Showing posts with label Travel & Experiences. Show all posts

72 Things To Do In NITK



The freedom and roughness that you associate with a government institute in India; a residential setting in a quiet and yet, cosmopolitan city; a location on the coast that connects you to South India’s most interesting hotspots; fellow students who’ve mastered the art of being freakishly smart while remaining ‘chilled out’, and most spectacularly, the promise of a reputed degree once it’s all over. It certainly is hard to find a combination that works better than this. Consider yourself fortunate if NITK Surathkal is indeed where you are.

Looking back at the four fabulous years I had spent at NITK, I am proud to say that I surpassed the standards I had set for myself while I was in college. I write this e-book in the hope that it inspires you to live the high-octane college life that you’ve always desired.

The e-book is now available for a free download by clicking on the link below. Happy reading!

72 Things To Do In NITK
Continue Reading

12 hours in Varanasi





If there’s one place that means the world to politicians, spiritual seekers, travellers and historians alike, it’s got to be the holy city of Varanasi. Dubbed the ‘spiritual capital of India’ for its prominence in the development of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, Varanasi is also one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. The lure of the city was impossible to resist and I found myself travelling on my own on yet another unplanned trip. I boarded the Shiv Ganga Express from Delhi on the night of Friday, October 16, spent a little more than twelve hours in Varanasi and was back in Delhi at noon on Sunday. You should find this post useful in case you’re looking to spend around 12 hours in Varanasi.

Here’s sharing my itinerary with you.

1. Arrival at Varanasi


Alley leading to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Clueless about where to begin, I arrived at the Manduadih railway station at 8 am and learnt that the Kashi Vishwanath temple was nearby. I also learnt that the more frequent alternative to the intra-city buses was the shared autos that plied between fixed points in the city. In less than half an hour, I was at the famed temple savouring the incredible feeling that I was visiting the holy site that most Hindus try to pray at at least once in their lives.

 I then walked along the teeming streets outside the temple and got onto a tempo that took me to Sarnath.

2. Sarnath


Mulgandha Kuti Vihar at Sarnath
One of the four places of pilgrimage that devout Buddhists visit, Sarnath is situated at a distance of ten kilometres from Varanasi. You could stroll around the site, visiting the monuments and reading up on their history. However, nothing would quite beat the wonder that you will experience circling the Lion Capital, looking up at the imposing structure adopted as India’s national emblem.  You will almost feel waves of power and Dharma radiating from the pillar. Pity that no electronic devices were allowed near the monument for me to capture the moment. 

A Benaras Saree

3. The Ghats

It was by accident that the auto driver dropped me at Kashi railway station. I would advise you to stop by here as well since the double decker Malviya Bridge here is what marks the start of Varanasi’s celebrated Ghats. My leisurely two hour walk from the bridge to the Dashashwamedh Ghat was undoubtedly the most vivid memory of my trip to Varanasi.
Malviya bridge
Something that I found interesting was that different Ghats were earmarked for independent purposes such as bathing, washing or cremations. At one of the cremation Ghats, I had some difficulty eluding a zombie-like man who pursued me imploring for money that he needed for the ‘moksh’ of his deceased children! I’d also suggest that you visit the neighbourhoods beyond the Ghats and take in all the activity going on there.

The submerged Scindia Ghat

4. Ganga Aarti



Ensure that you arrive at the Dashashwamedh Ghat at least half an hour before the 18:00 Ganga Aarti to secure for yourself a good view of the ceremony. With people witnessing the chants and the lamps both from the Ghats and from the boats on the Ganga, you’re sure to take delight in the spectacle. I did, however, feel that the event was perhaps a bit commercialized. You wouldn’t miss much by leaving the premises say, an hour after the ritual begins.

5. Ramlila


Outside the Dashashwamedh Ghat 
There was still some time to go for my 22:30 train back to Delhi and I made up my mind to visit the UNESCO recommended Ramlila in Ramnagar. I was in no mood to miss my train and get stuck in this otherworldly city but the allure of the occasion was too much for me to ignore it.

