Photographical Memories from the Himalayas: Roads...

When planning a trip to the Himalayas, one of the major concerns that plays in the mind of the traveler is the ‘Condition of the Roads’. Road conditions can easily make or mar your trip depending on their moods. Smooth, rough, rocky or bumpy – you are sure to get a taste of all of it as you keep moving along. So no matter, how hard you try to plan around it, the unpredictability of the Himalayan roads is something that, can be said, is best left to the Gods!

Based on our experience, here’s what you can expect, the next time you plan a trip to the hills!


Snaky Sharp Rough roads: 


Tossing, jolting and bumping you - these rutted, uneven and narrow routes not scare only you on your way, but your near and dear ones back home too.

Bad condition of roads encountered in the Garhwal Himalayas during the Char Dham Yatra
Damaged and dangerous rock strewn road conditions in the Garhwal Himalayas during the Char Dham Yatra
Damaged and dangerous landslide road conditions in the Garhwal Himalayas during the Char Dham Yatra
Damaged and dangerous landslide road conditions in the Garhwal Himalayas during the Char Dham Yatra
Rough and Bumpy terrain of the Himalayas

CloudBursts:

Look at the after-effects of the hidden side of nature! It's hard to believe an entire town existed here before losing it out to the anger of the rain Gods...

Cloud Burst Patch of Roads encountered in the Garhwal Himalayas during the Char Dham Yatra
Aftermath of a cloudburst - Enroute from Rishikesh to Uttarkashi

Landslides:

These can hold you up for days but if your stars are bright, then chances are that you might get away with just a few hrs delay by taking a different route to reach your destination.

Landslide hit road area in the Garhwal Himalayas during the Char Dham Yatra
The barren valley lies open with huge crags and narrow tracks,
making it difficult to traverse

Construction Work in Progress: 

Today, if the Char Dham Yatra is no longer seen as being nightmarish or terrifying, then a major credit of it goes to the dedication and laborious efforts of some hardworking people like these - The BRO (Border Roads Organization) employees. May God bless these noble souls who work tirelessly so that people like us can keep our appointments with the Lords and travel safe. Hats off to them!

Construction works going on, on damaged and landslide roads in the Garhwal Himalayas during the Char Dham Yatra
BRO Workers executing the road clearance work

Smooth Moments of Terrain: 

Roads are not always rough and rocky as shown above, or in TV programs or even in guidebooks. It does have its moments of calm and quiet. Passing through sparsely inhabited valleys, idyllic habitations and silent remoteness, these sure take you into a world unknown... a beautiful world full of Himalayan wilderness.

Smooth terrain in the Garhwal Himalayas
Roads in the Garhwal Himalayas during the Char Dham Yatra
Silent moments adding to the rugged beauty of the Himalayan travel

Final Thoughts on Himalayan Roads:

Whatever, the condition of the roads, highways or routes may be;

There is something so exhilarating and thrilling when you travel through the middle of a town as historic, significant and gorgeous as the Char Dhams;


– Meeting nobody, doing nothing, reminding yourself of the momentous past, drinking in the magnificent present –

Snake roads encountered in the Garhwal Himalayas during the Char Dham Yatra
Uneven roads with beautiful views encountered in the Garhwal Himalayas during the Char Dham Yatra
Road conditions hardly matter when you have
such beauty glaring at you from all ends, isn't it?

...that no amount of the supposed terrain fears can and will ever stop you from getting down to planning another one of your trips to the valleys of the Gods!

Post a Comment

60 Comments

  1. Awesome captures, Arti! You do take wonderful trips! Thank you for sharing with us! Hope you have a lovely evening!

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  2. The roads look really scary in the first few pics..

    ReplyDelete
  3. Cannot agree with you more, the BRO surely deserves a big thumbs up :)

    The more wider they are making the roads, the more landslides are happening...:(

    ReplyDelete
  4. Arti, a lovely portrayal of mountain roads, cloudbursts, landslides et al. Enjoyed every bit as seen them from close!

    ReplyDelete
  5. As always you have beautifully captured every element of the journey.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Arti you have reminded me of all the trips I had taken to hill stations like Simla and Manali... I miss such journeys, its been ages since I had such a trip... got to plan something now :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful pictures are stealing my heart.Thanks for this superb presentation,Arti ..(ji).

