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 [...]
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 [...]
“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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
