As Random As Life: Travel

Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

Sunday, April 6, 2008

TREK TO GOECHA LA PASS (UP TO THE BASE OF KHANGCHENDZONGA)

TREK TO GOECHA LA PASS (UP TO THE BASE OF KHANGCHENDZONGA)

Go on amonderately diffcult week-long trek og approximately 82 km from Yuksom(1,770m), near Dargeeling, to Sikkim's Goecha La Pass(4,990m) and back via Tahoka, Dzongri , Onglathang and Thangsing. You will cover maedows and moraines,frozen lakes and forests, and a whole lot of up and down.But the acme of the trek is undoutedly reaching Goecha La Pass, from where you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the southeast face of Khangchendzonga.October to December and mid-March to May sre the times to go.

SCUBA DIVING AT TARKARLI

SCUBA DIVING AT TARKARLI

Dive into the sparkling waters off the Konkan coast near Tarkarli beatch (6 km from Malwan in Maharastra) and snorkel near Sindhudurg Fort.This part of the Konkan is largely unknown,its waters still pristine.The beaches are the some of the best in the country and the marine life is varied,with coral reefs,colourful fish, dolphins and sargasum forests.Diving in a new area between Tarkarli and Vengurla has just started,so get yourself there between October and May to make the most of it.

SKIING IN GULMARG

SKIING IN GULMARG

The country's best ski resort was also the first in Asia, and despite its spectacular runs,speard over an area of 10 km,it remains one of the most inexpensive. About 60 km from Srinagar, it has skiing slopes of 200m for beginners, 500m for enthusiasts and 2,500m for experts,and offers as abackdrop some of the world's loveliet alpine scenery.You'll find the best powder here fro around Christmas to March.

SPITI HOMESTAYS

SPITI HOMESTAYS

Spiti in Himachal Pradesh is a srarkly beautiful high-altitude cold desert region, and homestays in its isolated villages are an incomparable experience. The Buddhist culture here is as well preserved as fossils found in the valley ( remains of life under the Tethys sea). Gain a unique insigh into the land, its hardy people and their culture.Choose from Langa, Komic ( Asia's heighest inhabted village), Demul, Lhalung and Dhankhar. The weather is most berable between mid-May and September.

TREK TO PARANG LA , FROM SPITI TO TSO MORIRI

TREK TO PARANG LA , FROM SPITI TO TSO MORIRI

Follow an ancient trade route through Himachal Pradesh towards Tibet in a diffcult 10 to 12-day trek over some 135 km, begining at Kibber village(4,400m) in the remort and dramatic landscape of Spiti Valley.Go via Parang La Pass(5,592m) to the Tso Moriri lake, whose azure waters and breeding ground for bar-headed geese, black-necked cranes and Brahminy ducks. You'll passing through Thaltak, Dak Kardom , Norbu Sumdo, Kiandom and Karzok-across gorges, valleys and mountains, past ample evidence of the area's Buddhist heritage, through snow leopard territory. The vistas here seem to complete to top each other on a daily basis-mid-July to mid-September is the best time to see them.

ROCK CLIMBING IN MANALI VALLEY

ROCK CLIMBING IN MANALI VALLEY

Want to scale some of the toughest and most exciting rock faces in India? We recommend the Dhauladhars in Manali, which offer every feather an adventurer could hope for, including slabs, overhangs, chimneys ans walls.If that isn't enough, the Beas Kund region and the lower reaches of Hanuman Tibba (5,930m) in HIMACHAL Pradesh are some of the most scenic spots to learn, or conquer, the sport. Aviod both winter and monsoon by planning your trip between April and June.

ROCK CLIMBING IN MANALI VALLEY

ROCK CLIMBING IN MANALI VALLEY

Want to scale some of the toughest and most exciting rock faces in India? We recommend the Dhauladhars in Manali, which offer every feather an adventurer could hope for, including slabs, overhangs, chimneys ans walls.If that isn't enough, the Beas Kund region and the lower reaches of Hanuman Tibba (5,930m) in HIMACHAL Pradesh are some of the most scenic spots to learn, or conquer, the sport. Aviod both winter and monsoon by planning your trip between April and June.