    'ji' because I am feeling delighted and your presentation is forcing me to say.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Just lovely, spell binding pictures of roads or the absence of them:P As the last line says, " road conditions hardly matter..."

    ReplyDelete
  9. Superb pics of the Himalayan roads and terrain highlighting the great risks involved in bone shattering suspension shaking conditions. Inclement weather leading to unexpected cloud bursts and land slides are an added danger some times life threatening. But then what is life if you do not court danger & risks to see hitherto uncharted terrain and the sublime unparalleled beauty that lies beyond !

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks like a dangerous place to work -- I do hope they get the roads fixed soon. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think, the bumpy roads ad to the adventure and - people really have to want to go there, which is a good thing!

    ReplyDelete
  12. it looks very dangerous to drive there. you lucky one are so near to bollywood! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. We have a saying here "Nothing good comes easy!" And I would apply that to this. Many beautiful things are full of danger. You got some great pictures, a bit scary, too!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Are we can go there by train?

    The streets look very scary :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Roads are most important things , i don't how the world would be without the roads , nice captures of roads . All the best for your next trip to the valleys of the Gods .

    ReplyDelete
  16. I know how good and bad the roads are. Pictures are lovely and will prepare the readers for any surprise that might come their way. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Awesome! We all battle hardships before being rewarded with wonderful prizes. Seeing sceneries from the Himalayan always fascinates me. Stay safe in all your travels, my dear friend.

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is the only difference in India and abroad, they have better infrastructure, otherewise we have so much of natural beauty here also.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I like the Mountain terrain but somehow I am accustomed to winding road my head start spinning and somehow I can not completely enjoy the view.
    You have travelled a lot in this terrain must be having every kinda experience.
    Last Pic of the Post was just superb : )

    ReplyDelete
  20. Some of those roads are scary - but oh, what glorious views!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love ur clicks Arti esp the last click...so beautiful...lovely detailed post...U have a wonderful week and a lovely day :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. beautiful they are...i am from uttarakhand myself and in love with those mountains, clouds or springs.......they make you feel alive.

    ReplyDelete
  23. The roads look really bumpy and scary in the first few pics. Take care and stay safe while travellng, Arti.

    ReplyDelete
  24. The last line says it all. Lovely views. Who cares for the roads when you have so much beauty around? We will bump along and get rattled by the potholes to see it all :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Some of the snaps were breath taking...thats one place high on my wish list!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Last one the best pic of the lot.
    Good clicks.
    I remember our trip long ...long ago ,how there were tense moments during the travel up the Himalayas.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I like that you take me "off the beaten path," Arti. Just be sure you're watching the road and not looking too closely at all that beauty while driving!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Ohh yaar, Himalayas is one of my dream destinations!! Wonderful pics Arti!! And eventually, we carry the experience throughout, not the small bumpy problems :D

    ReplyDelete
  29. wow... excellent shots.. lovely words...

    really its a very thrilling experience....

    ReplyDelete
  30. I can understand in your photos that road conditions are best left to the Gods. Himalaya is a territory of Gods. You are awesome passing though these places.
    Hope you are well! Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  31. These roads feed the Himalayan folks and the Indian Jawans. Maintaining these treacherous roads is an uphill task. But the government is doing its best to keep these roads lively. Nice pics & an interesting post indeed.

    From: www.sriramnivas.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Arti, you dealt with an interesting theme. I totally agree with Rizalenio: “We all battle hardships before being rewarded with wonderful prizes.” At first, we are concerned with bumpy, dusty, winding road, but once we get caught by the beautiful nature or with lofty aims, we just forget about the road conditions and the likes. Wish you another safe trip no matter how the conditions next season. The last scenery is a real treat to the soul.

    Have a restful weekend.
    Yoko

    ReplyDelete
  33. Now THAT is a roadtrip! We have met people from the East coast or central part of the US who are afraid to venture to the Western US because they are afraid to travel in the mountains. (It's silly of them, because our mountain roads are good.) They'd probably faint on just looking at these roads.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi Arti,

    I enjoyed reading your post and what interesting advice when planning a trip to the Himalayas.
    Would be the most remarkable place to travel to even if it must mean driving on the scary roads.
    Thank you for sharing this wonderful post.

