Travel Tips Archives - Page 5 of 10

Hike & Life

July 30, 2019December 30, 2019 AnandPatel

Recently I hiked Table Mountain in Cape Town for an adventure. The mountain, whose one face seems to be in the shape of a table & when the clouds cover it as a table cloth, it is something. This doesn’t mean, the place loses any sheen without clouds. That view is amazing as well. So, hiking like many solo sports is done by a single person until & unless you are not hiking in a group. So, while hiking this magnificent mountain, lots of thoughts passed my mind & out of so many thoughts, one thought just stuck to my head. That thought was that life & hiking are related to each other in so many different ways, which lead me to write this post as per my understanding.

Initial Phase:

During the start of every hiking expedition, the starting few meters are always full of energy you walk fast, you take big strides, you watch more & you adore more. This is probably true for every one hiker. If not then for most of the hikers it is. So, the initial phase is always full of excitement & energy & with full energy we move into the ascending phase of the hike.

The early life of humans is also full of energy when we are a kid; we have the energy for everything, we are even amazed by the sound of a click. We look as if we are not going to see that thing again & we enjoy it to the fullest. We would like to keep on going & we like to explore as much as I can.

Ascending Phase:

After walking initial phases of the hike, we are slowly losing some energy we have come to certain height & from here the hiking gets real tough, suddenly the strides become big & the ascending seems tough. With each passing step, we feel like quitting the hike. Our energy is completely drained off & we want to give at this very instant. But, one voice from the inside rise & say gently one more step & with all the courage in the world, we lift our step again & walk a few more steps. But, to our misery, we are tired again & we stop to take a breather. While taking breather we enjoy the view, the breathtaking view for which we took this hike in the first place. After resting for some time, we again focus on our mission & walk upwards towards the top. The process of stopping, thinking of quitting, walking again crawl across mind several times during this tough phase of the hike. However, we always calm clutter of our mind by saying the top is where our destination lies. So, we continue walking upwards to reach the top.

Once we reach our adolescence we are constantly asked about the next step, as if we have already seen it all & in a better position to make the right decision. But, we take one step at a time, we finish graduation & wait to analyze what should we do next & then jump into the next adventure. We did something else which should have been a genius move. But, it was another way round. We again stop & then reach the working life, where we are constantly bugged with the toxic culture & surroundings. But, unlike hiking where we stop for some time to gain our energy & walk again. Here we are constantly running, some time we think of quitting everything & move to some known territory but one voice speaks louder than the others & we soon focus on the task uphill. With all these nonuniform thoughts we reach the peak of our life.

The Top:

Once we reach the top, we acknowledge the view & all the pain we took to reach to the top were worth the view. High energy is flowing in the body & we feel like superheroes after taking this drenching walk to the talk. We stay at the top for some time adore the beauty from after fully grasping the view we descend downwards.

After working hard for several years, we are at the peak of our performance & it all seemed to work the efforts, sacrifice & pain. We like the way we feel at the top of the world. We are good with our limited capabilities & try to stay at the top for the majority of the time. However, we ignore that nothing is forever. After our brief stay at the top, it is time for the next step.

The Descend:

After a much-energized stay at the top, we say goodbye to the view & descend thinking that it will be much simpler & easy to walk down if compared to the ascending. Little did we know that we have lost, lots of energy while ascending. So we use the start & stop technique for descending as well, where we walk few steps downwards & stop to gain energy & walk again. It is so funny that we only think about one aspect of hike & always ignore the other one. Thus, I feel it is a great sport, as you have to take those hard steps & those tough moments where you are beaten down, low on energy & still gather all your courage to walk few extra steps to reach the starting point.

We are untouchables at the top or this is how we feel. But, someone better, someone who has acquired new skills & talent overtakes us. We are late in our career & it is difficult to adjust to new ways of living. However, with all the experience which we gained early in the career, we maintain our dignity & perform best to our abilities & it is gone be soon that we will realize that it is now time to reach the latter half of our lives.

