Trekking Through the Frozen River Zanskar

If the exhilarating mountaineering expeditions in high peaks fascinate you and you have the quest for exploring the most unexplored corners by challenging your own limits, then surely you are an adventurous traveler.

Now what are you waiting for? Carry your backpack, put on the sporty look and head towards one of the most magical region of India, Uttar Bharat or North India.

Trekking is one of the primary attraction adventures of northern region of India; especially in the long belt of the mighty Indian Himalayas. For decades, it draws the attention of the adventure freaks throughout the globe. Typically, northern India trekking zone comprises three spots including Ladakh Trekking, Darjeeling Trekking and Sikkim Trekking.

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Frozen river Zanskar is one of the most daring trekking voyages of Ladakh. Zanskar is formerly known as “Chadar trek” which means frozen sheet. It was an incidental discovery of local traders. They found this route when the main route got clogged due to heavy snowfalls in winters. It is a to and fro road from Chilling to Padum. Keeping the capacity of every trekker in mind, the expedition is further divided into two variations. The longer one lasts for 22 days where as the shorter one takes about 15 days. Guided by the local Zanskari potters and well experienced guide and staffs, you can actually reach up to an altitude of 3850mt / 12,628ft high.  On an average one has to trek for 5-7 hours daily. The amount and condition of the ice on the Zanskar River can vary on yearly or even on a regular basis. Hence, the tourist has to have a flexible attitude for the trekking. In general the night can be chilling up to maximum -30 Celsius. On the other hand the daytimes are warmer and pleasant.

Bottom line is Zanskar trek demands a sturdy physical and mental condition to overcome the unpredictable weather. As a matter of fact, even the bravura beauty of the Zanskar can instantly make you overlook all the fatigues.  What could be much inspiring than a relaxing pause from networks via the chancy walk on the frozen river, sleeping in natural mountain caves, passing through narrow canyons, meeting inhabitants of remote villages who are isolated from the rest of the world? The blue skies contrasting the white river and spectacular deep canyons makes Zanskar trek a paradise for photography.

A word of advice for the trekkers, your backpack must-have: food items containing larger amount of carbohydrates, a first-aid box, heavy warm clothes, sleeping bag, trekking rope of about 50 meters of length, an ice cutting axe,  lighter, Swiss army knife, space blanket, water bottle, a compass and topographical map.
N.B. - Mid-January to End February is the perfect time to visit frozen Zanskar!

Exotic Beauty of Bali

Bali, the land of spectacular beaches and rich culture, is a perfect destination for fun-loving people. The vibrant traditions are visible all over the smallest province of Indonesia that is big on Hinduism owing to a lot of followers residing there.

The island is high on sun and sand and you cannot help but get attracted to the luxurious beaches every now and then. Surfing and skim boarding add to the adventurous experience of the island.

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The destination is also not very harsh on the pocket as compared to other exotic places that makes it even more accessible and enjoyable. A lush ecosystem, packed with fascinating flora and fauna, offers a peep into pristine nature. The tropical forests will make you fall in love with yourself and the surroundings.

Don’t forget to visit the three popular beaches - Geger, Jimbaran and Kuta, which are a surfing paradise. Geger is full of cozy beach beds and enticing restaurants.

The island is tourist friendly too and you will have no problem finding taxis for a ride home after an entertaining party at one of the many pubs, clubs and bars that are open till late in the night. The restaurants are modern, high on style and very chic.  A lively nightlife is another attractive feature of the place where after a walk on the beach, you can head out for a rocking time!

Don’t forget your camera for sure as there is too much beauty to capture here. Stunning scenes will welcome you everywhere and it won’t be easy to decide what to click and what not. So, take along those extra memory cards! 

The Magical World of Disney in Hong Kong

Top 5 Romantic destinations for 2014

With the start of 2014 wedding season, couples have already started haunting for their ideal honeymoon destination round-the-globe. This first holiday break after marriage plays a very important role in every couple’s life. It is the time when they get to romance, understand, and get close with each other, thus finding a perfect destination for honeymoon is very significant for all. This blog is specially written to guide you to search for a best place for the start of your new journey of a lifetime.

Switzerland

When we talk about romantic picturesque views and snowfall, the only name that strikes our mind with full bang is the beautiful destination- Switzerland. From whichever city you start exploring this mesmerizing country; it gives you millions of unforgettable moments to capture in your lens. Be it splendid surroundings of Zurich or an ever enchanting Geneva, Switzerland have it all to make it special for newlywed couples.

