5 Reasons Why You Should Do Hampta Pass Trek

‘A trek a year’ has been my life’s philosophy ever since I did the legendary Roopkund trek in 2015. And so, in order to continue with the tradition and not get bogged down by the last minute cancellation of the KGL trek, the research process started all over again.

Hampta Pass is where it finally ended..I had heard a lot about the trek and frankly speaking, doing this well known Himanchali trek was always on the cards..And boy..did I make a great decision..The trek surely lived up to the expectations and provided some everlasting magical moments..

Now when I sit back and relish my Hampta Pass memoirs, here are the five reasons that, I think, made this trek a truly unforgettable one:

1- A stunning cross-over trek

Not many treks can rival the Hampta Pass trek in this regard. The trek starts from the lush green meadows and forests of the Kullu Valley and gradually ventures into the rugged and barren landscape of the stunning Spiti Valley.

What you are left with is a visual extravaganza and different shades of beauty. In fact, the trek gives you a ‘2-in-1’ kind of a feel where you experience two drastically different settings within a span of 2-3 days..Its when you come in the vicinity of the 14000 ft Hampta Pass on the third morning, that the landscape changes from green to a mixture of grey and brown. And when you cross the pass, the jaw dropping Spiti Valley welcomes you with open arms!!

2- Spell bounding Campsites

The beautiful campsites on the Hampta Pass trek are a sort of destinations in themselves. All the four campsites are riverside, wherein you can just lie down on beautiful meadows, play group games, watch that beautiful sunset, and walk under the star filled sky. Balu ka ghera on the second day, and Shiagoru on the third day were the pick of the lot.

Shiagoru is probably the most beautiful campsite I have ever encountered. A picture postcard setting, it is a huge meadow surrounded by towering peaks, and a gushing river stream bisecting the meadow into two.

3- The awe-inspiring Chandratal Lake

This proved to be the icing on the cake. Most of the trekking agencies include the surreal Chandratal lake on the final day of the Hampta Pass trek.  And I remain truly indebted to them for doing so.

Chandratal was not just a destination..it was an experience of a lifetime. It was a gruelling 2.5 hrs drive into the heart of the mercurial Spiti Valley, but just a glimpse of the serene turquoise waters of pristine lake made me lay off all the hardships, and surrender myself to its cascading spell. As I sat there on the shores of the lake, I could hear tranquility speak. The kiss of the wind, and the ripples of the lake provided a kind of companionship, the mortals seldom do!!

4- A fast paced Himalayan Odyssey

It is a short trek compared to many other well known week long Himalayan treks. But inside these 3-4 days, you get a complete picture of what the Himalayas have to offer. Such is the diverse range, and that too at a fast pace, that you experience something new at every corner.

You start by cutting across the maple and cedar forest into the vast open meadows sprinkled with multi colored wild flowers, only for them to gradually disappear and make way to the barren valleys of the Spiti region. Add to that, the thrill of crossing a high altitude pass at approx 14,500 ft..you realize you cant ask for anything more in such a short span..

5- Proximity to Manali

Most of the treks originate from a pretty obscure place lying hours of distance away from the nearest well known town.  That’s not the case with Hampta pass trek. The trek starts from Manali town..In fact, in the wee hours of the first day, the entire group assembled on the Mall road in the heart of Manali, from where we were taken to the actual starting point in four wheelers..

The proximity to Manali really widens your options to explore the region further. After the trek’s completion, you have the option to cover the nearby excursions like the Parvati Valley, or venture out to Leh if the time permits. Or if you just wish to laze off and soothen up your tiring body and soul, just take a chill pill and get lost into the lanes of Old Manali.

Grab a beer pint, get into the groove of the live jazz in the numerous pubs, and let the magical Manali evenings sway you away with its ethereal charm and elegance..

Guest Post by: Rohit Singh

10 Offbeat Unique Places to visit from Delhi this winter!

If you’re tired of the fast paced yet monotonous life of the city and are looking for a destination to relax your soul, look no further, we have compiled the best offbeat locations to soothe your senses!

This list has something for everyone. Be it a wildlife enthusiast, or a foodie, or someone who wishes to sever all ties with civilisation and go on a solo trip, or a couple who wants to understand romance, or a bunch of friends looking for a wild trip.

This list ranges from the serene mountains, to places with rich historical legacy. Go ahead, choose wisely, start packing, and don’t forget your camera! So, here is the list of some popular winter destinations nearby Delhi.

1- Chail, Himachal Pradesh (300 Km from Delhi)

• Destination Type - Hill Station
• Special Tip - Don’t forget to kill the night’s oil with a star lit sky on the top, and the view of Shimla and Kasauli in front.
• Suited For: Perfect for calm and peaceful weekend getaways
• Attractions in Chail: Trekking, sightseeing, Chail Palace, Polo and Cricket grounds
• Best time to visit Chail this winter: Mid-November to March

2- Bir, Himachal Pradesh (530 kms from Delhi)

• Destination Type - Hill station
• What’s it known for? Visit Bir for a fun filled paragliding adventure. Fly through the clear sky and look at the mesmerising view of the city with a bird eye’s view at around 8000ft above the ground.
• Best suited for: Adventurous couple and friends
• Attractions in Bir: Paragliding, trekking, hand gliding, camping, meditation at the monastery for those who flew too high!
• Best time to visit Bir this winter: October to November

3- Binsar, Uttarakhand (385 km from Delhi)

• Destination type - Hill station
• Best known for - A combination for trek lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and pilgrims. Explore the depth of the forest area with your partner in crime, and re-discover your love story.
• Best suited for: Adventurous couple and friends
• Attractions in Binsar: Trekking, sightseeing, forest walk, bird watching, sunset point, wildlife sanctuary, Lama meditation centre
• Best time to visit Binsar this winter: October to March

