Barog

We planned on a whim. We were looking for an outing with our pet golden retriever Leo and found a highly recommended AirBnB called Red Roof Homestay in Barog where we booked two nights stay. Barog is less than 7 hours from Gurgaon. We did not want to test our Leo for longer travel for our first trip together.

View from our bedroom

Rupin Pass Trek - Part 4

Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

Upper Waterfall campsite belonged to another world. It was below minus 10 degrees here. Everywhere we could see there was snow. It took some effort just to change clothes and settle in our tents. We were finding it ridiculous to come out and have lunch. Few things are mandatory on a trek and that includes not skipping a meal.

On way to summit, a view of our Upper Waterfall campsite

Rupin Pass Trek - Part 3

Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

We reached our next camping ground called Dhanderas Thatch half past noon. By now almost everything in our view was white. We were told to refresh ourselves for lunch after which we will go for a small trek sideways and practise some snow gliding which was a needed skill to navigate the other side of summit.

View on the way to Upper Waterfall, our campsite is visible

Rupin Pass Trek - Part 2

Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

From this night onwards there was neither any electricity nor network. It was just us bantering in the dark while trying to sleep in an alien environment. Tiredness cocooned us into deep slumber in some time. Next day we were as fresh as ever and started with spring in our legs. I still remember this day as the most beautiful of the trek. First came the forests, then a ravine and finally a winding stairs to flatlands at the end of which was our camping ground.

The ravine on way to Saruwas Thatch

Rupin Pass Trek - Part 1

Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

Rupin Pass is a moderately tough trek. On the day we attempted it, it was difficult because of the 14ft ice that was covering our path from Dhanderas Thatch which is 2 days away from the summit. We were the second group of the season that had successfully attempted the summit @ 15279ft. This was a feat of no small proportion given the motley group we were.

15279ft @ Rupin Pass

Pangong

The road from Nubra to Leh is picturesque. Add to that the promise of seeing the expanse of Pangong Lake, no wonder we were thrilled. The road conditions are not very good because firstly it’s not strategic and secondly there is a road expansion going on around Pangong. We still enjoyed the long hours on the road as the landscape kept changing.

Frozen Pangong Tso

Nubra

We started at 9 for Nubra and reached Khardungla by 11. At a height of 18000ft, Khardungla is a major tourist destination. For the first time we were among the snow capped hills. It was time for a hot cup of tea and a lot of photographs. We took photos in all permutations and combinations before starting downhill for the Nubra Valley.

Khardungla Pass

Leh

Leh - Nubra - Pangong

• Only postpaid works in Leh. The internet and connectivity is good even in Nubra and Pangong.
• Take it easy on the first day. At 12000ft, the quick altitude change is challenging even to the healthy.
• Better to book a cab for the entire time of stay. Khardungla, Nubra and Pangong all need vehicle.
• May & June are the busiest seasons. We enjoyed the tranquillity of April. Frozen Pangong was a bonus.

We literally reached Leh in no time. I remember taking a call from my wife at Leh airport when she was thinking I am still at Delhi airport. Something so exotic is so accessible was a surprise. I generally prefer window seat and was thoroughly rewarded on our one hour flight to Leh with ice capped mountain view and amazing Himalayan landscape.

View of Leh from Shanti Stupa

Andaman’s Day 8: Port Blair

Andaman’s: Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - Day 6 - Day 7 - Day 8 - Day 9

Next day early in the day we went for Bose Island where most of the cavalry and all of the British officers used to live during the Raj days. Now most of the buildings are in ruins. It is still a beautiful island with deers roaming freely. We took a ferry from Marina Park Jetty which hardly takes 10 minutes and runs every half hour.

Ruined buildings at Bose Island

Andaman’s Day 6: Neil Island

Andaman’s: Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - Day 6 - Day 7 - Day 8 - Day 9

Next day we promptly reached Bharatpur Beach at 11 and waited for the tide to rise the water level. Since this is the only beach where venturing into sea is allowed, almost entire Neil was here. We had fun going deep into the sea. We would take multiple trips into the sea and then rest at the sandy beachside.