Finish Line

When we are walking to our abode we are constantly smiling for the fact that we have managed to climb such a mountain, where we beat ourself to deliver the best. We are lost all the energy but we are satisfied with the walk & loved the fact that we made the climb. We look at our efforts & pat ourselves on the back. We realize how strong we actually are, how courageous we were not to give up during that tough period of ascending & during descending where we totally ignored the pain of walking down. Whatsoever, was our feeling during the walk, we are still smiling at the end of it & still all geared up to take another hike.

We are done with our career, & feeling ecstatic to survive this chaos. We are happily living our lives & thinking about all the jargons during our struggling days. No matter how many times we felt on quitting but we persisted with our mission & completed it in the best of our abilities. We are old & sharing stories of all the troubles, our doubts, our journey & pain & after so many ups & downs we are much wiser & much happier.

This was my adventure of hiking. What about yours?

Rishikesh Budget Trip

July 25, 2019July 25, 2019 AnandPatel

Rishikesh in Uttrakhand is a popular touristic destination in India. It has many essences apart from being a holy place, yoga, river rafting, riverside camping is some of the city newer attractions. Being touristic means it will be pricey. But, is it so? Here is a post on how to plan Rishikesh Budget Trip in a shoestring budget.

Rishikesh Travel Guide Mark My Adventure

Steps For Rishikesh Budget Trip

Reaching Rishikesh:

First thing while planning Rishikesh budget trip is finding the cheapest way to reach Rishikesh. So, the best way to reach Rishikesh is through Haridwar. Board a train to Haridwar & from there take a bus to Rishikesh which will be Rs 30 per seat. Haridwar is another major town near Rishikesh which is famous for holy reasons.

Accommodation In Rishikesh:

Accommodation is one of the prime aspects of any place, which eats up your budget. Although there are many luxurious options like Ganga Aloha available for the wealthy ones. However, if you are traveling on a shoestring budget there are still many options to choose from. Hostel culture is slowly but surely picking up in the town. I stayed at Live Free Hostel near Lakshman Jhula which was a great place to stay. The price of one dorm bed for a night is somewhere around 500 Rs. You can also check the article on How To Find Cheap Hotels.

Commutation:

The best way to travel inside the city is by using a scooty. It is easily available for Rs 400 per day. Just fill up your tank & roam freely around the city. It is the cheapest & easiest way to roam across the city.

Rishikesh Attractions

The most precious things to do in Rishikesh is its river banks which are free to access. However, for an attraction like the Beatles Ashram, you will have to spend some minor amount of Rs 150 (for Indians) & Rs 600 for other nationals which is very affordable.

Things To Do In Rishikesh Mark My Adventure

I spent less than 10,000 Rs on my trip. The expense hugely depends on the spending nature of a person. But, this is the minimum you have to pay during your trip. This is a broader expense for you to get some hint about the place & its budget. So, this is how you plan Rishikesh Budget Trip all by yourself.

Handy Resources:

Below are the few resources you should check before making an itinerary.

Cheap Internation Flights: Best place to find cheap international flight tickets.

Best Deals On Hotels: Places to find best deals on hotels.

Amazon: Best place for all your needs. Also, find best travel accessories.

Agoda: Best place to book hotels of your liking. Agoda provides the best solution & great offer while booking a hotel.

Skyscanner: Skyscanner compares various sites & sort the flights based on the rates. A great way to check flight cost. Although the only drawback is that rates are flexible. Hence, the cost might change while you are making the payment.

Jetradar: Jetradar is a comparing site which is just like Skyscanner. But, is much more accurate & much more handy in use.

Booking: Best place to book hostel rooms. There are plenty of options available & with so many properties booking becomes much easier.

Couchsurfing: Best place to find free accommodation. It is as easy as filtering people & messaging. If you will get lucky you will find free accommodation in local resident house.

