Do you decide to head to Shimla to cool off every time the mercury shoots up North? Or drive down to Jim Corbett for a trek in the Jungle? We all long to get away to the peace & quiet of a forest to escape the noise of urban places. Very few of us know that Gurgaon, the Millenium City, has the honour of being surrounded by the world’s oldest fold-mountain range; the Aravallis.
Spanning across the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi, the Aravalli forests are a trekker’s delight. Many of the Malibuites have formed trekking & birding groups and go exploring these beautiful forest hills. Leopard Trail, Bharadwaj Lake, Mangar Bani, Pandala Hills, Bhondsi, Ghata, Ghamroj are a perennial favourite with these groups. In fact, Bhondsi & Mangar are two of the most biodiversity-rich spots of Gurgaon Aravallis. It is fairly easy to spot Neelgais strutting around but other hard-to-find exotic creatures such as Jackals, Civet Cats, Rock Eagle Owls & Golden Orioles are also seen in these forests, apart from a host of many other beauties.
Armed with hats and binoculars, and of course, some delicious dry snacks, these groups leave the colony premises before the crack of dawn, typically on weekends. One of their favourite activities is to watch the Sunrise, from atop the Aravalli Hills, hence, everyone is expected to be on time. A long trek is followed by a chai snacks and gup-shup break either on a hilltop or by a lakeside. Sometimes, breakfast is also had at those little cafes around the hills. They do serve some mouth-watering fare that is easy on the stomach & pockets too.
Having made a refreshing start to their morning and the upcoming week, these trekkers and birders head back home. With loads of laughter and smiles.
