Journey to INDIA!!

     India is a country where one can find all the flavour of seasons, from North to South and East to West one can feel the changes in the climate, food, living style and even the language varies from place to place . Himalayan range to Kanyakumari and Bay of Kuchh to Bay of Bengal, climbing, trekking, water rafting, bungee jumping, skiing, safari, camping, paraglidings, hiking in river valley and many more adventureous tours to make an awsome holiday package. This is an incerdible place to visit and a person who loves to travel and explore new places, must visit INDIA to experience the difference. 

      

 

You must HAVE !!

        India has hottest, coldest and wettest regions in the world. Therefor it has a variety of climatic conditions - form torrid to arctic - and its natural and varied vegetation varies from region to region. Here are few important thing you must carry while traveling : pair of T-Shirts & Full Pants, Thin Sweaters, Fleece pullover, Jacket, Raingear or plastic sheet, Windproof pants and Jackets - carry these if you know you will be traversing cold, windy passes. Thick Sweater specially required in night during camping or in cold weather, Sweatpants to wear at night, Gloves (only required in very cold weather), Woolen Cap - 90 percent of body heat is lost through the head and feet. Keep these warm in cold weather and you are sure to be sung, woolen scarf - for cold weather location, Bandana or handkerchief is good thing to wipe your sweat, sponge down at a stream, and as an emergency bandage. Hat or a baseball cap - for crucial in sunny weather to avoid sunburn, Sunblock crucial in sunny weather, Toilet Paper water. First aid kit.

       If  you planned for camping then, make sure about few more stuffs like Tents, Ground sheet, sleeping bag, Sleeping mat, a knife or a Swiss army knife, flashlight, spare batteries, compass/GPS and camera and film.

What to carry

Boots: Your footwear is the most important gear in your kit. Remember you will be spending five to seven hours a day tramping about in them, so make sure they are comfortable. It is suggested not to pack the brand new pair of New balance hiking boots. Break in all new shoes/boots before trying them on the trail, or you will rue the day you set foot in them. Most of hiking boots too warm for our conditions and where  the trail is easy preferre to walk in sneakers. On difficult terrain, though, it is better to have a sturdy pair of boots. If you are planning to buy a new pair of boots, look for the following: The sole should not be too flexible. If they are, your feet muscles will tire easily. They should only flex a little bit if you push the sole up from the front of the boot.The heel and ankle area should be firm. If the ankle part flip-flops when you push it from side to side, it's no good. You need good ankle support to avoid twisted ankles on the trail. The toe area should be solid. You are likely to scuff against stones and boulders, particularly on your way down the hill.

Socks: Looking so normal but it is one of the important and not to forget item in your personal kit. Keep two pair of clean socks to avoid blisters. Pure wool or wool mix socks is much better than pure cotton socks specially in cold weather. some people prefers to wear two socks one thinner inside and a thicker outside. Its up to you to find which is comfortable for you, and for this, have a two - three days walk in you nearest park to test both the options.

Thermal Inner wear: Trekking and hiking in hilly areas of Himalayan range you must consider about the proper arrangement of clothing thremal inner wear protects you from outer wind and keeps your body warm.So this is an important item to fit in a personal kit

Food: There should be a pre-planned menu for your trip so that you can keep the required items. avoid  tinned food as this will only increase the extra weight. keep along dry fruits it is light and gives you plenty of energy. if possible, carry dehydrated food as it's light and easy to cook. food items like Packet Soup, Tea, Coffee, Powered milk, sugar, porridge/Dalia, salt, rice,Dal, noodles, chocolates, biscuits etc....Carry an extra day rations for emergencies if you are going out to an uninhabited area.

 Avoid drinking untreated water from mountain streams they may be contaminated due to the villages near by.

Before your Trek

      If you and your friends are thinking for a trekking tour in Indian location, then you should consider some points before your trek like; which trek should i opt? which season do i go? from where i have to start? how should i prepare? these are some common questions that come up before you plan for any trip. such trips essentially involves your physical fitness, your budget and enough time to enjoy the hike.

      There are many adventurous  places in India from where one can start his trekking. A person with no trekking experience should not begin with a hike in Ladakh, no matter how attractive it smees. You will be starting at high altitude and will surely have a problem acclimatising. Plan well and enjoy trip so that you can think again for new trek trail. Select a place you would like to visit, look at the IDEAL Season, check the LEVEL of each trek that suits you and your family physical fitness. If you have kids ensure that the trek has a pony or porter support. furthermore, trekking involves TIME depending upon the place you opt. 

