My minimalist travel essentials.

Hey, guys back again with a new blog. As we are going through a difficult time, it is now clear that we use so many things just because we have them not because it's necessary. I still remember at my first proper long trek to Annapurna base camp, I carried way more things than I needed. So many useless clothes and extra pair of shoes to make the walk more difficult.As time passed and I did other hikes and treks I came to know that the less you carry the more it made sense. Therefore, in this blog, I am gonna list the items which I carry during my travel days that make the travel way lighter and complete.

1. Clothes: just carry a good jacket and a pair of trousers if you are going to a cold place. Layer them on your body above the clothes you already have. Avoid carrying extra clothes.

2 Toiletries: make sure you carry toilet paper, soap, and a toothbrush. Also, don't forget the sunscreen.

3.Electronics: One high range smartphone is more than enough for travellers unless you make professional contents. One should always carry a power bank as there is no electricity in the wilderness and you don't want to run out of battery. Personally, I use my Sony A6500 with sigma 16mm 1.8 for photo and video. I also have an action camera SJ Cam (sj6 legend). As I often travel solo, I also carry a tripod with me to take photos and videos. Planning to buy a drone soon. Also, carry a small torch which may come in handy.

4.Food: Nothing makes you happy when you are walking all exhausted in the wild and you realise you have food with you. So I carry as much food as I can. It all depends on what u love . I carry chips, chocolates and other dry foods.

5.Others: Rain cover if needed.ATM Card.Map if needed.First aid kit. Sunglass is a must. Identity card.Trekking poles and ice crampons.

The bottom line is always to carry less. We often carry more than needed and suffer. Guys dont forget to follow us on our social media.

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Two friends hike to Champadevi Mandir.

overview

easy one day hike

carry light snack

view of the Kathmandu valley along with the mountain ranges around it

 Nov 15,2020. during tihar a day before Bhai tika I and my friend did a day hike to Champa Devi temple.

It's a short hike that can be started from various points but I personally suggest starting just below the bosan dada so that we can enjoy the view as we gain elevation. view of Taudaha lake and the mountain ranges on the distance makes the hike worthy. in the early autumn morning, I and my neighbor friend started walking and I also tried to make a silent vlog which u can find on my youtube channel . It's a fairly easy hike to Champa Devi and it's refreshing as you get away from the crowd and in peace, you can also hear the birds singing. Thankfully the place was not crowded that day and we were enjoying the clear weather and all the mountain ranges were flaunting themselves. On the way, there is no shop so we carried some snacks with us.

After climbing for 2 hours from bosan dada you reach the top of the hill from where you walk along its ridge to the temple.

 we didn't return from the same route but descended down to the other side of the hill which lead us to the puspalal park.

overall it was a day spent well. check out the video and pictures at:

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Short solo hike to Jamacho gumba, Kathmandu.2021

 A short getaway from the crowd .7th Jan 2021.

 Because the weather was clear, I took a leave from the work and hiked up to the jamacho gumba and the hike was definitely worth it. The hike starts from the fulbari gate nearby from balaju bypass. One has an option of a motorbike ride or a hike up to the gumba.since I already rode there I decided to hike .So at around 12 pm in the day, I took my bike and reached to fulbari gate, parked my bike, bought a ticket, and entered the gate. The trail lies inside nagarjun national park so there are certain rules and regulations to follow. and oh the price of the ticket is Rs 100. As soon as u enter the gate and start walking u enter a forest and you can hear many birds and the traffic noise starts fading. 

You will find urself crossing an army checkpoint and as u reach the top you can see the Kathmandu valley below and on a clear day, you can see the Langtang mountain range and other mountain ranges that look amazing. one must exit the gate by 5pm. It's a short one-day hike inside Kathmandu valley and it's really worth it. I choose to go on weekdays as there is no one and I desire that solo hike on my own. 

Upon reaching the top you can find a view tower and the view from there is what the hike is all about. There is also a gumba at the top named jamacho. It takes about 3 hours on average to reach to the top and 1.5 hours to get back. Overall the trip is fun easy and worthy. That's the vlog guys.

