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 Watch 1st Part of our Vietnam Journey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=494MJl0lz54

We are happy to have you, in Our journey to a beautiful SOUTH asian country, Vietnam. This is. part 1 (In Hindi) of our Vietnam Tour

As you might have heard of, Vietnam is stunning. There’s no denying that backpacking or travelling to Vietnam, is an experience filled with excitement, happiness and curiosity. Vietnam is blessed by natural beauty, hectic cities, and some of the best food in the world.

 
While we travel, we visit sacred temples, pagodas, food hubs, rice terraces, beaches and many more. So, just stay tuned to our channel, as we explore VIETNAM. Stay with us as we find Vietnam travel tips that will transform your trip into a magnificent adventure. We have landed in Hanoi, and will be staying at this places for next few days.

Now comes the big question: how can you navigate through the vast variety of things to do in Vietnam.

First, carry a travel insurance, By carrying travel insurance, you’re not just safeguarding your trip, but also giving yourself peace of mind to fully immerse in Vietnam’s unique and thrilling offerings.

Second, You’ll find that the local currency, Vietnamese Dong (VND), is preferred especially in small markets and the hidden gems among the places to shop in Vietnam. Well, Cash Is King


Third, The best time to visit Vietnam is largely determined by the region you intend to visit, as the weather changes from north to south.  From October to April, the northern parts have colder and drier weather, which is ideal for trekking and city tours. The south, on the other hand, has the nicest weather from November to February, when humidity is reduced.

Fourth , Vietnam offers a wide range of adventurous pursuits to indulge in. Among them is rafting, scuba diving, rock climbing and many more. If possible, Book Your Adventure Activities In Advance.

Fifth, temples and monuments represent the rich past and culture of Vietnam. Respecting local customs, especially while visiting sacred sites, is an important component to consider when organizing travel tips to Vietnam. When visiting Vietnam, one of the most important Vietnam travel tips guide recommendations is getting a local SIM card. This can save you a lot of money on roaming fees while providing you with continuous internet access. 

Sixth, Familiarizing yourself with basic expressions like “Xin chào” (Hello) and “Cảm ơn” (Thank you) will not only enhance your travel experience but also help you connect with the local people. 

Seventh, Bargaining is an essential skill to have when visiting local markets in Vietnam, and it’s among the vital Vietnam travel tips for tourists. Many market vendors expect you to negotiate, and it can be part of the cultural experience. 

Eighth, Carry A Travel Adapter, as shown here.



Ninth, Some essential travel tips to Vietnam include being cautious with street food. While the local cuisine is a must-try, particularly in bustling areas like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, not all street vendors maintain the same hygiene standards. 

Vietnamese Dong is the currency in Vietnam and 1 US DOLLAR is equivalent to approximately is equal to 25,500 dong.

Travellers from most countries in the world are required to have visas. 

Intercity travel is possible by plane, train and bus. Within cities, towns and villages you can expect to get around on bicycle rickshaws, motorbike taxes, taxis and bus. Well this is it for today. Hope you enjoyed the journey.

Our journey in culturally rich country of Vietnam will continue. Watch out for the next part. Keep watching.

If you have any question you can add them in the comment section or alternatively email us. Do not forget to subscribe to our channel countryside travels. Share this video and give a thumbs up if you like this video. Stay tuned for more travel videos. Keep watching countryside travel. hAVE A GOOD DAY. Namaste

Hike to wadi shab , Oman

Hello Everyone!

Hope you are all doing well.

Wish EACH ONE the very best from Countryside Travels. Welcome to our channel.
You can watch video on our journey to arab country, Oman, and our hike to wadi shab.

