Travel Plan: Visit the Himalayas and Experience Its Essence

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 (Image source: Flickr.com)

Hi traveller,

The Himalayan mountain ranges are a confluence of beauty, mystery, and spiritualism. They inspire awe and wonder and open a new world to the wanderer. 

The world's two oldest philosophies, Hinduism and Buddhism, were born in the Himalayan foothills. Unlike the still wilderness of the Alps or the Appalachian, the Himalayas have spread over it, tiny hamlets full of people and stunning cultural colours. Yet, the mountain offers solace and silence if you climb to its remote and inner recesses. 

The Himalayas could be your next destination. It suits those seeking life's meaning and life-changing experiences. 

The Himalayan States

India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, and Myanmar form a group known as the Himalayan states. Southern Tibet also falls upon this mountain stretch. 

To have the best experience of the Himalayas, it would suffice to visit Nepal, India, and Bhutan. These countries are easier to visit, too, compared to China and Tibet. 

Natural beauty meets mountain people's age-old and colourful traditions here. The snow and stunning landscapes would take you to another realm. Montane grasslands to deep tropical forests, snow-hooded peaks to green and rocky tabletops, silent villages to buzzing towns. This journey will take you through both the calm and chaos of life. You will feel alive and free.

Ladakh, India

Your journey can begin in Ladakh, India, in June/July. The flight ticket from New Delhi to Leh in Ladakh will cost you about $30. From the capital city of Ladakh, Leh, tourist helicopters ply to major destinations such as Kargil, Drass, and Zanskar.


(Leh, Ladakh, image source: Wikimedia Commons)

Ladakh is famous for its Buddhist monasteries (Gompas), mountain lakes, and trekking trails. The local life is seeped in simplicity. The people are hospitable. 

Hiring a jeep, you can travel to Hemis, Lamayuru, and Thiksey monasteries. On the way, you will see the prayer flags everywhere, fluttering in the wind, sending a thousand whispers of the worshipping souls to the sky every day. The emotions they evoke in you are as soothing as the white mountains.

The golden Buddhas inside the monasteries will remind you of the golden era of Buddhism in India. Turning the cylindrical prayer wheels and meditating while sitting on the monastery verandahs, you can immerse yourself in the essence of Buddhist rituals. 

You will notice how slow time flows in these parts of the world, and it will relax you, unlike anything you find in rushing city life. 

A spectacular array of lakes, so picturesque that they look other-worldly, is another set of hidden gems for a tourist in Ladakh. The Pangong Tso Lake, the Tso Kar Twin Lake, the Tso Moriri Mountain Lake, the Stat Tso and Lang Tso Lakes vie with each other in beauty and serenity. 

In 2023, India designated the first Dark Sky Reserve in the whole country in Hanle village in Ladakh. This village is located about 160 kilometres from Leh, the capital of Ladakh. The village has around 270 clear nights a year.   

Sikkim, India

From Ladakh, fly back to New Delhi, and then to Pakyong or Bagdogra airport in North East India to visit another Himalayan Indian state, Sikkim. 

The golden glow of the sun spread over the snow-covered mountains in the mornings and evenings will be the view of a lifetime that you will cherish mid-air from your flight.

Sikkim is a tiny North Eastern state in India where you can see one of the world’s highest mountain peaks, the Khangchendzonga'. The capital city, Gangtok, is 5413 ft above sea level and can be reached from Sikkim’s Pakyong airport or the Bagdogra airport in the neighbouring state, West Bengal. 


(Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim; image source: Flickr.com)

The vertical mountainous terrain of Sikkim makes it time-consuming to reach from one destination to another, but each place is special and unmissable.  

Rumtek is a renowned Buddhist monastery in Sikkim. Sikkim is known for orchid cultivation, and the most cultivated species is the rare Cymbidium orchids. A visit to an orchid farm will place you in the middle of colours and beauty that you never thought existed. The Deorali Orchid Sanctuary, Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, and the Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary offer sightings of rare orchids, Himalayan Black Bears, and Red Pandas. 

The local villages of Sikkim are picturesque and welcoming. Farming here is organic by default. Many homestays offer the authentic village experience where you can share a meal in the traditional kitchen along with your hosts. 

Roti and a side dish made of the Squash vegetable is a simple and common item on the menu. Cooked Tapioca soaked in a local ale that is fermented using herbs is another rare delicacy. You can try momos with a hot and spicy chutney made using the local chilli for your breakfast. You will find many tiny outlets along the roads selling momos.  

At Nathula, which is at the Chinese border, 53 kilometres from Gangtok, you will be standing at the passageway to India along the ancient Silk Route. This pass today connects India to China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. At Nathula Pass, you will see Chinese soldiers patrolling on the other side of the barbed fence. Only Indian citizens are allowed to travel to Nathula Pass and require a special permit to be availed from Gangtok. 

The glacial lakes of Sikkim are quite a view, and on the shores, you will be offered to ride a Yak for a small amount of money. Changu Lake at Nathula is the most visited glacial lake in Sikkim. 

Yuksom is a scenic village which will acquire a typical picture postcard appearance in winter. This village is along the trekking route to the Khangchendzonga Peak. On the trekking trails to the many Himalayan peaks and glaciers, you would pass magnificent rhododendron forests and tree patches.    

Nepal

The capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu, is vibrant and colourful and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage city, which is the densest on the list. You can spend a day or two exploring the city. Remember to take passport-size photos with you because you will need them to buy an Indian sim card or for trekking permit applications. 


(Kathmandu; Image source: Wikipedia)

Eight of the tallest peaks in the world are in Nepal, including Mount Everest. The Everest base camp trek is the most popular trekking trail in Nepal. There are other amazing trails too that you can explore. 

Namobuddha, a three-hour drive from is a holy Buddhist pilgrimage spot. The Tharangu Tashi Yangtze Monastery is a must-visit in Namobuddha. Pharping and Panauti are home to a few of the most visited Hindu temples in Nepal. 

To ensure you hear all the amazing local history and do not miss the remote destinations, it is important to hire a local guide and porter.   

Chitwan National Park and Bardia National Park are in the plains of Terai in Nepal, providing an entirely different yet equally enticing experience from the mountainous terrains of Nepal. 

In Bhote Kosi, Seti, and Trisuli rivers, one-day rafting trips are offered to the tourists. From the top of the Sarangkot Hills in Pokhara, you can paraglide above the pristine forests and valleys. In Pokhara, they also offer zip-lining and bungee jumping. Jalbire is a world-famous canoeing spot. 

The Kathmandu Valley has seven monument zones designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Patan Museum presents the splendour of the traditional carved wood architecture of Nepal and its historical tales. 

March-May and September-November are the two seasons when you get the best experiences visiting Nepal. 

If you are a fan of local culture and love to learn from the people and communities, you will find the artisans of Nepal in Patan and Bhaktapur. You can also buy traditional handicrafts in these regions. 

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