A Travel, Tourism, Cuisine and Drinks Blog by Dirtopweb.Com

Zanskar is the perfect trekking spots in the world. It is scenic beauty, beautiful Landscape, series of the white snow mountain; high peak, isolated village and variety of monasteries are great experience and are really unforgettable.

Basic course is required for trekking:-

Before you start of trekking, basic course is required to be needed, one can get wide experience before trekking. First aid will be helpful in this trekking. Get in touch in independent trek operators, especially local tour guide will be best in respect of trekking. To be learn, how to dealt with frostbite and extreme sun burn. One can contact with independent trek guide, about rate and discount. The trek guides will arrange group trekking and everything especially from mules to cook tents equipments, light foods water etc. The rate will be higher if you want trekking in smaller groups, and rate will be less if you trek with big groups. The best time in trekking from Zanskar is from the end of July to September.

Tips for carrying articles or goods: -

One must be carry good windcheater, backpack which is to be multiple pockets, padded shoulder strap, zipper closer good shoes, it’s made of hikers to give you comfortable and good support. Socks are to be thick and woolen which prevent your feet. Backpack must be a first aid kit, water bottle Swiss army knife. One must be topography map, compass, blanket and sweaters while you are trekking.

Start for trekking:-

Get to be started from Manali  and  head northwest into  the   Lahaul valley after crossing the 13,051-feet high “Rohtang Pass” you will reach “Darcha’, a small village, and this the starting point for  trek to  Zanskar. before trekking the trek guide will prepare which will be essentials for with them and to make sure that all of them get ready for trekking for the next few days or one week to be continue until to achieving the main target, and this to be big challenge for them, one must be confident and determined for facing challenge in any cost. The first challenge trekking the first great pass, which is ‘Shingo La’ it is about 16,699 feet above sea level. After that you can camp at various places near the “ Jhankar Nala River ’, and it is the first camp in Zanskar, then you can pass the fields of wild flowers on the way to the village of Kargyk . You can enjoy ‘Phutkal Gompa” is a beautiful monastery. After that, you can trek to “Phuktal’ and there are another beautiful monastery which is carved into walls of cave. Next to be rest of “Mune”, it is village with 200year old monastery. Finally you can reach “Padum’. It is a capital of Zanskar. There are 17^th- century Bardan Gompa. From there, you can take the road of Kargil, and you can relax in Kargil and to get some experience for visiting entire day in Kargil. Next you can start trek through plains, riners gorges .You can rest a day at “Lingshed’ village and enjoy to visit temple which has been built into mountainside. Next is to start trekking and reach the ‘Hanuman La Pass’ which is about 16,240 feet. Next, you can trek village and valleys and reach ‘Singe La’ at 16,568 feet, you climb over the steep pass and downing into a broad valley, then to trek Photaskar, a village at the base of the mountains.

The final and last stage of the trek is the downing to ‘Hanupatta village” you will take through a river gorge to Wanla.  From Wanla you reach Lamayuru, and it is one of the largest and oldest monasteries in Ladakh. Visit to Lamayuru monasteries for purifying your mind. One can visit to Leh, and shopping for carpets, pashmina shawls from Kashmir, jewelry from Tibet , Thangka paintings, prayer wheels, music bowls etc.

How to reach there:-

By Rail:- Jammu is the nearest rail station. Or take the Shatabdi express from Delhi to Chandigarh and take buses for Manali, or take the Srinagar route to Leh. To stay overnight at Manali and visit to 1000- year- old Dhoongri Temple . You can reach Leh by air from Delhi .

Method of Preparation:-

Ingredients Quantity
1. Grated Chinese cabbage————————-50 gram,
2. Grated carrot—————————————50gram,
3. French bean (cut into small pieces) ————5 to 6 number,
4. Green chilies (chapped) ————————–2 to 3 pieces,
5. Spring onion (chapped) ————————–1 to 2 pieces,
6. Garlic without peel (cut into small pieces) —-3 to 4pieces,
7. Refined oil——————————————50 gram,
8. Soya sauce——————————————1tsp,
9. Cornflour powder———————————-as require,
10. Salt————————————————-to taste,
11. Sugar———————————————- 1 tsp,
12. Ajinomoto—————————————–a pinch.
13. Soda powder————————————–1/2 tsp or as require,
Method of Preparation:-

First step:-
I. First of all wash cabbage, French bean and carrot.
2. Then squeeze the water out from cabbage, carrot and bean.

3. Then in a separate medium size bowl mix carrot, cabbage, and French bean and then mix corn flour powder and then chopped chilies and put salt and soda powder to it, then marinate it properly.

4. After marinated, to make small round balls.

5. In pan to put refine oil and heat oil properly and start deep fry balls till it will be golden brown colour, drain oil and keep aside the ball in a bowl or on white paper.

Second step:-
6. In a separate pan/ kadhai put oil and heat oil properly.

