Neora valley Trek....
After a span of almost 20 years I got an
opportunity to go a high altitude trekking and I did not want to miss this!
Due to my professional and personal commitment I could not attend a single
trekking for all these years, so when Institute deciding about summer trek to
Neora Valley I could not resist myself, I decided to go......!!
Our trek team was consist of 14 members including me. I was given responsibility to lead this bunch of 13 energetic members!
Our trek team was consist of 14 members including me. I was given responsibility to lead this bunch of 13 energetic members!
Date 27 the May 2015
We reached Sealdah Railway station at 20.00 hours train was on
schedule but our main concern was Campbell (Prosenjit) he was still in local
train from Baruipur. Our President Mr. Durgadas Saha came to wish us along with
Abhijit Da Ardhendu, Ejaz, Bandana, Namita
and Shubhra. Durga da handed over cap to all team members. Train left Sealdah
station on time, and somehow Campbell managed to catch train in DDLJ style!
We had our dinner around 22.00 hrs when train reached Burdhman
station.
Date 28 May 2015
We reached New Mal Junction at 10.00 hrs. Our train was 1 hour late
from its scheduled time.
We had already booked 2sumo in advance so without wasting our
time we boarded on sumo and left New Mall Junction. Halted for few minutes for
tea and some vegetable shopping near New Mall station.
After a picturesque journey of about 2 hour we reached Lava
at around 13.00 hrs
Lava is a small hamlet
situated 34 kilometres (21 mi) east of the town of Kalimpong in Darjeeling district . Lava is situated at an altitude of 7,016 feet
(2,138 m). It is one of the few places in West Bengal to receive snow in
winter. It is the entry point to the Neora Valley
National Park from Kalimpong
Our Guide Guddu was waiting for us at Lava taxi stand. After
unloading our baggage we immediately had our lunch and without wasting our
precious time we boarded in two taxi and left Lava at 14.00 hrs for our trek
starting point "ZERO POINT"
Reached Zero point 15.30hrs.
Weather was good after taking required permission from Forest Department we
started our trekking..
After a trekking of almost 1 hour we reached out first day destination PHE Camp
at 16.30 hours.
This is really very beautiful place! There is two wooden cottage constructed by
Forest department.
Surya Makhal (Team quarter master) immediately started preparation for our
dinner and evening food.
Neora Valley is full of leeches so we were talking extra caution but somehow
they were managed to intrude and enjoyed almost every member's fresh tasty
blood!
After having our dinner we went to our bed as all members are very tired we all
had very sound sleep.
Date 29 May 2015
We woke up early in the morning it was raining occasionally. Our Guide Guddu took us in core jungle area to show us some herbs and rare botanical creation. After 45 minutes excursion of core jungle we returned to our camp area and had our break fast at 07.00 hrs.
We woke up early in the morning it was raining occasionally. Our Guide Guddu took us in core jungle area to show us some herbs and rare botanical creation. After 45 minutes excursion of core jungle we returned to our camp area and had our break fast at 07.00 hrs.
Today our destination was Alubari camp.
We started our trek at 08.30 hrs. After crossing a small river and a short trek we
reached Jari booti watch tower at 09.15 hrs. This place was amazing we were
complaining our Guide Guddu why he did not took us here yesterday so that we
could stayed here in night.
Watch tower condition was not good it was broken. Somehow we could make to top
floor of watch tower. View from watch tower is breath taking! After spending
few minutes and having some snacks we moved ahead.
We were moving thru deep jungle of Bamboo our guide kept on collecting soft
pieces of Bamboo shoots. He said he is going to make dinner with this!
During today trek we also got fruit of small strawberries!
After a trek of about 3 hours we reached AluBari watch tower at 12.10 pm. We
halted here for 1 hour had our snack. Another 1 hour trek took us to our today
destination Alubari camp.
Reached Alubari camp(2348mtr) at 13.23 hrs
Alubari also have two sets of wooden cottage by Forest department.
After settling down our guide and porter along with team quarter master prepared dinner for us. We had special menu of Bamboo shoots Sabji. It was so tasty...! We thanked our guide for this amazing food.
