Mahindra Adventure Season 2 kicks off in June

The eagerly anticipated second edition of Mahindra Adventure will take place in June 2012

India’s leading SUV manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra’s second season of Mahindra Adventure will be held in June. This series that showcases the off-roading potential of Mahindra vehicles includes categories like Great Escape, challenges, Monastery Escape, Royal New Year Escape, besides three new adventures, viz, the 14-day Tri-Nation Escape that traverses Bhutan, India and Nepal, and the six-day Authentic Goa Escape and Wildlife Escape. Primarily designed for Mahindra vehicle owners, those who do not own one can also participate by paying a nominal fee.

The Great Escape participants can participate in an ‘Off-Roading Trophy’ later in the year.

“After the successful run of Mahindra Adventure Season 1, we are all geared to unveil the new season that promises even more thrills for the adventure seeker. The ‘Off-roading Trophy’ and international events make season 2 even more exciting and will go a long way in showcasing the tough and rugged capability of our range of vehicles,” said Vivek Nayer, Vice President, Marketing, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

Mahindra Adventure has also featured in the motorsport arena. After roping in drivers Gaurav Gill and Lohitt Urs, it has also got 2012 Dakshin Dare Rally winner Sunny Sidhu on board. The team will compete in India’s most popular motorsport events including Mughal Rally, Raid de Himalaya and Desert Storm.

The company also unveiled ‘Get Lost’, India’s first online adventure magazine.

Month	Event	Zone	Date
July	Monsoon Challenge	South to West	July 19 – July 22
July – August	Monastery Escape Classic	North	July 26 – August 5
September	Spice Challenge Trination Challenge	South North to East	Sept 7 – Sept 9 Sept 15 – Sept 29
November	Wild Escape	Central	Nov 16 – Nov 21
December – January	Royal Escape Classic	North	Dec 27 – Jan 1

Great Escape Calendar

Month	Location	Zone	Date
June	Kottayam – GE 90	South	June 23
July	Mumbai – GE 91	West	July 7
August	Goa – GE 92 Chandigarh – GE 93 Saklespur – GE 94	West North South	August 11 August 18 August 25
October	Kohima – GE 95	East	October 20
November	Jaipur – GE 96	North	November 24
December	Off Road Championship	Mumbai	December 7 to December 9
January	Kolkatta Challenge – GE 97 Hyderabad Challenge – GE 98	East South	January 13 January 20
February	Coimbatore Challenge – GE 99	South	February 3

Source: http://www.mahindraadventure.com/

 

Trans Himalayan Jeep Expedition – 16th June 2012 Join Us

Ladakh a barren, virtually rainless area is the most remote region of India. The defiance of its barren landscape, unique flora and fauna, birds, culture, clear blue skies and clean air has much more to offer than just a good holiday. Ladakh is also known as “The Moonland” and romantically as “the last Shangri La” where as Ladakh in Tibetan language means “The Land of Passes”.

Maitreyin Budha

Ladakh is surrounded by world’s biggest mountain ranges, the Himalayan range and the Karakoram. These lay crossways two others Zanskar and Ladakh range. The main watercourse of Ladakh is Indus which penetrates India from Tibet at Demchok. The highest altitude you will find here is 7637 m. At this height, the air is thin and the heat of the sun is intensely felt. That is why it is said Ladakh is the only place on earth where you can get sunburn as well as frostbite at the same time.

Ladakh has a distinct alpine, floral and faunal variety. Several flowering plants, a dozen important mammals and over a hundred species of birds are found here in this rugged terrain. You are likely to spot marmots, mouse hares, stone martens, red foxes, wolves, ibex, bharal, chiru (Tibetan antelope famous for Shahtoosh), goa (Tibetan gazelle), lynx, pallas cat, kyamg and shapu.

 The avid bird watcher can spend fruitful hours by observing Bactrian magpies, grey tits, chough, raven, sparrow, kite, kestrel, Turkoman rock pigeon, chukor, finches, buntings, larks, desert wheat eaters, a many more varieties of birds. Black necked crane, bar-headed geese, ducks and several other water birds breed near the lakes in thousands. The highest realm belongs to the birds of prey and carrion eaters. These include choughs, griffon vultures, ravens and lammergeiers (bearded vultures).

During the safari we cross through two famous high altitude passes i.e. Baralacha and Tag Lang La, which is also the second highest motorable road in the world. Crossing through various tiny villages and monasteries we stop at a few and explore. We visit the famous Tsokar lake which is also known as the “White Lake” because of the salt deposited around it. The local nomads collect this salt and sell it in Ladakh and Kashmir.

