Archive for 2016

Home Archive for 2016

Posted on: October 07, 2016

It’s rare that I would want to travel Rajasthan. Until last November, in 2015, it never occurred to me that it could be a region in incredible India worth exploring. Well like any state it cannot be explored in one visit. So, last month (September 2016) I found myself on a second trip to Rajasthan, though a weekend getaway, this time it was Alwar, 250 km (approx.) from Delhli.

Day 1

1. 6 hours’ drive and a timeless cenotaph: Drive from Delhi to Alwar shall not take more than 4 hours, given that you take the turn at Biwadi. You are advised to start by not later than 1200 noon. You may reach Moosi Maharani ki chatri, a timeless cenotaph sheltered by Aravali hills, by 1600 hours.

After spending an hour or two at the cenotaph, start for Siliserh. Reach the lake palace between 1800 and 1900 hours so you may be able to enjoy the evening at the immaculate Siliserh lake.

2. City Lake Palace, Siliserh: Make sure you have booked your lodge in advance as this is a small private property, though it has few visitors. The place is not much a famous tourist destination, except for the locals who come here to celebrate family day-picnics.

Siliserh Lake, View from Lake Palace, Rajasthan (©butootah)

butootah recommends visiting the destination under full moon.

You can also book Hotel Sariska Inn, comparatively cheaper; however, you will miss the lake view and the dinner at the deck beside the sparkling water to mesmerise you.

3. A Lakeside Dinner under Full Moon: Get your dinner served at the palace deck. The government has put little efforts to work around the lake, so the nights are best enjoyed under full moon. Make sure you get a decent sleep and save energy for next day’s adventures.

Day 2

1. Morning at Garwa waterfall and a canyon trek: Start early morning around 0700 hours to take morning bath at the Garwa waterfall when there is little or no crowd. After enjoying the water, trek the canyon above the fall. Go to the hill top at the source of the fall, the spring! And there is a temple there for those who are a little religious.

It is Garwa waterfall that sums up into Siliserh lake. This nature's marvel explains best that little efforts can lead to major achievements.

Approaching Garwa Waterfall, Siliserh, Rajasthan (©butootah)

Canyon above Garwa Waterfall, Siliserh, Rajasthan (©butootah)

View of Sky through Canyon above Garwa Waterfall, Siliserh, Rajasthan (©butootah)

Garwa Waterfall Canyon, Siliserh, Rajasthan (©butootah)

2. Checkout and return: Return to the hotel in time so you have time to freshen and checking out by 1200 hours.

3. Brunch at the Diner by the Entrance of Lake Palace: A small diner run by a local family serves all that you can ask for in an Indian brunch. Paranthas, pakodas, omelette and what not. butootah recommends bread pakodas and chutney.

4. Reaching back to Delhi by the Evening: If you hit the road by 1300 hours, you shall reach Delhi by 1800 hours to 2000 hours (depending on the traffic).

5. Sariska National Park/Tiger Reserve: If you can extend your trip in the land of Aravali hills to another day, Sariska National Park offers a decent jungle safari. If you are lucky, you might spot the tiger. You can book the hotel for the second night after the safari and plan your return the next day.

You can leave your queries to butootah if you are planning your weekend getaway to Siliserh in the comments section.

Posted on June 05, 2016

Traveling to Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh is all about landscapes so magnanimous that they behold your idea of perfect travel escape forever. To drive through majestic Himalayas on National Highway 1 is an experience that urges you to undergo it again and again. Once you have touched the terrain, it will become an addiction and you will keep returning for it. For me it was a journey in June 2012 that made a few lost memories come alive. One hell of a ride!

I am recalling one of the most romantic couplets by Rumi right now:

“Come, come, whoever you are.

Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving.

It doesn't matter.

Ours is not a caravan of despair.

Come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times.

Come, yet again , come , come.”

While so much is always talked about various destinations and locations in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, not enough is being captured about the road that runs from Srinagar to Leh. Although J&K has wondrous spectacles everywhere as one's eyes roam that justify that India is incredible, I will share here the landscapes captured on the highway drive. The highway is maintained by Border Roads Organization (BRO) of India and it must be appreciated the job that has been done.

In Ganderbal distict, where lies famous Sonamarg village where rests Thajiwas glacier, flows Sindh. The crystal clear waters of the river make the show of the National Highway 1. Up till Zoji La, you are accompanied by Sindh river (Indus). Once you cross Zoji La (La stands for a mountain pass in Ladakhi), you are gliding on the road with Dras river flowing beside you. Both the rivers originate from their common source Machoi Glacier that resides close to Zoji La. While Sindh flows westwards from zero point, Drass flows eastwards. The wild expanse of flora can be witnessed during the journey that will take your breath away. The untouched mighty mountains with glaciers melting on their top have streams running down their gorges so white that my driver had humoured me, "That is milk of sheep herds drowned by nomads up the hills".

