PANGOT

Just 15 km from the noise and bustle of Nainital, in Kumaon in the state of Uttarakhand is a quaint little village that is now big on birding. At 6000 feet; it is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Low on traffic, the sunsets here are simply amazing and clear days give astounding views of the valley and the peaks. The main attraction of Pangot are the birds, there are over 150 species of different birds recorded in and around this area. These include different kinds of woodpeckers, Koklass pheasants, fly catchers, jays, forktails and white throated laughing thrushes. One does not have to be a birder to notice them, the numerous bird calls will make it hard for you to ignore them and you will soon be craning your neck to see who the sweet songs belong to.

The joy of being in a secluded corner of the Himalayas is to just sit and soak in the ambience, however If you can be cajoled out of your chair on a lazy afternoon, Pangot has some easy walks through the rich oak and rhododendron forest. You will be enthralled by the birds twittering and flitting through the air, as if to put up a show just for you. Spotting a Cheer pheasant can be an extra thrill, a bird found only at altitudes of 6000 feet and above, there are a substantial number of them and can be seen on the grassy slopes of adjoining Vinayak. One popular walk through the forest is from Pangot to Kilbury forest rest house. A long trail of 15 kms leads up to Naina peak at 8563 meters and affords picture perfect views of snow-clad peaks of Nanda Devi, Trishul, Nanda Ghunti to name a few. Besides the ones in Kumaon one can also see the adjacent peaks of Nepal Himalayas.

When here Trek to Hariyal and Vinayak or do a day excursion to Nainital or just pop into your car for a beautiful drive through this undisturbed forest. Great sites for birding are at Kilbury, Pangot and Mungoli valley. Whether you are a couple looking for hidden nooks or a family with kids, Pangot has a slice for everyone. The ochre and bronze hues of winter the crimsons of spring blossoms and the verdant greens of monsoon. The hill sides are forever changing colour. A crisp blue sky one that can only be witnessed in the hills is sure to beckon you. Travel to Pangot is possible all year around though in the monsoons from July to August the views of the peaks are obscured by cloud cover.  March to April is a special treat as the Rhododendron is in full bloom and entire hillsides are be rendered crimson by the colour of the blossoms.