in Ladakh by Saravana

Based on my experience while cycling the Manali - Leh route (in Oct 2010) i've compiled a list of Food and Accommodation stops on the route.

I hope this information would be useful to other cyclists who are planning to do this trip. I have also tried to include the approximate dates till which these establishments would remain open, but these days might change depending on the weather conditions. So be a little careful and stock up on extra food when you do this trip in October.

in Ladakh by Saravana

Ladakh is a cycling paradise. There is no question about it. The quiet roads, the friendly locals, the serene landscape and high altitude all combine together to provide you a safe, fun, at times challenging and at all times visually stimulating experience that few other locations in India and indeed in the world could hope to match.

I believe that Ladakh offers something for everyone. From the causal... (more)

in India by Saravana

Usually people transport their bikes in cardboard boxes, but i felt that having a dedicated bike bag would be better as it is more compact, has more room for accessories and most of all because of the reason that the bag can be stowed away easily at a left luggage counter or in a hotel and can be used for the return trip as well. That last item was the major selling point for me as i didn't want to run around looking... (more)

in Ladakh by Saravana

Ladakh was the reason why i decided to take my bicycle with me to the Himalayas. The lure of cycling in the mountains with its crisp blue skies and snow capped peaks was too enticing to ignore. I had traveled Ladakh by motorcycle back in 2008, but this time i decided that a bicycle would be a better option. Going by cycle meant going slowly.. a 200km trip from, say, Leh to Pangong lake which can be done in a... (more)

in Tsomori by Saravana

Tsomoriri is, in my opinion the most beautiful of all the 3 big lakes in Ladakh. So a trip there well worth the effort, especially if you make it a circular route and come back via the TsoKar lake and Taglang La.

in Ladakh by Saravana

Ladakh was the reason why i decided to take my bicycle with me to the Himalayas. The lure of cycling in the mountains with its crisp blue skies and snow capped peaks was too enticing to ignore. I had traveled Ladakh by motorcycle back in 2008, but this time i decided that a bicycle would be a better option. Going by cycle meant going slowly.. a 200km trip from, say, Leh to Pangong lake which can be done in a... (more)

in Pangong by Saravana

This is probably the most funnest, the easiest (after ChangLa), friendliest and the most visually breathtaking ride experience available in Ladakh. And definitely my top favorite among all the cycling routes in Ladakh.

 The reason why i loved this circuit is because of the 30 odd km flat stretch of dirt road along the shores of the Pangong lake. You get to ride right up along the edge of... (more)

in Manali by Saravana

I had modest goals for my first day. Cycle the 35 odd kms from Manali to Marhi, spend the night there, acclimatize and then push towards Rothang pass and beyond. 

Sounds simple enough but the 35km ride does involve climbing from 1900m to 3300m. I've never cycled at any of these altitudes before, so i was a bit anxious and wanted to take it slow.

in India by Saravana

Wildlife volunteering programs offer a great way for someone to experience the rich biodiversity of India. Firsthand, on the ground and out of the relative safety and comfort of a tourist vehicle. They provide you with a wonderful insight into the various wildlife conservation and research activities going on in the country. So its time for you to get off that couch, turn Animal Planet off and go live you own wildlife... (more)

in Yuksom by Saravana

The Yuksom - GoeCha La trek in Western Sikkim takes you right under the shadow of the mighty Kanchendzonga, the 3'rd highest mountain in the world. This 7-8 day trek, is one of the more remote and stunning treks in India, taking one through forests of Rhododendron and valleys covered with lichen and moss, offering numerous birding opportunities and encounters with herds of Bharal or Blue mountain sheep and not to mention the stunning vistas of some of the highest mountains in the world.

in Dandeli by Saravana

Back in 2006 i visited the Ranthambore national park with the hopes of sighting a tiger in the wild. I was lucky enough to see two. During that trip i also saw something which remained with me till date.

A group of canvas tents pitched in the jungle and a bunch of people milling about. I've always wondered what those people were doing in the jungle and how exciting it would be to live in the... (more)

in Ranthambore by Saravana

Spotting a tiger in the wild is a once in a lifetime experience for any tourist and the wildlife park officials know it well. A successful spotting means big tips for the guides and they literally leave no leaf unturned in the forest inorder to spot a tiger. 

