When I surrendered myself into the laps of the ranges of Sikkim!

The wind struck squarely on my face, and I knew I was in Yumthang Valley, the valley of flowers, with Rhododendrons all around, And I was all ready to wrap my arms around this beauty. 

Yumthang Valley, Sikkim

The thin branches of the trees was stooping down on either sides, laden with fresh snow. The sky was crystal clear all around, giving me the views of the truest blue I had ever seen. It was like the sheath of snowy mountains rose all around to greet me silently. Yumthang Valley was unfolding in front of me in all its majestic splendour. The mountains were flanked by thick forest cover, the lush green trees were visible beneath the white canopy. Wherever I looked the sheer beauty of nature numbed my senses.

Lachung, Sikkim

Heaven is not the place where one would land when one dies; for me it is that moment when I feel alive and fresh with myself, and Zero point in Sikkim has been one such place for me. I was looking forward with each passing moment to have those fascinations come to realization where I would be seeing the last point for civillians. 

The landscape throughout the journey to this point is mesmering to the core and one cannot be spared with the awe of the amazement that this place offered. Through the curves in the mountainous areas here amidst the rugged piece of terrain of this splendid geographic region and has been a lifetime experience.

Zero Point,   Sikkim

Lachung is one of the remotest destinations in India and offers stunning views of the Himalayan beauty. majestic snow-covered mountains all around that tempt every tourist. It is one of the most beautiful town I have ever been to, which has several streams, peaks, amazing waterfalls and much more on its platter to offer to everyone who comes to this idyllic destination.

Gangtok, Sikkim

The splendid scenic beauty warmly greeted me at every bend on this serpentine road. While crossing the roads, my eyes and my lens captured the glorious view of the majestic Himalayas. I was watching the time pass by me in the paradise.

Yumthang Valley, Sikkim

It is quite difficult to imagine such a beautiful lake cut out of this size situated in the middle of this majestic cold desert. Once I captured the sight of this lake, all my fatigue of traveling several kilometres vanished.

Gurudongmar Lake, Sikkim

The snow- fed milky water of the lake was evidently and clearly visible. To the back, I saw kanchenjunga Range which was encircled all around by snow-clad mountains.

Gurudongmar Lake, Sikkim

Memories stocked at Pangong Tso Lake!

A drive to this beautiful lake has lent me some of the most wonderful experiences. It was this time that I realized more than ever, I shall never be contented with the sedentary lifestyle, and that I shall always be haunted by thoughts if someday I had to drench myself for the rest of my life under a roof. Nature has its own ways of instilling peace within an individual just as it infuses life within streams, trees, etc; and here I was at Pangong Tso Lake.

There are huge monasteries around the region that reside in the vastness of the huge spread of the mountain range, where the topography is so rich that it provides clearance into lots of scientific phenomenon that so far I'd studied in books such as mirage, iridescence, amongst a host of others.

Having been to this place, I wondered how minute particle I am in this world.

My time there was just getting more enriched with each passing moment, and I did not want to bid adieu to this paradise. This lake may be saline, but the experiences that it instills one with are sweet, rather pleasant and to carry them with oneself for lifetime. The journey to this lake had been through a rough terrain with scenic and picturesque mountainous roads throughout.

The migratory colourful Himalayan birds with richness of their vibrancy are pure delight to give you company all along the stay and throughout the way.

Most of us exist for most of the time in worlds which are humanly arranged, themed and controlled. One often forgets that there are places which do not respond to the taps on the screen, flicks of a switch or the twist of a dial, and which have their own rhythm and orders of existence. Pangong Tso Lake, for me, corrected me on this amnesia. By speaking of greater forces of nature than we can possibly invoke, and by confronting us with greater spans of time than we can possibly envisage, lakes such as this refute our excessive trust in the man-made.

The essence that icy cold water had and the crystal clear bottom sent a thrill up my spine. It was definitely like one of those moment when the closest I have ever felt to God, and the very air in the atmosphere was so pure.

The first glimpses of these serene and bright blue sheet layers of waters and the rocky lakeshore is for sure to etched in your memory for a lifetime.