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jamacho video

Yala peak summit.(kyangin gompa to yala peak) 2021

 So as soon I thought of writing this blog I figured out that damn time really flies man. It just feels like yesterday but it is already a week and I just remember a line from the 1986 classic film, Ferris  Bueller's Day off-"life moves pretty fast. if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

After a full day of rest and acclimatization at kyangin valley, we were ready for Yala peak high camp for that day. Krish dai(my guide and friend) is a native of the Langtang valley and at around 9 in the morning, we two started the trek towards the upper Langtang. We decided to climb Tsergo Ri and decent directly to Yala high camp rather than going to the other trail which leads to Yala base camp without covering tsergo ri top. Krish dai is really a strong man carrying all those tents, stoves, pots sleeping bags, foods on his backpack at that altitude and that terrain. As we gained elevation, the view made me ebullient. We hiked through the ridge of the hills and as we were nearing the tsergo ri, the wind was so strong that it flew all the snow to us and at top of that we lost the trail and it made the hike very difficult. Upon reaching tesrgo ri top, I had a severe headache as I had never experienced that cold wind. But the view from the top was worth it. 

Ascent to tsergo ri was the most difficult part for that day. There is a meadow between the tesergo ri and Yala peak. At around 2 noon, we reached the high camp which was the destination for the day.I Could see the Yala peak above which was the task for the day after. Krish dai set up the tent and we had our lunch. As the sun was setting, the place became more and more magical. there was not a single would around except for us. The temperature was also falling rapidly and the water source near us froze.

 We made coffee and in the late evening, there was no wind and as the stars were appearing one by one I realized I was where I always wanted to be. the place was so silent that at some time I felt confused. the towering giants were last to face the sun and as I was gazing at the stars, my favorite band pink floyd's shine on you crazy diamond insulted the peace of the place. I got excited. I went a little farther from the camp and gazed at the stars listening to the song and man oh man now as I am writing the blog I just can't stop thinking that very moment. It's difficult to express that moment and as it may sound funny to you guys reading it now but that what made me happy in a long long time.it's simple yet it's everything that I desire for. Few sips of local alcohol and hot noodles soup made the night warm. It was a long and restless night at the high camp and you want to get up and walk as oxygen level is half of that from sea level.

It's 6am in the morning and we are up. After a light breakfast, we started the hike up to the summit of Yala. At around 12 in the day, we reached the summit. the way up to the summit was hard for me. The snow and the thin air made it even harder. The final summit block was dangerous but as soon as u reach the top,u feel like u made it. What a 360-degree view of mountains and mountains. A year-old wish fulfilled. We made it back to kyangin valley in the evening and were so tired that we slept like a baby that night.

     you don't want to miss this short clip-----yala peak final summit video

     check this out too----yala peak climbing short clip

But for me, the journey was still to Kathmandu so at 5am in the morning I started walking alone down to syabrubesi and after walking all morning and day at 4 in the day I reached to syabrubesi. my leg was literally shivering but I had to make it to ktm that day so I took my bike and rode all the way to ktm and reached home at 10pm.

it was a new year's eve. 'What a way to end the year' I thought as I took a hot shower and slept.

that's the blog guys. hope u love it.

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Solo trek to Kyangin Gompa,Langtang valley and Yala Peak Summit 2021

"I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life. To put to rout all that was not life; and not, when I had come to die, discover that I had not lived."

-Henry David Thoreau

Overview

Days required-minimum 4 days and can be managed accordingly


Difficulties-moderate


Best season- March to May and Sep to Nov


Essentials- dry foods, warm and waterproof clothes, trekking pole, power banks

Cost- Rs 13000 or less if spent wisely

Main attractions- Langtang valley, monasteries, option for several day trips from Kangin Gompa, rhododendron forest, other peaks, and cultural diversities.

A proper trek after the lockdown. A week of solo travelling on the Himalayas of Nepal is what I was longing for...