Watch our hike on YouTube






 Our journey in this beautiful Arab country continues as we explore its places across length and breadth.
Visiting Wadi Shab is one of the top things to do in Oman and you need to include it on your list. If you are reading this, chances are you are already interested in visiting Wadi Shab which is a good thing because it is a completely memorable and fantastic experience! Think about the fantastic gorge, warm blue pools, and a hidden waterfall! 
Luckily, getting to the Wadi Shab entrance is quite easy! Wadi Shab is about 1.5 hours from Muscat and 40 minutes from the town of Sur. If you simply put the name “Wadi Shab Parking” in your GPS you will be navigated right to the entrance parking lot. If you aren’t using a GPS, don’t worry! The exit for Wadi Shab is well marked from the highway. Once you turn off the highway you go down a narrow and steep paved road and you will end up parking underneath a large bridge that the highway you just left goes over. 
Parking is completely free at Wadi Shab! The parking lot isn’t the biggest so if it is crowded, you may have to park down the road and walk back a little ways. When we visited, it was pretty crowded, but we waited a few minutes and were able to find a spot in the parking lot. 




There are free bathrooms at the Wadi Shab parking lot so be sure to go before you start the journey to the swimming area. These are the only bathrooms in the area and were relatively clean with no toilet paper [as is usual in Oman] but plenty of soap for you to clean your hands. 
Also there is a small food corner here at the parking where you can eat food or snacks or take along with you.
Before we start Wadi Shab hike, you must take a very short boat ride across the very wide river. The river is very deep and wide so you must take the boat ride to get to the other side. The boat ride costs 1 Rial per person and this must be paid in cash! Operation begins at 8am and runs until 5pm. 
Everywhere we read considered the 45-minute hike from the boat ride to the first pool to be “a walk.” We are here to tell you that this is A FULL BLOWN HIKE and we would consider it to be moderate as you have to climb over boulders and walk along a very slippery and narrow canyon wall. Well everyone can do this hike, as we saw plenty of elderly people, small children doing the hike and even someone on crutches.
We carried shoes with us, but We chose to hike in sandals. Hiking in flip flops is a bad idea and this is indeed A HIKE to Wadi Shab, not an easy stroll or walk.
Next, you will come to the mouth of the pretty blue pools for Wadi Shab. This is a false end to the hike and you are NOT ALLOWED to swim in this area. There is only one designated swimming area at Wadi Shab and this is not it. At this point, you are at 1/3 of the way through the hike.
At this point of the Wadi Shab hike you are going to hike along the side of the canyon/Wadi. You are going to climb under and around the side and the pristine white rocks are VERY slippery.

Please tread with caution as there is little to keep you from slipping. If you feel it is too slippery, just keep a vigil and balance your body using hands, simply get low and walk crouching down for that part. This is easily the most beautiful part of the hike as you wind through right on top of the clear blue/green water. This is a great area to stop for photos if you want to capture the narrow gorge from above.
The third and last section of the Wadi Shab hike is a bit uphill and takes you up and around some giant boulders that are in the Wadi. The entire canyon is dry, save for some irrigation channels, but rest assured that the views are still spectacular.


The hike can be a little difficult to follow at this point, so keep your eyes open for arrows painted on the rocks that show you the direction you need to go. You won’t get lost as if you keep going up the middle of the canyon you will eventually come upon the swimming area, but the arrows show you the easiest path.
You will not need any guide to hike this place as the route can easily by identified on your own.
Again, if we had to classify the hike at Wadi Shab, we would consider it to be a moderate hike with some of the best views we have ever seen. We consider it moderate due to the climbing aspect and the uneven surfaces you must jump over or climb up and around.

Please wear proper footwear during the hike and take flip flops with you for the swimming portion! 
Of course, the best part about visiting Wadi Shab is swimming in the perfectly clear blue pools! It is comprised of only three pools. Now, while the pools are relatively long, they are not huge by any manner.
The water at Wadi Shab is very warm for swimming. We went during the winter/high season, ( that is around March), water was warm.

If you are planning a trip to Oman during the summer, we can’t even imagine how wonderful the water will feel then. 
Well we divide entire length of water water stream into three pools.


Talking about the first Pool that is pool 1.





This is the first pool that you will come across and will be the busiest swimming area in Wadi Shab. This is where many people leave their bags and towels before setting off into the Wadi. This pool is wide, gets narrow as you pass some tall grass in the water, and then gets wider again. This was our favorite pool at Wadi Shab. We liked the second wider part as the views were just so incredible and you could see up and down the gorge. 
This pool is also the most shallow so if you aren’t a strong or confident swimmer or have small children, this is the best pool for you. Luckily, it is pretty long so you have plenty of space to just explore and relax on your own. 
Next the second pool,  Pool 2


After you leave pool 1, you are going to walk through a narrow creek area. There are millions of small pebbles here and they HURT so bad when you walk on them. And they can be painful! These pebbles are on the ground of the entire swimming area which is why we advise bringing flip flops or water shoes to wear when you are swimming in Wadi Shab.


