We spent 5 days in Tanzanian wilderness, visiting Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater. The Safari started from Outpost Lodge in Arusha where our guide/driver Fratern and cook Msafiri picked us up on January 5th 2010. Arusha and Moshi are beautiful green towns, but once we got out of Arusha, it was lush tropical green on both sides of the road. The green plains were dotted with Maasai homesteads and brightly coloured Maasai people grazing their cattle. Lake Manyara Our first destination was Lake Manyara. Its a huge lake in the shadow of Great Rift Valley. The drive to Lake was short. We camped at a campsite just outside Lake Manyara National Park called Twiga. Its a campsite and lodge, with swimming pool etc. Honestly after 6 nights of camping on the mountain I was not ... read more

thought1: oh my god! its so beautiful, i am top of the world! thought2: i am walking in desert of rajasthan thought3: right there, that is the peak, it will be over soon! thought4: who are all these strange people thought5: its afternoon and i am walking in desert thought6: the peak is right there! it will be over soon! That is what was going on in my head when I was heading towards the summit of Kilimanjaro at 19,000ft.+ They say altitude makes you delirious, and I know what they means. When we were woken up from a short nap, all the snow and clouds of last night were gone, and we were looking at a clear sky with full-moon shining like a big lamp. Needless to say, it was cold, but we were prepared. ... read more

We reached Moshi somewhat late and settled into the hotel. The evening was full of apprehensions of the climb. We were all excited and just could not sleep, just kept looking for folks who had climbed, their experienced and what not. Next day morning is when we were suppose to meet the guide and get debrief of the climb. We got up early to see sunrise on the mountain. Kilimanjaro was looming in front of us and it was hard to believe that in few days we will be on top of it looking down at the village! In the morning we saw the climbers off, and then saw some coming back. Then we headed out to the "city". Walking around, trying to find some food, we came across a temple! A hindu temple! It was ... read more

Its a 2 day trip to reach the Lakes. We had to start with a long drive to get to start of the Stuart Lake trailhead. The first part is not that remarkable, just a regular trail in that area. You see Stuart lake. We hiked in, and then found a nice campground for the night. The highlight was first look at the dreaded Aasgard pass which we will have to climb next day to get into the lakes area. Aasgard Pass: The next day we started with a hearty camp breakfast. The trail already begins with a boulder field. The highlight though is steep pass. I was quite apprehensive about crossing it. We had full backpacks and it required use of hands to get over the big boulders. The beginning was ok, and we were ... read more

This was an unexpected trip. The planning happened after a long period of planning for the perfect winter vacation, one after other fallen plans and surrender to staying at home during winter break. Planning started after overhearing a conversation at lunch table about the Lynwood winter train. I started looking at the train, thinking that it will be something to do in the 10 day vacation. While searching for the train, I discovered somewinter train tours by The Alaska Railroad. At $1000 a piece, they looked quite doable. I always wanted to go in search of Northen lights. From there the plans formed and we finally settled on this trip to Fairbanks and from there to Coldfoot with Northern Alaska Tour Company. Getting there Fairbanks is jus... read more