Why you must ditch your mundane schedule and go trekking

The monsoons are a great time to head out and explore naturersquos bounty The landscapes are a dozen shades of green and the weather too is a welcome change from the oppressive summer heat Here are some treks you absolutely must do in the monsoons to see a different side to natureHimalayan treksValley of Flowers UttarakhandA corner of the Bhyundar Valley in the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand comes alive for a few weeks during the rains for a few weeks in July and August and blooms with hundreds of varieties of Himalayan flora It is popularly called Valley of Flowers and was designated as Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO in 1998 This is a popular trekking trail especially in the monsoons The nearby Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib the highest Sikh temple in the world is also a popular destination with trekkers and pilgrims alikeOneday treks in MaharashtraAsherigad PalgharBuilt by Raja Bhoj of the Shilahara Dynasty nearly 800 years ago Asherigad towers above the other forts in the Palghar region due to its sheer size and height It takes approx 15 hrs to reach the col and then half an hour to reach the top Remains of settlements a ruined entrance fortification symbols an ancient Portuguese shield water cisterns lakes a cave and a temple are the things to see on top apart from views of the Adasul amp Kohoj fortsDukes Nose KhandalaAs one drives up to Khandala Dukes Nose is hard to miss It is the prominent rock structure which looms to the right the very top of this is our destination Legend has it that it was named after the Duke of Wellington whose nose allegedly resembled the shape of the cliff The trek starts at Kurvande village after which the walk becomes slightly steeper stepping over craggy rocks to scale the top This is a beautiful trek especially when accompanied by wind and rainTrek to Kondana Caves KarjatThe Kondana Caves are 2000yearold Buddhist caves at the base of Borghat in the Ulhas river valley near Karjat They retain the interior and octagonal pillars of the Chaitya facade all of which indicate B C antiquity During the monsoons there are several waterfalls around one right across the cave The trek to the caves meanders through a dense forest and takes at the most 2 hours A trek steeped in historyUmberkhind Trek LonavalaThis is a trek steeped in history It is in these ravines or khind that Shivaji Maharaj defeated the Uzbek general Kartalab Khan by trapping ambushing and attacking his armies from all sides in the dense forests We retrace his steps by The trek starts from Umberkhind where we cross meadows and streams and climb to reach the plateau below Dukes Nose A trek that combines all kinds of terrain and makes the most of the rains The total walking duration is 4 to 6 hoursTravel essentials5 essential things one should take on a trekOn a trek it is very important to carry certain things with you to ensure maximum comfort and safety in the outdoors This way you can make the most out of your time in the outdoorsTrekking shoes A sturdy and durable pair of trekking shoes is a must to travel over uneven terrain Make sure the shoes are well broken in before you actually use them on the trek otherwise you run the risk of shoe bitesWater bottle minimum 2 liters It is important to stay hydrated on a trek or else you run the risk of headaches dehydration and fatigue Keep sipping on water throughout the trekMedication This is a very important thing Carry personal medicines with written instructions assorted Antiseptic Plaster Blister Kitfriction free Tapes You never know what could go wrong in the outdoorsSunglasses 100 UV protective and not of red or blue color Sun protection is essential in the outdoors to avoid the harmful effects of UV raysRain protective gear In case of rainy weather carry rain protective gear like windcheaters and ponchos Avoid long raincoats and umbrellasSafety tips to keep in mind while going for a trekThe outdoor is a wonderful and magical place On a trek you get to discover its many facets However it is not without its fair share of risks Nature is very unpredictable if you are not cautious things can go wrong before you even realising it Hence it is necessary to be as cautious as you canHere are some tips for safety during a trekDo your homework It always helps to have a deeper understanding of your trekking route the destination and how the itinerary progresses Read up Itrsquos always helpful and necessary to know what exactly yoursquore getting into and the physical challenges if any Keep important contact numbers handy as wellDress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes It is best to wear full sleeved tshirts and quick drying track pants so that you are comfortable and protected against the elements and insects A good sturdy pair of trekking shoes is a must for the long walks Avoid wearing sandals and floatersStay hydrated This is very important keep drinking water to avoid any headaches dizziness and fatigue A must when in the outdoorsFollow instructions of your trek leader In the outdoors it is very unpredictable and anything can go wrong Your trek leaders have ample expertise in the outdoors Listen to their instructions and you will be safe and soundDonrsquot litter This is one thing you should never do spoil the sanctity of the outdoors and environment Littering or altering the environment in any way is a big nonoRepresentational pictureThree things one learns from a trekApart from being a very popular adventure activity trekking is a great way to explore the outdoors no matter what your age Who doesnrsquot love spending some time in the midst of nature soaking in some fresh air and being absolutely rejuvenated Trekking apart from being a great stressbuster and rejuvenator also gives some very important life lessons It is aptly said that there is no greater teacher than the outdoors trekking is a reallife example of this Milind Bhide Founder Countryside Adventure Holidays tells you what exactly is there to benefit from a trekAwareness of and appreciation for the world outsideThere exists a whole other world apart from our glowing smartphone and laptop screens and a trek is the best way to discover it Going on a trek instills in us a renewed sense of appreciation for the environment for the verdant hills for the fresh air and the beauty of nature It teaches us to enjoy the small things a starry sky sunrises sunsets and grass beneath our feet Trekking gives us an insight into virtually every aspect of the region be it the history geography or culture or simply being away from the cacophony of urban life All of this collectively contributes to broadening our horizons and making us wellrounded human beingsTeam building skills and confidenceOn a trek you have to follow a set of rules and regulations and abide by safety guidelines One such rule is always keeping your eyes and ears open and looking out for the person walking in front of you This instills a sense of responsibility in each person to ensure the safety of the group as a wholeImproved health and strengthThe health benefits of trekking are numerous The walking involved is a good form of exercise that increases cardiovascular strength and endurance Being in the outdoors improves your immunity and staminaAlso ReadPlanning to go for a trek to Himalayas Heres what you need to carryCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates