As a lover of all things that reside in nature, we know you must be an acrophile(a lover of high altitudes), and what combines the two to give you a steady rush of endorphins every time you lay your eyes on it? That’s right, [...]
The distance: a great 545 km. The challenge: cycling at over 18,000 feet (!) in gruesome terrain and thin mountain air. The prize: immense triumph and an accomplishment only few people on Earth can boast about. All of that may sound either daunting [...]
Intimidation. That is what I felt before my first ride in the big city. I have since realized that every beginner cyclist has the right to be apprehensive when riding in urban areas. Especially a city like New Delhi, where traffic is always bustling and [...]
Nearly all of us have heard of, visited or know someone who has visited the great Tirthan Valley...and with good reason. Although Tirthan Valley has gradually become known as a popular destination in the hills, it is still revered as an alternative spot for [...]
‘Rang de tu mohe Gerua’, Shahrukh pleaded to Kajol against stunning Icelandic backdrop in Dilwale, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika fell in love over a snow fight on Khipshi Pass, Manali. Kareena rode a cutesy scooter in a bridal attire at Pangong Tso Lake at Ladakh looking [...]
We have often spoken of our obsession with the magnificent creature that is the Snow Leopard. Spread out across Central and South Asia, this elusive wild cat is nearly impossible to get a hold of. Spotting one is extremely rare and the conditions one [...]
There is a plethora of beautiful locations as you make your way up to North India. The hilly landscape, lush meadows, bushy forests and crystal clear rivers are enough to make any heart swell with a deep appreciation for Mother Nature. However, none are [...]
Bir – Billing, the two gems of Himachal Pradesh are tucked away in the Kangra region and are nothing short of astonishing. Winding paths leading into dense forests, a panoramic view of the mighty Himalayan range along with a range of adventures bring the [...]
There's a lot more to Bhutan than meets the eye. The vibrant culture, the jubilant people, countless monasteries, a beautiful landscape and an other-worldly aura that never seems to escape the traveler's thoughts. Most wanderers who have stumbled into Bhutan vow to come back [...]
Imagine walking through an incredible snow-covered landscape at an altitude of 4,000 meters in sub zero temperatures, right in the midst of winters. Think of snowball fights, stark white snow photography, snowman selfies and even getting a chance to spot an incredibly rare Snow Leopard [...]
At 8,500 feet in the air suspended by rip-stop nylon and a harness, adventure only seems to have one meaning. However, there is more to Bir – Billing than just paragliding. Drifting softly through parting clouds over a spectacular view in Himachal Pradesh [...]
For our 16 year old guest blogger, the promise of a summer romance came with challenges from an unlikely quarter. Her own family! After a series of embarrassing mishaps, just when things were about to bloom, comes an unexpected twist! Read on, laugh with her [...]
She signed up for 545 Kms of Manali-Leh Mountian Biking Expedition with trepidation. Soon the expedition became an all consuming desire in her life. She has been diligently following a yearlong training plan with GoMissing that has prepared her well for it. Notwithstanding, she is [...]
I grew up listening to stories of Valley of Flowers from my mother. Those were the summers of 1982 and I was a 10 year old precocious kid, eager to learn, explore and know all that lay beyond the compound of the Cotton Mills in [...]
The Valley of Flowers Trek dates are out. Save the dates and call GoMissing to book your trek. Keep this infographic handy. The trek dates are 26 July-31 July 2016, 10 August-15 August, 2016, 31 August - 05 September 2016, 03 September -08 September 2016. Check [...]
Business is business and leisure, leisure and the twain shall never meet. Right? Wrong! Learn from Anuraag the art of Bleisure! A chance comment by a cousin, who I suspect envied my frequent business traveler status, set me thinking. “So brother you travel so much for [...]
A few days ago, Gujarat Government shared an advisory against taking 'Selfies with Asiatic Lions' at the Gir Forest. This is to discourage tourists from getting too close to wild animals. The frenzy of catching that ultimate 'instagram worthy' moment has cost several lives worldwide [...]
Cycling is a transforming experience. If you don't buy our word for it, hear it from Additi Bhardwaj, our guest blogger for this post. About the Author: Additi Bhardwaj is a senior executive with a multi-national company. In her personality a lot of contrasts meet, [...]
The beautiful Kingdom of Bhutan deserves a place of pride in any travel bucketlist simply because there isn’t a place quite like this anywhere in the world. Its charm lies in its unique culture and traditions, as also in its unfailing commitment to preserve environment. [...]
Is Srinagar on your list of summer sojourns? Check out the Top 10 things in Srinagar, that have enamoured travelers from ages to this land! In this virtual tour of Srinagar, see sights that have inspired artists, poets and painters, visit places of historical significance, [...]
Only a few lucky riders have the privilege of private personalized coaching. Rest of us rely on another kind of coach-ourselves. Here are some guidelines adapted from Bicycling 1100 Best All-Time Tips by Jason Sumner, to help you get started on your cycling training. Slide through [...]
The 545 Km Manali-Leh trail is one of the extreme expeditions we take serious cyclists on every year. The 12-day trail is replete with steep climbs, rapid descents, disorienting switchbacks and plenty of gravelly terrain. With increasing number of enthusiasts taking interest in mountain biking [...]
Having grown up in North India, the morning of Republic Day always reminds me of the chilly foggy mornings, when all you could see were shadows of people, weighed down by heavy blankets that fell about like capes, heads covered in wooly caps, chins tucked [...]
Corporate life is like running a marathon everyday for next 40 years of life. Do you have the physical training to run this race? GoMissing caught up with Anuraag, who mentors GoMissing team on growth, strategy and success. A senior industry leader, Anuraag combines his [...]
Who in India hasn’t had toilet woes while travelling? While today, we may have a grouse against unclean toilets, there was a time, when Indian Railways did not have any toilets at all on trains. Imagine the plight of poor passengers! It was apparently this [...]
Was it God or a swig of their favorite drink that made them beat all odds? All great explorers of the world must have had moments of great adversity, extreme hardship, excruciating pain during their explorations. Haven't we have often wondered what/who did they turn [...]
Gulmarg, the meadow of flowers, is the perfect destination for the discerning traveler. It's verdant landscapes, tall pine and deodar forests, gurgling brooks, and the snow covered mountains make a picture perfect setting while offering travelers incredible avenues to find adventure, soak in the beauty [...]