The lake is nothing short of heaven symbolising peace and serenity in the finest way. I have never even seen as many shades of blue at one time as I saw here. The scene was almost as if God had taken his hands on the paintbrush with a blue palette, spraying colours, and in those moments a spell had been cast and I was rendered speechless, may be they knew the secret. There was no attention to any boundaries of the spread of vastness.



This spectacular lake view has been an experience for which I would say that some dreams should just not be dreamt but felt.

- Hardik

The Isle Of Skye - The Land Of Fairies!

Listen to the silence; be still and let your soul catch up.

Isle of Skye, Scotland - where do I begin my this tale from ?  It’s the northernmost of the major islands in the Inner Hebrides that is easily accessible from the mainland. 

It did catch my attention at first because of its name, a place with such a rhythmic name must be beautiful and serene, ain't it ? I wanted to be around a place which would be more peaceful, less of city noises, more of nature, hiking trails and experiences. It gave me lots of amazing scenery, winds, picturesque natural treasures, and this made me to delve deeper into love with the nature as to there is no other place as beautiful as Isle of Skye. It has lots of tiny villages with never ending pastures.

When one comes to think of Scotland, all the nature's landscapes come to the memory be it the rugged mountains, or the fauna and flora of the region which bring forth the views of colourful mosses, lochs, the weather that has lot to offer without giving much of indications, being highly unpredictable, amongst a host of other things. Thinking about finding all of these at one place, and coming to a conclusion, one would land up at Isle Of Skye.

The landscapes throughout this place are the most scenic ones I have ever come across. Traveling to this marvel offered me amazing scenes of waterfalls on the route, sea cliffs alongside, and dramatic landscapes that mountains formed. I was so impressed going through the Highlands, to this place called Isle of Skye which provided me incredible photography opportunities one after the other with amazingly raw and breathtaking views. 

Since photography is one of my favourite things on the plate, mountain landscapes is the best cuisine that can be served from the host of things on the menu. Every single individual who has been to this place, must have fallen in love several times along the route while going around Isle of Skye. Lots of myths and legends revolve around this place with giants and fairy tales, also a number of ancient castles can still be found standing here. One is often under the illusions of being transported into a fantasy land.

Landscapes here are really impressive offering different patterns in the sky with frequent changes. The view, the light, the colours are ever changing. It is a joy to visit this place and one can keep snapping for next few days.

I can probably keep going on ranting about my trip to this amazing place 'Isle of Skye' for days, because it surely is one of those kinds, that has come to stay with me forever. This post might never do justice to this amazing place that stored in me the plethora of memories to take away. It is an insanely amazing place where words would fall short of doing justice to describing the experience I have had at this quiet, peaceful, and serene place. 

On what an amazing luck I have been to have spent time in this wonderful part of the world! I'd love to visit this place some other day again.

If my readers want to go by my advice ? For once in a lifetime, do get to Skye!

The City of Inverness - The Capital of Highlands!

Ever since I have come to Europe I have learnt to greatly appreciate and love walking. I love to visit cities and towns in different European countries and I always make a point to walk around and ‘take in’ the environment. I walk to see the local people, roads, landscapes, parks, and how the buildings change in the different parts of the city. Walking has let me to discover little cafes, restaurants or graffiti that could have been easily missed when one quickly drives by. I try to take walking tours whenever I can and so far I have met and talked with people from all over the world and I have exchanged thoughts about the place and our home cities. For me walking and seeing what is around me gives me a sense of connection and makes me less afraid of being in a new place.

The magical quality of the region is captured beautifully in Outlander, which is what’s inspiring so many tourists to visit. A compact, cosmopolitan city with a lot of heart, and all the wonders of the Highlands at its doorstep - that makes it as one of the finest combination of a lot of factors for the wanderers to go around the city and explore it in their own ways. Inverness is an exceptional place, the 'in' place to be where there's a real buzz to life. Remarkably, one of the few places in the world where I could take a short walk starting from the city centre and feel as though I was right in the middle of the countryside. Here I take you to the River Ness and Ness Island in Scotland.

