Over the hills and far away

Young people today are investing time and energy in travelling for the sheer joy of it

March 08, 2015 07:45 pm | Updated 07:45 pm IST

Riders on a motorcycle trip

Riders on a motorcycle trip

Sunny beaches, desolate mountains and shadowy forests have taken over our Facebook newsfeeds. The reason being that we all know those people who have decided that every so often they should save up, pack their bags and set off on new adventures. Vacations are no longer a luxury, but part of the culture of the modern Indian youth, and more people now fly, ride and drive across states, countries and continents for the joy of travel.

Those annual vacations with parents are definitely a thing of the past, and travelling with friends is now the norm. “I have a gang of about half a dozen friends who love travel and we have planned two or three trips a year since our college days. These journeys enhance our creativity and imagination and give us fresh perspective on life,” says Ajay Nambiar, director of NT Global Solutions, a technology service provider.

While some like Ajay wait at airport check-in counters to fly across countries, others saddle up on motorcycles to explore locales closer to home, as is the case with Rinoy Sebastian, who runs an ad-film making company. “I have a group of friends who have known each other since school and travelled together since college. We save up money and hand it over to one of our friends who act as treasurer, and when we have enough, we ride to the hills and forests,” he says, adding, “we must have visited Munnar at least a thousand times.”

The group of friends have befriended local tea plantation owners and managers, allowing them to ride through otherwise inaccessible private property. “Sometimes, we opt to go by car and take bicycles and camping equipment. Pedalling through those peaceful locales is very relaxing, especially with friends. Having a close-knit group is very important to have fun on these trips,” he says. They are now planning to set out for Goa on motorcycles within a couple of months for a change of scene.

Ajay, who is an avid wildlife photographer, also travels for work purposes, but makes it a point to stay a few extra days to explore. “For those interested in photography, the national parks, reserves and sanctuaries in Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda are perfect for their adventurous safaris,” he says.

But despite the variety of popular and accessible destinations in India and abroad, the one that has captured most attention in recent times is Leh, long considered a biker’s paradise. “I’ve made the trip to Leh twice, once as a guide for tourists when I worked with a tour company and more recently with some friends, when we shipped our motorcycles to Chandigarh and rode from there,” says Akhil K. Sabu, a 23-year-old law student and road captain for the Bullet Buddhas, a riding club.

While Ajay, who has also made the trip, recommends the adjoining territories of Stok Kangri, Zanskar Valley and Hemis National Park, Akhil says his primary interest was the joy of riding and the desolate nature of the place. “It’s good because your mobile phone stops working, the terrain is rough, and sometimes finding the way is difficult, making it a real adventure. The one place I remember is Nubra valley, where we stayed at a small farmhouse and ate meals cooked by our hosts,” he says.

There is a lot to do on these trips as well. Flying to Southeast and West Asia has become much cheaper (with some planning). Dubai is now a popular skydiving destination, scuba diving is popular everywhere from Malaysia and Bali to the Andamans and Lakshadweep, and nowadays, camping in the mountains and bicycling to soak in the sights at hill stations is also becoming popular.

If there is anything to learn from these adventurous souls, it is that indulging the inner wanderlust is a lot less daunting than it seems. All it takes is a little planning, the will to leave behind the familiar, and good friends with whom to share the memories with for years to come.

Travel tips

In case, you now want to pack up and push off, here are a few tips that may help:

Plan ahead: Do online research about the destination, connect with other travellers and locals through blogs or social media. Or better yet, ask friends or acquaintances who have already visited your planned destination.

Gadget lovers make sure to pack spare batteries or power banks to keep electronic devices juiced up as power sockets may be few and far between. Don’t forget usual camera accessories either.

If visiting multiple locations, take a picture of your luggage. This helps you ensure you have all your bags when moving between pit stops, and can help airport authorities track your bags in case they get misplaced.

In case you choose to ride, always do so in full riding gear, including kneepads and good shoes, your feet will thank you for the foresight.

Invest in a good crash guard for your vehicle, minimal may look cool, but broken clutch cables or damage to the engine housing can leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere.

While modern vehicles are generally reliable, having a well-equipped toolkit and the know-how to perform minor repairs goes a long way.

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