After summiting Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh highest peak, we decided to climb the highest peak of Odisha. Deomali Hill with an altitude of 1673.81m is in Koraput district near Semiliguda town. Highest peak of Eastern Ghats in the state of Odisha.
Day 01 ... 03.11.24
0730hrs we left home with our small sacks. Train was scheduled at 0815hrs but it was 2 hours late. Around 1015hrs train moved from Kharagpur.
We reached Rourkela around 1630hrs, our connecting train for Koraput was at 1800hrs. My cousin from Rourkela came to meet us at Railway station and brought us lunch, which we had as dinner. As it was already 5 we went outside and had some golgappa chat. She accompanied us till the train moved. This train moved at right time. After getting settled we had early dinner and slept.
Day 2 : 04.11.24
Watch was ticking 0615hrs when we reached Damanjodi. In another 15 minutes we were supposed to reach Koraput. From Koraput to Semiliguda is 22km and Damanjodi to Semiliguda is 15km. So we decided to board off.
After getting fresh we hired an autorickshaw for Semiliguda. In 40 minutes we were in Semiliguda bus stand. We checked in a hotel near bus stand. Jisha and Navya took some rest and I went to have and bring breakfast.
Around 1230noon we hired an autorickshaw for Deomali. It's around 40km from Semiliguda. 1245hrs we started and in exact 1 hour 1345hrs we were at the gate of Deomali.
We took a left turn from Kundli (15km from Semliguda, directions are marked everywhere to deomali). After this, the next left is approx at 32km (from Semliguda). The entrance is roughly 6km from here. The Deomali's final peak is 3km from the entrance.
There is an entry Ticket for vehicles. It's a beautiful meadow with a tent stay camp run by the Kothia Village Panchayat and a resort operated by Odisha Tourism. You can book the rooms online.
We started our trek at 1400hrs. Our autorickshaw driver was not expecting is to trek to the summit, he thought we will just visit the area and return. He said if you go there it will be 5-6 hours. But we ignored him smiled at him and just said that's why we came here - for trekking.
I asked Navya to stay back if she wants we will return soon. She denied to stay there and wanted to come with us. As it may get darker I wanted to go faster. So we asked her to come as much as possible. Me and Jisha left her and proceeded. Trail is not that much difficult. It's very popular amongst the locals. People come here for picnic and photo shoots.
We were just few metres short of the summit we saw Navya slowly climbing. We decided to wait for her but then I realised it's because of Jisha we came here. And she climbed pretty fast so why not complete it with her best timing.
The second best thing after reaching the summit was 360 degree view from top. And the first best thing I saw was Jisha collecting the plastic bottles on the top. We never discussed this but as soon as we were on the top she started collecting the water bottles littered all over the top. I was happy to see this that she is justifying her name. Her name Jisha means 'respect for nature'. She started respecting nature at an early age. Small acts can bring big change. Let's see how she grow older.
You can see beautiful Deomali range all around. The Eco Retreat on meadows looks very beautiful from the top. The trail on the meadow is clearly visible.
After spending half n hour there and clicking many pictures we started descending. In 15 minutes we were at our starting point. While returning our cab driver stopped near a shop to meet his friend. We grabbed that opportunity visited the farms.
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