Adventures in India

5 day tour of Spiti from Manali

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 13:23:37 -0500

Just sharing a quick email I had dashed off to a friend who wanted to visit Spiti so that I can simply share it with more friends who are interested (yeah Satya... you inspired this).

Appreciative Inquiry

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 03:40:27 -0500

Appreciative Inquiry is a changework philosophy that focuses on positive change through inquiring in the direction of what works and desired change rather than analyzing what problems exist. The methodology looks at building diverse life-giving forces in an organization or any group of people and engaging their strengths to create the desired change.

Leadership and Leaders

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 02:05:43 -0500

Leadership is mistakenly thought to be something limited to certain people - people in positions of authority typically, but otherwise people with certain rights and responsibilities over and above those around them. Okay, such people could be called leaders, but it certainly doesn't mean that each one of them shows leadership. Nor does it mean every person who shows leadership is labelled a leader. Let's get that straight to begin with.

The Leadership carnival

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:57:56 -0500

This is the second edition of our carnival. This time we take a look at leadership. What works, what doesn't, what are the characteristics that inspire the people on the team, how can they be engaged, improved, authority, responsibility and any of the many aspects of leading change.

Training and Development Blog Carnival

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:15:41 -0500

Results for the blog carnival on training. The idea is to create a strong set of informative articles on different subjects of interest to trainers

Conservation and Lake Tsomoriri

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500

In the high altitudes of Ladakh state in India is the brackish Lake Tsomoriri. The country has given the spot the official name of Tsomoriri Wetland Conservation Reserve. It is the largest brackish and high altitude lake in the country.

Visit Manali in the Kullu Valley

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500

There are not many places where visitors are encouraged to have their photo taken with a yak or a rabbit, but in the town of Manali in the Kullu Valley of India travelers are prompted to do just that. The town is an incredibly popular destination for Indians year round, most of who will travel from Delhi, the capital city of India, by bus, taxi, train or air. For visitors traveling to the area from farther locations a great amount of financial savings can be found by booking both airfare and accommodations through HotelsCombined.com.

Thousand year old Tabo Monastery

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Among the rocks and barren desert plains of the Tabo Valley in India sits the Tabo Monastery. Founded over a thousand years ago, the monastery has managed to escape the influences and pressures of modern civilization. The monastery has served as a shelter and sanctuary for the cultural and religious traditions of Buddhism and has preserved its many institutions and artifacts throughout the years.

Kullu Valley - The Valley of Gods

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500

There is much to see for visitors to Kullu Valley of India. Hikers, mountaineers and trekkers will be just as busy as tourists, artists and natives who leave behind the heat and dust of the valleys and plains below and enjoy the Himalayan air and environment. Kullu is famous for its scenic wonders and for its many handmade goods, including shawls and �kullu caps�.

Ki Monastery Enshrines Learning

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:32:19 -0500

The Ki Monastery or Ki Gompa is one of the largest monasteries in the Punjab region of India. It has celebrated over one thousand years of existence, and a good hard look at the structure will quickly reveal some of the physical hardships the Gompa has withstood.

Frozen River Trek in Zanskar

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:29:54 -0500

Leh, the capital of the Ladakh region of India is a great starting point for a mild to moderate trek through the Indus Valley. If time permits it is a good idea for hikers and trekkers of all skill levels to acclimate themselves when newly arrived in the country. A tour of the city is a great way to do this.

Small Trek in the Indus Valley

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:27:36 -0500

Rajmachi Fort

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:24:53 -0500

A highly popular trekking destination in the Western Ghats, or Sahyadri mountains, of the Maharashtra region of India is the wonderful Rajmachi Fort. This is considered an ideal hike for a beginning or intermediate trekker, and is easily enjoyed by anyone wishing to explore the history of the two citadels, or Bale killa, that make up Rajmachi Fort.

Malshej Ghat

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:21:49 -0500

Nestled in the misty beauty of the Western Ghats hills of India is Malshej Ghat. This city is popular for native and foreign tourists alike, both for the natural beauty of the place and for its history and nearby sights and attractions. Many visitors also choose the city because it is traditionally missing the overcrowded and bustling environment of many other neighboring towns and cities.

