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My first experience camping in Maharashtra took me to Pawna lake camping
I don’t know if any of you have ever gone camping but I personally have not. I am what you call hoity toity or at least that’s what my friends call me as I generally prefer comfort over everything else and quite picky about things. For a friend's birthday recently we planned to go camping in Maharashtra instead of the usual party scene. They all began to tease me that I will not go or even If I do I might just reach there and run away. Just to prove them wrong I bet that I would no such thing as they said.
A week later we left from Mumbai to go Pawna lake camping. I had to hear a lot of teasing on the way as well but I chose to ignore it and enjoy myself and the experience. My friends had booked it through a tour operator who assured us that we would not have to worry about a thing as everything will be provided and taken care of. Once I was informed of this I became more sure of myself to handle this.
We arrived at the campsite and saw the tents set right next to the lake and open area everywhere. True to style I first walked into the washroom to see if it was upto the mark, everything else took a back seat for me, and the tents were perfect and very comfortable. We all stayed in twos, kept our bags and ran out to tick off the activities on the itinerary. We started off with a short trek up 3,500 feet. We all practically raced up out of joy and amazement.
You could see all the surrounding hills from the top of the Tung Fort. I hadn’t yet camped but I began to enjoy the essence of camping in Maharashtra. We were out of breath and also wanted to enjoy the trek back down so we slowly trailed downward. The weather was really good as it was the first week of December but as the evening progressed the open area made the weather just perfect.
We sat by the lake, talked and relaxed. There were other people too but everyone had come in groups so we all did our own thing. Once it got dark and we were all sitting around the bonfire, we got acquainted with everyone else. There was light music in the background and a really good aroma from the kitchen. I am a hound dog when it comes to food, I can smell it anywhere but here the aroma was spreading and starting to make everyone hungry.
There was a buffet laid out and we all pounced on it like we hadn’t seen food before, also we had a tiring day with the travelling and jumping around the place. We mingled and enjoyed for a bit more until it was time to tuck ourselves into bed. We woke early next morning to open skies and blue water. It was quite a fun weekend at Pawna lake camping. Also on the bright side I won the bet and proved to my friends that I could do it. For now this much was good enough but I did open my mind to new experiences as this was a first for me.
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Our adventurous Mother managed to convert a lazy family into avid trekkers with Kedarkantha trekking
My mother has always been the adventurous kind and has done quite a few treks in Uttarakhand. On the other hand, Father and I had been pretty much lazy bums in comparison. Name any top adventure destination in India and there is a very good chance that my mother has been there. This time around she wanted to take me and my father along for Kedarkantha trekking and both of us vehemently opposed this idea. After a lot of emotional blackmail, we finally caved in to her wish and started packing for our first ever family trek. It was also my father’s and my first ever trek!
My Mother had always shared her trekking experiences with us with plenty of stories and how she always wished to do the Kedarkantha trek with us. She said that Kedakantha trekking was an easy trek for beginners and especially cosy and romantic when it snowed. It is supposed to be one of the best snow treks in India too. Kedarkantha summit is at an altitude of 12,500 feet and hence, one can imagine how splendid this trek can be. The trail takes you through pine and maple forests, lush green meadows and the sight of Rupin Range, Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch are truly marvellous.
We reached Sankri for a briefing session nice and early and also met other trekkers. I was glad to find people my age and I even clicked well with a few. We stayed in a lovely guesthouse for the night. Early the next morning, we started trekking and headed for Juda ka Talab. I was surprised how easy the trail through the dense forest was, even for a lazy bum like me.
I clicked loads of pictures on the trek and I was sure that these pictures were going to attract a thousand likes. I was lost in this winter wonderland and the frozen lake was stunning, almost like a painting that had come alive. We camped in tents close to the lake. The camping experience inside a tent huddled close to my parents took me back many years. It had been a while we had snuggled together as a family and I felt loved and nostalgic at the same time. This was indeed a special moment I will cherish my entire life. Amidst laughter and giggles, we finally fell asleep under the blanket of stars.
The next day we started late morning and within about 4 hours we reached the Kedarkantha Base Camp. The carpet of snow all around was unlike anything I could have imagined. We spent the evening playing snow games and throwing snowballs at each other. Finally, it was night and we were excited for one more night of snuggling together in the tent under the starry skies. We woke up early to a beautiful sunrise and I can promise you, sunrises up in the Himalayas are another feeling altogether. As the gold washes over the giant peaks all around you, it is like watching poetry unfold in front of your eyes.
Today was a long day of trekking to reach the Kedarkantha Peak and we all pushed on with maximum excitement. My Father and I could not believe that we were enjoying trekking, that too in knee-deep snow on top of the Himalayas this much! When we reached the summit, the unending views of peaks as far as the eyes could see was breathtakingly beautiful. We stayed here for a while soaking in the beauty as a family. My Mother came and hugged me warmly and we sat together in silence just loving every moment of it.
Soon it was time to head back and with a heavy heart, we started our descent towards Hargaon, our next campsite. But the thought of another night in tents kept us cheerful. The next day we reached Sankri and got to rest our tired bodies on proper beds in a lovely guest house. Finally, on the 6th day, we took our leave from our fellow trekkers and headed to Dehradun for a relaxing couple of days and unwind further.
I never imagined we would fall in love with the mountains so much and Father and I were already pestering Mom to plan our next exciting adventure with so many more treks in Uttarakhand as options. Kedarkantha trekking was only the beginning and had already converted us lazy bums into avid adventure enthusiasts.
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The Everest Base Camp was the adventure of a lifetime!
The Everest Base Camp trek is the one iconic trek that’s on every trek enthusiast’s bucket list. I had originally imagined that the trek would be my graduation trip, but we tabled it for the more conventional Goa Plan. Years later, as we turned 30, I thought of the trek again. It was the perfect way to say goodbye to our 20s, with energy and adrenaline. We were all feeling young and ready for adventure!
It’s all in the blueprint...
One of the wonderful things about any vacation is planning for when you get there. In this trip, everything was about planning well – which pitstops to take, spend extra time in, what villages, marketplaces and cultural spots we could visit, etc. We needed to be physically fit enough to endure the trek and enjoy it as well. Personally, I had started hitting the gym and had changed my diet a few months before our adventure travel. But for my friends, the stop at Kathmandu is where they learned to acclimatise, find their own pace and learn to work with their bodies to tackle long stretches. It’s all about small steps.
