Raj Srivastava

Do you want to join Trek Sandakfu to Uttarey 6 days -26th Dec09-5th Jan10

2009-11-16T04:20:00.000-08:00

Hi you all adventure seeking guys and gals trekkers,
Currently I am working on the exciting adventure and trekking trip in North East India. I am organizing these treks along with my friends and adventure club for 12 years. Current Trek plan covers exciting locations very near to Mt. Kanchendzonga with 360 deg view, along with view of Mt. Makalu, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Everest, Dhaulagiri range. As of now in the team for this year, it is me , my wife, my three colleagues from Microsoft, one along with his wife, one more friend total 7. I think we can have 3-4 more people in team to join us on this trip. Looking for 4 more members to make it richer.
Over all you need 10days (26th Dec2009 - 5th Jan2010) Let me know if you are interested, please write on the email id given below, i would love to share more details on cost and other details.
Location: This entire stretch of the trek borders between India (West Bengal, Sikkim) and Nepal
Trek route daywise
Day-1- Calcutta sightseeing during the day, catch the train in Night for NJP
Day-2- Reach NJP (8.45am), have breakfast and take Jeep from NJP to Ghoom to Sukiapokhri & reach Manebhanjan
Day-3- Maneybhanjan (2134m) to Meghma (2670m) to Jaubari (2750m)
Day-4- Jaubari(2750m) to Giribash to KalaPokhari (2950m) to Bhikey Bhanjan (3350m) to Sandakfu (3636m
Day-5- Stay in Sandakfu for acclimatization
Day-6- Sandakfu (3636m) to Phalut (3600m) via Sabarkum
Day-7- Phalut (3600m) to Kalizar Sabnam valley -Shinglila Pass - Overnight stay in Kalizar in tent , nature camping
Day-8- Kalizar to Achelley Dara-through Phoktey Dara, Thulodhad and Hageypani, stay in Achelle Dara in tent
Day-9- Achelley Dara to Uttarey Valley - pass through Thunki & Sherpa Villege. Overnight stay at Uttarey.
Day-10- Half day Stay in Uttarey and Dept to their destination
There would 1 day of sightseeing in Calcutta at the start of our trip, 1 day in transit from NJP to Maneybhanjan, then 6 full days (5-6hrs) of trek + 1 day stay in between for acclimatization in Sandakfu and ending in Uttarey .
Once you confirm, I will take care of arrangements and logistics on food, porter, guide, log hut stay, tents, sleeping bags, mats, utensils, Cal sightseeing etc. We would be crossing two territories. Our trek will start in WB and would end in Sikkim. There permit and other stuff we need to take as we would be along the border of Nepal. I would be working on that once I have fixed participants.
Thanks and Regards
Raj / rajsriv@yahoo.com / Bangalore / 1st Nov 2009

July 2008 Pondicherry

2009-11-15T04:37:00.001-08:00

We needed some outing desperately for at least a day or 2, and then Pondicherry came into our mind, as we heard a lot about the place so we wanted to be there as soon as possible. My husband immediately started surfing net and dialling several nos to travel agencies and hotels and enquired the same from our friend who already been there. One of our friend suggested to contact KPN travels for bus ticket, without loosing single minutes we enquired with them, we were lucky to get onward journey ticket in KPN to Pondicherry (350Kms from Bangalore) but nothing was available for coming back also we couldn’t find a single vacancy. We both decided to still proceed hoping to find one when we reach there. We planned our short trip keeping 2days & 1 night in mind so that we can join office on Monday. We reached Pondicherry around 6:00 AM on Saturday morning.

There is no better way to explore the Pondicherry than one with riding your own vehicle. No Worries! You can rent your favorite two wheeler and travel around the city independently. We immediately decided to hire a two-wheeler and first thing to book hotel for a night. We inquired with locals and found one two wheeler rental shop close to bus stand, we took an auto to reach bike stand. All he needed was ID card, driving license and advance money-Rs-500 to keep for himself in exchange for a vehicle. We took a Kinetic Honda. We headed to the city after filling in sufficient petrol. On the way to city we enquired with lots of hotel for room. When we reach to the famous beach street, we realized that the sea shore and the popular road touching the shore were filled with people at 6:30 AM. So many people – all ages – both male and female were taking a walk along the road enjoying the pure air and natural setting. Some running, some cycling, some performing surya namaskara, some sitting on the sands and doing meditation, some exercising – it was a scene to watch.