4- Dhanaulti, Uttarakhand (325 km from Delhi)

• Destination Type - Hill station
• Best known for - The pleasant weather, with the added view of snow capped Himalayan Mountain range. Enjoy the combination of majestic valley and a splendid sunrise.
• Best suited for: Adventurous couple and friends
• Attractions in Dhanaulti: Trekking, Sightseeing, Mountain Climbing, Camping, Aloo Khet, Eco Park, Surkanda Devi Temple
• Best time to visit Dhanaulti this winter: October to March

5- Kumbhalgarh Fort, Rajasthan (614 km from Delhi)

• Destination Type - Heritage
• What’s interesting? Our Indian version of Great Wall of China! The fort's walls stretches more than 36 km, explains why this fort was never conquered and has been a witness to many battles.
• Best suited for: Group of friends and families
• Attractions in Kumbhalgarh: Kumbhalgarh fort, Badal Mahal, wildlife sanctuary, temples, heritage walk, light and sound show
• Best time to visit Kumbhalgarh Fort this winter: October to March

6- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (580 km from Delhi)

• Destination type - History and heritage
• What's it known for? Known as the city of nawabs and kababs, you’ll find the most genuine and best Mughlai food across the country, along with a rich legacy of history in a modern setting.
• Best suited for: Group of friends and couples
• Attractions in Lucknow: Bara Imambara, Hazratganj, Lucknow Zoo, Rumi Darwaza, Foodwalks, Moti Mahal, St. Joseph’s cathedral
• Best time to visit Lucknow this winter: October to march.

7- Rupnagar, Punjab (290 km from Delhi)

• Destination Type - Historical city
• Best known for - Rains! This place gets majestic with the mist all around. Be a part of the rich cultures and traditions and the simple lifestyle of the rural area.
• Best suited for: Group of friends and families
• Attractions in Rupnagar: Takhat Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Gurudwara Parivar Vichhora Sahib, Jateshwar Mahadev Temple, Jatwahar
• Best time to visit Rupnagar this winter: October to April

8- Almora - Ranikhet, Uttarakhand (370 km from Delhi)

• Destination Type - Hill station
• What's it known for? Popular for its panoramic view of the Himalayas, lush green forests, valleys; perfect for trekking! The place is enjoyed for its rich culture and heritage and excotic wildlife.
• Best suited for: Couples, group of friends and families
• Attractions in Almora and Ranikhet: Chitai Temple, Govind Vallabh Pant Museum, Kasar Devi Temple, Trekking, Sightseeing, Village Tours, Cultural and Nature Walks, Chaubatia Gardens, Golf Course, Ashiyana Park, Tarikhet, Mankameshwar Temple
• Best time to visit Almora & Ranikhet this winter: November to March

9- Neemrana, Rajasthan (122 km from Delhi)

• Destination Type - Heritage
• Best known for - History and wildlife enthusiasts! Be it chilling with your college buddies, or re-living the romance with your partner, Neemrana is suitable for a vide variety of people.
• Best suited for: Couple, group of friends
• Attractions in Neemrana: Fort of Neemrana, Kesroli, sightseeing
• Best time to visit Neemrana this winter: November to March

10- Chittorgarh, Rajasthan (580 km from Delhi)

• Destination Type - History and heritage
• What’s it known for? This place is a mix of mythology and modern history, which has witnessed both the ravages of war and triumphs of the spirit. Along with a large number of temples and forts.
• Best suited for: Family and couples
• Attractions in Chittorgarh: Fort of Chittorgarh, Vijay Stambh, Kirti Stambh, Kalika Maa temple, Jain temples, Rana Kumbha Palace, Meera Temple
• Best time to visit Chittorgarh this winter: November to February

Places to Visit in Himachal Pradesh - A Quick and Handy Travel Guide

I have a habit of celebrating New Year with family and siblings and I love it. We gather together and celebrate in a very religious manner. Our New Year starts with praying to Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesh. Then we cut the cake of celebration followed by an amazing dinner. In addition to this, we recollect our old memories and life’s ultimate flashbacks and run those on TV via photo-montage.

In a similar fashion, I celebrated this New Year 2018 as well. However, this time I ended up in planning a fresh trip. I usually travel solo but this time my parents were insisting me to do a family trip. Afterall, it’s being a long time when we all travelled together. That’s why we decided to start this year with a nice family trip. And after an hour or two of discussions, we chose Himachal Pradesh as the destination to start our year.

So many places and so little time to cover!! Bad thing… So here I am sharing my “Ultimate guide to Himachal Pradesh” covering some of the destinations of Himachal Pradesh one should definitely visit once in a life. I’ve visited many of these places. Let’s see…

Himachal Pradesh:

Himachal Pradesh… “The land of snows“, “Snow laden province“, “The land of gods“, or “Epitome of Himalayan landscapes” what should I call? I am feeling like a lilliput in front of its charisma. I know few mere words are not enough for Himachal.

Himachal Pradesh is well known to be one of the gorgeous states in India. After all, the breath-taking landscapes covered with lofty snow-capped mountains and lush green valleys, the enchanting rivers and the glistening blue lakes make this destination a true “the traveller’s paradise”. Moreover, the temples, shakti-peeths and the monasteries are mingling the spiritual in the state.

If I exaggerate a little further, then Himachal Pradesh is also known for a plethora of adventure activities. These activities include trekking, hiking, paragliding, river-rafting and many more. These are some of the hot picks of Himachal Pradesh which makes this state – country’s most popular hill state. Therefore, keeping all these things in mind, I am sharing my ultimate guide to Himachal Pradesh with you.