Stop to smell the roses.
From Kathmandu to our first ‘day of leisure’ at Namche Bazaar, we walked for hours, along winding routes and then took breaks as we earned it. I took photographs to mark every milestone. For the first leg of the trek, we went from Kathmandu to Phakding. Here’s where we caught the first glimpse of the Everest peak! It was kind of like the opposite of what we read on the mirrors — (objects in the mirror are closer than they seem). It was a remarkable palette of blue, white and gold, as the sun washed the sides of the peaks with its golden rays. After Phakding we went on to Namche Bazaar, which was our longest break. I loved the ox-cart village tour. The sherpas were as warm as the mountains were cold! My favourite part of the village tour was Kancha Sherpa’s stories at the Nirvana Lodge. Kancha Sherpa is the last remaining Climbing Sherpa from the 1953 Everest Expedition.
Altitude and a can-do attitude!
The next leg of the trek was a roller coaster ride. Tengboche is 3 hours downhill and while getting to Dingboche it is an uphill journey. I took a small acclimatisation hike here to the valley of Chhukung to ease the trek forward. I don’t need to tell you it gets colder and colder as you go up! But watch out for the breathtaking peaks of Lhotse, Island peak, Makalu and other peaks. The coloured flags that frame the mountain roads were the brightest spots of colour in between the clouds. We were walking in heaven. How’s that for some adventure travel?
The Final Stretch
We moved from dusty sand-laden paths and grassy terrain to barren hard, stony mountain slopes. With nothing in the horizon to cloud our view, it felt like the giants Mt. Pumori and Ama Dablam walked with us. It was so exciting that it was hard to obey our cute sherpa guides when they asked us to conserve our energy for the final lap to EBC. The final route took us through Gorak Shep, where we waited for the most magical sunset I ever saw. As the golden hour continued, our final quest began and before we knew it we were at the base camp.
The Top of The World
While our goal was the Everest Base Camp trek, the highest point and most exhilarating part of the trek was the trek to Kala Patthar. We reached there early in the morning, just in time to catch the peak of Everest light up with golden light as the sun rose. My hair was matted and grimy from days of trekking, but the photograph we took together at this point will forever remind me of the radiance and magic of the moment.
The return journey
Going back was simultaneously relieving and heart-breaking. The mountains shrank as we made our way back from Pheriche to Tengboche. We were way quieter this time. I made sure to absorb as much of the beauty as I could. We were hungrier on the way back too – we ate at nearly every teahouse from Tengboche to Namche Bazaar. We stopped at one of the biggest monasteries of Khumbu valley, so silent and tranquil that it was unbelievably meditative. The nerve-wracking flight back from Lukla to Kathmandu was the last thrill offered by the journey. By the time we were back at Kathmandu, we adapted to life before the mountains, on the plain, level ground, but I was sure something had changed in me forever. I wish we’d done this trek instead of Goa at the eve of taking up employment, there’s powerful, soulful strength and integrity in this trek— but better late than never!
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My exciting solo adventure to the holy land where I tried river rafting and bungee jumping in Rishikesh
I had been waiting from the past 6 months to try bungee jumping. Once, just before the trip, I was diagnosed with malaria, and the next time a friend of mine had a last minute official trip, so we had cancelled the trip. This time though I had decided no matter what, I'm gonna do this trip. So, I booked my tickets and went for a solo trip to Rishikesh, especially to try two popular adventure sports, bungee jumping in Rishikesh and river rafting in Rishikesh.
This was my first solo trip and I was super excited. I had planned a week-long trip which consisted of these two adventure sports and 5 days of simply exploring Rishikesh. Rishikesh bungee is considered as India's highest bungee platform with spectacular views around. I reached Rishikesh and booked a hotel room. The bungee jumping would be happening the next day. So, on the first day of my arrival in Rishikesh, I explored a few local but popular eateries and indulged in delicious street food.
The next day I was all set for my first bungee jumping experience. I reached on time, received the briefing, learned about the safety procedures and was ready to leap! Now the excitement was slowly turning into nervousness as I was getting strapped. My palms were cold but I was smiling. I was going to do this, I was. As I headed to the edge of the platform and jumped, I skipped a few heartbeats. As I was freefalling towards the river below, I felt free, free from everything. It is a feeling I can't express completely, but if you still want to know I would suggest you try it too, without any doubts, without any second thoughts. You're sure to love this experience. Later, when I walked to the cafeteria and checked the footage, it felt funny but I felt proud of myself for doing this. The highlight was the Dare to Jump certificate that I received.
The next activity after bungee jumping in Rishikesh was the river rafting that I wanted to strike off my list. Rishikesh has always been well known as a holy location but in recent years has been gaining popularity as an adventure destination. The big one is, of course, river rafting in Rishikesh over the mighty rapids of the Ganges river. With rapids of Grade I to IV+ that are at offering, I was sure my trip is going to be a spectacular one.
I reached the rafting point and was briefed about the session and safety measures. And then, I was all set for my second adventure sports, right here in Rishikesh, that too solo. When I was rafting across the gushing waters of Ganga I was thrilled, it was exciting. Rafting is as much an emotional sport as a physical one. You have to be mentally present, calm and enjoy the thrill. After a few hours, the session ended and I felt the after-effects of the adrenaline rush in me as I headed to have lunch at Shivpuri.
I had finally achieved my purpose in travelling here. So now I had a few more days to simply explore Rishikesh, with its ancient and historic temples, the buzzing local markets, the peaceful ashrams and of course, the mouth-watering delicacies of local food. When I returned home to Chandigarh finally, I was very content with my decision to go solo and Rishikesh did not disappoint at all.
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Hampta Pass trek – A trek that turned the wheels of fortune in my life
If a month ago someone would have told me how trekking in Himachal would change my life, I would have taken it as a joke and laughed it off.
The flashback…
When I was in college my friends wanted to become engineers, doctors and architects. I, on the other hand, had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. I come from a business family and believe that I was blessed with a talent to make money. So, my father suggested I start a small business of my own and he would back me up. With a lot of blood, sweat and tears I opened my first ever 'Dessert Café'. After 4 successful years, due to unfortunate events, my business eventually had to shut.