As one starts from Inverness city centre, it is like a circuit walk that spreads for a span approximately 2 hours along the banks of the River Ness. It is a beautiful sight for the keen nature lovers and fauna admirers. Seals and seabirds can be spotted between the two road bridges that run through the city. The birds piped oddly, some of the winds were caressing the higher foliage, turning it across the way, mildly onto the path of my exploration along the river bank. Along the river, you can walk across the footbridges to explore both sides of the riverbank. The great swelling and evolving waves of affection came upon me. For as long as I can remember, I was never happier, never quite as much myself, as I was there; sitting on the edge of the stream, winding my memories and making ways around the stream.

There is time to appreciate the architecture, to watch the river, to revel in the nooks and hidden bits of green. It is possible to walk the pavements at whatever pace desired without the impediment of other people and without breathing in the choking pollution. Connecting to the footbridges further upstream is a small, beautiful collection of islands called Ness Islands. One can go on a nature walk up the hills on the western shore. There is a nice trail leading up with several viewpoints, and while you might not have enough time to make it all the way to the top, this is a great budget option for a dry day.

It is recommended walking upstream alongside one side of the River Ness to Ness Islands and returning downstream the other bank, as this is a great way that allows one to have two totally separate views of some magnificent architecture of the city and its buildings. Here, crossing the suspension bridge for some peace and relaxation on the Ness Islands is a blissful and wonderly experience of lifetime.

There are other options available where one can make choices according to one's travels planning and experiences one wants to flourish oneself with, like one can go for a cruise around the Loch ness or can explore the ruined corners of the Urquhart Castle, or spend time on the boat rides, where the tickets are to be managed. 

The walk on the sides on the Ness rives is perhaps the most amazing and beautiful thing that has happened to me during my stay in Scotland. The Ness Islands are planted with mature scots pine, fir, beech and sycamore amongst other fauna and they are linked to the river banks and each other by elegant Victorian footbridges. The islands make a spectacular arrangement and appealing traveling destination, as it is one of the most beautiful riverside settings.

The best part from the circular walk has been that the strolls can be made longer or shorter depending upon the time availability with the individual, as there are numerous bridges that one can take on to explore, and return to the opposite side to the starting point. Here one can also extend the walk along the Great Glen Way or the Caledonian Canal.

Adding to this whole experience at Inverness is the Greig Street Suspension Bridge, which was built in 1881 for £1400. Its construction has been credited to the engineer C R Manners, and the local Rose Street Foundry, that spans 61.3m, and the side spans are each 20.4m, where the piers below tower level are cast iron. The bridge is a key Inverness landmark, both an important pedestrian route, and part of a riverside promenade which offers views of local buildings, and of the hills beyond. 

The inverness castle to the backdrop completes the painting that one often craves for. Yes, indeed the whole set up looks like a painting.

And to be honest of my time in Inverness, I am quite proud of myself because it has a proof of this majestic place in Scotland.

Wandering into the Tirthan Valley!

As a kid, I used to look up in the sky and ask for wings to fly up to the mountains and wish they will call me one day to make me feel alive and on top of this world and Today , here I am standing at the top of the mountains and appreciating the majestic panoramic view of mesmerizing Himalayas and believing in a quote that Yes " Dreams do come true". Undoubtedly, I was living my dream standing amidst the mountains, wandering into the mystified and beautiful landscapes, walking into the woods, besides the Tirthan river.

It was the moment when after hoping around the world, my eyes were gazed looking at Tirthan Valley and it gave me the feeling that my dream has been sketched and nature is my artist putting  everything alive right in front of me in more wondrous ways than ever. I witnessed things what ancients would have called miracles, but unfortunately they are not miracles, It was a product of my dream and this only happens when you crave badly for it. Undoubtedly I was just a molecule around those tall sheltering trees  but I am reliving the best days of my life.

There were beautiful clouds below and above me, and there were mighty mountain peaks emerging from those clouds all around. The peaks shining in blue sky among the white clouds looked like glittering diamonds. The view of the large lush green meadow surrounded by mountains under blue sky circling the horizon has put me in a state of tranquility. As the sun started drowning in the horizon, the sky had began to boast of its mystical colours. The beautiful mix of pink, orange and red looked like creating a perfect twilight saga. And there I opened my both arm and took a deep breath to entwine myself with the nature.