My Ultimate Guide to Himachal Pradesh:

This ultimate guide to Himachal Pradesh will hit maximum spots of Himachal where we can spend a weekend or can extend to a long vacation. So, get ready to immerse yourself in this worldly state in Roadaviator style. Here we go…

Top Places to Visit in Himachal Pradesh:

1- Shimla:

Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and is known to be one of the highly recommended hill stations in India. It offers a large number of remarkable attractions which appeal to the visitors to explore them to the fullest. That is the reason why Shimla is everyone’s top pick.

The trip to Shimla starts with wandering on the long magnificent Mall Road where we can find glittering shops and ambient restaurants, a large-old gothic style “Christ Church“, scandal point, the ridge, and the town hall. Then comes the viceregal lodge, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Jakhoo temple, Tara Devi temple, Bhimakali temple and rail and army museum.

Also, if you want to explore nearby places, visit Kufri and Taptapani. Therefore, it is quite easy to plan a nice weekend at Shimla.

2- Manali:

Manali is considered to be the best hill station in India. Afterall, the spell-bounding landscapes and valleys, charismatic temples and hot springs and off-course the roadway to Manali will make us feel like a fairy-tale is going on. A trip to Manali will not only suits the adventure-seekers or spiritual travellers but even to the budgeted, luxurious and family travellers.

If we talk about the spirituality, then Manali has flourished with lots of temples, monasteries and hot springs. For adventure seekers, Manali is well known for the trekking, skiing, river-rafting, zorbing and biking. You can get to these things in both the luxurious way and the budgeted way. These are the spots that give us the glimpse of Manali.

But if you are searching for more thrilling roads which can take your adrenaline to the next level, visit Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley. One can feel the freshness in the air amidst beautiful meadows of Solang Valley (20 km from Manali). Also, the Rohtang Pass is very well known for the bike trip to Ladakh.

Besides, the Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley, there is a sacred Jogni waterfall. You can also visit villages nearby providing some of the best scenic views of Himalayan range. The allure of these villages is capable to captivate your soul. For example, we can head towards Naggar village (21 km from Manali) to see the fascinating Naggar castle and Jana waterfall.

Here are some top picks of Manali:

• Temples: Manu temple, Hidimba temple, Vashistha temple
• Monasteries: Tibetan monastery and Nyingmapa monastery
• A spiritual hot spring is also located on the banks of river Beas.
• Treks: Hamta Pass, Bhrigu Lake, Chandra Tal trek, Hanuman Tibba
• Villages nearby: Naggar, Malana, Jana (Jana waterfall), Jagatsukh, Gulaba and Solang.

3- Kullu:

Kullu is a city located on the banks of Beas River connecting Manali to the rest of Himachal. Truly speaking, Kullu is that destination which sometimes is underestimated by the tourists. People usually skip this destination or stay for a night only and went straight to Manali. But, many of us don’t know what this beautiful city can show us. Kullu is perfectly settled between the mountains covered with Deodar forests providing a perfect getaway to the visitors. It offers a plethora of options to do in and near the city. Let’s see it:

• Temples: Raghunath temple (main temple), Vaishnav Devi temple, Bhekhli Mata temple, Hanogi Mata temple and Gaurishankar temple.
• Trekking points: Tibba, Chandrakhani Pass, Bijli Mahadev trek and Kheerganga trek, Tirthan valley treks
• Nearby town/village: Kasol, Manikaran, Malana, Tosh village, Dash village

A trip to Kullu also offers adventure sports like paragliding, mountain cycling and river rafting. The treks and the landscapes of Kullu are truly a paradise for adventure seekers. One cannot miss these things at all. The above villages provide a stage of nirvana and complete wilderness.

4- Manikaran:

Manikaran is located in the midst of Parvati valley, lying on the banks of Parvati River near Kullu district. Also, Manikaran is located close to Kasol village (4 km) and considered as a religious centre of North-East Himachal Pradesh. The site is a pilgrimage centre of both Hindu and Sikh. This holy site has major temples like Lord Shiva temple, Shree Guru Nanak Devji Gurudwara and Lord Ramchandra temple.

Manikaran is also famous for its hot springs as it is said that if you dip into the hot spring, it will cure your muscle pain and diseases. Moreover, Manikaran is the starting point for various scenic treks like the trek to Tosh village, Kheerganga trek and Malana.

5-Parashar Lake:

Parashar Lake was my pick of the day. It is one of the best trekking options in Himachal. This picturesque lake is located on the top of the Dhauladhar range and at an altitude of 8900 ft. Parashar Lake is located at a distance of 50 km from Mandi and nearly 70 km from Kullu. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan ranges. The lake has a temple by its side which is dedicated to Parashar Rishi. The spot experience heavy snowfall in the months of Dec-Feb providing an exceptional adventure to the travellers.

However, still, only a few people know about it and only those who love to do trekking or exploring new places visit this Lake. That’s why the spot has a little fewer options to stay and eat. It is recommended to put a camp there if you didn’t get room to stay. Honestly, Parashar Lake is a road-less-travelled destination. In a similar way, this Roadaviator also stayed there and experienced it to the fullest.

• Also Read: Places For Camping In Himachal Pradesh

6- Mandi:

Mandi is a popular commercial city of Himachal Pradesh which lies on the banks of river Beas and 50 km from Kullu. Mandi is also known as “Choti Kashi” as the city has a large number of temples established in and around. It also serves as a gateway to Dharamshala, Kullu, Manali and Lahaul-Spiti and that is the reason why it is highly commercialised.

