On a winter high

Look out for

What's the best season to explore the Himalayas? The predictable answer is summer. But to experience a pristine winter under zero degree condition, you might like to head to Harsil, 70 km from Uttarkashi in the Garhwal region, for an offbeat trek.

Lying on the way to Gangotri, this sleepy little town with snowy peaks and deodar forests, sits beside the bank of the fast-flowing Bhagirathi river.

It is refreshing (and cold) to walk along the crystal clear waterfalls and streams that flow down from the mountains.

A 7-km uphill trek to Sat Tal (Seven Lakes) through the dense deodar forests and slippery patches of snow can be delightful. Do hire a guide on this particular trek as the forest tracks disappear every now and then and it's easy to get lost.

Just in case you decide not to live outdoors by the campfire, there are at least five hotels (Tariff: Rs 150-250), including a tourist guest house run by Garhwal Vikas Mandal Nigam.

Harsil is 220 km from Rishikesh, which is well connected by road and rail. Treat this trek as calf muscle-building to take on tougher expeditions like the Gangotri-Gaumukh trek, which is next-doors.

Zen on the road

Mountain biking above 6,000 ft tests your physical toughness more than your guts. Besides advance planning, you have to pay attention to the art of motorcycle maintenance as your most dependable companion on the road is your machine.

Take care to pack extra self-adhesive puncture strips, a pedal pump, leather boots, jackets and a helmet that doesn't fly.

Although the best time to hit the road in the Ladakh region in April, you need to plan ahead. Right away, if you are visiting between April and September next year.

The high points of the trip, are, of course, the passes "" Rohtang, Tanglang La, Chang La, Khardung La. Here nature "" dry rarefied air, sharp mountain bends, expansive sky "" hits you sharply.

So does motion sickness for the uninitiated, so you need to acclimatizs for a period of two days in Leh before gaining height towards Khardung La.

There are decent hotels and guest houses along the way and local people pitch 16-people tents and serve meals at between Rs 80-150 a day. Sheer Zen after a hard day's ride.