If I rewind back to 2 years from now...I can see a girl who was totally new to this city of gold..She dared to take ride of this city ..The city of dreams approach me to take this ride...She assured me that we'll adjust definitely..and today its like 2 years I'm breathing in this city..Love you Mumbai!!!

Well breathing in this city is not enough..So like every other new comer I visited Gateway of India,marine lines,girgaon choupati,band stand, mount marry,colaba,bandra,etc.etc. But now its time to go on boundaries of Mumbai...where you can feel real beauty of nature..

Mansoon 2017 was a totally rocking mansoon I ever had..I started from karnala(panvel) ,mahuli (asangan)and sinhad(pune). My first Trek was karnala..I was eagerly waiting for this day from last one year..and finally with help of my friends we complete my dream..It was amazing experience..that make me to explore two more forts ..

Karnala Fort- Karnala fort is situated in Raigad district at the base of karnala bird sanctury ,nearly 10 km away from Panvel city on Mumbai-goa highway.If you don't have private vehicle you can go by public transport. So we start for trekking at 10 am ,sometimes it becomes hard to collect every friend when its weekend ,so as usual we got little late,but climate was cooled down so we don't get that much tired. Usually you should start trekking little early so you get good paths to walk (i mean less mud on path and you can enjoy great views).

Karnala is very basic trek ,so whoever interested in trekking and not sure about your trekking stamina can go for karnala without any fear. At the base you can enjoy reserved birds like peacock,parrots,etc

Light rain has began when we were climbing up,which make that trekking more exciting ,you can enjoy rain,fog ,wind ...this combination of three will inspire to go on top of the mountain. You can enjoy great views of raigad district just after one hour of climbing. Beautiful butterfly will start catching your eyes,you can see different types of wild flowers,etc You can capture great snaps for your next cool post ,if you are social media addicted or a photographer.

After 2 hours of climbing you can see the actual target.After walking 20 minutes more we reached to entrance of the fort .There is a temple deddicated to goddess Bhavani located at the bottom of the fort. It is said that the goddess gave a sword to king Shivaji, which he then used to conquer a vast area of land for the establishment of a Hindu nation. Karnala Fort extends around the 125 feet basalt pillar also called Pandu's pillar. It is believed that the pillar was once a watch-tower. Below that pillar is a water cistern that is believed to have a year long supply of fresh water. There are also a few caves to take shelter. We sat down on a restored bit of wall and took in the view. The fort extended on all sides and Panvel stretched out way below in the distance.

The view, from up here, is amazing. I was glad to see plenty of trekkers who had come there to spend a day at the fort. Finally after resting for a while we decided to make our way down. What goes up has to come down. The climb looked easy but the descent would not be so,road become too much slippery because mud and rain ,this was the most difficult part of the journey. By 3:00 pm, we were at the entrance of Karnala. From there, we boarded a tum tum to Panvel station.

This is how my first trek end up , trekking makes you feel alive,suddenly you feel more younger than ever.It is the best way to explore the newer you.Go out , log off your computers ,you just need good hiking shoes and couple of adventures friends.

Recently, I did the most difficult treks of my life and one of the most difficult in the Sahyadri hills, Dhak Bahiri! The trek is not very enduring but gets semi-technical at the end. At many points the rock formation on the mountain gets 85 degrees and you need every ounce of skill and concentration inside you to make it. Mind you at many points there is support rope but 'NO' safety rope!! The drop if you make a single mistake is a few hundred feet to the jungle below. Certainly not for the faint hearted.

At the top is Shivaji's Cave Fort of Dhak Bahiri that also houses a Bhairavji Temple and the view is simply mind-blowing to say the least! Please find the videos to my full adventures below!

Camping in Jambiwali before the Dhak Bahiri trek (Part 1) - 

One of the most dangerous treks in Maharashtra - Dhak Bahiri (Part 2) - 

However scary and annoying the enormous tourist scams in popular Cairohistorical sites of Egypt are, it would always be fun-filled if you can apply counter-tricks to those pushy people on your own favour. Our journey from Cairo downtown to Giza pyramid complex by using public transportation will be remembered ever for all those mischievous attempts taken by us.

Our hostel was in Downtown area and from there El Sadat is the nearest metro station. On that morning, we caught a train from El Sadat and got down at El Giza metro station.

Giza complex is 8.5 kms away from that place. We were supposed to take a bus from there to get to there, but had no idea from where we would get the bus. After coming out from El Giza metro station we were helplessly looking at others' to find somebody who would seem English-speaking! Suddenly we saw a middle-aged man approaching to us with a sociable smile. He asked about our nationality and whether we would intend to visit Giza pyramids. That was our 3 rd day in Egypt and we had already learnt that the common Egyptian people, not associated with tourism business cannot usually speak such fluent and flawless English and never talk about their historical sites unless being asked. Therefore, the man was none other than a tout from a tour company. But we did not let him understand what we understood and asked him about the bus-station. The man, with acute hope of his forthcoming profit said, "Yes! Yes! I am also going to Giza. Come with me." With deceptive innocence, we started to follow him. On the way, we were informed that the ticket price of micro-bus is just 1 EGP and we should not ask for the price, as in that case the driver would demand higher price.

After arriving at the bus stop, the man revealed his intention of arranging 'the best guide for us' and was refused then and there. After few attempts, he finally realized that we were actually befooling him and disappeared suddenly. Along with him, the chance of getting the right bus was also gone. The names of the destinations were written on the buses, but to our disappointment, in Arabic script. Then, we started shouting 'pyramid pyramid' to every bus(nobody knows English, so no need to use full sentence) , but surprisingly, the drivers and all other passengers were gazing at us with vacant looks, as if they never heard anything called 'pyramid', which is a defining symbol of their own country!!! Later, we had realized that there might be an Arabic word for pyramid familiar to everybody.

After that we started using sign language like drawing triangle in air for pyramids and it started to work. A bus-driver indicated us to get up to his bus. We followed him, but were doubtful whether he understood us or not.

I searched for a Google image of Pyramid in my smart-phone and showed it to the guy sitting next to us. He started to convince us something in Arabic, and later the other passengers joined him. From their broken English, we finally perceived that the bus would go to a four point crossing and then would turn right. We would have to get down at that point and take another bus for Giza complex.

We followed their instruction. After getting down, the next venture was who to ask for the next bus. But that was Egypt! Touts are found anywhere. Another man, with the same sociable approach like the previous one appeared! But, he did not hide himself and told that he would arrange horse or camel rides for us in Giza complex. We again played the same trick of pretending like we knew nothing and kept questioning on the price and benefits of hiring animals until we arrived at the bus stop guided by him and were instructed to get up on the right bus. "Sorry! We are scared of animal riding! Thank you! Good-bye!"- We said and jumped into the bus leaving him in utter disappointment.

The rest of the journey was absolutely hassle-free. We met an English-speaking lady, not related to tourism business in the bus. According to her, this bus (route no 357) along with the bus of rout no 355 is available from Tahrir Square which is close to Downtown Cairo and we were advised to take any of these bus in time of our way back. The bus finished its trip near the front gate of Giza complex. We got down and saw the Sphinx and the pyramids just opposite the road.

Useful tips

Giza is a city on the western bank of Nile, near Cairo. The pyramid complex of Giza is 20 kms away from the downtown area of Cairo. Cairo and its outskirts are well-connected through metro and this is the fastest and cheapest mode of travel there, but there is no metro station in vicinity of the pyramid complex of Giza. The nearest one is El Giza metro station, which is 8.5 kms away from the pyramid complex. Cairo metro network consists of three operational lines. People staying in Downtown Cairo should go to El Sadat station of Tahrir Square for metro connectivity. Both El Giza and El Sadat stations are on line 1. If your nearest metro station is on any other line, then you should go through the Cairo metro map (easily available in internet) and will get idea on which junction you should change trains. After coming out from El Giza station, take your left hand side, move 100 meters further on a downward slope towards the main road and then cross the road as the bus stop is situated on the opposite side. Ticket price for each metro-ride, irrespective of their distance is just 1 EGP, and the micro-buses cost you the same. The most convenient and a very pocket-friendly way, as we recommend is to jump into the AC buses (no 355/357) of Cairo Transport Authority and get down in front of the Giza complex. These buses are available from Tahrir Square, airport or Heliopolis. Try to start in early morning to avoid traffic jam. You may get to Giza by hiring a private cab, but there are many cab-drivers, who will not take you directly to the front gate of Giza complex, rather stop the car to a horse/camel provider's office, which is far away from the gate and will force you to hire their animals or carts, otherwise he will not drive anymore. So, it is always safer to use public transportation. Related Posts

Pyramids of Giza : Here We Come! https://comecrosstheline.wordpress.com/2017/05/01/pyramids-of-giza-here-we-come

Pyramid Complex of Giza : Tips for Your Best Experience https://comecrosstheline.wordpress.com/2017/05/24/pyramid-complex-of-giza-tips-for-your-best-experience

Start with a wine tour

There is excitement coupled with curiosity among the visitors. While some are seasoned connoisseurs, others are first timers who have come to be introduced to the world of wine. And what better place than Sula Vineyards which is Nashik’s first winery for this introduction which is done via a wine tour! Nashik is India’s premier wine capital and often referred to as the country’s Napa Valley.