The Cameron Highlands is one of Malaysia’s most beautiful hill stations. Size of Singapore, this hill station is about 200 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur. It is named after Sir William Cameron, a British surveyor who was commissioned by the colonial government to map out the region in 1885. While the British [...]
Snow showers are here, and with that the ski season has kicked off at Gulmarg. If you are headed there, this compendium on Skis will ensure that you have a smooth ski run. The thrilling sport promises plenty of falls and more often than not, [...]
Summers or winters, Gulmarg or the meadow of flowers captivates you with its beauty and charm. Saurabh Kapur, CEO-GoMissing Expeditions spends a good part of skiing season stationed at this beautiful place conducting Skiing Courses. He was asked by Happy Trips to share his recommendations of Hotels [...]
When it comes to cycling destinations, GoMissing goes all out to bring to you charming, eclectic, adventurous and offbeat destinations. Last week saw us heading out to George Town, Penang in Malaysia. We were heading there to sample Penang’s unique cuisine, see a thriving culture [...]
If you have ever undertaken a wilderness trip, be it cycling or trekking and that too in a group, you may have always felt the need for a reliable communication scene between your group/ fellow travelers. At GoMissing we always try to have a good [...]
The 545 Km Manali-Leh trail is one of the extreme expeditions GoMissing takes serious cyclists on. The 12 day trail is replete with steep climbs, rapid descents, disorienting switchbacks and plenty of gravelly terrain. The beauty of the trail, of course lies in unmatchable landscape [...]
This 15 November I led a GoMissing trek to Beas Kund-the glacial source of River Beas. Nestled 14,308 ft above the sea level, this lake sits comfortably under the gaze of Ladakhi, Shitidhar and Friendship Peaks. Legend has that ancient sage Rishi Vyas bathed and meditated [...]
With the start of Skiing season, GoMissing will have a base in Gulmarg to oversee skiing courses and customized programs. As skiing season hots up, in addition to getting your ski gear in order, its important to refresh your skiing knowledge. For all those planning [...]
A good part of GoMissing team camps in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir for the entire skiing season in January/February and some part of March. The reason for this are our hugely successful Skiing Courses for Beginner /Intermediate levels for private groups and corporates; our Powder & Back Country [...]
It was December of 2013 and we were camping on a craggy stone cliff facing the Arabian Sea, somewhere close to Kashid beach in Maharashtra. We were three families with five children, all of who wanted it to be the night full of scary stories [...]
Beautiful view from the Go Missing base camp on the Nag Tibba Trek The beautiful trek up to Nag Tibba is the perfect weekend trip for people in and around Delhi. Nag Tibba or the serpent's peak is located only 57 kilometres from [...]
With winters round the corner, have you ever wondered if skiing and snow fit your idea of winter fun? Does the sound of zorbing on snow excite you? GoMissing Ski doctors have compiled this list of ski symptoms that will help you decide if skiing [...]
Have you ever thought that your nagging headache/ mood swing could be stress related? Stress pops its ugly head and sneaks up on us in many ways. Most times we may not even realize that it's stress we are battling. Before we can pin the cause, stress [...]
Like Mahatma Gandhi, with whom he shares birth date, Lal Bahadur Shastri is one of the most loved leaders of India. Admired for his integrity and values he lived by, this Gandhian, a man of principles, led an austere life and brought the same [...]
If there were a contest to choose the fittest icon of the century, Gandhi ji would definitely be a prime contender. While he inspired the world with his religion of truth and non violence, he was also a role model for health, fitness and disciplined [...]
Come autumn and the trekking season begins at GoMissing! Whether you are on our Lamadug/Pin Bhaba/Kunzum Chandrataal treks in Himachal or Kedarkantha/ Valley of Flowers/Nag Tibba treks in Utarakhand, one thing that runs common across all these are the unmissable Bonfire evenings. What roasting marshmallows [...]
The cycling ecosystem in Delhi is pretty good and the number of people taking to recreational and professional cycling in the city has increased exponentially over the last few years. Step out early in the morning towards India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhawan and Rajpath, and you will [...]
GoMissing Manali-Leh Expedition has reached Leh! We caught up with Saurabh Kapur in Leh and here is what he had to say..... We are standing akimbo today at a hilltop looking into Leh, transfixed by the beauty of the land. Riding our mountain bikes for [...]
“Which is one of the best places in the world to paraglide in?” Put this question even to the most traveled and the probability that their answer points to some dainty city in Europe or America would be pretty high! That may not be the [...]
We have Ladakh Festival 2015 on your minds. Why, you may ask? Because GoMissing Manali to Leh Mountain Biking Expedition #Project 545 is going to be in Leh just in time for Ladakh Festival, which is scheduled from 20-26 September, 2015. As you read this, our group [...]
History and mythology have always been intricately entwined in India. The further back one goes, the harder it gets to accurately discern one from the other. Strands of one seep into the other, blending homogeneously. Perhaps it’s just as well. Myths spice up the [...]
Saurabh Kapur, CEO-GoMissing Expeditions is now on Happy Trips - a Times Internet initiative that's a treasure trove of over 15000 articles, guides and photo galleries covering no less than 300 destinations in India and worldwide. In this article, published recently on Happy Trips, Saurabh [...]
Colorful prayer flags fluttering against inky blue skies, now that’s a sight for sore eyes, isn’t it? There is something peaceful, ethereal, other worldly and strangely comforting to see Buddhist prayer flags printed with sacred mantras spreading the message of peace, compassion, love and hope [...]
The greatest boon travelling with hundreds of adventure junkies all through the year across our Skiing, Cycling and Trekking expeditions is that we meet many endearing people with enchanting travel styles. For the hugely driven and motivated adventurers, reaching the goal is sacrosanct, for others [...]
For most urban dwellers in our country and around the world, an inky black night sky bejeweled with innumerable dazzling stars is something they have rarely experienced in their lifetimes. Such is the cost of modern living. Not on GoMissing trekking tours though! On our [...]
The budgets have been sanctioned, the team is in place and now you have to put the strategy to action. Since you want a high performing, motivated team, you task the best people in your team to plan a ‘happening’ team offsite. The team comes [...]