The Ramlila was nothing like I had imagined it to be. There was a makeshift stage at the end of a large maidan where thousands (including the King on his elephant!) sat together watching the re-enactment intently. Although the dialect being spoken in was unintelligible to me, I did relish the atmosphere at the event.

Ramlila
Considering the countless instances I’ve had to rush to catch a train, I wasn’t unusually tense about this time. Nevertheless, I was relieved when I arrived at the platform less than a minute before the departure of the train. I was back in Delhi the next day at noon.

*****

Visiting Varanasi feels like going back in time. You wouldn’t feel completely at ease owing to a variety of reasons but you would be enthralled seeing things that you had thought you’d only be able to imagine. The Kyoto Varanasi Partner City Agreement signed by Prime Ministers Modi and Abe is undoubtedly the best way forward for this city which is supposed to have remained inhabited for several millennia. I find it incredibly exciting to envisage Varanasi becoming a thriving modernized city while retaining all the elements that give it its enchanting mystical aura.
Continue Reading

12 hours in Chandigarh



India's wealthiest, cleanest and most well-planned city: My need to satiate my curiosity about what I had always heard about Chandigarh got the better of me in the second week that I moved to Delhi. None of my regular travel pals lived in the national capital and I opted to travel on my own to see for myself how sophisticated the city actually was. I boarded the Kalka Mail on the night of Friday, September 11, spent about ten hours in Chandigarh and was back at Delhi the next night on Saturday. You should find this post useful in case you’re looking to spend less than 12 hours in Chandigarh.

Here’s sharing my itinerary with you.
Ever seen an Indian city that has roads like these?


1. Arrival at Chandigarh

I arrived at Chandigarh at 7 am on Saturday, September 12 owing to a delay. Guess you’ll just have to get around the fact that most trains run late in North India.

On arriving at Chandigarh, I learnt that city’s bus stand was located at Sector satara (seventeen) and that buses to all parts of the city could be boarded from there. I’d suggest you buy the 40 rupee AC bus day pass to slash your commuting costs. Unlike how it is in other Indian cities, the bus system here is so efficient that this might end up being the only amount you’ll spend commuting in Chandigarh.

2. Sukhna Lake and Rock Garden


Sukhna Lake

If you’re looking to just “visit places” in Chandigarh, you’d end up disappointed since the city barely has any tourist attractions. Your visit here would be more about appreciating how better organized and less chaotic it is compared with other Indian cities. In any case, you could spend some time relaxing at the lawns near Sukhna Lake and then move to the Nek Chand Rock Garden, a place that I found quite interesting.

Nek Chand's story

A section of the Rock Garden

3. Rose Garden and Panjab University


The Rose Garden, named after former President Dr Zakir Hussain

Unless you’re a botanical geek, don’t bother visiting Rose Garden. It isn’t worth your time at all.

 I also visited the Panjab University just to take in the college atmosphere that I was missing so much. I’d highly recommend eating here if you’re looking for a meal that’s both delicious and light on your wallet. Exploring the campus did bring back memories of the great times we had spent at NITK.

4. Mohali

I proceeded to Mohali in the afternoon just to pay a visit to the PCA stadium. It was here that Dravid scored his career-redeeming 136 back in 2008. His triple century partnership with Gautam Gambhir here finally brought to rest all the calls for retirement that he had to endure that year and he went on to finish his career in style before eventually retiring in 2012. I can still remember how delighted and relieved I was after this particular Mohali innings. With these memories and all the Kings XI Punjab hoardings outside the stadium, seeing the empty stadium was an interesting experience.

Where the magic happened!


5. Back to Delhi

My little trip to Mohali had almost made me miss my train back to Delhi. Boarded the 16:30 train that arrived at Old Delhi Railway Station a few minutes past 21:00.

