Prashar lake is a probably the easiest way to get personal with the Himalayas. The trek is easy with a few sections of steep ascent through a serene forest. The lake itself, sitting at the bottom of a bowl, is small and blissful. In January and early February part of the forest trail and the… Read More Prashar Lake- relaxed trek in Mandi
Kuari pass in winter is worthwhile as a study of how weather impacts trekking trail. What is really a rather simple ascent (or decent) through pastures and forests at other times becomes a different beast in winter. Information on this winter trail abounds online and in guidebooks. However, one point that isn’t so clear from… Read More Aborted attempt to Kuari Pass
My meeting in Vizag or Vishakhapatnam surprisingly finished before lunch. Since my flight was in the evening, some sightseeing around the city seemed in order. Imagine lush green hills facing a mirthful sea and long strip beaches. Vizag being spread out where the Eastern Ghats meet the Bay of Bengal fits the scene . I… Read More Ending a day at Vizag fishing harbour
The idea of doing a trek in Scotland with Mama was already there. While as a destination Scotland was an easy choice, deciding which trail to do wasn’t as easy given the sheer number of equally beautiful trails available. We chose to do the Arran Coastal trail for no particular reason. Since my previous treks… Read More Arran Coastal Trail June 2016
I have a day in Mcleodgunj before heading down to Delhi. This is the first week of June. Delhi is sizzling. Even here summer lingers in the cool air. I started early, only to realize that the hotel restaurant isn’t serving breakfast yet. Luckily another one down the street was open and was happy to… Read More Triund on a hot, hot summer day
Chadar is a much celebrated trek through a gorge in Zanskar Himalayas drained by the Zanskar river. In winter a crust of ice covers the top of the river. This is the Chadar. Since time immemorial the Zanskaris have been using this route in winter for transit to Leh from the upland villages. I was… Read More Chadar Trek Jan 2016: Treachery of a frozen river
The top after and before slippery rocks Moss, moisture, snow, loosened grip All reach the top, Some reach a destination.
Buran Pass or Buran Ghati situated at 4750 mtrs connects the valley of Pabbar river to the valley of Baspa river. The walk takes one from Janglik in Shimla to Brua in Kinnaur. The trail traverses through forests, meadows, snowed over rivers and streams and spectacularly beautiful villages. Reyan and I did this trek in… Read More Buran Ghati Trek June 2015
We just crossed the Buran Ghati or Buran pass from Shimla side and are now in Kinnaur. After months of planning which was almost completely done by Reyan I’m finally here. As I lie face-up on the snow… dark clouds swirl above, converging at the top of the pass making it disappear in a magical… Read More Buran Ghati Trek- Shimla to Kinnaur in 5 days!!!
My almost final plan to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek cancelled due to the non-availability of enough leaves. I was unhappily browsing indiamike.com when suddenly a post seeking partners for Roopkund attracted my attention. Seemed like a god sent since the dates matched my available leave dates beautifully. That is how Roopkund turned out to… Read More Roopkund Trek- first time in the bosom of the Himalayas
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