How to make Himalayan Ice Lolly

Lo and behold the Himalayan Ice Lolly!

Quirks of a frequent Himalayan traveller (one of our clients) trying to initiate the joys of the mountains and trekking to his son and nephew.

Check out this link.

Loved the idea.

HIdden Jewels of the Himalayas - Part 1 "Road trip to Malari & Niti in the Dhauliganga Valley"

Almost everyone whose fond of mountain travel would have heard of Auli and Badrinath in Uttarakhand but Just a couple of hours away, hidden in the remote valleys of Dhauliganga river which meets Alaknanda river at Vishnuprayag are the forgotten border villages of Malari, Bampa, Ghamsali and Niti, surely not to be found on the tourist map of India 

There are various factors which make this area so interesting. Remoteness and the fact that there aren’t too many who have visited this area is one. Adding an intriguing flavor is that China is close by and also trying to get closer by the day. Locals who were witness to the old trade practices between the villages of Tibet and this region contribute with their stories of days gone by. The landscape is unique and ever changing along the 90 kms drive from Joshimath till Niti (3500 mts), the last village on Indian side of the border. One gets to see the typical big mountains and narrow river gorges of Garhwal but what make the terrain special is the cold desert look of Spiti & Ladakh interspersed with the Garhwal scenery. Also the size and fury of the Dhauliganga river comes as a pleasant surprise

There are numerous spots in this valley you would want to just pitch your tents and stay put, one such spectacular location is Reolbaggad.  On the banks of Dhauliganga, this oasis has dense Deodar forest in the background and expansive views of the surrounding mountains and the wide open valley. Even the mighty river goes at an easy pace while crossing this area lending in to the serenity. Trip this side would be half the fun without interacting with the local people who are ever welcoming and in no short supply of time, so find your opportunity and ‘get in’

To get a feel of the area one can do a day trip from and back to Joshimath (which is about 8 hours from Rishikesh). It’s about a 3 hours drive one way but to really enjoy and soak in the energy of the region I would recommend a minimum of one night stay at a spot of your choice. Some villages might be able to accommodate a few in their houses but to be on the safer side I will recommend that one carry tents for the night. There aren’t too many eating places on the route so one should carry some back up food though the few that exist can give any restaurant a run for their money. These couple of very small eating places serve heavenly mutton curry and rice for breakfast, lunch, dinner and mid meals and on some prodding the local brew.

    

There are many more pleasures to be discovered in this region so if you have the explorer spirit in you this is where you should be headed. You can drive, ride, cycle or trek to your heart’s content while in this area….. 

Travelling to Garhwal Himalayas has never been easier

Over the past Year, the Uttarakhand government along with the help from the centre has been quietly revolutionizing the travel options, speed and efficiency to the perptually transport starved, Garhwal region of the Himalayas. Here is what has happened over the past couple of years.

BY ROAD:

What was for a long time a pipe dream, an express highway to Haridwar/Rishikesh/Dehradun, is finally taking shape. The 220 Kms to Haridwar used to take a mind numbing 6-10 hours depending upon your luck, the alignment of the stars, Sugarcane season, Yatra Season, Kavad season, Kumbh season, Summer season and so on. It now takes a respectable 4-6 hours depending upon the time of the day, and is bound to improve when the express way, which is completed till Muzzaffar nagar reaches Dehradun. This will reduce travel times, increase tourist comfort, travel options and break many mental blocks and barriers.

VOLVO SERVICE IS BACK!

The Volvo service ( The generic for deluxe bus travel between citties) was started a few years ago with much fanfare has stopped thanks the heavy toll the buses used to take on the bad roads filled with Sugarcane laden bullock carts and tractors who didn't give a damn about the other vehicles on the road.
Thanks to the improved Highway from Delhi to Dehradun ( work completed till Roorkee) this service is back, much to the relief and comfort of uttarakhandis going back home or tourists heading out to the mountains or places of pilgirmage.
Go to www.upsrtc.com for book bus tickets online. It is a great option for plans made in a hurry and a good alternative to Trains.

BY TRAIN

With the introduction of the super fast New Delhi Dehradun A/C Express a new chapter in comfortable travel to the Uttarakhand has opened. Earlier the only option was the Mussoorie express which must have broken all records for the railways in terms of how to reach from point A to Point B by the longest route possible in the slowest time.

Apart from this, there are several new trains from all parts of the country now, direct to Haridwar & Dehradun making it by far the most well connected rail head into the Himalayas in the country.

