The Circuit of Manaslu – Taking It to the Limit
My spirit and strength had been taxed to its limit by the rigours of this difficult trek around Manaslu.
Druk Path Trek – Walking in the Footsteps of the Thunder Dragon
The Pilgrims in search of high adventure - Shuchi, Praveen, Ashwin, Ranjan and Saroj "We are the Pilgrims, master; we shall go Always a little further: it may be Beyond the last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea" ~ James Elroy Flecker Bhutan, the tiny Himalayan kingdom tucked away…
Rafting the Yangtze
One of my particular passions is whitewater rafting. I’ve done plenty of the usual weekend jaunts to Rishikesh but I was hooked when I went on my first major expedition on the Siang (the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh). This was the first “open” descent of a magnificent river with some huge Class IV+ rapids and…
The Circuit of Manaslu – Expect the Unexpected
When trekking—whether in the Himalayas or elsewhere—always expect the unexpected. The truth of this maxim has been evident on every trek I have undertaken. Circumnavigating the towering Manaslu in central Nepal proved to be no different, but that’s not how it started out. That very first morning, as our group moved out of the road…
48 Hours in Chefchaouen – The Blue City of Morocco
Off the beaten track, this unusual blue mountain town has a captivating Moroccan charm. Visitors to Morocco can find a cool, relaxing reprieve from the busy medinas of Fez and Marrakesh in the beautiful mountain town of Chefchaouen. Located just a few hours by bus from Tangier and far enough off the beaten track…
Travelling on Turkey Time
On a recent visit to Turkey, Ranjan Pal discovers an unexplored wine culture in the midst of the country’s numerous attractions. My discovery of Turkish wines happened purely by accident. I was planning a trip to Turkey to visit my cousin in Ankara and she forwarded me a mail from a woman called Tatjana Vetter-Blanckenstein…
48 Hours in Cannes – Playground on the Riviera
Cannes Film Festival is exactly the time when a casual visitor should not go to the city.