Just a month ago…
I was heartbroken, depressed and felt stranded. My family was supportive but their concern for me and my future started to bother me than console me. So, I decided that the best way for me would be to get away from home for a little while. I was browsing through destinations for short trips in India and came across the Hampta Pass trek along with other spots for trekking in Himachal. The pictures looked attractive and I planned to simply get away from my city hence, nothing else mattered.
The life-changing trip…
It was a 5-day trek and I was going with an open mind and with zero expectations. Today, I can say, that The Hampta Pass trek changed everything. I boarded a train to Manali. My train journey was mostly spent listening to music. In the morning I reached Manali and checked in at a homestay. After freshening up I headed to the pickup point in Manali and met the travel operator who drove me to Jobra which is at an elevation of 9800 ft. I met my fellow trekkers and all of them looked enthusiastic except me. Little did I know that it was a matter of time when their contagious love for trekking would be passed on to me.
We began our trek from Jobra walking through greenery, streams and gorgeous views. By now I had started bonding with other trekkers. It felt as if I had come far away from the chaos of the city, the stress of the future and my predicaments. On the way, we discussed our journeys, places that we had travelled to and places that are on our bucket list. We reached the campsite at Chikha and spent the night in tents. I was excited as I hadn’t slept in a tent before.
The next day we trekked through Jwara that took us to an altitude of 11,000 ft. The trail offered fantastic views of the river that ran alongside accompanied by the surrounding lush green beauty. That night we camped at Balu ka Gera with a stunning landscape.
I was up early the next morning and super excited to take the Hampta Pass trail. The trail was a bit challenging but the scenic beauty around kept me going. Every few hundred feet, you will feel that this is the best view you have ever witnessed until you see the next. And when I finally reached the pass, I was overwhelmed with its beauty. When you see such brilliance of nature you can't help but wonder how much you whine over a pea-sized problem and in the process miss out on such wonderful gifts of nature. The pass was magical with a bed of snow, making it look nothing less than a dream. With much reluctance, we left the pass and began our descent to Balu ka Gera for an overnight stay.
The next day we started early to reach Chatru which took us 4-hrs approximately to get there. From here we were driven to Chandratal lake, a pristine beauty that makes anyone fall in love with it. I stood there, admiring it and letting the beauty sink in. We headed back to Chatru campsite for the night. The trip had come to an end. We were driven to Manali. I stayed there for a day and checked-out from the home-stay a day later. Ever since I’m back from the trek I’m a happier person. Nature taught me things that nobody could. To be calm, stand my ground and no matter what, not to wither.
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I've been camping to a few places near Pune, but my favourite is Pawna Lake
My husband and I love adventure activities and among the long list of activities we enjoy, camping is our favourite. We live in Pune and have the weekend off from work so we keep exploring new places to go camping near Pune. We have camped near Rajmachi fort, Kolad, Sandhan Valley to name a few, but our new favourite is Pawna Lake Lonavala camping. We love the feeling of escaping into nature usually pairing camping with other adventure activities like trekking, paragliding or rafting, which makes the experience even more enjoyable.
Our first trip to Pawna Lake Lonavala was quite memorable because it was my husband’s birthday and I wanted to give him a surprise along with my in-laws. My in-laws were staying with us at the time so it was the perfect opportunity. My husband and I had gone camping a number of times but I was quite apprehensive about my in-laws and if they will be comfortable. So I spoke to the host and she assured me that we will have a great time, and she even made arrangements for decorations and a cake which I had requested.
We checked in at around 4 in the evening and were welcomed by the host wholeheartedly and she explained to us in detail about the place. We were then allotted our tents. We freshened up and the most important part was that the washrooms were clean and dry. We were offered tea and snacks after that.We then went to the lakeside to enjoy the beautiful sunset dissolving into the waters of the lake. Soon we gathered around the bonfire where the barbeque was also set up. It was an amazing experience sitting around the bonfire with my family. There was music playing and we started dancing, it was a very lively atmosphere. My family was pleasantly surprised and so was I looking at them enjoying in most uncharacteristic ways.
Soon it was time for dinner and it was simple but delicious campfire food. As soon as we polished our plates, the camp leader announced us to gather again and brought out the surprise cake I had arranged for my husband. We cut his cake along with all other fellow campers and they were all excited to clap and sing for him. The children at the camp were especially excited as they were not expecting to have cake tonight! I was so happy that not only my husband enjoyed himself but so did my in-laws. The hosts made us feel very comfortable and we had a lovely dinner. The tent was quite warm and we were very comfortable throughout the night.
After this trip my husband and I made several trips to Pawna lake. This has been my best experience camping near Pune. On our first trip we weren’t able to do other activities but we made it a point to try each one out on our other trips.
I have persuaded many friends to join us and they found it quite serene as well. We went for a trek to Tung Fort, Lohagad Fort and Tikona Fort. Once we reached the top we got a beautiful view of the lake and the hills around. We just spent some time at the top and felt completely at peace. On one of the trips we even went rappelling. It is the perfect weekend getaway and I always recommend this place to everyone. As it is very close to Mumbai many times we have met our Mumbai friends there and it turned out to be a very relaxing and fun place to meet.
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I wanted to do a few short treks so I could prepare for a longer one, and so I completed the Triund trek and the Kasol-Kheerganga trek last year, and now I'm planning my next big one
I used to be someone who was afraid to ever go out of my comfort zone. I buried my face in the books all the time and my social life was limited to meeting my friends at the nearby café. But when I had to travel far away from home for a work assignment, things changed.
I was sent out of the state for 2 days, to the north where I found my passion for travelling. Since then, I've progressed from visiting places to trekking, hiking and trying adventure sports. But out of all these, I love trekking the most and since a very long time I've been wanting to do a trek that needs a certain amount of trekking expertise. So, I thought of doing a few short treks to prepare myself for the longer one and with that intention, I ended up going trekking in Dharamshala and doing the Kasol to Kheerganga Trek.
