Great Indian Outdoors

Nalin's Blog: The Trekking Bug

2012-02-28T01:08:00.000-08:00

Nalin Khanduri, Founder GIO

I love the mountains and the outdoors. I’ve been goingon wilderness trips for over 20 years now, and yet, I simply can’t get enoughof it. This passion for adventure and the outdoors, the mountains and nature,propelled me to start Great Indian Outdoors (GIO), an adventure/outdoorscompany in 2000, which is now one of the leading ‘adventure tourism’ companiesin India. My posts in this blog are mostly about how my life, my passion and mywork are so closely connected.

Why do I love to trek so much?

I asked this question to myself for the first time just acouple of days back. Considering that it’s my passion and I have been at it foryears, I was shocked not to have a ready answer to this apparently simplequestion. I started out on the trails at an early age of 8 years and have beentreading the wilderness for close to 32 years now. It was with my father anduncle that I took my first step into the `other side’. In these years I haveburnt quite a bit of rubber, walking long distances into far off regions, creatingexperiences etched permanently into my memory. From beginning itself I have felt verycomfortable being with nature, never feeling like a tourist and never enjoyingit like one. I would, from time to time, enter this world for a few days, spendtime there and come back planning my next trip, needless to stay enjoying everysecond of it. While my reasons are notso clear I can share from experience what makes many people head to the remote mountainagain and again.

Mountains hide a lot from us, within their deep valleysand lofty heights. They hide enchanting landscapes, budding wildlife,interesting cultures & intriguing mysticism. Exploring these well nurturedsecrets is addictive to say the least. Considering that Moon, Mars and the 2 Polesare not really next door, trekking offers a great solution to satisfy theexplorer in one. Also mountains, like the people they shelter, change form andcharacter every few hundred kilometers and this variety in landscapes andculture is what interests a lot of people. One summer you could be walking thehigh alpine meadows of Garhwal Himalayas enjoying goat cheese and ‘kacchi’(local brew made from millet), while the next moment you could be walking on moonlike,stark and breathtaking terrain of Spiti Valley in Himachal, savoring Yak cheeseand ‘chhang’ (rice beer made locally).

Mountains bring with them some amount of unpredictabilityand ruggedness which reflects in the people they shelter and their way of life.Living the simple yet adventurous mountain life gives a very different flavor.Food is just for nourishment, clothes just for protection, trail mates yourfamily and your two legs mode of transportation. It can’t get any simpler. Learningto play the outdoors, without meddling too much with it gives a good kick toquite a few including me.

Unfortunately, I am not someone who can claim to beperpetually stressed because of work or a series of broken relationships, butcan still say with a lot of conviction that contrary to the popular belief veryfew people trek to de-stress. Also, I have never met a single enthusiast whotreks for fitness benefits. On the other hand there is a very big group oftrekkers who have a spiritual connection with the mountains and this group isnot limited to our own ‘sadhus’, but people from all over the planet. Thenthere is this big group of people who quench their thirst for adventure walkingthe wilderness. Mountains offer the best playground for adventure with featureslike forests, rivers, gorges, glaciers, snowfields & mountain summits andall this in a very dynamic environment, controlled by none. They offer one anopportunity to set a challenge for oneself, however big or small, and living upto these challenges can be a great source of joy, enticing one to keep comingback for more.

How one gets the bug, I am not too sure of; but what Iknow for sure is, once you get bitten, there’s no doing away with it. I amhooked to the outdoors for all the above-mentioned reasons and more; andbelieve that the mountains are still holding lots of pleasures for me whichthey will unfold slowly and slowly…

Nalin's Blog: Mountain Travel in Winters

2012-02-23T01:26:00.000-08:00

Nalin Khanduri, Founder GIO

I have, for years now, been travelling into the mountainsduring winters and have developed a clear preference for this season oversummers. I have asked myself several times, am I and a few more, the weirdvariety or is it really a good idea to be in the mountains during winters. Afterserious rounds of deliberation on what stops people from winter travel, I havereached the following conclusions:

Poor Marketing. Mountain destinations havealways been sold as great summer destinations by hotels travel companies &tourism bodies. Nothing wrong with this, only that majority of people haveconstrued this to mean that they are great only during summers.

Perception of harsh weather is a strongdeterrent. It is true that nights can get cold but if one is inside a room andin possession of some warm clothing than surely the bones are not going tocreate music.

Lack of facilities around this time. People assumethat things are not fully functional in winters.

While the majority doesn’t visit because of the above-mentionedfactors I find them to be my reason for my winter explorations!

Poor marketing results in lesser number of tourists. Natureworks with less pressure on it and one can feel the difference and enjoy it.Air is fresh and crisp, has a great smell and offers joyful clarity. One getsto see distant mountains and valleys very clearly, something not possible insummer months. Another big draw is the winter sun. I love walking endlessly,basking in the winter sun. Contrary to the popular belief it’s very pleasantduring most of the day and yes during evenings one has to stay indoors or sitbeside a small fire with something stronger than ginger tea in your hands.Needless to say I go for the latter. Being an amateur photographer for about 25years now, I find some solace in the fact that pictures come out really nicearound this time. Unfortunately, its digital technology, clarity of air, sharplandscapes and not my skills which make this happen. I also save on travelinsurance as I feel the probability of me being mowed down by a vehicle is verylow. I find hotels are much cleaner and hotel owners more courteous in winters.

BUT what really draws me to the mountains in the wintersis the fact that both the mountain and the people that inhabit it are alsohaving a great time around this time, being least bothered about commerce andpleasing people and in the process radiating happiness. There is a very festivemood all around with major local festivals around this time. I have, in fact, seenin some remote villages which are completely isolated due to heavy snow, thisis the time when every evening people are celebrating. Men, women and childrengather together and sing late into the night with five feet of snow all around.I guess this is the time for the mountains and the mountain people to rechargetheir batteries for the summer onslaught!

