Sonu Negi

25/06/2023

23/06/2023

18/06/2023

And the earth itself. It smells differently in different places. But its loveliest fragrance is known only when it receives a shower of rain. And then the scent of wet earth rises as though it were giving something beautiful back to the clouds—a blend of all the fragrant things that grow in it.

Roghi Village,

17/06/2023

For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.
Gangotri National Park,

13/06/2023

Chicham, one of the several charming villages in the valley of Spiti valley.

Photo by: Vaibhav Kaul.

11/06/2023

Never miss the evening scenes in the Himalayas.
Raldang peak (5499m), .

01/09/2022

Please share widely.

Shikhar Travels first hired a local guide from Sangla and asked him to arrange some porters for pass. The group was led by a trek leader from Shikar Travels itself. They somehow managed to reach Gundar campsite. The porters were carrying a huge load because the group size was large, and the porters hired were less.

The porters refused to move beyond Gundar and came back to with the local guide from .

Please research exhaustively before picking a trek operator. Ask (and verify) about the trail experience, team size, gear and all. Companies like Shikar not only jeopardize the lives of porters, clients and the entire team; they also endanger the livelihood of people like us as the government authorities don't grant trekking permits in the event of October 2021-like incident in which 12 people died.

This so-called complete destination management company likes to be called as 'the world's best travel company'.

08/02/2022

The long traverse of Lamkhaga
From on 26 May.
Save the date!

24/10/2021

Quoting from an article on high altitude sickness (on Himalayan Club) 'In other words, judgment, not medications, is of primary import when travelling to high altitude'. This is true otherwise. Taking the right decision at the right time is crucial if you are trekking/hiking/climbing the (particularly between October-April period).

Before starting your adventure in unforgiving Himalayan terrains, ensure that:

1. You (and your guide) are carrying quality gear and camping equipments.

2. The guide (and operator) is certified and have enough trekking experience of the route.

3. If you live in the plains, get acclimatized on the day 1 or at the base camp. At high altitudes, the air becomes thin and your body takes time to compensate for the less dense air. At 17k feet (the summit of ), the air is about half denser than it is at the sea level. Less oxygen also debilitates your body's ability to carry normal functions and your brain's ability to take the crucial decisions.

4. Try easy/moderate hikes before climbing 5000+ meters passes.

5. Stay hydrated.

The climate is likely to become more extreme and highly unpredictable in the Himalayas due to . If we don't learn, the disasters will keep happening -- even more frequently.

The government should tight regulations and governing laws must be adhered in giving license to trekking/climbing operators and granting permits.

Picture taken at snowfield of advance base Lamkhaga pass in May 2019.