I’d heard a lot about the Triund trek. It’s easy and a great start for beginners and started from the beautiful mountain town of McLeod Ganj. The trail is indeed an easy one. Even on the way, I came across a few cafes where I spent some good time taking pictures. By afternoon we had reached the campsite. Sitting in an office for 8 hrs gets one tired but walking for hours surrounding nature seems so calming. By the time I reached the campsite, I hadn't had even a hint of tiredness. I spent a lot of time bonding with my fellow-trekkers and now 'friends' and we stayed in the tents overnight.
The next day early morning we began our return journey through the same path. I felt a sense of achievement when I completed the trek and looked forward to more in the future. I also planned a couple of treks with my new friends from the Triund trek.
Lucky, just a month after my Triund trek, I was on my way to do my Kheerganga Trek. I think the best trips are the impromptu ones. The Kheerganga trek is also an easy one and an iconic one as well in the Himachal Pradesh. I’d seen a lot of pictures of the trail and the trek and found it fascinating. So, here I was on another voyage.
Like always, I reached the campsite, Kasol a day before the trek. One of my fellow trekkers was a friend from my Triund Trek and I knew I was sure to have a great time on this trek as well. We started our trek after crossing an old wooden bridge over the Parvati River. The trek may not be challenging but it is a long one as it takes 7-hrs to reach the campsite. Your tiredness will vanish as you dip your feet in the natural hot spring waters. We reached the campsite for our overnight with a great bonfire session and splendid dinner.
The next day we descended back to Kasol. I wished to stay there a little longer for the views but you don’t get everything that you want and much against my will I dragged myself to leave the place. We started for Barshaini after breakfast. From Barshaini we took a bus to Kasol.
I think trekking in Dharamshala and my Kasol to Kheerganga trek gave me a lot of experience and prepared me mentally more than physical for my next big trek.
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I've tried paragliding in Lonavala and in Manali and here is my itinerary
When I was a kid, there was a day when I was punished and grounded to remain in my room. As I sat wondering about many things, I looked out of the window to see the birds flying free in the sky. It made me jealous to watch the birds flying and thinking they can fly wherever they want, whenever they want. How wonderful! As I grew older I realised that I can try flying like birds too. I learnt of this adventure activity called paragliding. Of course, as a teenager, I wasn’t allowed to try this fascinating sport by my parents. So as soon as I became an independent adult who could pay my own bills, I decided it was time for me soar high and try paragliding!
I looked for more information online and figured out that there are two top locations in India. I could either go paragliding in Manali or closer home, I could go paragliding in Lonavala. Since Lonavala was closer to where I lived, I headed there. Paragliding in lonavala takes place in a small village near Kamshet which is about 20 km from Lonavala. I drove to the pick-up location which was Hotel Rangoli on the old Mumbai Pune highway. The place has amazing views and being 2000 feet above the ground in the air was in a way peaceful. No noises and no interruptions, this was the closest I came to my childhood dream. The flight session lasted about 15 minutes but felt like an eternity. As a beginner, I did not need to learn anything technical for the flight as there was an experienced pilot who would be guiding the paraglider and I would be roped and harnessed in tandem with him and all I had to do was enjoy the flying experience.
There was also an option to do a longer course and go paragliding solo. I knew this is what would come closest to the feeling of flying like the birds for me. I wanted to go one step higher and try out the sport without any help and at a new location, so when I had a work trip to Chandigarh in October I decided to take a few days off after and try out paragliding in Manali. I have a friend who raved about paragliding in Bir Billing so started planning my trip to reach there. I booked my bus ticket to Bir and quickly finished my work in Chandigarh. My bus was at noon in a Volvo semi sleeper bus which was run by Himachal Road Transport. It was an extremely comfortable journey and it was a 7 and a half hour journey and I completed my night’s sleep in the bus journey itself.
I arrived in the morning and went to paragliding site. There are campsites around so I decided to stay there as I would be amidst the amazing view. After resting for a while I was ready to start my flight session. After a few training sessions, it was time I decided to go solo. The tour operator explained all the necessary things and sent me off. I was at nearly 9000 feet flying around and at almost the same flying level as the birds around me. This flight session was more than double than the one in lonavala. As I was in the air watching snow-capped mountains and green lush valleys I could not stop and be thankful for the beauty around me and how lucky we actually are. I felt like this time I made my childhood dream come true and this remains one of the most memorable experiences in my life.
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I surprised my fiancé with a proposal on our hot air ballooning trip
Many girls dream of the perfect proposal. I think my love story itself was no less than a dream and my fiancé had planned such great surprises for me throughout our courtship that after we had exchanged rings, I'd decided that instead of him proposing to me, I will make this event a memorable one, and it happened.
Both of us have regular jobs and it was difficult to go on a long vacation. On top of that, my fiancé wanted to go someplace that didn’t take long travelling hours and was yet away from the city. That’s when it struck me that this could be the ideal time to do what I was planning to do for so many weeks. So, this time for a change I asked him to leave it up to me to plan our weekend getaway. I promised that it will be a memorable one. He didn’t have the slightest clue what I was up to and I made sure to keep this to myself to make the surprise a memorable one.
After a bit of research I chanced upon this exciting adventure called hot air balloons Lonavala and when I read more on related activities, I realised that we could club it with camping in Lonavala. My fiancé had talked about his numerous trips to Lonavala during his college days and somewhere I sensed this location would add more meaning to the surprise.
I booked a package for the surprise weekend getaway - a hot air balloon Lonavala package for the exotic proposal moment. I would take him on the hot air balloon and while we were up in the sky, admiring the mountains I would pop the question with a love-band.
We started early from Mumbai as the hot air balloon in Lonavala ride takes place early. And also, to avoid traffic.
We reached Hotel Orritel pretty early. He was wide awake by then and I was excited as well as nervous. He kept asking me what was going on with complete confusion. We reached the take-off point and he was so happy seeing the balloons being inflated. He said he didn't know of this adventure so close to home in Lonavala. We got on the basket and somehow, I started getting nervous. This was something I'd imagined for months and finally, it was happening. The balloon soared higher and higher and I couldn't help but smile as he enjoyed the spectacular views of the mountains and everything around. Just as I was able to calm myself down, I slid my hand into my purse and took the love-band and proposed. At first, he didn’t know what was happening, but slowly he registered and I think I'd never seen him so happy before. I think more than him I was nervous but I tried to compose myself. That moment was magical, it felt like we owned the world.
