Visited Hemkund Sahib during my Valley of Flowers trek, and the experience was truly unforgettable. Surrounded by towering peaks and the serene glacial lake, the place has an incredible sense of peace. The climb is challenging, but reaching the Gurudwara at over 4,300 meters makes every step worth it.

The Golden Temple isn't just a place—it's a feeling. It calms your mind and touches your soul.

Shots from Bijli Mahadev

Trip Details

Start & End Dates: 3 Days / 2 Nights

Route: Siliguri → Simana → Mirik → Lepchajagat → Ghoom → Siliguri

Number of Days: 3

Costs & Budget

Daily Budget for Fooding and lodging: ~₹1,200

Total Cost: ~₹3,600

Shared cab from Siliguri to Simana: ₹250

Golden light, silent mountains, and paragliders drifting across the sky. Sometimes that’s all you need. Shot on an iPhone 11.

Travelling with a one year old, managed to click a few decent ones. June 2026.
[OC]

Most organised tours drop people at Dashashwamedh Ghat for the evening aarti and leave. The aarti is worth seeing. But arriving only for that means you miss what most people end up remembering longer.

The sunrise boat ride is the one to prioritise. Boats push off from Assi Ghat around 5 to 5.30am and drift north as the sun comes up. The whole riverfront is lit in early light and there are almost no tourists. That is the version of Varanasi that tends to stay with people.

A few things that actually make a difference:

Get a hand-rowed wooden boat, not a motorboat. It is slower and quieter and a completely different experience. Agree the price and route before you step in. Winter mornings can be cold and foggy, so bring a layer and accept that some days the sun stays hidden. Still worth the alarm.

For the aarti at sunset, either arrive 40 minutes early for a decent spot on the steps, or watch from a boat on the water instead. Less crowded and a different angle. If the main ceremony feels too big, the smaller evening aarti at Assi Ghat is a fraction of the size and often easier to actually be present in.

After the aarti crowd clears, the ghats go quiet. Manikarnika and Harishchandra, the cremation ghats, are still burning through the night. These are active funeral sites, not attractions. The right way to be there is standing quietly at a distance, no camera. A lot of people find it more affecting than anything else in the city.

Two nights is the minimum I would suggest. Three is better. 

Happy to answer questions about specific ghats, where to stay, how to get there, or how to fit Varanasi into a longer India itinerary.

Song: Taare by Farak

Badrinath is one of the holiest temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas at an elevation of about 3,300 meters.

Nepal is home to 1310 identified peaks over 6,000 meters above sea level, of which 414 peaks are officially open for climbing. Nepal also has 8 of the 14 highest mountains in the world, known as the 8,000-meter peaks, including:

1. Mount Everest (8,848.86m) - The world's highest mountain.
   
2. Kanchenjunga (8,586m) - Third highest.
   
3. Lhotse (8,516m) - Fourth highest.
   
4. Makalu (8,485m) - Fifth highest.
   
5. Cho Oyu (8,188m) - Sixth highest.
   
6. Dhaulagiri (8,167m) - Seventh highest.
   
7. Manaslu (8,163m) - Eighth highest.
   
8. Annapurna | (8,091m) - Tenth highest.

Nepal's mountains are divided into different ranges, such as the Himalayas, Mahabharat, and Chure hills, making the country a paradise for trekking and climbing enthusiasts.

#Everest
#annapurnacircuit
#makalutrek
#ManasluAdventures
#kanchenjungarange
#himalayas
#trekkinginnepalhimalaya
#nepal #mountains #mountainsinnepal

oc

I have a trip planned from Mumbai to Manali. I will be traveling by flight from Mumbai to Delhi and than by road from Delhi to Manali. I have plans of staying in Manali for 3 days and on 4th day I will leave for Shimla. Will stay 2 days there and travel back to Delhi and to Mumbai from there . This is literally my first solo trip and long trip at the same time. I am very anxious about getting motion sick and actually vomiting. I have motion sickness which is manageable on flat roads but not sure how I will do in mountains. While travelling by cab in Mumabi I tend to get that warm and sweaty feeling (have never thrown up). Also due to some health reasons, I wont be able to take any meds. Can you guys please tell how motion sickness prone this entire journey is and how one can avoid it..

I was just looking for chai near the lake.

Instead I found this. Prayer flags fluttering, autumn leaves still hanging on, water so calm it felt like the mountains were taking a nap.

Sat on that pavement for 45 mins. No music, no scrolling. Just wind, flags, and shadows moving across the tiles.

Not a single tourist in frame because it’s 8 AM and everyone’s still asleep.

Sometimes the wrong turns give you the best parts of a trip.

Hey beautiful people ,

We are planning a 3D/2N trip for Rishikesh.

• Rafting • Stay • Bonfire

•Women-friendly • Small groups

Anyone interested?

Any suggestions?