BY FLIGHT

Dehradun & Pantnagar have borught in a completely new dimension to travel and access for people, especially from other cities ( than Delhi) to the Mountains. Dehradun with its new airport and 4 flights a day from Delhi and now a direct flight from Mumbai as well has now made it so easy for people to get to this parts that people are making extended weekend plans for either tourism, spiritual or religious visits and so on by completely skipping Delhi which saves them enormous amount of time and money. Recently a few friends of mine joined me for a "bike hike raft" trip in the HImalayas from Singapore and HOngkong. Each left their home early one morning and were sipping chai and hogging on Pakoras with me late afternoon in one of our mountain lodges by just taking a hoping flight to Dehradun. This is truly disruptive.

I now only hope the decade old air strips at Gauchar ( nearly Rudraprayag) and Naini Saini ( near Pithoragarh) are opened up soon to make this truly remarkable landacape accesible to all to enjoy.

Ony request, please take your pet bottles and chips packets back with you!!

Why I love the mountains? (Popular tourist destinations not included)

Do you really need to read the blog to know why i love the mnountains ?!

Other than the most obvious things like pleasant weather and attractive landscapes there are a few more things that I have started to observe and relish while in the mountains. Some of them might not be reason enough to make you pack and hit the road but definitely add a pleasant flavor to the trip 
 
 

Wooden Village homes near Mori in Uttarakhand

1.       The mountain way of life. If one were to observe closely, there are several typical things that one comes across in the mountains that are worth cherishing. For me top of the chart are village children walking to school together, mostly in colorful uniform, creating an orchestra of children gibberish and enjoying life in all its glory. Similarly a bunch of village ladies cutting grass on slopes where people like us will need ropes and loads of equipment to go to and if it’s your lucky day you might even catch one of them humming a tune. Village shops are also a good spot to generally get into a meaningless discussion and experience the pleasure of conversation. So if one is on a look out one will surely catch many such interesting facets of mountain life  
 
 

Enjoying the Calm amidst Deodhars, Streams and peaks around

2.  Sense of calmness. With very few distractions and options for one to consider, brain has to do very little processing. People around one are also experiencing the same and this creates an overall relaxing environment. Life becomes comparatively simpler and the contrast is thoroughly enjoyable. No wonder reading a book and listening to music is also more enjoyable in the mountains
  
    
   
    

A spring in their step and a song on their lips!!

Day Dreamin is not limted to mountain folk alone!!

3. Hyperactive senses. Though my brain processing speed goes down my senses start working overtime. I smell more and something as repetitive and taken for granted as breathing becomes enjoyable with superior quality of air. I start noticing & seeing many more things than I normally do. Spotting a tiny little bird hidden inside a non descript bush in a jungle evokes the same kind of emotions as probably Sachin Tendulkar feeling on hitting his 100’th ton.  I am also able to distinguish between different sounds and take in lots of them together. Sound literally travels a distance in the mountains. What you think is coming from next door might be coming from the next village. Commonly heard sounds are cows making the sound that they do, chirping of birds, children shouting, odd vehicle passing by and people talking loudly on mobiles trying to make up for poor networks with high decibel level. Last but not the least food which anyways and any place tastes good, tastes a notch better in the hills. Locally grown wild vegetables with names which can only pronounced by locals create wonders when served on the plate 
   
 

Lost in thoughts while being lost in the Mountains

   
4.      Walking and day dreaming pleasures. Mountains giveone the freedom to walk endlessly and simultaneously talk to oneself and also day dream. Whenever I walk happiness generally surrounds me (maybe due to secretion of ‘happiness’ hormones as one exerts). With no fear of traffic, comfortable weather and calm mind one is encouraged to talk more to one self and build as many castles in the air as one wants to… the feeling is completely unmatched!
    
 
 
 
      

 

Wild Flowers carpet the meadows in the summmer in the Himalayas

   5.  Everything wild. Nothing is manicured or customized. Grass, flowers, bushes and trees grow wherever they want and take whatever shape they want. Even the people inhabiting the land are quite wild in their own way. It’s good to see things the way the creator wanted them to be. Seeing apples and other fruits without polish and stickers hanging from branches is very pleasing.   
 
   
 6.       Feeling of openness. It’s very rare these days to find one alone with no one and no activity in sight outside of a building. I am not the thinker variety and hate being alone. Having said that I will admit that I do like these ‘magic moments’ in the mountains when I hog the landscape just by me. This feeling of watching the ‘show’ with no one or just a few for company is quite interesting    
 
 
 
 
TO ENJOY MOUNTAINS AT LEISURE AND IN TOTALITY. AVOID PACKAGES WHICH IN 5 DAYS/ 4 NIGHTS TAKE ONE TO 6 DESTINATIONS

New Connection from Mumbai - Dehradun direct

Mumbaikars wanting to hit the Himalayas this Summer?