Alubari also have two sets of wooden cottage by Forest department.
After settling down our guide and porter along with team quarter master prepared dinner for us. We had special menu of Bamboo shoots Sabji. It was so tasty...! We thanked our guide for this amazing food.
Date 30th May 2015
Left Alubari for Rachela (10586ft)
Today trek was bit difficult we supposed to travel about 20KM upward! Total
trek was thru green Bamboo jungle.
We reached Rachela at 12.50hrs. This place is highest in our
trekking.
Rachela has small shelter again constructed by Forest department but it was
damaged due to ill maintainence and also damaged by some stupid so called
traveller or trekkers!
Lunch at 3.00pm
After having our lunch of rice and boiled eggs we went to see Rachela top.
Due to tiresome trekking Priyanka Chaki and Attaur got sick and as Rachela
altitude is also more than 10k feet they were showing symptom of high altitude
sickness.
After getting warm massage from Nabi Priyanka feeling some relief from
sickness. Some member feeling jealous of Priyanka fortune for getting free
tickling massage from Nabi.
Evening snacks 7.00 pm
Dinner at 930 pm
Light off 11.00pm
Date 31st May 2015.
Today's trekking is quite easy compare to yesterday as trek
gradient is continuous down but we have to travel almost double distance.
Our destination
was to reach Todey and Tangta village. Todey and Tangata Village is situated in
close proximity of the Bindu village. The village is inhabited by Taming
community, which is famous for its cardamom and orange plantations.
And we have to cross leech infested zone also. Our guide already instructed us
to bring "Khaini (Tobacco) and Chuna " with us to fight these creepy
blood sucking creature! They made a lotion with khaini and Chuna and asked
us to apply on our shoe and exposed skin.
We Left Rachela at 0900 hrs.
After traveling about 5 or 6 K.M. I damaged my both knee! And feeling pain while
trekking. After painful trekking of about 3 and half hour I reached Ruka camp
along with other team members.
We had our packed food (Biscuit and Sattu) as lunch. As I was not able to trek
with the team Nabi, Dhrubo and Attaur decided to trek with me.
Our next destination was Tangta village.
After 15 minutes of first batch of trekkers we started our
journey. We were following the trail of advance team. After going about 2KM we
thought we lost our way as there is no trail and path was blocked by wooden
log. We started shouting names of our advance team members but did not get any
response! My concern was, if we go wrong way then....I could not afford this with
my injured knee. After few minutes we could see one of our Porter coming! Some
how he was able to heard our shout! He asked us to follow him. We requested him
to go slow.
This area is highly infested with leeches ! Now we understand why our guide
made those mysterious lotion..
We reached Tangta village at 6.00pm and took a night shelter in a villager
house. As due to my knee problem and long trekking we were not in condition to
go further to Todey village.
After settling in our room we had musical evening lead by me with our host.
Had our dinner
Dinner at 1100 pm
Date 1st June 2015
Started trek for Todey 9.00
Started trek for Todey 9.00
Today weather was very clear and pleasant we divided our members in 2
team one consist of injured leader, Nabi,Dhrubo and Attaur and rest in other
team. We choose to go flat road way! Other team choose shortcut..
Reached Dawaikhola 1020 am . this place has a river which known as Dawaikhola
means medicine river! This river believed to has some medicinal property which
cure so many diseases!
We took Short break at Dawaikhola for Tea and snacks.
After a trekking of another 40 minutes we reached Todey village
at 11.45.
Managed a local village house for our night stay.
Date 2nd June 2015
Had our breakfast of Steamed Momo at bus stand and boarded Our hired jeep for
New Mall junction.
Team members
Team leader: Rajesh Shaw
Treasurer: AnupamMullick
Team Manager: M.Nabi Tarafdar
Quarter master: Surya Makhal
Members
Prosenjit(Campbell)
Paresh Parmanick
Priyanka Chaki
Piyali Dutta
Shagufa
Attaur Bagani
Dhrubo Dalui
Deepika Nath
Asha Das
Ganesh (Meso) Da
