Trekking in Nainital – ( Part 1 ) Land’s End

           

To trek or not to trek, that is the question! And the answer to that simply lies in the pictures below. Just take a look at both of them and decide which one appeals to you more. Would you be taking a safe and comfortable (although I earnestly question the comfort involved in riding a pony along a cobbled road uphill. Your bum can answer best!) ride on a beast of honor, or rather scramble through bushes, navigate through cliffs, struggle through slopes, climb boulders and reach your view point? (Now, I’ve dramatized the trekking part a wee bit!)

May I help you (reach the top)?!

No Thanks! I'll manage.

 

If you still decide to take the ride, then do skip the following pages on trekking. They won’t interest you much, but you would be missing out on a lot of things. And if you happen to carry a camera along, you might as well miss some truly memorable shots (along the way), let alone the pure thrill of the trek and the pride on reaching the top (applicable for Naina Peak!)

Assuming that you are still reading on, let’s head out for our first destination – Land’s End. Land’s end is about 5 Kms from the heart of Nainital town, situated at an altitude of 2118 metres above the sea level. This place offers a charming view of the Khurpa Tal Lake and the surrounding hills all converging into the horizon.

The horses will take you there from a road below, but we shall take a road (more of a secret passage way of sorts!) less travelled. Let’s get ready to rock and roll.  

 

Step 1 : Figure out the way to Aurobindo Ashram (Never mind the all american typo on the signboard!)

Step 2: Good, you've arrived at the first check point.

 

             Now that you are standing at the doorstep of the Aurobindo Ashram, may be you would like to take a look inside, meet Nalin Ji, and check out the beautiful flowers in the garden. May be some other time, it’s getting late. Get moving! Take the small passageway along the right of the Ashram signboard.

 

Step 3 : Keep going and watch out for this poodle shaped cliff ( Ain’t it cute!). I'm told by Rohan, that this place is also called the lover's point. Understandby so, owing to its privacy and cozyness!!

 

 

This is the view that you will get from this place. (Now you know what you would be missing if you took the pleasure ride!)

 

Another view from a few steps ahead.

 

Step 4 : Keep taking those curves until you reach a point when the narrow road seemingly ends..the descent begins now!

 

Step 5 : Do not get too overwelhmed by the mountains ahead of you! Cautiously keep making the steep descent.

 

Step 6 : When you reach the road below, you should find these railings along the way. This the path that the horses take. From here on, it's a cakewalk. Just follow the horse poo!

 

         Now, you can catch your breath if you’re a bit tired. The road ahead is a pretty simple one. It takes about 15 minutes from here to reach Land’s End. So budge along, because a majestic sight awaits you there.

 

Step 7 : Mission Accomplished! That's Land's End for you.

 

Land's End - The bigger picture.

 

Get on top of a good vantage point and start shooting.