Come 15 August and the entire air of the nation is redolent with fervor of independence. So what is this independence? At GoMissing, we often use terms like freedom, independence, free spirited, liberated to describe our travel philosophy. On the eve of our country’s 69th [...]
Everybody loves a good hack! For the generation that looks for effective hacks for nearly everything, we at GoMissing decided to share some of our tested and tried travel hacks. These absolutely DESI hacks are desier than jugaad and masala chai! When we are getting [...]
GoMissing MTB rides from Manali to Leh are rarely complete without some laugh out loud photo opportunities with the Himank road signs and milestones. Himank, a project of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in the Ladakh region was started in 1985. Team Himank battles tough terrain and extreme climatic conditions [...]
With our forthcoming trek to Pin Bhaba round the corner, we are inundated with queries from a number of travelers who are keen to know more about this offbeat trekking destination. Our enthusiastic traveling community wants to know where is Pin Bhaba?; How should they [...]
At GoMissing, we believe in creating memorable experiences through engaging and insightful travel opportunities. It is this philosophy that propels us to deep dive into cultures, traditions of the places we visit. We want that travelers too get insightful perspectives into places they are visiting. [...]
A long road on a barren landscape of red mud, high morning sun filtering through the car window, pleasant ambient temperature inside the car (air-conditioning, of course!), the dilemma of deciding the next destination and a song playing in the car - Yun hi chala [...]
Light-eyed, tall and strong jawed people with aristocratic noses, the Aryans have long been a source of much fascination and study for people in India and around the world. 'Aryan', a term for racial grouping was used to describe people of European and Western Asian [...]
Ladakh is vividly described in eloquent terms as land of passes, land of endless beauty and so on. Picture perfect landscapes, surreal skies, stretches of unending loopy roads, smiling people and placid lakes all seem to say, this is where Shangri La is, this is [...]
Nandita with her kids About our Guest Author: Nandita is an adventure junkie with hobbies ranging from motorbiking, trekking, cycling and skiing to photography & writing. She works with an IT company and balances her life amazingly between work, activities and her kids. [...]
Many memories of growing up in Kanpur and Lucknow are related to the road journeys we took in our trusted Ambassador. The car majestically carried us to towns like Rai Bareily, Allahabad, Fatehpur, Benares for many memorable 'mundans', engagements, weddings, housewarming or sometimes, just to [...]
Waiting at an airport, a lot of us have enviously looked at smart executives (dressed sharply, looking fit to the boot, gliding a gleaming bag, without a trace of jet lag) and wondered what makes them look like George Clooney walking the red carpet in [...]
The temperatures have shot up and so has your yearning to escape the heat! Let the lure of Himalayas beckon you and your family. GoMissing has several easy to moderate treks planned in June and July 2015 to give you and your loved ones the [...]
Green bellflower vine is found in abundance in the Valley of Flower. These greenish yellow bell-shaped flowers appear on vines in summers and have purple markings all over. The flower is commonly found in the Himalayas, from Uttarakhand to Bhutan, at an altitude of 1200 [...]
A place of astounding beauty Using superlatives to describe the Valley of Flowers seems totally justified. Abound with millions of flowers, numerous streams and verdant green landscape – the valley exudes unparalleled beauty. During monsoons, the valley exhibits a whole spectrum of colors. In [...]
Best time to go: July and August. In the peak monsoons, the flowers are in full bloom. Difficulty level: Easy to moderate (well-defined stone path all the way). The climb to Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara is a steep 6 km long climb The experience: Surreal to say [...]
The Legend of Guru Rinpoche Over thousand years ago, Guru Rinpoche arrived in Paro, Bhutan on the back of a grand tigress. For 3 months after that, he meditated in a cave nestled deep within a mountain. This is where the Taksang Lakhang or the [...]
Since we hardly like to sit in the office and nonetheless on a Friday, so the GoMissing team decided to head out for a photo walk to the Humayun's Tomb. As an ace photographer that he is, Saurabh was our guide for the day, giving [...]
Incredible India's new video on Jammu & Kashmir will mesmerize you, just as the valley mesmerizes travelers. The background music, sounds of birds chirping, the gentle prayers and the gushing waters of Jhelum create a beautiful symphony which truly depicts the essence of Kashmir. The [...]
As the adventurers that we are, the GoMissing team decided to recce the Nag Tibba which is an easy grade trek in Uttarakhand. So the trip was planned for the weekend and, Monika and I started on the Friday evening. After a 5 hour journey [...]
The landlocked state of Sikkim is a gateway to the Himalayas and home to the world's 3rd highest peak - Kanchendzonga. The treks in this area are tougher than your average fare and will test the mettle of even the most hardcore trekkers. Here's a list [...]
The Valentine's week is here and why not do something different than the plain old fancy dinners and red heart shaped balloons? Here we have 8 reasons why going on a trek date is much more romantic and fun! So what are you waiting [...]
About Nandita Nandita works with an IT company and is what many would call a true adventure junkie with hobbies ranging from motorbiking to trekking, cycling and skiing. An avid photographer, she balances her life amazingly between work, activities and her kids, whom she is [...]
The Temple of Fertility The Chime Lakhang or Chimi Lakhang is the temple of fertility, dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley - the divine madman of Bhutan. The temple is located in the Punakha district, which is about 10 kilometers from the Punakha town. To reach [...]
Travel is, truly, the only wholesome addiction. I keep telling myself that the best way to get over the disappointment of a trip being over is to start planning for the next one. There can never be too much of travel! So after returning from [...]
Day 1 A sudden bump on the road woke me up as I saw sun streaming in through the window of the bus. With me was a group of 10 travelers, whom I was going to spend my next 3 days with and knew little [...]
Winters are the time when most of us prefer to enjoy the warmth of our homes and trekking out in the mountains is the last thing on the mind. But winter treks do provide a beautiful, serene and unique experience, making it more thrilling, and [...]
Day Three: After an early breakfast of pancakes again at the quaint Pineridge, I set out for the trip to Happy Valley. It was quite a tricky cab ride along sharply sloping, narrow, twisted paths. Finally, at the end of a steep climb, the emerald-green [...]
