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Showing posts with the label mountains

Chiang Mai and Samoeng Circuit, Thailand

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The city close to nature, foodies’ paradise, grand temples of intricate architecture, dotted with quaint villages and a scenic mountain road circling through villages, jungles, waterfalls, and farms, Chiang Mai is a balanced blend of urban life and peace of mind. I stayed in a homestay run by a very courteous couple in one of the by-lanes close to the Old City. Pancakes cooked by the host were so delicious that I made them my regular breakfast every morning. I explored the Old City and night market for 2 days and dedicated the rest of the days to traveling to nearby villages and completing the scenic drive of the Samoeng Circuit. Wat Chedi Luang Varaviharn The Old City, walled on four sides, is the most happening place in Chiang Mai, bustling with cafes, restaurants, pubs, street food carts (one of them being Michelin Star!), hotels, tourists, and not to forget grand temples, and there are lots of them, each one equally beautiful in its own way and charming. The most popular among them...
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Sheen and Kangri of Kashmir, India

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  Sheen meaning snow in Kashmiri language and Kangri, the traditional pot that keeps the chill at bay, brings to mind the memories of cozy conversations with loved ones, sharing hearty meals as the cold air swirls around us. Sheen and Kangri, two contrasting elements that, when brought together, reveal the true essence of Kashmir—the beauty of its nature, its food, its people, and its culture; its  Kashmiriyat that goes beyond one's beliefs. This travelogue is a journey into the heart of my homeland, a quest to chase the snowfall and, in the process, rediscover the hidden gems of Kashmir. The western disturbances were approaching the northern region that would cause moderate to heavy rain and continuous rain could trigger snowfall even in the plains of Srinagar. Similar to the contrasting nature of Sheen and Kangri, the inclement weather brought inconvenience to those reliant on the roads for their livelihoods. However, it also offered a silver lining—a precious opportunity fo...
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Location: Jammu and Kashmir
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Tungnath Chandrashila Trek, Uttarakhand

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  How far can one push themselves to experience the smugness of summiting this beautiful peak?  This story is the answer to the question. Chandrashila Peak Standing tall at around 4000 meters, Chandrashila peak lies in the quaint little village of Chopta 30 kilometers ahead of Ukimath in Uttarakhand. My first acquaintance with this trek was when I read about it in Ruskin Bond's book 'All the roads lead to Ganga'. The write up describing the place and a quick google search was enough to set my mind on it. But I never thought it would take me three attempts to materialize it ! My first attempt was in February 2018 with my cousins. We reached the base village Chopta late at night around 10 pm after driving for 10 hours due to construction of all weather road. But to heavy snowfall that continued day and night, the whole area was wrapped in thick white layers of snow and the trek had to be cancelled. Never the less, Chopta looked beautiful. The second attempt was in April 2020 ...
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Soyal, Himachal

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  One place where you would be graced with Serenity and Peace, it is Soyal ! Manali is surrounded by many beautiful places popular among tourists like Solang, Bir, Rohtang pass and flodded with cafes having great vibes. It is a place where you can be with the nature and also enjoy the chillout life of the metro cities. But if you are the one looking out for pure peace, serenity and bliss; then you need to head out to small hamlets and trails, offbeat to the touristy world of Himachal. Nestled among the pine and deodar trees, with pristine water streams gushing through them and covered with greenry as far as you can see is the small cosy hamlet of Soyal (Soil in Google Maps). It is located just 10 kms from Manali city towards Kulu (Nagar road) and yet offbeat. To reach Soyal you can drive till Mansari village and then walk for about 2 kms. There is a school near the parking spot with good view of the village and thats from where you have to walk towards Soyal. There is literally not...
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