Switzerland in its winter coat is not only a destination for people who want to try skiing, but is also offering a big choice of other activities to experience snow in different facets. Glacier Express is also operating in winter and shows the variety of winter landscapes in different regions and altitudes. The new Ice Magic Ice Park in Interlaken offers ice skating and fun activities on ice in the city centre and is a meeting point for locals and tourists during winter time. Top of Europe ICE MAGIC is the unique skating experience set to transform the centre of Interlaken into a winter wonderland from 20 December 2014 to 28 February 2015. ICE MAGIC consists of various-sized ice rinks linked by a winding 400-metre ice runway. The offer is rounded off with a wide range of culinary option
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नंदा होमकुंड से कैलाश के लिए विदा हो गईं- रास्ते के तमाम कष्टों व तकलीफों को झेलते हुए। लेकिन नंदा को पहुंचाने होमकुंड या शिलासमुद्र तक गए यात्रियों के लिए नंदा को छोड़कर लौटने के बाद का रास्ता ज्यादा तकलीफदेह था। भला किसने कहा था कि चढ़ने की तुलना में पहाड़ से उतरना आसान होता है! चंदनिया घाट से लाटा खोपड़ी और फिर वहां से सुतौल तक की जो उतराई थी, वैसी विकट उतराई ट्रैकिंग के बीस साल से ज्यादा के अपने अनुभव में मैंने कम ही देखी-सुनी हैं। मुश्किल यह थी कि इसका किसी को अंदाजा भी न था। डर सब रहे थे ज्यूंरागली को लेकर और हालत पतली हुई नीचे उतर कर। ज्यूंरागली का अर्थ स्थानीय भाषा में मौत की गली होता है। रूपकुंड की तरफ से चढ़कर शिला समुद्र की ओर उतरने का यहां जो संकरा रास्ता है, ऊपर धार (दर्रे) पर मौसम का जो पल-पल बदलता विकट रुख है, उन सबको ध्यान में रखकर इसका यह नाम कोई हैरत नहीं देता।...
Read Moreआली बुग्याल बेदनी से महज तीन-चार किलोमीटर की दूरी पर है। खूबसूरती में भी वो बेदनी बुग्याल के उतना ही नजदीक है। कुछ रोमांचप्रेमी घुमक्कड़ आली को ज्यादा खूबसूरत मानते हैं। मुश्किल यही है कि आली को उतने सैलानी नहीं मिलते जितने बेदनी को मिल जाते हैं। जानकार लोग आली की इस बदकिस्मती की एक कहानी भी बताते हैं। किस्सा आली व ऑली में एक टाइपोग्राफी चूक का है। दोनों ही जगह उत्तराखंड में हैं। ऑली बुग्याल जोशीमठ के पास है और इस समय देश के प्रमुखतम स्कीइंग रिजॉर्ट में से एक है। कहा जाता है कि ऑली को मिलने वाली सुविधाएं आली को मिलनी तय थीं। लेकिन बस फैसला होते समय नाम में कोई हर्फ या हिजा इधर से उधर हुआ और आली की जगह ऑली की सूरत बदल गई। हालांकि मेरी नजर में ऑली के हक में एक बात और यह भी जाती है कि वह सड़क के रास्ते में है। जोशीमठ से ऑली के लिए सड़क भी है और रोपवे भी। आली यकीनन खूबसूरत है, लेकिन...
Read MoreA tent colony in clouds or on the edge of a cliff! A scene not common,considering the fact that this is at an altitude of almost 13 thousand feets, deep inside one of the most beautiful Himalayan interiors and at one of the most fascinating meadows- Bedni Bugyal. Not so common scene also because it would be next seen at least after 12 years, when next Nanda Devi Rajjat Yatra takes place. Only then again thousands of pilgrims (this time they were more than 20 thousand) will be reaching here and so many tents would be needed to accommodate them. A magnificent sight terrifying at the same time!! ...
Read MoreSun's amazing. Even when it is not so bright. At times it has to fight it out with clouds to show its real strength. What a beauty nature brings out of this battle too! Here for you to see- (shot at Ranikhet in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, known for its beautiful sunrises and excellent Himalayan views) ...
Read MoreNanda Ghunti peak (6309 mts) peeking from clouds as seen from Bedni Bugyal (3354 mts), a Himalayan alpine meadow in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Bedni Bugyal makes the base for trek to mysterious lake of Roopkund. From Bedni sight of Trishul peak is equally amazing!
Read MoreThe mighty Trishul (trident) peak (alt: 7120 mts) as seen from Bedini Bugyal (alt: 13K ft) in Uttarakhand. Trek to Roopkund and further to Shila Samudra & Homkund from here takes you right in the base of this peak. Left to Trishul is Nanda Ghunti (not seen in this picture). It is one of favorite treks in this region and challenging one too! ...
Read MoreHow good it feels when weather clears up after a muggy day of hard trekking. Evening view from Baguvawasa at 14,100 fts. Clouds filling up frame very quickly from top left and bottom right corners, sun trying to show its presence in between dark clouds and far enough a color of dusk. The place, just below mysterious Roopkund is known for presence of Brahmakamal, the state flower of Uttarakhand, found only at this altitude.. ...
Read MoreRajjaat Yatra is underway with much enthusiasm Nanda Devi Rajjaat has completed its first circuit on way to Homkund in Himalayas for its once in 12 years visit. After starting from Nauti on 18th morning, Yatra reached Ira Badhani in the evening for the first halt. Second day it came back from Ira Badhani to Nauti. Today on the third day of its journey it is coming to Kansuwa again, thus completing a full circle of its initial journey before leaving for tougher part ahead. Kansuwa is the village of descendants of the erstwhile royal family of Garhwal. The tradition of yatra believed to be started by King Shalipal in 7th century is still followed by his representatives in Kansuwa, currently being Dr. Rakesh Kunwar, who also heads the Nanda Devi Rajjaat Yatra organizing committ...
Read MoreAfter two years of postponement the eagerly awaited Nanda Devi Rajjat Yatra will finally take place from 18th August to 6th September this year. The Nanda Raj Jat takes place once every twelve years - the journey starts from Nauti village (Karnaprayag district of Uttarakhand state in India) accompanying a mythical four-horned sheep and Doli and all sorts of gifts for Nanda Devi, who is treated as a daughter revisiting her mother. Last Yatra happened in 2000. Hence it was originally scheduled in 2012 but was postponed due to Malmaas (one inauspicious month) in that year. Hence rescheduled to happen in 2013, again last year it was postponed due to natural catastrophe (flash floods) in Kedarnath area, which created widespread destruction and huge loss of life and property across Himalayan...
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