Good News! Jet airways has launched a direct service from Mumbai - Dehradun with a stop at Delhi; but no changing planes or luggage. Its a  3.30 minutes flight. At Rs. 6000 or so, one way its a stay!

For people interested in doing trips to Uttarakhand from Mumbai; there couldn’t be better news, especially, for people wanting to fly to Delhi and then travel to Dehradun independently. Such a huge time saving and cost as well. Jet has launched this flight with a stop in Delhi but no flight change or transit.

Flight Information:

Flight: 9W307

Operated By: Jet Airways

Departure: Mumbai (BOM) - Delhi (DEL)

Terminal: TERMINAL 1 DOMESTIC (Mumbai) - TERMINAL 3 (Delhi)

Date: Wed 30 May 12 – Wed 30 may 12

Time: 11:15-13:55

Arrival: Delhi (DEL) - Dehradun (DED)

Terminal: TERMINAL 3

Date: Wed 30 May 12 - Wed 30 May 12

Time: 13:15 - 14:40

Meal: Snack/Lunch

Stops: 0

Duration: 02h 00m - 00h 45m

Aircraft Type: Boeing 737

Kites and Langurs

Srikanth Ramani shares with us a mini photo essay of Kites and black-faced langurs from one of his trips with us.

 

Nalin's Blog: Adventure – A Much Misunderstood Concept In India

 Nalin Khanduri, Founder GIO

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

A good example of how partial knowledge of something is more damaging than no knowledge is the much misunderstood concept of ‘Adventure’ in India. Basis few documentaries earlier on Doordarshan channel and more recently on Discovery and National Geographic channel and a few books extolling some great achievements of the human race, majority in India think of adventure as something which takes one to near death or confirmed death experiences. It is considered to be something meant for freaks and firangs. Lots also subscribe to the belief that one needs to be born as more than a man. Nothing can be farther from truth. Meet me once and you’ll know. Also contributing to this wrong notion is the very people who indulge in it, including me. I have found an uncanny habit in the Indian adventurers/travelers of big talk, exaggerating their experiences. Add to it good story telling skills of an average Indian, you have wrong information spreading like plague. In other parts of the globe you will find most people giving true and detailed account of their experiences, which is mostly documented and helps others, plan their own adventures

The statement, ‘I run an adventure company’ sounded really cool to me about 12 years ago when I started my company, but these days quite a few times I underplay my association with adventure. I say I run an Outdoor company or that I run a travel company because of the fear of being misunderstood and also for the fear of losing business. Many a school and parents get panic attacks the minute they hear of someone suggesting an ‘adventure program’ for their children; it’s a different matter you label the same program as ‘outdoor learning program’ they will lap it up. 

Due to insufficient information there is an enigma around adventure and people who indulge in it. I get tons of attention and interesting reactions when people get to know of my association with the ‘A’ thing. Some think I am a dare devil and some as being the ‘Different’ type. There are lots who thought of me as a nursery drop out and were quite amused to know am an engineer/MBA variety. Am sure quite a few also think of me as being frivolous and incapable of earning my livelihood without getting into something as drastic as adventure and also as someone whose been encouraged by his parents to intentionally to go near high mountains, deep gorges and fast rivers due to my inability to show excellence in any other regular field.

 

Like any other concept, adventure am sure has different meanings to different people. TO ME ADVENTURE IS ANYTHING OUT OF THE REGULAR. You don’t just jump off planes & bridges or check out shark teeth from close proximity or climb up to heights at which planes fly to taste adventure. As per my understanding, a trip to Bombay for a villager from the mountains is an adventure, for an American tourist roaming the lanes of ‘Purani Delhi’ is an adventure, for city bred children staying with villagers is an adventure. Nowhere is death hanging over one’s neck, maybe to an extent with the villager in Bombay!  As by me, a group of experienced mountaineers climbing a Himalayan peak and bunch of amateur city kids heading to the Sahyadris (beautiful mountain range in Maharashtra) represent the same spirit and zeal for adventure. I attribute this wrong notion about adventure to ACT vs SPIRIT and DOING vs FEELING phenomenon. Let me explain. I am fairly convinced that adventure for whatever reasons is wrongly perceived by majority in terms of doing an act; something very physical in nature and not as something you feel and enjoy. Adventure in reality does not necessarily need to be dangerous and difficult. It is about trying something new and enjoying the feeling and celebrating the spirit, which acts as the catalyst in making one try new things. Adventure connotes SPIRIT and not the act. One of the things in my list of ‘top 10 all time adventures’ has to be the salsa dance classes that I attended once. 

