During our working days in Jagdalpur we visited Deomali; we had the incredible opportunity to visit Deomali Hills, a stunning natural wonder. Deomali hills are renowned for their breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage.
During our visit, we captivated Deomali hills that are renowned for their breathtaking landscapes, stargazing, celestial bodies, trekking trails & much more. It was truly a memorable experience for us to witness the nature’s wonder.
We decide we would take rest at day time & leave for Deomali at mid-night at around 12 or 12:30am & we did; And I’m thrilled and excited to share more about it with you all.
Introduction to Deomali
Deomali is a heavenly place in Odisha, more towards south Odisha; India. Deomali is the mountain peak in Chandragiri Pottangi subrange of Eastern Ghats & is located near Koraput town in Koraput district of Odisha; known for its sceneric views, landscape & cultural richness.
Deomali is the charm of Odisha, a Hidden gem. Deomali is still the uncover treasure thats make the Deomali a unique destination. According to history Deomali was once a Part of powerful Kalinga Empire and it has witnessed various historical events.
What to expect:
Mesmerizing Landscape: we reached Deomali Hill top by 4:30am in the morning. As I wanted to experience the mesmerizing view of sunrise which I only heard till that day; while he was in fear( you will know when you go Deomali) I was concentrated & was eagerly waited for the mesmerizing view.
We settled our phone & looked up at the sky, hold hands to experience something which will be with us forever & we didn’t knew that it would touch our soul till we experience it. As the first light of rays comes through piercing the black sky hue it paints the sky with purple, orange & pink hues.
The mountains, the clouds, the sunrise interplay of light and shadow creates a dramatic and awe-inspiring display, offering a sense of tranquility and the wonder of a new beginning.
The mountains standing tall, clouds will starts running under your feet. It really felt like heaven & your eyes will wait for angels to touch the ground. As the sun rises up clouds will start playing with you, the view we held in our eyes is beyond any words. The chirping of birds takes you to the nature’s musical concert.
Ambiance: Tranquil one. Deomali Hills offers you peaceful retreat away from hustle of urban life.
Surrounded by nature you would only interrupt by the sounds of birds and the subtle murmur of streams. Deomali gives a perfect setting for relaxation and time for introspection to yourself.
Flora & Fauna: The Eastern Ghats ecosystem contributes to the rich biodiversity, offers the unique view of nature’s creation. Deomali has impressive & diverse range of Flora and Fauna. As you go up in the hills variety of plant species, including tropical trees and endemic plants you would witness.
Deomali Famous For
Deomali Hills is the Highest Peak Point in Odisha State, India; Located in the Eastern Ghats. Deomali Hills are famous for its scenic beauty and rich biodiversity, lush green landscapes & diverse flora.
Deomali Hills also offers opportunities for trekking and adventure activities, picnic spot, camping; making them a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
Exploring Deomali: Best time to visit
We left for Deomali very early so that we could experience the mesmerizing sunrises (Heaven on Earth). After 4-hour journey from Jagdalpur to Deomali by road at mid-night on our vehicle (we call Her Rebecca), we reached Deomali Hills at around 04:30am after crossing all the twist and turns of the roads; at this early roads might not be visible due to fog & make one very difficult to drive.
There was a check post near the Hills made by local people of Deomali; before crossing that download the offline map of Deomali Hills; as there is no network, you will be on your own. Be prepared yourself to drive on fog you could barely see after 1 meter distance. For us it was deadly heaven experience.
Avoid monsoon season it would be risky to travel on Deomali road. People says best time would be between October to February but we went to Deomali in the month of August, the weather was pleasant, with cooler temperatures and minimal rainfall & it was an awesome experience. Make sure about the weather before going to Deomali Hills as local weather vary from time to time.
Firstly, You can reach Deomali either from Visakhapatnam, covering Araku valley (you could stay in Araku; there are plenty of resorts and hotels available all season long) after that you could head towards Deomali which is 80 kms from Araku it would take hardly two and half or 3 hours to reach; as there are narrow roads, no street lights & many turns.
The best time would be if you are on your vehicle try to reach Deomali as early as possible in the morning.
The total distance from Visakhapatnam to Deomali hills would be 170 kms and it would take four and half hour to reach. (We went to Araku after covering Deomali. I will tell about Araku valley in my next Blog).
Or secondly, like us you can go to Deomali Hills from Jagdalpur, the total distance we covered was 162kms in 4 hours. Roads were good and are still on a good condition, you would most likely to meet many enthusiastic people on the way to Deomali. (when you see same spark and enthusiasm like you on someone, its kind a different feeling and emotion of every travel stories to want to tell).
Must do list
- Visit as early as possible in the morning; Don’t miss the sunrise.
- Have on bucket: Definitely Deomali Hills is a place for camping with bunch of friends. Stargazing the heaven experience the mesmerizing night skies of Deomali by indulging in stargazing (you feel nostalgic & your childhood memories could rejuvenate). The Deomali hills offer excellent visibility for observing celestial bodies.
- Scenic Treks: Explore the picturesque landscapes of Deomali Hills through treks or hikes. Enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding valleys and forests as you traverse the trails.