But this commercialisation doesn’t affect its paradise nature. Mandi also has a lot of attractions to flaunt the tourists. For example,

• Temples: Bhootnath temple, Trilokinath temple, Bhimakali temple, Panchvaktra temple, Neel-Kanth Mahadev temple
• Tranquil Lakes: Rewalsar Lake, Kamru-Nag Lake and Pandoh Dam.
• Treks: Parashar lake trek, Shikari Mata temple trek

Lastly, the best way to see Mandi deeper is to roam the streets of Mandi. This will give a feel of the old age colonial period. Even more, you can do shopping also at the famous Indra-shopping complex. The crazy thing isn’t it…

7- Dharamshala and McLeodganj:

Dharamshala is a hill station located at an altitude of 1475 m from sea level, in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The hill station is nestled perfectly in the midst of beautiful Dhauladhar mountain range providing the scenic views of green forest area and the lofty snow-capped mountains. Dharamshala becomes popular after the great spiritual guru – Dalai Lama took a residence here. Interestingly, Dharamshala has an international cricket stadium – HPCA, which has further raised up its popularity. The stadium is known to be the highest stadium in the world.

Talking about McLeodganj, it is at the distance of 9 km from Dharamshala. It is the main centre of attraction for the tourists because of the presence of Dalai Lama temple (dedicated to Dalai Lama himself). Moreover, McLeodganj is also famous for several treks which starts from here itself.

Both of these hill stations are also known for museums, war memorial, lakes, ancient temples, monasteries and churches. Some of these include:

• Temples: Bhagsunath temple, Chamunda temple, Kunal Pathri Mata temple
• Monasteries: Dalai Lama temple, Namgyal monastery, Gyuto Monastery
• Church: St. John Wilderness Church
• Treks: Triund trek, Kareri Lake trek, Naddi village
• Lake: Dal Lake, Kareri Lake

8- Dalhousie and Chamba:

Dalhousie is one of the coldest hill stations of Himachal Pradesh located in the Chamba district. It is 51 km from the main Chamba city and at an elevation of 1,970 m. Dalhousie is built on 5 hills of Dhauladhar range and in old Britisher Victorian style. Dalhousie got its named after the British Viceroy “Lord Dalhousie” who founded this place. Other than the British style, Dalhousie sets a whole natural world full of dazzling landscapes, snow-clad mountains and pin-clad valleys. Moreover, Dalhousie is enchanted with spring of Subash Baoli. However, it is not at all maintained now. That’s why Dalhousie is listed as one of the favourite summer hill stations in India.

This natural world of Dalhousie is supported by the charm and history of Khajjiar (20 km from Dalhousie) and Chamba. Khajjiar is also known as “The little Switzerland of India”. There are a lot of things to do in Dalhousie and Chamba:

Some of the top sights in Dalhousie are:

• Temples: Jagdamba Mata temple, Khajjiar Nag temple.
• Church: St. John church, St. Francis church
• Waterfalls: Satdhara and Panchpulla
• Scenic walks and wildlife: Kalatop wildlife sanctuary, Khajjiar, Bakrota and Dainkund peak trek.

Top sights in Chamba:

• Temples: Lakshmi Narayan temple, Hari Rai temple, Sui Mata temple, Chamunda Devi temple
• Museums: Bhuri Singh Museum
• Lake: Manimahesh Lake, Chamera Dam

So, these are some of the must-visit destinations in Himachal Pradesh which I preferred while planning a 2-week itinerary. It is also true that I’ve not included few of the above places in my final itinerary because no one can cover all these in just 2 weeks. Maybe some other time, I’ll visit those also. Also, here, I’ve not included the major temples and some more off-beat destination of Himachal Pradesh. I’ll show you that in my upcoming blog. So stay tuned.

That’s the end of my Ultimate guide to Himachal Pradesh: must-visit destinations. If you have gone to these places please comment below and share your thoughts with me.

A Trek to Dodital Lake, Uttarakhand

As part of my company's team building program, we experienced the beauty of the mountains during a 6-day Trek to Dodital. At a height of 3024m, the Dodital lake is located in a forested bowl above Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand.

The Goals

Stated goal: reaching Dodital carrying our backpacks

Additional personal goal: climbing further to the summit or staying in Dodital for potential retrospection

The Planning

Day 1: 7h of jeep and 6km of uphill trekking

Day 2: 16km of uphill trekking

Day 3: 14km round trip to the summit or day in Dodital

Day 4: 14km of downhill trekking

Day 5: 8km of downhill trekking and 7h of jeep

The Team

We were a team of highly motivated and goal-oriented TravelTourGuru employees. Aged between 21 and 30, we had enough cumulated energy to all reach Dodital despite some individual known/unknown physical weaknesses.

While carrying the bag was probably going to be tougher for the girls due to generally less muscular bodies, climbing to the snow-covered top would be more challenging to the guys as their body weights would bring them down deeper in the snow.

The Preparation

In addition to the feedbacks from the people who went to Dodital the previous year, we also met the guy in charge of the trek. The message was clear: be mentally prepared!

Mentally prepared? I’m still not sure of what they meant. Of course, I knew I would make it. What was I supposed to do? Standing in front of my mirror and trying the Couet method?

My preparation was short and not psychologically-oriented at all. This damn bag had to be as light as possible and I went as far as to cut my soap in two pieces and to take my smallest underwear’s. The result: a bag weighting no more than 6-7kgs.

The Trip

Despite a tire puncture on the way to the station, we caught the train to Hardwar on Thursday evening. The next day was going to be hard on my stomach. 7 hours in the jeep (and only one stop on the side of the road for me later), we reached the starting point of the trek. The journey had finally started…

The first 6km of the trek were challenging. We had to get used to the bag and to the uneven path covered by rolling stones. I had decided to walk at my own pace and to minimize the number of breaks I would take in order to avoid wasting energy. It turned out to be the best strategy as re-starting after a break was particularly killing.