At the very end of pool 2 there is a very deep section. The section is very short, maybe around 10 feet in distance, but it will go to a depth of over your head, probably 9-10 feet. It is an easy and quick swim, but DO NOT TRY AND BRING BAGS. Leave your bags and towels and camera gear at the entrance of pool 1. You will not be able to get it past this part of pool 2 unless you have a waterproof swim bag which we did not. We ended up leaving our gear on a rock in the middle of the swimming area as we swam to pool 3. 
And finally we arrive at Wadi Shab Pool 3


The third pool at Wadi Shab is the deepest and you must be a strong swimmer. If you are not close to professional, but still want to give it a try, you can swim front the side of the pool to the other side in a zig-zag manner. Otherwise, it is best to stop here if you aren’t confident because the pools are deep enough that you can’t touch. 
Well, finally we arrive at Wadi Shab Waterfall.

If you swim to the very end of pool 3, you will see a small gap in the rocks that is just big enough for your head to fit through. If you swim through this area you will come to a large cave with a waterfall flowing into it. DO NOT TRY THIS if you are not a very confident swimmer as you will have to be able to tread water and swim for at least 10-15 minutes to complete the swim and see the waterfall and get back out. You can not stand inside the cave and there aren’t many places to hang on. 
Before you start this hike, which can be a day trip hike, make sure you are good at walking. Because once you start and find it difficult to move further ahead, you will need to enough energy and stamina, to also retreat and get  back to the car parking.
You should cary along eatables, juices, drinks with you, to keep you energised and fit for walking and swimming.
What To Bring To Wadi Shab:

Good Hiking Shoes. We recommend you wear good sturdy hiking shoes like these for the hike to Wadi Shab. If you don’t have hiking shoes, we recommend them for your entire Oman trip, but a good pair of closed toe shoes will suffice. 

Flip Flops Or Water Shoes. We highly recommend packing water shoes or flip flops in your backpack. Once you arrive at the swimming area, take them out and put them on. The tiny rocks on the bottom of the pools hurt SO BAD and many people were screaming in pain. Avoid this by bringing a pair of shoes to wear in the water. 

Waterproof Dry Bag. If you want to take all your belongings all the way to pool 3, you are going to need a waterproof dry bag. Any other type of bag or backpack will get soaked as you swim through the deep parts of the gorge. 

Waterproof Phone Case. If you want to take photos of pool 3 and the waterfall, consider getting a waterproof phone case. 
Quick-Dry Towel. A small and lightweight towel like this one is the perfect thing to take to Wadi Shab. If you don’t want to pack a towel, make sure to borrow one from the place that you are staying so you have a way to dry off and change in a modest way after you are done swimming! 

Goggles. The water is so crystal clear and We highly recommend goggles as they will add to your experience swimming in Wadi Shab! 


Best Time To Go To Wadi Shab


Many articles we read suggested that the best time to go to Wadi Shab was early in the morning. We are going to have to disagree on this one! We ended up staying at Wadi Shab for over 5.5 hours. We arrived at around 11am and left at around 4:30pm. Keep in mind that the boats don’t start up until 8 am anyway, so either way, you are going to be at Wadi Shab when it is crowded. It is either going to be at the beginning or end of your stay.
Well this is it for today. Hope you enjoyed the journey.
If you have any question you can add them in the comment section or alternatively email us.
Do not forget to subscribe to our channel countryside travels.
Share this video and give a thumbs up if you like this video.
Stay tuned for more travel videos. Keep watching countryside travel.


hAVE A GOOD DAY.
 Namaste

Kinnaur Journey




You can take a circuit tour of Shimla - Kinnaur - Spiti - Lahaul - Manali which may require atleast 10-14 days and a per person cost starting Rs 30k to 40k , assuming government bus travel and booking cheap hostels or camps.

