With the starting of direct train to Kathgodam from Mumbai via Baroda,the access to Uttarakhand is comfortable journey, so I was looking for one in Uttarakhand state. ( ( U.K. )
The Ali Bedni Bugyal( ABB) trek fitted the bill as it suited for its height ( 12000feet) distance ( 32 km ) , difficulty (. Level lI) andv timing ( Pre monsoon)
Next step was to find the local vendor to provide us logistics. With the help of net,i could find one in thev Yellow Bird Hostel and cafe , located in Loha gunj,220 km from Kathgodam and the starting point for the trek. It is being managed by young brigade of S. Sengupta,Ms. Ranjitha and Saurav.
Our trek was for 3 N/ 4D and covered 32 km with the height gain from 7K feet to 12k feet. ( App. 400 storied building). Roughly,it was 8 km of ascent,10 km of descent and 14 km of flat walking in bugyals in sum total.
Bugyal means Alpine grass lands on the ridges of mountains ,in Kumaoni language.
The bugyals are above the treeline of the mountains and are pasture grounds for local live stock.
Ali and Bedni are two different bugyals ,lying adjecent to each other. Bedni have Bedni pond ,beside the temple of Bedni mata - the local name for Ma Parvati.
While bugyals are vast,enchanting eye candy ,the jungle track and trails are mesmerazing,the long oak trees are like silent monks in deep meditation.
Moss covered long oak,deodar,fir and rodoedendron trees make picture perfect junglescapes and fascinating forests. While in it ,it is like being showered by the forest,the japanese call it SHINRIN YOKU.
Camping for three nights and staying in a area less then 30 sg. feet tent( 4 ftx7.5 ft) for two persons , I joked with my better half that thanks to cramped space ,we came so close ,after a long time.
The support system ,consisting of trek leader,a experienced young bengali boy ,a cook ,a helper were perfect answer for our guide, rest,food, recreation and safety.The two mules carried our luggage silently and dispassionately.
The trek program
was customised and curated for us .
All in all,a great out door vacation, adventure and feeling of rejuvenation, restoration and recreation.
One can see the snow covered peaks of Trishul,Nanda Devi and Chokhamba of Himalayan range from here on clear day and we were blessed for the same.
The stories of wildlife during campfire did scare us but the tired body won the battle for good night sleep over possible nightmares.
The rain did play spoilsport but we were lucky enough to escape any damage. On the first day,we found a house in construction on our trail for shelter from nowhere as the heavy rain plummeted. The ultimate planner ,God,was and is kind to us ,always. TG4LM.
So we made it,what next ?
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https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8x3gTESy9A/?igsh=Y21jYjBlcjVlcm9l