The view was majestic. I loved the silence and the loneliness of the mountain. Both are almost impossible to obtain in Delhi and it felt wonderful to rediscover them again.

The next few days were going to be fully relaxing, spending the day on the mountain paths and the nights in tents. The food was regularly served and despite being lost somewhere in the nature, the meal quality was highly appreciable.

We reached Dodital on the second day in the evening. Strangely, despite being sleep-deprived (it was that cold!), I felt energetic during the days. The absence of urban stress and the revitalizing fresh air were a perfect combination.

During the first night spent in Dodital, many of us had nightmares which were, according to our guide, a side effect of the cleansing process.

On the third day, most of us tried to climb to the summit. The snow had fully covered the ground and made the ascension slippery. Despite this constraint, the climbing seemed relatively easy. Sliding on our butts to go downhill was highly enjoyable. Back in my childhood!

Trekking downhill was physically more exhausting. While muscle pains go away quite quickly, joint pains keep increasing. As expected we reached our ending (and starting) point on the fifth day and went back to Delhi.

My Feedback

I LOVED TREKKING!

And, as importantly, we were all at some point hero:

(Chronologically)

-Someone decided to go back to Dodital and tried to reach the summit

… and did so despite a fear of heights.

-Someone tried to carry her bag a second time despite a frail morphology

… and came back to Delhi with two toenails missing.

-Someone decided not to follow the mass by staying in Dodital

… and perfectly adopted the trekker look.

-Someone desperately fought with the slippery snow on the way to the summit

… and almost had to have one of his fingers amputated.

-Someone made it to the summit despite knee problems

… and saved my life by offering me the last piece of her chocolate (Hypoglycemia on the way up).

-Someone made it to the top

… and survived the presence of ghosts around the night camps.

-Someone made it to the summit despite belly cramps

… and survived miles away from the first beauty salon.

-Someone picked up garbages while walking on his first day to clean up the mountain a bit

… and fell from a cliff.

-Someone made his way alone to the summit

… and did so despite kilos of (photo)rolls in his bag and an addiction for pictures.

-Someone proved his team spirit and kept encouraging others

-Someone perfectly coordinated the TSC group

… and both desperately dug into the snow to get one of their shoes back.

 

On my side, I got the confirmation of a strong will power and I learned to smoke bidi’s!

Highlights of Kedarkantha Trek

We explored options from Sikkim to Everest base camp and finally zeroed down to Kedarkantha Trek. It wasn’t easy to convince the lazy bones in the group for a trek, but we managed to establish a consensus. Just when everything looked fine, the plan received its first jolt when one of us had to drop because of early joining date. However, it didn’t stop the rest of us, and we embarked on the journey.

“If anything can go wrong, it will”, says the Murphy Law. A quick stop in Delhi to buy trek gears looked impossible even when we had buffer time, all thanks to the great Indian railways and the dreadful journey that continued for 36 hours. It can be a whole new story on how we did everything just in time and managed to catch the connecting train to Dehradun. Early morning, we reached Dehradun railway station where we met the rest of the trek batch. Our transportation was ready, and it took 8-10 hours to reach Sankri village. It wasn’t a pleasant ride. It was almost evening when we checked-in to our hotel.

A quick batch meet was called, and we were introduced to trek leader and the staff. It was followed by a session on detailed rules and scenarios in trekking. Later after dinner, I thought of going for a walk to explore the place, and I was accompanied by my friend. However, there was nothing much to see except few open shops and basecamps of other trek organisers; therefore, we mostly spent time chit-chatting while discreetly strolling the street from one end to another. It had been a long tiresome journey in past three days, and I dozed off early.

The next morning, after quick breakfast and a mandatory group picture, we started our trek. The destination for the day was ‘Juda ka Talab’. It is approx. 4 KM from Sankri at an altitude of 9100 ft. Though the distance sounds less the steep climb and slippery track made it look like never ending path. The queries about distance kept coming, and there was always one standard reply from the guide – ‘another half hour’. Perhaps that was true for someone living in the mountains but for city dwellers like us that half hour was taking hours. A much-needed break came halfway when we stopped for lunch in an open meadow.

A small Dhaba served us bread omelette and Maggi. It gave us some energy and with renewed vigour we continued. The first glimpse of campsite finally brought a smile and an end of today’s journey. I spent the evening sitting idly near the lake shore. The body was yet to acclimatise the mountains and the night wasn’t easy as almost everyone struggled to sleep. I had a sleepless night too but for an entirely different reason.

The girl who yearned for snow got sick and had a restless night, but she recuperated by morning. “I drank a lot of water, and that’s how I recovered”, she said. It is true that hydrating adequately is an essential aspect while trekking as it keeps body and mind energised. It was time for us to march ahead and move to the next campsite, the Kedarkantha base. It is approx. 1.5 KM from ‘Juda Ka Talab’ at an altitude of 10,800 ft. Everyone was expecting another hectic day, but this was the easiest part of our entire trail, and we reached there even before we realised. There I witnessed the most picturesque sunset, and it was pure bliss. I spent next one hour trying to capture the remarkable moments. The darkness engulfed the entire place soon after sunset, and we headed to our tents after early dinner.

A starry night greeted us at 3 AM in the morning as we got ourselves ready with crampons and gaiters to push for the Kedarkantha Summit. I had started showing weariness, and my health card readings went alarmingly low in the morning.

• “I told you to drink more water. Why don’t you listen?”, rebuked the girl.
• “It is so scary to go out of the tent in that darkness.”, I replied sheepishly.