Travel Insurance: There are numerous options available to get one. So, you can choose anything which suits your requirement. Make sure you read the terms & conditions before buying one.

Best Fun Things To Do In Rishikesh

July 11, 2019July 11, 2019 AnandPatel

Rishikesh has a lot to offer to travelers. There are numerous activities which one can try here. It has some of the unique experiences like river rafting, bungee jumping, camping, etc. So as a first timer what all should you try. Here is a post on the Fun Things To Do In Rishikesh.

1. River Rafting:

Without any second thought, this is the best activity to do in Rishikesh. Riding a raft in volatile waves is a thrilling experience. It has some danger attached, which is also the reason for trying this activity. A thrill of the unknown will always be a surprising factor. No matter how many times you will try this, you will encounter some unique experiences each time you start. The waves, the water & the thrill of water splashing on your face is a rare gem.

River Rafting Rishikesh things to do in Rishikesh Mark My Adventure

2. Beatles Ashram:

Beatles with their music were a calming factor for so many people. But, they also wanted to calm their mind. For that, they visited an Ashram in Rishikesh. An ashram operated by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. They spend some quality time while practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique. After their visit, the ashram soon got famous & people started recognizing it as Beatles Ashram. Visiting the ruins is great to get some insights of the past. The halls, the rooms, the views each one has its story to share.

Beatles Ashram Rishikesh Mark My Adventure

3. Selfie At Lakshman Jhula:

Lakshman Jhula is a prime location in Rishikesh which is probably one of the most visited places in the city or most clicked attraction. A selfie at this bridge is a must. This bridge has some stories as well. As per the mythological text, Lord Lakshman built a jute bridge at this place. Now a suspended bridge this is a great place to click some really nice pics.

4. Witness The Magic of Ganga Arti:

Ganga has a special position in India culture & it is one belief that Ganga washes all your sins. None of the rivers in the world has the same following or celebration. In Rishikesh, you can witness devotees praying the river. It’s kinda small fare & it attracts lots of crowds. Witnessing it once will surely a pleasant experience.

5. Yoga:

Rishikesh is also known as Yoga Capital of the world & there are many ashrams which will teach you this master art. An art which will balance your life & thoughts. Yoga is an art to know your body through motions. Many people come here to learn this fantastic art & nothing can beat learning yoga on the banks of Ganga.

6. Bungee Jumping:

Bungee jumping is slowly picking up the pace in India. At this place, one can try bungee jumping. Not many people try this activity due to fear & the fear is real. It is hard to jump into the unknown. I have previously tried bungee jumping in Spain & it was very scary for sure.

7. River Side Camping:

A more relaxing activity to do is camping. You can camp on the banks of Ganga & relax. There are many activities like beach volleyball, bonfire, music, etc all come complimentary with camping. A great way to relax & think about life. Nowadays, it is hard to find time for yourself. But, with this activity, you might be able to do this. It is essential to think about life now & then. As this will help you to find your happiness & satisfaction.

Handy Resources:

My Rishikesh Experience

July 7, 2019July 8, 2019 AnandPatel

Rishikesh is a small town in Uttarakhand, India; it is also known as a Yoga Capital of World. Apart from teaching this unique art of yoga to the world; Rishikesh has some spiritual roots as well. This city is also a starting point for a holy trail which consists of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, also known as Chota 4 Dham. If you are feeling spiritual && assume yoga is the only aspect of this city. Then think again; Rishikesh is also known for River Rafting which makes it only one of the few places where you can experience this thrilling sport. How is the experience of traveling to such a unique place? Here is my take.

Rishikesh City

The city is flooded with the pilgrims may be too much for the liking. The narrow roads are choked with all sorts of vehicles which gets into your head after a certain point of time. The main attraction of the city is its bridge or famously known as Lakshman Jhula & because of which staying near this place is certainly the best option. The main roads are too crowded with tourists which will hinder your peaceful time & at times it will get difficult to even walk. If you want to spend some peaceful time then head towards the bank of the Ganga where you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the city, some cold water & lots of peace.

