IN THE WINTER of last year, as I was planning my first extensive tour of the Northeast, I was advised by David Angami, founder of the adventure travel outfit India Trail (indiatrail.org), that I shouldn’t miss out on the Dzukou Valley in Nagaland. I must admit I was a bit sceptical and a tad blasé at first, having been on several magnificent high-altitude treks in the Great Himalayas, where I had crossed icy passes forbidding in their isolation and took in amazing vistas of soaring peaks that kissed impossibly blue skies. What could such a low altitude ramble in the green hills of Nagaland offer to an experienced adventurer?
Few tourists even hear of the place. But David Angami persisted and sent me some images as well. I stared at them for longer than I thought I would. There was something hauntingly different about this lost green valley, and the idea of a trek to stretch our limbs at the end of our Northeastern adventure appealed to me. And so, Dzukou Valley was added as dessert to the main course of Kaziranga National Park and the Hornbill Festival (hornbillfestival.com).
It was a crisp winter morning in November, when the five of us found ourselves bumping along a hill track in a battered old Sumo towards the starting point of our adventure. There are two trails that take you to the hidden valley—the Viswema route and the Jakhama route, both named after the villages from where they are accessed. Being a shorter but sharper ascent, the Jakhama trail is definitely the one less taken, but we opted for the more leisurely Viswema route considering we were all in our senior citizenhood!
この記事は Discover India の November - December 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Discover India の November - December 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
New Gear For New Travels
Here’s our selection of some nifty new gear that’s certain to add extra oomph to your next vacation.
10 Hidden Gems Of India
The last two years have prepared us to expect the unexpected, so why not explore the unexplored in 2022? India boasts some of the most culturally abundant and visually spectacular places in the world. Pick one or more of these 10 indian destinations to travel to and discover new lands in the coming year.
When Travel Heals
Going for a holiday just after you have lost your mother to COVID-19 may not be the most popular idea, but it was the only way for a grieving family to escape the agony with which they were living. And so, they headed to the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu in search of peace and recuperation.
BOOKS FOR THE BACKPACK
Journey across India through these books that shed light on the intriguing history and vibrant culture of the country.
Masks of Glory
Charida is not the most popular tourist spot in West Bengal. But its obscurity is one of the reasons we choose to discover the undiscovered ‘mask village’ of India.
Palace of Grandeur
The Grand Mercure Bengaluru at Gopalan Mall offers a slice of Karnataka’s rich architectural and culinary history and culture. We check-in at the palatial property for a plush staycation.
The Road to My Roots
A family finds harmony and plenty of nostalgia in the hilly forests of Ramgarh, Uttarakhand and the Kumaon Himalayas.
GARDEN of FABLES
On the fringes of Darjeeling, Kurseong is home to India’s most expensive tea, the world’s first tea factory, and a mystical natural phenomenon.
MORE than just FOOD
Kochi’s boutique cafés go beyond the traditional meal to o er artisanal experiences that reflect the port city’s varied expressions. From artist residencies to couverture masterclasses and upmarket design stores, there’s much to explore and savour.
Magical Moments
Travel blogger and dancer, Nina Okhotina, is also the founder of the clothing brand, The Dress Stories. Her fl owy, one-tone dresses add a touch of magic to her Instagram pictures from her Indian trips. The Russia-born social-media star reminisces about her time in India and the people that made it special.