Reiek Tlang at just 30 km away, is a popular day trek in Aizawl. For this very reason, I had always avoided it. I have seen pictures of the cliff and the narrow path on the edge leading to the peak. What I didn’t know was that the short 3 km trek to the peak through the thick and well preserved forest is so amazing. If it were near Bangalore, it will attract loads of trekkers!
From my early days of trekking in Jan, 2009. Kalwarbetta was a fortified hill like many others around Bangalore. You can see some remains of the fort at the top.
Tlawng at Reiek Kai(crossing) in May, 2014. I had always avoided Reiek Tlang for two reasons. It’s just an hour drive from Aizawl, I can go anytime. Secondly, everybody has been there. When I eventually did go to Reiek, I fully enjoyed the short hike through the forest, thick and still well preserved.
On the top left is Sreedhar. As we were waiting for BMC bus at the same pickup point, we started chatting. He has been thinking of taking a break from work to travel to the different states in India. We seem to think very much alike from trekking, travel, our education system to work culture in India vs developed countries like Australia and Germany.
Where is it? Except for a few photographs, you can’t find the location in Google. If you search “uttari betta” in Google Maps, it takes you to BMC office. I am not a search expert but I am not impressed.
I learned from Neeraj, BMC founder, that it is near Magadi. I opened Google Maps and switched to terrain mode. I could immediately see a few elevated areas near Magadi. There’s one called Huthridurga that has nearby area rising upto 1100m. There’s a temple on the top called Shankreshwara Temple. Huthirdurga . This is what BMC calls Uttari Betta.
It is known by different names. Hutridurga, Hutri Betta and Huthridurga . As a non-local, I can’t tell whats right (most).
I trekked here today with BMC. It took 1.5 hours to climb and an hour to come down. It took us 2 hours drive from Mysore Road Satellite Bus Station to reach the village at the base.
Expenses
BMC Fees – 950
Uber fare to Garuda Mall – 317
Red Bull and water bottle – 120
Metro from MG road to Baiyapanahalli -17
Ola fare back home – 260
Total = 1665 Rupees
