The Annual College Tour was held during the mid-term break from 7th to 19th November 2019. The tour covered Delhi-Mussorie-Naintal –Corbett Park-Auli-Rishikesh. The tour party of 54 persons included students, teachers andescorts.
7th November 2019- students assembled at the Margao railway station at 7.30 am to board the Nizamuddin Express.
8th November – the contingent arrived in Delhi at 2.30 pm, checked into the hotel, freshened up and went window shopping in Delhi. Later they left for Mussoorie.
9th November –the team arrived in Mussorie. In Mussorie students enjoyed the scenic beauty of snow-cappedmountains and the Shivalik ranges. The climate in this beautiful hill station situated at the foothills of the Himalayas, was very pleasant. Students visited and enjoyed the graceful Kempty waterfalls. Also it was very satisfying to see this clean environment friendly place.Later students went on a street shopping spree.
10th November – the team arrived in Rishikesh, which is a pilgrimage city. The students saw many ashrams, temples and pious devotees. This place which is famous worldwidefor yoga, was crowded with Indian and foreign tourists, sages and pilgrims. It was a feast for their eyes to see the clean, serene Ganga, which emerges from the mountains at Rishikesh and flows throughout this legendary land. Rishikesh is also known as Rafting Capital of India.Adventure lover students enjoyed rafting in the river Ganga. They also walked on Ram and LaksmanJhoola, saw ParmarthNiketan and Swarg Ashram.
Another experience to behold in this place is the famous Ganga Aarti which takes place every evening at ParmarthNiketan Ashram. Everyone from the other ashrams and of all faiths and religions congregates here at 5pm for the devotional song (chanting Hare Krishna) and prayer. The night was spent at camps nestled in the jungle area.
11th November –the day was spent travelling to Auli, Pipalkoti from Rishikesh. Auli is situated at an altitude of 2915 mts above sea-level. This place is blessed with a breathtaking panoramic view of the lofty peaks of the greatest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas and huge mountainous trees creating a fabulous scenery all along.
12th November- Auli, Pipalkoti – the contingent stayed at Auli and took pleasure in the cool climate which this place experiences all through the seasons. Auli also boasts Asia’s longest 4 km Cable Car / Ropeway (Gondola). Students visited the snow point by this ropeway and the students enjoyed playing in the snow. Most studentsfeltthat the place was the closest thing to Heaven on Earth.The ropeway operator toldstudentsall about Auli which is surrounded by the mighty peaks of Himalayas, have names of goddesses or a mythological connection. In the evening some students visited temples and went shopping in the local market.
13th November – the day was spent travelling from Auli to Nainital. When we reached Nainital we were welcomed by a vast expanse of a brilliantly blue lake. We had an overnight stay at a resort.
14thNovember –Nainital which is located in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas is a charming hill station, brimming with elegant colonial structures. From the top of the higher peaks in Nainital, magnificent views of the vast plain were visible which also covered the Mango Lake.Students hadfun-filled boating at Naini Lake, visited different scenic points, temples and shopped on the Mall Road. Distant famous viewpoints where eminent movies were shot were visible via telescope.
15th November Jim Corbett National Park – the oldest National Park in India, established to protect the endangered Bengal tiger, is located in Nainital district and PauriGarhwal district of Uttarakhand. The students stayed at a resort which was self-contained with different amusement facilities and outdoor games.
On 16th November students went around the national park in groups of 7 in 4×4 jeepsand saw deer, peacocks, a porcupine and snakes.
17th November –Delhi. In Delhi students were taken on a Delhi Darshan trip which included sightseeing; they saw India Gate, QutubMinar and the Lotus temple followed by shopping in Pallika bazar, ChandniChowk, Connaught Place, SarojiniGali, KarolBaugetc.
The Contingent left from Delhi on 18thand reachedMadgaon on 19th November at 9pm.