Day Two: Next morning’s plan was towards the fulfilment of a childhood wish. A ride on the eponymous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Or to put it simply, a glorious Toy Train ride. Come to Darjeeling and not take a joyride on the beloved steam engine? Simply [...]
This summer I escaped the hustle-and-bustle and the dust-and-din of Calcutta for a few days’ respite in the beautiful hill town of Darjeeling. One might say it was the quintessential 'Bong' summer vacation! For Darjeeling is indeed the pride and joy of every Bengali. Nestled [...]
Meghalaya, one of the 7 sister states of North-East India, with its pristine beauty, perpetual clouds, mists, huge waterfalls, limestone caves, lush green and dense forests, amazing living root bridges, will make you fall in love with it. It is an ideal destination for everyone, [...]
Here is a list of 11 off-beat places to take your kids to in their vacations. These are guaranteed to keep them busy and involved as they learn and experience new things and, at the same time, have a gala time with the family. 1. Lamadug, Himachal Pradesh [...]
Dharamshala is a quiet and tranquil hill station in the Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh, nestled under the shadow of the mighty Dhauladhar range. The city has a mix of British and Buddhist culture and the upper Dharamshala, known as Mcleodganj, is the abode of the Dalai [...]
On a recent trek to Lama Dug meadows near Manali in Himachal Pradesh, we had the company of a lovely group of youngsters. This was their first ever trekking experience, and we were thrilled to have them join the GoMissing trek. This video by Aakriti captures some [...]
Situated in the foothills of Himalayas, the state of Uttarakhand is abound with trekking opportunities. The trekking trails in Uttarakhand range from easy to insane levels! The sheer number of treks available in this region are bound to entice both beginners and expert trekkers. If [...]
We all know the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words, so how many words worth does that the make the movies that we see? Movies have the power to inspire and can evoke a desire for travel through the sense of freedom [...]
Manali is one of the default holiday destinations in India, especially during summer months. But more than just being a tourist attraction, Manali is a paradise for adventure lovers, especially for trekking enthusiasts. Situated in the northern part of Himachal Pradesh, the high altitude treks from [...]
Think of all those "risky" things your parents asked you not to do as a kid and exponentiate them by 10, that's what we are talking about here. These sports are extreme enough to give heart in the mouth moments to any parent. We advise [...]
Traveling is an art and the more you travel, the better you get at it. Experience teaches you, with time, the skills to become the ultimate traveler. So we decided to compile a list of travel tips from our most seasoned travelers and the tricks [...]
Monsoon is usually the time that one relates to staying indoors. But monsoons, when the water bodies are at their fullest and the lands at their greenest, provide an opportunity for a bunch of adventure sports which can make the rains much more exciting and [...]
With a few long weekends coming up, a quick getaway is the perfect way to chill out and beat the city crowds. And while you’re at it, instead of just revealing the charm and beauty of the place, explore these venues and you may just discover a new [...]
Before we get to know you, here is who we are and what this is all about. We're a young travel start up running AWESOME adventure & off beat tours in the Himalayas. Like a lot of start ups, GoMissing offers tremendous learning opportunities and offers [...]
The constantly improving camera capabilities of the smartphone have given the photography enthusiast a great means of delving into travel photography. With powerful technology at your fingertips, you don’t have to spend a bomb on expensive cameras, lenses and other photography equipment to get those perfect [...]
Gulmarg, the meadow of flowers is the perfect snow skiing destination in India. Gulmarg has good infrastructure in terms of ski lifts, a gondola which takes you up to 14,000 feet for your skiing runs, a good number of hotels and other facilities which you [...]
Some of the most incredible treks in Bhutan Are you a passionate climber or trekker? Then you have thought about the best places for your hobby and probably tried many of them. But did you ever think about Bhutan? Apart from culture and [...]
The Triund trek is probably one of the easiest trek in the Himalayas. During a short 3-4 days trek, you will be able to get spectacular views of the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas and get to breathe the amazingly fresh air of the mountains. [...]
Do you wonder how it would feel to be in a lush green meadow with a little stream flowing through it, pretty patches of flowers swaying by the stream, lofty snow covered mountains glistening in the morning sun captivating your gaze, and no sign of human [...]
Living in Delhi or visiting Delhi over the weekend and wondering what to do without spending a bomb? Read on to see how you can spend a great weekend in Delhi without doing the usual pub/ club/ movie/ dinner kind of thing. This post lists [...]
Understanding White Balance The concept of white balance in digital photography is an evolution from filters in film photography. Exactly the way filters were used for film, white balance settings are used in digital camera. To understand white balance, it is necessary for one to [...]
One of the reasons why India is Incredible India is because of the topography of the country. From the low altitude ranges of South and central India to the lush green mountains of North Eastern India to the mighty Himalayas of the North, India has [...]
Get that dreamy look with a halo around your subject What is back lighting Backlighting is a photography concept in which the source of light of light is behind the subject (the subject is directly between the camera and the light). Exposing a backlit subject [...]
Valley of flowers is one of our favorite places in the world and is also a favorite of several of our travelers. Every year, we run multiple trips to the VoF during the monsoon months as the VoF meadows become a riot of colors during [...]
Spiti, also known as the middle land, is a beautiful cold desert area in Himachal Pradesh. Spiti is known as the middle land as it lies between India to the South and Tibet to the North. In the past, a large volume of trade between [...]
Every year around this time, we get a number of phone calls and emails from people trying to plan their trip to Ladakh. So the good folk that we are, we decided to write a few pointers which can help you plan your Ladakh trip [...]
So here is something that we all have felt at some point in our lives. At some point in our lives we have craved for that adrenalin rush. Pure unadulterated adrenalin flowing through the body giving a feeling of being on top of the world, [...]
Does the idea of exploring a different place, meeting people from different cultures, understanding their lives and finding adventure outside your comfort zone interest you? If you hear yourself saying "yes this is totally me" then read on. And once you're done reading, pack your [...]
If you've wondered about what it's like to go cycling in the Chopta region of Uttarakhand, read on... After exploring the Rudraprayag area (Kodima village, and trails around Rudraprayag), our team headed to Gopeshwar to ride to Kund which lies on the Haridwar-Kedarnath highway. [...]
Uttarakhand, the land of the gods as the state is popularly known as typically conjures up images of temples, religious rituals and the Char Dham Yatra (The pilgrimage of 4 temple towns) for most people. For adventure lovers, the state is associated with rafting, kayaking [...]