Since I am staying at The Souce at Sula which is India’s first heritage winery resort, the wine tour is included in my stay. The Source at Sula overlooks a verdant vineyard and guests can enjoy the view, chill by the pool, get a spa therapy, relish multi cuisines or bicycle in the picturesque setting. Visitors who come specifically for the wine tour can register at The Store.

I was fascinated by the guide’s narration right from how the grapes are grown, sorted, crushed, juice extracted to how the delicious wine is prepared in the state of the art winery where the tour is conducted. Don’t miss visiting the barrel room where the wines are matured in oak barrels stacked neatly atop one another. The tour ends with wine tasting which is done at the Tasting Cellar.

We poured, swirled, sniffed and then savoured the white and red wines while munching on cheese flavoured crackers. The Store sells an entire array of wines along with Sula Grape Seed Oil. One can also sit at the Tasting Room and sip a glass of wine while enjoying the vineyard view.

Know before you go: There are tours every hour starting from 11.30 am-6.30 pm on all days except dry days.

Choose your chivda

Feeling relaxed after the bubbly, it was time to sample the other treat of Nashik namely its chivda. At Madhavjika Badhiya Chivda, I meet Ashirwad More who is the third generation in his family business of selling crunchy chivda. “The business started in 1925 with a single basket of two varieties of chivda. Madhavrao More, my grandfather with his two brothers would sit near the Shani Mandir and sell this basket of chivda. Today we have 12 varieties of chivda and 3 branches. Our products are also exported. Our USP is our taste and quality,” recounts More proudly.

The most popular mixture of this savoury is the kanda or onion chivda that is loved for its spicy taste. The base ingredient for most Nashik chivda is roasted rice flakes. Another variation which is Vijay Bhel is less spicy than chivda and made from puffed rice. Makai chivda is made from cornflakes.

Makhmali chivda contains cashew nuts and raisins and is prepared from thin rice flakes. Since it is soft, it melts in the mouth earning its name of makhmali. Mungdal is a mix of lentils while diet chivda and sugar free chivda are newer additions to the range.

Kondaji Chivda is the other chivda brand of Nashik. They sell the onion, dry fruit and bhel versions apart from Jain chivda.

Know before you go: You can sample the varieties before buying. If stored in an air tight container away from sunlight, chivda has a shelf life of 4 months.

Satiate your sweet tooth with jalebis, khurchand wadi and raghodas laddoos

Craving some sweet meat, I drive to Budha Halwai which is located near Bhadrakali Mandir. A fresh batch of jalebis is being fried as I enter. I stop to feast my eyes on the agility of the halwai as he deftly pours the jalebi mixture into the hot oil with one hand while shifting the frying jalebis to one side with his other hand.

The shop is full of customers seated on wooden benches savouring the sweet meat with rabri and curd. The rabri and curd are also prepared inhouse. The shop is named Manohar Mithai and it is where Budha Lakshman Wagh worked. Later, he bought the shop and is credited for making its jalebis famous. Hence, in Nashik the shop is called Budha Halwai as a tribute to him.

“Budha was a visionary who started selling jalebis in the evening too. Formerly they were only sold in the morning. The trend caught on,” mentions Vinod Gokhale who has been working here since 25 years. Budha is also the pioneer of making jalebis from potato and sago flour. Called batata or potato jalebis, they are prepared twice in a year during Ashadhi Ekadashi and Maha Shivratri when devotees observe fast and can eat these jalebis. On both these days the normal jalebi is not prepared.

Don’t miss the Khurchand wadi, Raghodas laddoos, shrikhand and aamrakhand. Khurchand wadi is a burfi prepared using a special Nashik recipe. The process of preparing wadi takes an entire day. Raghodas laddoos are prepared from roasted semolina, khoya and sugar.

Know before you go: Budha Sweets is open from 8.30 am to 9.30 pm and the jalebis are freshly prepared in front of you. You can get them packed for outstation too.

Misal calling

Misal which is a popular breakfast and snack option is another must have while in Nashik. Misal is prepared with poha, chivda, sev, moth bean, rasa or gravy and is garnished with chopped onions and coriander. It is eaten with pav which is a kind of bread and lemon. For misal, the next day I headed to Ambika Misal which is situated near Panchavati Karanja.

Started in 1970’s by Tulsiram Kukkar, the eatery is now run by his grandson Paresh Kukkar. Since the gravy of the misal at Ambika is prepared using black masala or spices like black pepper, it has its own unique taste. It is also darker in colour compared to the misal gravy of other eateries which prepare it from red masala. “Chillies are the main ingredient of red masala while our black masala is less spicy. It is a generation based recipe that is prepared at home. We start preparation of misal at 6 am everyday,” adds Paresh Kukkar.

Know before you go: Ambika’s misal sells quickly and I recommend getting there by 8 am as the dish is available from 8.00 am-12.00pm and in the evening from 4.00pm-7.00pm. Ambika Misal has no branches.

How To Reach

By Air

Closest airports: Mumbai (165 kms) and Pune (208 kms)

By Train

Closest railway station: Nashik

By Road

MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) operates buses to Nashik on a regular basis from Pune and Mumbai.

Recently, my girlfriends and I got the chance to take off during the long Diwali weekend and we wanted to go for a quick short trip. After some considerable research of places to go near Mumbai, we finally zeroed on Sula Vineyards in Nashik. I was really excited for this since I had only heard about the vineyards and seen pretty pictures of it online or on friends’ social media feeds. This place is famous for the Sula fest that takes places during the harvest season in February every year. We had booked a hotel near the vineyards. We left on Saturday morning in a rented cab and checked in to our hotel at 3 pm. We quickly got ready and rushed to Sula since we wanted to finish the vineyard trip and head to another nearby winery, Soma to see the sunset as a lot of people had written about pretty sunset views from Soma.

When we reached Sula, it suddenly felt like some fair. It was crowded and like how. There was hardly any place to walk in that huge property. We were really disappointed and decided to directly head to Soma and do the wine tour the next morning before heading back. Soma, on the other hand was empty and pleasant to explore. We directly headed to the terrace restaurant since we were there mainly for two things- wine and sunset, both of which were quite a delight.

The wine at Soma was quite nice. They had the Chenin Blanc Dessert which was was a mixture of peach, dried apricots with lushness of melon and pineapple. It had the perfect balance of sour and sweet with an after taste of apple-honey which made it absolutely palatable. They have another variant in this: the Dessert Sauvignon Blanc which is high in its acidic content with more of pineapple flavour. We spent the entire evening at Soma, drinking wine, walking around the vineyard before calling it a night.

Next morning, we made sure we reached Sula at 10.30 am (that’s when it opens) so that we get to do the wine tour before the crowd pours in. For spice lovers, there’s a very famous restaurant near Sula, called Sadhana Restaurant where you get charcoal made misal (lentil stew) which is loaded with spice, so much so that my friends had to pour bowls of curd in it to douse the spice. Our wine tour started at 11.30 am, before which we were touring Sula vineyards, which is a huge property. It has an open amphitheatre where the festival takes place, surrounded by lush green gardens.

From understanding the entire process of grape harvest to what kind of grapes go in making each kind of wine to holding a wine glass properly followed by a finale of wine tasting, the tour was quite enjoyable, so to speak. There were a few myth busters as well like how wine should not be stored for years. It starts to oxidise which eventually makes it completely sour and inedible to drink. Also the fact that Champagne is Champagne. No other brand can use that name. Just like you cannot call France as India, you cannot call sparkling wine Champagne in India. Champagne is the name of a village in France and that’s how the sparkling wine that’s made there is called that.