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Italy

A thought of Italy and our mind fills with zillion images of the city of love- Venice. Its serene beauty has that unknown powers to spell-bind mind of lovers who want to make the best of their holidays. Fingerlicious Tuscany food and impressive history comes as an add-on during Italy vacations.

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France

Located in the Western Europe, France is the world’s most popular tourist destination for couples. Romance is in the air of every city that you get to explore hither.  Particularly Paris has that world class image of being a perfective city of lovers. Shopping choices which travelers get to witness in Paris are tremendous.  Any city you choose to honeymoon in France, promises you the best and the most memorable moments of your after wedding life.

Belgium

History and romance goes hand-in-hand in this densely populated country. Ancient buildings with impressive architecture and old stories can make anybody’s heart skip a beat or so while watching it. Soothing climate is an addition for lovers to share few cozy consequences during an evening in Belgium.

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New Zealand

Those picture-perfect views which you get to see in movies are not edited ones when they are captured in New Zealand’s territory. From beautiful mountains to picturesque vineyards New Zealand has it all. If you are an adventure lover, then planning out your honeymoon at this exotic country is a big YES!!

Joyful Mumbai

Mumbai, which was previously known as Bombay is the capital city of Maharashtra. Famous for its liveliness and the habit of never sleeping, Mumbai is said to be a destination where people from all over India come to fulfill their big dreams of “light, camera & action”. Ever crowded, full of enthusiasm and joyfulness makes it one of a different kind of a destination to holiday at. Bollywood- one of the highest movies producing film industry in the world is based in this metropolitan. With numerous choices to explore and entertain oneself, Mumbai also offers a wide variety of shopping choices to its descendants and is known as shoppers’ paradise.

Shopping: Whatever is your budget and requirement for shopping, the city has it all. Be it an exotic jewelry piece or a designer outfit, just ask for it and you will get it hither. With high-end boutiques and road side markets, Mumbai holidays bids a perfect potpourri of budgeted and high-priced shopping. Main markets in the city are- Chor bazaar, Fashion Street, Zaveri Bazaar, Crawford Market, and Bhuleshwar Market, whereas you can also shop at malls which are dotted all over the territory of the metropolis.

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Cuisines: Because of the presence of different cultures, this dream city is a home to numerous delectable cuisines. With countless restaurants and hotels, you would get to taste some of the finest delicacies of the country here, while roadside “dhabas’ and food have their own craze among the locals. As the city is located near a sea, you will get to relish numerous cuisines made out of using fishes.

Gate way of India: Combination of Hindu and Muslim architecture, Gate way of India was constructed during 16th century. It is a symbol of some of the most colorful events that happened in Mumbai in the bygone era. The structure was built in the year 1911, to welcome George V's royal visit to India. Though, it is also the same spot from where British Government sent back its last regiment from India. With lively surroundings, the place is the major tourist attraction of the city.

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Marine Drive: The landmark of Mumbai- Marine Drive is an ideal place for locals of the city who constantly look for a serene break from their ever running Mumbai life. Runs from Nariman point till the foot of Malabar Hill’s, it is amongst the best place to watch sun going down and darkness gulping the city.

Beaches: For those who love beaches, the city boasts some of the famous beaches of the country, where you can relax and leave your worries behind. Many of these beaches are constant set for Bollywood movies and TV serials. Few beaches which must be checked out by you during your Mumbai tour are- Marve Beach, Chowpatty Beach, Gorai Beach, Juhu Beach and Aksa Beach.

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Exotic Thailand – Travelling Tips for First Timers

Thailand, an attractive country for all travelers, is best known for its popular tales of exhilarating shopping and great beaches. The Kingdom is filled with fascinating places to be explored and offers a lovely experience to the tourists. The exotic country that has a tropical climate is a paradise throughout the year.
Here are a few things to know for those travelling to the country for the first time.

Let’s Pack: Packing for this trip will not be a problem as one has to carry almost nothing to this place which is a shopper’s paradise. From sarongs to flip-flops, everything comes cheap here so why burden oneself with clothes and heavy bags?

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Therefore, don’t pack those jeans and shoes.  Evening dresses in cotton for that stroll on the beach for women, and Bermudas or shorts and tee-shirts for men are sufficient. If you are a conventional dresser, long skirts with loose tops for women and free fitting floral shirts with casual cotton pants for men are the best bet.  They make you feel comfortable in Thai Climate. Ladies, don’t carry those heels as the pavements are not heel-friendly! One important thing, huge bottles of sunscreen will come in handy.

