My Reasons To Travel In & Across Himalayas – Ultimate Inspiration!!

I love to experience Himalaya because it is there. Simple.

Whenever I think about Himalaya, I feel so proud of my existence as human being for I can see the grandest wonder of nature and further, I feel so fortunate to be living in Delhi for it takes only few hours to enter Himalaya’s fiefdom. Though, The Himalayan mountain system extends some 2,500 km from east to west and covers about 595,000 sq km but for me Himalayan fiefdom starts as soon as I enter Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand or Kashmir which is mainly western part of Himalaya. Alas, I am yet to explore eastern part of Himalaya.

My tryst with Himalaya started in 2004 when we went to Vaishno Devi and midnight breeze was so soul elevating that I knew that my connection had established with Himalaya. In 2007, I went all the way to Gangotri on a college trip and it sealed my desired destiny with Himalaya.

However, I had to wait for 5 more years to transform my desires into reality when I found myself in Kashmir for good 10 days celebrating my post wedding days in 2012. It was all snow laden oozing the purest form of beauty in all directions and I was completely sold to its unchained existence. As a couple, we were sure that we would have to explore it and live it for all our lives. After so many trips to Himalayas, we proudly say that we are smitten by Himalaya.

Since then, Himalaya keeps calling me. Every now and then I feel an itch in my feet which pushes me into the lap of Himalaya. I believe, now, this is eternal and I am elated that it is eternal. I keep going to Himalaya first because it is there and second because it is there and third because it gives me so many reasons to celebrate life. Every time I see this crowing beauty of planet earth, it’s love at first sight coz every time it presents a fresh perspective which is adventurously spiritual & excitingly mysterious.

Every turn and every road gives fresh perspective to life and refreshes zeal to live full throttle. When I breathe amid the beauty of Himalaya I truly feel that I am alive.  I am forever grateful that I discovered the Himalaya and now it’s a lifelong passion.

Himalaya is an exact epitome of Inspiration. Every bit of Himalaya oozes inspiration to live a grand life. Driving on curvaceous roads & passing through lovely woods and verdant valleys give me real adrenaline kick. Every feet of climb is a test of endurance that encourages me to challenge my limits. I, truly, feel refreshingly alive and kicking whenever I see those clouds clinging on rhododendron trees. The entire aura around Himalaya accentuates when I see those Monasteries, the monks prayer flags and prayer wheels. This aura becomes heavenly pristine during Golden Hours when sacred hues of golden rays envelops the landscape.

Amidst high altitude passes, water crossing and deep gorges, helping hand of locals and travellers make me feel humbled. Every moment that I spent in the lap of Himalayas is worth a story of thousands of words.

Let me share some of my finest moments from Himalayan world which now have become my reasons to keep traveling back to Himalayas. They are my moments of truth and also source of my eternal motivation to live Himalaya my way.

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My reason to travel Himalaya – Snow laden Kashmir in Winters

In 2012, right after wedding, I went to Kashmir in February and what i experienced was breathtakingly unparalleled. Never before, i had seen this kind of snow which made every scene in every direction so much serene and pacifying. Memory of every moment that i spent amidst snow and only snow inspires me daily to make another trip to Himalayas.

Some more Pictures from Kashmir trip to inspire your wander lust.

Read more on world’s best winter destinations.

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My reason to travel Himalaya – Curvaceous Road To Kinnaur Valley

I am sure for every road tripper, Robert Frost’s immortal words – I took the one road less traveled by And that has made all the difference – are like the real testaments. And, when I drive across Himalayas, every road looks like a road less traveled for it takes me to another wonderland. During my first real Himalayan Road trip to Kinnaur Valley, after Sarahan, every turn made me to stop and watch the beauty. My wife and I acted like children in the lap of divine nature and were motivated with our accomplishment all the way to Chhitkul.

Road to Kinnaur was the real turning point for me as only after this trip, I started my Travel Blog. Few more photographs from this trip –  A Trip to Remember Forever.

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My reason to travel Himalaya

Solitude redefined – Standing at the edge

A man needs solitude and I find mine at the top of the world.  Whenever, i get an opportunity, I make sure to stand or sit at the edge and feel the world. This solitude gives real solace and make me one with the Himalayas. Standing at the edge makes me feel humbled and the chilling breeze reminds me of fleeting nature of our time bound life. Every trip to Himalaya, gives me a realistic picture of my life and pushes me to celebrate life everyday.

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My reason to travel Himalaya

Living the passion – Self Drive to Spiti Valley

Oddity of Himalayan terrain is the ultimate test of endurance for anyone who is passionate about driving. My tryst with driving started on a summer morning when my father pushed me to wake and made me to learn the art of driving. It is more than 20 years since then, however, i could live my passion only after embarking on self drive road trips to Himalayas. Self-drive road trip to Spiti Valley is my ultimate accomplishment and after that i have become fearless and celebrate every moment  of life on road. It not only gave me opportunity to stretch beyond my limits but also made me a better driver for it taught me to value life on road.