Raising myself towards the moon made me to sense the flood of memories which I wanted to long unleash. The cool breeze around the valley lifted me up. I closed my eyes and breathed deep as if I wanted to let myself know that I was finally there. I was in joyous mood for I was living my dream. The feelings kept rolling up and down within me while I was waiting to unleash the memories that I was storing within me. 

It’s not a usual feeling when you wake up to a breath of fresh air gushing through your face after tiring overnight journey in the bus from Delhi. But that was the moment when I left all the fuss behind and entered a different world altogether. What I see is that how tiny place I occupy in this world, and this Tirthan valley jaunt is widely turning me into a storyteller. 

To enter the Tirthan Valley one deboards the bus at the Aut tunnel. Here on, one might want to worry about the world that one leaves behind or one might want to miss the pizzas that fattened the tummy, or maybe one might want to search for networks in their phones, but it’s not for long before one forgets all this. Sooner one finds oneself in the orchards of trees, apricots, almonds, streams of fresh water along the way, and fields lush with the cereals and vegetables that have touched sky high prices in the city where one comes from. The entire route is quite panoramic, with Tirthan river and Beas river flowing along the road. There also comes a point where both the rivers meet each other, and the magical views is a must do when coming to Tirthan valley.

One can do a Tirthan Valley home stay, like at the Mudhouse experiential hostels at Jibhi that I stayed at, a popular mode of accommodation in this beautiful valley. It is like an experience where most of us aspire to have a home in the hills, along a beach, in a remote village, a small cottage with a lawn and a kitchen garden to feast on, an open space for our pets to run around. The homestays in the Tirthan valley offer that very experience of unwinding in a lovely setting as guests to warm, friendly people, who have opened their traditional as well as modern homes to guests. They are scattered in various parts of the Tirthan Valley and they are a great way to mingle into the culture of a region, explore nature in its raw form, and a great option for an extended budget stay.

So this valley definitely assures one to be rich and a free bird for the next few days.

If one really stands for the crazy ventures on the trip one is onto, here in the Tirthan Valley one can try fishing here, which requires taking a permit which costs 100 INR, a fishing rod that one can rent for 500 INR, and tons of patience, most importantly. It took me approximately 4 hours and still was unable to catch any trout. Here, I started from upstream and walked all the way downstream searching for fishes. It took me a lot of energy and patience, but nevertheless, I’ll have another experience to share in my bucket list. Jumping over the rocks, standing still amidst water and watching for the fishes patiently, is worth an experience I gained at Tirthan.

The visit to the waterfall is a must do for all coming to this valley. It’s half a km walk as one feels majestic gazing at the panoramal sceneries, feeling the air gushes crossing the body, hear the chants of the animals and birds around, and moistened one's skin in the water vapours erupting from the waterfall. This waterfall is definitely one of the many highlights of the trip to Tirthan Valley. The magical walk is steep at places though one is bound to be rewarded with the hidden jewel.

Exploring the Tirthan Valley further, there is Jalori Pass comprising of a drive and a trek. The drive to Jalori pass crosses the quaint villages of Jibhi & Ghyagi. Though only 10 km from Tirthan the drive easily takes around 2 hours as there is a steep incline towards the pass. From here one can either venture into the depths of one of the biggest oak jungles towards Serlosar Lake or trek to the highs of Raghavpur Garh.

I ventured towards the Serlosar lake from Jalori Paas, the most amazing adventure is the 5 km trek to this beautiful lake. Serolsar lake is also a pilgrim site for the people local people as they pray over there, located at about 3,050m. This lake offers tranquility and has been known for being the seat of local goddess Budhi Nagin. Pilgrims walk around the lake, pouring an unbroken line of ghee. This is one of the good camping ground with small caves to explore. The area is surrounded by dense forests interspersed with meadows of wild flowers and tall pine trees. 