After a good one hour of magical moments on the hot air balloon, we reached the ground and were dropped back to the hotel. I think that day just made Lonavala our favourite location and the next trip that we did there was after our wedding. We wanted to just get away from the city and relax a bit.
Out of the many camping options available in Lonavala, I decided to book the package for camping in Lonavala at the Visapur Fort which seemed quite interesting. The pristine views of the mountains, the many outdoor games, the bonfire and the rolling hills made way for an exciting camping experience.
We started from Mumbai after breakfast as we were to reach the campsite by 4 pm ish. We started early to avoid traffic but still, got stuck for a little while. This wasn’t supposed to be an adventure holiday. We reached the campsite and checked-in. We quickly changed and went for a walk amidst this scenic area. I think we just talked and talked and loved the time we got to spend together.
This was the first time I’d gone camping with him and I realised how good he was at singing. We had a great time at the bonfire followed by BBQ. The tents were good and comfortable. The next morning it was time to get back to the city. After spending some more time admiring the beauty that this place was, we checked-out.
I think that experience just made me realise how helpful even just a day away from work and city is and how important it is to unwind and relax.
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Snorkelling in the Andamans can cure bad attitudes
Being a new swimmer, I was as good as a non swimmer and just getting my wits about being in the water. I loved splashing about at pools and bobbing around in shallow beaches. However, I would not count myself as a strong swimmer. So when the boys were planning our annual reunion trip, a lot of ideas were thrown around with the very obvious Goa and not so obvious Meghalaya as options. Somehow, we all turned out to be beach babies and wanted to pick a thrilling new beach paradise and suddenly the popular choice of destination was the Andamans. I got excited too as it meant getting beach ready and sipping on long island iced teas on beautiful paradise islands.
Deal was done, plans were set, flights booked, holidays approved and the Whatsapp group officially went out of control. When we reached the Andamans finally, the beauty of the place hit us smack in the face. The waters were hues of blues and greens. The breaches were pristine and white and so beautifully maintained. Soon after a couple of days of beach hopping, ideas were being thrown around about how we should try scuba diving or snorkelling in Andamans. However, I did not yet feel ready to plunge underwater and snorkelling in Havelock seemed like a popular choice.
We reached Havelock Island and soon to our dive centre. We put on the snorkelling paraphernalia, the vest that was supposed to help us float and it made me feel a lot more confident. But being my usual paranoid self, I checked it twice for holes or defects. Everything was perfect. Splish splash and we were in the water. After some hand holding, I opened my eyes to see through the transparent mask. I focussed on my breath. Silvery fish glittered in before me and just following their movement was enough to distract and calm me.
Soon enough, I started having fun. We spotted some Napoleon wrasse and groupers. The mysterious corals seemed to change colours and fish would hide and appear from them. It was like the top view and undiluted, first seat access to the world’s greatest aquarium. The cool ocean air was therapeutic almost. Jellyfish, star fish, sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, turtles, clownfish, peacock mantis appeared before me like elements of a video game.
And then we spotted a shark. As it darted into my field of vision another group of snorkelers were trying to swim towards it and it went away off. With the direct size comparison, I noticed the shark was quite tiny too. I felt quite silly to have been a bit nervous and because the threat was neutralised, I was relieved to go back to my colorful fish spotting. Literally, a new horizon had opened up to me.
And just like that, we effortlessly floated back to the shore. The snorkelling experience made me feel differently about nature and now I was keen on working on my swimming skills. I cannot wait to go back underwater into that mystical and magical aquatic world full of alien looking marine animals. Snorkelling in Andamans and especially snorkelling in Havelock was a life changing. Next step was to try scuba diving in Andamans!
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I loved the different landscapes when I went trekking in Dharamshala and in Sham Valley
India has a host of trekking destinations all over and each something special to the trekker. I've been trekking for a decade and have covered most of the trekking spots in the country. My top two memorable treks would be Triund trek and Sham Valley trek as these spots have a special place in my heart for the stunning landscapes and the views they offer. Though the experience of trekking in Dharamshala and Ladakh trekking is quite different, Triund trek was my first Himalayan trek and ladakh was always a dream destination for me.
Trekking in Dharamshala - Triund Trek
The trek to Triund is an easy getaway. I reached Mcleodganj and spent a day there as Mcleodganj is the basecamp for the trek. I explored the markets, the town and the majestic monasteries. I walked along the colourful markets of Mcleodganj and enjoyed some delicious Tibetan food. The next day I started my trek to Triund summit.
The Triund Trek is a serene trek, it’s calm and a great place to experience the thrill of trekking and also basking in the beauty of nature. Located at the foot of the Dhauladhar Mountain range, this is a stunning place for a short vacation. Triund is considered as the crown jewel of Dharamshala. The summit provides a scenic view of the Dhauladhar ranges and the magnificent Kangra Valley. One can also get to witness the Moon Peak and the Pir Panjal if one is lucky.
Triund is an easy trail, with lush green forests while the Sham Valley trek is a more challenging and longer one with arid landscapes and offers thrill at every moment.
Sham Valley Trek
This Ladakh trekking is a 6-day thrilling itinerary. It’s exciting, enthralling and challenging all at the same time. If you’re looking for some adrenaline rush, there can be nothing better than this. With a road trip, and then a trek that offers rafting in the Zanskar River, views of the vast lands, this trip is all action.
I'd never done anything this exciting ever before and hence I was eagerly waiting for this trip. Sham Valley is a virgin destination in Ladakh where there are hardly any tourists. The landscape is arid and weather washed giving it a completely different feel unlike the one on Triund. It displays shades of brown and grey massive stretches of valleys, plateaus and gorges contrary to the lush green shades I’d witnessed while trekking in Dharamshala. You will find monasteries, tiny villages and the roar of the flowing river.
Itinerary
This was a 6 day trek from Leh to Tingmosgang and back to Leh. I had to arrive at Leh and checked-in to a guesthouse. We spent the first two days in Leh getting acclimated to the high altitude. I took short walks around the city and ate well to prepare myself for the exciting trek ahead. The second day was spent exploring the city and visiting a few places in Leh such as the Shanti Stupa, Tsemo Gompa and the Leh Palace.