Under the moon holding a torch in hand, we began hiking in the sleepy trails of the snow-clad Himalayas amidst the dark trees. I saw moon fading slowly as the sunshine engulfed the sky and the summit was visible but still far away. The trail was getting steeper, more inclined and challenging as we marched ahead. However, the landscape in front of us was getting more beautiful, and that kept us going. As we reached halfway, a sumptuous treat of deliciously baked omelettes came from the Barfani Dhaba. There we stopped for a while to fill our stomach and regain lost energy before continuing to the summit. The last leg of the trail was toughest where at some point inclination was almost 70 degree, but it didn’t deter us reaching the peak where at 12,500 ft. altitude breathtaking 360-degree views of mountains welcomed us.

The descend started after spending 40-45 minutes at the summit. I felt exhausted and weak. However, it didn’t stop me as going downhill was comparatively easy and was more fun when we had to glide down. We traced our path back to Kedarkantha base and continued to our next camp in Hargaon. It was at an altitude of 8,450 ft. but not very far from Kedarkantha base. The body was drained but a jubilant mood wanted to celebrate the successful summit, and we continued playing games till late night. The next day we began descending back to Sankri. It was the last day of the trek, and we slowly but steadily followed the trail that was mostly through forest cover.

It felt good to see roads again though we started missing the harsh terrain soon. It was a relaxing stay in the hotel in Sankri, and we geared up to leave for Dehradun next morning. I looked out the car window as we ran parallelly to the river amid continuous drizzle. It was time to say goodbye to the beautiful landscape, the never-ending trail we covered on foot, the bonding and pain we shared. Though our journey ended we’ll continue to cherish the lifelong memories made in the woods and mountains.

Places For Camping In Himachal Pradesh!

As most of our propelled world gets homogenized, finding those extraordinary, novel opportunities to go off and examine winds up progressively hard. This is the explanation Himachal, with its broad, perfect land and arranged extent of unique experiences is such a most cherished objective for such immense quantities of different sorts of people! In the occasion that you’re scanning for and fun and uncommon experience, by then read on!

This is our once-over of odd exercises in Himachal!

Outside in Kheerganga

Kheerganga, settled in the lap of the Parvati Valley, is a bewitching spot to visit. Known for its stupendous trails and widely inclusive viewpoint on snow-bested Himalayan mountains, Kheerganga is an extraordinary sight. Acclaimed by neighbourhood individuals to be the place Lord Shiva interceded for countless years, this zone is moreover normally visited by those on an adventure. Organized close Manikaran, Kheerganga’s basic underground springs, and the smooth white consistency and shade of the River Ganga around there all make for a stunning trekking spot.

To reach Kheerganga, you would need to trek for around four hours from Barshaini, setting up camp in the extremely wonderful Himalayas around the way.

McLeodganj

This activity is especially for all those who do not want to indulge in sightseeing adventures but are instead here for unwinding in the lap of Mother Nature. Camping at this heavenly place is nothing less than a dream for many adventure-loving individuals. You can even embrace your friend's moments by arranging a warm bonfire and barbecue dinner treat.

Tirthan Valley

Tirthan Valley is one of those spots so separated and disguised, that it’s not entirely striking – and that is certainly its appeal. In the event that you’re scanning for an off the radar, abnormal event, consider visiting Tirthan Valley. Included by the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), and hid at the banks of the Tirthan River, this enchanting spot is a remarkable break on the off chance that you’re looking to just be bound together with nature and have a peaceful retreat.

Chitkul

Arranged in Kinnaur District in Himachal Pradesh, Chitkul is a little town, at a stature of 3450 meters. One of the prop up involved towns on the Indo-Tibet edge, Chitkul is in like manner the last spot in India that one can take off to without requiring a permit. Chitkul is home to the Goddess of Chitkul, whose haven is acknowledged to have been there all through the past 500 years. This makes Chitkul an outright need for those wanting to make a voyage to the Himalayas. Well past this, the mustard zones, vegetation, and diamond tones of the apple estates, all hanging rich, snow-bested mountains, all make Chitkul an invite locate, and a truly novel experience.

Pabbar Valley

Pabbar Valley, with its natural item ranches and beautiful grandness – giving it an essentially extraordinary air – was brilliant to such a degree, that it pulled in British Viceroys, who normally trekked and stayed outside around there. Explorers routinely pick a trek through Pabbar Valley, which takes them through a couple of estates and towns faultless by the movement business and the advanced outside world. Besides, you can value an assortment of brave activities here, for instance, calculating, trekking, outside, sailing and paragliding.

Thanedar

Thanedar is home to without a doubt the most mouth-watering apple and cherry manors in India. What other spot would you have the option to thrive in the beguiling, chill atmosphere and pick your own regular item fresh off the tree? Feel the sweet natural item spill down your hand as you eat into it, new and crisp, or even value the chewy cuts of apple that neighborhood individuals dry on their rooftops.

Thanedar has an extent of resorts at the edges of these estates, giving you an awe-inspiring and rich remain while being bound together with nature in a way not traditionally possible.

Beside this, Nag Devta Temple, St. Mary’s Church (maybe the most settled spots of love in India), and Hathu Peak – which gives a fabulous point of view on the snow-beat heaps of the Himalayas – all make this an objective like no other.

Shoja

Shoraj is a field of untainted land arranged in Seraj Valley in Himachal, flawless by the movement business. It is an unprecedented spot to escape and just breath in the new mountain air. Shoja is acclaimed for its Serloskar Lake. The point of view on the sunset that you get at the Serloskar Lake is unrivaled by some other. From here, it is just a short walk around thundering course, where depleted explorers can either take a fortifying and cold shower in this customary shower or can simply unwind and welcome a drink as they rest and recuperate.

