Mumbai couple Saajan and his wife Visha set out on their very first trip to Northeast India – and chose Meghalaya as their destination. Highlights were the living root bridges, Nohkalikai Falls and Cherrapunji Cafe. They share their honest experience navigating Meghalaya during the monsoon season. A must-read for anyone planning their maiden trip to the Northeast!
Interview by Deno Dolie Exploring the mystical Northeast of India is on the top of the bucket list for many, and with the region becoming increasingly accessible, a growing number of local and foreign tourists have been visiting the region in recent years. That said, I personally believe that the real joy of traveling to the Northeast lies in exploring the local gems – in the unknowns. This is where I would like to introduce Samuel Duia from Shillong, a passionate traveler, and founder of ‘Duia Trailblazers‘ – a Govt. recognized tour operator based in Meghalaya whose unique offerings include expert local tours, village stays, local food & culture exploration – and more. Most notably, Samuel and a team from Bangalore Adventure School (BASCOOL) recently discovered an unexplored canyon in Syntung village – now named (by Samuel’s ‘first descend’ team!) as ‘Upper Shonghang Canyon.’ I chat with Samuel about his venture, responsible tourism, canyoning, and of course, their recent canyon discovery – in detail! Samuel Duia – Founder of ‘Duia Trailblazers‘ Meghalaya posing in front of …
Summer breaks are when you should venture out of the box, try out things, explore and experience the best of nature. If you haven’t already planned your summer holidays, we have got one that’s going to make you feel happy, fulfilled and definitely more positive. Agro-farming experience in Dzuleke – that focuses on reconnecting with nature and spreading awareness about organic agriculture and much more. Started on June 1st, this event is on till the end of June. Head out to Dzuleke, 38 kms away from the capital Kohima, to make sure you don’t miss out on this! Scroll down to get more details about the event. We had a chat with Asu Jamir, a member of the organising team, to know everything about the Agro-farming experience in Dzuleke. Tell us about the event, ‘Agro-Farming Experience in Dzuleke’. At Agro-Farming, we let people experience the authentic rural lifestyle with their family and friends at Dzuleke, Nagaland. It’s an opportunity for both young and old to experience the rich diversity of our agricultural fields. It’s the …
“It was one of the most beautiful day we have experienced together. The one on the left is Arshika – my best friend of ten years, and the one on the right is my sister Ruchika. It was around 3 PM in the evening, and this photo was taken during our trip to Dhauladhar trails in Himachal Pradesh enroute to Triund top. The evening had a very pleasant and warm vibe despite the chilly weather. The chill made us hungry so we stopped on our way to rest for some time and eat. This moment is all the more special because I was with my two favourite people. The entire trip was mind-blowing – with so much to discover – and with an abundance of nature’s beauty to soak in. Memories from the trip will be forever etched in my memory as one of the best treks of my life. Moreover, this was at a time when I was a medical intern in Delhi, and anything remotely green and quiet felt like heaven for me. …
This one is for all the nature enthusiasts looking for a unique getaway in the open embrace of nature. We recently came across “Cloudline Treehouse” which is truly a piece of art – a charming treehouse located about one and half hour drive away from Kohima towards Dzuleke via Khonoma in Nagaland. By our first glimpse of the place, it is an ideal place to rejuvenate by being one with nature with a beautiful elevated view of the surrounding scenery. Situated at the foothill of KEDIEUTSÜKERÜ, Khonoma is one of the highest mountain in Nagaland with breath taking views with a rich flora and fauna. Dreamy and unreal huh? Already excited to know more? Well, let’s chat with Vilieme Kuotsu, one of the founders to know more about “Cloudline Treehouse” and most importantly, how to book a room there! Hello Vilieme! Please tell us about your venture “Cloudline Treehouse” and what is so special about it? “Cloudline treehouse” was established in 2017 and founded by a group of like-minded people, all hailing from Khonoma village – …