The next day we drove to the Hemis Shukpachan village and over the mountains to the Phobe-La pass. In the evening I strolled through the mustard and barley fields. Our trek started the next day which was the 4th day of the trip. We started from Hemis Shukpachan to Tingmosgang and crossed the Maptek-La pass on the way. We hiked through Ang Village and visited a small monastery and the ruins of a historical fort.
The views all along of the brown and greys of the terrain were mesmerizing. We drove back the next day from Tingmosgang to Leh. I was looking forward to the most exciting part of this trip which was a session of white-water rafting in the mighty Zanskar River. It was an action packed ride and gave a perfect end to my time in Ladakh. The trip ended the next and I flew back home with memories of the mystical landscape that seemed from a different world and a different era.
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The differences I noticed in my Bir Billing paragliding as compared to my Kamshet paragliding experience
My first ever paragliding experience was in Kamshet in Maharashtra. Before that, I hadn't tried it ever due to my fear of heights. But on one of the weekends my friends pushed me to try it just once and promised me that this will be the end of my fear. So, with much hesitation, I went for it.
Kamshet paragliding offers stunning views of the Sahyadris, plains and lakes. It is about two hours away from Mumbai and makes for a perfect location to try paragliding. The experience was great and with my friends to boost my confidence I didn’t have a choice but to go for it. Initially, it seems a bit scary but once you leave the ground and soar high, you forget the fear and everything that you worried about and simply surrender yourself to the beauty of nature. I think my first paragliding experience took away a lot of my fear and after that, I knew this is one thing that I want to try again.
So, a few months later, on my trip to the Himalayas, I planned on going for paragliding in Himachal Pradesh. Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh is considered as one of the greatest spots for paragliding in India. This picturesque location with a gorgeous view of the hills makes for a great paragliding experience. People from all over visit Bir Billing to try paragliding.
The flight covers about 2.7 km of the landscape for about 15-20 mins. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride while you’re accompanied by an experienced pilot. My experience at Kamshet paragliding took away my fear of heights but after paragliding in Bir Billing I can now say that this is something I am going to try every opportunity I get when I travel to new places. Paragliding in Himachal Pradesh was the best paragliding experience so far. Paragliding is all about taking a bird’s eye view of the place and what paragliding in Himachal Pradesh offers is beyond words. To get lost in the stunning mountains and the Dhauladhar range of Himalayas surrounding you.
Though I enjoyed both my paragliding experiences with Kamshet paragliding and paragliding in Himachal Pradesh, it is my paragliding experience in Bir Billing that was more thrilling. You can go up to 8500 feet if the weather permits and the images are going to stay in your memory forever.
General Itinerary
At both the paragliding locations, you have to report to the pick up points early in the morning. You will be driven to the take off points at a certain altitude from where the jump takes place. You will queue up with other paragliders for your turn. The operators are super professional and will always put your safety first. They monitor the weather and the winds closely and only once they are completely sure, they sign off on flying for the day. This means you might have to wait a few hours at times or the flying may get cancelled for the day if the weather is not suitable. I was lucky that I did not have to wait much in Kamshet paragliding, although I had to take my flight on the 2nd day while paragliding in Bir Billing.
When my turn came, I was strapped in and all safety checks were done. I was briefed about the process and what I need to do while taking off and landing. And soon we were off! I was flying like a bird and words cannot describe this feeling.
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Fun things to do around Mumbai for long weekends
Mumbai is a really busy city. With the amount of work, there is hardly any time to plan a long trip. But to get away from a city for a day or two I have found some really interesting places and things to do near Mumbai. Also, there are quite a few interesting spots for trekking in Maharashtra and one can easily plan to go for it during the weekends. My recent experience has been of the thrilling ride in a hot air balloon in Lonavala.
Last month when I was yearning for a short-break I didn’t know where to go. One of my friends suggested to try hot air balloon Lonavala. I had never done this before and it sounded exciting and fun at the same time. Next weekend I planned the trip with my family and we all were equally excited for the adventure.
Itinerary
We reported early morning at Hotel Orritel in Lonavala in the morning. It was a great drive with less traffic. From the hotel, we were taken to the hot air balloon take-off point. While sipping on a hot cup of tea we watched the balloon being inflated. We were briefed about the ride and the safety instructions and were all set to board the basket. We were up in the air for about an hour and the views were truly amazing.
You may skip a heart beat when the balloon sets off but when you are floating in the air taking a good view of the hills and its surroundings, everything seems just beautiful. After we landed, we were dropped back to our hotel. My adventure weekend did not end there. While up in the air, we got some insane views of the Sahyadris at the distance. The balloon pilot explained how lucky we are to be in Maharashtra as there are plenty of treks to explore the beauty of the Sahyadris. I thought that trekking in Maharashtra will be a great idea and hence, on my next weekend trip I did the Tikona Fort Trek.
Tikona Fort Trek
Out of the many spots for trekking in Maharashtra, Tikona Fort trek is an interesting one. Sitting at a height of 3500 feet, on a triangular mountain is the splendid Tikona Fort. This is a good trek for beginners as the trail is pretty easy and fun. Explore the fort, visit the Mahadev Temple and take a look at the Satvahan Caves. Not just that but this trek offers scenic views of the misty mountains of the Tunga Fort, the beautiful views of the Pawna Lake and also a good view of the Visapur Fort.
Itinerary
The pick-up point for the Tikona Fort trek from Mumbai was the Kotak Mahindra Bank ATM in Dadar near Pritam Hotel. I reached the pick-up point a little before 05:50 hrs and boarded a non-AC bus. On the way to the base village, we stopped a few times along the way to pick up more of my fellow trekkers. After a 4-5 hour drive, we reached the base village for the trek. We grabbed a quick yet hearty breakfast and attended a briefing session.
We began our trek through the lush green forest. We reached the fort and spent the afternoon exploring this stunning place and clicking pictures. We descended to the base village after a few hours. Evening snack was served and later we boarded a bus back to Mumbai and reached Dadar around 21:30 hrs. I think I will be exploring many more treks and all the fun things to do around Mumbai as many weekends as I can.
