IandMyBackpack

Looking for adventure? Thinking of trying a trek? First time trekking experience? But don't know where to, how to.. with whom? Chennai has a trekking club open to all - from freshers to pro. Register in the below link and you will receive mails with event details planned every week. https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/sachennaitrekkingclub/join Register in the event link mentioned in mail and wait for getting shortlisted. The group is not limited to Chennai alone. People from other places can also join. treks are organized almost all over India. A group of 18-22 members go for a single trek. The organizers are well experienced trekkers. If you are shortlisted you will get a detailed prep mail. Nagalapuram Freshers go for a Easy level trek. Moderate+ and difficult trek is strictly not advised. Make sure you start exercising a week before going for any trek. This group made me a adventurer and backpacker. I hope you find a traveler inside you as well. H

The "backpack and a sleeping mat" attire do help you get the respect from local people.  Work on your communication skills with strangers  to get place to sleep and eat for few complimentary bucks or nothing at all. The moment you see any new place, take time to feel and appreciate instead of running for your camera.  If someone doesn't speak your language, that's your problem, not theirs. And please don't take "talking louder" as an alternative. Always eat food hot to avoid any bacteria. Carry a shower curtain or plastic dining table cover to be used as an alternative to sleeping bag which wont occupy much space in your backpack and if crashing in a hostel or someone's room, it can be easily used as bed cover or a rain cover during unexpected rains. Do not feel shy to ask first the cost of anything you want to eat. Sometimes food that might look cheaper may turn out to be super expensive or vice versa. Accommodation will never be a problem

Time out with Monks Bylakuppe – first thing came in my mind, is this a place’s name. When I went through the details found on internet it was hard to believe that it is a Tibetan settlement in Karnataka. I was ready right at that moment to visit this place coming weekend. North east India has been my favourite place and staying in south India it was difficult to plan a trip all the way there. That was the reason I was super excited to find Bylakuppe here in south 248 KM from Bangalore . You can catch any KSRTC bus going to Mysore or Coorg as BK is on the way which takes 4hours 30min from Bangalore. Only one private bus is available on Red Bus. I and my backpacker travel mate and friend booked private bus as we were travelling late night and was not sure about the place. We got down at BK around 4:45 AM. It was still dark and a tea shop was open near the small Bus stand. As BK is famous for its Golden Temple we asked them the way to Golden Temple and started walking with o