On the trail:
In between my youngest brother had some problem in his shoe..and in the next stop (Chirbasa-halfway mark) we decided to search for a mule for him..we found..but the guy was not willing to come alone..he wanted we have to take one more..that we didn't wanted at that point of time..its decided my bro will wear slipper instead and accordingly we started. Now he is fine..but the trek started taking toll on us..me, youngest feeling the pinch..younger bro is bit fitter..anyway we crossed more than 1 KM just before Bhojbasa(4 KM before Gaumukh) non stop..it is landslide zone..we also noticed loose gravels..any moments they can fall..after reaching Bhojbasa I had 15 min nap..so tired we were..had lunch & decided to hire mule for the rest of our journey to Gaumukh and back to Chirbasa(Half way mark)..so that next it won't be too hectic to reach Gangotri before noon. We reached Gaumukh around 3-30 PM, we were there for almost an hour and after that we started our return journey..while coming back it was
windy..4-5 places in the landslide zone path was covered with loose gravel..and these are narrow as well..we heard some horror story's from the muleboy..we were very scared while crossing this place..mules were very good on deciding which stone to put their foot so they wont displace..the muleboy left the mule and followed it..somehow we reached Chirbasa..still some left..outside is very chill..we decided to carry on..it was descent and we covered a good distance and decided to stay at Devgarh just 4.5KM before Gangotri..slowly it became dark..we took out our torch and started walking..its almost deserted..sometimes mule groups are returning from Gangotri..our guide told stay together..earlier we saw deers are roaming in this route..and it is part of national park..atlast around 8-30PM we reached Devgarh..there for night stay and dinner they
used to charge 60/- per head..we had good dinner..went for sleep.
On the way to Gaumukh:
Gaumukh:
Return journey:
Day11, 12 & 13(3, 4 & 5th June 2007)
We didn't have very good sleep yesterday night..outside it was very chill..we woke up around 5AM and witnessed the first light of the day in the peaks..it was awesome..started our journey back to Gangotri hotel @5-20AM after a cup of tea.
Place where we stayed
First sunshine:
Reached hotel @7AM..family members were pleasantly surprised by seeing us so early(we suppose to reach by 12 noon)..anyway everybody got up.. freshen up for the journey towards Kedarnath..we could start only at 9-30AM..it was pleasant driving..had lunch @uttarkahi..after waiting for 2 hours in queue to reach Gaurikund..we reached Soneprayag around 5 PM..there one hotelwala approached us, had a look to his rooms and decided to stay there and next day early morning will start for Kedarnath..after unloading some bags and little bit freshning up we headed for TriyugiNarayan (Shiva, Parvati got married here and Vishnu solmonised the marriage)
around 6-30 PM..it was 11KM journey..we reached there around 7PM..after performing puja there..headed back to our hotel for the night around 8-30 PM..its decided we'll woke up 3AM and by 4 AM we will be in vehicle queue, so that we can reach Keadarnath early and comeback to hotel by evening..
Next day morning we woke up at 3AM, but my son(2.5 years old) started crying(stomaches)..he had some problem..we waited till 6AM but no improvement..decided stay back today..as day progreses he recovered bit..we took my son to one medical shop there..as par locals he is the only doctor available there, we explained the problem..told about the medicines we are carrying..he gave 2 medicines and asked us to continue one of our medicine, after lunch he is fully fit..we went see the
prayag(Sone Ganga and Mandakini) in the late afternoon..it is just 0.5KM walkable distance from our hotel..Mandakini's bluish water is facinating to watch..after spending some time in the prayag we headed back to hotel and decided to excute today's plan for tomorrow.
Next day we woke up early..put our vehicle in queue @5AM..as we were waiting for the gate to open (Green signal for the vehicles to move up towards Gaurikund), noticed one tyre got puncture..changed the tyre then and there..after waiting almost an hour around 6-30AM we came out of the gate..after barely 4 KM..we found all the vehicle perking is full..police is telling to drop the passengars at Gaurikund and park the vehicle at Soneprayag..let the driver take the vehicle when darshan is over to pick us up..we told since we don't have any driver,we all will be going for darshan..can he permit us to park in the roadside (some more vehicles were parked there with driver though)..he agreed for Rs300/- and promised vehicle will be safe..paid the money..went for Kedarnath darshan through narrow lane of Gaurikund..after reaching the mulestand..I was quite
amased to see so many mule waiting for the yatri..we boarded on 7 mules started our journey towards Kedarnath..reached Rambara(mid point) had some snax..sourroundings are awesome..some falls on the way..some of them are frozen..some glaciar..aweinspiring view of Kedarnath..the old people walking for their faith..around 2PM we were in the queue for the
darshan..got darshan around 3-30PM and had lunch @4PM..reached hotel @9-30PM..everyone was very tired..we had dinner and crushed on bed.