Barot

Barot is home to some truly uncommon points of view, varying characteristic life, and an assortment of outdoors practices not found in various spots. The Uhl River organized in Barot not simply proceeds with the life of various people in Himachal, yet moreover shapes a capricious natural framework, holding up various sorts of dazzling fish. The Trout replicating society in Barot is really something to watch. Over the Uhl River is the Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the Himalayan goral (of the goat family), Himalayan Mountain bears, and various others. The journey path through the safe house even cuts transversely over Kullu. This spot is home to luxurious timberlands, wanton deodar trees, and an assortment of trekking trails to peruse. A certain necessity visit spot for avid trekkers!

Gushaini

Gushaini, arranged near the Tirthan River in the Kullu area, is home to various Trout, and is as such known far and wide for its Trout Breeding Culture. On the off chance that you’re into lovely treks, calculating and outside, this is the spot for you. Trekkers may acknowledge outside in reduced vault tents pitched on the banks of the Tirthan Valley, making their Himalayan trek an experience like no other.

Jalori Jot

Jalori Jot is another generally adored of avid trekkers. Those staying in Shoja can drive down to Jalori Jot and keep on walking around to the well-known Sareyol Lake nearby the Jalori Jot Temple. This flawless spot is perfect for explorers planning to take in the stupendous greatness and the view that the Himalayas bring to the table, similarly with respect to those scanning for a calming and releasing up escape from their crazed city life and furious schedules.

Top 10 Offbeat Things To Do In Jammu And Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir embodies a feeling that only a few get to experience. Dubbed as, “Paradise on Earth”, this region carries with it places that have been extensively travelled and many unexplored. But the ones who truly understand the beauty of Kashmir are the ones who live in it. An exploration of this region will have you reeling at the sight of beautiful vast valleys, green rolling meadows, lofty white mountain peaks, and the clear blue sky under which they thrive. However the Kashmir known to many is not entirely Kashmir. It is when you deviate from the most recommended activities and places to marvel at the local life in idyllic places that you might know Kashmir and its beauteous charm. With the lockdown nearing its end here, we have gathered a list of things to do here!

Untouched by modern settlement, the region inhabits a beautiful ethnicity that carries forth a rich culture and a heavy history. Moreover, one can’t help but miss the feeling of sipping pink coloured namkeen chai while drinking in the beautiful landscape before us. As the unrest settles and the state gears up to reopen itself, we can’t wait to go back into this paradise.

The article lists activities that are offbeat. We have selected with careful consideration of factors such as time and budget. Most activities are accessible to people with busy schedules who can set a day or weekend aside for each activity.

Water Ski in Dal Lake

The adventurous spirit inside you can be honed with the activity of Water Skiing in Jammu and Kashmir. It will definitely well match the deep restless energy within you.  It is a sport that will allow the enthusiast to experience the water body with dramatic splashes! In Jammu, you can opt to do Water Skiing at the Water-Skiing facility available at Dal Lake. The wide basin of Dal Lake, Bod-Dal, has privately owned bathing boats that hire water skies and professional instructors.

Furthermore, the beautiful atmosphere of the Dal Lake with shimmering water surrounded by lofty brown mountains makes the sight quite aesthetic. To exercise your talent and skill through water sports, head over to Dal Lake in Srinagar for a fun experience.

Stay in Huts in the Doodhpathri Meadows

Doodhpathri is one of the many beautiful meadows that Kashmir has to offer! It is a hill station located in the Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir which is a 1-hour drive from Srinagar. Doodhpathri translates to Valley of Milk. The name comes from the river that appears to look as misty and white as milk from afar as it flows through the valley. This river is also attached to a legend revolving around the famous saint of Kashmir Sheikh ul Aalam Sheikh Noor din Noorani who has prayed here and pricked the ground for water but instead, found milk.

The expansive meadows of the valley are carpeted with lush green grass with shimmering water streaming amidst it. The place lies in a bowl-shaped valley that does not have a permanent settlement. The idyllic place is dotted with cattle grazing on the green grass across the meadows. Moreover, the local government has made efforts to make the place accessible by establishing government-owned huts for accommodation. You can even pop into the huts of the friendly locals who would be happy to host you for a day.

However, mind you that you may not get proper internet here so it is the perfect site to unwind far away from the world.

Eat Your Fill of Meat Mixed with Mawal Flowers

An experience of Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without the taste of the Kashmiri Wazwan dishes that dominated the traditional banquet. One of the most popular dishes in Kashmiri cuisine is the Rogan Josh. It is well known that the Kashmiri as heavy meat eaters given the perpetual climate conditions of the state. But the scrumptious twist they put to meat is something best understood by experiencing it. It is of Persian origin and is quite aromatic. However, one of the traditional Wazwan way of cooking the Rogan Josh is to mix it with Mawal ka Phool or Mawal Flower. The Mawal ka Phool is a fiery red flower or dried cockscomb flower that is indigenous to the valley.

Further on, the Wazwan cuisine is a multi-course meal served in a banquet or Traem/Trammi therefore, it is not something you’ll find easily. We recommend Ahdoo’s Hotel’s restaurant for a great and authentic experience of Wazwan dishes especially the Rogan Josh. The other dishes worth trying out are Gushtaba, Tabak Maz, Rista which are popular mutton dishes.

Mountain Biking Through the Hills

Another exciting activity that Kashmir fosters is the thrilling rush of mountain biking through its hills. The topography of Jammu and Kashmir effectively suits the activity of mountain biking which gives adventure seekers a key to exploring this place in a unique fashion. Beating the sunshine and breathing in the fresh sharp air of the region as you bike through its hills tackling one beautiful landscape after another is surely a great way to experience a place. Through the mountain biking routes available, you can witness the thick pine and deodar trees along with paddy fields, water streams, village markets and the dark woods.

