Manali - Leh Motorcycle Trip- A PhotoDairy!!!

There are few journeys that change the way you look at fellow travellers or strangers as we call them. A journey that makes you understand that life is all about exploring more, trusting more, growing more and living each day of your life to the fullest.  For me, this adventure journey gave me such a learning that I feel no structured team building program or a highly trained consultant would have been able to embed deep in me. We were 6 strangers on this adventure trip from Manali to Leh on our motorbikes. All new to each other, met each other only a couple of days ago and to some of them the same day we started our journey.

I had this trip in my bucket list and had been trying to tick it off for quite a long time but somehow things did not materialize every time I tried. The year we finally travelled, I had made up my mind that even If I don’t get a partner, I’m going to do it all alone. I had almost lost hope but then everything started to fall in place and finally we formed a PRIDE of 6. We formed a complete team, a team better than the A- TEAM. This is a collection of photos of our journey which made us F.R.I.E.N.D.S for life!!!! 

Some Facts About Ladakh- A land of freezing winds and burning hot sunlight, Ladakh is a cold desert lying in the rain shadow of the Great Himalayas and other smaller ranges. Little rain and snow reaches this dry area, where natural forces have created a fantastic landscape. Surrounded by rugged mountains this land is completely different from the green landscape of many parts of the Himalayas. Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the Karokaram, it is a land which has no match.

Average annual rainfall is only 90 mm (3½ inches). The temperature can range from −28 °C (-18.4°F) in winter to 33 °C (91.4°F) in summer. The principal access roads include the 434 km Srinagar-Leh highway which connects Leh with Srinagar and the 473 km Leh-Manali Highway which connects Manali with Leh. Both roads are open only on a seasonal basis. Although the access roads from India are often blocked by snow in winter, the local roads in the Indus Valley usually remain open due to the low level of precipitation and snowfall.



 



From L To R- Dr. Priyank, Me, Parth, Dr. Anil, Diwakar, Chander

Jispa- The First Night Halt

The Landscape Changes With Every Turn You Take

Priyank Struggling His Way Thru

Heros OF The Trip- At Sarchu

Sarchu

Sarchu



Tented Accomodation At Sarchu





Down But Not Out!!!

Diwakar Joshi- On Way To Nubra Valley

21 GHATA LOOPS

View From Khardungla Top- Said To Be World's Highest Motorable Road

Tso Pangong- The Beauty Of This Place Is Beyond Explanation

Tso Pangong- Prayer Flag

Tso Pangong



Tso Pangong

Flight Of Freedom- Tso Pangong

  

Since the time I have come back from this Joruney there has been a continious burning desire in my heart to go back, to experience the thrill all over again. This journey was an experience which is very valuable and dear to my heart. I know the whole PRIDE is listening and is ready to do the epic journey once more..

 

Mauritius- A Country So Beautiful That Sometimes It Seems To Be Too Beautiful To Be True!!!

Mauritius- The place will enchant you, will make you feel  you are one of the chosen few. It’s a small island in the African continent. An oasis of  peace and tranquillity, it compels you to come back to it’s shores. The island has a coast line of 330kms. I was there for 5 days and had thought that it will be enough to soak the place but I was so so wrong.  After spending 5 days I felt like staying here for couple of weeks more. I was so disappointed while I was leaving the place. The place is so beautiful that I feel  I have not able to do justice to the beauty of the place with my Lens..



The Grand Mauritian Resort

Private Beach At The Grand Mauritian Resort

Goa, India- A Different World

Goa- All that comes to mind when one thinks about Goa is Ocean, Beaches, Party, Boat Cruises, Casinos but wait there's lot more to it. Even I used to think of all these things when I used to think of Goa until recently I discovered another part of it. As you will be able to see in the photographs below a very different Goa. Imagine Goa with Green Mountains, Waterfalls, Lakes, Wild Life... Yes, I'm talking about Goa. Explore area around Chorla Ghats and you will fall in love with the place. There's also a Beautiful Resort in Chorla Ghats by the name of Wildernest Nature Resort. Have a look.... And if you want to know more about the places drop me a line.

Early Morning Walk, Varca Beach, Goa

View From Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant- South Goa

Chorla Ghats, Goa

Chorla Ghats, Goa

Infinity Pool at Wildernest Nature Resort

Wild Life!!!!

On Way To Chorla Ghats

Have You Imagined Goa Like This???



Waterfalls as seen from Wildernest Nature Resort

South Goa is the place where I head to whenever I'm in Goa. Following are the tried and tested places

1. Zuri White Sands , Varca

2. The Leela, Cavelossim

3. Park Hyatt Resort and Spa, Cansaulim

4. Head to Palolem and find your self a goodbeach hut. I haven't explored that area yet but will add specific info next time I go there.

For North Goa, I would recommend following

1. Ozran Beach Resort, Little Vagator ( Beautiful Property with breath taking view!!!)

2. Vivanta by Taj - Fort Aguada

You can also check out my latest trip report on Goa for 2013 http://karantraveller.blogspot.in/2013/09/goa-in-monsoons-this-time-it-was-palolem.html

Golden Temple, Amritsar- Symbol Of Faith

I was fortunate enough to be at the Golden temple a few years back during the Birthday Celebrations of the First Guru of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee. The whole premises of the Gurudwara was lit up and there were festivities all around. The amount of faith seen in the people was unbelievable. People from all walks of life come down to this place to be a part of the festivities and seek the blessings of the Guru. It all starts around 3 AM in the morning and lasts till the Fireworks in the night. It's a kind of a show that you would not like to miss when you are around.  I was there for 3 days to be the part of the celebrations and believe me, it was an experience. I have been to Golden temple a couple of times but this was a different experience altogether. 

Road Distance between Gurgaon/Delhi and Amritsar- 380 Kms

Road Map of Gurgaon/Delhi to Amritsar

Here are some photographs that I clicked during the 3 days..

Faith

 

Langer (Free Food For All) Being Prepared

Gurudwara Sahib Lit Up In The Night

 Fireworks!!!!

The Golden Temple has entrances from all four sides symbolizing the fact that people from all walks of life are welcome. I guess this is what the world needs to understand today what Guru Nanak Dev jee taught years back-

God is one,

but he has innumerable forms.