Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 5

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

Next morning we started after another cold breakfast for Narkang. It’s an adjacent hill to Dingboche. The climb was steep. We started as a batch but someone kept calling quits so by the time we hit the top only five of us were remaining. The view from here was breathtaking. Dingboche and Periche (one of our stops upon returning) were clearly visible.

On way to Narkang peak

Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 4

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

Tiangboche is only 1000ft above Namche. However crossing a river means going 2000ft down and then 3000ft up. The route plan was also not helpful. Going down, the easy part, was before lunch and going up was post-lunch. Unaware of details since there was no briefing, we started merrily on the flat looking trek towards Tiangboche.

View from the Tiangboche climb

Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 3

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

At night we had a scuffle with our trekking agency as they were forcing us to eat food from restaurant of our hotel. Namche is unique in the EBC route as it has numerous options for eating and shopping. This was another way for the agency for earning money. We rebelled and ate at a nearby bakery.

First glance of Namche

Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 2

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

We rested in a restaurant that was only about 100m away from the airport. In fact entire Lukla is within the walking distance of the airport. By 11 we were fresh and started for our next stop which was Phakding. Professional trekkers go for Namchi directly but we were amateurs.

On way to Phakding

Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 1

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

We were all gathered in Kathmandu in one hotel ready to embark on one of the toughest trek we had attempted. It was evening and a small briefing was planned before we took off to Lukla next morning. It was here that I met the batch that was going to be together for next 10-12 days for the journey to the Everest Base Camp.

Lukla Airport

Chandragiri, Nepal

• Chandragiri is a half day activity from Kathmandu. The ropeway is the key attraction although the view from the top is equally stunning.
• Cab will take USD 30-40 depending upon how long you make them stay at the base of the ropeway. There are resorts as well near the peak.

A trip to Chandragiri peak was surprise. We were aware of this attraction but given there was so much of heritage to cover in the Kathmandu valley, we were not such this will make the cut in our itinerary. We did make it to the peak and while we found the place covered with clouds, it was still a most unique experience.

Chandragiri Cable Car

Kedarkantha Trek - Part 2

While resting and entertaining ourselves at Kotgaon we were informed that the entire trek is not possible and we can only go till Juda ka Talab which is the first night camp on the way to the Kedarkantha peak. We came back to our stay and prepared for the next day hike. Next morning our blood pressure and oxygen was measured before giving us a go ahead and we packed our lunch for the day trek.

Juda ka Talab, Kedarkantha

The trek to Juda ka Talab is steep but beautiful. There are stretches of Deodar and sound of running water all the way to the camp. On the way we halted at a tea stall, the owner of which was famous for playing flute. He entertained us while we munched some of his snacks. We covered the 3 kilometers and 3k ft in less than 3 hours.

Night Camping @ Juda ka Talab

The camps were enticing, surrounded by tall tress and beside the lake. We would have loved to stay here and take the next day journey to Kedarkantha. We took our lunch here and admired the beauty of twin lakes at 9k ft before starting downwards. We had to reach Sankri before dark as the downward journey get treacherous by the night.

Our Lady on the Mount Chapel, Goa

• Reach before sunset and enjoy one of the most stunning dusk possible in Goa
• Heritage sites of Basilica Church are on the way to this place so you can cover that first

We were in Goa without an itinerary and therefore we were here one evening after reading a blog that mentioned this as one of the hidden gems. So it was. We arrived a few minutes before sunset and were mesmerised by the view from the mount itself.

Our Lady on the Mount Chapel, Goa

Chapora Fort, Goa

• Chapora Fort became famous after a scene from Dil Chahta Hai was shot here. As is true for anywhere in Goa, this place is best accessible by a two-wheeler.
• The place has everything to offer but in limited amount. The small trek up to the top, street vendors on the way, the view from the top and of course the DCH spot make it a place worth the visit.

We were in Goa for a week without an itinerary. It was a leisure trip. We had been to Goa twice before and had covered most of the prominent attractions like Aguada Fort, Basilica Church and Spice gardens. We wanted to take it easy and go for one not-too-famous point every morning and then relax the rest of the day. We decided to cover Chapora fort and Anjuna for the day.

View from the top @ Chapora Fort

Hemkund Sahib

• Hemkund is at a height of 15k ft. Best plan an acclimatisation day at Gangaria and a trip to Valley of Flower before attempting Hemkund.
• Check SpO2 before you start and if it is less than 90, take a Diamox tablet.

We reached Gangaria a day before after a long but enjoyable trek from Govindghat. Gangaria is a small village on the way to Hemkund and acts as a base camp for both Hemkund and Valley of Flower. We were surprised to find there was neither internet nor any kind of signal here. Nobody told us that we are going to be disconnected from the rest of the civilisation for the next 3 days.

En route to Gangaria, base village to Hemkund

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Trip: Ireland & Northern Ireland

Tips: Take guided tour bus from Dublin if you do not want to drive the whole day. Take the option of boat ride from Doolin to see the horcrux cave, the site of a Harry Potter movie.

Cliffs of Moher was windy and thrilling. The thrill was to walk on a narrow path adjacent to the cliffs facing sea hundreds of feets down. The monument of fallen suggested the thrills was not without risk. Still we took the whole round and watched the amazingly carved faces of the cliff from different angles. Being told that the horcrux cave shooting of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince was done here made things doubly interesting.