    

      If you are a first time hiker in the Himalayas and are going with your family then Simla or Masoori is an ideal place for you to spend a couple of days with tender walks and day hikes to make your body used to of walking four to seven hours a day and then plan for overnight or two - three days treks. But don't forget that kind of trek is finally depends upon your BUDGET. In India Trekking enthusiast can also explore the rugged beauty of the lofty mountains romancing the shimmering waterfalls cascading down in glee, like a merry village belle. Experience the thrill of sheer adventure by our trekking tours in India amidst the world's most beautiful places.

Bag Pack

What to pack is realy depends on where to go... for how many days and the weather you are suppose to deal with. You may find extreme cold in Himalayan range and very hot in Southern area in the same season. Some areas like North - East are going to be more humid even in late autumn than in the Central Himalayas or Ladakh region. If you are trekking in the Sahyadris in monsoon to enjoy the magnificent aura of the surroundings or in the valley of Flowers to check out the alpine flowers, well ensure that your trek doesn't get washed out by packing rain gear and keeping your backpack dry, wrapped protectively in a plastic sheet. Finally, what to pack depends on whether you are traveling sahib or alpine-style. The former would mean you would have to worry about your personal kit only. The latter mean your personal kit plus camping gear and food.

   If there are four of you then it is suggested carrying two small tents as it would be far more comfortable than cramming into one big tent. One stove, adequate kerosene or other stove fuel, one pressure cooker to cook instantly, one pan for tea, soup and heating pre - cooked vegetables. If you are more than four in group it is recommended that carry another set of pots, pans, stove and fuel rather than trying to cook for six to eight people on one stove.

Visa to Enter India

No foreign National can enter India without a valid passport and a visa which is issued to him by India's mission aboard. Indian consular offices are located in some 160 countries in the world. Only nationals of two countries - Nepal and Bhutan are exempt from producing a visa. They can enter India without a passport or a visa. They have only to produce their identification papers.

Visa are of various kinds and are valid for a specified period. All visas specify the number of time a visitor may enter India. For those who wish to enter Nepal or Sri lanka or Bhtan and re-enter india there is multi-entry visa. On reaching India, one has to fill up a disembarkation card.

Tourist Visa : If foreigner wishes to spend his holidays in India, He should ask for a tourist visa. And if he wants one of the neighboring countries he should ask for multi entry visa. This visa is valid for 6 months. Foreigners coming under this category for 6 months or lesser period need not register themselves with any authority. They are free to move anywhere except the protected areas and prohibited places. Citizens of Bangladesh are exempted for six months for registration.

Student Visa: Students form abroad who have got admission in Indian universities or any other government recognized institution can apply for a visa for five years or for the duration of course, whichever is earlier. But they have to reveal the confirmation of admission and means of their sustenance during the stay.

Transit Visa: It is granted for maximum period of 15 days.

Tourist Group: A tourist group may be granted a collective landing permit for 30 days by immigration authorities on landing i  sponsored by recognised travel agency and pre-drawn itinerary presented.

Collective Visa: It is issued by immigration authorities to group tours having not less than four members sponsored by travel agency recognized by the Center. The group may split into smaller groups to visit places but reassemble before depart.

Employment Visa: Foreigners coming to India for employment should apply for this to be issued for one year initially and to be extended up to the period of contract.

Visa for Business : It can be got for a period of Five years; even a multi-entry visa can be obtained.

Visa for technicians: Experts coming in persuance of agreements between the Indian Government and a foreign govt. or collaboration pacts between foreign and Indian firms can apply for a multiple entry visas for five years or for the duration of the agreement, which is less.

Visa for conferences: Delegates coming to india to attend international conference can get visas from Indian mission for a specified period.

Visa for mountaineering expedition: Foreigners desiring to undertake trekking, mountaineering expeditions, canoeing, rafting and botanical expedition in a team can be granted vises for the purpose if they submit full details of the members, area to be visited and purpose of the visit and supply information sought for by the Indian missions.

Visa for sports team or Individual person: Sport team  or individual sport person desirous of visiting   India for importand (international) sport events may apply for a via for the required period.

Visa for journalist/media persons: Foreign journalists,media men, documentary and feature film makers can obtain short-term visas for the required period.

Himachal Pradesh

Area : 55,673 sq. km.
Density: 109 per sq. km.
Population: 6,077,248 (based on 2001 census)
Capital: Simla
Languages: Hindi and Pahari
Ideal Season: All year round except monsoon
Roads: Total length 20,276km. Most of the villages have been connected with roads.
Location: The state has Tibet and U.P. to its east, Punjab to its west, Haryana to its south and Jammu and Kashmirr to its north.
Airports: Bhuntar in Kullu Valley, Gaggal in Kangra and Jubbarhatti in Simla. A number of helipad are also there.

