KHATLING GLACIER TREK – STANDING WALLS OF GRAVEL MUD

Garhwal region of Himalaya is really a heaven for trekkers, trekkers of all sorts, easy, moderate and hard core, every sort of trekking is available here.
Khatling glacier trekking in the Tehri dist is one of those moderate trekking grade. This glacier is the source of River Bhilagna.
The glacier is surrounded by stunning mountains snow peaks, Jogin group (6466met), Spetic Pristwar (6905met), Barte Kauter (6579met) Kirti Sthumb (6902met) and Meru.
The moraines look like standing walls of gravel mud.
The altitude of the Khatling trek is 4000 met.
The whole trek though can be termed as moderate level of trekking, tents, camping and other tools must be obtained from Rishikesh or Delhi.
Traditional route is from Rishikesh. From Rishikesh the visitor has to travel to Ghuttu (150 kms.). Public buses or private taxis are available for this part of the journey.
From Ghuttu, the trekking begins 45 kms. Up and down thru picturesque villages like Reeh, Gangi, Kalyani, Bhelbagi, the journey is thru Kharasao forests and green meadows, and all being surrounded by peaks and valleys of Himalaya.
The entry to Bhilangna valley is famous spot of camping.
The whole trek consumes almost 11 to 12 days. There are number of tour organizers from Rishikesh, Dehradun and Delhi who organize the guided tours for trekking.
The Khatling glacier zero point is a spectacular point with everywhere snow and high peaks all around.

KANGCHENJUNGA------PRISTINE BEAUTY—WHITE WALL HANGING FROM THE SKY.

Kangchenjunga, 8586 meter, is the third highest mountain in world, first being Mount Everest and the second is K2.
Kangchenjunga, in Tibetan means “The Five Treasures of Snow”; the five treasures are gold, silver, gems, grains and holy books.
Though Kangchenjunga has variety of spellings, and spoken differently in Tibet and Sikiim (India), and Nepal the spelling given here is well accepted by usage.
Kangchenjunga has five peaks; out of these four are above 8400 meter. On May 25, 1955 the main summit was first climbed by a British Expedition , but the belief of the Sikkemese, who told that the peak is sacred, stopped a few feet from the top, since then most climbers honor this custom , they stop a few feet from the top.
Kangchenjunga has great many ridges forming a giant X shape.
Kangchenjunga is very remote in Nepal and has the difficult access in India, hence it has remained almost unspoilt, climbing and trekking is for hard-core men only.
From all over the world, people come over to a hill station Darjeeling (India), from where Kangchenjunga which is only 40 miles. Distant, to take the closest possible view without risking the life.
In both the countries, Nepal and India, Kangchenjunga areas are treated as conservation parks. In Nepal, Kangchenjunga sanctuary is home of Red Panda and other snow animals. In both countries enough efforts are done to conserve the forests.
There traditional two routes for trekking to Kangchenjunga, one is from Sikkim (India) starting Gangtok and other one is from Kathamandu (Nepal)
“The Himalayas must be approached humbly, respect their beauty, their majesty, and their power, and they will treat you as you deserve.” Frank Smythe said in 1932.

TREKKING AT MILAM CLACIER – A CLOSE VIEW OF FORBIDDEN LAND OF NANDA DEVI SANCTUARY.

Want a thrilling treacherous trekking in Himalaya?
Heard the name of Nanda Devi Sanctuary? Probably the hikers, serious trekkers and adventures looking men always dream of roaming in the Nanda Devi Sanctuary. But Nanda Devi Sanctuary is now closed to visitors from all nations, including those from India.
The only thing to satisfy is a trekking at Milam Glacier Trekking; this trekking is the only way that one can have the most possible closest view of Nanda Devi Sanctuary.
The Himalayan region of Kumaon is rich in natural beauty, and Milam Glacier is largest in Kumaon region.
A trekking at Milam Glacier has everything that a trilling story can have, a tough trek, unpredictable weather in the flora and the only traffic of trekkers and occasional goats wandering here and there.
Milam trekking is almost a round trip around Nanda Devi Sanctuary, of course from outside. At an altitude of 4300 met and spread around 35 sq kms, Milam Glacier is guarded by 52 high peaks of Himalaya.
Three most important rivers, Kuti Yangti, Dhauli and Gori are in this Milam Glacier zone.
An advise to the trekkers , keep sufficient supply of suitable clothes, shoes, food that can last 10 days, camping goods , portable gas cylinders and of course a lot of strength and courage, trekking at Milam Glacier is not for easy-going people, it is for serious trekkers.
Villages that you come en-route are small, and in fact the Milam Village which is 3 kms away has population that can be termed as zero only.
The traditional route is Delhi, Haridwar, Gwaldham, Musiyari, Bogudiyar, Rikot, and the target Milam Glacier.
Enjoy the live show of gigantic masses of sliding snow at Milam glacier.

BICYCLING IN KERALA – A TEST OF STREGTH FOR CYCLE AND CYCLIST.