Lakshman Jhula:

Walking on the bridge is a great experience & if you believe mythology then the place of Lakshman Jhula is at the same place where once Lakshman shot an arrow & made a bridge via jute. A visit to this place is a must & the view from the bridge is too good to be missed. But, good luck in finding an empty bridge. Throughout the day it is crowded with the people.

River Rafting:

River rafting in Rishikesh is one of the rarest of experiences one can witness in life. There are many variants for river rafting based on the distances. One can try any one of these & fun is guaranteed. This was my first time of river rafting & I really enjoyed the experience & it is a must do activity in Rishikesh. If you want to fancy something else. There is a cliff jumping option available as well

Food:

Food is never a disappointment in any part of India. There is always something that will satisfy your food buds. One of the oldest food chains Chotiwala is in this place. The food is pretty yum & a visit is a must. Apart from this, there are many small restaurants which are very good. So food won’t be an issue here. You can fill your stomach at very reasonable prices.

The Mighty River:

Ganga is considered in high regards in India & it is considered to wash away all your sins which is why many people want to take a dip in this pure water. The water is spine chilling even during the summers as it receives its water via the melting of ice. Taking a dip is essential. Further, if you want to enjoy some peacetime alone, head towards the banks of the river, find a quiet spot & enjoy nature.

In the midst of valleys, there is a river flowing across the city. One side of the city is crowded & the other one is pleasant & calm. While traveling to Rishikesh one should be aware of the surroundings. The view is too good to be missed.

Rishikesh is an average place to visit many people get bored here as there is not much to do. One of the biggest setbacks of visiting this place is nightlife. There is hardly anything to do during nights & its a dry place which means no alcohol. So, if you are only here for chilling then it will be worth it. But, if you are expecting something exciting then you will be disappointed.

I enjoyed my stay here. But, will I be traveling to the place again? I highly doubt that as the way is too tedious & there is no direct & easy mode to reach this place. I will probably skip it next. Although, visiting any place for the first time is never bad. So, explore the place & make some memories.

Top Must Have Travel Accessories on Amazon

June 23, 2019June 24, 2019 AnandPatel

Traveling on roads is a tough task. But, if you have your accessories is in place & there is no place better than Amazon to find travel accessories. There are many cheap accessories available on Amazon which are actually a steal.

Passport Organizer

With an amazing 4-star rating. The passport organizer is a must have to keep all the important documents at a single place. From passport to tickets & all the paper which somehow vanishes during the time of need. This is a must-have for the clumsy ones. Amazon basics are selling it at a very cheap price. Buy this now.

Digital Weighing Scale:

How often we miscalculate our luggage weight which results in a nuisance during luggage submission. But, not anymore a digital weighing scale is available on Amazon at a dirt cheap price. This product is among the best selling products. Don’t wait to weight your luggage. Buy this at the earliest.

Shoeshine Shoe Bag/Sleeves

Usually, occasion chose our shoe & carrying many pairs of the shoe has its problem. We walk around in shoes & it getting dirty can’t be an option. But the greater problem is how to keep shoes along with clothes. For that, you need a shoe bag. A bag which will keep your shoe with your clothes but won’t disturb it with the dirt. Buy shoe bag from here.

DOCOSS TSA Approved Metal Number Lock for Luggage Bag

Breaking chains or robbing is very common in some part of the world. To avoid these mishappenings; people carry lock & key but it has its own drawback; what if you miss your keys or misplaced it somewhere. So, there is a number lock which is handy & useful. You just need to remember your lock combination & you are good to roll. Buy your lock from here.

Toiletry Bag

Traveling on roads for longer duration & carrying all your toiletries just randomly is difficult to maintain. To avoid all such horrendous situation where something breaks & spoil your clothes you can buy a toiletry bag which will not only store your valuables but will also keep it clean & safe. Buy your bag from here.