After driving couple of more kilometres we finally reached to Sir Aurobindo ashram as expected room was not vacant. The hotel receptionist told us to wait for sometime and come back after 1 hour. As we didn’t want to waste our crucial morning time in waiting there for a room, we took our bike immediately and left towards the beach. After couple of hours we came back to the ashram, we got fresh in waiting room, had our breakfast in Aurobindo ashram. Pondicherry is famous for Aurobindo Ashram. There are lots of foreigners who come here to experience Indian spiritualism at the ashram. We were lucky to get a room. The room was fantastic. On the second floor with a great balcony overlooking the garden and off to views of the promenade and sea. Being higher up, we had the benefit of having fresh breeze. The ashram set, lots of rules that guests have to follow such as no smoking, no alcohol, a 10pm curfew, no music, no TVs, no Room service, silence after 9pm and such. We took some rest for a very short nap (more like a power nap) and suddenly, I realise my husband is not around and I slept for awhile due to tiredness. I immediately called him he was at Sharma travels for our return ticket booking. By the time I got ready. He came after inquiring about nearby good eating joints, had coconut water, walked on the beach side for a while and also booked our returned tickets to Bangalore through Sharma travels.

We both left the ashram after lunch to look around the city, We drove around the whole community and didn’t stop at any specific places from one end to other end. In the south end of the beach road, where the fish market is active – bulk quantities of fishes are being sold to small retailers.

Due to limitation of time we drove to straight to Auroville, a conceptual town about 9KMs from Pondicherry town. We reached Auroville after 1 hour drive; we went to the reception Centre where we were shown a film on Auroville. Auroville is a town conceptualised around the fact of Universal Brother-hood. Everyone in this town is equal, no sorrow, no bonding for a country, not bounded by any borders, rules, no tears, no fears rule over. After the film show, we were asked to collect passes to visit Matrimandir. We walked over a kilometre to visit the place, It was a very peaceful place surrounded by beautiful gardens made of very old and odd trees and gorgeous bright colored flowers. The Matrimandir, which is not a temple but a place for individual silent concentration, is set at the centre of the emerging township which covers an area of 62 acres and is seen as “a symbol of the Divine’s answer to man’s aspiration for perfection". The walking tour to the remarkable monument was very pleasant from inner but very hot outside, the monument was a form of massive golden globe structure that is constructed with a huge auditorium space, with the inner surface of it, lighted by a divine crystal that is the whole of this temple. Unfortunately, it was under renovation and we were not allowed to go inside.

While coming from Auroville, we stopped at nearby restaurant. This was located above the solar kitchen and was a very nice restaurant in Auroville. They have a variety of Italian and French items and also some special Vegan items. The only hitch was that you need to have an Auroville account and only Auroville cards (given for resident Aurovillians and for some guests) is accepted and no cash will be accepted. We drove back to city. On the way back, we stopped in nearby restaurant to have evening snakes. This hotel was really good and they had sceneries on wall which excited us a lot to preserve for lifetime. We reached ashram around 8pm. After bath we walked out from ashram for dinner, we had dinner in nearby restaurant as we have to come back before 10.30pm to ashram.

Next day morning, after a quick breakfast, we started from hotel and been to Aurobindo Ashram. Located on rue de la Marine, it is one of the most well known and wealthiest ashrams in India, with devotees from all over the world coming for spiritual salvation. the main ashram building is where the mortal remains of Aurobindo and the Mother are kept. Their ‘Samadhi’ or mausoleum, which is generally surrounded by supplicating devotees, is in the central courtyard under a frangipani tree and is covered daily with flowers. We sat there for sometime and offered flower to Samadhi’s and prayed for peace of their souls. we got free by 1pm.

We just kept riding into the city, purchased couple of little mud made item from local market had our lunch in Swarna Bhawan.

We drove a little from the Ashram and explored very well known massage centre called “Ayurveda Holistic Healing Centre”. As we wanted to experience the same we booked our time from 4pm onwards to 6pm. In between we had two hours so we came back to our ashram, took some rest and drove back to massage centre, me and my husband both enjoyed the massage, during the course they were singing some Mantra and gave steam to your body to relax. But over all it was not that great as we expected seems.

When we left from centre we took one road which leads us to Srimanakula Vinayakar Temple. This temple is more than 300 years old and is dedicated to Ganesha. It has a golden spire and walls portraying forty different forms of Ganesha. The temple also has a smaller shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan, who is Ganesha’s younger brother. The main attraction at the temple is the temple elephant, ‘Lakshmi’. It takes coins from people and blesses them by placing his trunk on their head. You can even feed the elephant here. It is a hungry little thing, always waiting for food from passersby and sniffing peoples hand as they walk by. The temple has been there even much before the French came to the city. We been to temple and prayed there for sometime. Outside the temple there was small market from where we purchased few things which attracted us a lot.