The journey begins with lush green moors and wild flowers; the terrain gradually evolves into barren yet so enchanting. Up till Dras (coldest inhabited village on the Earth with minus forty (40) degrees Celsius temperature recorded during extreme winters) there's greenery; post Kargil city, the landscape is completely barren. The only thing that remains constant is ice caps. One can see easily mountains covered with many colours enroute. I only repeatedly thanked BRO for the very maintained National Highway 1 that made this dream-like experience come true.

Sindh river (Indus) gushes past Srinagar-Leh Road, National Highway 1, Ganderbal district, Kashmir (©butootah)

Somewhere around Sonamarg, Srinagar-Leh Road, National Highway 1, Ganderbal district, Kashmir (©butootah)

Approaching Thajiwas glacier in Sonamarg, Srinagar-Leh Road, National Highway 1, Ganderbal district, Kashmir (©butootah)

Gigantic Thajiwas glacier freshly melting in Sonamarg, Srinagar-Leh Road, National Highway 1, Ganderbal district, Kashmir (©butootah)

Somewhere on Srinagar-Leh Road, National Highway 1, Ganderbal district, Kashmir (©butootah)

Intimidating Zoji La (Mountain Pass) stands over 11,500 feet above sea level, Srinagar-Leh Road, National Highway 1 (©butootah)

Zoji La (Mountain Pass) stands over 11,500 feet above sea level, Srinagar-Leh Road, National Highway 1 (©butootah)

A freshly melting glacier after crossing Zoji La, Srinagar-Leh Road, National Highway 1, Kargil district, Ladakh (©butootah)

Srinagar-Leh Road, National Highway 1, Kargil district, Ladakh (©butootah)

Scenic view of Dras river on Srinagar-Leh Road, National Highway 1, Kargil district, Ladakh (©butootah)

Landscape of Dras town, Srinagar-Leh Road, National Highway 1, Kargil district, Ladakh (©butootah)

Mountainous view opposite Kargil War Memorial, Srinagar-Leh Road, National Highway 1, Kargil district, Ladakh (©butootah)

Srinagar-Leh Road, National Highway 1, Kargil district, Ladakh (©butootah)

Multi-coloured mountains on Srinagar-Leh Road, National Highway 1, Kargil district, Ladakh (©butootah)

Flora on Srinagar-Leh Road, National Highway 1, Kargil district, Ladakh (©butootah)

Srinagar-Leh Road, National Highway 1, Kargil district, Ladakh (©butootah)

Landscape of Kargil city (bottom right) and surrounding barren mountains, Kargil district, Ladakh (©butootah)

Dras river ("Suru" in local) flows through Kargil city, Kargil district, Ladakh (©butootah)

Posters of Shia Ayatollahs in Kargil city, Kargil district, Ladakh (©butootah)

All shots are captured with Samsung Galaxy S2, mega pixels: 8.

Posted on: May 05, 2016

When monsoon droplets parch the Earth, if you are one of those travelers whose wanderlust just cannot be satiated with defined trekking packages in majestic Himalayas, here is a place cut out from the world, as it seems. Let go of those crowded getaways and thrill yourself by experiencing raw nature. And if you are lucky enough you might get to face a marginal escape on the notorious NH22 (Old Hindustan Tibet Road) as well. Your driving route is here.

Kinnaur is a less talked about district and lies in the south-east of Himachal Pradesh. Start from Delhi early in the day so you reach Shimla before darkness falls and stay the night. The next day start early morning, if possible as the dawn breaks. As you reach Karcham, take the road diverting right – Sangla-Chitkul Road to reach the pristine Sangla valley. Lodge in any of the small cottages or take a home-stay. People are extremely friendly and welcoming. The chef of our lodge even allowed us in the kitchen and still a ladle in one of the cooking pots. At least one complete day has to be dedicated to this very beautiful valley so you can breathe in oxygen and relax.

Your next and final destination is Chitkul, the last village on Old Hindustan Tibet Road. Dwelling alongside swollen Baspa river, the village resides close to Indo-Tibetan border. On way to Chitkul, you will encounter gigantic streams, sweet apple gardens and scenic view to please your soul that got wounded by all those concrete jungles where you've worked relentlessly. You shall easily reach Chitkul around noon if you start immediately after breakfast from Sangla.

Chitkul will rejuvenate your mind and fill you with peace. Lodge into one of the cottages. Chitkul is little visited by tourists are the cottages there are seldom inhabited. Only desperate wanderlust travelers seeking solace reach such far fetched places to hide themselves from the world. Go explore the terrain, trek, and romance the wilderness to the fullest. Such faraway destinations you do not get to visit often, so you would want to make the most of it. The small restaurants will serve you best with whatever possibly available, You wouldn't have a chance to complaint about the hospitality of these people with such beautiful heart.

Try to avoid monsoon or the rainy season for a vacation or a trip in this belt as the NH22 (Old Hindustan Tibet Road) is prone to landslides. You might get stuck for days if a major landslide occurs if there's incessant rainfall. Carry an umbrella or a raincoat best when visiting or exploring Sangla valley. Kinnaur has many more beautiful small villages that may be explored. Despite being overwhelmed by spectacular sceneries of Sangla and Chitkul, you would want to visit this place again!