Adventure – Page 2 – VAGABOND IMAGES

Ranthambore Fort: Red lake, langurs and a Ganesha with three eyes

Upendra SwamiOctober 25, 20202472 Views11

It is said to be one of the strongest forts in India. It isn’t a surprise as a fort sitting on a hilltop with deep trenches on three sides, surrounded by many other hills covered by severely dense tiger infested forests could have been nothing else but a very formidable one. Currently the fort is right in the middle of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and National Park. It is said that this region was part of the Chahamana Kingdom of Shakambhari. Shakambhari is where present day Sambhar is. Those who have visited Sambhar Lake will know that there is a very famous and revered Shakambhari temple at Sambhar. The kingdom ruled the many parts of the present day Rajasthan for many centuries until the 12th century. Some historical references say that Chauhans were derived from Chahamanas. Th...

AdventureIndia

Flying like a bird in a paraglider

Upendra SwamiOctober 12, 20202157 Views14

A complete guide to paragliding at Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh We were being driven to Billing from Bir for the paragliding session. They combine to make it Bir-Billing, India’s paragliding hotspot. And, if you seriously think that paragliding at Bir-Billing is a thrilling experience, then hold on- travelling to Billing from Bir itself is by no means less thrilling, more so if you are travelling in a vehicle provided by your paragliding operator to carry you to the take-off site. You will always find a few gliders in the sky at Bir Billing To take the paraglider down this magnificently picturesque valley, you need to reach the Billing hill first, or it is a small table top over the hill, overlooking majestic landscape. It’s a steep uphill drive of around 16 kilometres o...

AdventureIndia

Desert National Park | For that Bustard feeling

Upendra SwamiJune 29, 20201170 Views8

Well, worst of summer is over. Although with onset of Monsoon, humidity will keep pushing us to limits. It’s safe to be in homes therefore due to all sorts of reasons, and surely weather is the least of our concern. In any case, by the time it is safe or rather safer (than now) to travel in times of COVID19, it will be already winter perhaps. So, travelling to desert won’t be a bad option. This post is regarding keeping yourself ready for it, or giving you just another travel idea. Map of the Desert National Park All the birds that are found here and they are really too many, including the migratory ones. In Indian hot desert of Thar, Jaisalmer is already a hotspot for tourists. But among the attraction of usuals glamorous tourist spots like Sam Dunes, Sonar fort, havelis, Bada B...

AdventureIndiaNews

Time back to travel! Madhya Pradesh opens its National Parks today

Upendra SwamiJune 15, 20201204 Views2

For all those with travel lust and right now feel like being chained in their homes due to COVID19 situation, there is a trickle of some good news. Among the first states to do this, Madhya Pradesh has reopened its State Tourism Development Corporation Hotels, resorts and many private hotels at tourist destinations for tourists and hoteliers. A tiger at Panna Tiger reserve in Madhya Prdesh Among the efforts to promote domestic tourism state is now allowing all tourists from within the Country. Not just that, another big news is that Madhya Pradesh Forest department has also issued a circular regarding re-opening of its National Parks from 15th June 2020. Buffer zones in these national parks will remain open during monsoon season as well. Normally, all the national parks a...

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Chaukhamba : A peak on four pillars and it is not our democracy!

Upendra SwamiJune 5, 20203111 Views2

I couldn’t have missed the satire in the present context as all the four pillars of our democracy are currently on terribly shaky ground. Having said that, this post is definitely not about our democracy but about one of the most beautiful peaks on Uttarakhand Himalayas. It is the World Environment day and what else can we talk about than the most precious gift our nature has given to us! Sunrise on Chaukhamba peak as seen from Almora town in Kumaon The inspiration for this post came from an impromptu comment on one of my Facebook post couple of days back by a renowned photographer friend Jaimitra Singh Bisht, based in Almora. Post was a photo of sunrise on Chaukhamba peak, which I captured a few years ago from Almora. While appreciating the photograph, Jaimitra said that, “Chaukham...