Day14(6th June 2007)
We started late from Soneprayag for our return journey around 11 AM..repaired our puncture..we had tubeless puncture kit with us but couldn't remove the nail from the tyre, the puncturewala removed the nail and with the help of our puncture kit he repaired..we had lunch in a road side hotel, the hotel(only one in that place) situated in a good viewing point..its in a bend..sheer drop on all side(except road side)..we reached Ghairsain for the night stay (the worst hotel we stayed in our
trip).
Day15(7th June 2007)
Morning around 6-30AM we started our today's journey, we crossed Ranikhet around 9 AM and continued towards Agra, found road detoriated considerably as we entered UP. We took Bareily-Budaun-Soron road,just 12KM before entering Soron road improved,new road laying started. It's very hot, we could hardly cross 350KM's today. Evening we reached Soron and decided to call it
a day. Only accomodation available is in Dharamsala, we decided to stay there. Its dart cheap for a cottage 1B/R(attached Bathroom)+Hall+Kitchen its just Rs150/-. We were the only occupants there that day, the old caretaker shown us other 6 bathing rooms and toilets, which we can make use if requires. Its clean and well maintained.
Day16(8th June 2007)
We started early today @4AM first destination is Agra, we thought of taking Eta route, but one truck broke down just inside a narrow railway under bridge, so we took Hathras road. Today we've to reach Jhansi before 2 PM, as my parents will be catching train from there to Bangalore. Though train was at 3PM, we wanted take lunch together & see them off after that. Around 8-30 AM we are crossing Taj, we thought of visiting it, but due to time consideration & more its Friday(it suppose to be close). We continued towards Gwalior..through Chambal ghati(valley)..Landscape is totally different..highly uneven barren earth..and reached Jhansi well in advance around 1 PM. In this route 4 lane work started and almost fully upto Gwalior its 4 laned. We had very good lunch..headed towards Railway station..the train left around 3-15 PM, we started our journey around 3-45PM only towards Sagar. Road is Ok, traffic is almost nil..outside is very hot. We reached Sagar around 6PM and decided to call it a day(we didn't want to drive at night in this lonely stretch) and decided next day we'll give our vehicle for servicing.. contacted the dealer and the representative promised us by 1 PM they'll give back our vehicle. Stayed in a hotel for the night.
Sagar
Day17 & 18(9 & 10th June 2007)
Today by 10 AM we are at dealer's place(as they used to work 10-6), that time we were the first customer for the day..very few mechanic reached for their work..by seeing their working style..we assesed they'll take more time than promised 1 PM delivery..anyway the manager again promised he'll deliver before lunch..we went back to hotel..took some rest as today after getting the vehicle we'll have nonstop(no hotel stay) drive upto Bangalore.. got a call from dealer's place and informed
since power is not there they won't be able to clean inside..I told its OK..just clean outside..and give the vehicle in your promised time..they agreed..I decided to get the vehicle, so I left bit early had my lunch..and reached the dealer's place sharp 1 PM..and amased to see the vehicle is not cleaned.. people gone for lunch..I met with the manager and remined him the promise..his excuse is..after calling me..power came and he decided to give us a clean vehicle from inside out..so they
cleaned inside first(if power goes!!)..after lunch they'll clean outside on priority and give me at the earliest possible..at last I got the vehicle @3PM..reached hotel in another 15 min..everything packed..took shower.. and started @4PM towards Lakhnadon..now we took much talked about road..little bit apprehensive though about the road condition..started late with family..have to travel 197KM to reach Lakhnadon(NH-7 decent road)..the road is OK..potholes patched up..lonely..once in a while we can see private cars coming..so roads ahead is navigable..some places road work(North-South corridor) is in good progress..we continued till Narsinghpur and found road is Ok..nothing to worry..as evening is approaching fast..we entered the jungle and hill..highway became 1 laner road..we heard "Pen tiger reserve" is some where nearby..once in a while vehicle is passing by..we continued and reached Lakhnadon around 8-30PM..had dinner..and started around 10PM only.. continued towards Nagpur..after crossing Nagpur we took a wrong turn..15KM extra we travelled..as we noticed came back to the point and continued towards Hyderabad..Day broke after Adilabad..some greenary/jungle..we had very good breakfast in a road side shop and its very cheap..through out AP we had good tea too..reached Hyderabad for the Lunch..had Chicken Dum biriyani..quantity was so huge..after some rest..we started around 4 PM towards Bangalore..we came out of Hyderabad..my brother took the control of the wheel..as I was not feeling well(feverish)..he drove till evening..and to give him some rest..I drove almost 100KM and
gave back to him for the rest to Bangalore..in between we had Dinner,informed our parents(they reached today morning by train) about our probable reaching time around 1-2AM, but we could reach our sweet home around 2-30AM only.
**I'll upload other photos later.
Total KM covered (Bangalore House – UA- Bangalore House): 6379 KM
In GQ Mileage I got: 12.5 – 13.96KM/liter (Always AC on)
In hill: 8.78 -10.1KM/liter (with out AC)
Normal Highway: 11.5-12.5 (Always AC on)