Where To Find Best Hotel Deals

June 20, 2019November 20, 2019 AnandPatel

Accommodation is the second step in planning a trip. I have already covered from where one can book cheap international flight tickets & you can also all the countries I have traveled to by using these search engines. Now, moving on to the second part. Accommodation booking, there are numerous sites from where one can book cheap accommodations. Further, booking a hostel dorm bed is way much cheaper than booking a 3-star hotel. But, this solely depends on user preferences. Some people want to enjoy a luxury stay while others want to book budget accommodation. So, based on your interests you can select either of the options. I am here stating various sites from where you can book your stay at a much cheaper price & with ease.

Hotels.com

Hotels.com is one of the latest sites that have cropped up in this busy industry. Hotels.com has a wide range of hotels to choose from. This site is famous for hostels & if you can even check hotels.com recommendation to book best of the best. Further, throughout the year, one can find discounts & special offers. Thus, it is best to check this option.

Booking.com

Booking.com is one of the oldest sites to book accommodation. The listings on the booking.com are good & with basic filters in the place. This site is perfect for booking your next stay. The site is easy to use & if booking any accommodation in Europe. This should be your go-to site for sure.

HostelWorld

Hostelworld is probably the largest collection of hostels in a wide range of countries. It doesn’t charge any booking fee. Thus, you might well save some bucks over there. It is popular in Europe & US. There is also an option of comparing hostels which is an added advantage considering your requirements. So, this can also be a great place to book some hostels.

Agoda:

Agoda is perfect to book 3 stars and above hotels in Asia. There are numerous offers going on throughout the year & some of the hidden deals can make your day along with substantially reducing your trip cost. Agoda is a great place to check various options. Agoda has recently started home stays as well, which is in line with AirBnB.

AirBnb:

AirBnB is a place where one can book homestay. It is better to book AirBnB outside India as the properties are damn pretty & one can have a place to themselves. Further, I won’t recommend booking an AirBnB as a solo traveler. As the fun of traveling solo is maximized in hostels where you get a chance to meet other travelers

Couchsurfing:

Couchsurfing is a site where host allows to stay at his or her place without charging you anything. Trust is an important aspect while booking Couchsurfing. But, before booking a place through Couchsurfing check the reviews first. Also, if you can manage to get a host; nothing beats free accommodation.

These are my go-to sites for booking hostels or hotels. I hope this will be a great insight for you to try on your next booking. I have earlier covered places to book cheap international flight tickets . So, if all the bases are covered what are you waiting for?

Top Luxury Hotels In India

June 8, 2019November 20, 2019 AnandPatel2 Comments

India has a long history of tourism, Hinduism & culture. It is the center of two civilization of the world one is Indus valley civilization and the other one is Aryan civilization. Tourism in India started in the early sixties. The best prominent way to introduce India to foreigners and to the tourists is that India is a country of all seasons and all reasons. The geographical structure is so diverse, colorful and varied that it will take many visits to cover it completely. Safety is one aspect that everyone should be aware of one should take his or her safety in priority to avoid any personal injury.

So with great structures and historic places every tourist country need a different type of hotels where the tourist could come along and have a peaceful and luxury stay. In India, there are hotels counted as one of the best in the business in this regard. There are palaces of Mughal period which are now turned into hotels and are eventually a tourist place too where they can enjoy the stay along with history.

Some of the famous top hotels where you should definitely check in without thinking twice are as follow:

Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur:

Maharana Jagat Singh II of Udaipur built a pleasure palace on the lake of Pichola in 1746, which Maharana called as the Jag Niwas. And it is today the majestic and magnificent Taj Lack Palace of Udaipur. It got world-renowned when the James Bond Film “Octopussy” was filmed. You can meet the palace’s phenomenal structure in the middle of the lake. It is the most romantic of hotels in India, it is an ideal venue for tourists to stay at least for a night mainly to enjoy a gorgeous view of surroundings from dawn to dusk. It also provides you package where they especially give you a tour of the city on their vintage cars.