Before every trek, we receive a thick chunk of mails and calls asking us what and how to pack for the trek. Over the years, we have come up with a simple, yet extremely useful method which comes in handy before any trip at all. [...]
The Bhardwaj lake is a lesser known wonder on the outskirts of Delhi. Till recently, the lake wasn't on most maps and it was one of those places which couldn't be found except by those who already knew where it is. In recent times, the [...]
This post has moved to: http://gomissing.in/blog/13-reasons-why-you-should-learn-skiing-at-gulmarg/ Please click on the link above to read this post :) To find out more about Skiing in Gulmarg, mail us at info@gomissing.in or call us at +91 - 82853 49989
Children offering prayers There seems to be something about some simple sights which just leave an impression on you for a lifetime. The picture above is a simple click of two children playing. Somehow this picture just goes right up in my favorite [...]
Chopta chandrashila Trek This is a picture from our recent trek to Chandrashila peak. We arrived at the camping ground, which is some distance ahead of Chopta en-route to Chandrashila peak, after a short trek, and started setting up the camp. Within [...]
The Yellow Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus Malabaricus) is a fairly common non migratory resident bird found in the dry scrub and open grassland of the Indian subcontinent. Although the bird is non-migratory, it moves seasonally according to rain patterns. You can distinguish it from [...]
We were wondering what to do one February weekend in Hyderabad, when we decided to visit the Zoo and explore wildlife photography in a relatively controlled environment. The Hyderabad Zoo is a good place for wildlife lovers and photographers looking to [...]
"The purple sunbird dances, dressed in shades of black, then the sun spots her, turning her into a mesmerizing purple, " writes Sreelekha Premjit, in her poem dedicated to the winged creature. True to the words above, this little bird, just about 10 [...]
The valley of Flowers national park is a visual delight and a treat to ones senses. A trek into the valley during the monsoons is enough to lift spirits, leave the visitor spellbound, and overwhelm the senses (in an absolutely wonderful way). Nestled in the [...]
Tons Valley - Jaunsar Bawar region in Garhwal History, Myth and culture - Another name of Uttaranchal was Panchaldesh so named after the Pandavas. According to local village lore, the Pandavas and Kauravas figure in the anthropology of the Tons valley and some families claim [...]
This time around, the GoMissing gang is heading to the Tons river for a weekend of incredible fun, laughter, rafting and giving ourselves a break from the city life. Joining us is a motley crew of professionals, entrepreneurs, special educators and HR professionals. trip details: http://www.gomissingexpeditions.com/expedition/tons-of-rafting-fun/ [...]
As with most startups, you go through constant change and attempt to innovate and try out new things. So one fine day, the GoMissing think tank sat ourselves down (quite a task knowing how everyone around here has a spring attached to their feet) and [...]
The following video is from our winter trek to Kuari pass in December 2010. We changed the route slightly to scale a peak just above Kuari pass, instead of going to the pass itself. The peak offers a stunning 360 degrees panoramic view of the [...]
We're repeating our super successful trip to the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan this year again in April and in May. The Bhutan expedition is a people and culture expedition which will cover the highlights of Bhutan and heartwarming Bhutanese culture over one week. We start [...]
A 4 member team accompanied by a GoMissing expedition leader headed to Bharatpur in search for exotic avian life in the forests of Keoladeo Ghana national park. While the birding experience was absolutely brilliant, and we were able to spot and identify close to 60 [...]
Once a hunting ground for the gora sahibs of the British empire, the Keoladeo Ghana national park is now a UNESCO world heritage site and a major winter migration area for a large number of aquatic species from Siberia, Afganistan, China and Turkmenistan. In its [...]
If you were to wake up one morning and look outside the window to find that everything was under a thick blanket of white, the trees, the ground, the fields and everything imaginable under a thick sheet of pure white, what would be your first [...]
Perched on a wire, a 11inch long shadow of black can spell doom for the little unaware insects and grasshoppers flying in the vicinity. The Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) is a small passerine bird which feeds primarily on flying insects & grasshoppers which they catch in [...]
A beautiful memory was created and imprinted in my mind on a very recent trek. We just finished the winter trek to Kuari pass in the first week of December. The trek turned out to be a surreal experience and all along we had the [...]
The Takin's unique characteristics make it unlike any other animal Taxonomy The Takin is a one of its kind animal. Due to its uniqueness and lack of relationship with other animals, the Takin has been a bit of a hassle for taxonomists. Since the animal [...]
Recently a friend saw this (and some other) pictures and asked about how I was getting the perfect DOF for such images, and specifically asked about what I do in the field rather than what is published in the books and the articles. Isolating [...]
Our journey of exploration around Leh continued with a visit to the Sindhu ghat, Shay palace and Stok village. The Sindhu ghat (Indus bank) is a peaceful riverbank nestled in the surreal landscape of Ladakh. The barren brown mountains, a peaceful river flowing across stones [...]
The Thikshay monastery rises from the vast brown plains and embraces the open blue skies giving the approaching visitor a feeling of peace and calm. The Thikshay Monastery belongs to the Gelukpa order of Buddhism and was founded in 1430AD by Spon Palden Zangpo, nephew [...]
After a night of blissful sleep we awoke to a crisp October morning in Leh. As the sun started rising over the horizon, the nip in the air gave way to a warm feeling which just made perfect sense. A little while later we got [...]
I would imagine that everyone at some point in time has had a dream like this; Run like there is no tomorrow, wind flowing through your hair and flowing through the rest of you, binding and uniting you with the spirit of freedom and with the [...]
Conventional wisdom would tell most of us to not visit Ladakh around the onset of winters. It gets to cold, places are not accessible, hotels are closed, etc etc etc. But then again, the charm of surreal landscape, snow covered passes, hardly any tourists, and [...]
The rain gods might have locked us up indoors, but the GoMissing spirit is forever in the great outdoors blending in with people and their cultures, running on the wildlife trails  chasing (and being chased by) wildlife and pumping some adrenalin all the time. We're [...]
From our unbelivably stunning "words can't even begin to describe it" cycling trip from Shimla to Khardung-la last year... the pic of the day of Baralacha-La pass Thanks Shrenik and Mike... you guys are simply the best :) It couldn't have been better. Cheers to [...]