In the evening, Sunday market was ON and we loved cloth shopping there on street and that's the one the best part which we liked about Pondicherry.

In the late evening, we have to catch the bus so we rush to our hotel, packed our luggage and drove back to return the Kinetic and got our document back. We rushed quickly to bus stand and finally our journey started back to Bangalore and memorising our 2days spent in the company of sea and bike

Feb 2009 London

2009-02-15T05:13:00.000-08:00

Trek to Leh via Lahul-Spiti Jul2006

2008-06-27T03:59:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Finally we were team of 10 trek enthusiast who dared to trek on the high altitude of thin air.
I, Sayak and Tony, we three were from Microsoft and seven of our other team members were from different software company in Bangalore & Delhi.
I build my entire team for this trek through MS- Adventure club and BMC (Bangalore Mountaineering Club). Apart form Tony ( my gym pal) I did not know any one of my team members prior to six months.
Everything was going on the net and emails, right from collecting information about best route for trek in that range, searching and hiring guide, bookings of tickets, hotels, vehicles etc, communication with all team members, till we met just 15 days before the departure. It took me around 5 months to plan everything and prepare a confident team. A team to trek for 8 to 12 hours a day that too in tough cold terrain for 5 days in bad weather and less oxygen, with limited food, water , medicine supply and zero medical or emergency facilities.
We all started as planed on the same route (attached itinerary, trek map), on 27th July and our journey ended on 8th August, for some of us who did not fly back from Leh to Delhi it ended on 10th August.
We completed our trek of 5 days from Batal to Baralacha as plan even with bad weather. It was a true adventure trek, everyday there was new challenging experience.
An unforgettable journey, a memory which will last forever. I am writing a detailed blog, it’s taking bit time; I will share the same once it is complete.
Till the time enjoy all the pictures from the http://picasaweb.google.com/rajsriv99/TrekInLahulSpitiToLehJul06
Free feel to ask for assistance, if you are planning trek in that region.
Thanks and Regards
Raj /rajsriv@yahoo.com

My Singalila Trek in north - Sep2007

2008-06-22T16:39:00.000-07:00

Hi all,
Let me share the pics and some details of my last trek in North east during Sep 2007.
Many of you had chit chat in corridors about it and had asked me for details and pics repeatedly, this Sunday I made sure that I will share it with you all. Better late than never J . So here it is.
It is known as Singalila Trek. This trek was also very interesting for me, as did the same trek route exactly 10 years back, when I was in Calcutta. Now the group was changed, itinerary and other logistic were changed but the beauty of nature and trek remained the same. I found these jungles and mountains standing there, untouched and unspoiled. Preserved in the lap of nature. Apart from when you find, annoying non bio degradable plastic wrapper of Chewing gums, toffees and empty plastics packs of chips and plastic bottles, left here and there by careless trekkers. Anyway it was nice to trek through mountains and jungles with magnificent close view of Kanchenjunga snow peaks range and glimpses of Mt. Everest from some part of it.
You can find map at http://www.summittoseatours.com/sandakfu_map.html
Those who are very much interested in more details , can visit following sites
http://www.trekkinginsikkim.in/darjeeling_singalila_trek.html
http://sikkim-darjeeling.india-tours.net/darjeeling-trekking/the-singalila-trek.h tml
http://www.exploresikkim.com/singalilaridge_sandakphu_phaluttrek.htm
There are many sites which gives you customized view and details about this trek but these above sites are very close to our customised plan and route.
Every year I search kind of similar sites depending on where I want to go. Gather information, make my own customized plan based on information collected from adventure, Gov. , Commercial & professional trekkers site and blogs. Then call , email or co-ordinate and try to find a local guy. Make things final ready for booking. Share the plan on adventure, trekker and travel sites. Answer queries , interact with interested people and select my group members. Go ahead do bookings, and you are ready go :)
Try it , it is great fun, if you have taste of adventure , it is far better the lazy around in luxury resorts.
Our original plan was as follows
North East Trek plan - Sep'07