TREK IN THE SAHYADRIS

TREK IN THE SAHYADRIS

If you're not one for high altitude trekking, try this instead. Start at Karjat (593m), which lise 85 km from Mumbai, on a moderately easy six-day journey of 65 km to Lonavla (625m) via Rajmachi, Ekvira, Lohargarh and Bhaje. Size does not matter in the Sahyadris as they offer you several steep ascents and descents.The range is home to many of Shivaji's forts (along which the trek is routed) and May is the best time to get your calves pumping.

TONS RAFTING EXPEDITION

TONS RAFTING EXPEDITION

Push yourself to the limit and revel in an extraordinary adrenaline rush on one of the best, and most consistent, stretches of white water in the country. GO on a rafting expedition covering 90 km over four to five days on River Tons, from Gyunhatti in Uttarakhand till lcchari along Class III , IV and even V rapids. The first section, from Gyunhatti to Khunigad, is 15 km and the second, from Tiuni to lchhari via Mori and Atla, is 75 km. You'll be treated to amazing scenery, camping en route and possible day expeditions, making for an incredible experience. September to November and March to May are when the rapids are at their most inviting.

TREK TO MERUTHANG

TREK TO MERUTHANG

The eastern Himalayas are still largely unexplored terrritory, and this challenging 11 to 12-day trek of 140 km is one of the few in the region. Start at Jang (2,370m) and climb up to Meruthang (4,500m) viaBroksher,Margo and Jithang, descending via Luguthang to Sela near Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. En route to Meruthang , you'll pass vistas unrivalled in India. Before Margo are dense forests and magnificiant waterfalls, while at Meruthang are stunning views of glaciers and the mountain range , peaks shining in the distance. May and October are the most hospitable times for the trek.

TREK TO BALI PASS

TREK TO BALI PASS

Go easy on adventure with a week-long trek to Bali pass(4,800m), starting at Har ki Dun, probably the most picturesque spot in the Garhwal Himalayas. End at Yamunotri(3,165m), going via Osla and the jewel-like Ruinsara Lake , While climbing to Bali-pass ,you'll have gorgeous views of Swargarohini Peak, Banderpunch and Black Peak, all towering above 6,000m. Even when descending to Yamunotri, the vistas are lovely, with open meadows and tiny hamlets. Make time for it between mid-April and November.

SKIING IN AULI

SKIING IN AULI

Some 20 km of natural scopes out before you at this skiresort,which is second only to gulmarg and as inviting to the expert skier as the beginner.Zip down scopes that descend from 3,049 to 2,915m,while surrounded by the garhwal himalayas.Auli hosts the national championships,and will also host the first south Asian winter games to be held in 2009.Strap on your skis between January and early March.

MOUNTAINBIKING ON THE MANALI-LEHHIGH WAY

MOUNTAINBIKING ON THE MANALI-LEHHIGH WAY

Among the best routes in the world, this is a road that crosses five altitude passes, through terrain so barren and demanding that it's mostly uninhabited. On this physically demanding 11 to 14-day journey(crossing approximately 475km), you'll be biking from Manali via Rohathang Pass, Chandra valley, Tandi,Sarchu,Darcha and Tanglang-la(at 5,360m the highest pass)to Leh. The route maintains an altitude of around 4,000m for almost half it's length,and as you enter J&K, you will pass the Gata loops-21 hairpin bends at the end of which you are almost 460m higher. What's more the physically of the route changes every year depending on the weather conditions at the time -glacial melts, snow, landslides, broken bridges and road blocks only add to the excitement. The road is open to the wheel from June to mid-October.