Secluded beaches, grade 2 to grade 4 rapids, the rushing river, bonfires at secluded beaches under the starlit sky, pitching our own tents, cooking (or atleast helping with cooking) our own food, kayaking, waterfall rappelling, hikes... pure bliss... The GoMissing gang is heading out for [...]
As we woke up after the deep slumber, the weather had cleared up beautifully and there were even patches of sunlight in the valley. We decided to postpone the trek to Hemkunt sahib for the next day and head to the Valley of Flowers while [...]
The original plan was to wake up really early, and start the trek to Ghangaria. That wasn't how it really happened. By the time we woke up, finished our breakfast, the early bird already had the worm! The good thing that happened was, that most [...]
Sometime back, while the GoMissing think-tank was sitting and pondering life in general, a completely brilliant idea came up! As can be imagined, the idea came up while sitting and having a few drinks and laughs by the river on a GoMissing Expedition! Well... we [...]
Its time to bid farewell to Bhutan, this is the last post from the land of the thunder dragon - Bhutan. After Thimpu, we moved along to Punakha over the Dochula pass which has the 108 stupas. The 108 stupas were built by Her Majesty [...]
Bhutanese traditional masked dances The rich cultural and religious history of Bhutan comes to fore during the Tsechu festival when traditional dances based on the lives of Padmasambhava and other saints are performed. On our request, a mini Tsechu festival was re-created especially for our [...]
More pictures from Thimpu... Thimpu Valley as seen from the radio tower up on the hill Thimpu Dzong as seen from the hill. The picture has been post processed to get the old picture look... Colorful prayer flags line up the road leading to the [...]
Thimpu being at a unique crossroads in its evolution offers an eclectic mix of modernity, tradition, religion and life in general. A few pictures from Downtown Thimpu - All clicked at (or around) the Thimpu square (the place with the 'proud' clock tower) National [...]
After sightseeing in Paro, we left for Thimpu and got there sometime in the evening. The first hotel that we arrived at turned out to be a pretty bad place and considering that we were going to spend 3 nights in Thimpu, we all decided [...]
There is a special charm of doing absolutely nothing and watching the rain fall all over the trees and the mountains. Life doesn't get better at these moments. The joy of traveling and soaking in the atmosphere of the place is pure bliss. After waiting [...]
Over a millennium ago, Guru Rinpoche, the father of the Bhutanese Mahayana sect of Buddhism came to Paro valley on the back of a grand tigress. For 3 months he meditated in a cave nestled deep within the mountain, and this is where the Taksang [...]
Sights while trekking up to Taksang (Tiger's Nest Monastry) Rhododendrons in Bloom all over the misty hills Clouds cover over the valley - Trek to Taksang Snow covered peaks and clouds Sunlight and clouds - Rock structures for [...]
The day started early. I wonder if I can have such mornings everyday. Clean fresh and fragrant air, the rushing river, misty clouds over the mountains, dew drops on green trees all making life... life The starting point of the trek to Taksang (Tiger's nest [...]
By the time we reached Paro it was already late evening. While driving through the city to reach our hotel we caught a glimpse of the Paro Dzong and Museum. Both structures looked stunningly beautiful under the starlit sky and with artificial lighting. As soon [...]
The drive from Phuntosholing to Paro is enough to convince anyone that Bhutan is The Kingdom in the Clouds. We completed the 6 hour drive from Pling to Paro in about 8 hours thanks to the beautifully forested slopes of the Himalayan Kingdom, the numerous [...]
The charming town of Phuntsholing is the second biggest city of Bhutan. Although there aren't any significant temples or monasteries to visit, one can spend a few hours walking around town...
With major part of the trade with India being conducted from here, the border town of Phuntsholing is a hub of economic activity. The border is a gate which one can simply walk across. Most of the times papers are not checked, and there is [...]
The 6 of us arrived at Bagdogra in 4 different flights. Two of us were the first to arrive there and we kept wondering if the others are going to manage their connecting flights. While this discussion was going on, I was happily sipping beer [...]
In Bhutanese language - Dzongkha the phrase means "Hello/How are you". La is added as a mark of respect to the person being addressed. The entire Bhutan welcomed us with such phrases spoken in soft voice with genuine warmth. Right from the time we were [...]
Ever heard of the 1000watt smile? Well... here is to a million watt smile :) or a million dollar smile if you please :)
The place I've grown up in, is thankfully one of the greenest areas of Delhi. Right behind my place there is a huge forest area, which is teeming with bird life. Quite frequently I get to see several species which include raptors, tailorbirds, sunbirds, hornbills, [...]
This has to be one of the most beautiful places in all of Delhi. A huge artificial lake, the Hauz Khas monuments on one side, large open parks all around. People with cameras, artists with their canvases, children with their cricket bats, laughter therapy groups, [...]
One of the most awe inspiring predators ever, the Asiatic Lion was once spread over large parts of the Indian subcontinent. As with most big cats, loss of habitat, merciless hunting and loss of natural prey has led to a massive decline in the number [...]
One of the most awe inspiring predators ever, the Asiatic Lion was once spread over large parts of the Indian subcontinent. As with most big cats, loss of habitat, merciless hunting and loss of natural prey has led to a massive decline in the number [...]
One of the most photogenic creatures around, these little guys can keep a photographer entertained for hours. This one is almost saying... "i'm so cute... feed me" :)
From the crazy Delhi to Hyderabad drive in 2008... a nice sunset over Pench National Park around the Madhya Pradesh & Maharastra border...
Finally after several cancelled plans, we made our way to Sultanpur lake one early morning. A 5:15AM wake up call telling me that the day is clear and there is no fog was enough to make me jump out of bed and out of the [...]
... but then again :) **twweeeettt** and.. the male (as usual, more patience and all ;)) These were clicked a couple of days back from my terrace :) **still waiting for the $$$ to buy the Canon 500mm F/4** :) [...]
After ages, I decided to pay a visit to one of my favorite haunts in the vicinity... the Hauz Khas lake. Usually, the lake is teeming with bird life; but for any sighting one has to reach there at the crack of dawn, or at [...]