Our second stint at Bharatpur Beach

Andaman’s Day 5: Neil Island

Andaman’s: Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - Day 6 - Day 7 - Day 8 - Day 9

Early morning we went to Vijaynagar Beach which was opposite our resort. We wanted to see a Havelock sunrise. We were not disappointed although half a dozen puppies did follow us back to our resort. They probably mistook us as their mommy.

Sunrise at the rocky Vijaynagar Beach

Andaman’s Day 1: Port Blair

Andaman’s: Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - Day 6 - Day 7 - Day 8 - Day 9

• A trip to Andaman’s can be 5 day, 7 day, 9 day or even more, not less. Don’t miss Radhanagar Beach @ Havelock, Cellular Jail @ Port Blair & Natural Bridge @ Neil.
• It rains almost all the time more or less, come with umbrellas and rain coats.
• Rent two-wheelers from the hotel of stay itself. It will be slightly costly but reliable.

It was raining when we landed at Port Blair. By the time we checked out the weather had dried out. This was the story throughout our 10 days stay at the Andamans. The cab pickup however was efficient. We checked-in into our hotel in no time. We had booked the same hotel when we would come back for the return flight ten days later.

Marina Park, Port Blair

Tungnath Trek - Part 2

On our last leg Tungnath Temple was visible from more than a kilometer away. This last leg is straight. It took us about three hours in total to reach the complex. Holy chants and bells were ringing around the temple. Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in the world and it attracts its due lot of worshippers.

Last leg of Tungnath trek, temple is visible now

Tungnath Trek - Part 1

We reached Chopta before it went dark. Our hotel was far away from the entrance of Tungnath trek. Because Chopta area comes under military there was no electricity and no network. This was to discourage illegal construction around the base of trek.

Details at the entrance of Tungnath trek

Deoriatal Trek - Part 2

Next day we started afresh for Deoriatal. We had a hot water bath and a good breakfast in our hotel which also operated a well running restaurant. The entrance was right in front of our hotel so we were on the uphill trek quickly.

First leg of Deoriatal Trek

Deoriatal Trek - Part 1

We started early morning from Rishikesh for Sari village. Within an hour we were at Devprayag. I have been to this place couple of times but its beauty never ceases to amaze me. Two rivers, one muddy another pristine, meet here to create Ganges. We stopped and descended down to the point of merger and just stayed there for a while.

Devprayag, merging of Bhagirathi and Alakananda rivers

Robber’s Cave, Dehradun

We were in Dehradun to attend a marriage. We had the morning to spare and so we searched the internet for what we can do. We saw good reviews of a place mysteriously called the Robber’s Cave. It was enticing enough for us to take a trip. It was a half hour drive from our hotel.

Entrance to Robber’s Cave

Nagtibba Trek - Part 2

Nagtibba Trek Part 1 - Part 2

Breakfast at The Goat Village was equally tasty. The manager told us to pack some parathas to enjoy at the  summit. One of the hotel workers accompanied us as guide. We were the only ones on the trek. The first leg was pleasant. We were able to hit the forest within an hour. Then the challenging segment started.

The snow clad trek to Nagtibba

Nagtibba trek - Part 1

Nagtibba Trek Part 1 - Part 2

• Book The Goat Village in advance. You will not regret it.
• Better to have own vehicle. It will help specially in the return leg if you want to reach Mussoorie.
• Plan two nights if you want to enjoy in leisure, else one night stay is enough.
• Nagtibba is a day trek. Some people attempt it early morning to see the sunrise.

I have been to mussoorie so many times and heard of Nagtibba so often that it was a surprise when we found ourselves going there on a split second decision. We were drinking tea at the Mall Road in Mussoorie. It was 4PM. We were coming from Kanatal after visiting the famous Surkanda Devi Temple. What should we do now? I tossed in the idea of Nagtibba and in few minutes we were on the way.

Beautiful Pantwari Village from above

Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 6

Everest Base Camp Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6

While I somewhat recovered, my friends suggested we arrange for a helicopter. This was something. From feeling almost okay to getting back to Lukla on a helicopter in such  a short time was something I was not able to comprehend. I resisted. Thankfully me friends were more sensible.

Golden crest @ Lobuche