In all we tasted six different kinds of wine: white, red, rosé sparkling wine (my favourite) and three other types of red wine which were late harvest and hence dry in taste.

Obviously a vino trip is incomplete without wine bottles, so I ended up buying tonnes of bottles to stock them for all the upcoming year end celebrations. Before coming here, I was not sure how the place is going to be cause Nashik is still an orthodox developing town but the vineyards feel like a different world altogether. A must visit place. In fact I plan to visit there again specially during the harvest season between December to March so that I can also do some grape stomping. Will be a lot of fun, I am sure :) Till then happy vining guys!

So it was late April and my Sister was already upset with me for not visiting Chennai earlier until scorching heat of April to confirm my plan. Alas we made it and I was quite excited about road trip to Puducherry. I think if there was some kind of record being held for having glitches in beginning of every trip I will be the one to win it. So start of all successful trips, start with chaos this time was no different - me and my brother ended up taking different flights from same location because of his absentmindedness when I discussed the plan and we had to bear some flight change charges.

Nonetheless the trip was worth it, it has been a while we three got together for a trip specially after my sister’s wedding. Chennai for most of the North Indians have a repelling effect it was same for me earlier until my Sister sang about all the amazing things of this place, I was quite intrigued to find out myself. As soon as I boarded these young couple came to pick me up in there new Ciaz, it startled me (I mean the car).

We had continuous gossip sessions and I was overwhelmed to see my Sister’s creations, the house was decorated like an art gallery and personally I believe she should charge a visitor entry.

Next day our younger and good for nothing brother (as is always said for the youngest sibling) joined us and we started early morning to Pondicherry needless to say we had so many arguments, leg pulling and gang up session. So everyone was ragged in round, Kanav who used to have quite a shock earlier is now at ease with our crazy behaviours as we fight and blame each other all the time but won’t let anyone else point out or blame one of us. :P

We visited MGM beach and Dakshin Chitra which is set up to showcase Dravid rural lifestyle and culture and takes one in to the medieval period of south, I could remember all my history lessons, legendary Dynasties of Pallava, Chola etc.

Next day drive from Chennai to Mahabalipuram was spectacular and the roadside with sparse coastal population is truly attractive. It was hot but still breathtaking as soon as we got out of our car in Mahabalipuram reality check happened with the weather, it was hot enough to melt someone.

Our travel spree was not out though, we walked along the temple and as soon as I entered, I was mesmerized to see this amazing ancient architecture piece of art, which is said to be much expansive earlier but most of the area is lost due to Tsunami. It is a photographer’s paradise and the interiors are quite stirring. They have depth, aesthetically carved in each creation highlighting the superior skills of the craftsmanship of that time.

We spent some quality time and left for Pondicherry to avoid the burning sun exposure. My sister was constantly telling us about one series in TVF which is based on 3 siblings each of different types and the similarities between our characters at that time as I haven’t watched so could not visualize what she was implying now I have a fair idea :P.

We booked a 2 bed homestay in Pondicherry and it was in front of the beach, the best site you can ask for and notably it wasn’t crowded like normal beaches it made us feel more like a private beach.

As soon as we entered both the males went out, running to the beach while me and my sister grabbed the bed for some more gossip :P. sisters can never run out of it I am pretty sure.

In the evening we left for Tagore Ashram and the French colony. This was what I have seen in pictures of Pondicherry and I was happy to be finally there actually.

After many photoshoot sessions, we went to the silent Tagore Ashram, it’s not allowed to chat or make any kind of noise in the Ashram and it was a tough task for me, as I had to suppress all my expression about the flower arrangement, interiors, and the ambience. This place makes you feel you are in some medieval European era. Architecture, food, streets and the people all makes you feel good and adds to your holiday mood.

We had great dinner in Dilliwalla 6 (A Dilliwala can’t resist when they see anything related to them).

Later in night we explored a street market with local foods and crafts.

Other day instead of wandering around, we decided to enjoy our homestay, there was a very welcoming terrace with the beach view which was fully utilised with breakfast, music and photoshoots.

As always I was delegating tasks to my sister she was delegating to my brother and we end up quarrelling and then assigning turns to each one. As no one wanted to go downstairs to pick the breakfast repeatedly, Kanav had learnt his lesson so he was amongst us delegating duties after he has completed his round, it was amusing and I think the best part of the trip .

The post trip realization was, once in a while, a family trip with your siblings is needed almost mandatory to jump back to your childhood, to complain, blame, tease about all the memories.

When we are together it’s like we have travelled back in time, we are not the usual grownups anymore we become the same 3 broods fighting over petty things like remote, car speed, using each other’s clothes, hiding each other’s stuff, sharing beds, and pulling blankets.

This is highly recommended for good mental health and you can always release your stress and frustration on your younger siblings without feeling guilty and depressed.

Being the eldest, I personally love bullying ;).

This year’s annual visit to Cannes Film Festival was exciting for a lot of reasons. From being planned at the last moment to getting the visa on the day of departure to mom and mine’s first solo trip together, this trip was full of surprises at every step. Also since mom hadn’t been to Paris before I thought it would be great to cover some of the old and nice cafes of Paris.

It was difficult getting vegetarian food at these cafes for mom (this is before I turned vegetarian) but there were quite a few options available. In this blog, I have listed the cafes that I went to while exploring Paris, again.

Café des Deux Moulin– This was the first cafe we went to since we were on a walking tour in the area of Montmarte and if you have seen the movie Amélie, you would surely want to experience the place where the film was shot. It is a popular cafe bustling with tourists and Amélie fans getting their pictures clicked around a corner designated to the movie’s art. The food is reasonably priced. We had a glass of wine and some Crispy de Serrano, hot cantaloupe on toast with fried veggies. The cantaloupe on toast can be a blast of sodium for people who are not used to it.

Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole– Looking to have a feel of the 18th century Paris? Then Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole is the place for you. A cafe cum restaurant, this cafe is situated very close to the Notre Dame cathedral and was built around the same time as the cathedral. It was once home to the Church priest and there are rooms that still exist on the second and third floor of the cafe. They do rent it out to travellers but do not advertise because they don’t wish to commercialise the stay. This cafe, although situated in a tiny little corner will immediately grab your attention thanks to the colourful decor and an array of vines beautifully decorating the windows.

Even the interiors are thousand years old, the staff believes in maintaining the legacy. It was a little past lunch time when I visited the cafe but I had a nice lunch with chicken breast, salad and a glass of wine. This cafe is a must visit for all photography lovers.

Café de la Rotonde– Another old brasserie frequented by artists like Pablo Picasso Diego Rivera, Alexandre Jacovleff, La Rotonde is a famous cafe in the Montparnasse Quarter of Paris. I was lost while finding my way to the cafe and when I asked the owner of a small pancake shop nearby, he was really happy that I am going to this cafe. Sitting outside on the street under umbrella, sipping wine, witnessing the crowd go on about their lives was fascinating, so to speak. I went for a tuna salad and a glass of wine. The staff was the best part about the cafe; impeccably polite and quick.

Shakespeare and Company Cafe– I have to admit but out of all the cafes, this is one of my favourite. Situated at a walking distance from Notre Dame, one of the favourite bookstores in Paris, now also has a cafe right next to it. Had I not been with mom, I could have simply grabbed a book from the bookstore and sat in this cafe for hours, doing absolutely nothing. Such is the vibe of the cafe and the people who frequent it. They mostly serve vegetarian food so I went for a avocado bagel sandwich and a hummus pita platter along with some fresh pressed fruit juice. And when you are at Shakespeare and Co., how can you resist the temptation of buying some books?

Le Verre Luisant Cafe– A local friend of mine took us to this cafe near Chatelet. The manager of the cafe was American and he was really happy to have Indians at the cafe. It was a quaint little cafe located at the corner of the street from where we witnessed a beautiful colourful sunset while enjoying our pasta and burger. The menu is all in French but the staff is extremely helpful with their suggestions and the ambience is all young and energetic.

There were a lot many cafes that I wanted to visit but couldn’t due to my limited stay but I am sure I will visit them again during my next trip. Lastly, every time I return from Paris, it has become a ritual to get different croissants so that I can relive the Parisian life for a few more days in Mumbai. I was lucky to find Du Pain Et Des Idees, a very popular and amazing bakery near my hotel so that I could pack fresh croissants right before my flight.