What’s Included :-

• Accommodation in Ladakhi Family guest houses and tented or camping during stay in Nubra or PangongTso.
• Meals during the Safari (Only Veg).
• Permits.
• First aid medical kits .
• Qualified and experienced trek leader, Guide and support staff during trekking
• Transport

Day 1 Manali to Sarchu

Rohtang Pass

Today we start our journey to Leh stopping at Sarchu for a night. We cross Rohtang Pass (3978 m), Keylong (3350 m), Baralacha Pass (4890m) with overnight stopover at Sarchu (4253 m), border of the states of Himachal Pradesh (Lahaul) and Jammu & Kashmir (Ladakh). Photography workshop “Stop Shooting Auto” on basics of photography and how to do photography in high altitude areas. Upon arrival in Sarchu we will set up our camp for overnight stay.

Days 2 Sarchu to Leh

Car in a Situation

Leave for Leh by early morning, through Nakeela and Lachangla Pass 16,617 ft. Lunch at Pang. After Lunch drive to Leh passing through Skyangchu Thang (Biggest and Highest Plateau on Earth on Stretch of 42 Kms), Tanglang La Pass 17,585ft and Indus Valley. Upon arrival in leh you will be greeted by our CEOs (chief Experience Officers) meet our representative and check in at our Hotel.

Day 3 Leh to Pangong Lake

Majestic view of Pangong Lake

After an early breakfast we leave for Pangong Lake through Changla pass 5486 Mtrs. Pangong Lake, situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 m). A long narrow basin of inland drainage, hardly six to seven kilometer at its widest point and over 130km long, it is bisected by the international border between India and China. Enjoy the landscape in the back drop of the Lake. Evening at leisure and overnight stay on the shore of Lake.

Day 4 Pangong Lake to Leh

Morning at leisure to explore the beauty of lake and later we drive back to leh enroute visiting Hemis Gompa, the largest monastic foundation of Drukpa Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism, Thiksey an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village, Shey Palace, The ancient capital of Ladakh & Stok Palace Museum. Drive further to Leh and check in at our hotel for Overnight.

Days 5 Drive to Nubra Valley

Khardung La and Nubra valley

After an early breakfast we drive to Nubra Valley leads through Khardungla- Pass (the highest motorable road in the world) at 18,390 ft, around 39kms from Leh. Nubra Valley is popularly known as Ldorma or the valley of flowers. It is situated to the North of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. Arrive Sumur or Hunder by afternoon and rest of the day at leisure to explore beautiful village of Sumur & Hunder with a Visit to Diskit Monastery. Overnight stay at Camp.

Day 6 Nubra Valley – Leh

After your breakfast at the camp, visit the Sand Dunes to enjoy a camel safari. Later we drive to Leh over Khardung La. Afternoon rest and relax or take a walk to the local market. Overnight at hotel..

Day 7 Leh

Post breakfast we drive towards Kargil road and start our sightseeing with Hall of Fame near Leh is worth a visit for every citizen. It is a glorious museum constructed by Indian army, Kali Mata Temple, Gurudwara Patthar Sahib Nestled deep in the Himalayas, which was built by the Lamas of Leh in 1517 to commemorate the visit of Guru Nanak Dev. A drive of another 4 km took us to Magnetic Hill which defies the law of gravity. It has been noticed that when a vehicle is parked on neutral gear on this metallic road the vehicle slides up & further Driving through a picturesque landscape we reached the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar River 4 km before Nimmu village. And Visit to Basgo a certainly the most impressive of Ladakhi citadels despite its ruined state. After visiting above places we drive back to Hotel for Overnight Stay.

Day 8 Leh Depart Leh

Transfer to domestic airport to catch the flight for your onward destination, safari concludes.

 

Top 5 Mountain of Indian Himalayas

The arc-shaped Himalayas extend along the entire northern boundary of India from the state of Jammu & Kashmir in west to Arunachal Pradesh in east. The term “Himalaya” from Sanskrit meaning the “The Abode of Snow”. For centuries Indians have been fascinated by these mountains for pilgrimage in early days now for trekking and other adventure sports (fast picking up in India).

