Patal Ghar ...A Hobbit village
Patal Ghar ...A Hobbit village
Searching for a weekend getaway without the need for a travel agent, a rigid schedule, and someone holding a staff just three paces ahead of you? Not to worry. The hills in Purulia abound with trails that you can walk without the need for a guide at all. So, at PatalGhar, we recommend packing some water, informing someone of your whereabouts, and you are practically good to go. This is the sort of tour that will make curiosity rather than planning pay off.
When most people talk about trekking in Bengal, the only names that come to mind are either Darjeeling or Sikkim. But then there is this unheralded Purulia which offers its own unique experience of undulating hills of red soil, sal forests and quaint villages moving at their own pace.
This has now become one of the places that are most preferred for a weekend tour from Kolkata for those who seek some peace away from the cacophony of the city.
Here’s where you should begin if you’re just starting on self-guided hikes. The Ayodhya Hills has clearly marked trails, small tea shops on the route, and friendly locals ready to direct you wherever you need to go.
The hike is not very steep. This means you can take the time to appreciate your surroundings without having to breathe every ten seconds. A regular hike takes between four and five hours.
The truth is that everyone has heard of Ayodhya by now. This is the problem. It is difficult to get some privacy in Ayodhya on weekends while on a hike. And the purpose of a weekend hike is to have privacy.
This is when things get frustrating. You have planned for a serene holiday and end up photographing in a queue. The solution? Matha Hills.
It is secluded, non-commercialized, and retains its natural beauty of being wild. The paths here are narrow, and you should know your way. You don’t run away from trekking but from crowds.
Here’s a short tale. One of our friends was traveling to a weekend destination with the intention of enjoying the usual touristy hill climb. However, they were told about a place called Gorgaburu from one of the people in a local store—rarely talked about online. But once you reach there, it takes your breath away.
This is Gorgaburu in a nutshell. Before the discovery of this hiking path, people were only aware of the popular trails. Once they discovered it, all they talked about was how spectacular the view from above is. The link connecting both of them? Just ask the locals and see for yourselves.
Consciousness is more important than equipment. The hills of Purulia are laterite hills – red in color, with loose soil which turns slippery on water contact. Understanding of this simple point will change everything about your packing and preparation.
Just before setting foot outside,
When you realize that the terrain is manageable, the hard part about actually venturing out comes much easier. So, pack smartly and head out.
This is how it went. A marketing professional from Kolkata, needed a holiday but was not fond of the standard guided package holiday where everything had to be planned. What she wanted was an open-ended weekend trip in Purulia without any guide charges.
But here was her problem – every travel website offered only guided pretty costly holidays. There was no mention of going alone.
She discovered the marked routes in Ayodhya, took a small backpack and travelled down there with her two friends. The change was instant. No pre-scheduled plans, no rush to click photographs at particular spots, but her own pace and numerous tea sessions with random people.
There are still some people who remain unaware of the existence of trekking in Purulia. Some have heard about it and consider themselves not part of the crowd. Some are considering trekking, thinking about the dates, the shoes, the weather conditions.
Finally, some are frustrated – fed up with spending the weekend in the city with nothing much to offer every single time. If you happen to belong to this category, then you know that there are weekend treks just for you. It does not matter what your designation is or how hectic your week has been.
Your motive should be this: a really peaceful Purulia weekend getaway is one Google search and a drive away from you. Just pack your bags this Friday. No guides needed. Go with the marked trails. You’ll thank yourself on Monday morning.
For popular trails such as Ayodhya Hills, no. Trails are well marked, and there will be locals to assist if you are doubtful. However, for less frequented hills such as Matha or Gorgaburu, it is better to ask for directions from some villagers before commencing.
It is better to opt for the season between October and February. The weather is pleasant and dry during this period; also, waterfalls get decent water flow from the monsoon runoff.
Yes, mostly. Just make sure to trek only during daytime and let someone know about your trail plan; also don’t trek alone at night as the trail might not have sufficient footfall.
Yes, considerably. The cost of a self-guided trip comes down because you only spend money on traveling, lodging, and food. Guided trip packages cost an additional few hundred to a few thousand rupees per day more than self-guided trip packages.
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