This is especially true in Ranthambore, the park is well known for its of tiger sightings. The tigers themselves are used to all the... (more)

in Karnataka by Saravana

Wildlife Conservation Society of India has just released their internship/volunteering requirements for 2012. These field workshops will be held at several reserves in Karnataka including Dandeli-Anshi, BRT, Bhadra, Bandipura and Nagarahole. Please check the below post for more details on the requirement and on how to register yourself for one of the programmes.

in Thanjavur by Saravana

Thanjavur, the ancient city of Tamil Nadu and the erstwhile capital of the Chola Empire is home to numerous 'Great Living Chola Temples', the greatest of which is the Brihadeeswarar temple or more commonly known as the Big Temple ('Periya Kovil' in Tamil).

The 1000 year old temple is well known for its architecture and prized stone sculptures but it also is home to some of the most beautiful, vibrant, intricate frescos to be found anywhere in South India. 

in Haridwar by Saravana

Har-ki-Pauri (meaning the "Steps of Lord Shiva") is a famous ghat located on the banks of the Ganges river near Haridwar. It is here that the Ganges finally leaves the mountains and enters the plains of North India.

Every evening, the local priests perform a Ganga Aarti ceremony to welcome the revered river to the plains of India. It is a spectacular ceremony of fire and songs, participated and performed by thousands of people who gather here from all over the country..

in Haridwar by Saravana

Har-ki-Pauri (meaning the "Steps of Lord Shiva") is a famous ghat located on the banks of the Ganges river near Haridwar. It is here that the Ganges finally leaves the mountains and enters the plains of North India.

Every evening, the local priests perform a Ganga Aarti ceremony to welcome the revered river to the plains of India. It is a spectacular ceremony of fire and songs, participated and performed by thousands of people who gather here from all over the country..

in Ladakh by Saravana

One of the things i'am unhappy about myself as a photographer is my reluctance to take more portraits while traveling. There are some good reasons for it. But still, at the end of a trip when i look back at my photos, the ones that bring me the most joy are the ones with people in them.

If i had taken a portrait of someone, then more often than not, it means that i had interacted with that person before... (more)

in Yuksom by Saravana

The Yuksom - GoeCha La trek in Western Sikkim takes you right under the shadow of the mighty Kanchendzonga, the 3'rd highest mountain in the world. This 7-8 day trek, is one of the more remote and stunning treks in India, taking one through forests of Rhododendron and valleys covered with lichen and moss, offering numerous birding opportunities and encounters with herds of Bharal or Blue mountain sheep and not to mention the stunning vistas of some of the highest mountains in the world.

in Ladakh by Saravana

If you love the mountains and love the freedom & the pure wind-in-your-face exhilaration of biking then Ladakh provides the perfect opportunity for you to combine the two and go motor biking in Ladakh. There is no better way to experience this wonderful place, free from the constraints of packaged trips and the safety of civilization biking in Ladakh puts you in touch with the raw unforgiving side of... (more)

in Tsomori by Saravana

It was a trip where Murphy's law was in full force. Everything that could go wrong did, and some. I drove around in circles trying to find fuel for my motorbike, got lost in the dark on the shores of the Tsomoriri lake, camped out in the wild, got bike's tires punctured and was rescued by the unlikeliest folks possible.. the Changpa nomads living high up in the mountains around the Tsomoriri lake. Needless... (more)

in Ladakh by Saravana

It was a late October day. Cold cloudy and overcast. A dramatic change from the pleasent sunny weather just a day before.  I was cycling back from the Pangong lake to the Tangste village. It is normally a pleasent ride, mostly flat and downhill (from 4400m to 3950m over the course of 25 odd kms). In the mountains, downhill rides such as these are to be savoured but today i was'nt enjoying the ride all that... (more)

in India by Saravana

Wildlife volunteering programs offer a great way for someone to experience the rich biodiversity of India. Firsthand, on the ground and out of the relative safety and comfort of a tourist vehicle. They provide you with a wonderful insight into the various wildlife conservation and research activities going on in the country. So its time for you to get off that couch, turn Animal Planet off and go live you own wildlife... (more)

in Karnataka by Saravana

Wildlife Conservation Society of India has just released their internship/volunteering requirements for 2012. These field workshops will be held at several reserves in Karnataka including Dandeli-Anshi, BRT, Bhadra, Bandipura and Nagarahole. Please check the below post for more details on the requirement and on how to register yourself for one of the programmes.

in Ladakh by Saravana

It was a late October day. Cold cloudy and overcast. A dramatic change from the pleasent sunny weather just a day before.  I was cycling back from the Pangong lake to the Tangste village. It is normally a pleasent ride, mostly flat and downhill (from 4400m to 3950m over the course of 25 odd kms). In the mountains, downhill rides such as these are to be savoured but today i was'nt enjoying the ride all that... (more)