Beat the crowds and enjoy a holiday as it is meant to be – in peace and at your own pace!
With the help of Milind Bhide, we explore 5 offbeat travel destination you should add to your itinerary for 2022.
1. Cycling in the Dolomites in Italy
The Dolomites are a mountain range running through Italy which is one of the most picturesque regions for mountain biking. Limestone peaks coupled with numerous high-altitude mountain passes and meadows provide an excellent backdrop for an adrenaline-filled mountain bike ride.
2. Snow Leopard spotting in the Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
The Snow Leopard is one of the world’s most elusive big cats. In India, it can be found in some parts of the western Himalayas including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the North East. Himachal Pradesh’s remote and picturesque Spiti Valley has reported numerous instances of snow leopard sightings and hence this destination has become popular with wildlife and adventure enthusiasts.
3. Trek to the Everest Base Camp, Nepal
One of the world’s most iconic trekking routes, the Everest Base Camp trek takes you through some of the most picturesque landscapes of the Nepal Himalaya. The route passes through forests of rhododendron and pine, and takes you through quaint Sherpa villages and remote Buddhist monasteries. Magnificent views of the great Himalayan peaks like Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse Shar, and others can also be had.
This trek follows the route to the base camp of Mt. Everest, the world’s highest mountain at 8848m/29,030 ft. straddling the border of Nepal and Tibet. It is on the bucket list of every adventure enthusiast worth their salt.
4. Ice caving in Iceland
A natural wonder of Iceland are the ice-caves which are located in various spots through the country. They are formed when meltwater runs under or through a glacier. The ice melts and leaves behind a network of mesmerising passageways within the glacier which makes for an absolutely magical experience. The ice sheets in some caves is translucent, which allows sunlight to shine through them and produce some amazing hues.
5. Hiking in the Mont Blanc Circuit in the Alps
The 165-km Mont Blanc circuit spanning across the Alps in France, Switzerland and Italy is one of the most iconic trekking routes of the world. Passing through some utterly breathtaking landscapes of the Alps, this trek is a challenging yet extremely fulfilling one. The route takes you through idyllic towns where you can have a glimpse of local culture and also have some magnificent views of the entire Mont Blanc range.