Day 1 (Kathmandu to syabrubesi to bamboo) 4am to 3:30pm

April 8,2021 I woke up at 3 30 am to leave for syabrubesi. the bag was packed a day before so left after a light breakfast and reached syabrubesi at around 9:45 am .rode my motorbike all the way and the ride went smooth. there were 2 checkpoints on the way. there are many hotels at syabru and I chose the Riverview lodge where I ate noodles with egg and left my bike to start the trek at around 11 am.

 everything was going swimmingly but after the first 15 mins in the trek, I lost the way. I choose to go alongside the bank of the river but the trail was through the road above. and when the way from along the bank disappeared I decided to climb the hill directly up to the road instead of returning back which squandered all my energy and enthusiasm for that day. Day one trail is very boring as you just walk alongside the river the whole day. Carrying my heavy backpack I reached to bamboo at 3:30pm and decided to stay there for the night. 

Suman vai who looks very small for 11 years was there at the lodge and he was my friend for that day. It rained the whole night and I slept hoping for a better day tomorrow.

Day 2(Bamboo to Langtang Valley) 6am to 4pm.

woke up at 5:30 am and started walking by 6am after breakfast. the weather was cold and clear. the trail from bamboo is gradually uphill till kyangin gompa. I was recording a video for the vlogs. one should walk from the forest to a bridge which leads to lama hotel. there are white monkeys and so many squirrels and birds along the way as the area lies inside the Langtang national park.at lama hotel, I had a tea and took some rest.

 the view starts getting pretty from here onwards. we can see snowcapped mountains and during spring the rhododendron steals the eye. some birds in the area are so beautiful and unique that they engrossed me for some time. there are waterfalls and so many water sources along the way that u never get out of the water and thirsty. the mules and horses often make u stand on the side so that they can pass the trail. the bells on their neck make pleasant noise and make us aware that they are there. the yaks grazing, the mountain smiling, and the rhododendron blooming make the 2nd day like you were somewhere in heaven.

 the only thing that let u down is ur own heavy backpack and uphill trail but hey that's how life in the Himalayas is.

 you reach the Langtang valley in the late afternoon and you are so tired that you decide to stay there. It felt sad to see the consequence of the earthquake upon reaching the Langtang valley. there is a new settlement just nearby the landslide. As soon as I reached the hotel at Langtang it started snowing. I was alone in the room watching snowing outside. I could see tsergo ri far away above the valley which I had to climb and cross a few days later. I was so tired that day after carrying myself and the backpack that I had a fever that night LOL.had dinner and slept.

Day 3(langtang valley to kyanging gompa) 8am to 10am

kyanging gompa is the last destination for most people.it is also the last settlement in the area. one stops at kyanging gompa and make short trips around peaks in the valley and return back. but my plan was to make it to the Yala peak summit. so for that, I had already talked to a brother at Kyangin gompa to guide and lead me to the Yala peak which at that time I didn't know was going to be one of the greatest experiences in my life. 

So that day I trek around 2 hours to Kyangin gompa from Langtang and rested the whole day for big days ahead. Langtang valley and kyangin gompa are surrounded by hills and mountains from all sides. people there are so good and the brother who took me to Yala peak is now my good friend. I already miss the place as I am writing this now. what a trip man.no phone no nothing for a week.just me enjoying and getting lost in that wonderland. listening to pink Floyd and the dead mouse on the trip and just living the moment will always be missed. 

Incase of people planning a return from kyangin back to ktm,one can start at 5am in morning and reach syabru at the end of the day but its not recommended.

read my next blog for kyangin gompa to Yala peak.

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Longing...

With the evening sun lasting longer and the light drizzle falling every now and then, I can see the spring is near. But today I can't see myself near to where I really want to be. Longing for something very simple things. The reality is making me feel like I am misplaced. I have always felt like I was here for something else and not this. Not something big but something different.

I wonder if I’m in the right place with the right people because everything seems to be too normal and routine. It’s sad sometimes and it overwhelms me.

 I fall in love with being alone with myself. It makes me feel good. I want to get lost for days in nature.  wander alone with music and feel limitless. Gaze the stars without thinking of the role which I have to playback all over again. Riding a motorbike in the rain and sleeping in the tent,  suffering to climb the hill, and gasping the view from above is what I am longing for right now.

 So as the spring starts and the baby animals fall on the ground, while the flower blooms and everything comes to life I also see the space between where I am and where I wanna be getting smaller. The future is definitely better and I am hoping that the things I am longing for today be my routine in the future.