Shopping Time: The trip won’t be successful if one doesn’t visit Bangkok for shopping.  The Mecca of shopaholics, Bangkok has markets that offer items at cheap prices. For Thai silk, visit the Hatuchak Weekend Market and Talad Lot Fai on Saturday and Sunday nights. Cheap junk jewelry is also a great bargain at markets like Chatuchak Weekend Market, which has more than 15,000 stalls. The MBK mall in Bangkok is famous for cheap t-shirts, jeans and shorts for men. Designers’ shops at Siam Square offer unique items too.

Floating Wonders: Floating markets are a thrilling experience in Thailand. Visit the Taling Chan Floating Market near Bangkok or the Damnoen Floating Market.  The Amphawa Floating Market is a cute place with little wooden houses along the canal. Night markets are also very popular with the locals as well as the tourists.

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This and That: For high end brands like Gucci and Prada, one can visit Gaysorn Plaza. Yet, it is the cheap street markets that will make the trip to Thailand worthwhile. With the exchange rate for baht to Indian rupee not very high, one can go on a shopping spree and come back with great bargains to flaunt. One has to make sure that all the info is handy on prevalent exchange rate for the day, as per their native currency against Thai Baht. One can surf the net for reliable information.

Dos and Don’ts: Be respectful towards the culture of Thailand. Dress conservatively while paying a visit to the holy places. Don’t disrespect the King or any member the Royal family as the locals are very sensitive towards them. Smile a lot as it always helps. Knowing how to say “Hello” and “Thank You” in Thai can be a great advantage.

Best way to land in this exotic land is to grab the cheapest flights to Thailand by comparing various deals on a single dependable source that offers various comparisons in one go.

Get ready for an enchanting experience of a lifetime. Just leave your tensions behind, and enjoy the fascinating Kingdom of Thailand!

Jaipur-a trove for shoppers

Jaipur is a city of royals. People who love ancient heritage and royal stories visit this charming city to explore it in a better way. Every monument, every street hither make you go back to the time where famous Kings use to rule the city. Its rich culture, traditions, and art have not only impressed the visitors from India but travel freaks from round the globe. People who come here take back their memories and good time spent in Jaipur by shopping local artifacts, clothes and precious jewelry. With so much to see and do, the city stays crowded throughout the year with travelers who take cheap flights to Jaipur to descend hither. If you really want to buy unique Rajasthani things, then shopping at malls is a big NO. The local glittery markets in Jaipur give variety of choices for shopaholics to satisfy their habituation of shopping. Main markets of the city are- Indira bazaar, Bapu bazaar, Johari bazaar, Choti Chopad, Badi Chopar, Tripolia Bazaar, Kishanpole Bazaar, Chaura Rasta and many more. Shopping in Jaipur lets you buy ethnic royal sarees and bandhani dupattas, which you cannot find anywhere else in the world.

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Jewelry and Gems

Jaipur is popular for its dainty style jewelry. If you love being in fashion and are looking for jewelry which never goes out of trend then this city can serve to your need in the most stylish way. Ornaments with precious gems when are assembled with Rajasthani design gives an antique design which stays in style. Different types of jewelry for which you can bid your money in Jaipur are- Thewa Jewelry, Meenakari Jewelry, and Kundan Jewelry. To explore the jewelry souks, you can undergo the streets of Johari Bazaar, Tripolia Bazar, M.I Road, Maniharon ka Rasta, and Haldion Ka Rasta.

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Fabric and Carpets

When one speaks about artistically threaded carpets and fabrics, the only Indian city that strikes the mind of global tourists is Jaipur. With its best traditional designs and colorful fabrics, this ancient metropolis offers numerous choices of carpets to buy from. Choose from wide variety of Persian print rugs or Namdas carpets, Jajam or dhurries, and enhance the beauty of your house to a large extent.  These carpets are available in various materials, sizes and styles, thus shop one as per your room interior and size. With numerous carpet centers, Kishanpol bazaar, M.I. Road, Bapu Bazaar and Nehru Bazaar can make you spend some extra money from your wallet.

Handicrafts

Jaipur is a hub of beautifully made handicrafts. Creations like metal-works, blue pottery, woodworks, stone carvings etc. leave the visitors of the city mesmerized by its beauty and designs. A pure display of Indian art can be seen on these artifacts which are unique, stylish and imperial.

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Camel Leather Items

Jaipur’s famous camel leather items can serve as a classy gift idea. Its enduringness and sturdiness is the main reason why locals and visitors don’t miss out their chance of buying products made out of using camel leather. Since the time when Kings and Queens use to rule the land of Rajasthan, this fashion of wearing camel leather items is common. Shoes, toys, wallets and bags, anything you want is available in the markets hither. So on your visit to this city beautiful don’t miss out your chance to shop from ‘Bapu Bazar’ which is renowned for leather artifacts.