The Indian Himalayas cover a vast area along the northern frontiers of the country and span five Indian States — Jammu and Kashmir , Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh — from west to east. The true divisions of the Indian Himalayas are based on the mountain ranges rather than the state boundaries. From west to east, the Indian Himalayas can be divided into

• Kashmir (Jammu & Kashmir)
• Ladakh  (Jammu & Kashmir)
• Zanskar  (Jammu & Kashmir)
• Lahaul and Spiti (HP)
• Chamba (HP)
• Kinnaur (HP)
• Kumaon (Uttarakhand)
• Garhwal (Uttarakhand)
• Sikkim (Sikkim)
• Arunachal (Arunachal Pradesh)

Top 5 Mountain of Indian Himalayas

Khangchendzonga / Kanchenjunga

Kanchenjunga gets its name from the the Bhutia and Tibetan languages which means “The Five Treasures of Snows” as it contains five peaks. Kanchenjunga is the third highest peak in the world and 1st in India. Kanchenjunga stands tall with an elevation of 8,586 meters (28,169 ft). Goechala Trek and Dzongri Trek are famous trek from where one can have majestic views of this mighty mountain.

Kanchenjunga India

 

Nanda Devi (25663 ft, 7824 m)

Nanda devi is the second highest mountain peak in India. This is the highest peak (entirely) in the country, as Kanchenjunga lies on the border areas of India and Nepal. It was the highest known mountain in the world until 1808 when western surveyors discovered Dhaulagiri. The mountain stands tall at an elevation of 7824 meters (25663 ft). The Nanda devi peak is the part of Garhwal Himalayas and lies in the state of Uttrakhand. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is home to many famous treks like Roopkund Trek, Kuari Pass Trek, Valley of Flowers Trek, Har etc

Climbing is not allowed on Nanda Devi as it is declared as holy peak. During my discussion with Mr. Kushang Sherpa (Climbed Everest from all side including Kangshung face and other 8 thousanders) he said that Nanda Devi is the toughest to climb.

Nanda Devi

 

Kamet (25446 ft, 7756 m)

Kamet is the second highest mountain peak in Garhwal Himalayas. It lies in the Chamboli District of Uttrakhand. It is the third highest peak in India (according to India however, the rank is much lower as it includes in its list of mountains all those in Pakistan occupied Kashmir).

Mt. Kamet

Saser Kangri (25172 ft, 7672 m) 

Mt. Saser Kangri

Saser Kangri (or Sasir Kangri) is the highest peak in the Saser Muztagh, the easternmost sub-range of the Karakoram range in India. This massif lies toward the northwestern end of the Saser Muztagh, at the head of the North Shukpa Kunchang Glacier, a major glacier which drains the eastern slopes of the group.

Mana (23860 ft, 7273 m)

Northeast of Badrinath is another impressive cluster of mountain peaks. The mountains rise almost on the Indo-Tibetan border with Mana and Kamet as the principal peaks. Mana itself marks the eastern extremity of the Zanskar range. It lies between the pass of the same name and the Niti Pass.

Mana Peak

 

Gulmarg to host India’s 1st Music, Adventure Festival

Indian, local artists to highlight art, culture in the 4-day, 3-nights event from March 9

Sajad Kralyari
Amid snow capped mountains and silvery pine trees, Kashmir Valley will host India’s first ever Music and Adventure Winter Festival at the world’s famous ski resort Gulmarg.

 The music will flow from the tuneful voices from the wide spectrum of Indian artists including the local Kashmiri new breed of bands while traditional artists will entertain the audience with folklore, chakri, Rouf, ladishah and sufiana kalam using traditional musical instruments.

India’s leading rock bands, reggae artists, jazz & blues bands, will bring warmth to the sub zero temperature on the white carpet at 10000 feet high snow carpet with music fusion.
The festival will begin with business conference on March 8 which will be followed by other events including film festival, extreme adventure sports, arts and culture. The 4-days and 3-nights festival will be organized by a Noida based travel company Synapses Adventures which has already witnessed a great response for the events from the tourists from different parts of India.
“The event is aimed to bring new experience to locals and showcase local ethnic culture and lifestyle. The event will also be great boost to highlight music, adventure of this place to outside world besides promoting Gulmarg as the best winter destination,” said the organizer Aditya Shinde of Synapses Adventures.

Business Conference:
“In the business exhibition, the distributors and retailers from outside the state will showcase the adventure gear. The exhibition will also be attended by local tourism fraternity including the people associated with travel and trade and the community from social media to promote business and create networking opportunities,” said Aditya.
The exhibition will primarily boost the sports industry around the country and Kashmir region.

Music @ Gulmarg Winter Festival
The event will enliven the snow bowl with, mix of classical, sufi, jazz, fusion, rock performances by renowned artists.
“Besides artists from outside the state, the local music bands and artists will also perform. They will highlight local music. Locals will perform folklore, chakri, rouf, ladishah and sufiana kalam. This will also be a biggest platform for the upcoming talents of the country and also locals.”
“The event also offers opportunities for local artists, musicians to be showcased amongst some of India’s leading artists. Local talent can also interact with the upcoming generation of artists, musicians.”