The next I experienced was the trek to Balo temple which started from the Bahu Village, another 10 kms from Jibhi. Bus services are easily available to Bahu village. The 2 km trek is an amateur level trek, and provides a beautiful sight of the meadows. There are no directions and signs to reach the Balo temple in particular. There is just one deviation in the whole way from where one just has to move onto the right direction. 

On reaching the Balo temple, one can see several small temples with simple yet beautiful architecture and a tree surrounded with some tridents known as Trishuls. It is a clean grassland with a small lake and beautiful sight of the pine trees. One can sit over there and have a pleasant experience of the breeze.

For me to sum up, I would clearly stand right to the remark that the Tirthan valley is one of the most beautiful virgin valleys of Himachal & an amazing destination by the side of the amazing Tirthan river. Treks, bird watching , waterfalls, and a host of other adventure activities are a lot refreshing here.

- Hardik

Towards The Tirthan Valley- A Wondrous Getaway!

Have you ever thought that being lost is your destination?

Yes, I have. For me, the key to a wonderful life is to never stop wandering into the wonders.

The pollution in Delhi was beginning to get to me and I was aching to run away to the hills, breathe some fresh air and enjoy the slow paced life. The traveller inside me was in search of an offbeat place away from the hustles of the Delhi life.

So here I was at - Tirthan valley, the lush green forests, all covered with deodar and pine woods, the best decision I ever took, I guess, while knowing very little about the place, I embarked on a journey to uncover this lesser known paradise in the immediate vicinity of Himachal Pradesh. The closer I got to Jibhi, the fonder I grew of this hidden treasure, unadulterated by the outside world, it still breathes afresh.

Here in the wilderness I dare you, ofcourse with optimistic viewpoint, to walk where you have not yet walked and notice that life is as beautiful as the dreams that dance in our imagination. We don’t have to try in getting anything out of it, because we won’t, we don’t have to try to make use of it, because we can’t. And that’s the point I believe, to just walk, see, sit down, and be. Just be, whatever one is with, with whatever one has, and realise that there is enough to be happy. There is a whole world out there, right outside our window, and we would be a fool to miss upon it.

Mudhouse experiential hostels - Where life gets a meaning. When a housing structure is built in mountains, it definitely takes a toll on the ecology.  This pretty little homestay with an attic room seems to be straight out from a fairy tale book. Since it is not on any of the main roads, it is surrounded by trees and you can easily hear the water stream just behind this homestay. I walked near to the stream, near water, the most peaceful company and place I would ever know. There I sat and stayed, with nothing and everything on my mind, cleansing my head. Nature with its silences as offering, I learned, is sometimes the most beautiful sound. 

Mudhouse has given me memories of lifetime, the opportunities to explore a better side of myself in the laps of nature, mingling along with the alike minds, exploring the parts of self existence, with lots of offerings in form of activities such as bonfire, fishing, camping, trekking, walks and the live music time, amongst many.

The taught have often showed me that great things have to be done bit by bit. Nothing that means anything happens with the blink of an eye--we only think it does. The motion of drawing back a bow and sending an arrow straight into a target takes only a split second, but it is a skill of several years in the making. So is with the life, anyone's life for that matter. I may list things that might be described as my accomplishments in these last few years, but they are only the shadows of the larger truth, the fragments separated from the whole cycle of becoming. And if I can tell an odd-time story, it is because I have spent many years walking-wayfaring-wandering about myself, listening to voices that came not just from the people but from animals, birds, streams, trees, stones, and everything wild.

For nature lovers and art enthusiasts, this place can bring the best out of you as well as enrich you in the most unimaginable way. They also have a whole lot of games in case you are travelling with friends or kids and want to spend the evening playing ludo, jenga or monopoly. My favourite part of the homestay was the fireplace where one could sit through the evenings, curled up with a book or some music.

I was thrilled that the wifi signal wasn’t great because I desperately was in a need of digital detox. I could feel my stresses just melt away and all those siestas, delicious food and restful sleep at night gave me the break I needed. I was happy, rested, satiated and felt ready to take on whatever life had in store for me.