Samode Haveli, Jaipur:

It is an urban oasis situated in the historic walled city of Jaipur, Samonde haveli is full of Indian tradition, culture and reflecting it colors set in a lush green garden with apartments arranged around of warm courtyards. It is a magnificent structure built about 175 years ago as a residence of the rulers of Samode, which still occupied by their descendants, who converted this prestigious home into luxury and tourist hotel.

Rambagh Palace, Jaipur:

It was built in 1835 and the palace has gone through many royal transitions like from the house of the favorite handmaiden of Queen, to the royal guest house and the hunting lodges. It is now a jewel that now offers a breathtaking 78 stunningly decorated grand luxury rooms and suites which were the chambers of the former Maharaja. It has extravagantly designed hand craved ‘jalis’ or latticework, cenotaphs and elaborate Mughal Gardens.

The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata:

Situated in India’s most toured and beautiful city. The rooms here are specially designed and suited for business and leisure travelers. It has the finest heritage style, superb furnishings & modern technology. The Dining Restaurant here serves food from all over the world along with Bar of all variety wines etc. they also offers city tour, swimming and fitness facilities.

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur:

This historic palace was built in between 1928-1943, it is a masterpiece of Rajasthan’s heritage and a sign of new Jodhpur. It is the world’s 6th largest private residence. Set within the 26 acres of lush green gardens where beautiful peacocks dance. It offers 70 absolutely breathtaking Art Deco-style rooms and suits. Tempt your taste buds at Risala with original Rajasthani and Indian Cuisine.

Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai:

It was opened in 1903, it is said to be the first harbor landmark. It has hosted many big personalities, kings, dignitaries and eminent politician around the globe. It has 285 elegant rooms, rich in history and modern facilities. It hosts 9 of the city’s most reputed restaurants and bars.

Ratan Villas,Jodhpur:

Ratan Villa is one of the most famous hotels in Jodhpur, it has won people’s choice award for straight five years from 2009-2013. It has a building constructed keeping in view the culture and heritage of the area and India. Situated around the lush green trees and with the red building, it gives a charming and warm look that no every eye catches.

The Imperial, Delhi:

It is an oasis of peace and charm that sums up the understanding of what masterpiece it is. It has won the prestigious title of ‘Best Heritage Hotel’ by the Jury-outlook Travelers awards 2018. It is among the only 7 hotels in India which have been listed in the Conde Nast Gold List for 2018. The royal palms decoded alongside the halls that lead to the porch are an essential part of and portrays the very creation of Delhi. Including the imperial looks the rooms and the building has is one finest thing in the whole of India.

The Coconut Lagoon, Kerala:

The interaction of the coconut woods and backwater canals, with the old traditional wooden Keralan homes, restored, conserved and cherished. The coconut lagoon is located in a sheltered and charming bay in Kumarakom, this resort reflects the variety and splendor of Vemband Lake. The old agricultural homes are rebuilt to propose you an entry into a lively and delightful world following the gentle pulse of backwaters.

The Coconut Lagoon Luxury Hotel In India

Palais De Mahe, Pondicherry:

One of the peaceful and elegantly built hotels of India. It lies close to the seaside walkway, hardly 50m from the beauty of the sea and to feel the coolness in the breeze of Bay of Bengal. This symbolic hotel with its grand courtyard, deep porches, attractive decent pillars & period furniture mix the south Indian fire and flavor with the French strength and passion to bring you to an experience that is in every way remarkable and unforgettable.

This is a guest post. I hope this will help you to book your next luxury stay in India. For more informations, you can subscribe to my blog.

