After 4 days on the plains, we finally headed up into the hills. We left Chilla & Rajaji and made our way to the city of Dehra Dun, state capital of Uttarakhand, where we visited the Forest Resources Institute. This research center, which influences forestry practices all over the country and dates from the British colonial era, sits on a sprawling campus with some pretty stunning architecture. We spent a couple hours here touring the 6 museum halls that the FRI maintains, which offered a fascinating look at the several facets if forestry in India.
After a satisfying thali lunch, we made our way up the mountain. We were warned to keep our hands in the van, and we realized why, as opposing traffic was often only a fingertip away!
Once we got up in the mountains, we forgot all about the crazy traffic because this is what we saw…
We had finally arrived at the Hanifl Centre (elevation 7300′), excited to be here as a home base for the next few days, and also huffing and puffing a bit from the sudden elevation change (approximately 6000′ in an hour car ride!).