Moreover, it will give you a perfect glimpse of the virgin nature of Kashmir in an eco-friendly manner. The best biking routes are Gulmarg to Pahalgam, Pahalgam to Srinagar, Sonmarg to Wular/Manasbal Lake, and Srinagar to Sonmarg. It is advisable to keep a sunscreen lotion, water bottle, and sunglasses with you.

Explore Snow Wildlife at Hemis National Park

Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh that spreads across various regions houses a bountiful of flora and fauna that represent nature’s beautiful creations. One of the best ways to explore and understand the wildlife residing in the union territory is to visit Hemis National Park. It is one of the mostpopular national parks within the territory and has the highest number of snow leopards in the whole world. Blanketed with snow, the national park is at a high-altitude region which provides perfect shelter to the animals that habitat in colder areas.

Moreover, you can even spot the Tibetan wolf, the Red Fox, Himalayan mouse hare, mountain weasel and the Eurasian brown bear that is currently endangered. The park is also a perfect place to indulge in bird watching. The Hemis National Park is the largest national park of India and it preserves the natural unbound beauty of nature here. The Indus River flows along the borders of the park.

Additionally, you may even opt for traditional homestays in this region for a lovely weekend getaway.

Walk Through the Meadows of Lolab Valley

The beauty of Lolab Valley has a certain divinity to it that beckons travellers to its enticing valley. Lolab Valley is the best place to go backpacking as you can walk along the meadows and trails within the valley to witness the pristine nature. The valley is oval-shaped and offers orchards, paddy fields, green meadows, clear springs and beautiful blue lakes. Furthermore, its fruit orchards are what attracts people there which is evident from the abundance of apple, cherry, peach, apricot and walnut trees in the region.

Locally known as, ‘Wadi-e-Lolab’, the place has been attributed to the title of ‘the land of love and beauty’ by the poets that sing its praises. Moreover, it houses two beautiful and unbelievably clear springs called Gauri and Lavnag.

The valley even has a relatively unexplored cave called Kalaroos cave that people believe connected Kashmir to Russia. This beautiful and enigmatic valley has a lot to offer for backpackers and explorers.

Drive to Sinthan Top for a Mesmerizing View

Sinthan Top is one of the rarely explored places in Jammu and Kashmir and therefore, it sees a very less crowd much to any traveller’s joy. It is a mountain pass that offers a fascinating view which will make you fall in love with the place. The drive to the top is accessible and well maintained so it makes a perfect long drive with family or friends. Dense pine trees, deep blue lakes and lofty mountains engulf the landscape. The view of nature and the two different mountain valleys is exquisitely beautiful.

Further on, the spot stands at 12,000 feet above the sea level and provides a perfect vantage point for the people to witness the picturesque landscape ahead. The top offers you a 360°-degree view of a dizzyingly beautiful landscape wherein you’ll find yourself lost in awe. Moreover, the journey to Sinthan Top in itself is quite an experience.

Hike to the Beautiful Nilnag Lake

The hike to the beautiful Nilnag Lakhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wazwane spans over 5kms in a lovely steep uphill journey. The hike is usually taken by those who visit Yusmarg or Yousmarg which is its base location. Yusmarg refers to Meadows of Jesus and is a charming little hill station that is quite inviting in its appeal. The local belief is that Jesus Christ stayed at Yusmarg during his travel of the world. Moreover, there are even contentious claims of his burial and tomb at this place but the alluring local belief and the tranquillity of the place is unforgettable.

From here on, people embark on a hike to Nilnag Lake. It is not a long trek but it offers a great trail along the water streams and through pine forests. The hike uphill is equally as rewarding as the sight of the lake. The lake is quite beautiful and blue which gives it the name ‘Nilnag’. You can rejuvenate from the energy spent by sitting by the lake and relaxing with friends. You will even be able to see fishes swimming in the water.

Try Angling At Kokernag

Kashmir is well known as an angler’s paradise as most of its water bodies, especially streams, are crystal clear and are home to many trout fishes. One of the many valleys that provide a good angling experience is Kokernag. Kokernag offers travellers a great insight into the exchange between man and nature. Not only is the green valley of Kokernag home to a beautiful fresh spring believed to have magical healing properties but it is quite popular for its trout-stocked streams. Moreover, the place has historical significance as it was mentioned in the Ain Akbari for having water that satisfied both hunger and thirst and soothed indigestion.

The Kokernag spring has a Trout Fish Hatchery where its channels are full of fishes of different sizes and ages. These fishes are reared for its seeds that are further exported to the north earth and Bhutan. The trout culture in Kokernag is quite fascinating and the best place for angling enthusiasts to check out the trout first-hand.

Explore the Natural Beauty of Chatpal

Chatpal in Kashmir is quite similar to the popular Pahalgam, yet it goes up one notch as it lacks the frequency of travellers. An exploration of Chatpal will leave the nature lover and solitary seeker in you quite satisfied. Chatpal is marked with untouched woods and forests with a beautiful stream winding its way across the valley. Under the blue sky dominated by thick clouds, this offbeat valley embodies heavenly characteristics of nature. You will witness the landscape painted green interrupted by the gurgling of fresh streams.

Furthermore, Chatpal even offers a trek to the valley that will etch amazing memories of your journey. One of the highlights of Chatpal is the sunset! To watch the golden rays sweep over the snow-capped mountains as a backdrop to the lovely meadows is a sight that you won’t witness very often. There are 2 government accommodations available at Chatpal if you wish to stay overnight. The place does not have any electricity and therefore, one should make preparations accordingly.