Film Festival
Synapses Adventures will showcase eight short films on subject like music, adventure, culture and environment from the best in new cinema and creative films.
“The films will also be a chance to promote Gulmarg as a winter sports destination.”

Kashmir Art and Culture
Kashmiri’s mouth-watering traditional cuisine -Wazwan- will also be the main highlight of the festival. The tourists will get to taste Wazwan and also local popular beverage Kawah which will be showcased by locals.
‘Wazwan and Kahwa are the pride of Kashmiri and its identity. The tourists will be enjoying best of the most authentic and delicious delicacies during the event.”
The locals will also be highlighting their handicraft including carpets, shawls, paper machie.
“The local will also show their skills to crave out master pieces of Kashmiri art and craft. This will be opportunity for them to promote the traditional trade.”

Gulmarg Winter Sports
Synapses Adventures will also organize adventure sports competitions in skiing, snowboarding through competitions and exhibitions.
“There will be no other place than Gulmarg to host competitions in skiing and snowboarding which has world’s highest Gondola,” said Aditya.
The organizers have roped in the local skiers especially from Tangmarg who earn their livelihood as adventure sports guides and trainers during winter months in Gulmarg.
“The competition will be open for local and India skiers. The adventure sports competition will promote Gulmarg as the winter sports destination besides promoting tourism.”
The organizers will first hold preliminary rounds on Gulmarg slopes and the shortlisted skiers will be taken to Mary Shoulder on ski-lifts for final competition.

Green Event
“This will be a zero plastic event. We will encourage visitors and guests to use their own bottles instead of buying plastic bottled water,” said Aditya.
The organizer will be using renewable sources of energy, using minimum power (bio fuel) for lights.
The festivals will begin from 11am to 5pm which will feature culture and food fiesta, flea bazaar, photography workshop, music, adventure and recreational activities while as from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm will feature one hour movie screening as part of the Soul Film Festival.

 

Markha Valley

Attractions of Markha Valley

The trekking routes
The place is a hot destination for trekkers, while the mighty valleys and passes are also covered in the itinerary of these trekkers. Starting from Zhingchan Valley, moving on to many villages and to the mountain pass of Kanda La, the trip will be an exciting trek. Many other major sites like Nyimaling Plains, Gongmaru La, form the major tourist destinations in these valleys. While roaming around on an adventurous trek here, you will come across many Tibetan monasteries, every now and then.

The Villages
A trip to Markha valley is incomplete, if you do not cross the various small but authentic villages of the area. A throng of villages are here, where you can also enjoy the cultural ethnicity of the people. The trip will cover villages like, Zhingchan Village, Rumbak Village, Yurutse Village, Shngo Village, Skyu Yokma, Skyu Gongma Villages, three villages situated close by, which are Nakdi, Sara and Chalak villages, and many other pleasant villages. Also interact with the local people here, and witness their hospitality.

The Campsites
The valley, being a major tourist trek route, provides various areas for campsites, where amazing locations and convenient accessibility can be seen. These campsites are nice places to relax with clear and amazing views to enjoy as well. While on a trek in Markha, you will come across many campsites, like Lartsa campsite near Rumbak, Pentse campsite, then Lhatho campsite and Da amo campsite. Some other good camp areas are Tsigu and Nyimaling. Enjoy the serenity of these sites and adventure of the trek on a Markha trip.

Adventurous Activities in Markha Valley

An adventure trip to the Markha valley, will lead you from many mountain ranges, plateaus, exciting passes, rivers, tributaries and settlements, and you can have a time of your life in these places. Trekking through these wild and wacky places, meeting the tribal nomads in their villages, exploring an unexplored wilderness, would be some ideal things to do in Markha.

Also make sure to visit the Tibetan monasteries here, where butter lamps are lit by the elderly nuns, giving an aura of a unique culture. You get to have a rafting and camping experience also near the Markha river.

Also try these:
In Markha valley, an adventure trip not only includes fun and thrill, but you can also try the Kashmiri, Tibetan Cuisine, handicrafts and cultural authenticity. The people, show you such a unique style of living and eating, that it becomes interesting on an Indian trip to explore these. You must also shop for their local outfits, antique jewelery and crafts from the village markets, and keep something for memories.

So enjoy this top adventure spot in India, and get surprised with the marvelous and adventurous places.

Ladakh Photos: Renok Adventures 

Source:http://www.indiatravelportal.com