I would suggest to not worry yourself, because as I started walking and kept walking until I no longer knew the road like the palm-lines of my hand, what I realised was that when we walk the same roads day in and day out, to the places in an outside world and back home and we often cease to understand the world around us. It is like walking in the sleep and teaching our muscles to work without thinking. Nature knows the secrets, it knows no boundaries.

The beauty of this property is that it feels like a ‘home away from home’ where you can have absolutely everything you want. The rooms were very comfortable. I was pretty upset about leaving this gorgeous place with all the warmth and hospitality that the host had to offer. 

Rahul and Anu - they stand true to their name 'experiential', the vibes of the hosts and the place around is unexpectedly amazing, the perfect host, very prompt, attentive and went out of their way to make sure all my needs were met. A truly unbeatable and unmatchable experience with the hosts. One is for sure to fall in love with the place and hosts.

I cannot wait to be back and highly recommend that you check out their soon to be opened property in Jibhi only for your next vacation with friends. It was a great place to connect with the fellow travellers. Everything is hospitable at this place and if ever you are around in this part of Himachal, do not miss out on this place.

They say Alexander- The Great slept with 'The Iliad' beneath his pillow. Though I have never led an army like him, but nevertheless, I am a wanderer. During the waning moon, I cradle Homer’s 'Odyssey' as if it were the sweet body of a woman. 

- Hardik

Wayfaring - I Love Not Man The Less, But Nature More!

I felt my lungs inflate with the on rush of ascetic scenery, lush green lands, the mystifying air, lofty mountains,  luxuriant vegetation, native people; and a thought ran within me which said this is what it is to be fortunate and delighted at the same time when I began to discover the parts of me through wayfaring. This has been proven to me time and again that the clearest way into the Universe is definitely by travelling on foot, discovering the locals, nature and everything that comes across the way.

The best remedy for those who are afraid or unhappy is to step out of their comfort zone and walk out, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the nature, because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that nature has remedies and wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple offerings of nature. As longs as this has come to reside within me, and it certainly always will, I know that there will always be comfort for all of my joys and trouble, alike, whatever the circumstances may be. And I have become a firm believer of the fact that nature brings solace in all the situations, perhaps, the best comforter and healer.

For journeying around one does not have to be good all the time, or one does not have to walk on the knees throughout, for several miles uphills or through the deserts, which is often promising and takes away any kind of repentance, a walk across them is as incredible as the best gift that one would present oneself ever. For all that one needs is to let the soft animal inside oneself love what it craves and desires for the most.

Meanwhile, the fact is that the world goes on, also the sun, the moon, the stars, the planets, the pebbles of the rivers and rain are moving across the landscapes, over the rivers and the deep trees, the mountains and the plains. Also, the wilderness high in the clean blue air begins to head to their homes.

As I began wayfaring, another realisation that came to me was that who so ever one is, no matter how many plethora of emotions one holds, the world has several offerings beyond one's imagination and making the nature seem as a family of beings and things.

I definitely, not love man the less, but nature more. 

- Hardik

And When The Odyssean Quest Began!

Mankind has legs, and so he can wander. Being a wanderer, I have come to few quick realizations that whenever I'm somewhere I've never been before, learning goes on all throughout the day, each and every day. Also, it is something like wandering was the only thing that I ever believed in, and the only thing that ever believed in me. 

While crossing the ways, I've become a strong believer of the fact that my spirit gets nourished in faraway places. Sometimes I wonder if it's a biological need, or perhaps maybe a biological flaw, that compels me to seek the excitement and challenge that comes of being in a place where nobody knows me. I learn the best and most, by happily experiencing, touching, sharing, tasting, believing and wandering into the unknown.

I do not remember the exact time and date when the travel bug did bite me, but all I can recall are the days when after school I used to be glued to the black and white television screen to watch the places and dreamt of visiting them as I travel through my journey of life. Though time has slipped through my fingers in these years, but my curiosity to discover the world around me has only grown since. 

As and when I travel, I often hear people say, "Yet another place in this world". But I see ‘Another world inside me and another world in every place I visit".

The urge of going to different places, experiencing something new and living a life that I have designed for myself is fondly becoming an addiction I wouldn't want to get rid of, for nothing has ever enriched me than traveling has.

- Hardik