Hamta Pass ' 09 - Day 1

Hamta Pass........

Day 1 :-
TILGAN....this is the the 1st campsite at about 8200 ft. You start from Prini Base Camp. On the way we had stopped in Prini Village at the Sharvani Mandir. Well actually I could not go with the all the trekkers since I had to wait for a fellow instructor to arrive. She arrived at about 10 am, had breakfast and left at 10.30 am...
Man for the first time I ever felt that I can really trek. We both were taken through a less traveled route. We did this trek in flat 2 Hrs. with just two 5- minute breaks !!!
When we reached the campsite the campers had not yet reached, so we had approximately 1 hr. to rest. So we both figured out what all activities to take after consulting the locals who were with us and then Siddharth finalized it. But frankly speaking the rope walk was on activity that wasn't planned..... but it just happened and man it was fun !!! It was like you were watching a circus...hahahaha!!

By then it was 7. the sun was setting and everybody were thrilled with the idea of a night trek!!
We returned to the campsite and it was almost 11 in the night when we slept. It was a good day in the end.. and Gearing up for the next day's trek to Sara Boggi.....

Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady, Kerala

The Periyar Tiger Reserve, named after the Periyar river, is one of Kerala's prestigious possessions on the High Ranges of the Western Ghats. Falling in the Idukki district of Kerala, this forest Reserve surrounds the Periyar Lake, which was created in 1895 by building a dam across the Periyar river (to divert the water to Tamil Nadu for irrigation). The forests around the lake were declared as Reserved Forests in 1899.

[ Note :- These photos were clicked by me when I had visited Periyar,Thekkady in May,2009]


History of Periyar :-
The Maharaja of Travancore, realising the significance of conservation, appointed Mr. S.C.H. Robinson as the First Game Warden. Based on his recommendations the forests around the lake were turned into a sanctuary in 1934 and christened Nellikkampetty sanctuary. The sanctuary which was a game reserve merged with the Forest Department in 1966. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978 under the Project Tiger scheme. In 1982 the core area of the reserve (350 sq. km.) was notified as National Park. The Reserve covers hills and verdant forests extending over an area of 777 sq. km. The Periyar lake, the nucleus of the sanctuary is about 26 sq. km. in extent. The elevation ranges varies from 900 M to 2019 M.

The forests of Periyar can be divided into four categories. The open grasslands are home to the Elephants, the Bison and herds of deer. The moist deciduous forest is dominated by trees like Terminalia and Teak which shed their leaves seasonally. The semi-evergreen forest occurs along wet stream areas and is often adjacent to the tropical evergreen forest. Lastly, the 'Sholas' or tropical evergreen jungle which is typical of the entire western Ghats in the state, abounds in this Reserve . The varied habitat in the sanctuary supports a number of species of terrestrial, aquatic and arboreal animals. Apart from Elephants, other herbivores in the Reserve are Gaur, Sambar deer, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Nilgiri langur, Bonnet macaque, Lion-tailed macaque etc Tiger, Leopard, Jungle cat, Wild dog, etc are the major carnivores seen in the area. Other important animals are Bear, Porcupine, Jackal, Indian Giant Squirrel, Malabar flying squirrel, Wild boar, small Indian Civet, Mongoose and the Pangoline.

Its a wonderful place to be with lush green hills surrounding when you are out there in the boat(they take tourists in a boat for approx. for 2 hrs. for sightseeing), and as you are going,you can notice the Buddhist Monastery in the middle of the forest!!

Will keep you updating more on this. Avios

Kerala Trip

Hello readers,
Thank you for the response you have been giving.Soon, I will be publishing about a location named Munnar & Thekkadi, Kerala, the place where I recently had been to. It will be available in total 10 part series.

Lak 210409 - The magical marine life.......just got even more magical !!!

Today the campers finished their snorkelling, one group went for scuba diving.
Everyone is now kayak expert now,most of them racing,others providing
kayak taxi service!!!
The weather was at its best today...

In the evening everyone went to the lighthouse,from the top we were
stunned to see the tree cover the island has....
Then we all went to chicken's neck,the southern most point of the
island,listening to malayalee songs..the sunset was great,we had our
group photo near the helipad.
Slowly we proceeded to the laaza snacks centre where everyone had icecream.
Personally, it was a satisfying day,because i was able to get a
"19 minute UNDERWATER VIDEO"!!!
I will put it up once i return to pune.
Cheers...

--
Shailesh S. Joshi

Lak 210409 - The white sandy beach of Kavaratti

Shailesh S. Joshi

AHOY !! All set sail to Lakshadweep...

Today we sail, the name of the ship is "MV KAVARATTI".
All kids are in these 1st class cabin rooms,the ship will sail by 2.00
pm approx.
Everyone's happy,after 3 days of sweating they have finally entered the A/C.
The rooms are air conditioned,have a study table,bunk beds(each bed is
approx. 6*3),chairs,and a lavish toilet(though it is 5*4). We have a
recreation hall where all kids are having fun as i write.
Parents dont worry,for the moment they have forgotten you...

On 25th april,our expected time of arrival on Kavaratti is around noon.
--
Shailesh S. Joshi

23rd April - cochin sightseeing

--
Shailesh S. Joshi

Lak 210409 - 22nd April '09

After a hot day, finally in the evening we felt the first showers...
The campers are enjoying the weather as well as the palm trees along
the rail line...

See you tomorrow..

Rafting on Ganga 8th April 2009

Cheetal Grand 9th april

Rafting on Ganga batch 08th april ' 09

This is my team of instructors, Siddharth, Darpan, Nupur, who took a batch of 57 kids for rafting adventure camp. (I am in the centre,white shirt)

Rafting on Ganga 8th- 15th April '2008'

Rafting on Ganga :-
This is a camp which has never disappointed me.Every year it brings up surprises in the form of adventure providing all the thrills one wouldn't have expected at that particular moment, just sweeping you of the feet........
A must do atleast ....... as many times as you can......
The following pictures were taken by me in Summer '08 :-

The Katta where you sit and watch the mighty.... holy GANGES rush through the valley

The Shivpuri Campsite

Candlelights off.......Its morning 8.00 am.... time for rafting..

Its evening 5.30 pm....

Just lie down on the beach with your eyes open & dream.....

Deo Tibba- 18th - 30th June 2008

The Deo Tibba Base camp, Engineering batch,was one of my memorable experience. The atmosphere during june which i had never experienced(I had always been to manali in May),was a trekker's delight. The lush green mountains, the streams, snow clad mountains playing hide seek with the clouds.......

To be frank...... you need to visit the Himalayas to feel its might.







Feel the clouds.....


















A view from the hotel, the mountains playing hide & seek with the clouds,

Location :- Aleo, Manali.







An island created by the flowing stream at the Rouri- Khouri Campsite(13800 ft)Its 5.30 in the evening!!

Its morning 4.30.......the view of Mighty Himalayas from inside the tent