*****

A “well-designed Indian city” does sound like a paradoxical phrase, doesn’t it? One look at our well-touted “millennium city" and your convictions will only be reinforced. And yet, with its grid iron pattern of roads, garden-like roundabouts, efficient public transport services and wide spotless roads lined with trees, the Le Corbusier designed Chandigarh does quite manage to disprove that paradox. Visit the city and see what it's like for yourself!
Continue Reading

Hampi: Paradise for the adventurer


The ruins at Hampi

Rock climbing, cycling, trekking, swimming, boating and camping. We’ve all had numerous opportunities to try them out, haven’t we? Now picture yourself trying out ALL these activities at a single location. And no, the site I’m referring to isn't one of those pseudo-adventure resorts. What I'm talking about is doing all this amidst the deserted ruins of a three hundred year old empire!

Well, that’s Hampi for you, capital of the Vijayanagar empire and also another of India's 32 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.


At the Vittala Temple

The three of us were in our final semester at NITK and were running out of time to visit the one place we hadn't explored until then. One evening, we promptly made up our minds to skip a few classes in order to acquire a four day break to visit Hampi. Here's sharing our experience with you.

OUR ITINERARY


Day 1 – Thursday, March 12:
00:00 to 05:00 – Train from Surathkal to Madgaon
07:00 to 15:00 – Train from Madgaon to Hospet (where we passed by Dudhsagar again!)
15:00 – Auto from Hospet to Hampi

Day 2 – Friday, March 13:
Exploring the site and visiting the ruins

Day 3: Saturday, March 14:
08:00 to 15:00 – Kamalapur and Virupapur Gadde
16:00 to 20:00 – Train from Hospet to Hubli
23:00 – Train from Hubli to Madgaon

Day 4: Sunday, March 15
06:00 - Arrival at Madgaon
07:00 to 12:00 – Train from Madgaon to Surathkal

THE EXPERIENCE


1. Arrival at Hampi


Ruins by the Tungabhadra

On arriving at Hampi, the auto driver who had brought us from Hospet Junction dropped us at a shack next to the Tunghabhadra. Without further ado, we rented bicycles and spent the evening riding around the town. The site was deserted sans a few foreign tourists. The broken stone temples, the humongous boulders, the green banana plantations and of course, the mighty Tungabhadra flowing through the town gave it a magical feel that I had never quite felt in any place that I had been to. Although only ten kilometres separated Hospet and Hampi, it all felt like we were in a different world altogether!

At dusk, we visited the market and had an amazing dinner at our shack, after which we walked to the river and sat at the broken stone monuments by the river.

2. Exploring the ruins


An elephant bathing in the Tungabhadra

I was reminded of my solo adventure to Kurnool while the three of us swam in the Tunghabhadra the next day at dawn. We spent the day riding, walking, trekking and climbing boulders to capture the feel of the town the best way possible. After lunch inside the Virupaksha temple, we were, a few hours later, offered a traditional meal by a few villagers. 
Entrance to the Virupaksha temple

The road where the Emperor’s grand processions were held, the market where diamonds were sold even on the streets, the temples that were some of the grandest in the country - the prosperous town of Hampi was pillaged and razed to the ground by the Deccan sultantates after the Battle of Talikota in 1565. It seemed incredible to us that all that was left of the grandeur and pomp of the Empire was rocks and boulders that meant nothing today. It was a way of being taught that nothing really is permanent in our world.

3. Camping amidst the ruins


After another satisfying dinner, we decided to check out from our shack. After waiting for the town to go to sleep, we walked discreetly to the ruins near Hemakuta and waited for the perfect opportunity to give the security guards the slip. We sneaked up the boulders, searched for a safe spot and pitched our tent. And thus, we had illegally camped amidst the ruins of the ancient empire!

What a night!

4. Kamalapur

The locals we had spoken to the previous night suggested that we visit Kamalapur, a locality situated ten kilometres from the ruins at Hampi. It was our last day at Hampi, and taking into account all the final year farewells and events we had lined up back in NITK, this was going to be the last of all those adventurous trips the three of us had gone on together. We spent the morning riding through the barren parts of the ruins near Kamalapur before heading back to Hampi town.