Improve your Climbing Skills

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 06:40:42 -0500

So out comes the secret of the century! What do you have to do to transform your climbing?

How to carry valuables safely in India - tips

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 04:51:57 -0500

Valuables are a constant source of concern while traveling. It is tempting to have a camera on hand or a laptop or credit cards, but when immersed in the here and now, it can get to be a burden we don't want. There are simple things we can do, to make our experiences convenient and light.

An overnight stay in an ancient monastery

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 12:26:54 -0500

The first time I stayed overnight in Ki was also in the year 2000. I was traveling by the local bus, and had stopped for a visit while it went ahead to Kibber, before coming back to Ki and returning to Kaza. As usual, I was lost exploring the dingy passageways and chatting with the monks in the kitchen over endless cups of butter tea, and I lost track of time and the bus.

Ki Gompa

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 12:15:28 -0500

Ki Monastery is a thousand-year-old Buddhist gompa located in the remote region of Spiti in the Indian Himalayas. The formal introduction line done, Ki looks like a pile of boxes stacked haphazardly, threatening to topple over the picturesque village by the same name at its feet. It is one of the five major monasteries of the Spiti valley along with Thangyud Gompa, Dhankar Gompa, Khungri Gompa and Tabo Gompa. Ki Monastery follows the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Rock Climbing for dummies

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 05:50:16 -0500

Please note that this is not intended to be a stand alone guide, but background reading for those venturing into rock climbing as an activity for the first time. Simply put, rock climbing is climbing rock, but knowing techniques developed through the collective experience of many climbers over the centuries helps us to become better climbers faster.

How to be the stupidest adventure tourist ever

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 05:01:36 -0500

Over the years of experience working in the outdoors, I have come to a realization that among the hundreds of people genuinely interested in exploring themselves through adventure, there are a significant few who seem to get their satisfaction from making your life miserable. As a professional, I can’t rant at them openly.

Rohtang Pass

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 04:08:56 -0600

Rohtang Pass (3978 m) is a high mountain pass across the Pir Panjal range of the Himalaya that connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahul and Spiti valleys of Himachal Pradesh , India . It is situated at a distance of 51 km from the town of Manali.

Body changes with altitude gain

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 10:37:45 -0600

This is not intended to be a medical explanation, but something based on experience with many people in high altitudes. The most common non-serious problems I have encountered with height gain are flatulence, upset stomachs, early onset of periods for women near their due date, and head aches.

Manali

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 06:40:45 -0600

Manali is a small town on the bank of the river Beas, in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

THE LEFT BANK PLATEU HABITATS ( including Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary )

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 03:56:00 -0600

Kibber Wildlife sanctuary is spread over an area of about 1400 sq km and is segregated in an outer buffer zone and an inner �protected area�. It is the only sanctuary in the country which is situated in a cold desert area. There are about 13 villages situated outside the periphery of the sanctuary. There are three monasteries - Ki, Tangyud and Dhankar on the periphery of the protected area. The buffer zone does contain a few dwellings called �dogris� and a grazing reserve for livestock. For a high altitude desert the flora that is found here is quite amazing. KWS is home to a variety of rare animals like the Ibex, blue sheep, red fox, Tibetian woolly hare, Tibetian wolf, lynx, pika, Tibetian wild ass - and the majestic but elusive snow leopard. The sanctuary also offers a great view of the region's peaks Chau-cahu khanamo & Chau-chau khang nilda.

Cultural Experience - SPITI

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 03:51:08 -0600

This tour takes you into the very heart of Spiti into a world where rich hearts flourish in barren land. As usual, Wide Aware makes it a point to give you a tour that goes into the very essence of the land, rather than a visit of significant locations only. This tour not only shows you the highlights of Spiti Valley, but give you an experience of being part of the land, and following your interests like other inhabitants in the valley. We will see world famous monasteries, hunt for fossils, dance the local dances, eat the local food, stay in their homes, witness an exotic tantric ceremony, look at the local breeding grounds of the famous Spiti horses and explore this place to our heart's content. If you want a hurried tour that gives you a summary of the valley, this is not it. If you'd like to marinate yourself in the place, so that it feels like a home, you're in the right place.