Perfect Destination Wedding Venue

Being a travel enthusiast, travel writing was on my list ever since I launched this blog. However, the prior writing commitments couldn’t make it possible.

“To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”

Because there is a time for everything, there can’t be a better time than this holiday season to launch yet another category on the Blogging Hacks: Travel.

Welcome aboard, fellas!

My first travel post on this blog has to be about California (my favorite part of the world). Leave aside America; there is so much to do in this state that you can never get tired of traveling to this most beautiful state in the US.

There is something about this place that makes you leave your heart there. With more posts to follow soon on California, this post focuses on Monterey, a city that is located on its rugged central coast.

What Makes Monterey a Perfect Destination Wedding Venue?

The stunning scenery and breathtaking views along the 17-Mile Drive are a treat to traveler’s eyes. The beaches, coastal terrain, wildlife and the luxury of a small Carmel-by-the-Sea town makes you reminiscence your trip to this heavenly abode for a lifetime.

When you take your vows in Monterey, it doesn’t only add meaning to your lives but also to the people on the perimeters.

A place as beautiful as Monterey truly embodies the spirits and personalities of a couple.

And when it is about love, romance, and eternal commitment; you can never undermine the magic of the sea and the starlit sky.

My Experience:

I visited Monterey last summer for a cousin’s wedding. This place occupies a top slot in my list of favorites when planning a wedding or even a romantic weekend getaway in California.

Seeing the couple promising each other their undying love, affection, and loyalty- it was not difficult for me to believe that the gods were watching over them, showering their blessings and this union was planned.

Itinerary

Day 1:

We drove from Fremont and it took us approximately 2 hours to reach Monterey. If you’re driving from a San Jose airport, you can rent a car and drive down along the coastal line to reach there. It will take you approximately 1.5 hours to reach there.

After reaching our hotel Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa, we walked around and absorbed the beauty of the place. There was a cocktail to attend in the evening and we partied until dawn. Even though I was in a different part of the world yet it didn’t feel any different from home because there was so much beauty and emotions involved in every tradition.

Day 2:

Drove on 17-Mile Drive, a scenic road that majorly hugs the Pacific Coastline and captured some amazing views!

Explored “Carmel-by-the-sea” (one of the most beautiful towns I’ve ever been to) on foot and headed to Carmel Plaza.

Carmel Plaza: An award-winning garden patio that houses 40 specialty stores and restaurants.

A mid-day meal at Carmel Coffee and Cocoa Bar: We loved the food and would love to go back! Portions are big and rates are decent.

Rest of our day was spent attending the wedding ceremony followed by the reception at the Inn at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach.

Its quaint charm, cold breeze, and scenic beauty are unparalleled for a wedding abundant in style and elegance. Crafted out of imagination and perfected executed, this property ensured the hosts a fantasy wedding. The assortment of majestic retreats and gourmet food promised an evening full of amazing fun.

Day 3:

Farewell Brunch.

The weekend getaway ended with a visit to Monterey Bay Aquarium and Fisherman’s Wharf.

Given a choice, I would like to spend the rest of my life in this place tucked away in the calm and beautiful town far from the maddening crowds of the city.

It’s worth taking the plunge in any of the properties in this beautiful city to experience the breathtaking views of sapphire-blue waters. I would go back to this town in a heartbeat!

Monterey has a number of hotels, vacation rentals and B&B’s to suit every budget. You can make bookings through any of the travel websites or Airbnb.

Nomads hostel in Kasol is the place where you should be living if you are in kasol. Its cheap, clean and traveller friendly, with beautiful view, in choj village(2 Km from Kasol). I booked it for INR 200/day for 6 sharing Dorm.

As it was a time of Deepawali, most of the shops were closed and their was very cold crowd in Kasol. Yet the ambience inside the hostel was amazing. People from different parks of life, different religion and country. Their is so much to talk to them, Chatting with one of my fellow dorm mate from italy, we discussed about Lord Shiva from different angles and perspectives and the conclusion was Shunya(zero).

We spent Deepawali with kids from the village. It was beautiful to see their bloomed faces with no complaints, hard to find in our urban culture.

Next day we took a local bus from Kasol to Barshaini, it costed us INR 30/- each.

I was out of cash and was almost about to pull back my trek.But their are saviours in the mountains(Barshini), there are various shops who will charge 5% of the money for swiping the card and will provide cash to you, but do not expect much of cash from them (approx. INR 2000/- max) .

Trekking to holy abode of Shiva(Kheerganga),you would find two ways, one goes through Jungle and the other one is properly carved. Any day I would prefer the Jungle one.

The trek is of moderate difficulty and you would find places to take samadhi for a while.

It took me four hours of trek to reach Kheerganga. The place was full of people, I managed to book the 4 sharing tent for INR 700/-. Bhole Prasad was at its full boom boom but I ditched it.

Morning, I took a dip in the hot spring and took my voyage little more upwards to a valley to do Yoga and meditation.

After one and half hours of Yoga and meditation, the energy of the mountains carried me away and I was high on life, the feeling was of total bliss. I suggest not to get into Bhole Prasad, in spite search for Sambhoo in the valley.

Trekking down from Kheer ganga I discovered a beautiful cafe, named Gypsy, in the village of Kalga. Beautiful cafe in the midst of himachal mountains, away from the crowd of Kheerganga. It is run by a group of friends and once you step in you become one of the admins of the cafe.Its affordable and must have experience.

The next morning after having the delicious breakfast prepared by cafe owner, I trekked back to barshini.

Beware of time once you are trekking back and had to catch a bus from Bhuntar. As you might end up taking taxi as I had to, which increased the budget of my travel.

Going to different places in Himachal, I feel the mountains need serious travellers,who travel for a cause. Littering around is ruining the beauty of mountains and turning the villagers against tourists. So, Its a humble request, if you can't clean it, please don't litter around.

Happy Travelling Cheers!!!

Malana? Have you ever heard of this place.

Well, Malana is an Indian village in the state of Himachal Pradesh at a height of 2,652 meters above sea level. It is a solitary village located near the Kasol village in district Kullu. So what is so different about this village & its people. First & foremost, there is an isolated governing body in the village for the concerning matters to the village & its people, i.e. Police would not participate in any activity of the village & their residents.

Secondly, Malana is known for its Best Hashish in the world. Also, there is an interesting fact about the Villagers that they do not let you touch their belongings & temples in the village.If you do so, you have to bear the fine fixed by the governing body of the village.

You will also notice the monotony in the Architecture of Houses.Out there in the village amidst mountains & their people who changed my definition of life & society.

But one fact will give you goosebumps that despite of being unaware of the vast civilization,

People of Malana have found peace for themselves in their daily life.

Somehow they made me realize what it means to be alive & you are here for your own purpose, just find one!!!

On my last trip to the U.S., my flight had an extended layover of 10 hours in New York City. Most of us get frightened by the thought of flight layover. But it was different with me. I was somehow excited as it would give me a chance to explore the Big Apple which I hadn’t done earlier on my trips to U.S.

10 hours in Manhattan is too short a time to explore everything this place has to offer but it’s definitely not impossible to become familiar with the place and aspects of its character.

Having researched extensively on available tours and commutation options, I made my custom itinerary and decided to explore the iconic parts of NYC by myself. There were walking tours available for famous areas but I didn’t want to restrict myself to any of the tours that gave an option to explore only 1-2 areas.

8 Hours in New York: My Experience

6:00 AM

Checked out from Newark International Airport and boarded Newark Liberty Airport Express bus ($12.50 round-trip) to New York City that dropped me at 42nd Street at approximately 6:50 AM.

After 16 hours of traveling, a coffee at Starbucks was quintessential to kick-off my day.

As planned earlier, I bought a Big bus (hop on-hop off) day pass for the US $53.10 that gave an option to travel on 3 extensive routes along with a complimentary ferry ticket.

9:00 AM

We crossed all the iconic and most popular tourist landmarks Times Square, Empire State Building, Little Italy, China Town and much more. Bright neon lights, racing cabs, gigantic buildings- it’s a must to experience this madness at least once in a lifetime.

10:00 AM

I took the last stop near World Trade Center to explore 9/11 memorial on foot. Walking towards the south, I crossed Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, and the Federal Reserve Building. Walking in the financial heart of the city that has cobblestone walkways, you come across staunch men and women in tailored suits and densely packed briefcases to realize the seriousness and significance of the place.