Commonly found in open grassland and thin forests, the blue jay is a considered a sign of good luck. The blue jay is also known as the neelkanth or blue throat after lord Shiva whose throat became blue after drinking poison. Though the bird has [...]
A backpacking trip across Kerala led us to a small national park located in the Idukki district of Kerala. The park is all over the hilly terrain of the Western Ghats of India. Every 12 years in the months of September/October, the green slopes of [...]
There I was... walking the streets of Pushkar (during the camel fair) mostly minding my own business, when I came across her. For a couple of minutes I continued walking and chatting with my friends after which I realized what that bright, colorful and gorgeous [...]
But then again... a gorgeous creature and a very very good model I must say. For more than half an hour this guy kept sitting on my desk (the black thing on which it is sitting is the external hard drive) It had enough patience [...]
These pictures were clicked in the thickly forested Dandeli wildlife sanctuary. The entire area is one non-ending forest. Our visit was during (or just after) the monsoons, and thanks to the rains, the entire area looked freshly washed and cleaned. While the rains made the [...]
One of the members of the party birds in the tree behind my house... As the flowers bloom on the bottlebrush (the red flowers in the picture) the purple sunbird's merrymaking starts. Usually one can see them chasing each another from branch to branch, tree [...]
An interest in photography, the gorgeous ISB campus, a camera in hand and a stroll in campus go extremely well together. On most occasions enthusiastic photographers from our batch were rewarded by the denizens of the ISB jungle (and I don't mean just the birds, [...]
Broken walls, pillars caving in, cracks in structures, warped support beams, dangling electricity wires... ...and life goes on. Would you attribute it to the human spirit? or to the lack of choice? or something else? Clicked in Mussoorie over [...]
... wilderness all around, peaceful old hills watching over the forest, tall tiger grass shimmering in the late afternoon sun, gentle warm breeze caressing you with the lightest touch, deer grazing in the distance. An atmosphere of complete peace. A moment of just being and [...]
And no... I'm not being mocking or condescending. It was really sweet of the kid to pose :)
A recent power failure in the afternoon forced me to shut shop, and walk around on the terrace with my camera. The reason for the “terrace walk†with the camera was a bunch of Coppersmith Barbets that I had seen lolling around and hogging in [...]
showering it's blessings on an old man... Last sunrise of 2009 Blessed are those who take pride in their work.
For a change, instead of partying over NY eve in Delhi, some of us decided to head to the hills for new year eve. This new year eve is all about fresh air, misty mountains, hiking in the hills, starry skies, company of great friends [...]
Freedom... just across the wall Another one of those hike, jump, bruise, walk, trek pictures. Taken near Fort Aguada in Goa.
The one year at ISB was quite eventful... to say the least. Some of the most beautiful memories, emotions, ups and downs were a part of the one year which (for some of us at least) will last us a lifetime. One of my fondest [...]
Nature really does do some wonderful things : ) or maybe its just my imagination running wild : ) The eternal hug...
The pacific ocean... a drive on the Big Sur. Park the car, take a walk. Everything around looks like its straight out of a child's story book. The winding mountain road, beautiful blue sky, the serene sea and no one around for miles and miles. [...]
except me obviously... I'm the only one putting any real effort here! From the much fun Pondi trip. These fakes were clicked at Mahabalipuram. No help I get, I tell u!
It was both amazing and disheartening to look at children performing at the mela. Amazing, because the physical feats these kids can achieve are simply brilliant, disheartening because it just seemed unfair to put them through the kind of training it would need to be [...]
From twisted bodies to twisted minds... Pushkar offers you all forms of art. Right from junk to some really beautiful stuff. I'm sure someone with a better sense of art would be able to give better commentary. For me it was just a lot of [...]
The streets of Pushkar, especially during the mela, come alive with a myriad array of vibrant colors and sights... From artists performing on streets to roadside food to people selling their wares to camels. Here are a few interesting sights we came across... While walking, [...]
The streets of Pushkar, especially during the mela, come alive with roadside cafes, Italian, French, German, Israeli, and every other imaginable eating joint. While walking the streets, I came across restaurants serving all kind of cuisines. Loud signs outside restaurants inviting you inside in all [...]
The Pushkar lake, which is considered to be the most holy spot in the city, has almost dried up. There are about 1000 temples in Pushkar, but according to the locals, prayers are offered only at the lake. Unfortunately, this is what it looks like [...]
continuing my earlier rant about the economics of religion... I was peacefully walking around with my camera enjoying the colors and general chaos in the little town. In a matter of 10 minutes after entering the main street, I was accosted by at least 7-8 [...]
Swords, shields, maces, knives.. take your pic ...or your pick of beads, necklaces, and whatever else those things are or if your calling is necklaces...
This small hamlet across the hill from Ajmer, is host to one of the biggest fair's in the country. The famous Pushkar camel fair draws visitors not only from Rajasthan but from all over the world. The first thing that strikes you is the overwhelmingly [...]
Beautiful sunset at Santa Cruz bay - California and what do we have here... : )
A few years back, while walking around in forest area outside Munnar (Kerala), I came across this happy family frolicking in the open hill country of Kerala. Quite an endearing sight to see the kid playing with mom and dad... Family frolic in Kerala [...]
During a recent trip to the US, I was lucky enough to get a chance to go to Yosemite national park thanks to a great bunch of friends : ) The following set of pics were clicked during the trek to Nevada Falls in Yosemite [...]
One of my favorite visitors on campus... the female purple sunbird. This one used to frequent the bushes outside my room window in campus, and every time I heard it tweeting (the real tweet) I used to start shooting. I don't think I've ever kept [...]
An amazing trip, and and amazing bunch of people... heres to friendship : ) Yeah, I know i'm in the picture. But then again, I composed it, i blackened and whitened and sepiad it, someone else just pressed the shutter : ) So as far [...]
Though this isn't exactly "wild", it was one of the wilder patches on campus. This was one of the favorite haunts of all the amateur photographers in ISB. Several morning walks saw a bunch of us here with our lenses trying to capture something or [...]
... on the beach. Hey we're not the only ones around looking for an exotic meal on the beach... : )
Imagine waking up in the morning with fresh mountain air caressing you gently...
amazingly beautiful natural rock formations.
This pic is of the giant Malabar squirrel, and was clicked in Dandeli around a year back. One of the relatively easier shots, as these guys were still for quite some time while eating. Thanks Gaurav Agarwal for the pic of [...]
