Hills

एक दिन की लैंसडाउन यात्रा

By

प्रोग्राम तय हुआ की बाइक से लैंसडाउन चला जाए, क्योकि मुज़फ्फर नगर से ये सबसे नजदीक का हिल स्टेशन पड़ता हैं, सुबह ठीक ६ बजे हम लोग निकल पड़े, पहला पड़ाव हुआ कोटद्वार में, एक चाय की दुकान पर जाकर रुके, एक – एक कप चाय और एक – एक मठरी खाकर आगे चल पड़े, दूर से सिध्बली बाबा के दर्शन हुए, मनोहर कहने लगा पहले दर्शन करते हैं, मैं बोला वापिस आते हुए करेगे, ये तो एक टोक लगनी थी, माफ़ कीजियेगा अपनी मुज़फ्फरनगर वाली बोली बोल रहा हूँ, पहाड़ पर अपनी चढ़ाई शुरू हो चुकी थी, हमारी बजाज प्लेटिना धीरे धीरे चढ़ रही थी. 

Read More

Paradise on Earth- Part 4

By

Pahalgam turned out to be very beautiful too, with the roaring Lidder and the rocky snow clad mountains complimenting each other. After finishing our breakfast, we headed for our first destination, Betaab Valley. It is so called as it was once the location for the filming of the film, “Betaab”. It was also the background in many scenes from the Ranbir Kapoor starrer, Rockstar. To reach the valley, a detour has to be taken from the road leading to Chandenwadi. It is located beside a much calmer portion of the Lidder, and with its artificially planted forest, does give the feel of being in the UK. Although Betaab valley is slightly commercialized, it has a very calming effect on the nerves.

Read More

Himachal – Spiti Valley – Kaza, Kibber

By

At Kibber we stayed at Tashi Zom guest house which was just before the village separate from the rest of the village. It was really sunny, windy and chilly outside so most of the time we stayed indoor. I went out a little to take a walk around the guest house and inside the village. This is a proper village with a school and a game of volleyball was going on. There are other guest houses and this village witness some tourists. Here I met Mr. Anurag Jately and his assistant. He is ex-NGC, ex-Fox Traveller head of programming for them and he was shooting night sky in timelapse, phew!! I was just awestruck listening to his anecdotes and watching some of his work on his laptop.

Read More

शान्तमय सुरमय निर्मल नीरव चम्बा, उत्तराखंड

By

पूछने पर पता चला की वहां किसी और का कमरा बुक नहीं है और अगली तीन रातों के लिए हम लोग अकेले ही वहां रूकने वाले हैं | हम लोग रूम में पहुंचे और ‘मेरे द्वारा सरकारी होटल के चयन’ विषय पर पत्नी जी का भाषण सुना | एक बार फिर मामले को सँभालते हुए मैंने शीघ्र सोने का प्रस्ताव रखा जो कुछ संक्षिप्त टिपण्णीयों के बाद मंजूर हो गया |

Read More

Monsoon trip to Kasauli – I

By

Nestled in the Shivalik ranges of Lesser Himalayas, Kasauli is a popular destination among weekenders ex-Delhi (and of course, Chandigarh). At a relatively short distance, it offers bounties of a Himalayan destination – the curvedly drives, unpolluted environs, hill views and co-habitation with Pahari folks.

Read More

Himachal – Kalpa, Nako, Tabo, Dhankar

By

We next stopped near Khab where Sutlej river coming from Shikpila pass towards the east meets Spiti river from north. Spiti has much cleaner water and it can be seen distinctly at the confluence. Shipkila which is a pass to Tibet/China is only around 40 km from here. One of the high peaks of Kinnaur district Reo Purgyil (6800+ mts) is also situated here.

Read More

Motorcycle Diaries. Road to Ladakh…Leh – the land of monasteries…

By

First thing first – True’s care! Our RE Team Leader Aakash had announced last evening that the bikes should get serviced, if needed, early on this day. True was cruising all fine and needed no service. However, eight days of grime, dirt and dips in water forced True to take a bath! So, I initiated the hunt for a bike/car wash center nearby. However, it being Sunday, Leh was largely shut and I had to drive 8kms on Manali Highway, all the way to the hamlet of Chogalmasar Jamba, where across the bridge exists an old acquaintance’s garage; a person whom was meeting after good six years! But, just like all other people from the hills, he was extremely warm and forthcoming. So, True was given special preference in queue.

Read More

Himachal – Shimla, Sarahan, Sangla Valley

By

Sangla is also famous for Kamru Fort. This fort is like a tower dedicated to Kamakshi Temple. The Goddess idol was brought from Guwahati (Assam). We braced ourselves and took to steep climb of stairs. The climb took us through houses of Kamru village and get a peek into their life. First there is a temple which has couple of shrines in the small courtyard in hill architecture. Their sloping roofs are lined with flat chipped stones tiles and the distinctive cone as the top. The main Kamru fort was still some climb away. Thankfully, it was quite sunny and pleasant for the climb. After some time, the Kamru fort came into view perched right at the top of the village. One has to tie a cloth around waist and wear a cap which is available in the fort to enter the precincts and go around.

Read More

Trip to Nainital – Lake View

By

We hired a cab from Kathgodam that drove us through many a switchbacks and hairpin curves to Nainital in pitch darkness of early morning. It was a clear sky with bright constellations shining overhead – immaculate and sinless.

Read More

Visting Mirik, West Bengal

By

almost fully broken road with a 20/25 degree continuous elevation, occasionally screeching of clutch and tyre enabled me to stop and offload heads. It succeeded for a while but finally around 6/7 kms before Rishi Road junction the vehicle was impossible to move up. The burning rubber smell and the sound of throwing pebble underneath by wheel”s thrust made me stop completely

Read More

Delhi to Gangotri, peace at Gaumukh

By

You are covered by Mountains on either side and from front Gangotri Glacier. We spent close to 1 hrs. at Gaumukh.After taking chilly holy dip at Gaumukh we decided to return. On this stretch, returning too is tough because for many kms. You have to walk on pointed heavy stones.

Read More