Auli Ski Resort is a wonderful Skiing location in the state of Uttarakhand in India. The snow-white Ski slopes of Auli and Skiboarders were waiting eagerly for my appearance 🙂  I was staying in the dormitory of GMVN in Joshimath. The distance between the Auli Ski Slope and the small town of Joshimath is not more than 15 Kilometer. Yesterday’s bike ride from GMVN Gopeshwar to Lambhgadh near Badrinath and back to Joshimath was exciting and fabulous, but it had drained all my energy. I was the only soul in the GMVN dormitory of 10 beds. The freezing night was in its last phase. The winter morning made sure to keep me underneath two woolen blankets apart from body thermals. Mind it winters in Uttarakhand are really cold. Checked my mobile it was around 7 AM of the morning. I could see the dawn breaking from the GMVN window. Chirping of the birds, soft footsteps of the waiters in the corridor, men with sweater and muffler pushing the bicycle pedal hard on the hilly road …

I was on my Bajaj Avenger hired from Mountain Fox motorcycles in Rishikesh. Today’s halt was Gopeshwar  220km from Rishikesh. Luggage loaded and geared up, left the place. Went back to Hrishikesh petrol pump and filled up the tank. This was the first time I was riding in the Himalayas. Basically, it was Raid de Himalaya for me. The morning was quite chilly. To make myself comfortable, I decided to ride first 25-30 kilometers with a decent speed. Near Byassi Rishikesh – Ganga flowing down the mountain Rishikesh – Night camping tents on the shore of Ganga 25 rupees Kadhi Chawal in a Dhaba in Srinagar: Roads turned worst after Deoprayag and continued till Srinagar. It was 1:30 PM and I was hungry. I was looking for some small Dhaba to have my lunch. Found one just before the Srinagar town starts on the right-hand side of the road.   Kadhi chawal was ready. Every bit was delicious and the quantity was much more than what I had expected. In the 15 minutes discussion with …

Yesterday’s tiring ride from Rishikesh to Gopeshwar resulted in a nice peaceful sleep. Opened my day with a shivering bath followed by packing and loading. Tying ropes in a winter morning is what I don’t like. It was around 7 AM, I came down in the GMVN restaurant to appreciate a hot cup of tea in the winter of February. Finishing tea geared myself and left the GMVN. Avenger started with the first hit of self-start. Didn’t faced any cold start problem throughout the journey.  Day 2 route map  Morning view from GMVN Gopeshwar  Reached Joshimath around 12:00 in the afternoon.   Alaknanda – Enroute Joshimath Just as I was to start for Badrinath scene changed and dark clouds hid the mountain. It started drizzling and finally raining. I took shelter under a military ration building.  Playing with time and timer  ITBP training center Joshimath Asked to return:   Two men jumped from a truck which came from Badrinath direction. One guy who seemed army guy very strongly suggested me to return from here. He …

What a fresh morning that was! All the tiredness from yesterday’s Trek to Deoria Tal had vanished. It felt like I was never tired and this is my home. No worries no plans no mobile no network, just nature and I. But then, today’s plan was to reach Rishikesh and handover bike to Ashok Ji 🙂 Followed by local sight seeing in Rishikesh and attend Ganga aarti in Haridwar. Checked out from GMVN, Ukhimath and left for Rishikesh at 9:30 AM. Two times Aloo Paratha, 4 coffee, 4 Tea cost me Rs.120.   Enroute Rudraprayag from Ukhimath Did my lunch at the same place in Srinagar. This time, it was Rajma Chawal. They were happy to see me and asked if my journey was good. Ukhimath to Rishikesh was around 182km. As I always say returning is always quick. I was aware for the first 20-30 kilometers later everything switches to Auto Pilot mode. When the time ceases to exist we tend to enjoy things the most. The journey was so involving I didn’t remember when …

Before starting the travelogue I would like to introduce myself a little. Describing myself I am not the one zipping and speeding at 120kmph. I respect machines and believe motorcycles are best when it comes to explore places. It balances the fuel and fun well. I term myself as budget yatri. My bike trips are extremely cheap but equally meaningful and I feel good about it. I prefer basic accommodations and eat what locals eat. I never rush towards my destination as doing so do not let us enjoy the journey. I like to connect those small dots enroute and make a final picture of the journey. Lets start.. Himalayas always fascinated me. I used to wonder of huge mountains and greenish rivers slipping through the deep valleys. I dreamed of shining snow clad peaks standing one behind another and locals busy in their daily routine walking up and down the mountain. Literature’s of mystical Yogis wandering in Himalayas in search of ultimate truth always motivated me. Somewhat with the same intention and to see …