11:00 AM

I was still walking, determined to make the most out of my time. My eyes gasped with delight seeing the stunning view of Brooklyn Bridge, I managed to reach Ferry station. There is no better way to admire the amazing Manhattan skyline than from the harbor. On the way, you get to see stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, New Jersey, Governor’s Island and Staten Island.

12:30 PM

After exiting from the ferry at Ellis Island, I headed towards the Grand Central Station. Took some pictures there and it was time for the last lap.

I walked for approximately 20 -25 minutes to reach to Times Square. It was tiring but the entire area was worth the walk. The first thing I wanted to do as soon as I hit the Times Square was to have my lunch.

There were plenty of options for cute knick-knacks and tasty treats. But I knew what I wanted- my favorite Burrito @ Chipotle Mexican Grill. My meal cost me $17 approximately.

2:00 PM

I strolled around the city with different thoughts crossing my mind.

“How it would be like to stay here?

Where I would want to spend maximum time when I am back next time?”

After a while, I boarded the bus back to Newark International Airport waiting to come back to this magnetic city.

What I Missed?

There is a lot I missed! I missed a walk in Central Park, a walking tour in Soho village, a meal in Little Italy, the Brooklyn side, pictures on the Liberty Island and much talked about the nightlife of this city.

But then I know I saw a lot more than what other first-timers would manage to see in the fantastic, picturesque and cosmopolitan city and that too in less than $100.

Final Words:

A day couldn’t have been spent in a better way for many reasons and especially for satisfying my travel wanderlust!

It's Friday evening, you are back from office and looking forward to a nice weekend getaway. Thinking about where to go ? Here's a suggestion.

Keep your bags ready to hit the road soon after you return from office. Let's say you start your engines at 7 pm. By 10:30 pm you should be able to reach Kolad en-route the  Tamhini Ghat. Book an over night stay at a resort in Kolad. The next day reward yourself with river rafting and other water sports. Make sure you book the first slot for river rafting to make it to the next destination on time. Be sure to take a bath post lunch if you are planning to have freshwater fishes on your plate as you'll be heading to a religious place in the evening.

At around 4:30 pm head to Pali. The Ballaleshwar temple built by Moreshvar Vitthal Sindkar in 1640 is one among the Ashtvinayaka. The temple is a 30 minutes drive from Kolad. After taking blessings from Lord Ganesha, head to Lonavala which is approximately 55 kms from Pali.

Stay overnight at a resort in Lonavala and spend the next day touring around the city. With scenic lakes, waterfalls and ancient caves, Lonavala is an ideal place to spend your Sunday. In the evening head back to Pune.

Incase you have a holiday on Monday as well, you have the option to stay in Pali. There a number of mesmerizing water falls surrounded by lush green forests around Pali. When you  have time, you can always turn yourself into an explorer.

It is often said that the real India still continues to live in it’s villages. Located at a distance of just 10 km from the popular hill station of Munnar, lies one such unique village, Devikulam. Devikulam is a serene hill town that gets its name from the conjunction of Devi, from the goddess Devi and kulam, meaning pond. Legend has it that goddess Sita Devi once bathed in the waters of the village’s lake, which went on to give the lake its present name, the Sita Devi Lake.

Even though the lake draws hordes of tourists, the town of Devikulam manages to retain its simplicity and is far away from the ghosts of tourism. Devikulam makes for an ideal getaway for travellers looking for peace and calm amongst the lush green tea plantations of the region. Less than a thousand people make for the entire population of this village that lies about 5,900 ft. above sea level. So if you’re looking for a relaxing offbeat getaway in God’s Own Country, Devikulam is where you should be heading to right away!

Why visit Devikulam

Even though visiting Devikulam should be all about unwinding and relaxing, there’s plenty to do in and around this tiny hamlet that will satisfy the curious travellers! Here’s some of the things you must do on your trip to Devikulam-

1. Take a dip in the holy waters of the Sita Devi Lake

The village’s prime attraction, the Sita Devi Lake holds great importance in Hindu religion, thus drawing thousands of devotees every year. The pilgrims believe that the waters of the lake have healing properties and a dip in the lake is said to be a therapeutic experience which can cure several ailments. The picturesque setting of the lake also makes it a great picnic spot.

2. Experience the wildlife at the Eravikulam National Park

Located at a distance of 22 km from Devikulam, the Eravikulam National Park is another exciting place one must visit in the region. The park was set up in 1978 to protect the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and is spread across almost 100 sq. km. The park now also houses some of the rarest migratory birds, animals and reptiles.

3. Explore the tea gardens of Devikulam

Devikulam is best known for its majestic tea gardens, which also happen to be some of the oldest in the region. Some of the estates in the area even date back to the early 1900s! Visit these estates to learn all about the process of tea plantation and sip on to some exotic varieties. These lush green estates produce some of the best teas in the world and a tour through them should definitely find a place in your itinerary.

4. Family bonding at the Blossom International Park

One of the hottest tourist spots in Munnar, the Blossom International Park promises a day of wholesome entertainment for people of all ages. The park boasts of several adventure activities such as cycling, rides and roller skating. The park’s tree houses and ropeways are bound to leave your children jumping with joy!

Cuisines on offer

Since Devikulam is not a traditional tourist spot, one can only find small, local eateries serving traditional Kairali cuisines here. However, food lovers can always head down to Munnar to explore some of the most authentic Kairali dishes. Vegetarians can dig into local specialities such as vegetable pachadi (salad), mezhukkupurattai or mixed vegetable stir fry, sambhar and rice and elaneer payasam or tender coconut kheer. On the other hand, non-vegetarians are always in for a delight owing to patented delicacies of the region such as beef masala and fish in Kerala curry. Here are some local institutions you must visit for an unforgettable meal:

Getting to Devikulam

Here are the different ways you can reach Devikulam from New Delhi:

By Air: There are several daily flights starting ₹4,000 which connect Delhi to Cochin, the closest airport to Devikulam. Devikulam is about 120 km from the airport and it takes 4 hours in a cab to cover this distance.

By Train: The closest railway station to Devikulam is also Cochin. It takes about 40-48 hours to reach Cochin from Delhi in a train. Devikulam is another 4 hour drive from the railway station.

Accommodation

Devikulam has some accommodation options for travellers of varied budgets. Here are some of the best properties you can consider putting up in:

Greenwood Cottages

Summit Indriya Resort & Spa

Ansmariya Holidays

What is the most unique destination you have ever been to? Write in here and share your stories with the Tripoto community.

Madrid, the capital city of Spain, is a complete blend of history and modernism woven into traditions of past with the wonders of the modern-day world. Completely against the city’s symbol bear, there are abundant reasons to be bullish on this city that bubbles with reinvention and resourcefulness.

Situated in the heart of Madrid, the neighborhood of San Miguel has some interesting things to offer in the city known for its nightlife.

Gastronomic Delights

A hotbed of tapas (savory dishes of Spain) and cafes, there are plenty of options to try local delicacies in the close neighborhood of San Miguel.

Mercado de San Miguel, one of the city’s most beautiful markets enclosed within glass walls, is an inviting place for food and wine connoisseurs. Order anything from caviar to chocolate along with a range of local wines and cocktails available on the counter-bars. You’ll find this place thronged with people in the evening, thereby, adding to its liveliness and nightlife charm.

*The Blogging Hacks Suggestion*

Brave the crowds, grab yourself a drink and treat yourself with local delicacies.

Plaza Mayor

Stroll around in Plaza Mayor to escape into Spanish history and learn about Spanish culture and Madrileños’ lifestyle. This plaza lined with impressive Baroque architecture, fancy shops, cafes, and restaurants is the city’s main square.

From Plaza Mayor, you can walk to Puerta Del Sol, a public square in Madrid. It is one of the busiest and best-known places in Madrid. Also, all the Hop-on, Hop-off bus tours for those who wish to explore both the historical and modern Madrid depart from this place.

Accommodation

For you to be in the central area with the maximum popular tourist attractions, this area houses various hostels, vacation rentals, and hotels.

Where did we stay?

We stayed in San Miguel Suites right opposite to Mercado of San Miguel. Definitely, one of the most beautiful and chic apartments we have ever stayed in with a stunning view of the vibrant city culture.

