Adventure – Page 5 – VAGABOND IMAGES

Charm that brings me again, and again to Rishikesh

Upendra SwamiJanuary 24, 20191147 Views0

Rishikesh is one of those places which hold a special place in my life, hence no doubt that I have a special liking for this spiritual township. My first memories of this town are from 1987 when I came here as a teenager and spent more than a week alone in search of myself. That’s altogether a different story, but since then I developed a close affinity to this place. I have come here a number of times since then, and what is significant that almost my every subsequent visit to this place has been part of a defining trip, as much as my first visit here. Magical colours of Rishikesh Haridwar nearby was the more heralded one always- mythologically as well as religiously. It was bigger and more accessible, but it still couldn’t make Rishikesh less attractive for me. Whenever I had a ...

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Paradisiacal Seychelles has too much to offer

Upendra SwamiJanuary 18, 20191235 Views1

Heard a lot about Maldives, Mauritius and Fiji? Let’s go to Seychelles then. Yet another gem of the Indian Ocean. Situated off the eastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 granite and coral islands that can enchant anybody with its beauty. Blessed with pristine beaches and breathtaking natural beauty, Seychelles has a lot more to offer to the young adventure seekers. Topping it up with visa on arrival that is free of cost for tourists and direct flights from India, this paradise destination makes for a great getaway with your loved ones. Also read: Seychelles waits with its creole So, if you are already contemplating on a holiday destination in coming holiday season starting April, then here are some fantastic reasons to visit the paradisiacal...

AdventureInternational

Visit Sri Lanka for some warmth this winter

Upendra SwamiJanuary 9, 20191378 Views4

Is the winter too harsh here in the north? Well, if you need some sunshine, why don’t you move south… further upto Sri Lanka. And, its not just sunshine, it is a perfect holiday destination to give you some unforgettable experiences. I had a fantastic experience in Sri Lanka, every single time I was there. It’s close, its fun and its affordable too. So let me list out the reasons, why you should be in Sri Lanka right now or may be later this month. What an exciting first trip of the new year it can be. So, let’s go! Tea gardens of central Sri Lanka 1. Brilliant weather and immaculate beaches One of the perks of vacationing in an island country like Sri Lanka are the stretches of pristine beaches, azure ocean waters and seemingly endless horizon. The beaches of Southern Sri Lank...

AdventureInternational

Watching Blue Whale and Dolphins at Mirissa

Upendra SwamiDecember 7, 20181147 Views0

Have you ever wondered, that how and where you can watch the biggest living animal on this planet without having to part with a fortune! Where you can watch the Blue Whale closest to India? Actually, despite having spotted a Blue Whale some years back off the Malwan coast in Konkan region, there is no place in India from where you can spot whales with regularity, hence there is no whale watching in India as per se. India does have dolphins in large number- fresh water as well as salt water. Fresh water dolphins can be seen in Ganges and Brahmaputra. While ocean dolphins can be seen at Chilika in Odisha and at many places off the coast in Arabian Sea including Goa and Lakshdweep. But even these dolphin sightings are brief and by chance, and that too from quite a distance. Whale watching...

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Jagmandir- island palace meant for fun and recreation

Upendra SwamiNovember 29, 20182107 Views7

Udaipur is famous world over as City of Lakes and is among the top cities in India to attract foreign tourists. Owing to its natural beauty, serene calm and rich heritage, it has also been most popular among loving couples for their most affectionate moments. So much so, that when the trend of destination weddings picked up at the start of this century, Udaipur was one of the top picks. People even started to call it as wedding capital of India. For many celebrities across the world, a wedding or engagement or a pre-wedding or post-wedding event or a Mehendi ceremony or a Sangeet ceremony at Udaipur is an essential part of their nuptial ceremonies. The trend continues with the about to happen wedding in Ambani household when a pre-wedding event is scheduled in December at an Udaipur Hot...

