Uttarakhand - 2019

Jul 16, 2020

Uttarakhand-2019

30th November, 2019 to 8th December, 2019

Uttarakhand formerly known as Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the "Devabhumi" (literally "Land of the Gods") due to numerous Hindu temples and pilgrimage centres found throughout the state. Uttarakhand is known for the natural environment of the Himalayas, the Bhabar and the Terai. On 9 November 2000, Uttarakhand became the 27th state of the Republic of India, being carved from the Himalayan districts of Uttar Pradesh. It borders Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north; the Sudurpashchim Pradesh of Nepal to the east; the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh to the south and Himachal Pradesh to the west and north-west. The state is divided into two divisions, Garhwal and Kumaon, with a total of 13 districts. The capital of Uttarakhand is Dehradun, the largest city of the state, which is a rail head. The High Court of the state is located in Nainital.

The of mountains and pristine forests, UTTARAKHAND

We started our journey towards Sattal situated in district of Nainital on 30th Nov 2019 via Bangalore to Delhi-Dehradun by Air and from there in taxi to CHOPTHA-MANDAL-SATTAL.

THE TEAM

S.VISWANATH - from Bangalore

Dr.SRIKANTH HEGDE - from Shivamogga

Dr.PARAMESHWAR - from Shivamogga

N.SATEESH - from Bangalore

Tour Itinerary- TRAVELOGUE DETAILS

30/11/2019 - Saturday - DAY-01

Banglore to Delhi- DEHRADUN (by INDIGO Air (06-30AM) (6E-2132) - Arrival by

12 PM.

Pick up Dehradun airport , 8 hour drive to Chopta from Dehradun Airport.

Overnight at Snow View hotel, Kanda Road, Pothibasa,

Ukhimath - 246469 - 073516 37172

30th We left Bangalore towards Dehradun as there was no direct flight, the flight route was Bangalore - Delhi- Dehradun, arrived Delhi by 12 pm, from Delhi to Dehradun the departure was 12-45 delayed by 15 mts, finally took off to Dehradun hardly it was a ride of 30 mts to reach Dehradun from Delhi.

Reached Dehradun by 1-30 pm, our guide Mr. Pushkar was waiting with the taxi, along with us another three photographers from Mumbai was also joined together - enroute we had a lunch at Pundir Veg Family Restaurant at Shivpuri, Tehri Garhwal.

As district administration was repairing the roads for four lane our PM Project, little traffic jam over the journey.

After lunch we started our journey on the way at 5-30pm we had a tea break at Rudraprayag,

finally after crossing devaprayag reached CHOPTHA, we stayed in Hotel Snowview Kanda Road Pothibasa, Ukhimath, Uttarakhand 246469 [Phone: 073516 37172].

As there was a snowfall the temperature at Chopta was 3 deg when we reached over there by 6-45 pm had light snacks and tea and dinner at 7-30 pm as we travelled nearly 8 hours [and also there is no power over there, only generator will run from 7 to 10pm for charging gadgets and bathing they provide half bucket of hot water]

01/12/2019 - Sunday - DAY-02

Early morning woke up at 5 am got ready had a morning tea moved towards Choptha and drive towards Monal point is possible to see Monal and koklass pheasant , as three days before there was a heavy snowfall in and around Choptha and Tunganath, due to this we are not able to see the Tunganath as it was fully covered under snow.

and finally we a got a view of MONAL.

The Himalayan MONAL (Lophophorus impejanus), also known as the Impeyan monal and Impeyan pheasant, is a pheasant native to Himalayan forests and shrublands at elevations of 2,100–4,500 m (6,900–14,800 ft). It is part of the family Phasianidae and is listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List. It is the national bird of Nepal, where it is known as the Danphe.

The scientific name commemorates Lady Mary Impey, the wife of the British chief justice of Bengal, Sir Elijah Impey.

And at 8 am we had a breakfast at Bhulkhan choptha Road, Aloo Paratha, Egg Omlette and Tea, afterwards we were on track to find some speices of Birds in and around Choptha.

After Breakfast over there we came back to room to have a bath and opposite to our hotel snow view lot of Eurasian Jay, and other species arrived.

In the afternoon session we visited Duggal Shahari village get more speices of birds over there, one can see lots of birds like 8 types of birds like Wood Peckers, Laughing Thrush and Thrushes, Accenture, Vulture, Lammargier Golden Eagle, after lunch drive to Mukku to see Flower Pecker, Owlet, Rose Finches, Redstart, Mistle thrush. And in the evening had Tea and had dinner at 8 pm and gone to bed.

02/12/2019 - MONDAY - DAY 03

Start early hike to Tungnath temple for Snow Partridge on way one can see Monal Winter Wren, Accenture, Warblers. Afternoon we will look for Rapture and some forest birds like Tit Bulbuls, Warblers, Wood Peckers and Laughing Thrushes etc. Overnight stay in Mandal.

03/12/2019 - Tuesday - DAY - 04

Drive to Rose Finch point one can see Scarlet Finch, Spot Winged & Pink Browed Rose Finches, Bunting, Laughing Thrush, Warblers, Niltava , Shrike Babbler, Wren Babbler, Tesia after noon visit to river good for Brown Deeper Forktail Flycatchers and Redstarts. Overnight stay in Mandal.

Next day morning woke up early in the morning at 4 am, left the place by 5 am towards MONDAL enroute Chopta for final glimpses of Himalayan Monal and Kocklass Pheasant, finally we had a darshan of Kocklass Pheasant, and reached MONDAL in the afteroon

Next Day early morning left MONDAL to reach Sattal - day long journey from Mondal to Sataal, enroute we had breakfast and lunch and reached the Birders Den by 7:30 pm.

BIRDER DEN SATTAL Birders Den is an eco-resort, nestled in the lap of nature close to the Naldamayanti Tal. A short 10 minutes drive from Sattal, it is your perfect base for a bird watching holiday in the Western Himalayas. With sumptuous home cooked food and cozy rooms with a pretty view of the region, the Birders Den is the perfect relaxing spot for birders and also serves as a hot spot for some stunning birds of the region. Birders Den Eco Resort provides you pleasant hospitality and friendly loving environment, It's placed in middle of forest Sattal, Nainital District and away from city noise and highway traffic, it gives you cozy and calm environment, it's just 18 km from Nainital City and 2 km from Sattal lake which is famous tourism destination, the resort provides to everyone homely atmosphere and also serve you hygienic local Kumauni meals. All around surrounded by nature and varieties of birds, a good natural environment and birds chirping makes you more comfortable and joyful, it's all people of Birders Den Eco Resort who treats you like family and also makes your experience truly exceptional.