7. Then put slice onion, green chilies, and garlic and fry it properly.

8. Then add water, salt, white pepper powder, sugar, soya sauce and make it boil.

9. Then the dissolve the corn flour powder with water and stir it and make it gravy then add the fried ball into gravy and allow cooking 4 to 5 minutes and keeping aside from the pan.

10. Serve it with fresh chopped coriander leaf.

Chinese Chicken Manchurian

Ingredients for the Chicken Manchurian:-.

*Chicken (bone/boneless) ——————————————— 1 kg,
*Ginger paste————————————————————-as required,
*Soya sauce—————————————————————25to 30 grams,
*ginger paste————————————————————–as required,
*Garlic paste ———————————————————— 10 to 20 gram,
*Onion———————————————————————2to 3 long slice onion,
*Cornflower powder—————————————————–100 to 200 gram.
*Beaten egg————————————————————— 2 number,
*Bell pepper—————————————————————1 piece to cut into small, size.
*Ajinomoto—————————————————————-a pinch,
*Chilly sauce————————————————————–as required to taste,
*Salt &sugar————————————————————– to taste,
*Black pepper powder—————————————————-a pinch,
*Chicken stock————————————————————1 to 2 cup,

Methods of preparation:-.
First Steps:-
i. At first to wash chicken properly.

ii. Then cut in chicken in small round pieces,

iii. Then mix the conrflour powder or all purpose use of flour, beaten egg, ginger and garlic paste, salt and a little chili powder, and it is marinate extensively so that it will be just like gravy/ paste

iv. Then put the small round pieces chicken into paste or gravy in which is already made it and then allow it 10 to 15 minutes,

v. Then in a separate pan put the oil and heat it properly and then fry the marinated chicken until it will be brown colour and fried chicken keep aside from the pan.

Second Steps:-

vi. Then one or two big spoon (preferably used in Chinese kitchen) of oil to put into pan and heat oil properly then put slice onion, bell pepper, and little amount of ginger and garlic pieces and soya sauce and chili sauce or little amount of tomato sauce and shirr it properly if necessary to put little fresh water / chicken stock and allow to boil to10 to 15 minutes.
vii. Then put or add fried chicken pieces to the boiling mixture and also put chicken stock as require and stir it properly.
viii. Then put the ajinomoto, fresh chopp coriander leaf and taste it whether is it require to salt or sugar and remove it from the pan and serve it with steam rice or noodle.

It is here to be noted that, some people says that, taste of dishes depend upon the quantity of the ingredients but my opinion is that any items or dishes of taste and flavour is depend upon the art of cooking.

A blended Scotch Whisky which contain a combination of whiskies from over 40% or 50% of different malt and grains distilleries. The normal ratio malt to grain is 60% and 40% malt. The percentage of malt used which will be determined the quality and aroma and smoothness of taste and its character. Each whisky used in blending process will normally have been matured for about 5 years. But there is number of higher aged blended Scotch Whiskies available in the World. Some popular brands of Scotch Whiskies are:-

* Johnnie Walkers Red Label,

*Johnnie Walkers Black & White,

*Johnnie Walkers Green Label, it is a pure malt whisky,

*Antiquary,*Galantine’s,

*Baillie Nico Jar vie,
*Bell’s extra special,*Big T,

*Black Bottle,*Buchanan De Luxe,

*Catto’s

* Chivas Regal

*Clan Cam bell,

*Clan Macgregor, and

* Diple Pinch, it is 15 years old blended Scotch whisky.

How to drink Scotch Whiskey: – It depend upon personal taste and interest. There is no right or wrong way to drink of Scotch whisky. But in respect drink of Scotch whisky some suggestions or tips are given for those are interested in pursuing the great pleasure and experience of noising and tasting of Scotch Whisky:-

By adding of water of Scotch whisky: – The noising and tasting is very important while drinking the Scotch whisky. The good noise and tasting of Scotch whisky which is depen upon the quality of Scotch whisky. Some said that, adding and mixing of little bit of water with whisky to serve to enhance the distinctive flavour of whisky. The usual drinking water is not suggestive to mix up with such a quality brand of Scotch whisky. Therefore, it is best for drink with a bottle of scotch mineral water or mineral water of well distilled or filtered. Much adding of water, the flavour and aroma of Scotch whisky will be decrease and equal taste and noise of original scotch will be comparatively less. So one can be careful while adding or touching of water with scotch.

By adding of Ice: – It should be here to note that, by adding of ice to whisky, one can provide a refreshing drink or more tasteful of Scotch whisky. But by adding of ice of whisky the aroma and flavour and originality of liquor will get down or it may be dull of fine taste or original taste of Scotch whisky. It is misconception that, by adding of ice it will more tasteful and it his own satisfaction. Even the mineral water or spring water is not ideal accompaniment for whisky. This will interfere the taste and aroma and flavour of original whisky.

By adding of Soda or Coca Cola: – Some business executives or travelers would like have preferred to add a soda water or coca cola. But it will decrease the taste of the whisky. The soda water and coca cola is totally interfered the taste and aroma of the liquor. Now a day’s executives or business travelers are usually used to prefer coca cola with whisky. It is a phenomenon in the star categories hotels. But my suggestions or tips is that if possible one should be avoided to adding of cola or soda water for tasting of Scotch whisky.

