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Adventure Himalayas North India Treks

Getting through the Lord Curzon trail alias Kuari Pass

Also known as Lord Curzon trail, Kuari Pass is one of the most renowned winter treks in Garhwal region. The place is ideal for beginners and opens the gateways for the unexplored to be explored. Thanks to Toroots India and Renok Adventures, for the opportunity to explore this beautiful trek.

Little about the place

Location: Garhwal
Base: Rishikesh
Duration: 5Days
DifficultyLevel: Easy to Moderate
ApproxTrek: 30kms
AverageElevation: 13,000Fee
TypeofTrek: Winter Trek
Best Time: November to March
Highlights: Nanda Devi Peak, Trishul Peak, Gorson Bugyal, Tali LakeWhere is the Kuari Pass?

Kuari Pass is located in the midst of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, at an altitude of approx. 13,000 feet above the sea level. The Pass is at the center of the most incredible regions of Garhwal and is known for its unique wild grandeur. The place gives enthralling experience for first-time trekkers, as the entire trail comprises of walking through the frozen rivers, rock climbing, walk through forests. You get to traverse all kinds of terrain during these 3 days.
How to Get Here:
Rishikesh is the base for Kuari Pass. It can be reached via Haridwar. There are many buses that ply daily from Delhi.

How to Reach Kuari Pass?

By Air: Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport, which is 208Km from Nandprayag and 268Km from Joshimath.

By Rail: Rishikesh Railway Station is the nearest rail-head, which is 191Km from Nandprayag and 251Km from Joshimath.

By Road: Nandprayag and Joshimath is well connected with other parts of Uttarakhand.

Trekking Routes:

Rishikesh – Joshimath – Dhak Village – Karchi Village – Tugasi Village – Palogeta Village – Gulling – Chonter Gatta – Bor Tal – Tali Campsite-Chitrakantha – Khulara Meadows-Kuari View Point 1- Chitrakantha Top – Lord Curzon Trail – Puli Dhar Col – Auli via Tali and Gorson Bugyal – Haridwar.

Accommodation Destinations: Gulling, & Khullara

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Joshimath.

The journey started from Haridwar, from where we went to Joshimath and it took almost 10 Hrs to reach the place. Had our night stay there itself.

Day 2: Joshimath to Gulling

Base camp is at Dhak village. From Joshimath, went with Innova to reach the base camp from where trek started. We trek through a hemlock, oak and rhododendron forest for 3km before a short descent to the meadow and campsite at Gulling. The impressive snow-capped ridge, including Chaukhamba 1 (7138m), can be seen beyond Joshimath. Guide Mr. Lama was very cooperative and efficient. On the way, you may want to capture the village life as you pass through Tugasi and other small villages.

 

Day 3 : Camping at  Khullara

From Gulling, again the trek started early morning, from where we reached to Khullara top and did our camping. It is much colder than Gulling and temp usually goes down to -6 degrees.

 

Day 4 : Way to Kuari Pass.

Last day, it all started trekking to Kuari pass, where on the way view was unmatchable and one tends to cross snow-laden trails. The view as you reach the height of 13,000 feet indeed gives you the adrenaline rush. The same day we returned from Kuari pass to Khullara campsite.

Day 5: Joshimath to Haridwar.

Last day was way back from Khullara to Dhak and then from Joshimath to Haridwar, from where we had our bus back to Delhi In case you are lucky to reach on time, watching Ganga Aarti is also a great idea.

By the way, Major network like idea/Vodafone works at these heights, so feel free to call your special someone from this height and make them jealous.

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Cool Indian River Rafting spots

India, other than being one of the few places in the world that give a strong glimpse into the history, is also known for having some great water sports. River rafting is one of the most popular activities that the tourists absolutely like to do. There are many spots all across the country that offers some of the safest and the most enjoyable river rafting opportunities. Safety is paramount, so research well before you move on to raft about what places are the safest and with lesser number of incidents.

Here are our picks out of the countless number of places from the country.

Rishikesh– If one mentions river rafting in the northern part of the country, there always is the first mention of the city called Rishikesh, located in the Uttarakhand state. Whenever somebody says River Rafting, Rishikesh pops up in the mind. And that is there for some reason. Rafting in the holy water of the river Ganges while surrounded by all natural beauty is one of the things one shall experience at least once in their lifetimes. Other sports such as trekking and hill jumping are also quite popular here. The grade 2 rapid of the river makes the rafting last for about 2 hours.

 Ladakh– Oh yes, you remember that road trip from Delhi to Ladakh on your bullets. But you have barely heard the mentions of it as one of the prime locations for the river rafting fanatics in the country. Well, you aren’t alone. The rafting experience in the Zanskar River is something worth having. Because the place is located at a high elevation spot and there is some next level fun while witnessing the river merging with the Indus River at the end of the raft. The rapids here are known to cross the grade 4 and 5 at some spots. The average time frame is 2 hours with the longest rafting route being 3 hours long.

