Indian Himalayas – Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

Uttarakhand, India

In the tiny humble and old fashioned lounge of the tiny Pantnagar airport, a little flat screen TV welcomes you with breaking news of a captured Leopard.
1 hour flight from New Delhi, that’s still about 3 hours’ car ride to go until we reach Almora and it’s quite hard to imagine any wildlife from where we are.
The road trip slowly introduces you to the nature of the Kumaon region. And suddenly, it’s all Mountains.

A poet’s paradise

More than 2000 meters above sea level, it feels dizzy.
The rewarding view sweeps the fatigue and discomfort of the journey away. Because here, gazing at the summer shades of jade green and pastel blue you feel lucky. Very lucky to be at the foothills of the Indian Himalayas. Before you, and only to name a few, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, DH Lawrence and Swami Vivekananda have found this awe inspiring place on earth, close to paradise, called Kasar Devi, nicknamed Hippy Hill or Crank’s Ridge.
A place under the influence of the Van Allen Belt, which according to research by NASA is a powerful electromagnetic field of positive energy. Another place that has it is Machu Pichu in Peru…

Wildlife

Fancy some adrenaline? In Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, at dusk, you’ll have a chance to make an encounter with leopards.
But fret not, they often come out at night and during the day it’s more about… bird watching.
And foraging flowers to make pretty pretty bouquets.

Nature’s blessings

The village walk from Salla to Pethsal will take you to a remote way of life and pastoral lifestyle. Best part of the hike is when you get to picnic surrounded by stunning views.

Spirituality is everywhere. The Naini Kali Mata temple brings you back to the legends of the Ramayana and the story of Rama & Sita.