“This picture was taken one pleasant afternoon of October last year – on our trek to Dzukou Valley, located at the border of the states of Manipur and Nagaland in North-East India. It was five of us and we are all college mates. This trip, so far has to be the most memorable trip I have ever taken and my friends said the same. We enjoyed every single moment of it, being away from the hustle and bustle of city life. We were least bothered by the unavailability of electricity and phone networks because of the blissful moments we were enjoying such as bonfire, music, long conversations, etc. We spent two nights completely under the sky light and it was an amazing experience. Hands down! Dzukou Valley is one of the most beautiful place on Earth – so pristine, that you will feel like you are in heaven.” – Antariksha Kumari Antariksha Rajkumari and her friends, trekking to Dzukou Valley – located at the border of the states of Manipur and Nagaland in north-east India. Antariksha and her …
“It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves – in finding themselves.” – Andre Gide Whether it is the first time you watch a sunset over the ocean or the first time you reach the summit of a mountain, the magical feelings you get when you experience the world in it’s most natural form is often unforgettable…and fills you with happy stories that last a lifetime. So they say travelling does good for the mind and soul. We have Emmy today from Mizoram who travels to disconnect from her daily life – to recharge. “Travel opens up a new world filled with new learnings and inspirations..” Let’s see what she has to share from her many travels! We had a chat with Thlamuanpuii aka Emmy, dental student from Mizoram who has a deep passion for travel. We reached out to her to find out more about her travelling adventures, some useful travel tips and more. Introduce a little about yourself! My name is Thlamuanpuii (23) but I’m better known as “Emmy” …
We all know that city life can be stressful – and not only that, routine life anywhere can get depressing at times. We are also well aware that an escape to nature is what we need. But it’s easier said than done. For most of us, planning a getaway is not an easy task. For instance, a trip to the much talked about Dzükou valley in Nagaland may seem inaccessible to most of us. That’s when boutique travelers like “India Trail” provides a convenient solution. Known as the travel experts for the beautiful and mostly unexplored region of North East India, the guys at India Trail have been doing their bit to allow people from all over to experience the natural wonders of the region. Today we have co-founder of India Trail Rohan K Abraham to talk about their upcoming camping trip “Dzükou Fest” to enlighten us about the place, the camp and everything you need to know, to finally plan your trip to Dzükou Valley – the most beautiful trekking spots in the North East of India. Rohan Abraham of India Trail chats …
They say not all who wander are lost and traveling definitely gives you the freedom to discover things you would not be able to experience otherwise. Bhutan known for its breathtaking landscapes, beautiful monasteries and historical dzongs (fortresses) is a heaven for anyone seeking for a country that is VISA free for us! Joseph Solomon is a 23-year-old, currently staying in New Delhi. Read on as he takes us through his trip to the land of Thunder Dragons and coined as the happiest country in the world – Bhutan. He also shares his top 5 recommendations for anyone traveling to Bhutan. Joseph in Takin National Park Thimpu, Bhutan “The Indian U-15 Women’s were playing in the SAFF Championship in Bhutan and I was fortunate enough to travel with them to Thimphu and Paro.” “I stayed in Thimphu for 14 days and my mission was to do something – anything new – every day. There was no plan, I just asked people about local treks and hikes and googled my way around those during my trip.” …
Today, we have Pranav Mutalik and Shreyas Bhat, the busy young entrepreneurs with us who have come up with their Eco Tourism Agency – Madventures on nothing but one of their college trips. Aged around 26, the founders believe that experiencing the place and its people is devoid of the distraction the modern tourism industry offers. To be able to see, feel and experience a destination in its most organic form, is the essence of travel; same goes for hikes. Here’s a conversation with Shreyas, one of the Founders, who tell us how Madventures was born. Share a brief about the Founder of the venture We, Pranav (Mutalik) and I (Shreyas Bhat), have ardent love for traveling and hiking. We have always enjoyed being outdoors and amidst nature and this drove us to get into the hiking and trekking business. In fact, the idea of starting Madventures took shape on one of our trips in college; however, the company means much more to us now. Tell us something about Madventures. What is it all about? Madventures …