1. 20-Sep-07 Thursday BLR - CAL Cal sightseeing , catch the training in Night for NJP
2. 21-Sep-07 Friday NJP Reach NJP in the morning, leave for Manibhanjan to Sandakfu, reach Sandakfu in the evening
3. 22-Sep-07 Saturday Sandakfu Stay in Sandakfu
4. 23-Sep-07 Sunday Phalut full day trek - Sandakfu to Phalut - Overnight stay in Phalut trekkers hut
5. 24-Sep-07 Monday Garke full day trek - Phalut to Gorkhey - Overnight stay in Gorkhey trekkers hut
6. 25-Sep-07 Tuesday Sreekhola full day trek - Gorkhey to Sreekhola - Overnight stay in Sreekhola trekkers hut
7. 26-Sep-07 Wednesday Rimbik half day trek - Shreekhola to Rimbhik 6 km, then drive for 3 hours , reach Darjeeling in evening
8. 27-Sep-07 Thursday Darjeeling Darjeeling - Sight seeing full day
9. 28-Sep-07 Friday Darjeeling Darjeeling - Sight seeing half day
10. 29-Sep-07 Saturday Darjeeling Leaving Darjeeling afternoon to NJP , Reach NJP in the evening , catch night train from NJP to Cal
11. 30-Sep-07 Sunday NJP/Cal/Blr Reach Cal morning and catch the flight for Abhi, for the rest of the gang will do sightseeing in Cal
12. 01-Oct-07 Monday BLR Catch the morning flight back to Bangalore

For 23rd Sep we had replaced Phalut with Molley at the last minute on our guide advice. Away from civilization, being cut from your basic requirement such as electricity, phone, radio, tv etc for few days is a different experience. Apart from tough mountain terrain, cold, rain and weather, trek had lots of unexpected events which made our trip more adventurous. Twice jeep failure on two different places, leaving us stranded in jungle for long time. Getting caught in local riots, while return from Darjeeling to NJP. Driver got beaten up badly for taking us in Jeep on so called “No Movement Day” , saving driver was quite an effort, then we were chased again by drunken local mob on the same route, we ran for our life. Took shatter in house, the gentlemen was influential person in the village offered us food , water and shelter for the day. Then in evening we located nearby police station and took police escort to get us safe passage from riot ridden village and drunken mod. We missed the train in NJP on 29th, due to this circus. We could not go to hotel as city was in curfews. Slept on the floor at the railway station in NJP, with mosquitoes inviting their friends, making feast out of you. Lost next day travelling in train which we planned for Calcutta sightseeing.
enjoy the pics at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/rajsriv99/NorthEastTrekSep2007

My favourite one is you ask is Leh. :)
Amazing life time experience of trekking from Batal (3500m) to Baralachhala Pass(4800m), one of the toughest terrain, less oxygen and extreme weather conditions. Worth taking all when you see different colours in mountains, blue water lake that height and beautiful landscape with snow peak at backdrops. You must try once. :)

Raj/Bangalore/India/rajsriv@yahoo.com

Want to join trek in Sikkim Sept 2008?

2008-06-22T16:37:00.000-07:00

Hi All,
I am planning trekking in Sikkim starting 27th Sept 2008. It will be famous trek of Yuksom To Dzongri may be we will add Goecha La not sure, with expected group of around 8 people. End to end it would take 2 week in all. We would need to arrange , tent, sleeping bags, food, utencils to cook, porters, cook, guide, etc. I am working to arrange and book. I starting booking for the trip once I have number group members final with me. I have plane with me let me know if you need details and you are interested on rajsriv@yahoo.com. Something more i would like to share below about last year Sept.I have done trek in North East. It is known as Singalila Trek.

You can find pics on http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/rajsriv99/NorthEastTrekSep2007
This trek was also very interesting for me, as did the same trek route exactly 10 years back, when I was in Calcutta. Now the group was changed, itinerary and other logistic were changed but the beauty of nature and trek remained the same. I found these jungles and mountains standing there, untouched and unspoiled. Preserved in the lap of nature. Apart from when you find, annoying non bio degradable plastic wrapper of Chewing gums, toffees and empty plastics packs of chips and plastic bottles, left here and there by careless trekkers. Anyway it was nice to trek through mountains and jungles with magnificent close view of Kanchenjunga snow peaks range and glimpses of Mt. Everest from some part of it. Write me if you need more details.
Then in 2006 I had gone to Leh that was also amazing trip , have look at the pics at
http://picasaweb.google.com/rajsriv99/TrekInLahulSpitiToLehJul06
let me know if you need more details.

Regards
Raj/Bangalore/India rajsriv@yahoo.com