Main Resorts

(i) Chail [Height - 2150 mtrs. & Nearest Railhead - Shimla 45 km]
(ii) Chamba [Height - 996 mtrs. & Nearest Railhead - Pathankot 118 km]
(iii) Dalhousie [Height - 2039 mtrs. & Nearest Railhead - Pathankot 80 km]
(iv) Dharmshala [Height - 1250 to 1980 mtrs. & Nearest Railhead - Pathankot 90km]
(v) Kasauli [Height - 1927 mtrs. & Nearest Railhead - Kalka 34km]
(vi) Kulu [Height - 1219 mtrs. & Nearest Railhead - Pathankot 285km]
(vii) Mandi [Height - 1982 mtrs.]
(viii) Shimla [Height - 2202 mtrs. & Nearest Railhead - Shimla ]

Pilgrima Centres:

      HimanchalPradesh was once known as God's own abode and Lord Shiva, Goddess Kali and Lord Buddha were held in high esteem and worshiped. The state has some 6000 temples and people live through a cycle of rituals and ceremonies. The arrival of His Holiness The Dalai Lama in Dharamsala has made the state a second home for Buddhist from Tibet. Tribes like Gaddis, Gujars, Kinnaurs, Lahaulis, Pangwalas live in the state.

   Baba Balak Nath: This is a cave shrine which can be reached by air from Chandigarh Which is 220 Km away. One can take train from Nangal which is 100 km away.

   Baijnath:By air it is 150km from Kulu and by train 5 Km from Paprola. It has an old Lord Shiva temple which was supposed to have been built by the Pandavas. The temple has a Jyotirlinga. 

   Chamba: It has Katasan Devi temple and Laxmi Narayan temple. The place is 240 km from Jammu by air and 130km by rail from Pathankot.

   Chamunda Devi Dadh: It has Goddess Chamunda Devi temple. It is 200 km away from Jammu by air and 12km from Nagrota by train.

    Jwalamukhi: A shining flame greets visitors. It is 225km away from Chandigarh by air and 24km from Ranital if one travels by train.

    Kulu: It has Raghunath temple which is visited by thousands of people, including foreigners. One can reach there by air and rail also.

    Naina Devi: Temple displaying the eyes of Goddess. It is 100km away from Chandigarh by air and 30 km from Kiratpur.

    Tarna Temple, Mandi: Temple of kali. The place is 70km from Bhuntar by air and 60km from Joginder Nagar by rail.

    Poantha Sahib: The place is associated with Guru Gobind Singh. It can be reached by rail from Dehradun - a distance of 45km.

    Triloknath: Has a marble figure of Bodhistava Avalokiteshwara in Pattan Valley. One can reach there form keylong.

SHIMLA

         The best way to get to know Shimla is to walk on some of its quiet roads. In spite of a lot of construction in recent years, some of these roads still retain a certain charm. They bring out the stark contrast between Simla, the erstwhile summer capital of British Indian and Shimla, the present-day capital of Himanchal Pradesh. Delicious hot food like rice, rajma, karhi, chapatis and stuffed parathas, besides a variety of other cuisines are available at dhabas and restaurants, all over Shimla and its suburbs like summer hill, Boileauganj, Chhota Shimla, Sanjauli, Dhali and Mashobra.

Hatu Peak: For the rulers of the erstwhile hill state, Hatu Peak was of great strategic importance because of its commanding position. It was accepted as a boundary between the states. The Gorkhas captured it early in the 19th century and established a fort at the top of Hatu Peak. Later, the British ousted them from the Hatu heights. Narkanda [2708 km] at the base of Hatu, offers a spectacular view of the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. It streches from the Srikhand Range in the east to the Kinner Kailash Range of Kinnaur in the north-west, and all the way across to the peaks of the Tons and Yamuna catchment in Uttarakhand.
     Hatu is famous for its ski slopes. A sub-centre of the Mountaineering and Allied Sports Institute at Manali runs adventure activities here, and ski equipment is available in winter.

Jahkoo Hills: It is at the height of 2,458 meters, the highest point of Simla. One can have a spellbinding view of the Himalayan peaks and valleys from here. At the top is an old Hanuman Mandir, it is a tourist spot.

Janjheli - Shikari Devi: It is a picturesque valley with forested mountainsides sloping down from ridgelines. It's dotted with pretty flower bedecked meadows. The British wanted to develop the area as a hill retreat but the Raja of Mandi did not approve of their plan.

SHIKHAR DHAMMA (DHARAMSHALA) - The meaning of 'Shikhar' means 'at the top' and 'Dhamma' is derived from a sanskrit word 'Dharma' which means religion, duty, law and teachings of life's reality etc.,
It's an ideal place for those who are in search of ultimate peace. A place that provides you to meditate and self exploration at a serene location of hills and mountains.



Himachal Vipassana Centre -- Dhamma Sikhara
McLeodganj; Dharamsala 176 219
Dist. Kangra; Himachal Pradesh
India