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How I introduced my kids to the world of outdoor adventures with camping in Maharashtra and Uttarakhand
Since my marriage and then kids, it had been years that my wife and I spent any quality time as a family, especially outdoors and closer to nature. One of my colleagues has just returned from a camping experience close to Pune. It sounded perfect. I researched and found out that there are plenty of options for camping in Maharashtra and after a few enquiries got my family the last few spots left for a camping experience in Bhor, not too far from Pune. The winter weekend family plan was set!
We left in our car early on Saturday morning as we needed to take breaks and wanted to stop by at a few scenic spots on the way to the campsite. We were told to reach just before lunch and check-in to our tents. We were worried about the food served for our kids aged 7 and 10, a daughter and son respectively. So we packed in our own set of extra food and snacks just in case they did not like the camp food. They can get pretty picky about the food. But we soon realised that the camp operator was really experienced in dealing with families and kids and had actually tried to group the campsites accordingly. We had very few bachelors or younger couples. Majority were families with kids which was perfect for our naughty two.
We reach the campsite by noon and soon settled into our tents. My kids were elated at the idea of actual tents and not their imaginary bedroom tents and castles we built with bedsheets at home. The tent floors and sheets and everything around was really clean and well maintained. This came in as a huge relief as my wife had been skeptical right from the time I had told her about my plans to take the family for a complete outdoor experience. Soon we gathered around the camp leader for a quick briefing and orientation about all the important information about the campsite and activities we could indulge in during our stay.
Lunch was delicious and was cooked right there from fresh ingredients bought from nearby villages and local farmers. The kids loved the food and mama bear was happy with the results too. We explored the campsite soon after lunch and were excited to see so many activities available for everyone. There was archery, rifle shooting, pistol shooting, table tennis, volleyball, basketball, carrom, and plenty of indoor games. The place also had a very well maintained swimming pool. For an additional price we could even try ATV riding or try the Burma Bridge.
We let the kids enjoy the indoor games while wifey and I decide to try our hand at shooting. I took on the ATV ride too. We all got to try something that made it so memorable for all of us. Soon we took a small break and jumped into the pool with other kids. We had a small game of pool volleyball with other parents. As the sun began to set we got out for a tea session and enjoyed the beautiful sunset. The kids decided to take a short nap from all the jumping around all day. Wifey and I decided to take a short stroll around campsite and have a few important discussions we had been putting away due to the busy daily lives back in the city.
We were back in around dinner time and out came the barbeques and the bonfire was lit. Winter had just set in and the air had a nice nip about it. The kids were out with their blankets and we had a couple of guitar players in the group. We sang songs, had a few dances around the fire, played games and shared stories. Dinner followed soon after. After an exhausting day of fun which actually felt like a good unwinding session, we all returned to our tents for the night. We woke up for an early sunrise and a short walk to the Bhatghar dam reservoir. The kids decided to sleep a bit longer. Breakfast was ready and everyone was up by then and the whole campsite was buzzing again. We clicked maybe hundreds of photos. We squeezed in a few games of badminton before it was soon time to pack and leave.
The kids were clearly upset at saying goodbye to their newfound friends and after a bit of tearful goodbyes and promises to meet again, we all checked-out of this wonderful campsite and headed back to our city lives. Who knew camping in Maharashtra could be this much fun. Our camping experience did not stop here. We made a small group called ‘The camping families’ on Whatsapp and a few months later when summer set in, we planned our next camping destination! We decided to go camping in Uttarakhand.
Summer vacations were always a huge time for deciding how to spend the days with our kids. With the newfound camping in Maharashtra group, we headed out for the summer vacations to go camping in Uttarakhand in Nainital! We were excited to take our kids from the lush green Sahyadris and introduce them to the mighty Himalayas. We carefully selected the campsite which has plenty of activities and this time decided to do a multi day camping experience in Nainital. Needless to say, this turned out to be the best decision ever. More about camping in Uttarakhand another time!
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An adventurous trek to Brahmatal
Every year I had made it a sort of tradition to travel to a new place and explore a new culture. For years I had explored many cities and villages and popular tourist spots in India and a few international ones. On one of my backpacking travels to McLeodGanj I met an Austrian fellow, Andy. He had been coming to India every year to explore the mighty Himalayas. He wanted to climb all the 8000 metre peaks in his lifetime and next year he was headed to Everest in Nepal!
I was fascinated by his stories and realised that though I travelled a lot, I had never done anything adventurous till date and there was a whole new world of adventure travel left unexplored. Andy recommended a few easy to moderate beginner treks for me to try when I was ready to take on the mighty Himalayas. Out of his suggestions of Nag Tibba trek, Triund trek etc. Brahmatal Lake trek really stood out as it was more remote than the others and my first introduction to the Himalayas would be more pristine with lesser crowds. My general fitness was above average as I was a regular marathon runner too.
So my next set of leaves were reserved for the Hiamlayas and I booked an experienced operator to arrange this trip for me. This was going to be my first adventure travel and I was excited. I had started reading everything I could on how to plan your first trek to the Himalayas and what all I needed to be prepared for. Brahmatal, is a high-altitude lake situated at an elevation of 12,500 feet and offers stunning views of peaks over 22, 000 ft high such as Mt. Trishul and Mt Nandaghunti to name a few. It is believed that this lake was Lord Brahma’s favourite spot for meditation. And here is how my 6-day adventure trip to Brahmatal went for those who want to try the same.
Itinerary
Day 1:
The basecamp for the trek is located at Loharjung. I met the operator at Kathgodam and from there we drove to Loharjung. It was 8-9 hours’ drive but trust me the views that you witness here will make you wish that the drive never ends. I passed through an array of stunning hill stations such as Bhimtal, Kausani and Almora to name a few. We reached Lohagunj and slept in a lodge for the night. The trek was to begin tomorrow.
Day 2:
We started our trek today and crossed forests, villages and some old rickety bridges over streams to reach Bekaltal Lake which was our campsite for the night. Our tents were pitched right by the banks of this beautiful lake.