A view of the cliffs

Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Flint McCool was the Irish giant who built the Giant’s Causeway to teach his Scottish counterpart a lesson or so says the legends of Northern Ireland. However it goes, the hexagonal stones carved by nature are a bizarre abnormality that tourists flock to visit in the northern most part of North Ireland. We were among them and were equally piqued by what we saw. No way these can happen naturally, we thought and yet science says they did.

Incredible natural structures @ Giant’s Causaway

Tiger’s Nest

Thimpu - Punakha - Paro - Tiger’s Nest

It was our fifth day in Bhutan but the best was still to come. Evidently the spot was perched some 2000 metres high in the middle of nowhere some ten miles away from the scenic Paro Valley. Paro itself had taken us by surprise. We were expecting an airport city but it was so much more than that. Probably Tiger’s Nest had something to do with it.

Trek @ Tiger's Nest

Punakha, Bhutan

Thimpu - Punakha - Paro - Tiger’s Nest

The road from Thimphu to Punakha goes through a high point called Dochula Pass. It means that within a span of two hours you will face a gradual fall of temperature from 20 to 15 degrees and then again rise to 22 degrees when you reach the river base. Yes, rivers are omnipresent in Bhutan. The pass itself is a major tourist attraction thaks to a fantastic view of the valley and a construction of 108 towers at the roundabout representing fogotten martyrs.

Dochula Pass Memorial

Thimphu, Bhutan

Thimpu - Punakha - Paro - Tiger’s Nest

Imagine an untouched beauty. She wouldn't know how to respond to a touch - at best her response will be ambivalent. Bhutan is like that - a country that vehemently protects its proud & rich tradition although it heavily depends on tourism and a bunch of countries for funds and technology. We entered the royal country of Bhutan through Jaigaon on a rainy day. Next morning was spent in the immigration office to receive permit before we were told the road to Thimphu is blocked due to landslides.

View of Thimphu from Buddha Point

Sigri

Trip: Delhi - Nainital - Sigri - Delhi

• Go for the village walk in the evening. A golden sunset and glimpse of village life in the hills will be worth the exertion. You can even restock at the village shop.
• A trek to the highest point is the best way to spend the afternoon. Both the view and the effort to reach the high point is invigorating.
• Remember there is no cell signal in here. Visit Nainital in the evening. It is hardly an hour away and the buzzing marketplace is a good balancing act against the seclusion of Sigri.

Imagine a cozy resort nestled in an islotaed heaven deep in the Himalayas, inhabited with simple hillfolks, few hutments and no cell signal. What can you do, disconnected from the city? How about if you are with a bunch of close friends, enough booze and an entire resort staff at your command, not to forget a stunning view of the ice-capped Himalayas and pleasant weather. You would definitely want to go there.

Golden Sunset, Sigri

Aguada Fort, Goa

Lighthouses fascinate me. They have too much to offer. As if the sea on one side and land on another was not enough, these guardians in the darkness offer unmatched view of the landscape from a high point that by design has to be visible from afar. The spiraling staircases take you to an alien looking gigantic torch that rotates. Very few lighthouses are open for tourists - the three most facinating ones I have climbed are the one in Mahabalipuram, Kovalam and Diu Fort. Unfortunately the one in Aguada Fort is not open and many a photogenic views have been bereaved from innocent tourists.

Lighthouse, Aguada Fort 

Soumenlinna, Finland

Soumenlinna - Helsinki - Tallinn - St Petersburg - Moscow

• Soumenlinna from one end to another would be at least a mile long and given detours, one need to travel at least 3-4 miles to cover the basics. Be ready for these long walks.
• There are beautifully placed restaurants and cafes within the fort walls that tempt you to just settle after a long walk. Do that.
• The periphery throws great views of the sea and parts of fort island. Make sure you walk along the edges to cover that.

Soumenlinaa & Vallisaari are two islands south of Helsinki in the Baltic Sea. It takes €4 and half hour to reach the islands - cheap for the rustic life one witnesses here. It was the same day we reached Helsinki that we ventured for these islands and loved what we saw. Clearly the brightest gem of tourist spots in Helsinki, that were a perfect start to our visit to Scandinavia.

Fortress of Soumenlinna

Kasol

• Staying in camp near the river is an option but consider for safety if you are going with family. There are good hotels near the market at good price as well.
• Kasol to Manikaran is a half hour walk. Trek around the river is main attraction apart from the obvious ones around smoke.
• The city is small and cozy. People start walking at evening till late night and try different joints specializing in food from different part of world. Don't miss that.

Kasol is as different a hill station as possible - a flowing river right next to it, surrounded by high hills and the charm of Malana cream - all add to a mystery that attracts youths around the world to this small town. We reached Kasol at noon after a spiritual morning well spent at Manikaran.

On way to Chhalal

Miyajima, Japan

• Plan Hiroshima & Miyajima together. The Japanese efficiency ensures you will easily cover most of the checklist before evening in both the places.
• The return ticket for Miyajima ferry is covered in JR Pass. The most enjoyable view is when you are in the middle of sea and can view both sides.
• Touch the Grand Torii. It is considered a good omen to visit the most religious relic in Japan.

The ferry transported us to another world. The matter-of-factly Japan somehow vanished across half the mile of sea as we entered Miyajima. In front of us was a green island with lofty mountains that invited you for a trek. The foothills were not bad either - the gigantic orange coloured Grand Torii Gate being the crown jewel. We were told this was one of the top three most scenic spots in entire Japan. I believe it now.

Grand Torii, Miyajima