Next morning we decided to leave early, latest by 7 am, because we had to make our drive upto Dharol, via Hadsar and Bharmour and then trek upto Kugti village. Soon we were caught out in a landslide section, where a truck was stuck in the mud slush. Soon it cleared, and we safely negotiated out way out of it. Then came a turn, where a bulldozer seemed resting after a tiring days work, it was actually toppled on its side due to a heavy load it was trying to clear.
A tragedy struck soon after, we were driving next to a river, behind a tractor. It stopped for no reason all of a sudden, and started to reverse. Since it had stopped suddenly, I braked quite close to it and its back scratched the front chassis of Hridays car. By the time we got off he zoomed away. That being their local area, we decided to not get into any arguments and moved on with a grumpy face. By midday, we reached the dirt track which leads to Dharol, the last point upto which one can drive. I hear they are making a road upto Kugti village. Mind you this quaint sober place is full of pilgrims, while the Manimahesh Yatra is in season, so check when you plan to visit this place.
As soon as we drove a while on the dirt track, I sighted a Yellow Throated Himalayan Marten at a distance. Short stop, took some pictures, running after a bunch of it, took some waterfall shots at a distance, and continued our drive towards Dharol. On reaching there, unpacked all the un-required things from the car and changed to our walking gear. Clouds had grown dark and drizzle was about to begin. We had nice onion Maggie, and started our gentle walk to Kugti.
By 2pm we started or trek to Kugti. It was drizzling a bit, all the way. The ~6km was is very gentle climb to Kugti village and not tiring at all. It was around 3.30 we reached the Kugti village school and soon after we were standing right outside the Forest Rest House (FRH) of Kugti village. We were gambling on it being free, so we can manage to stay there. Else there are lots of homestay options available in Kugti. But during peak season one certainly needs to pre-book the FRH in advance from Bharmour. Hriday stayed back and I ventured in to Kugti village to get hold of caretaker of the FRH. Once I got hold of him, after initial reluctance he decided to let us stay at minimal price, while also offering us dinner and breakfast.
After some photoshooting around, it soon got dark. We rested, soon the caretaker bought us simple dinner and we were off to sleep.
a pair running away
the dirt track from Hadsar to Dharol
Had some maggie and headed for trek
the trek route & river Budhil carving the valley
the forest rest house at Kugti
and the views from the FRH
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