    Happy weekend
    Hugs
    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi Arti,
    Your's is such a beautiful travelog.

    Living in the hills, I can very well connect with what you wrote.
    I have witnessed all of them: landslides, cloud burst, rough roads, no roads.

    And you know, in 2009 we witnessed two cloud bursts in a single day, and the place where I live became an island kind of thing. Shopkeepers ran out of supplies and the communication also failed.
    It was scary, but fun.

    I liked the style of your prose.

    I recently joined the world of travelogs, if you ever get time do check it out.

    Regards,
    Sunil

    ReplyDelete
  36. Construction Work looks hard but we need them for driving and walking.
    It's awesome picture as always.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi,Arti.
    I always admire you,Arti.
    You are a great adventure.
    Only those people like you can enjoy the grandeur sceneries in Himalayas!
    Happy weekend!
    Tomoko

    ReplyDelete
  38. good to visit ur blog after a long time... lovely pictures... the background color of the picture adds a value to the picture... this post gives an idea of how it will be to travel in the Himalayas...

    have a nice weekend!!!

    ReplyDelete
  39. just stumbled upon your blog.beautiful mystical pictures.holy shrines,nature....everything reminds me of my trip to mata vaishnodevi mandir,I made earlier.

    ReplyDelete
  40. your second photo shows clearly the dangers of travel! it's amazing, and I would have difficulty with it, being afraid of heights as I am. but the light you've captured is truly divine. you were fearless in your pursuit of the Gods! and I understand that, and can only imagine how powerful this trip must have been for you. thanks for sharing Ari. I have a great understanding of the momentous past and a desire to experience this magnificent present! happy weekend to you.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Wow, those roads really are scary. I think falling over a cliff in a car would be the worst way to die!

    ReplyDelete
  42. mmm..Interesting pictures.. Himalayas beckon me..!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Beautiful photos!
    I wish you a nice weekend.
    Yvonne

    ReplyDelete
  44. Arti,Your photos remind me of pilgrimage. People visit 88 temples one by one on foot. Most of them are in the remote areas or mountains. But they are not alone, always accompanied with the spirit of one priest who opened those temples. Thanks a lot. I think the core of the worship looks different but very similar in essence. Thanks a lot for your great journey!!
    keiko

    ReplyDelete
  45. horrible and danger roads...

    ReplyDelete
  46. wonderful pics and info..though i have travelled extensively in the himalayan region...i find it way too unpredictable...but thats part of the thrill also!!

    http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  47. lovely post Arti..enjoyed..
    your write up is awesome, that we virtually travelled with you..:)
    Tasty Appetite

    ReplyDelete
  48. Awesome Photos!!! I can smell the environment... Really Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  49. What an adventure. I love places where just rounding a corner presents a magnificent view or such change of scenery. There are so many people that have never even traveled of a paved road and have no idea. I have traveled many roads very similar to these right here near my home. So in these travels so much excitement can be in the actually travel and not just the destination. Thank you for sharing your wonderful journey and many things one should watch for while making this journey on these roads. Have a wonderful week

    ReplyDelete
  50. WoW! Love the pics, Aarti! :) That's one place I have always wanted to visit!!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Beloved friend,
    Your photos are fantastic!
    Some, breathtaking!
    It is too important a trip to the Himalayas!
    Lucky those who fought for!
    many greetings

    ReplyDelete
  52. Hi Arti,
    I love your blog and am happy to nominate you for this award!
    Hope you like it!
    http://aalayamkanden.blogspot.com/2011/12/versatile-blogger-award.html
    Cheers
    Priya

    ReplyDelete
  53. A brother of mine lives in Rishikesh as a photographer (imagine my deepest envy!) and he has promised me to take me hiking (once my dearest exams end...ofcourse :-P).
    So you just increased my excitement tenfold. Now I can't *wait* to go hiking there.

    ReplyDelete

Delighted you stopped by... Your suggestions, feedback are really appreciated. Thanks a lot :) Hope you visit again!

If you have asked a question, please give me at least 2 days to reply back. Thank you :)