Dandeli- The Western Ghats are among the craziest places in all over the country to do some intense high-level rafting. The Kali River flows at full force and the rafting route over here in Dandeli river rafting, the trail is about 12 kilometers long. This happens to be one of the most exciting rivers rafting experience one can have. All the testosterone heating up your body while the beautiful sceneries calming your nerves down, it doesn’t get any better than that. The class 3 rapids are most common in the river here.

Darjeeling- Teesta and Rangeet rivers flows down the Darjeeling hills providing the rafters the great view throughout the trail. The foaming white water is formed as the river falls down from the hills. The amazing view of some dense forests is all the addition that you will need in order to make the rafting experience all it’s worth. The rafting here is incredibly long for about 2 hours at the minimum and other options are also there to make it last for 3 hours or more. The rapids vary from class 2 to class 4 at different spots.

There are many other places across the country such as Sikkim, Orchha, and Garhwal where rafters can enjoy a few exciting minutes in the rivers. Almost all the places having services for the rafting are located in between the beautiful scenery which just a pleasant add-on and provides the rafters some added fun.

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5 Safest places to travel solo for women in North India

#travelsolo, is the upcoming buzzword in female fraternity. Unless one takes the plunge, issues like security etc are on their mind. But let’s face the fact that not all places are same, and one should not miss the incredible India because of our assumed apprehensions.
1. Nainital, Uttarakhand:
Nanital is a lake district of Uttrakhand. Its beauty lies in the warm people who made you feel comfortable with their smiles. It has several mythological stories attached to itself. Niani lake is the prime attraction, whereas you would not like to miss on Bhimtal, Khurpatal and Sattal. Place is well connected via motorable roads with important destinations across India. It is just 9 Hrs drive from Delhi.
Quick To-Do’s
• Trek to China Peak
• Shop at Tibetan Market
• Take a Boat Ride at Naini Lake
• Go for Horse Riding
• Take a Cable Car Ride to Snow View
• Eat Sonam’s Momos
• Sip on the Coffee by Lake Side with a book
• Visit Balram Heritage Hotel
2. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh:

Khajuraho, the UNESCO world heritage site always reminds us of erotic temples, is indeed beautiful and great place for solo female traveler. Winter is a good season to explore the place. It is well-connected to roads and Khajuraho airport. Lakshmana Temple, Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Old Village, Lakshmi Temple, Matangeshwar Mahadev Temple, Parshwanath Temple, Lord Mahavira Temple and Adinath Temple are major attractions of the place.
Quick To Do’s
• Shopping at Shilpgram and Mrigyananni
• Visit to temples to witness exemplary carvings
• Coffee at Raja’s Café
• Sound & Light Show at Western Group of Temples
• Yoga Sessions at Yoga Meditation Centre
• Visit to Archaeological Mueseum
• Visit to Panna National Park
3. Udaipur, Rajasthan:
Udaipur is highly hospitable city and is a place known for its maginificence and elegance. Place is surrounded by beautiful lakes. People within the city make it easy for you to travel solo. September to March is the best season to be here. It is around 700 Kms away from Delhi and can be drove easily overnight, if you enjoy roadtrips.
Quick to Do’s:
• Shop in Hathi Pol, Bada Bazaar, Rajasthali, Sadhana Emporium
• Go for Sunset Point
• Visit to Udaipur lake Palace
• Visit Udaipur Solar Observatory
• Other Major attractions around the place includes City Palace, Lake Pichola, Ahar Museum, Sajjan Garh/ Monsoon Palace, Bagore ki Haveli, Sunset Point & Machla Magra, Fateh Sagar Lake, Jagdish Temple, Saheliyo ki Bari and Jag Mandir

4. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh:
Varanasi in itself is an experience. It is an amalgam of culture, colors and spirituality. Though the general notion about the place is, it is unsafe due to crowd, but if you make sure what to say and what not, you can surely make your way out and come with mesmerizing experience for lifetime. It is one of the holiest cities for Hindus and you can easily fly to the place.
Quick to Do:
• Take a walking tour
• Evening Aarti at Ghats
• Visit to Vishwanath Temple, Durga Temple, Bharat Mata temple
• Apple Pie at Pizzeria Vatika café
• Silk Shopping at Baba Blacksheep
• Meal at Brown Bread Bakery
• Boat Trip at Assi Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat during dawn.

5. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand:
Rishikesh is termed as the yoga capital of India. If you are looking for peace and tranquility and some adventure at the same time, this is the place to be. Place is overnight drive from Delhi.

Quick to Do’s :
• White Water Rafting
• Fox-flying
• Bungee Jumping
• Cliff Jumping
• Eat at Little Buddha Café
• Have Coffee at Devraj Coffee Corner
• Practice Yoga
• Camping by the River and watch the moon
• Other Attaractions include Swarg Niwas Temple, Shri Trayanbakshwar Temple, Swarg Ashram, Lakshman Jhula, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Asharam, Neelkantha Mahadev Temple.
Note: Though all the above places have been visited by author herself, but would request you to dress appropriately to avoid unnecessary attention and just be polite to the locals to have lifetime memories.
Hola!! Where are you vacationing next?

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