Temple pond near Kamalapur

5. Virupapur Gadde - the other side of the river

We went on a boat that took us to the other side of the river and found an exciting hippies' restaurant. With the view of the river, the psychedelic pictures on the walls and the tasty food to eat, lunch was an interesting affair.

6. Return


The train from Hospet to Madgaon wasn’t available on Saturdays and this meant that we had to take a train to Hubli followed by another to Madgaon. We could have avoided the trouble of taking three trains simply by going on the direct bus from Hampi to Mangalore, but where was the fun in that?

Exhausted after all those sleepless nights in Hampi, we were back at NITK on Sunday afternoon.


TIPS


 • Commuting: Like Pondicherry, Hampi is best experienced on bicycles. Rent one the moment you arrive at the town.

• Stay: With plenty of shacks in Hampi, you shouldn’t have a problem looking for a place to stay. However, understand that these shacks lack the comforts that hotels provide. Make do with what’s available.

• Food: Cheap and delicious. What more could you ask for?
I've seen a lot of travel bloggers raving about Hampi on various forums on the internet and it isn't very difficult to see why they do so. Ironically, despite it being one of the best places that can be visited from NITK, I know of only a handful of people from college who've been to Hampi. A pity, to be honest - something that needs to change. There's something about the ruins and the history associated with Hampi that lets you lose yourself completely in it. Couple that with how it brings out the adventurous side in you and you'll find that Hampi truly is an adventurer's paradise.
Continue Reading

Pondicherry: Appreciate its unique feel



4 day break coming up? In the mood for a getaway far from NITK?

Pondicherry might just be the right place for you.

One of Pondicherry's many streets edged with characteristic yellow buildings

Pondicherry (or Pondy as it is colloquially known) is situated on the Coromandel Coast at a distance of 170 kilometres to the south of Chennai. The vestiges of French colonialism that can be seen even today make the town a very interesting place to explore. My friends and I had utilized one of our breaks last August to pay the town a visit. En route to Pondy, we had also stopped by at the temple town Mahabalipuram for a couple of hours. Here’s sharing our four-day itinerary with you.

OUR ITINERARY


Day 1: Thursday, August 21

14:00 – Boarded the train at Mangalore Central.


Day 2: Friday, August 22


 06:00 – Arrived at Chennai Central and boarded a suburban train from Park Station (which is opposite to the entrance to Chennai Central).

08:30 – Alighted the suburban train at Chengalpattu Junction and then boarded a bus to Mahabalipuram.

10:00 - Arrival at Mahabalipuram

The physics-defying Krishna Butter Ball

Mahabalipuram is a historical town consisting of a group of monuments carved out of rock. It is believed that this was the place where Lord Vishnu had triumphed over the cruel King Mahabali. A former capital of the Pallava dynasty, the town is also one of India’s 32 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The auto driver we struck a bargain with agreed to take us to the town’s most significant monuments. In the two hours that he showed us around the town, we visited Pancha Rathas, Shore Temple, Krishna Butter Ball, Mahisha Mardini Cave and the carvings near Arjuna’s Penance. Overall, we did quite relish the mythology associated with the carvings and the whole quiet feel of the coastal town.

12:00 – Boarded a bus to Pondy

14:00 - Arrival at Pondy

Gandhi statue at Promenade Beach
Contrary to what I had expected, Pondy had at first seemed completely Tamil to me! We began to see traces of the town’s French connection only after we walked along its rues (streets), ate at its restaurants and saw the French monuments at Promenade. We had especially enjoyed eating at Le Café, Tanto, Giorgio's, Auroville Bakery and Veneto Café Restaurant while we were in Pondy.

Day 3: Saturday, August 23


 Owing to its small size and the beauty of its network of streets, Pondicherry is best experienced on bicycles.

We spent our morning riding to Auroville, the spiritual retreat visited by people all over the world. The most striking feature of this “experimental township” was its Matrimandir, the spherical shrine covered with over a thousand golden discs.

