My journal of the Indian Himalaya, open for you
Every guide here starts as scribbles in my notebook on the trail. I clean them up and publish them with road conditions, altitude weather, packing checklists and honest gear picks for 23 pilgrimages and treks across North India.
The Altitude Index
Every trip, plotted by how high it takes you.
Altitude decides your weather, your gear and your headache. Anything above 3,500 m means I plan a rest day, and so should you.
Where to next
Guides written from the ground, not from a desk.
Each guide covers the route, the season, the budget and the exact packing list. First person, because I have done these trips or I am next in line to.
pilgrimage▲ 3,583mKedarnath
“16 km trek to the Jyotirlinga”
The 16 km climb to the Jyotirlinga. I cover the route, the ponies, the weather windows and the exact shoes that survive the stone path.
adventure▲ 3,650mSpiti Valley
“cold desert, ancient monasteries”
India's cold desert. Monasteries, moonscapes and roads that demand respect. My circuit, fuel stops and permit notes inside.
adventure▲ 3,524mLadakh
“Khardung La, Pangong, the ride”
Leh, Nubra and the high passes. How I plan acclimatization days so Khardung La is a celebration, not a headache.
adventure▲ 3,658mValley of Flowers
“UNESCO trek, 500+ wildflower species”
A UNESCO meadow that blooms for eight weeks a year. I keep a bloom calendar so you land in peak colour, not after it.
adventure▲ 3,680mChopta
“gentle trek to highest Shiva temple”
My favourite weekend escape from Dehradun. The world's highest Shiva temple, a 3.5 km trail and sunrises worth the alarm.
adventure▲ 372mRishikesh
“gateway to the Himalayas”
Rafting, cafes and the Ganga at dusk. Where I send everyone for their first taste of the hills, one hour from my home.
The Gear Planner
Tell me the trip.
I will pack the bag.
Pick your trip type and get a checklist built for it, with the exact gear I trust and links to buy it. Tick items off as you pack. Share the list with your trip group and your ticks travel with the link.
Open the gear plannerthe checklist remembers what you tick