What do you love about mountains?

Mountains have always been at my beck and call whenever I need a break from my hectic schedule bringing creativity in my thought process and newness in my perception. This time along with my office colleagues I planned to unfold astounding beauty of Kumaon. Although the region has garnered name across the tourists for its breathtaking landscapes, and mouthwatering cuisine, the trip handcrafted by Asian Adventures made us unlock many untouched places brimming with natural beauty away from the gaze travel buffs. Corbett National Park was our first stopover- surrounded by verdant mountains and crisscrossed by hidden creeks, the place is an ultimate destination to venture into the wild terrain of India. It took us around six hours drive to enter the Himalayan Foothills of Corbett National Park. The windy air in the area was enough to revive our excitement that was transforming into fatigue after six hours long drive. We had our breakfast at Tiger Camp Resort in Corbett where we stayed till noon.

 The resort is encompassed by thirteen independent cottages and fourteen superior rooms offering a mesmerizing view of the dense thickets. It is interesting to see how all the rooms of the resort gives a comfortable and luxurious stay without compromising with the ethos of the surrounding. Besides taking a dip in the swimming pool it also has its own private meadow where one can relax and enjoy the course of Kosi river. After having a hefty breakfast and spending some time in the vicinity of the resort we headed towards Ranikhet yet another Kumaoni destination perched at a height of 6,153 feet. As we were crossing through the dense thickets of Corbett our eyes glued at the serpentine flow of Kosi river beautifully blending with the verdant hills of the region. While driving upwards we got an amazing view of the Garjiya Devi Temple, one of the prominent temple in Uttarakhand located at the outskirts of Corbett. The captivating scenery motivated us to take some photographs before resuming our journey. Our driver told us that the temple precinct is not only sacred for the pilgrims but it is also considered a holy grail for some of the rarest and gorgeous species of Himalayas including Ibisbill, Pallas's fish eagle, Tawny fish owl, etc. Cruising through the scenic pathways of hovering clouds and green hills we reached Ranikhet- the Queen's meadow.

Carrying the colonial connection, this prolific hill station and cantonment town of Ranikhet was established as a holiday destination during summers by the Britishers. We came across several scenic spots giving a spellbound backdrop of the majestic Himalayan and the blooming valleys. Located near the army cantonment area and dedicated to Goddess Durga sitting on a swing, the 8th-century Jhula Devi Temple is highly revered amongst the Goddess devotee attracting pilgrims from all corners. As we entered the temple we were surprised by the number of bells hanging across the temple vicinity. While the sanctum sanctorum of the temple embellished by statues of Gods and Goddess. Just a minute walk brought us to another famous temple- the Ram Mandir founded by a famous saint living in the region. To reach the sanctum santorum of the temple we had to climb fleets of stairs and made our way to the ancient cave which was sitting just below the temple region. Driving through the topsy-turvy lanes brought us one of India's most spectacular garden- the Chaubatia Garden. While walking through its green and flowery passage we were exposed to the beautiful fruit orchards of Apricots, Lychees, Walnuts, and Apples scattered across its vast and astonishing expanse. As everyone were busy capturing this scenic views in their cameras, my eyes fell upon 2 pheasants who were playing around as I inched towards them they concealed themselves in the large blades of grasses. 

The area was echoing with the whistling call of Blue-whistling thrush and Hoopoes. From Chaubatia Garden we made our way to Mankameshwar Temple and Shall Factory- A place that has a beautiful collection of handmade stuff by the locals. Haidakhan Temple was our last stop before we retired for the day. Founded by Haidakhan who is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva to whom this temple is dedicated, the place is ringed by the renowned peaks of the Himalayas attracting an amazing influx of both pilgrims and adventure lovers who desire to soak into the glory of temple's mystical and natural beauty.

As the dusk was falling rapidly, we moved towards our hotel- Snow View Ranikhet. Making our way through the bustling market as reached the hotel it was already dark. We settled down in our respective rooms, rested for a while before coming down in the dining area for devouring into the sumptuous Kumaoni cuisine. Residing in the picturesque location and offering a panoramic view of the valley, Snow View- Ranikhet comprises of ten rooms equipped with modern amenities and a team of caring staff who ensure that you have a cozy and comfortable stay during your sojourn in Ranikhet. Next morning we woke up to the shaft of light penetrating through the window and witness the romance of floating clouds caressing the verdant hills. Post breakfast we headed towards Ranikhet's Golf Course which included amongst the highest golf courses of Asia. This smoldering place is just a few minutes drives from our hotel- Snow View Ranikhet. Strolling around its tranquil landscape everyone was captivated by the magnificent location the place had to offer. We spend around an hour over there before proceeding towards Jageshwar- the abode of Lord Shiva. En-route we enjoyed watching the humble life of villagers who are settled across the breathtaking hamlet of Himalayas. Sitting at a height of 6,135′ feet, Jageshwar is considered to be one of India's ancient village that earlier used to be halting-place for the pilgrims of Kailash Mansarovar. On arrival at this picturesque location amidst the dense thickets of Deodar trees, we had a scrumptious lunch at Cafe Swayambhu of Van Serai and strolled around the vicinity before making our way to Jageshwar Dham.

A 2500-year-old Shiva Temple Complex carrying more than 100 small temples dedicated to Gods and Goddess besides lord Shiva. Mukteshwar was the next destination in this enchanting journey. The place is composed of independent cottages and beautiful garden giving an incredible view of the enchanting valley blending with the snow-capped mountains ringed around the surrounding. While strolling around the resort’s vicinity we tried out freshly made chocolates beautifully placed inside the choco-house of Mountain Trail. After having dinner in the dining area we discussed our next day's plan before retiring to our respective rooms. Next day I woke up early morning to witness the crimson sky and capture the alluring sunrise that had cast a magical spell on the valley. Following breakfast, we headed towards Chauli Ki Jali- a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Bounded by the mesmerizing views of the Himalayan range and Kumaon valley, the adrenaline rush we experienced while climbing the rock was inexplicable. From Chauli Lo Jali we trailed towards the century-old Mukteshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The culmination of the tour was when we visited the cascading waterfall of Bhalu Gaad Falls. The two night three days journey made me explore the hidden gems of Uttarakhand untouched and unspoilt by the maddening crowd. It has beautifully rekindled my bond with mountains which lost in the competitive struggle of metro cities.

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