The Matrimandir
While you’re riding to the town, do stop by at Auroville Bakery and Farm Fresh. The snacks we had there were a refreshing change from the everyday confectionery we were all so used to eating. Do try out the wood fired pizzas at Tanto as well.

We spent the evening trying out more restaurants and wandering about Promenade and the rest of the town.

Day 4: Sunday, August 24


 Pondicherry is probably most famous for the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Although we knew we wouldn’t really get the whole Ashram experience by merely stopping by for some time, we decided to visit the place anyway. Seeing more than a hundred people move around the Ashram wordlessly was a very peculiar experience for us.

Entrance to Sri Aurobindo Ashram
15:00 – Boarded the bus to Salem
We had decided to board our train from Salem instead of Chennai to be able to spend a few extra hours in Pondy. Arrived at Salem at 19:00.

21:30 – Boarded the train; arrived at Mangalore Central at 08:30 the next morning
*****

It shouldn’t take you more than a day or two to explore Pondy’s hotspots. The only thing you need to take into account before visiting the town is the time that you'd have to spend travelling from NITK. I don’t see that as much of an issue though. The journey is part of the experience after all.

I’ve listened to a lot of my friends compare Pondy with Goa, describing the latter as by far, a livelier place to visit. To be fair to Pondy, it is not in the least a party destination. (Oh, and if you’re keen on going clubbing, don’t bother visiting Asian House, Pondy’s only EDM club - it isn’t worth your time at all!) Accept the town for what it is and appreciate it for its own unique feel.
Continue Reading

Dandeli: Rafting through the Western Ghats


The first of the nine rapids

I could narrate how the 53 of us danced like mad during the bus journey, that exciting night at the campsite and how we almost destroyed our bus on the way back to NITK but I'd rather get straight to it and give you what you're here for: what you need to know before you head for the white water river rafting adventure in Dandeli.


OUR ITINERARY


1. Departure from NITK 

Left NITK at 11 pm on Friday, January 9 this year. We had an entire bus booked for the 53 of us. For you, an alternative would be boarding a train to Karwar and getting onto a bus from there.


2. Arrival at Dandeli


Sections of the campsite

Sections of the campsite


We arrived at Dandeli at 7 am the next morning and proceeded directly to the campsite. Instead of the usual way of placing bookings on the internet, we had instead chosen to stay at a campsite that was owned by one of our classmates' connections. Here's what our 1D-1N package included:

• 4 meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner on day 1, followed by breakfast on day 2)
• Bonfire at night
• One 20 pax tent (the party tent :P), four 3 pax tents, four bedrooms with attached bathrooms, a dining area and a small open field. The campsite did remind me a lot of The Shepherd’s Farm which I used to visit while I was at Good Shepherd.


3. White water river rafting


 At 2 pm, we left for the government tourism office and were then taken on a thirty minute drive on an open jeep through the forest. On reaching the starting point of the adventure, we split ourselves into groups of six, occupied the rafts and proceeded to the river.

Rowing against the current

The first half hour of the adventure included a training session where our instructor taught us a few basic commands and techniques. For the next two hours, we rowed our raft with all our might as it passed through nine different rapids in the midst of the serene hills. The instructors not only permit you to leave your boat and swim in the river whenever you wish to but also play pranks on you to ensure that you have an enjoyable ride. For me, the last few minutes of the adventure were the most thrilling when our instructor tilted the boat against one of the rapids to make us feel the force of the gushing river.


4. Return to the campsite at 7 pm. What followed was an extremely eventful sleepless night!

5. Departure from campsite at 11 am the next morning. At 10 pm, with our bus now in a sorry state, we were back at NITK.

EXPENSES INCURRED


• Rs 950 per head for our package and 1200 for the white water rafting adventure (after the student discount).
• Taking into account travel and miscellaneous expenses, the trip had cost us each a little over Rs. 3000.



POINTS TO NOTE


• Rafting at the river is subject to weather and river conditions. Do not be surprised if your slot is cancelled due to issues pertaining to the level of river water.