Also, they have amazing student hostels (3 min walk from San Miguel) in the name of TOC perfect for solo travelers.

If you wish to be in the heart of Madrid, this is definitely your place for accommodation.

Have you ever been to Madrid? Consider sharing the highlights of your trip with us.

A beautiful tune played by a man who was sitting by the way-side of Bhagsu Waterfall, for earning some money.

people work hard to earn so that they can fill themselves and their family.

Well Bhagsu Waterfall Beautiful, calm and peaceful place. it is located in Dharamshala #Himachal #Pradesh #India. you will have to climb up stairs to reach there. it's approx 1-2 kilometers from bhagus nag temple. After reaching there you will forget about your all wanness.

As far as I'm concerned, I was mesmerized by the beauty of bhagsu waterfall. ❤

Mumbai is perhaps notorious for being a polluted metro, but there are some gems (not very hidden even) in this Maharashtrian capital that make one forget all about pollution! Today, I'm going to tell about a campsite smack in the middle of this cosmopolitan city! Yup, you heard that right! This is not in the outskirts of Mumbai, but right at its centre.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park (or Borivali National Park, as it was formerly known) is over 26 thousand acres in area, and home to thousands of species of plants and animals. There are more than 50 thousand types of insects in here. And if you love butterflies, you will have a chance to visit a dedicated butterfly park to explore these winged wonders - Dr. Brandis Memorial Garden. I spent almost half an hour in this park, clicking away at those gorgeous butterflies! Seen in this picture is a Jezebel butterfly, known for its regal wings.

A Permanent Camping Ground!

Somewhere deep inside the national park is a small camping ground with 5 tents which stand there permanently. Protected from the wildlife and also from rain and heat (some are air-conditioned), these comfy tents are quite roomy for a small family or group. Each safari tent has bedding and blankets. Washrooms are not en-suite, but available. They also have sit outs and canvas windows, the flaps of which can be drawn up or down as per convenience. The enclosure is a nice picnic spot away from the humdrum busy city we know.

Become A Botanist

Campsites are best utilized after sundown. You must aim to make the most of the daylight when you are in Borivali National Park. Explore the various marked trails in this protected area and bring out the botanist in you as you try to identify different flowers and trees. You will be spoilt for choice as there are over one thousand species of flora here! If you are into history and caves from a different era, head to Kanheri Caves which are said to be carved by Buddhists in the 1st century BC. Birding enthusiasts can join one of BNHS's (Bombay Natural History Society) walking tours.

Get On The Safari Bus

I am a wildlife enthusiast at heart, and the thing that most excites me on a trip to any national park is animal sighting. Sanjay Gandhi National Park runs safari bus services at dedicated intervals to take visitors through certain areas of the park to make it easier to spot tigers and lions. While it is hard to spot leopards, you might be able to see a couple of lions during your lion safari.

Chase Some Deer

Don't let your heart sink in case your luck does not shine with any wild animal. You will spot plenty of deer at the property. When I spent a day at SGNP earlier this year, we saw a group of 5 deer and does gorging on some leaves. We must have startled them, because they fled the moment we tried to approach them. However, the desperate photographer in me had to chase after them for some close up shots. So, a friend and I tip-toed our way, slightly deeper into the forest to finally catch them still.

You'll Never Go Hungry In The Jungle

Natural surroundings and the excitement of being in the jungle can make your ghrelin (hunger hormone) level shoot up. But you need not worry, because every mile or so, you will come across local vendors squatting under the shade of a tree, with a huge spread of delectable eatables in front of them. I personally enjoy eating starfruit with salt, some sliced cucumbers with chilies rubbed in and a wedge of a freshly cut watermelon. These water-loaded fruits will go a long way in keeping you hydrated as the (generally) hot and humid weather of Mumbai competes to sap you of your electrolytes.

Apart from fruits, you can also buy wholesome meals which are cooked and served hot. One such cafeteria stall is right next to the campsite! Indulge in some pohe and vada pav - Mumbai's favourite snacks.

Reptiles And Amphibians Galore!

In our search for big animals, we often forget how precious the little ones are. If you are into macro photography, you'll have a gala time looking for various types of lizards, chameleons, frogs and toads. Also, you don't need to be a herpetologist to run into snakes and not be frightened of them. Nevertheless, I'll advise you to wear full clothes in dull colours (preferably, in the shades of green and brown) so you don't distract the fauna or scare them away.

Play A Game To Kill Time!

While SGNP is a really nice place for solo explorers or even morning walkers, it is a lot more fun when you are in a group! Get your best friends along and perhaps, also a football for a friendly game. The national park has some open fields which look inviting for a game of cricket, football or badminton. Carry a first-aid kit with you though, not to mention, some sunscreen lotion with high SPF!

Monkeys And Boat-Rides

I have run a marathon through this national park, and I know how common it is to have monkeys on your way. But fret not! These mammals are harmless and won't snatch your hat away! ;-) Still, if you wish to be away from the dense trees and spend some time staring at the open sky, try one of the paddle boats in a touristy lake. From the water level, you will get great views of lotuses balancing themselves precariously on their long stems.

Tariff

Each tent costs between INR 2000 and INR 2500 per night, depending on the plan you pick. Visit the SGNP website for more details. You can inquire or book by emailing at them at nicsgnp78@gmail.com or calling their office at +91-22-28868686.

Discover more camping and pollution-free travel ideas on my travel blog - Oindrila Goes Footloose. Do follow my journeys on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!

Parang La is one of the most famous and remote trek routes of the Spiti region connecting Ladakh and Spiti. This is in fact, an ancient route that connected Spiti with Ladakh across the mighty pass Parang La. This route was extensively used by the nomadic people of Changthang in the earlier days to attend the La Darcha trade fair in Spiti where the Changspa nomads came mainly to barter wool and barley in exchange for salt. Even today, many locals use this foot trail as the fastest and cheapest way to get across between Spiti and Ladakh. Just as the Chadar becomes the highway for connecting the Zanskar people with Ladakh during the winters, this route connects the people of Spiti and Ladakh during the summer.

The Parang La trek passes through the rugged locations of Spiti from the deep gorges and the cold desert environment and also the vast landscapes of Ladakh. This trek also has some fantastic views of the mountains and the Pare Chu Rive. The trek ends at one of the most beautiful lakes Tso Moriri at Ladakh. The varied landscapes that one has to undergo while in this trek and the view of the Tso Moriri at the end of the trek is the most rewarding part of this otherwise difficult trek.

This remote trail starts from the high altitude meadows of Kibber, the breeding ground of the Spiti horses and also the home of the elusive snow leopards. The trail descends the Kibber gorge and then climbs over the Parang la, the source of the Pare Chu River that flows into Tibet and enter the country again in Spiti. Across the pass, the trail follows a broad valley till the confluence of the Pare Chu with the Phirtse Phu at Norbu Sumdo. A river crossing here brings one to an almost incredible change of scenery as we walk towards the Rupshu plains of Changthang, known for the abundance of Kiangs (Tibetan Wild Ass).

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Manali – Kaza (8 hours)

The drive from Manali to Kaza will take you through the trans Himalayan roads crossing the famous Rohtang Pass. You will also drive past the Kunzum Pass, another high altitude Pass. The drive from Kunzum La to Kaza is a beautiful one along the Spiti river & one can view Key monastery in the background.

Day 2: Acclimatisation Day around Kaza

This day is usually kept for getting acclimatized around the high altitudes. Since the Parang La trek is a difficult one and you have to trek through high altitude everyday, it is very important to get acclimatized to these environments.

You can visit the ancient Dhankar and Tabo Monastery. Travel around and experience the culture of Spiti. You can also drive to one of the highest motorable villages in the world and visit the ancient Kye Monastery.

Day 3: Kaza – Kibber – Dumla

Drive from Kaza towards the Kibber village, the starting point of our trek. Kibber is a scenic village with Mt. Kanamo towering over the village. Start your trek from Kibber. The trails descend through a gorge and arrives at the last village of the trek, Dumla. You can see Parang La from here at a distance of about 500m.

Day 4: Dumla – Thaltak (4 hours)

The trail follows a slight steep climb over the ridge in front of Dumla, then gradual walk along fossil zone with stunning views of Mt. Kanamo (5996 m) till the campsite at Thaltak. This campsite is a oasis in the middle of the barren land & offers amazing view of the Mt. Kanamo. You will find typical grass in this meadow with Thama bush on the periphery of campsite.

