Trekking Expedition to GURUDONGMAR LAKE & YUMTHANG VALLEY (SIKKIM)
Mayo College, Junior School, Ajmer
Total 53 Boys
Height : 5210 mts
Staff : Mr Paresh Mahawar, Mr Praveen Sharma, Mr. Ankur Bhatt & Mr Amit Verma
Watch photos and videos at :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSSE6qBBWMg
Paradise on Earth - Sikkim
1st May to 11th May 2010
The boys of Mayo College went for a trekking expedition to Sikkim, India. Adventure is Mayo’s tradition for the past 135 years and expeditions have been taking place since ages. This year, under the organization of our Headmaster Mr. Pramod Chaturvedi, an expedition to Gangtok was organized.
On 1st May 2010 the boys travelled overnight in the buses along with their teachers-Mr.Paresh Mahawar, Mr.Ankur Bhatt, Mr.Praveen Sharma and Mr.Amit Verma. The Boys stopped at Kanchan Kesari, an open-air restaurant at Jaipur for dinner as they were famished, but this did not deter them from running and playing around. They saw swans and enjoyed the scenic beauty. Once refreshed, they boarded their buses and were off to Delhi. They reached Delhi on 2nd May to board the Mahananda Express and were soon chugging their way to New Jalpaiguri, spending their time chatting, playing and sleeping in the train. Quite a ruckus they created, but all were in their best of spirits..!
On 3rd May 2010 the journey continued… They were in the train till 10:00pm and reached Silliguri around 10:30 p.m. What a long journey! On reaching the hotel, they took a refreshing bath and reached Hotel Manila for Dinner, which was hosted by Mrs. & Mr.Roy, parent of Soumyadeep Roy for which the Trekkers were indeed grateful. Well Fed but tired, the boys reached their Island of rest and Peace – their hotel where they slept soundly on their comfortable beds.
On 4th May the boys got up at 6:45 a.m. and relished a hot Breakfast. Checking out of the hotel, they reached the River Teesta for rafting. It was here, the boys witnessed real nature as they enjoyed the fast swirling water, rushing over stones. They loved the natural beauty around and did not wish to get back into the vehicles. For almost an hour the boys played in the pure, chilled and natural water, jumping in and out off the rafts.
As, I wrote ADVENTURE is Mayo’s tradition and the boys thrilled themselves by their adventure. Rafting made them hungry so off they went for lunch and on to Hotel Rendezvous, Gangtok. Once there, it was just time for dinner and settling in. The day had been thrilling but exhausting, and the hot dinner helped the boys doze in deep slumber.
A visit to the Yumthang Monastery was slated on the 5th of May and thereafter the Mayoites went on a shopping rampage to the Mall Road of Gangtok, where they indulged in buying gorgeous handicrafts for their beloved parents. It was the sole way to reflect their love & care towards them.
The wake up call on 6th was early- 5:30 a.m. It was Lachen-an eight-hour journey, which was beckoning. The road was narrow, uneven, meandering and constantly climbing up hill. Night had already fallen and the boys were exhausted.
The piping hot tea, biscuits and the sumptuous dinner revived their energy. The large party of 53 Trekkers was put up in 2 hotels, which were surrounded by lofty mountain ranges. The scenery was breathtakingly awesome. What a change it was from the hot-arid deserts of Ajmer to the snow-clad ‘HIMALAYAS’! Absolutely amazing! It was cold and chilly, but our trip to ‘GURUDONGMAR LAKE’ on 7th warmed our hearts.
It was delightful to play in the snow. Some of us were however unable to cope up with the lack of oxygen at an altitude of 17,100 feet(5210 mt), had to be nebulized and evacuated back to the hotel. The strong and the brave were lucky to reach those great heights. It was here that we boys also enjoyed in the ‘Hot Springs’ ----- Natures marvel.
The Trekkers of Mayo were undaunted on 8th May and were ready to move at 5:00 a.m., donning their caps, with coffee and biscuits to warm them, they boarded their jeeps to the ‘TREK POINT’. They went across the ‘RHODODENDRON SANCTUARY’. Rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal and the mountains were lush with red, pink and purple blooms.
They visited the Yumthang Valley, and crossed the river. The 8km long trek through a thick and slippery forest, with narrow paths over loose stones did not deter the Mayoites. Their joyful shouts and screams of delight reverberated throughout the silent forest surrounded by high ranges as they tumbled over the stones and slippery path, criss–crossed with streams. The trek headed back to Gangtok reaching there at night.