Sense of Smell:-The sense of smell is one of the most important for Scotch whisky lovers. You can gain pleasure from noising and tasting. One can enjoy with group of friends that will be better experience for pleasure of Scotch whisky.

Besides above suggestion, some special tips are given below while drink with Scotch whisky:-

Drink with Chicken Chilly: – It is advisable of all whisky lovers; they should drink with chicken chilly. It wills gives excellent tasting and provides good strength for your health and feel great pleasure. Without diced it may be harmful to your health.

Drink with Roast Chicken: – One can feel wonderful experience with roast chicken to drink Scotch whisky. One full platter of roast chicken with blender scotch is very excellent moment.
Drink with Peanut or Almond: – One can take diced like almond or peanut maharaja with Scotch. This is a good combination of Scotch whisky. The Business Executives or Travelers are would like to prefer to drink with Peanut Maharaja or almond. It is interesting to say that, almond and peanut will increase the sexual strength of persons if one is to have regularly.

Drink with Chips: – Business Executives or Travelers would like to prefer to drink with salty potatoes chips. Now days a good quality of salty tasty chips are available in the luxury hotels.
Drink with Fruits: – Some tourists are also preferred to drink with fruits, like grapes, apple, and cherry. This will less the taste of the Scotch whisky.

Glenburn Tea Estate is situated at Darjeeling District in the North Bengal. It has 1,600 acre beautiful tea plantation estate. In Glenburn Tea Estate, there is two well equipped bungalow set on a hill one is old and another one is new bungalow and old one is 150 year old building but it still amazing. Each bungalow has four rooms and all rooms are spacious, neat and clean, open space, wonderful mattress, separate rooms for single bed and open into garden. Out of two, one name is ‘Burra Bungalow’ and another name is ‘Water Lilly Bungalow’. The bungalow is located in the middle of the tea plantation on a hillock just above the Rungeet River. Glenburn is the magnificent country bungalow, Himalayan excellent view, one can enjoy fishing, river rafting, camping, hike through the forest, visit the Glenburn campsite near river, there is a beautiful Glenburn Lodge and Campsite. There are two rooms with attached bathroom and toilet and accommodated for two families. The lodge is beautiful rooms, the rooms are well decorated, the noise and traffic is far way from the lodge, and from that you can enjoy stunning view of the Kanchenjunga Hill Range.

It may here to be mentioned that, the hospitality and service of the lodge is well good, the staffs are kind and personalized service is appreciable.

Experience:-Glenburn is magnificent lodge, on a tea plantation which about an hour and half from Darjeeling, the local scenery is excellent and walk down the river camp is outstanding experience, you can see mountains rolling tea field, happy local people, one can not forget to visit the local primary school. You can visit the opening ceremony of local school, it will give you good idea of life in the region, you feel impressive in the local school children, and you can enjoy seeing famous Kanchenjunga sunrise from bungalow. One can to visit Kalimpong and Gangtok. It will take two hour to drive to Kalimpong and takes about 4 hours to Gangtok. One can enjoy river rafting, beauty treatment, massage treatment, and fishing at river which has been arrange by the hotel manager, and in the fishing, the guide is provided by the hotel authority.

Cuisine:-The food is good in the bungalow. The dinner is served between 7 pm to 9 pm. Sometimes in verandahs and sometimes in the lawn with natural bonfire. Everyone is sat together at the same dinning table. Lunch is also wonderful. Wine and Liquor is available as per demand of the guests. Bed tea and afternoon tea is available in the Bungalows.

How to reach in Glenburn Tea Estate:-
By Air:- There are daily flight service from Kolkata to Bagdogra, takes 45 minutes, from Guahati to Bagdogra takes 30 minutes, from New Delhi to Bagdogra which takes 2 hours. It will take three hours drive from Air port to Glenburn Tea Estate.

By Rail:- There are daily overnight train from Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri by Darjeeling Mail and Kanchenjunga and Uttar Bangla Express is available on alternate day. From New Jalpaiguri Station to Glenburn takes drive three hours.

By Bus:-Bus journey is not advisable for long distances. By air and rail journey is comfortable for going to Glenburn.

It is here to be mentioned that, if you are advance booking at Glenburn, they will pick up either from Airport or Rail station by air conditioned luxury car. Dropping facilities are also available from Glenburn Tourist Lodge. One can enjoy beautiful hills scenery while going to Glenburn Tea Estate. Most of the journey follows the near Testa River, and you cross one bridge and climb up towards the Darjeeling and then drive down the Glenburn Tea valley.

Cloths: – Woolen cloths is required in the winter, while in the summer and monsoon season, light sweater are advisable. If possible take one raincoat during rainy seasons; the monsoon month is July and August. Scenic views of the mountains are clear from October to March in every year. Weather is always suitable for the visiting tourists.