  

Adventure when it becomes a habit, is a beautiful way to Learn and Live. It creates excitement, which keeps your mind and body alive and young. One develops a great respect for discipline. It inculcates initiative and hones planning skills like nothing else. You learn to respect others, to be humble and to enjoy camaraderie. Most importantly it forces one to do a fair evaluation of one’s abilities at all times, which becomes a stepping stone for developing various skills. To put it briefly, it’s a beautiful way to ‘GROW’. In my case, I feel it has added a beautiful dimension to my personality. I have tried many new things, met lots of new people, learnt a lot from varied experiences, got to know myself better and most importantly had TONS OF FUN. Adventure according to me is a 3 lettered word, FUN. Just like any other fun thing you should know how and how much of it is good for you.

Rafting in the Himalayas

Nalin's Blog: The Trekking Bug

Nalin Khanduri, Founder GIO 

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

Why do I love to trek so much?

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

Mountains hide a lot from us, within their deep valleys and lofty heights. They hide enchanting landscapes, budding wildlife, interesting cultures & intriguing mysticism. Exploring these well nurtured secrets is addictive to say the least. Considering that Moon, Mars and the 2 Poles are not really next door, trekking offers a great solution to satisfy the explorer in one. Also mountains, like the people they shelter, change form and character every few hundred kilometers and this variety in landscapes and culture is what interests a lot of people. One summer you could be walking the high 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 cheese and ‘chhang’ (rice beer made locally).

Mountains bring with them some amount of unpredictability and 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 your family and your two legs mode of transportation. It can’t get any simpler. Learning to play the outdoors, without meddling too much with it gives a good kick to quite a few including me.

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

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

 

Nalin's Blog: Mountain Travel in Winters

Nalin Khanduri, Founder GIO

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

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

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

• Perception of harsh weather is a strong deterrent. It is true that nights can get cold but if one is inside a room and in possession of some warm clothing than surely the bones are not going to create music.

• Lack of facilities around this time. People assume that things are not fully functional in winters.

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

Poor marketing results in lesser number of tourists. Nature works 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 gets to see distant mountains and valleys very clearly, something not possible in summer 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 pleasant during most of the day and yes during evenings one has to stay indoors or sit beside 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 25 years now, I find some solace in the fact that pictures come out really nice around this time. Unfortunately, its digital technology, clarity of air, sharp landscapes and not my skills which make this happen. I also save on travel insurance as I feel the probability of me being mowed down by a vehicle is very low. I find hotels are much cleaner and hotel owners more courteous in winters.

BUT what really draws me to the mountains in the winters is the fact that both the mountain and the people that inhabit it are also having a great time around this time, being least bothered about commerce and pleasing people and in the process radiating happiness. There is a very festive mood all around with major local festivals around this time. I have, in fact, seen in some remote villages which are completely isolated due to heavy snow, this is the time when every evening people are celebrating. Men, women and children gather 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 recharge their batteries for the summer onslaught!

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

A holiday specially tailored by GIO

Amitabh Saksena, guest blogger

Photo courtesy: Amitabh Saksena

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

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

Had attempted the same trip earlier, but the 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 jolly people smiling ear to ear, and got into GIO’s waiting car with such fervour rarely seen before!!

 

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

Three beautiful days by the Bhagirathi were divine... sleeping off on the deck chairs... chilly winter breeze... bonfire in the night… to the most awesome fresh green veggies and great non-veg dishes I’ve had.

The days flew by very fast till it was time to head to GIO’s New Tehri Himalayan Eco Lodges & Camps. Saw the Tehri Dam and finally the cottage... with the most stunning views of the hills and snow-peaked mountains… brightly-lit New Tehri settlement… divine meals... friends and 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 in New Tehri and GIO's new camps, we headed back on a beautiful journey till Jolly Grant airport... pleased as punch. Jolly at Jolly Grant yet again, hoping against hope that the flights get cancelled so we could spend another day here… maybe at Shivpuri!

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

Thank you GIO!! 

Brahmaputra Rafting Expedition

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

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

Our team emerged exhausted and exhilarated after 14 days in the glorious wilderness of Arunachal with many stories to tell.

You’ll just have to do with these pictures.

Auli in the winters, not just about skiing

Bhaskar Thyagarajan, guest blogger

While Auli in the winters tends to be about snow and skiing, there is another side I discovered which was such an amazing experience 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 saw there: 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 the birds were in plenty: noisy, active and looking very busy. Here we were wearing several layers of clothes and the birds seemed just the way they were, showing how nature endows these creatures with what they need. All that is needed is limited interference from us.

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