Day 3:
We woke up to a delicious breakfast next to the beautiful lake and soon headed out towards the much awaited Brahmatal Lake. We trekked through more forests and soon reached the lake. It was sheer beauty. We clicked as many pictures as we could and soon headed to our campsite at Khabekhal and to everyone's surprise, it started snowing! I think that is the best sight I've ever witnessed. It did take a little longer than expected but the sight was surely worth it.
Day 4:
We set off towards the Brahmatal peak today which sits as an altitude of 12,618 ft. I wasn’t aware as to what this day would offer but I have never felt so close to nature, ever. After enjoying the breathtaking views at the peak we descended to Daldum, our next campsite. The views that this trail offers of the Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti are spectacular.
Day 5 & 6:
It was all descent from here. We trekked back to Loharjung, the trail was very easy and took less time to reach Loharjung. The trail offers views of beautiful forests and villages on the slope. We stayed in a tourist lodge at Loharjung and next morning we were driven back to Kathgodam where my trip ended.
The Brahmantal Lake trek definitely opened up a completely new world of adventure travel to me and now I am excited to come back to take on more formidable treks on the Himalayas and even try paragliding in Bir Billing while this adventure fever lasts.
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Valley of Flowers trek
I’ve explored a lot of Himachal and Maharashtra but had never been to Uttarakhand until last year. I knew of some great treks there and then I just convinced a friend of mine, who also happens to be my trekking partner that we need to explore Uttarakhand as well. I had actually already planned our trek to Valley of Flowers and just needed him to say Yes.
Valley of Flowers trek
I have seen pics of the Valley of Flowers for years and wanted to go. Just imagine colourful flowers displaying various shades and hues, spread across miles of mountains. I was very eager to reach there and experience it. This was an easy trek, and though I have a good amount of of experience, I didn’t mind doing a beginner level trek as I wanted to see something that I'd never seen before.
The climbing is gentle and it's a perfect one for a first-time trekker – we also saw families and children on the trail. It was very beautiful trek, with lot of flowers as well as mist and greenery. I liked the easy Valley of Flowers trail as it gave us time to look around and enjoy the views.
The next trek on my list was the Rupin Pass Trek, which we did later that year. After coming back from the Valley of Flowers trek, we felt we wanted to go back and do a more challenging trek.
Doing the Rupin Pass Trek
Located on the borders of Uttarakhand and Himachal, in the Garhwal Region are the valleys of Rupin and Supin. The best thing about this trek is that since this place is relatively unknown it isn’t crowded. Out of all the treks that I have been on, this one is a virgin landscape. I didn’t know that this place is going to be so distinct and yet so beautiful.
The trail takes you through dense pine forests, the banks of the blue Rupin river offering views of the peaks and valleys. I remember we had camped here in the meadows and also made friends with some shepherds. It's such a good thing to explore a place and learn about the life of the locals and connect with them. It's an experience that is unmatched.
Itinerary
Day 1: Drive to Himri
We started from Dehradun for Tons valley. As we reached Himri we camped there overnight along the riverside.
Day 2: Trek to Kurla Thaach
We had our breakfast and along with other trekkers we got in a jeep to reach Bheetri, the starting point of the trek. Sarutal is the first rest point of the trek. The trail is scenic with cattle grazing and green pastures. We camped in tents in the forest overnight.
Day 3: Camp at Rikatik Odi
We began early morning after breakfast and our first stop was Simon tee. We trekked to cross the Rikatik Odi that lies between Rupin and Supin valley. We stayed at Rikatik Odi overnight.
Day 4: Stay at Phitadi Village
We crossed over to reach the Supin Valley and trekked through forests. We reached the Phitadi Village and spent our day exploring the place and the culture of the locals.
Day 5: Trek to Jakhol
This was our last trekking day and we were headed to Jakhol, the entrance of Supin Valley. Later, we left for Sankri and stayed there overnight.
Day 6: Back to Dehradun
We left early and drove back to Dehradun which is about 7 hrs away.
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Paragliding in Manali
I have a big collage on my wall at home which is my walk down the memory lane, full of photos and messages like suspects on the board of a detective’s wall. Most of the photos are pictures of myself on holidays. Photos on a beach, on horseback, me wrapped in the harnesses of a red and yellow parachute. It is a reminder of how much I love to travel and explore. It was time to go trekking in Manali and then fly away and go paragliding in Manali.
Summer break
This summer, I had another chance to update my wall. I took a solo trip to Manali. My first instinct was to book a trek to try something more adventurous. Trekking in Manali felt like a sure way of clearing out the urban build up of toxins both physically, mentally and spiritually. Dear mountain who art heaven, it’s been too long since my last walking session, I say. I decided on the Kheerganga-Tosh trek.
Once again after long, I was closer to nature up in the mountains. I was skipping over every blade of grass, zig-zagged through pine trees, touching the bark of those closest to me, taking in the nature in all its glory. I soaked in the lush green of the mountains, the churning waters of the rivers, the splashing yellow plastic roof of the makeshift shacks selling Maggi and juice.
Money shot
I loved taking photos of myself amidst all this beauty. I got to dip my toes in a hot spring too and relieve much of the muscle pain. Upon reaching the campsite, I left my camera on time lapse mode and sat down on a rock to immerse myself into the sunset. There, I heard someone talk about tandem paragliding in Solang Valley. Never having been paragliding in Manali, I must give this a shot, I decided then.
Run like the wind
I slipped over the harness, my go-pro fitted, selfie stick checked secured, ready to fly. I was told to run hard, “run, run like the wind” shouted the pilot I was harnessed with. If everything went properly, I wouldn’t punch my own grave into the ground below. We took off from the grassy mound and for a moment, my pilot and I were just floating across the sky. Then a strong puff of wind rose us up a little higher into the sky. I felt like a kite, but kites don’t feel nervous, excited, afraid and overwhelmed. Still, I kept soaring for 15 minutes.
Giddy gliding
There were other gliders in my line of sight, which gave me confidence initially. What spun my head around was the view of the rocky outcrops, the pine forests, the mountains and how far away we were from the ground. You don’t realise how high you are, even on a mountain. But when your legs leave the ground, the feeling is overwhelming. Our landing was smooth. We just kind of swooped down. I was having a real good time, capsuled, of course, for my wall. The experience of trekking in Manali and then paragliding in Manali made me get closer to the Himalayas this time.
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