Rishikesh River Rafting

May 23, 2019May 31, 2019 AnandPatel

Rishikesh is one of the few places in India which sports River Rafting; an adventure sport. Since its operation started many years back, this activity has become a crowd puller. Rishikesh on the outset is considered as a holy place & sporting an adventure activity at this city was always a far fetched dream. But, not anymore. There are many vendors which are providing this facility to the customers. During my trip to Rishikesh in the summers of 2019. I tried this activity & here is my experience along with some essential information for you. /div>

Rafting Experience

I tried 16 Km river rafting cost of which was Rs 1000. The vendor will offer pick-up & drop services. Thus, there is no worry to reach the starting point. The starting point of 16 Km river rafting is at Shivpuri which also has a camping site.

The vendor picked 6 of us from our hostels & head towards Shivpuri. The journey of 16 Km from Rishikesh is not tedious but the construction work at some part of the road made it too uncomfortable. It took us 35 to 40 mins to reach the starting point. After reaching the point, safety gears were handed to us & were directed to reach banks of the river. Standing on the banks of the river, I touched the water which was very cold quiet contrast to the temperature which was soaring at 30 odd degrees.

The captain of our raft was a Nepalese born guy who knew his craft. There was a session of 10 mins regarding what can go wrong & how to overcome if anything goes wrong. During those minutes, he will ensure that our safety is up to mark & there are no loose points & once we get the green light we boarded our raft for a memorable & probably one in a lifetime experience of river rafting. I am saying one time as there is nothing as special as experiencing something for the first time. /div>

So, by saying our prayers we started out for an adventure. By talking with our captain we realized we have to cross 6 rapids out of which 2 are the best. Soon, we witnessed our first rapid which was just a glimpse of what is in the store. Few shaky moments were the only we witnessed. Soon, we reached another one which was far better than the first one. The water was smashing the rock & then flowing through its regular path. At one point of time, it seems that the raft will smash the rock. But, as soon as the raft reaches the rock, reversing waves come to our savior & maneuvered us to the correct path.

After crossing second rapid, the flow was stable & captain allowed us to jump into the cold water which we did. After floating for few minutes, it was time for the third rapid; which is one of the scariest ones. The water was smashing each other forming few low moments where the raft can submerge. But, there are other waves to rescue us from the depth of the water. It was a rare gem adventure. After crossing this there was one more rapid with such difficulty. After crossing 4th rapid the journey was pretty smooth.

While rafting from Shivpuri to Rishikesh. A resting point is dedicated where one can also do cliff jumping. The height of the cliff is approx 3 to 4 Mts. It is fun to jump in the water from such height. If you are done with all the activities you can also have snacks at this point.

Once we crossed cliff jumping point there was one more rapid. But, our body was too tired for the last one. So, we took it easy & reached the final point.

Is River Rafting Worth It?

After experiencing this activity, it was a mixed feeling, at the start the thrill of trying new activity was confining the mind; during those dangerous manoeuvers took the breath away & then the peace of river flowing to its destination. The activity lasts for 2.5 to 3 hours. But, it was full of different emotions. I would recommend trying this activity for sure & by far one of the best activities to do in Rishikesh.

Hostel Review “Live Free Hostel Rishikesh”

May 17, 2019November 20, 2019 AnandPatel

Rishikesh is a yoga capital of World & even if you are not interested in this age-old art, there are plenty of other reasons why one should visit this place?. Some of these are river rafting, camping, etc. Rishikesh is not a costly place as many pilgrims visit this place on a tight budget.

Youth hostels are slowly but surely crawling in the hotel industry. Few years back people were handicapped of the choices. But, now there is no such worry. Nowadays, one can find plenty of options in different ranges to choose from. Rishikesh also has plenty of options to choose from & if you are on a budget, then this option can just be perfect for you.

Live Free Hostel

This hostel is located near the famous attraction, Lakshman Jhula. The hostel is located near the prime location; all the famous cafes like German Bakery, Beatles cafe, Ganga Beach Cafe, etc are at a walkable distance. Further, the location is perfect to catch a vehicle to the city.

Why Choose This Hostel?

Location: Located approx 600 Mts from Lakshman Jhula, it makes this hostel place to stay. Further, there are many ashrams near the place which can further help you to rejuvenate & chill.