Another one of those fun shots, its great fun watching Blue cheeked bee eater hunting for its prey. They generally perch atop a branch or on an electricity wire and swoop down upon dragonflies and other flying insects. Much fun chasing them around for that [...]
The elements - Goa, clicked near Fort Aguada in Goa. I imagine it is tough traveling with a photographer. All the photographer wants is the "right shot" and would trek/walk/hike/jump/get bruised/and whatever it takes to get it (but still doesn't get the it a lot [...]
Good old fashioned communication (PDA). I hear that 90% of all communication is non-verbal. Much nicer this way... don't you think?
A recent photography walk led us to Kukatpalli area of Hyderabad...
The common Jezebel (Delias eucharis), quite a common butterfly in the Indian subcontinent. Read all about it here (opens in a new window) Both pics clicked in Hyderabad, one at the Golconda fort, and the other in ISB campus. Clicking butterflies can be quite a [...]
In remembrance of ISB days, once again, the pic of the day series. Scenes gone by, interesting perspectives, etc etc etc... To kick-start the series, a picture from the trek at Yosemite national park...
Explore Delhi... photowalk at Red Fort
Once again our motley crew of photographers got together this weekend for a photowalk. The mood in the group was to do some street photography. So, laden with our paraphernalia we reached Chandni Chowk.
The explore Delhi series continues with a photowalk last weekend at the Qutub Minar complex. For the history of Qutub Minar... check out the wikipedia link Qutub Minar The Quwwat ul Islam Mosque - was India's 1st mosque built and was built in 1192-1316 by [...]
A few pictures of Humayun's cenotaph in the main chamber...
Ever since the ride to Khardung-la (through heaven I have to add), I've been itching to get the camera out and clickabout. So here goes... the first part of the explore Delhi series. A photo-walk at the Humayun's tomb - Delhi. For history, location, etc [...]
40Kms, 6500ft ascent, altitude of 18380ft, 11 hours (including 3 hours of break) of gruelling uphill and we've done it : ) Cycled to Khardung-la - the highest motorable pass in the world :) A simply amazing feeling... really can't be described in words. Its [...]
What we're here for... we start today. And unlike other days, we're up early, and even managed to leave by 7 AM. Today's ride... 40Kms, 6500ft ascent reaching an altitude of 18380ft. The road... about 26Kms of good road up to south pullu... after that [...]
A nice lazy day in leh with some butt relaxation.. some cushions... some good food :) and an internet cafe... in Leh and ...some butt relaxation
Little did we know what was in store just a little later.... for now happy clicking and soaking in the sun : )
Lost in Ladakh... the most gorgeous place in the world to be lost in... ...in fact I did... drank straight out of here : )
Crossing the Baralacha-la, situated in the Zanskar range, one of the highest motorable passes in the world. Once again, i'm rendered pretty much speechless. All around at the pass there are prayer flags and wishes. The view, nothing short of astounding. Rock structures made by [...]
What I did not capture was the immigrant laborers toiling away breaking stones for making roads. They come here from as far as Bihar, Orissa and West Bengal to make a living. What I did capture was the rosy picture of life in the mountains [...]
At times, there is a sense of something amazing in the air, you just know it and you just feel it without really knowing what it is. At times, you discover, that the feeling is just snowballs, other times hot tea on a chilly day [...]
At times when you're just overwhelmed, there really isn't much to say. When you feel completely puny, completely insignificant. Everything you think about, all the problems, all that you know, all that you feel... seem to not exist. Just purity, just a sense of exhilaration. [...]
From one side of Rohtang, shrouded in thick fog, heavy rain and mountains rising out of clouds we rode into warm evening sunshine, blue skies, white clouds adorning snow covered peaks of the Pir Panjal range. And the icing on the [...]
By the time we reach Marhi it is already night. There aren't too many accommodation options and we shack up at a really run down place. No place for a shower or a clean loo and a room infested with mosquitoes is in store for [...]
The first few kms run along the beautiful beas valley, with a cover of green all along. In the distance shrouded in clouds and mist, there is a sheer wall of rock and snow called the Pir Panjal range. The Rohtang pass will take us [...]
Written at 10:45AM on 27th July 2009. Yeah I was writing that time, and NO, we didn’t get late because of the writing. Beautiful morning, it rained all night and now everything around is freshly washed and clean. The trees look greener than usual, the [...]
Cycling in the mountains is a whole different experience. What you discover about yourself, and life in general, you just can't beat. I promise you that. A poll conducted by interviewing the members of the team resulted in these top findings. 1. You really discover [...]
24th July – Drive from Delhi to Shimla So, the plan was to update the blog real time during the cycling trip. Since that didn’t happen, I’m going to start the account pretty much from Delhi. Delhi to Shimla – by car with 3 cycles [...]
I don't think I need to write anything in this post. The topic pretty much says it all. While i'm at it, how about a new set of legs as well. :) The story update will happen soon. Just a quick update for now, we [...]
The best thing about coming back home after a long time is that suddenly parents want to pamper you. And pamper us, they did. With yummy aaloo parathas and kheer. I had been fantasizing about this for over a month, and finally :) So we're [...]
sleepless night, crazy day, long flight... but lots of entertainment. Mike forgets his name when the air hostess asks for him. Air hostess - Edward Mike EDWARD - Who? That's not me Air hostess - Mr. Edward? Mike - no Mike - **zzzzz** Shrenik/Saurabh - [...]
Its time... :) 11 AM, Delhi. Leaving for Shimla now... details coming up really soon (hopefully by tonight)
A few scenes from the past... can almost feel them calling out :) Water eroding the land Natural soil erosion in Spiti Beautiful natural formations in Spiti valley Dhankar lake - the mirror image Dhankar village - Pin [...]
... can't wait to get there. I have done some crazy stuff before. From cross country drives, to body surfing rapids, to high altitude trekking, to jumping off cliffs. But, this one really does take the cake. In all these trips, I've pretty much questioned [...]
...Okay, that might sound just a little dramatic, but then again, at 18,380ft Khardung-la is one of the highest motorable passes in the world (the highest according to the border roads organisation). Looking forward to the challenge of conquering Khardung-la or K-top as it is [...]