- Photography: Capture the natural beauty of Deomali Hills through photography (as we did but it still felt something untouched & a lot had been missed by camera but definitely not by our eyes). From sunrise to sunset there was the pleasure for our eyes, and you would get countless opportunities for stunning shots.
- Picnics and Relaxation: Pack your favorite food and spend a day beautifully, enjoy the tranquility of the Deomali hills. Find a suitable spot to unwind, enjoy the meal, and soak in the peaceful ambiance.
- Nature Conservation: You could take part in eco-friendly Initiatives of Deomali Hills. You can Contribute to the conservation efforts by participating in clean-up drives or tree planting activities.
- Adventure Activities: For thrill-seekers, consider engaging in adventure activities such as rock climbing, or mountain biking, or trekking ( we both went for trekking, it was breadth taking. )
- Cultural Immersion: Learn about the local culture and traditions by interacting with the indigenous communities in the region; if timing allows.
- Respect the tranquility of the environment and the experience of other visitors.
Must not to do
- Ignoring Safety Guidelines: Do not ignore safety guidelines provided by locals of Deomali Hills. This includes warnings about weather conditions, wildlife encounters, or trekking routes.
- Lighting Fires: Do not start fires or light cigarettes in the forest areas of Deomali. This could lead to accidental wildfires, especially during dry season.
- Disturbing Wildlife: Avoid disturbing or feeding wildlife. Observe animals from a safe distance and avoid approaching or chasing them.
- Disrespecting Local Culture values: Respect the local culture and traditions of the indigenous communities living in the area. Seek permission before entering sacred sites or private property, and be respectful of any sacred sites or structures you encounter.
- Refrain from plucking flowers, damaging plants, or disturbing wildlife.
- Waste: Do not leave behind any waste on Deomali. Always dispose it on garbage bin, there are sufficient bins available for collection.
- Off Trails: Stick to designated trails and paths to avoid getting lost or causing any damage to ecosystems. Venturing off-trail can also disturb wildlife and plant life or the worst can happen in Deomali( always keep all senses open while traveling anywhere).
Things to take on Deomali Trip
- Insect Repellent: Deomali Hills have plenty of mosquitoes and other insects. Pack insect repellent to avoid bug bites and potential discomfort or damage.
- Appropriate Clothing: No matter what the weather conditions, in the up hills the temperature is always on lower side ( depending on the time you visit); wear layers for cooler as temperatures could vary. Don’t forget to bring a waterproof jacket or poncho just in case of rain.
- Footwear: Choose comfortable and good hiking shoes or boots with good traction for trekking on uneven land.
- Sun Protection: Bring sunscreen with a high SPF & PA+++ to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays; and even no sun apply sunscreen ( we never forget). Also, pack hat, sunglasses, and lip balm with SPF for additional protection.
- Water and Hydration: Carry an adequate supply of water to stay hydrated during your trek or outdoor activities, as there are no stores to buy.
- Foods and Snacks: Pack lightweight and energy-boosting snacks and food with you. If planning a picnic, bring along picnic essentials and any desired meals.( up in Deomali hills there is only nature,you have to bring your essentials with you).
- First Aid Kit: Pack a basic first aid kit with essentials such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, blister treatment, and any personal medications you use.
- Navigation Tools: Take a map, compass, or GPS device, download map offline on phones(as there is no network up in the Hills) to help navigate the road and avoid getting lost. Familiarize yourself with the route before going and consider using GPS-enabled apps on your smartphone.
- Emergency bag: Include a whistle, flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries, a multi-tool and a small waterproof bag for storing important items in case of emergencies.
- Camera or Smartphone: Capture the stunning landscapes and memorable moments of your trip with a camera or smartphone(like us). Consider bringing a portable charger or power bank.
- Personal belongings: Don’t forget to pack personal belongings such as identification, cash must(a little) or cards, a mobile phone with emergency contacts saved.
- Practice Leave No Traces by bringing along a trash bag for packing out your waste, and avoid leaving any trace of your visit in the natural environment. Keep it clean and wealthy, make sure how it rejoiced you it should be same felt by others who will be in Deomali hills after you.
Our experience (Off-the-Beaten)
The thing which we did was the crazy one and this was one of our memorable, most adventurous trip. We reached Deomali at around 03:15 am & to reach the top of Deomali Hills it took another one and half hour .
Deomali Hills were covered by fog in the month of September also. I could barely see the roads; the visibility distance was less then 1 meter. we travelled through that roads only by using our offline GPS map through our phone. It was frightening, thrilling experience for us. He was navigating me, telling me to take left or right or what kind of turn sharp turn, u-turn, v-turn or loop or hairpin & so on; it was thrilling; one side there was never ending depth & other side it was the mountains, only one vehicle can pass at a time.But I really enjoyed the driving, while he was shaken inside.
With each trip or journey you get to know yourself more & get closer to the person you are sharing with. We learnt, for a beautiful tomorrow, we should focus on communication, mutual respect, support; and shared goals and investing on each other’s personal growth and showing appreciation for one another can strengthen the bond and contribute to a brighter future together.
I really wish you will feel the same as we did when we went to Deomali Hills The positivity, happiness, and warmth in the life’s journey.
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