Day 5: Thaltak – Bongrojen (8 hours)

This day will be a relatively longer one as you will first descend steeply into the Paralungbi Gorge. Then follow it upstream, cross a river and climb a stony path through a remarkable rocky landscape to Bongrojen at close to 5000 metres. The last stretch is a slightly long and very steep climb up to the basecamp at Bongrojen.

Day 6: Bongrojen – Parang La – Datang Yongma (8 hours)

Make an early start to reach the pass. It is relatively easy to begin with but the last 4 km to the pass are quite steep. The pass is an old trade route joining Spiti and Ladakh. From the pass one gets mesmerizing views of the Changthang valleys in Spiti and Parilungi, a first visible and a distinctive Ladakhi peak. After soaking up the views we trek down to the source of the Pare Chu River. No snow on Spiti side, descent towards the other side is entire on snowfields and glacial channels until you reach riverbed. As we cross over the pass, there is a dramatic shift in the landscape from deep plunging gorges of Spiti to the broad flatlands of Ladakh.

Day 7: Datang Yongma – Rachalamo (7 hours)

Today, you will trek on similar terrains till you reach Rachalamo. The day gets easier as you will lose altitude.

Day 8: Rachalamo – Chumik Shilde (6 hours)

The trail continues beside the Pare Chu River. But the challenge of this day is to cross the river as the river is swift, deep and carries a lot of silt. If we follow the river we go towards the border with Tibet. Instead we cross the river and trek on till we reach one of the most beautiful campsites on this trail with spring water and meadows with plenty of grass for the horses.

Day 9: Chumik Shilde – Kiangdom ( 3 hours)

This day trek across the plains to the southern edge of the oval-shaped Tso Moriri Lake at Kiangdom, named after the kiangs (wild Tibetan Ass) that roam uninhibitedly here. The lake is a nesting ground for many rare migratory birds.

Day 10: Kiangdom – Tso Moriri (5 hours)

Today you will chance upon the most stunning blue lake you’ve ever seen. Nothing spells wilderness like wild animals in their element! Not to worry, though. The oval-shaped lake here breaks into several channels to create a vast wetland, the breeding ground of several rare species of birds. So if you’re a bird watcher, then this is your migratory haven!

Day 11: Tso Moriri – Karzok (8 hours)

Walk along the lake right up to the Karzok village. At times, you might feel that the day is never ending, because it takes around 8 hours to finally reach the campsite. But the walk is worth it with all the flora and fauna that one gets to see.

Day 12: Korzok – Leh

After one of the most scenic treks, drive towards Leh at the end of the trek.

Some Facts about the Trek:

Highest Altitude: 18300 ft

Trek Grade: Difficult Himalayan trek. Not suitable for beginners. Required fitness level is high.

Base Camp: Kibber

Best Time to do the Trek: Mid July to September

How to reach Kaza:

The nearest airport is the Bhuntar Airport. Shared or reserved taxi options are available from Bhuntar & Kullu for Kaza.

The nearest Railhead is Chandigarh. From there, reach Manali. From Manali, shared taxis and tempo travellers are available to Kaza. HRTC bus is another option. The bus starts at around 05:30 AM from Bhuntar & reaches Kaza in the evening. It takes almost 10 hours for the journey.

The year 2017 is almost over, and most of you are only left wondering why you didn't travel as much as you had promised yourself in the beginning of the year. Something or the other always cropped up to make you cancel trips, but it's time to make that New Year's resolution. Repeat with me – "I will witness at least 5 new destinations in 2018!" Let this resonate in your mind while entering 2018.

In order to help you with your resolution, I have compiled a list of 18 affordable travel essentials that will ease your travelling exponentially. They all cost under ₹500 and hence do not burn a hole in your pocket either. Without any further ado, check out these incredible objects and put them in your Amazon cart right away!

1. Inflatable Neck Air Cushion Pillow with Eye Mask and 2 Ear Plugs

If you say tell me that the only reason you cancel your vacations is because you dread those long journeys, I will be able to empathise with you. Sometimes, the uncomfortable duration of flights, trains, buses and car rides are the biggest demotivation from travelling altogether. But this incredible set of products lets you take a nap whenever and wherever using a comfortable pillow for your neck, an eye mask and two ear plugs.

Ideal for: Long journeys

How much: ₹199

Buy it here.

2. Universal Travel Charger Adapter Plug

It's utterly frustrating when you meticulously plan your international trip and yet forget to carry along some of the most important things. A mobile charging adapter plug is one of those things. Plugs are different in different countries, so you need a universal plug that keeps you prepared for wherever you go, and ensures your mobile phone is always on.

Ideal for: International travel

How much: ₹184

Buy it here.

3. Multipurpose Plastic Storage Box with Removable Dividers

If you're on a constant dose of medicines but you need to travel for prolonged periods, this storage box can help you organise all your medicines according to their dosage. You can obviously use it for several other purposes as well, but it's perfect for storing your pills.

Ideal for: Patients on vacation

How much: ₹362

Buy it here.

4. Panda White Sleep Mask

Everyone in this world must strive to become like pandas. They're black, and white, and Asian. If you also strive to partially become one, buy one of these sleep masks and doze off anywhere you want, that too, in style.

Ideal for: Long journeys

How much: ₹199

Buy it here.

5. Roll N Go Toiletry Bag

Isn't it absolutely frustrating when you can't find your toiletries in your massive suitcase amidst all the clutter, especially when you need them the most? Well, this compact rolling travel bag is an answer to all your problems. You can organise all your cosmetics & toiletries and hang them in the washroom wherever you check-in.

Ideal for: Every sort of vacation

How much: ₹219

Buy it here.

6. Toothbrush Holder Case

A universal dental survey extrapolates that 62% of teeth problems occur because of using soiled toothbrushes. And toothbrushes are most prone to getting dirty when you're travelling. Here's the solution to your problems – a cute toothbrush holder case which prevents your toothbrush from getting dirty and also makes it easier to find.

Ideal for: Everyone

How much: ₹159

Buy it here.

7. Universal Silver Stainless Steel Travel Mug

Most of my closest friends always make a big deal about their morning tea/coffee even while travelling. There are some remote destinations where it's not possible for them to get served their life-saving drinks whenever they want. This mug is an answer to their problems. You can heat up all sorts of drinks in this, and it doesn't eat up much power either.

Ideal for: Coffee & tea lovers

How much: ₹510

Buy it here.

8. Dual Compartment Protective Shoe Bag

Sometimes the biggest issue we face while packing for vacations is packing up our shoes and slippers. It's very easy to soil clothes and other things if we pack the footwear with them, and it also becomes inconvenient to dig up shoes from the bottom of our travel bag if we need them urgently somewhere. This dual compartment shoe bag makes it very easy to store our shoes and slippers separately.

Ideal for: Everyone

How much: ₹449

Buy it here.

9. Train Bedding Accessory for Kids

When you become parents, your responsibilities add up manifold. And they multiply exponentially especially when you are travelling. Train journeys in India are somewhat tormenting with upper berths being recipes for disaster during the night. To prevent your small kids from falling off, this bedding accessory is very useful and sturdy. You can buckle it up on the two support straps of the upper berths and enable your children to have a sound sleep without the fear of falling.

Ideal for: Parents of small children

How much: ₹499

Buy it here.

10. Reusable Mosquito Repellent Badge

Although the picture shows a toddler but it can be used by adults while travelling, especially when you are camping somewhere in the mountains. This mosquito repellent badge keeps the mosquitoes away very effectively once you buckle it up on your sleeve.

Ideal for: Hiking, camping

How much: ₹499

Buy it here.

11. 12-in-1 Pedicure & Manicure Kit

When you're living out of a suitcase for prolonged periods, you hardly get the time for basic vanity. Case in point: Sometimes you notice that your finger-nails have grown long but you forgot to bring your nail cutter along. During such times of despair, this 12-in-one basic tool bag will help you with maintaining yourself.

Ideal for: Long vacations

How much: ₹349

Buy it here.

12. 200 Zip Lock Bags – 3x4 Inches

This is the most traditional way to organise things. These zip lock plastic bags can be used to segregate almost any sort of item when you're travelling.

Ideal for: Everyone

How much: ₹150

Buy it here.

