The great philosopher and spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda is remembered as a legendary youth icon. His birth anniversary is observed as National Youth Day every year on January 12. Swami Vivekananda embarked on a historic journey of self-discovery in Uttarakhand in 1890 in search of enlightenment. His travels are a great source of learning for every youngster. By Karan Kaushik
Swami Vivekananda was a firm believer in the power of youth. According to one of his popular quotes, the supreme value of the youth period is incalculable and indescribable. He believed that youth life is the most precious life and the best time in an individual’s life. According to Vivekananda, the way in which we utilise this period of our lives decides the nature of the coming years that lie ahead of us. His quote “Arise awake and stop not till the goal is achieved,” continues to inspire the Indian youth to this day.
Years later, many of our Bollywood films like Dil Chahta Hai and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, also made us realise that indeed, there’s nothing like travelling in your peak youth. From rafting the rapids in Rishikesh to strengthening bonds with our friends in Goa, India has incredible experiences in store for her youth. So, we decided to compile a list of must-have travel experiences for the youth of India. Ride along?
Here are 8 travel experiences in India that you must take in your youth
Bike trip to Ladakh
Riding on the Khardung La, the world’s highest motorable road is a dream for every Indian. And the sooner you embark on an adventure-packed bike tour to Ladakh, the better it is. It will not only make you fall in love with travelling but will also turn you into a much stronger and fearless person. Delhi is a nice base to start your journey. The bike ride from the capital to Ladakh will take you through the stunning Manali-Leh Highway.
Create your own 3 Idiots moment at the magnificent Pangong Lake, soak in the scenic beauty of Nubra valley, and experience riding through some of the most challenging passes of the world. Visit age-old monasteries and learn a thing or two about the Buddhist culture. Meet the warm and hospitable locals in the Leh Bazaar and make friends for a lifetime.
Rafting in Rishikesh
When you are young, you are like a newborn river. You have an insane amount of energy, which you’ll channelise as you grow older and wiser. But till the time, you can stay super excited about life, we recommend taking a rafting trip to Rishikesh. Only a few things are as liberating and as thrilling as riding the rapids in the fresh waters of the sacred Ganges.
Form a team with your college friends and get ready to set foot on an adventure that will stay etched in your heart for the rest of your life. When done rafting in Shivpuri, you may also enroll in a Yoga class. The learning will be of immense help in your future and will prepare you to maintain your calm whenever life throws a curveball at you. And mind you, it will. So, go and take that yoga lesson too. No excuses.
All girl’s trip to Goa
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Gone are the days when only a Sid-Sameer-Akash trio could think about taking a trip to Goa. Our parents have evolved over the years, and thankfully so. We are sure you would not require much convincing. So, go ahead and plan a dream trip to Goa with your mains. Taking a bus or train to Goa is the safest option for you. When it comes to choosing beaches, here’s a word of advice. Please avoid mainstream beaches like Baga and Calangute. You don’t want potbellied desi men gawking at you.
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Beaches like Candolim, Vagator, and Sinquerim would be much better, where you can be your natural selves without any care in the world. Many clubs like Cohiba and Habanero have special ladies’ nights, where you can party your heart out and get drunk without being apprehensive. Explore the old-world charm in the Instagrammable Fontainhas in Panjim. You can also enjoy snorkelling if you are the adventurous kind.
Bouldering in Hampi Island
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Hampi has a lot more to it than its built heritage. It’s one of the few places in India which offer great opportunities for bouldering, a form of rock climbing. While in Hampi, you must stay at the Hampi Island, which lies on the other side of the Tungabhadra River. A coracle ride will drop you at the Hampi island. Expect Goa-like boho vibes here. You can check off the mandatory monuments like the Virupaksha Temple and the Vittala Temple on day one, so you could focus on your bouldering lessons in the days ahead.
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Bouldering will boost your fitness while giving you an amazing rush of adrenaline. You don’t need to worry if you have no idea how bouldering is done. There are a lot of companies that offer bouldering lessons at reasonable rates. Fair warning, be ready to experience fingertip skin removal after your first day. It will only get better from here. When not bouldering, fancy a swim in the river, rent a cycle and explore the Hampi island, or chill at one of the hippie cafes. Also, FYI, the homestays at Hampi island offer great accommodation at dirt cheap prices.
Pottery lessons in Andretta
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Travel and art go hand in hand. If you want to discover the hidden creativity within you or hone your skills as an artist, Andretta in Himachal Pradesh is a nice place to start. What could be better than learning a new art form while taking in the scent of fresh pine and enjoying the solitude that mountains offer? Also known as an artist’s village, Andretta is famous for its studio pottery. Enroll yourself in a pottery course at Andretta Pottery, India’s oldest pottery studio.
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The young and joyful Shubham Sankhyan from Andretta Pottery is a great host and teacher. You must also visit their in-house pottery studio and the Andretta Museum. When not struggling at the potter’s wheel, take an excursion to Bir and enjoy paragliding. You can also visit the Tashi Jong Monastery here and have lunch with cute little monks. In Palampur, you can explore its lush tea gardens. It doesn’t get better than this.
Attend the Pushkar Fair
India is blessed with a rich cultural heritage. And when it comes to culture, there’s no place as colourful as Rajasthan. The world-famous cattle fair in Pushkar draws travellers and photographers from all corners of the globe. Held in the month of November, the fair takes place in the grounds and dunes to the northwest of Pushkar, a little ahead of the Brahma Temple. The fair hosts fun events like camel dances, moustache competitions, turban tying competitions, and tug of wars between locals and tourists.
A grand procession is also held, which features folk performances by artists dressed in their traditional best. Evenings can be spent catching sunsets over sips of chilled beer at any of the hip rooftop cafes that Pushkar houses. You can also spend time at the clean ghats and soak in spiritual fervour. Don’t forget to devour the divine malpuas that Pushkar is famous for. For budding photographers and writers, Pushkar Fair is a great opportunity to better your craft.
Ride the Toy Train in Darjeeling
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We Indians have always loved our train journeys. We are thankful to the great Indian Railways for blessing us with some of our fondest childhood memories. As you grow older, you realise that India has so many incredible train journeys that we are yet to take. One such memorable journey is riding the Toy Train of Darjeeling Himalayan Railways. It’s one of the most coveted travel experiences in India.
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The Toy Train has received the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The train has been operating since the 1880s on a narrow-gauge railway line. There can not be a better way to introduce yourself to the Himalayas and their sheer majesty. And who knows, you may even come across your own Rajesh Khanna singing Mere sapno ki raani kab aaegi tu, while you marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayan landscape. Best luck people.
Weekending in Lonavala
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If you have recently moved to Mumbai or Pune for a new job, chances are that you are already dreaming about spending a weekend in Lonavala. Well done. Known as the Jewel of the Sahyadri Mountains, Lonavala is beautiful and offers great opportunities for the young and restless. A road trip to this lush hill station is absolutely rewarding, especially during the monsoon season.
There are treks to be done, there are campsites to be explored and there are enchanting waterfalls to appreciate. And of course, there’s great food. Experience the beauty of the Tiger’s Leap, enjoy splendid views at Duke’s Nose, treat your eyes with surreal sunsets at Lion’s Point, walk through the past at Karla Caves, and loll around at the Lonavala Lake. Lonavala has lovely surprises at every step for you.
Related: Here’s Your Complete Guide To Varkala For A Relaxed Beach Holiday
