Kasauni

Mountain Dew

The crisp mountain air at Kasauni hits you the moment you touch base and the rains only leave you thirsting for something more

Anidra Hom Chaudhuri

IT WAS a hot sweltering Delhi afternoon when we heard the call of the wild. Our bags packed, our cameras charged, all plans in place, we decided to leave the heat and dust of the city behind us as we headed to the hills.
For the last fortnight, we were racking our brains to plan the perfect summer getaway. After going through voluminous travelogues and numerous websites, we had narrowed our search down to Gushaini and Binsar. While the former was a 15-hour drive, we failed to secure reservations at the second destination . On the brink of cancelling the trip, a friend mentioned Kausani. Ready hotel bookings put our apprehensions to rest and we set off, one Thursday for our rendezvous with pine forests and idyllic Kumaon hills.
And Kausani (at an altitude of 1890 mt) didnt disappoint. The crisp mountain air hit us the moment we touched base. From then on, as the barometer dipped, our hearts soared. Negotiating the steep curves, we reached our camp perched on one side of a ridge. Rows of potted plants greeted us and showed the way to brightly coloured cottages. After sorting out the luggage , we were given a tour of the camp, complete with open dining spaces, badminton courts and eco huts. We were specially enthused about the spectacular view of the valley.
The sun was bright but clouds hovered in patches overhead and the noisy wind rushed around the valley. As we finished lunch, the heavens opened up sending us packing to our rooms. The temperature dropped as we sat around chatting and making plans.
A sudden shout interrupted our gossip and we rushed to the doorway. Stretched out in front was the massive snow-capped Trishul range, blinking in the twilight. We stared, mesmerised , as the veil of clouds lifted and the peaks revealed themselves.
But the rain gods had other plans and soon the window closed, to be replaced with swirling clouds and mist. It was now almost evening. We decided to brave the drizzle and went out for an evening walk. A red carpet treatment was in store for us as we made our way downhill. The rainwashed tarmac was glistening in the fading evening light while red ferns and moss set the sides of the path ablaze. The light was now fading fast and the pines and oaks called out to us in the soft silence.
At the base of the of the hill was a small township. People huddled around in groups at tea stalls, sipping their evening cuppa. After tasting some local sweetmeats and stocking the larder with a fresh supply of fruits, we started our ascent.
The evening passed quickly as we lazed around. It was still early when we decided to call it a day, mindful of the falling temperature. The following morning greeted us bright and sunny. After a quick breakfast, we went for a trek along a river bed to Rudridhari, a waterfall. The route took us through a ravine dotted with huge boulders and lined with dense woods on either side. Parched and thirsty, we couldnt resist splashing around in the water.
On our way back, we befriended a local kid who showed us some Kumaoni dance moves. A few minutes there and we set off for our next stop, a tea garden. By the time we reached our camp, we were famished and in the mood for a heavy lunch. As the evening unfolded, we played badminton and chess, with steaming cups of coffee providing the necessary booster. A sudden cloudburst, accompanied by strong winds tried to interrupt our activities but we remained unmoved. When we finally retired to our rooms, we were tired but at peace with ourselves.
It was 5am when someone knocked. Outside , the pre-dawn air was charged with excitement as we waited for sunrise. All of a sudden, a reddish glow appeared and the peaks stood silhouetted against the radiance. By now the sky looked like a volcano about to explode. Slowly, as we watched in awe, a beaming sun emerged on the horizon. A brand new day awaited us.

NAVI GATO R



BY AIR:

Nearest airport is Pantnagar, 150 km from Kausani

BY TRAIN:

Kathgodam is nearest railway station, 145 km away

BY ROAD:

405 km from Delhi via Haldwani, Kathgodam & Bhowali

PACKAGES:

Blossom Hotel and Resort 3D/2N: Wooden cottage (2 beds) - Rs 4,999