Hospitality: There is a reception & a common area where one will find helpers. All of the crew is nice & will help you in the best possible way.

Activities: You can book most of the activities from the reception & the rates will be as per the market. So, why to go around the market & bargaining for activities. They have collaboration with good companies which provide the best services. Also, they can help you get scooters with a meager rate of Rs 400.

Price: The cost of a dorm bed in an 8-bed room is Rs 300 which is slightly costly compared to more touristic destinations. But, looking at the place & room condition. The price seems to be appropriate.

Room Facilities: The room has bedsheet, bed curtains, bed light, AC & bathroom. The room condition is pretty good at the present time.

I stayed at this place during my trip to Rishikesh in Apr 2019. It was a decent place to stay & relax. You can book your stay from here Live Free Hostel

Hoi An Experience

March 15, 2019March 15, 2019 AnandPatel

Hoi An by far is the best place in Vietnam solely for its beauty. The moment I searched for Vietnam . Hoi An is mentioned in literary each post. After seeing so many posts one feels obliged to visit the town. Hoi An can be reached from Da Nang on a motorbike. It is hardly 30 Km from Da Nang town. Da Nang is a modern city with all the modern infrastructure & perfect town city. Hoi An, on the other hand, is beautiful & will take you to vintage Vietnam. Small houses located beautifully around the river. So, here is my Hoi An Experience.

The Beach

The road from Da Nang to Hoi An is pretty straight & without any potholes. On the way to Hoi An, one will find lots of resorts & also marble mountain. The road is pretty scenic & the ride is enjoyable. The fun starts after entering the town. The old town (the most beautiful part of Hoi An) is a bit far from the city entry point. The beach is welcoming you to the city, clean beach with blue water is a great place to relax from the city’s hassle.

Once the person enters the Hoi An town, the roads are running through the lush green landscapes, at some point, one will witness lush green paddy fields, tree branches falling on the roads & if you are not amazed by the beautiful sites then you can also ride your motorbike on a path running parallel to the estuaries. The fun of riding a motorbike at such beautiful sites are always memorable. The tourists are riding cycle to enjoy these beautiful paths. If one has enjoyed riding motorbike or cycle. The most famous attraction of the place. Old Town is waiting for you.

Old City Hoi An

The best way to explore the old town is by walking across the lanes. There are 3 to 4 lanes which are beautiful & worth visiting. The old town is painted in the yellow color & sky is covered in colorful lanterns. The evening is pleasant & much more colorful. Different color of lanterns lits up during the evening which makes it much more pleasant & much more delightful. The beauty of the place can only be experienced. There is no better site than sitting at some roadside cafes near river & enjoying vibrant evening colors with local drinks. Sit in some cafe enjoy some random conversation or better enjoy nature. This can be one of the best things to do in Hoi An.

The old shops are beautifully decorated from both inside & outside. The evenings are much more beautiful & colorful. Shops are crowded with the tourists & once the lanterns are lit the view of the city is transformed to the good. Walk across the lanes & enjoy the pristine views & experiences.

The place is beautiful & a lovely getaway from even traveling. Enjoy local food, local cuisine & let your self to soak this beautiful town. You can check Hoi An Travel Guide here.

Here are few handy resources to help you in a better way.

Agoda: Best place to book hotels of your liking. Agoda provides the best solution & great offer while booking a hotel.

Skyscanner: Skyscanner compares various sites & sort the flights based on the rates. A great way to check flight cost. Although the only drawback is that rates are flexible. Hence, the cost might change while you are making the payment.

Jetradar: Jetradar is a comparing site which is just like Skyscanner. But, is much more accurate & much more handy in use.

Booking: Best place to book hostel rooms. There are plenty of options available & with so many properties booking becomes much easier.

Travel Insurance: There are numerous options available to get one. So, you can choose anything which suits your requirement. Make sure you read the terms & conditions before buying one.