AdventureIndia

Two valleys where flowers missed you this lockdown

Upendra SwamiMay 29, 2020788 Views2

India has big number of exceptionally stunning valleys of flowers across its peninsular region, and top among them is definitely the ‘valley of flowers’ in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district inside the Nanda Devi Biosphere reserve. It is so popular that whenever you talk about Valley of Flowers, it is presumed that you are talking about it. But there are many other valleys of flowers and a handful of them are in the Himalayan region itself. They might not be as popular as the Valley of Flowers in the Nanda Devi Biosphere reserve but they are equally beautiful and worth a visit. Yumthang in North Sikkim Har Ki Doon valley in Uttarakhand Well, here I am not talking about all the valleys of flowers. That isn’t the purpose of the post. I am loking at what we have missed this season due t...

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Lockdown effect | A yatra without yatris!

Upendra SwamiMay 25, 2020750 Views2

Chardham yatra is one of the India’s major pilgrimage and it is second time in last eight years that it has to be shelved. Last time in 2013, it was due to an altogether different reason as Yatra has to suspended and finally called off due to devastating floods in Uttarakhand. But that year, Yatra started in usual manner with all customs and rituals, but met a catastrophe on 16th & 17th June when extremely heavy rainfall and sudden melting of glaciers created a havoc like never before. Thousands of lives were lost and villages after villages were washed away. So, that year Yatra didn’t resume. Now this year again Yatra has been suspended because of lockdown due to Corona pandemic. The temples have been opened but routes are closed for yatris as no travel is allowed for this purp...

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Missing Ladakh : Let’s go for a photo journey!

Upendra SwamiMay 21, 2020668 Views5

May is about to end and many of us like me will be getting restless as Ladakh season gets closer. For many, Ladakh is an annual ritual, for many others it is an ambition of lifetime and you definitely can't doubt the feelings of all of them who are terrified with the prospect of the season getting a corona wash-out. Although, limited transportation seem to be resuming but actual travel doesn't seem to be happening in the near future. Good, if it happens this season at any point of time. I am sure many will rush with their bikes. But till then, lets go on a photo tour of Leh, a glimpse of it. Flying over Ladakh is an experience in itself But honestly speaking, covering Ladakh in a single feature or a post or a gallery is not justified. It is so vast and vivid, that you need umpteen ...

AdventureInternational

Dining at the world’s best Michelin-starred restaurant to staying in a luxurious 11th century castle!

Upendra SwamiFebruary 23, 2020519 Views0

Costa Brava is a coastal region of Catalonia in northeastern Spain known for its virgin beaches and bays against the scenic backdrop of heavily wooded hills. One of the most stunning coastlines in the country, this hidden gem is only a two-hour drive from Barcelona and offers several experiences for couples looking for offbeat romantic vacations in Europe. V.R. Costa Brava, a destination management firm has curated a series of dreamy things for couples and honeymooners on their holiday to Costa Brava. Cap de Creus, Costa Brava Picnic on the hidden beaches of Costa Brava When it comes to laid-back romance, the region has plenty of options like the beach cove of Cala Jugadora on the Cap de Creus coastline or the sandy beaches of Cala Portaló. These secluded spots allow couples to b...

AdventureCruiseInternational

A ‘Spike’ for Space Cruiser on Global Dream

Upendra SwamiJanuary 10, 20201122 Views0

Cruise vacations are the one of the most sought after travel journeys. World over, all cruise lines therefore try to make this journey more and more adventurous, more and more memorable, either with bigger, luxurious ships or till now unthinkable adventures on sea. Going a step ahead, Genting Cruise Lines have introduced the future of cruising with Global Dream, Dream Cruises’ first global class ship arriving in Asia in 2021, at this year’s South Asia Tourism and Travel Exchange (SATTE) trade expo in Delhi. Catering to India’s growing multi-generation travellers who are seeking new travel options, the 20-deck Global Dream will be the largest cruise ship in the world by passenger capacity, accommodating over 9,000 passengers across 2,350 cabins. The largest cruise ship to be built in Germa...