Nestled in the dense reserve forest of Govind Pashu Vihar is a perfect tiny village, Dhaula.
It’s not only the base camp for Rupin Pass but also the bump-free and slush-free path to Chanshal. What’s more its open to climb the mighty bugiyal throughout the year. Which I might add, as well, is not the case from other treks as the roads are slippery after the snow freezes like a glassy surface for months to come.
The Rupin River cascading past rocks and boulders provides the perfect mystic setting for the start of an unforgettable journey.
From Dhaula we start with a gentle climb, passing by small village cottages, made of wood and stone, surrounded with ferns of different shades of green. The chirping of the birds will keep you company and if you have a keen eyesight you will behold the tiniest bird in the bush. The apple orchards with red fruits, is a gathering tower, for the wild green gossiping parrots. Silver strings are hung to scare them, but the intelligent birds can’t be fooled for long.
The terrace farms are full of red plants of Chaulae. How delicate and tedious it is to gather the tiny seeds that is made into a sweet light, ladoo, eaten mostly during fasting seasons. Pumpkins as huge as double decker balls, lie up on the roofs.
As we climb higher the bright blue and yellow butterflies will keep you company, the sunlight filters right through their delicate wings adorned with nature’s best designs of colours and schemes.
Silence is the word, that makes us catch a glimpse of the musk deer or a porcupine moving around, looking for food.
At elevations between 3,000 to 5,000 meters, the rarity to see a snow leopard increases, though it’s one of the most elusive of all cats.
The fragrance of the moist grass along with the herbs like Sanjeeveeni Buti, will certainly heighten your sense of smell.
The track is littered with thousands of wildflowers dancing in the sunlight. The
smell and colour of which will daze you completely. Bhram- kamal, the state flower of Uttarakhand, is seen growing on rocky terrain. The tents are pitched right beside the unforgettable campsites with spectacular treks and the breath-taking sky-high meadows. At night, the sky of thousands of Sirius like stars, gaze back at you. It’s a sight we all cherish for years to come.
The next day, with happy feet, a happy heart and loads of memories to take back, we start our return journey downhill with a pledge to return, for the mountains are already calling.
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