So am I being a back-stabber by letting out the secret ofthe mountains? I don’t think so, just like only the true mountain lovers treadthe mountains in winters, I am sure only a true mountain lover might read thispiece and the secret will stay within the community.

A holiday specially tailored by GIO

2012-02-09T20:56:00.000-08:00

Amitabh Saksena, guest blogger

Photo courtesy: Amitabh Saksena

My last new year was special, specially tailoredby Great Indian Outdoors. Starting frommy pick up at the airport to the drop back at the airport 5 days later.

My friend and I have never managed atrip together and we promised each other that we shall not rejoice when we meetat the airport or when we check in or even after the plane takes off.

Had attempted the same trip earlier, butthe plane had to come back ‘cause it could not land in Leh due to bad weather.So, with fingers crossed, we landed at the Jolly Grant airport, two jollypeople smiling ear to ear, and got into GIO’s waiting car with such fervour rarelyseen before!!

We reached the GIO camp at Jayalgarh andwere warmly greeted by friends and families and a welcome drink. Ahem, we madeit!!

Three beautiful days by the Bhagirathiwere divine... sleeping off on the deck chairs... chilly winter breeze... bonfirein the night… to the most awesome fresh green veggies and great non-veg dishesI’ve had.

The days flew by very fast till it wastime to head to GIO’s New Tehri Himalayan Eco Lodges & Camps. Saw the TehriDam and finally the cottage... with the most stunning views of the hills andsnow-peaked mountains… brightly-lit New Tehri settlement… divine meals... friendsand cold winter nights. All perfect to the T.

On the last day, mournfully or happily,not sure in which mood we were in, we turned homewards.

With plans to return and chill again inNew Tehri and GIO's new camps, we headed back on a beautiful journey till JollyGrant airport... pleased as punch. Jolly at Jolly Grant yet again, hopingagainst hope that the flights get cancelled so we could spend another day here…maybe at Shivpuri!

Sadly, the flight came in and we werewhisked away to our respective homes!!

Thank you GIO!!

Brahmaputra Rafting Expedition

2012-02-08T02:01:00.000-08:00

16 Intrepid River runners joined us onan adventure of a lifetime... an expedition down the Brahmaputra river.

Braving wintery mornings and the coldwater, 240 kms of sometimes silent, sometimes petulant white-water of themighty Brahmaputra.

Our team emerged exhausted andexhilarated after 14 days in the glorious wilderness of Arunachal with manystories to tell.

You’ll just have to do with these pictures.

Auli in the winters, not just about skiing

2012-02-06T01:53:00.000-08:00

BhaskarThyagarajan, guest blogger

While Auli in the winters tends to beabout snow and skiing, there is another side I discovered which was such an amazingexperience this time. The slow pace of the people, the idleness of everything. And,what was more fascinating was the number of birds of different kinds that I sawthere: magpies, woodpeckers, babblers, thrushes and so on.

The apple orchards were without leaves,the turf and earth was covered in snow and very few people in the villages... so,there was little chance of seeds and grains that can be picked off. Yet thebirds were in plenty: noisy, active and looking very busy. Here we were wearingseveral layers of clothes and the birds seemed just the way they were, showinghow nature endows these creatures with what they need. All that is needed islimited interference from us.

The couple of walks that we did duringour stay seemed to register in our minds much more than the trip to the skislopes and thereon; and I am aching to go back to this place which is cold andquiet and bright and busy all at one time.

Sun and snow in Auli

2012-02-03T03:12:00.000-08:00

Auli. Lots of snow, lots of birding, great views, perfectslopes. Ideal time for skiing. Endless

sunshine to add lots of cheer.

Nothing like a hot cuppa after a day spent on the ski slopes.

Road to spirituality - Badrinath Highway snaking up thevalley, view from Auli Lodge terrace.

The resident choir at the Auli Lodge.

Vacant homes of villagers who have moved with their flockto the valleys below.

View from the first floor room. Waiting for the sun tocome into our room.

Walks around the Auli Lodge.

Welcome to our Himalayan Eco Lodge at Auli.

BEGINNER’S SKIING COURSE AT HIMALAYAN ECO LODGE, AULI

2012-01-31T22:07:00.000-08:00

Category: Adventure

Season: Jan-Apr

Days: 7

Activities:Skiing

Grade: Moderate

The ski slopes in Auli, Uttarakhand, areconsidered to be some of the best for the amateur and professional alike. Theslopes offer gentle gradients for those looking at learning this exciting sportand there are slopes with more features for the amateur and professional alike.

The 7-day Beginner’s course is designedto give the ordinary layman a chance to experience the thrills of this sport ina safe environment. We have experienced instructors on board and world classskiing equipment to ensure that you have a memorable trip and go back askingfor more!! During the program you would get to learn the basics of skiing and getto practise the skills you pick up on slopes of varying gradients.

In addition to the great skiing, youwould also have a warm and cozy place to come back to every night. GIO has abeautiful lodge that is located in Auli with a spectacular view of theAlaknanda valley and the Joshimath town below. From here one gets a great viewof the Himalayan peaks and there is thick birch forest all around to add to thebeauty. The lodge has comfortable rooms with all amenities and there are lovelyspaces for relaxation and to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings.

ITINERARY

Day1: HARIDWAR – AULI

Arrive at the lodge in Auli in theevening. Here there would be a briefing by our instructors on the program andyou would also be issued the skiing equipment.

Day2: AULI