Bicycles are used as recreation at all ages, the old and the young, cycling adventure has that flexibility where the person has time to travel leisurely and stop at whatever places he likes.
Mountain bicycling adventures grew up in the 20^th century as a very popular way of vacations.
If you wish a bicycling adventure tour, enjoying the nature’s wealth, then the best place is cycling tour in Kerala.
Cycling thru endless rough and rocky tracks in the mountains, tea estates spread along, blue clear sky and breath taking downhill scenery that is what bicycling in Kerala is.
Escape the gloomy cold in Europe and enjoy the sunny tropical cycling in Kerala.
Bicycling in Kerala shall take everywhere where other tours in taxies fail, in the innermost parts of Kerala. Kerala has the title of top ten Paradise Found status given by National Geographic.
Bicycling in Kerala shall take to a leisurely trip to Cochin , a port since Roman times, among palm trees and blue waters, or to a back water trip ,thru lakes and rives with your bicycle always on hand , to take at the moment to leave the boat and wander along the banks, or enjoy the vegetation along the river and small villages, or wander amidst the Munnar , which has highest tea estates in the world under the shadow of high peaks.
If you are out of India, contact the airlines, whether they can carry your cycle in whole or in fold, otherwise the tour operators shall make arrangements for cycles on hire here in India.
Keep with you a helmet and spares, especially the spokes and chains, since cycling tour in Kerala is test of strength of both cycle and the cyclist as well.

NANDA DEVI- BLISS-GIVING GODDESS

Nanda Devi, the second highest mountain in India, and the highest entirely in India (since Kanchenjunga is divided between India and Nepal) is locally worshipped as the patron goddess in Uttarakhand Himalaya. It is situated in the Uttarakhand state of India.
Nanda Devi has two peaked massif, on 2 kms high ridge, west –east side, the western massif is known as main Nanda Devi( 7816m)east massif is known as Nanda Devi east(7434m).
Nanda Devi main summit has typical geography, it has almost insurmountable barrier ring of some of the highest peaks of Himalaya, and twelve of these are 6400m. The interior of this ring is known as Nanda Devi sanctuary.
Nanda Devi is well-known for its large steep rise above local terrain.
Nanda Devi has always tempting the adventurisms , an attempt made by British explorers finally succeeded in entering Nanda Devi sanctuary in the year 1934.but it was in the year 1935 that a team of British American explorers finally succeeded in reaching the main summit.
Attempts were made by CIA to place a listening device to monitor the nuclear activity of Chinese in Tibet; in 1960 the Indian govt. had closed the sanctuary for any expeditions by foreigners or even to the Indians. In the year 1974 the sanctuary was re-opened for the expeditions by foreigners , locals and trekkers , and the damage to the eco system was so vast that the sanctuary was again closed 1983.
Nanda Devi sanctuary and the bio-sphere is now beyond the limit for any expeditions, and except in 1993when a team of Indian army was deputed to undertake the expedition to clear the garbage and check the whole scene.
Nanda Devi shall always remain a challenge to the dare-devils, if at all it is again re-opened.

ROHTANG PASS - PILE OF CORPSES

For the people who yearn for the touch of danger with a safe distance Rohtang Pass at the elevation of 4000 meter in Himachal Pradesh is very luring.
Rohtang pass connects the Kullu valley with Lahul and Spiti valley.
Rohtang pass is almost 50 kms from Manali another hill station and naturally visitors from Manali make it a point to visit Rohtang pass as well.
This pass is open only from June to September is ill-reputed as the most dangerous because of the unexpected snow storms.
Rohtang pass is the natural divider between the wet lands down lands and dry cool deserts upward which is prominently Buddhist and Tibetan influenced.
At the top of the Rohtang pass is the stream which is source of Beas River.
Passing thru the Rohtang pass one shall see the high mountains high above the clouds , half clad with mountains , almost inaccessible for humans or any living creature, un spoilt, panoramic and breath taking, a view which photographers and visitors shall watch with silence.
Taxies and jeeps are available from Manali; the drivers must be experienced because a least distractions and the death are certain. From the main parking stand, one has to walk the distance to reach the top of the Rohtang pass; a horse ride is also available. It most advisable to start the trip early morning and return before sun set so as to reach safely.

SUNDARBANS NATIONAL PARK – A HOME OF UNTAMED AND FERAL CREATURES. COUNTRY OF BENGAL TIGERS

Like roaming in the jungles like Captain Cook or Robin Hood? Then put your foot in the Sundarbans National Park

Sundarbans lies at the mouth of Ganges spread across Bangladesh and West Bengal of India.
This national park is virtually cut off from human because the only access is by waterways, the launch service is available from Port Canning which is connected to Calcutta and other towns either by road or railways.
Sundarbans largest mangrove forest and Sundarbans National Park a home of Bengal both are listed in World Heritage List. The dreaded Bengal Tiger and so many other animals, untamed and feral reside here.
It is estimated that are 400 Bengal Tigers and 30,000 spotted deer alone here.
To wander here is like reminiscence of past life.
Fox jungle cats, Indian porpoise, wild ibis, are roaming here, and to above all the Bengal Tiger the king of this jungle.
But moving in the jungle one must be always on alert. You must have a guide and an armed escort with you.
Tigers attack from behind therefore the adventurists must cover their back well, people wear stiff pads, which rise up to the neck. The Bengal tigers kill here almost 100 to 250 people each year, so be careful.
Sundarbans has humid climate so the best season for adventure is December to March, when the air is dry, it is almost impossible to enter the core section of the jungle during monsoon when the roads are jeep treks are washed up or submerged by vegetations.
There are private tours organizations but it is really advised to take the tour organized by WBTDC which has it’s office in Calcutta.
A permit is necessary for Indians as well Foreigners, apparently for conservation purposes.
Tourists lodge and tiger camps facility is very well available in this Sundarbans National Park adventure.