UNFORGETTABLE TRIP TO YEOOR HILLS, THANE- PART 2 TREKKING

Photo Travelogue :
Read first part - Here!


There are two main ways to visit and enjoy Yeoor Hiils ( there are several other smaller trails for the local villagers which they are accustomed to ). As I described in my last post - my mesmerising scooty-ride through the Yeoor, I decided to explore the trekking route as well on the same day. Once I came downhill and exited the Yeoor from the motorable road ( which starts near Upvan Lake ), I rode to the trekking side ( with the hills in view on left the entire time ) which is located on the other side ( 5-6 kms away ) near 'Tikuji ni Wadi'. I asked around and it was not difficult to locate. Once there, I parked my scooty and headed straight for the entrance gate. There was another group of three. There's a ticket counter and to my amusement, the ticket seller was reluctant to sell the ticket. He was surprised that I wanted to trek, and, said there;s nothing but jungles up there. But hello, I had gone there just to visit the jungle, right? lol. Anyways, I bought my ticket which was quite pricy and valid only for that day. Without wasting time, I headed straight to the trek uphill. Its not gravelled, so, if one is not careful one can easily slip and fall. Since, I went in dry weather, it was manageable, but will not recommend to anyone during monsoons.
the entrance gate...

the ticket...70 bucks per head *gulps*

a walking trail on left goes to a village...

I take the right trail...

a natural pond...

couple of pagodas to rest on the way...

uphill climb...it takes half hour to reach top...



walk underneath branches...

preety steep climb...

viewing tower...

views from the tower

thane city

coming downhill...



a trail here, and, a trail there...

dense jungle everywhere


a last look at the trail I just walked... The entire trek was exhilarating for sure. The leopards didn't show up thankfully ( they frequent the area especially after dark ). It was tiring too, but the thrill of it made me forget the exhaustion. On top of the hill, there is a large plain area from where one can get amazing 360 degree views. Go there with plenty of time in hand and come before it gets dark. Carry pepper spray and stick.

Yeoor is a hilly area in Thane city of Maharashtra state in India. Situated in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, it is known for its panthers and wildlife and is popularly known as "Mumbai's National Park". Yeoor has 6 villages and couple of resorts. ( wiki )
Address : Yeoor Hills, SGNP, Thane ~( West ), Maharashtra
Read next part - Here! Stay tuned for all my road, rail, flight, cruise & walk trips.
( Images - ©Mine. All rights reserved. )
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TREKKING THE NARAKASUR HILL TOP VIA GMCH ROAD, GUWAHATI

Photo Travelogue :

Guwahati is surrounded by green hills on all sides ( within city limits ). And your life is incomplete if you haven't climb one of those. Some of these hills are Nilachal ( Kamakya ), Nijorapar, Kharguli ( Nabagraha ), Sarania hill ( Gandhi Mandap/Iskcon ) etc. These are not large mountain-type hills, but of average height ( 400-600 ft ), where in most ~ people reside as well. In some hills where inhabitants are few or none, wildlife exists and occasionally we get news of elephants trampling over some house or appearance of tiger and leopard in some locality. These ( wildlife ) hills are located mainly to the south of the city, nearer the Meghalaya border. One such is the Narakasur Hill. Its quite a big hill, in length and also height, and I trekked only 3 kms on the safer side of it i.e the road that goes to Guwahati Medical College Hospital ( GMCH ) via Bhangaharh. Here people reside, but most of the hill is filled with tall trees ( sal & teak, along with other varieties of foliage ). The area especially the entire stretch near the college is all green, with sunlight barely able to penetrate, making the place quite cool throughout the year. Very few vehicles ply too here, hence, it is quiet and smoke-emission free. With some observation decks, it also gives panoramic views of the city below. The place also has a spook quotient attached to it, as the whole trail look quite spooky and with numerous deaths occurring in the hospital above, there might be spirits lurking around too. I found the stretch that goes to the girl's nursing college and hostel particularly spooky. Even in broad day-light, the place looks dark and eerie ( thanks to the tall trees ) and it is far ~ in a remote corner of the hill. One has to pass the main college, take left and then go down a bit. The grounds of the G.M.C boys hostel are rumored to be haunted as well. This place used to be a dumping ground for dead bodies before the hostel was built. Not a place to go alone at night.



loved walking the entire stretch ~ from base to GMCH...



guwahati city view from top...


there is a short-cut trekking route which is quite steep with hair-pin curves...




since, the one way trek to GMCH is 3km, coming down same way makes it a 6kms trek...
( I didn't go the Kalapahar trail which is opposite the college, and far longer, till Birubari )


doordarshan TV tower perched atop the hill near the GMCH complex...

A hill, to the south of Guwahati is named after Narakasur, also known as Kalapahar ( wiki )

Address : Narakasur Hill, Gauhati Medical College Hill-Top Rd ( GMCH Rd ), Bhangagarh, Indrapur 781032, Guwahati, Assam, India
Read next part - Here!Stay tuned for all my road, rail, flight, cruise & walk trips.
( Images - ©Mine. All rights reserved. )
Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ◕◕◕◕◕ - It was Awesome!

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