
Lucknow – Kanpur – Etawah-Mainpuri – Road Review
You Ghumakkars are just great. Two weeks ago yours truly had to urgently go on a field trip to Mainpuri. I normally go to…
Read MoreYou Ghumakkars are just great. Two weeks ago yours truly had to urgently go on a field trip to Mainpuri. I normally go to…
Read MoreKalapani, Cellular Jail are names which inspire visions of the freedom struggle and the tortures faced by the Indian freedom fighters immortalized by the 1958 and the 1996 movies of the same name. No visit to the Islands of the Andaman and Nicobar are complete without a visit to the jail and the accompanying sound and light show. History tells us that the construction of the jail was started in 1896 and completed in 1906 with seven wings shaped like spokes of a wheel radiating from a central column.
Read MoreRoss Island is located 10 minutes by boat to the east of Aberdeen Jetty, Port Blair and forms a part of the Andaman &…
Read MoreThe ancient city of Mamallapuram has been called the town of the seven pagodas ever since the first European explorers reached the city several…
Read MoreWell, for my last post on this trip. This piece is for those people who are interested in making the trip to Corbett and…
Read MoreCorbett National Park is located just 71 km from Nainital and the drive is just wonderful both for driving and visually. The park is…
Read MoreWe had been talking about going to Nainital for a very long time. A three day holiday just seemed the best time to do…
Read MoreThe Residency is a wonderful piece of history. It tells us of the resilience of Indian troops during the mutiny. Studies tell us that they were defeated due to the lack of officers. Any army needs officers to coordinate fire and chalk out strategies. This was sadly lacking and the revolution petered out. The British on the other hand realised that they could not be masters for long in a country not their own. The Residency stands today as a testimony of the rule of that day.
Read MoreThe Sar Pass Trek itself is for 11 days with 3 days at base camp, 4 days climbing and 3 days descending and breaking on the last day. It costs around Rs. 3000/- per head including accommodation in tents at all base camps, Rucksack, Sleeping Bags and food for the entire 11 days (Vegetarian). Participation is very heavy averaging about 55-60 per group at the rate of one group per day for 30 days.
So, I duly made my bookings got the necessary permissions from the Office and patiently waited for D Day. In the mean time preparations were on in full swing – medicines, winter wear, rain wear and most important – Shoes. I did so much research on shoes to wear – Hi Tec, Action, Bata Hunters, Merrel, Woodlands – There were so many brands and so many recommendations on so many websites. I finally zeroed in on Weinbrenner from Bata and I was not disappointed.
Kasol is located about 30 km from Bhunter which incidentally is the airport nearest to Kullu. Any of those numerous Volvo buses from Delhi to Manali will drop you at Bhunter. From there an hours ride to Kasol which is just 5 kms before Manikaran. The camp is located just outside of Kasol with the Parvati river flowing right beside it. The camp is made entirely of tents. There are bout 18-20 tents for the participants, Ladies on one side and gents on the other, A big lounge tent, Reception tent, Kitchen tent and the Camp Directors and other camp staffs tent. The only permanent buildings are the toilets. Each tent is large enough to accommodate 14 individuals – bit of a crush actually but the company is really good.
Read MoreThe road upto Bareilly was generally good and but bad in a few patches. However, Bareilly to Lalkuan was a different story altogether. I believe there is a bypass outside of Bareilly but I couldn’t find it so I had to go through the city. If someone gets to know of the location of the bypass do inform. The number of trucks have to be seen to be believed. Coupled with bad roads it’s definitely a slow track. There’s some kinda factory before Lalkuan and trucks are lined up on both sides of the road. Where there are trucks, there are traffic jams and coupled with atrocious truck drivers the experience is tough. There is also extensive construction work on this sector.
The road improves dramatically from Lalkuan. A stop is advised before the climb from Kathghodham to Nainital. The Drive from this point on is smooth cos the roads are very good, maintained well and aren’t as steep as people would have you believe.
Read MoreSantiniketan is a name which evokes memories of Rabindranath Tagore and the Nobel Price. Of the Viswa Bharathi University, of art and culture, peace and tranquility. A visit to Kolkatta is incomplete without a visit to Santiniketan. I had an opportunity to visit the place last December and have tried to give some glimpses of the cultural ethos of the place
Read MorePart I – Base Camp Part II – The Ascent Part III – The Descent The Descent to Biskeri Thatch, the next lower camp…
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