After marveling at the breathtaking architecture of the Dilwara temples, I returned to the city center of Mount Abu. It was around 5:30 PM, the perfect time to visit Nakki Lake. This small lake is a popular tourist attraction in Mount Abu, but it felt like just another crowded spot. As someone who dislikes crowds, I walked in the opposite direction to avoid the chaos. I found a quiet bench on the other side of the lake and started browsing through the pictures on my camera. Overall, the lake didn’t impress me much. I searched online for other nearby spots and discovered a sunset point just a five-minute ride away.
This spot was nestled inside the forest, requiring a half-kilometer walk to reach. With only fifteen minutes left before sunset, I hurried to the location. It was a small hillock with stepped galleries, all packed with people! It felt like being at a railway station in Mumbai. A group of college students was playing Antakshari, adding to my disappointment and annoyance. I managed to find a rock away from the crowd. The sun appeared dark orange, and the hazy horizon swallowed it up in minutes. The so-called sunset was over in a flash, and I barely managed to click a few photos. The crowd continued snapping pictures of the mediocre valley. I quickly headed back to the parking area to avoid the returning crowd. After visiting the picturesque Gurushikhar and the magnificent Dilwara temples, Nakki Lake and Sunset Point felt quite mundane. Traveling offers a myriad of experiences, some beautiful and some not so much.
The next day, I decided to trek around the hills of Mount Abu. I had already booked a guided trek with a local company. Typically, these treks are for groups of 10-15 people, but I was the only one who had made a reservation that day. I met my guide, Jay Singh, at the designated place, and we started our journey into the wilderness. The weather was perfect for a short hike in the hills. Jay shared his past encounters with wildlife in the region, which made me excited about spotting some animals. Soon, we reached our first rest stop, a beautiful spot overlooking the valley. The pleasant breeze and the chirping of birds were soothing. We sat there and took some pictures. From here, the trail became steep and led deep into the forest.
After about half an hour of climbing, we reached a cave that looked like a bear’s den. Jay narrated how he had encountered a bear in this area a month ago. What if there was one today? My heart started racing. Jay finished his story and began walking into the cave. What?! Yes, that’s how the trail was. I was apprehensive about stepping inside, but Jay assured me it was completely safe and that he walked this trail almost every day. Hesitantly, I followed—crawled—behind him. With some acrobatic movements, I managed to come out on the other side. What a thrilling experience it was!
We had reached a small plateau, and from here, the city looked gorgeous. Nakki Lake, which seemed quite mundane from its shore, appeared surprisingly adorable from this distance. We sat there for a while, munched on some snacks, and then moved on. The trail became steep again, leading up a small rocky hillock. As I climbed, catching my breath, I was awestruck by the view. This was the highest spot on the trail, offering a stunning panorama that included the plains of Gujarat. We sat on the cliff, enjoying the view. While conversing with Jay, I learned that these hills have many unexplored trails offering beautiful scenery. I almost decided to explore these trails on my next visit to Mount Abu.
From here, the trail descended the hill. We crawled through a couple more caves and eventually reached the spot where we had started. It was a wonderful hike. Jay asked if I was interested in visiting their campsite, which offered adventure activities like rock climbing and rappelling, along with a traditional local lunch. Although I had little time, I agreed to go with him for lunch. The campsite was in a quiet place behind Dilwara village, surrounded by fields and forests. I almost fell in love with the place. The food was delicious, as expected. I thanked Jay for his company and the delicious meal, then returned to the homestay.
It was time to say goodbye to Mount Abu. While I was a bit disappointed with the popular tourist spots in the city, today’s hike showed me the beautiful wilderness around it. I was happy that I decided to go on this hike. I checked out of the homestay and started my journey to the next destination – Jawai Bandh.
To be continued…