• Understand that arranging the campsite and your rafting slots could take more than a day. Do contact the owner of the campsite, Mr Roshan on +91 94 48 797274 at least 3 days before your visit. Make the payments well in advance.

• You might be tempted to opt for the 500 rupee short rafting adventure. Nothing would be a bigger waste of your money. The extra 700 is what the actual rafting experience is about.

• Non swimmers, fret not. This adventure is safe for you too.


****

Dandeli might be at a distance of almost 400 kilometres from NITK but for that afternoon you spend rafting through the Western Ghats, and for all the crazy things that will happen to you during your trip, this is an experience that you should not miss. Coax your friends into travelling to the town and forge all those incredible memories together!
Continue Reading

NITK to Nepal: Go international while you're in college (cont'd)




The trek


View of the Annapurna Range
View of the Annapurna Range

 We began the Poon Hill trek at Nayapul (1,065 m) on Day 10 and trekked up to Ghandruk (1,940 m) on the same day, till Ghorepani (2,874 m) on Day 11 and witnessed the sun rise on the peak, Poon Hill (3,210 m) on Day 12, after which we used the Thikedunga route to descend back to Nayapul. We then returned to Pokhara and boarded the bus back to the border town Sonauli.

The ideal way to do this trek would be to wake up early every morning, trek till dusk and halt for the night at one of the mountain lodges. We had, on the contrary, started at noon and continued even after sundown with our flashlights in the dark.
Breakfast at Shikhar Guest House, Ghorepani
Breakfast at Shikhar Guest House, Ghorepani

 Unsurprisingly, prices here rose gradually as we climbed higher and the food at the peak cost us more than triple of what we were accustomed to pay at the plains. Rooms, on the other hand were unbelievably cheap. The cosy place we stayed at Ghorepani only cost us NPR 200 (around INR 20 each!).
View of the Annapurna Range from Ghandruk
View of the Annapurna Range from Ghandruk

Stunning views of the ice-capped Annapurna range followed us throughout the trek all the way up to Poon Hill and there were places where we would just munch on our food gazing soundlessly at the mountains. A few stretches on the trail were extremely tiresome and we did lose our way in the dark on three separate occasions. However, what the ICSE syllabus had taught us about analysing topographical maps ensured that we got out of those sticky situations without much ado!

Access to the internet isn't an issue since most mountain lodges provide you with WiFi at nominal rates. Do carry the topographical map and a compass when you set out on the trek. You wouldn't have to carry much water since you’d be able to refill your bottles at the falls situated at regular intervals. Pack smartly.


Lumbini


After arriving at Sonauli early on Day 13, the 6 of us freshened up and took a bus to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. Saw the exact spot where he was born centuries ago.
Lumbini
Lumbini


Gorakhpur again


As luck would have it, the cab we had hired to cross the border and take us back to Gorakhpur had a flat tyre and we arrived at the railway station half an hour after our train’s departure. What we saw the moment we stepped out of the car made us freeze in shock and disgust.

Three goons stood next to a stall screaming at people, summoning them to rush to the shop and steal whatever they wanted from it. The next few minutes were a blind as a great number of passers-by (including our driver!) rushed to the stall and returned seconds later, having stolen as much as they could have. The railway police arrived a few minutes later.  It was only then that we grasped what exactly had happened.

The owner of the stall had been murdered at a distant location prior to our arrival. What we saw was an attempt by the goons to humiliate him after his death. Stranded at one of India’s most dangerous and hostile towns, our brains were clouded with paranoia.

With our friends helping us from NITK, we managed to book tickets on a train that was to depart 3 hours from then. Those were unsettling moments but I’m thankful that things didn't get any worse thereafter.
Gorakhpur Railway Station
Gorakhpur Railway Station


Delhi


Crowded trains, but a well-organized system: The Delhi metro seemed to me a cross between Singapore’s efficient MRT service and Mumbai’s packed suburban trains.

We spent our evening in Delhi visiting Rajghat and its surrounding locations including India Gate, Rashtrapathi Bhawan, the Parliament and even BJP’s national headquarters. For a politics enthusiast like me, visiting India’s power centre was yet another fascinating experience.