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Two Brothers Trek to Gosaikunda Lake,(2020)

Overview


Days required-minimum 3 days and can be managed accordingly


Difficulties-moderate


Best season- Feb to June and Sep to Dec


Essentials- dry foods, warm and waterproof clothes, trekking pole, power banks


Main attractions-holy lake Gosainkunda, Langtang mountain range, rhododendron forest and other lakes and cultural diversities.

Because once was not enough. The lake, the place, the people there were so beautiful that I decided to go with my brother there again after a year. Until this trip, it was already a mandatory thing to do as soon as my brother comes home on his vacation. Gosaikunda lake is both famous from a religious point of view and it's a short trek that can be completed from Kathmandu within few days.

DAY 1

It was the last day of 2019, woke up early and we already touched the highway by 6 am. I was excited and so was my brother. Since I already visited there solo, I knew all the routes, and the itinerary was printed on my mind. Cold December morning we rode about  120 km to a place called Dhunche.

The road to dhunche is bad for the last few km's. So after having snacks in dhunche and parking our motorbike safe we started the trek. It was already 1 pm when we started walking. I still remember a cute little girl who gave us two sticks to use as a trekking pole in exchange for few bucks. The initial plan was to reach Chandan Bari. The trail from Dhunche to Chandanbari is not that exciting. It's completely uphill and in the forest. However, we were lucky enough to see a deer drinking water.

15 minutes into the trek and we were already breathing heavily. lol. I was also filming the trek for my vlogs. We walked and walked and walked and at around 5 we reached Deurali. There we had some tea and snacks and left for Chandanbari. A dog named kali from dhimsha(between deurali and chandanbari) also joined us. Since my brother is not comfortable with dogs, he went ahead and it was me and kali who accompanied me. It was getting dark and the temperature was dropping rapidly. After walking for 30 mins from deurali, it was sure that we could not reach chandanbari. Reaching dhimsha before dark would be an achievement because we were alone since kali also left us and we had no torch. Just before it got pitch dark we reached dhimsha where kali(the dog) was already there. We were all tired and hungry so we had dinner and slept.

DAY 2

it was a new year's day. we started walking by 7am. The view was getting beautiful. It was cold and our legs were aching. After about 1 hour or less we reached chandanbari.

We didn't stop and continued our journey. After Cholangati, the real beauty of the trek starts. Surrounded by mountains and snow on the trail, we walked and walked. At about 11 am we reached cholangpati.Had some soups and continued the journey.Cholangpati to lauribina to sarswoti mandir is the hardest part of the trek but the view is something else that I can barely express in words.

It was too windy and the water inside the bottle was frozen. We were exhausted. Had some lunch in lauribina and upon reaching the top(Saraswati mandir), it was already 3 in the noon. It was so windy that we hide behind the temple to take a rest.

My brother got excited as we were approaching the lake. there are numerous lakes on the way before reaching Gosainkunda.
As we reached Gosainkunda, we realized that due to winter only one teahouse was open and it was already full. We somehow got a room. Later in the evening, more people came and they had to sleep on the floor.

After worshipping the lake, in the evening we joined the other group in the dining area. I played a pink Floyd song there and suddenly it hit me differently. I drifted away from the crowd there in my own thoughts. It was new year's day. The song "Lost for words" for me is really special.

That was the longest and coldest night ever. My body was exhausted and I could not sleep and breathe properly. I really regretted the plan of spending the night there. I could barely sleep for an hour. Thunderstorm and wind made me more miserable that night.

but after every night there is a day. Woke up early and I realized I was in the place where I always want to be. Had tea and our return journey started. since it's all downhill trail, the descending was fast and quite easy. We reached dhimsa by 2pm and stayed the night there. The hotel owner made some chicken soup and we enjoyed that.

DAY 3

We woke up late and by 8am we started descending. we walked slowly and reached dhunche at around 12 in the noon. We had some snacks there and took the motorbike trip back to Kathmandu. Reached Kathmandu at about 6 pm.

That's the blog guys. The new day of 2020 spent well but now stuck at home due to the pandemic. Thanks for reading till here. love you all.

I have even made a vlog so it would be great if you guys check it out: VLOG
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