The wake up call on 9th was leisurely at 8:00 am. It was Rumtek Monastery-our next halt. The monastery was lovely, peaceful and serene. The Monks clad in yellow and maroon moving in silence, chanting their prayers as they turned the prayer wheels, was a sight to behold. The evening was the time all of us were looking forward to-for it was the ‘Cultural Evening’. All groups had to present one or two items. Each one of us huddled in groups planning the show to be the best and to outdo others.
All the groups put up an enjoyable programme and the smiles and cheer on all faces were an ample proof of the success it was.
Our teachers now allowed a last walk on the ‘Mall Road’ before we bid goodbye to the ‘Paradise on Earth’.
On 10th May we were ‘Home Bound’ to Silliguri, to catch the train. It was a long journey and to add to our woes, the train was nearly 6½ hours late. Who was worried? Not us. Only our parents who were constantly bombarding our teachers with telephone calls by the dozens-“Where are you?” “How late?” “When & why”…were the constant queries.
Well, as for us boys – we were still energetic and enjoying every moment of togetherness. It would be only for a few hours more that we would all be together. Thereafter, we all would be with our families-and could be constantly mothered. It would be a welcome change; a most awaited homecoming but-one would miss their friends, Teachers, Housemothers and our companions for many months. Bonds are deep…… both at home and in Mayo – but more at Mayo for Once a Mayoite --------------- always a Mayoite.
Aryan Yashpal
Class – 5C
List of Boys
Total 53 Boys
Height : 5210 mts
Staff : Mr Paresh Mahawar, Mr Praveen Sharma, Mr. Ankur Bhatt & Mr Amit Verma
Watch photos and videos at :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSSE6qBBWMg
Paradise on Earth - Sikkim
1st May to 11th May 2010
The boys of Mayo College went for a trekking expedition to Sikkim, India. Adventure is Mayo’s tradition for the past 135 years and expeditions have been taking place since ages. This year, under the organization of our Headmaster Mr. Pramod Chaturvedi, an expedition to Gangtok was organized.
On 1st May 2010 the boys travelled overnight in the buses along with their teachers-Mr.Paresh Mahawar, Mr.Ankur Bhatt, Mr.Praveen Sharma and Mr.Amit Verma. The Boys stopped at Kanchan Kesari, an open-air restaurant at Jaipur for dinner as they were famished, but this did not deter them from running and playing around. They saw swans and enjoyed the scenic beauty. Once refreshed, they boarded their buses and were off to Delhi. They reached Delhi on 2nd May to board the Mahananda Express and were soon chugging their way to New Jalpaiguri, spending their time chatting, playing and sleeping in the train. Quite a ruckus they created, but all were in their best of spirits..!
On 3rd May 2010 the journey continued… They were in the train till 10:00pm and reached Silliguri around 10:30 p.m. What a long journey! On reaching the hotel, they took a refreshing bath and reached Hotel Manila for Dinner, which was hosted by Mrs. & Mr.Roy, parent of Soumyadeep Roy for which the Trekkers were indeed grateful. Well Fed but tired, the boys reached their Island of rest and Peace – their hotel where they slept soundly on their comfortable beds.
On 4th May the boys got up at 6:45 a.m. and relished a hot Breakfast. Checking out of the hotel, they reached the River Teesta for rafting. It was here, the boys witnessed real nature as they enjoyed the fast swirling water, rushing over stones. They loved the natural beauty around and did not wish to get back into the vehicles. For almost an hour the boys played in the pure, chilled and natural water, jumping in and out off the rafts.
As, I wrote ADVENTURE is Mayo’s tradition and the boys thrilled themselves by their adventure. Rafting made them hungry so off they went for lunch and on to Hotel Rendezvous, Gangtok. Once there, it was just time for dinner and settling in. The day had been thrilling but exhausting, and the hot dinner helped the boys doze in deep slumber.
A visit to the Yumthang Monastery was slated on the 5th of May and thereafter the Mayoites went on a shopping rampage to the Mall Road of Gangtok, where they indulged in buying gorgeous handicrafts for their beloved parents. It was the sole way to reflect their love & care towards them.
The wake up call on 6th was early- 5:30 a.m. It was Lachen-an eight-hour journey, which was beckoning. The road was narrow, uneven, meandering and constantly climbing up hill. Night had already fallen and the boys were exhausted.
The piping hot tea, biscuits and the sumptuous dinner revived their energy. The large party of 53 Trekkers was put up in 2 hotels, which were surrounded by lofty mountain ranges. The scenery was breathtakingly awesome. What a change it was from the hot-arid deserts of Ajmer to the snow-clad ‘HIMALAYAS’! Absolutely amazing! It was cold and chilly, but our trip to ‘GURUDONGMAR LAKE’ on 7th warmed our hearts.
