 1000 years old temple and an iconic structure of Kumaoni architecture..
4. Tribal Heritage Museum (4 kms) it is a private museum and showcases the history, culture, traditions and lifestyle of Bhotia people. Established by Mr. Surender Singh Pangtey.
5. Munsyari is also famous for different species of Birds and watching them are real pleasure to eyes.
6. Betuli dhar ( 9 kms on way to Birthi)***.. most salient feature is watching sunrise and sunset..
7. Kalamuni top/ Kalamuni temple.. (14 kms on way to Birthi falls)***, it is 9500 feet tall and is famous for Kali temple dedicated to Naga God.
8. Khaliya top (14 kms on way to Birthi falls)*** one has to trek to reach the top.
9. Birthi Falls (30 kms on way to Chaukori) ***falling from the heights of 126 m, it offers an extremely refreshing experience.
10. The Munsyari market.. (2 kms) at the end of the day, the main market must be visited. Munsyari main market is famous for pashmina shawls and sheep wool carpets. Organic potatoes too are grown here.
- *to check whether KMVN has re-opened.
. * *all distances from KMVN, Munsyari
- *** If one has to move from Munsyari to Chaukori, the Birthi falls and others are on way to Chaukori and can be planned accordingly.
STAGE III —
DAY 6 : Munsyari to Chaukori.. (95 kms)
The road distance from Munsyari to Chaukori is around 95 kms and the Google shows the time as four hours. The places that can be visited on way to Chaukori are — Betuli dhar, Kalamuni temple, Khaliya top and Birthi Falls. The route to Chaukori is — Thal road — SH 11 — KMVN TRH Birthi* (31 kms) where one can have lunch after visiting Birthi Falls.
From there, move on to Munsyari Thal road (16 kms) — Bageshwar Didihat road (22kms) — NH 309 A (18 kms) — KMVN TRH Chaukori* (5kms).
DAY 7 — Chaukori, the beautiful place to watch the dawn and dusk..
Situated at an altitude of 2010 m above sea level, Chaukori is another hill station in the Pithoragarh Division that boast of high peaks of Western Himalayan range. The small village is bestowed with nature’s grandeur. Watch sunrise from the cottages of KMVN with golden yellow rays falling on the Himalayan range, the Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot and Panchachuli peaks.
Chaukori is one of the few places in Uttarakhand where Tea gardens (established by the Britishers) can be found. Watch the green gardens and breathe the aroma of the fresh green tea leaves.
STAGE III —
DAY 8… Chaukori to Lucknow.. (520 kms)
Time to return home. The time Google shows is around 14 hours. The route from Chaukori to Lucknow is NH 309 A (127 kms) — Time for first break — Lauwapani Road — NH 9–72 kms — Khatima — Puranpur Road (24 kms) — Pilibhit Road -SH 29–36 kms — Tanakpur Road — 80 kms. Again can have lunch at KMVN Tanakpur* after covering around 200 kms. Thereafter cover the next 300 kms on the same route taken on day 2 to reach Lucknow by the evening.
Freshen up and walk towards Hazratganj for some good food/ snacks/ ice cream..
DAY 9 — Lucknow — Patna ( 540 kms) –
The return journey to Patna is to be taken on the same NH 27 route (East West Corridor) via Gorakhpur — Siwan — J.P. Setu — Patna (as stated on day 1).
A vacation keeps the mind off the things one can stress. Dreaming about destinations give happiness. Exploring new places also allows one to know about the beautiful things in our country. So….. it’s time to pack the bag and move.
