Finding India: The Overlanding Way
“We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world”- Robert Louis Stevenson
Overlanding and Camping in India have a long history. Evidence of camping and overlanding can be traced back to Indian mythology and religious scripts. The greatest of tales have been woven around lives in the wilderness.
Life in the wild, uncharted territory has an unmatched charm! One can actually find himself by getting lost in the unknown. This is not a cliché but a truth that every overlander can vouch for.
Perhaps this allure drives so many people to embark on overlanding in India. People are rediscovering the fun of Camping and Overlanding in India; No hassle of ticket booking, no worries about booking a hotel, and no time-bound itinerary to follow. It is literally packing your bags and going!
The vast geographical diversity of Indian terrain offers a bouquet of options for campers who are interested in Overlanding in India. From the lofty mountain ranges to the serene seaside, the culturally vibrant spots to the mysterious forests, the traveler is spoilt for choice.
The chosen time is equally important as each season comes with its own beauty. The warm winter in Karnataka and Maharashtra can be as welcoming as the cool summer in the hills of the lower Himalayas or Nilgiri mountains. Then there are innumerable festivals of man and nature- be it the monsoon trail in the Western Ghats or the Dussehra celebration in Kullu.
Safety being the prime concern, it always helps to seek the advice of people in the know and local folks and an occasional reference to the almost omnipresent GPS (Do not immerse yourself in that handheld though- the offerings of nature is way more interesting than anything human innovation can offer!)
A few tips to keep in mind:
Stay fit- Since we are stepping out of our comfort zone, mental and physical fitness will be our greatest ally out there.
Stay hydrated- Have an adequate supply of potable water and dry food (protein bars and traditional power-packed Indian dry food) to keep up your energy level.
Carry an Emergency light, charger (of course!), a first aid kit, compass and maps beyond your device, an emergency number to call, and anything that can relieve the fatigue of traveling (read pillow, sleeping bag). Overlanding in India can be both fun and adventure.
For Overlanding in India, the vehicle (be it in your car or bike) has to be as fit as you are! After all, your vehicle is the one that will do all the hard work!
And above everything else, be ready to embrace nature; As one of the brilliant minds of our time Albert Einstein famously said “Look deeply into nature and you will understand everything better.”
Happy Overlanding!!!
Contributed By Pamela Dutta