It was delightful to play in the snow. Some of us were however unable to cope up with the lack of oxygen at an altitude of 17,100 feet(5210 mt), had to be nebulized and evacuated back to the hotel. The strong and the brave were lucky to reach those great heights. It was here that we boys also enjoyed in the ‘Hot Springs’ ----- Natures marvel.
The Trekkers of Mayo were undaunted on 8th May and were ready to move at 5:00 a.m., donning their caps, with coffee and biscuits to warm them, they boarded their jeeps to the ‘TREK POINT’. They went across the ‘RHODODENDRON SANCTUARY’. Rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal and the mountains were lush with red, pink and purple blooms.
They visited the Yumthang Valley, and crossed the river. The 8km long trek through a thick and slippery forest, with narrow paths over loose stones did not deter the Mayoites. Their joyful shouts and screams of delight reverberated throughout the silent forest surrounded by high ranges as they tumbled over the stones and slippery path, criss–crossed with streams. The trek headed back to Gangtok reaching there at night.
The wake up call on 9th was leisurely at 8:00 am. It was Rumtek Monastery-our next halt. The monastery was lovely, peaceful and serene. The Monks clad in yellow and maroon moving in silence, chanting their prayers as they turned the prayer wheels, was a sight to behold. The evening was the time all of us were looking forward to-for it was the ‘Cultural Evening’. All groups had to present one or two items. Each one of us huddled in groups planning the show to be the best and to outdo others.
All the groups put up an enjoyable programme and the smiles and cheer on all faces were an ample proof of the success it was.
Our teachers now allowed a last walk on the ‘Mall Road’ before we bid goodbye to the ‘Paradise on Earth’.
On 10th May we were ‘Home Bound’ to Silliguri, to catch the train. It was a long journey and to add to our woes, the train was nearly 6½ hours late. Who was worried? Not us. Only our parents who were constantly bombarding our teachers with telephone calls by the dozens-“Where are you?” “How late?” “When & why”…were the constant queries.
Well, as for us boys – we were still energetic and enjoying every moment of togetherness. It would be only for a few hours more that we would all be together. Thereafter, we all would be with our families-and could be constantly mothered. It would be a welcome change; a most awaited homecoming but-one would miss their friends, Teachers, Housemothers and our companions for many months. Bonds are deep…… both at home and in Mayo – but more at Mayo for Once a Mayoite --------------- always a Mayoite.
Aryan Yashpal
Class – 5C
List of Boys
- AASHRAY NAGRATH
- PRATIK MATHUR
- VAIBHAV AGRAWAL
- AAGMAAN DEWAN
- SPARSH AGARWAL
- RITWIK RATHORE
- AADITYA KARNAVAT
- SHASHANK GADIA
- PRANAV MITRA
- KABIR BEDI
- UDIT CHANDRA PAL
- PRAKHYAT GARGASYA
- HAMIR SINGH
- PRABHSHAN SINGH GANDHI
- RITIK SINGH
- NAMAN DHINGRA
- ARSHAD KHAN
- ADHIRAJ VISHWAM CHANDRA
- CHINMAYA KEDIA
- TEJASWIN PANDIT
- SOUMYADEEP ROY
- JAIKRIT SINGH KHICHI
- JAEDAN CAREY B SANGMA
- VIJAYANT SINGH SANDHU
- VEDANT TAJTA
- SOGYAL THUNDUP SHERPA
- MUDIT BHADADA
- VEDANT MITTAL
- VISHAL GUPTA
- SHIVAM ARORA
- SHREY GUPTA
- DUSHYANT SINGH
- PRANJAL ABANI
- PRADYUMN AGARWAL
- FOZAN IQBAL
- RAJAT GUPTA
- MRINAL
- YASH JAIN
- GURFATEH SINGH KHOSA
- YASH CHATTERJI
- SHORYA NAYYAR
- SHANTANU CHOUDHARY
- ANMOL TREHAN
- BHAGYAVEER SINGH RATHORE
- UTSAV BASUMATARY
- ARYAN YASHPAL
- KUNAAL ARORA
- ANSHBIR SINGH NOTA
- PRANSHU BHARADWAJ
- PARTH SINGHANIA
- YASH PRATAP SINGH SHAKTAWAT
- DAKSH AGGARWAL
- VINAYAK MAHAWAR