Road leading to India Gate
Road leading to India Gate


Back to NITK


After 2 weeks of travel hacking, the flight to Mangalore really did seem like a godsend. Well, I guess that’s what they mean about travel helping you stay grounded.

We arrived at NITK 2 hours before the start of our last Diwali celebrations at college and despite our exhaustion, made the best of it.


Expenses incurred


• The currencies between India and Nepal are pegged at 1 INR = 1.6 NPR.
• Commuting, decent meals and modest lodging cost us each only around NPR 800 (INR 500) every day.
• You'd have to pay a total of NPR 800 (INR 500) to obtain permits for the Poon Hill trek (if you're a citizen of India).
• The bungee jump package that included the onward and return trips from Kathmandu, a lunch buffet, a souvenir t-shirt and a video of the jump had cost us NPR 9,100 (INR 5,700).
• Long distance commuting in both Nepal and India tend to cost the same. Intra-city commuting however, is more expensive primarily due to the fact that unlike India, the country uses no auto rickshaws. 
• Packed food costs more in Nepal. Fresh food, less.
• Our Delhi - Mangalore flight had cost us INR 3,600.
• Summing up all our expenses excluding the bungee jump, each of us ended up spending a total of around INR 15,000 for the 15 day trip.

 For additional details regarding our expenses, I'd suggest you have a look at my friend Nikhil Thakkar's blog post about how we travel hacked across Nepal.


Points to note


• Irrespective of your budget, I’d suggest you travel at least the onward journey by train and more specifically, in sleeper class. The fun that you will have on the train while it passes through India’s varied landscapes is in itself an unparalleled experience.
• The authorities aren't too particular about security checks at the border. In the rare chance that you’ll be asked to produce your documents, you’ll need to have your Indian Government IDs and your student ID.
• To avoid transaction charges that would be levied per ATM withdrawal, use the yellow SBI Maestro ATM-cum-Debit Card while you’re in Nepal. You’ll find a number of SBI ATMs in Sonauli, Pokhara and Kathmandu.
• Permits for the trek can be obtained at the Tourism Board’s office near Damside in Pokhara. You’d have to produce your Passport / Voter ID / Aadhar card for the same. Driving Licenses or PAN cards will not be accepted.
Permits for the trek
Permits for the trek
• We met two contrasting types of people in Nepal. The ones who lived on the mountains were some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. The ones on the plains however, were despicably shrewd and did try to take advantage of us countless number of times. Be on your guard.
• Although October is generally the best time to visit Nepal, it does get a bit cold on the mountains and temperatures can go as low as ten degrees. Prepare yourself accordingly.
• We had to change our plans midway owing to the cyclone. In case you decide to follow our itinerary, do the trek while you’re in Pokhara before you visit Kathmandu.
• When you’re on a tight 15 day schedule like this, always set aside a spare day. Be flexible when it comes to the itinerary. Anticipate the unexpected.


****
It’s only normal for the average Indian parent to be sceptical about his/her child venturing out into the unknown like what we did. That’s exactly why I’d like to thank my mother - not just for permitting me to go on a trip like this, but also for inspiring me to live my life to the fullest.
****


The owner of the lodge we stayed at in Ghorepani had lamented the fact that despite Nepal having some of the most popular hiking trails in the world, there hardly are any Indians who make it a point to explore them. And isn’t that the fundamental flaw in our way of living? We, in India, are so focussed on our education and careers that we fail to travel and recognize the pleasures that it gives us.

If you blame it on the money, sure. 15,000 isn’t what a student would term a small amount, but when you think of it, isn't it lesser than what you, as a student would earn from one of your internships?

When you’re still in college, you have the time, the money and most importantly, your closest friends with whom you can have some of these life-defining adventures. And how better to start them than by travelling abroad and returning with all those memories?

So what’s stopping you from doing it?
[This post originally appeared on the 2015 edition of Shoreline, NITK's annual magazine.]
Continue Reading
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)