RAFTING DOWN THE SUBANSIRI

RAFTING DOWN THE SUBANSIRI

Travel a river that few have, running through some of the wildest, most isolated and staggeringly beautiful parts of Arunachal pradesh. Take a five to six-day trip of some 110km down the subansiri , starting at Taliha,300km from Pasighat. Make your way to the North Lakimpur gorge via Sippi,Daporijo and Yeramukh with Class III and IV rapids. Plunge through gorges and take in the confluence of the Kamla and the Subansiri--make sure you do it before a dam puts a stop to the action in 2010. Get ready to shiver from November to early December.

PARAGLIDING AT ARMBOL

PARAGLIDING AT ARMBOL

Jump into the great wide open on a soaring flight from a takeoff point on the plateau along the beach north from Arambol in Goa. There's the possibility of landing on any stretch of nearby beach. Test your launches as you take off over a vertical cliff and fly for hours, kept airborne by sea breezes, or go tandem flying if you've never been gliding before. This is also a free site(just don't cross any forbidding fences), so if you've got the equipment, the air's all yours-- and particularly fine from October to March

WINTER TREK TO CHOPTA TUNGNATH CHANDRASHILA PEAK

WINTER TREK TO CHOPTA TUNGNATH CHANDRASHILA PEAK

For the beginner we recommended an easy fourday trek of 14km from chopta (2600m)in Uttarakhand up to the Tungnath temple (3680m) and further on to Chandrashila Peak(3,950m) and back. Chopta is compared to Switzerland for it's alpine beauty and when blanketed by snow in winter, is something of a wonderland. Chandrashila Peak offers stunning 180-degree views of the surrounding Himalayas, while the Tungnath temple is considered very holy and is the highest shrine to Shiva among the Panch kedars. The cold only adds to the area's beauty, making December-January a good time to try the trek; but go around early spiring in February and you'll see the forests of rhododendros paint the mountainside red.

KAYAKING ON THE RANGEET

KAYAKING ON THE RANGEET

Challenge the expert in you over a 70-km stretch on the Rangeet, which has some of the country's best runs of rapids. start at Sikip in southern Sikkim and reach Melli via Jarethang and Majitar. The waters of the Rangeet are femed for their turbelence, and are run by people with plenty of experience, for the pace, exhilaration, and sheer challenge offered. The river is best run winter, so get your spills, chills and thrills between October to April, which is high kayaking season.

TREK TO NOKREK PEAK

TREK TO NOKREK PEAK

Take a trek renowned for it's beauty in Meghalayas Garo Hills, over some 45km and four to five days, starting from Tura and ending at Nokrek Peak(1,412m) via Tura peak(872m). You'll love it for the pretty views of hills and the rushing Brahmaputra, it's route through virgin tropical forests, and over streams and rivers that spring in the hills.And, of course, the fabulous variety of flora and fauna around Nokrek peak. September to May is the best time to go

CYCLING IN THE SHADOW OF KHANGCHENDZONGA

CYCLING IN THE SHADOW OF KHANGCHENDZONGA

Bike through the best of eastern India on a 15-day journey of approximately 190km, climbing and descending with the hills from Darjeeling to Sandakphu(3,363m), to Gangtok(1,600m) and down to the tea station of Kalimpong. This route puts you in line with the giants of the Himalayas,from Khangchendzonga to Mount Everest as well as Lhoste and Makalu. The peaks are ever-present in your journey as you bike through the mountain roads of the east, wending your way through rhododendron forests and tea gardens, sleepy hamlets and mountain tracks via Tonglu,Sandakphu and Phalut. Get the wheels turning from mid- February to April and October to mid-December.

MTB HIMACHAL

MTB HIMACHAL

Test your strength,endurance and speed in this gruelling nine-day long mountain bike race over 641km in Himachal Pradesh, from Shimla to Manali via Shilaru, kullu Sarahan, Gadah Gushaini and Naggar.It's the only real race in India for the adventurous at heart and the fit of body. Pedal through the western Himalayas(reaching 4,000m) riding through uncharted back roads, dirt tracks, deep forests and along side rivers. Check www.mtb himachal.com for next year's dates.

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