13. Baby Mosquito Net Bed (0-9 Months)

14. Multifunctional Hammer Tool

This more able substitute to the classic Swiss Knife gives you many tools in one compact set. Tools included are 1 hammer, 1 axe, 1 pair of pliers, 1 saw, 1 wire cutter, needle nose pliers, 1 Philips head screwdriver, 1 hexagonal screwdriver, and 1 can opener. The material is forged iron and hence it makes it extremely useful for hiking and camping.

Ideal for: DIY solo travellers, mountaineers,

How much: ₹399

Buy it here.

15. Hygienic Handsfree Jet Spray Wash

This jet spray is a god-sent boon for people who like to travel solo to the mountains or to a location where modern facilities are still not available. This portable derriere wash allows you to store water in the container attached at the back and then use it wherever you wish. Quite an invention, this one!

Ideal for: Trekkers, explorers

How much: ₹270

Buy it here.

16. 3 Vacuum Storage Bags For Clothes

How many times have you cribbed about not having enough space for keeping your clothes in your travel bags! The answer could be infinite. But these little vacuum bags can actually more than double up your storage space. After keeping your clothes, quilt, pillows, etc. inside these bags, these can be compressed using a normal home vacuum cleaner. This is magic.

Ideal for: Everyone

How much: ₹539

Buy it here.

17. Shake To Recharge Flash Light

A torch that recharges itself without any battery. Sounds like a dream. Here it is for you. You simply shake it to recharge and start using it on your treks and during your night strolls.

Ideal for: Trekkers

How much: ₹270

Buy it here.

18. Ozomax Explora Travel Iron

Say goodbye to those days when you need to wear a crushed shirt to an official meeting, out of station just because you can't carry your iron with you. This light-weight iron with a foldable handle is perfect for people who live out of a suitcase. Never wear crushed clothes while away from home, and make your memories better!

Ideal for: Everyone

How much: ₹550

Buy it here.

There you have it, folks! You needed a reason to travel more in 2018, but we gave you 18. Now you won't be left with any excuses to not make 2018 a year of travel for you. And if you haven't yet, join Tripoto today to make your life full of travel.

25 million travellers all across the globe share their inspirational travel stories here everyday. Share your own story today!

I wanted to go on a trip badly. And the long weekend was finally here. I asked my friends but it was so difficult to convince everyone together. If you have ever planned a trip with a bunch of friends, you can understand my pain. Not every one is on the same page. Someone wants to see mountains, someone wants to see beaches, someone wants to relax and booze, someone wants to explore, someone doesn’t want to go with a particular person, someone would only go if that particular person comes along. Uff!! Who would want to go through this much pain when the idea is to enjoy and refresh yourself? If everyone you travel with are not on the same page, then it is very much possible that few of them would not enjoy at all and few would end up having arguments or fights over something.

After so many if's and but's, I booked a bus ticket, packed my bags, and head to HAMPI, on my first solo trip!

The hesitation went away the moment I reached Hospet

Bus dropped me at Hospet, 13 Kms away from Hampi. As soon AS people deboarded the bus, bunch of Auto drivers came up with excitement, with different schemes and packages as if we were celebrities. Nothing strange about it, you see the same scenario in any tourist places. Most of the people were going to Hampi and I could have asked anyone for the company but the hesitation was still there. I saw them leaving one by one in Auto, cabs or by walk. I did little bit of homework, so I knew that there were frequent buses from Hospet to Hampi. When I asked Auto drivers, most of them said “bus is a waste of time”, “don’t go in bus”, “you might have to wait for hours”, “it will drop you little far from Hampi” etc. Now I usually trust people easily and for whatever they say. As I was new to the place, it made me skeptical. They started asking Rs. 250, Rs. 200, then Rs. 150 to hampi. I thought of giving a try to bus and headed towards the bus stop. The bus was there and within 15 min, it left. It cost me Rs. 12 only and dropped me at the center of Hampi, nearest to my Hotel. So, the learning was not that I wouldn’t trust auto drivers anymore but I used to prefer comfortable transport to commute always like most of the youngsters - Metro over buses, Private Cabs over sharing cabs or flights over Train, thus, according to this small experience, I learnt to let go my preference. It was my first and small achievement and I was excited for the rest of the adventure.

You will love flexibility

The best part of a solo trip is you can do whatever you want, go wherever you feel like and eat whenever you are hungry. You don’t have to be dependent on anyone. You will love this sense of freedom during the trip.

I rented a bicycle and traveled as much as I could. You can ask any local person about the places to visit and everyone has the itinerary ready for you. Hampi is a very hot place, so I put a bit of sunscreen and head to the ruins of Hampi. I still rode around 15 kms everyday despite too much heat. You see if I were with someone, I had to take care of his/her opinions too whether he/she was comfortable with bicycle or the scorching heat or the unorthodox ruins and then I might not have traveled this much on a bicycle and in this much heat. It was completely my choice. I covered so much in just few hours, took breaks, carried dry fruits and ate them once in while, sat and witness the beautiful ruins and architecture for as long as I wanted to, came back to hotel to take nap and then again went out to explore in the evening. Neither the time was a problem nor I had to deal with other’s opinions and expectations.

You will meet amazing people

If you are alone, you will have the urge to talk with someone. That’s human psychology, you miss the thing you don’t have and in solo trip, it’s the company. To talk about the place, to ask questions, to enjoy a little more – sharing enhances the experience. Thus, this urge will make you come out of your comfort zone and talk to random strangers – be it the hotel staff or the people at the restaurants or the co-tourists. But you don’t have any expectation from them. You can easily talk to someone for sometime and then say goodbye without being attached to them. Some will be very formal, some will treat you like an old friend, some will listen to you and some will end up telling their whole life stories.

As there are many foreign tourists in Hampi and they are much more friendly, it was quite easy to start a conversation with them. I met a painter who makes graffiti inside and outside restaurants wall, a French man who came here for some internship, a 22-year-old girl running a guest house, the handicraftsmen, a wanderer, an explorer, an architecture and many more.

Less selfies and more photos

Now with smart phones, it is pretty simple and easy to take selfies but if you are carrying a big camera and you are alone, you won’t be asking people every single time to click your picture or take out your phone every time you see a marvellous background for your facebook display picture. As I was carrying a camera, the ruins and the landscapes inspired the photographer in me. So, I clicked pictures - more pictures and less selfies. And luckily few of the photos came out pretty well. The little amateur photographer in me was ecstatic.

With no offence to selfie freaks out there, I just can’t see my face in every photo I take when the whole beautiful background is out there and I am blocking it. That’s the reason I told to myself but the truth was due to traveling in hot weather, I looked like alien. I could not recognize my face in the few selfies I clicked. So, it was always better to click the things I saw and admired without putting my alien face in it.

I got bored

Let me be honest, yes, I got bored and even felt lonely, for sometime. When you travel alone, you tend to do things quickly, be it eating in a restaurant, seeing a monument, visiting markets or shopping. You cover everything much quicker alone than with a group. Thus, you are left with ample time each day with nothing else to do.

I deliberately did not carry laptop, movies or any other passive entertainment medium, so that I would not end up sitting in the room for hours rather than exploring the place, and I do not regret it at all. Yes, I had mobile phone but luckily there was no network and internet. I wanted to experience few days without passive entertainment things that we always use at home, and that was the apt time for me.

In most of the small places, in my case Hampi, everything shuts down early. As soon as the sun sets, the time passes very slowly, everybody sleep early. I could only walk to near by small market for an hour or so, then had to spend time in the room only.

So, I started to do things slowly to cope with the pace of the place – I sat in the restaurants for hours, ate slowly, walked slowly, observed people more, talked more to strangers and shopkeepers, saw the same market again and again etc.

The more I explored my boredom, the more I become comfortable with it. I relived the whole day in mind again, explored every feeling and thought I had while traveling, planned the next day and slept with quite mind at last. You don’t experience it every day. It was peaceful, mindful and no chaos in the head.

This time the boredom taught me to be in present, to be mindful and to be with myself.

You will get to know yourself more and understand better

That’s the most obvious and best part of the solo trip. The people’s opinions, judgments, attachments and comments start to fade away and the experience of traveling WITH YOURSELF will take you a step closer to knowing yourself more and understanding yourself better. You will start to judge people less and observe more. You will become less conscious and more confident.

Someone said if you know yourself, you know the whole universe. It still is and will always be work in progress for me and traveling solo takes me a step closer to MYSELF.