For more inspiration, let me share some of the most endearing photographs of my Himalayan Road Trips.

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My reason to travel Himalaya 

Golden Hour with Panchachuli Range in Munsiyari

In soulful Himalayan set up, every ray of sun is a light of enlightenment and there is no better time than golden hours to capture nature in its divine glory. Anywhere in Himalaya, every golden hour in morning or evening is a visual treat for eyes. Capturing the colorful extravaganza of Panchachuli Ranges in Munsiyari left indelible impression in my mind and since than I always make a point to capture some part of Himalaya during golden hours. I leave in the midnight hours from Delhi to witness first ray of sun kissing some Himalayan range. Further, my everyday in Himalaya starts early with holding my camera  to capture divine wonders of nature and so the day ends bidding good bye to sun in the evening.

Some of my golden hour captures of heavenly abode called Himalaya,

Click here to read in detail on my road trip to Munsiyari.

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My reason to travel Himalaya

A Trophy Moment – Standing Next to The Goosebumps Raising Signboards

It was a real “Been There & Done That” kind of accomplishment for my adventure thirsty soul. I have heard so much about this road that mere thought of driving on this was gave goosebumps to me and standing next to this signboard took me closer to the state of self actualization. This elated trophy moment made me more determined to conquer more milestone and thus I find myself again and again driving on some Himalayan road.

My some other Trophy Moments from Himalaya are tryst with crossing Kunzum La, crossing 10800 feet high Jalori Jot (Pass), getting the fuel filled at the highest petrol pump of the world, road trip to highest inhabited village Komic, reaching Rohtang after completing Spiti Circuit and many more. Each of these moment satiated my adventure seeking soul and also infuses fresh blood to achieve more on Himalayan roads.

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My reason to travel Himalaya

On Spiti River – A walk to remember

On a trip to Trans-Himaayan region, Spiti River is the only constant companion after Khab where it merges into Satluj. For travel enthusiasts, Spiti’s conspicuous presence is too motivating. For road trippers, it has a cult image and for me, to walk on the river bed of Spiti is a spiritual achievement. When i saw the shallow bed of this pebbled river near Dhankar Monastery, it was impossible for me to show any self constraint as the pristine turquoise colored water too captivating to give it a miss.

Experienced like this can only be experienced in the fiefdom of Himalaya and these aspects make Himalaya a sacred abode of Gods and augment its mythical and mystical value for each of us. People who travel to experience other worldly wonders, have only one option to submit the Himalaya.

Click here to read on my Road Trip to Spiti.

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My reason to travel Himalaya 

Jugalbandi of Colors – Chandratal Lake & Rising Sun

Jugalbandi is an Indian Musical art form where two musician of different style creates a captivating fusion of music to enthrall the audience and in doing so, they retain their distinct style too. At the Chandratal lake in Himachal Pradesh, I witnessed a riot of colors when rising Sun started to cast its rays on the lake. The Lake and The Sun were in complete sync and playfully showcased their Jugalbandi of colors by creating enchanting reflections on crystal blue water. Every moment, changing reflections in the lake presented a psychedelic vista which was strong enough to impose a state of trans on anyone’s mind and soul.

See for yourself.

Himalayan Region has many such breathtakingly beautiful lakes that ooze melange of colors every day of the year such as legendary Mansarovar Lake, most photographed Pangong Lake, Tso Mori, Dal Lake, Sukhna Lake, Nainital, Gangabal lake etc.

Click here for a detailed blog-post on Chandratal Lake.

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For me, Himalaya is the paradise and rest everything is called earth. In Himalaya, every day is a profound experience that creates life long memories and truly takes me closer to my self – Sheer ecstasy to sum it all.

May Himalaya be my lifelong passion!

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If you feel motivated, please share this blog post with your loved ones so that they can break the mundane cycle of everyday life and explore the world.

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Related blog posts:

Road Trip In Spiti Valley: Divine Drive From Kaza to Komic

Road Trip Across Uttaranchal: Munsiyari and Stunning Panchachuli Ranges

My Tryst With Kunzum Pass: Road trip From Kaza To Kunzum Top

Quick View: Self Drive Road Trip to Spiti Valley, Himachal, India

Road Trip to Chhitkul in Kinnaur Valley: The Last Inhabited Village on Indo-Tibet Border

Self Drive Road Trip On Unexplored Road From Dharchula To Munsiyari Via Jauljibi In Uttaranchal, India

Quick View: Self Drive Road Trip to Naggar in Kullu Valley near Manali

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Please click on share and motivate others. In comments do mention your reason to visit Himalaya as I also need some more motivation 🙂

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