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Spectacular views from the Station at the Top

Upendra SwamiNovember 8, 20181373 Views2

It had started raining when we reached the parking area of Top station. Weather in Kerala have been a unpredictable lot these days and every rain reminded of the floods that traumatised the state just a couple of months back. However Munnar region is generally unpredictable about its weather, than the other parts of Kerala, with more likelihood of rains, as the Neelgiris form the first mountain wall in the way of clouds coming from the Indian Ocean. Even the day before, it started raining in the second half, although it wasn’t heavy. That day, it was clear, when we left Munnar, and after a couple of mini halts, we thought that it was better to go to farthest place first and see other things on the way back to Munnar. Hence we drove to Top Station. Clouds kept gathering as we moved close...

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Everything you need to know for planning a trip to Eravikulam National Park

Upendra SwamiOctober 29, 20184944 Views1

Earlier, I had planned to include all this vital information in my previous post about Neelakurinji trail in Eravikulam National Park. But then I stopped myself, as it would have made the post very long. I would have to either reduce the number of images from that post or cut short on the information. I didn’t want to do any of these. Hence, I decided to do a separate post and try to give every layman information possible to plan a trip to Eravikulam National Park. Read: On the Neelakurinji trail at Eravikulam National Park Landscape around Eravikulam National Park Reaching: Eravikulam National Park is 12 kilometres from Munnar town on the Munnar-Udumalpet road. It takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes to reach there on the winding hilly road. Road is good and safe. You can travel by ...

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Silver sand dunes and a double humpy ride

Upendra SwamiOctober 15, 20181102 Views0

Silver coloured sand dunes of Hunder in Nubra valley of Ladakh have gradually become a part of the must-see itinerary for tourists to Ladakh. Its a very unusual landscape, no doubt about it. In a single frame, you can see sand dunes, river, forest as well as snow clad peaks. You even have camels for desert safari, albeit double humped ones. Its a rugged landscape all around, but Hunder seems like out of world for this region. It has got so many colours and textures in one place, that you can't stop admiring. https://www.instagram.com/p/BoeBAPYHXwH/?taken-by=swamiupendra Colours of nature! These sunsets never fail to amaze you whether it is in hot deserts of Thar or cold deserts of Ladakh. You can see the Karakoram ranges in the background, behind whichnot too far is located the hi...

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Diskit monastery which braved the Mongolian invaders

Upendra SwamiOctober 12, 20182545 Views1

You won’t find much of a difference on either sides of Khardungla Pass, until you reach Khalsar. Here the valley widens. But still, it is only until we reach Diskit, that we get to notice the mixed landscape of sand dunes, Shyok river, mountain ranges as well as Karakoram wildlife sanctuary. Since 2010, Diskit pronounces its existence from a fair distance through the large statue of Maitreya Buddha, which is visible from a distance string on a top of a hill. Due to lower elevation and milder climate, this valley has lush vegetation and Diskit has its own healthy share of apricot and apple orchards in this oasis. Diskit Monastery Diskit is administrative headquarter of Nubra valley. Diskit monastery is also the biggest in valley on this side of Khardungla. Diskit indeed has a ver...

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Turtuk, beauty of the last bastion

Upendra SwamiSeptember 30, 20182544 Views5

Turtuk is a village like no other. Long before we reached the village, occasional villagers coming our way—while working in the fields or returning from nearby villages or grazing their cattle—gave us the clear signs that we have moved miles away from traditional region of Ladakh. The body features were quite distinct and sharp similar to those of people of Gilgit-Baltistan region. Turtuk Village It wasn’t unusual though. Turtuk is said to be the India’s Gilgit-Baltistan. Besides it is quite far from last large habitat of Ladakh in Nubra valley. Hunder is more than 90 kilometres away. Hunder itself does not have any historic habitat before 17th century, when it was said to be the capital of erstwhile Nubra kingdom. Now it is more of a tourist resort meant to serve the tour...