Personally i feel Kinnaur has a challening landscape and lot to offer and explore and it should not be clubbed with any other destination.

In this video , we take journey from Kalpa, Roghi towards Reckong Peo and then enter the Sangla Valley, before moving to our final destination , Chitkul, the last India village near India Tibet border.
Chitkul in Kinnaur Valley of Himachal Pradesh is a dream destination of every nomad! A perfect spot for adventure enthusiasts, Chitkul is a picturesque village sitting at an elevation of about 11400 ft on the banks of the Baspa River. You’ll be stunned with its unparalleled beauty with Kinner Kailash and the mighty Himalayas in the background.

For those who don’t know, Chitkul is the last hamlet on the old Hindustan-Tibet trade route and the last point in the country people can travel to without a permit. Beyond Chitkul, all civilian movement is restricted.
Chitkul is some 585 km from Delhi and the nearest community in the Sangla Valley is 28 km away. The village of Rakcham is halfway between Chitkul and the Sangla valley and driving between these two destinations could be one of the best decisions you ever made. You can enjoy the impressive view that will leave you speechless. The village is all about apple orchards and snow-covered natural beauty. Another prominent place to visit here is the popular Hindustan Ka Akhri Dhaba where travellers can relish a hearty meal. This incredible eatery in Chitkul guarantees a wonderful dining experience by serving delicious food.

The lower part of Kinnaur Valley is also very much visited by many people during summertime due to ease of accessibility from Shimla/Delhi/Chandigarh and less crowded or offbeat location.
By lower Kinnaur, I mean that I will be covering Kalpa, Sangla Valley and Chitkul in this travel guide and maybe upper parts like Nako, Chango, Ropa, Hangrang can be covered in time to come, if required. innaur Valley is one of the 12 districts in Himachal Pradesh which is known for its apple orchards, beautiful small hamlets, beautiful meadows surrounded with thick dense woods and not to forget the ever-adventurous roads. One of the roads to Sangla Valley was also got popularly featured by the name Ledge in History Channel as Deadliest Roads in the World 🙂 This adds just the right charm of adventure on the trip. In winters, the presence of snow makes it just a jaw-dropping experience to be in Kinnaur Valley, where the major attraction is the breathtaking view of Kinner Kailash, a mountain sacred to Hindus, close to the Tibetan border.

The beautiful meadows in Sangla or Baspa Valley and Chitkul which is considered the last village in India where one can reach from Kinnaur side, are also covered commonly on a trip to this part of Himalayas.

Kinnaur Valley is located in the Northeast corner of Himachal Pradesh, about 235 KMs from the state capital, Shimla. The distance of Delhi to Kinnaur Valley is about 570 km considering Reckong Peo. It makes Kinnaur Valley not so far from civilization yet so raw and offbeat. elow is the most general route to Kinnaur Valley from Delhi that most people usually follow. You can reach Kinnaur on the second day with an overnight halt at Narkanda or anywhere away from Shimla or Chail.

However, if you are visiting Manali, then you can travel to Kinnaur Valley from Manali as well via Jalori Pass or the longer Spiti Valley route. Delhi – Shimla (360 KMs) – Narkanda (420 KMs) – Rampur (488 KMs) – Karcham (566 KMs) – Reckong Peo (587 KMs) – Kalpa (595 KMs) At Karcham, the road bifurcates towards Sangla Valley and Chitkul as per below distance between these places. Delhi – Shimla (360 KMs) – Narkanda (420 KMs) – Rampur (488 KMs) – Karcham (566 KMs) – Sangla (582 KMs) – Rakcham (596 KMs) – Chitkul (610 KMs) You will reach Kalpa or Sangla on this road trip to Kinnaur Valley in a minimum of 2 days from Delhi.

Mostly, Narkanda or somewhere near Shimla / Chail – Narkanda is an ideal overnight halt to distribute the journey evenly. If you are starting from Chandigarh, you can consider taking an overnight halt at Sarahan as well. The road to Sarahan bifurcates from Jeori which is 23 km from Rampur. The distance from Jeori to Sarahan is 12 km only.
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