Thank you New Indian Express & EdexLive for '40 Under 40 Award for Socially Responsible Social Media Superstars' to The Musafir Stories!!
https://www.edexlive.com/40-under-40/2020/sep/23/saif-omar-faiza-khan-14711.html

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This week, The Musafir Stories speaks to Utsav Mamoria, host of the travel podcast "Postcards from nowhere"!

Today's destination: North Sikkim!

Nearest Airport: Bagdogra airport, IXB or Pakyong Airport

Nearest Railway Station: Jalpaiguri or Siliguri railway station

Prerequisites: permits might be required for some regions, make sure to check.

Packing: Pack warm clothes and multiple layers based on the time of the year

Time of the year: Late Feb-March (shoulder season)

Length of the itinerary: 8 days


Itinerary Highlights:

- Utsav arrives in Gangtok, where he is based briefly before he starts moving north.
- If this is your first time to Sikkim, make sure to explore some of the touristy places in and around Gangtok. You can also check out our other episodes on Sikkim by Surya Raju and by Sandy and Vyjay
- Utsav and his partner head off from Gangtok towards their itinerary of Lachen, Chopta valley and Gurdongmar lake.
- It is highly advised that you hire a driver to drive you around as driving in the state is quite challenging given the weather conditions and the roads.
- Utsav spends his time in Lachen, enjoying the shoulder season with no tourists, interacting with locals as well as exploring the local monasteries.
- Make a quick trip to Chopta valley from Lachen - the valley gives a beautiful view of the snowcapped mountains and the river (depending on the time of the year).
- Utsav's trip to Gurdongmar was cut short due to the weather, since the army recommended to avoid travelling during severe weather conditions.
- On the way back, Utsav makes a stop at a Gurudwara to enjoy some good conversations and a hearty langar (meal in the community kitchen).
- Utsav also learns about the legend of Gurudongmar, about how Guru Nanak is believed to have traveled here and how a portion of the river never freezes at the point where the Guru hit his staff ('Dong' in Punjabi, 'Maar' is hit). There is also a legend about the Buddhist saint Padmasambhava with a similar story, hence the lake is considered sacred by both Sikhs and Buddhists. (Erroneously mentioned as "Sikhs and Hindus" on the podcast)
- After spending a day at Lachen, Utsav decides to move base to a small village called Dzongu and spend some time absorbing the slow life of the village.
- Slow travelling gives one the opportunity to live like a local and enjoy some authentic experiences, without having to rush from point to point.
- This includes enjoying some wholesome organic food (Sikkim is the first officially organic state in India), local beers and Sikkimese hospitality in general.
- Utsav also shares some interesting tidbits about the colourful prayer flags in Sikkim and their significance.
- Try to hire a local tour guide driver, as they have the best network in the area (which is often useful) and also helps boost the local economy. 

Links:

Link to Utsav's podcast:
Postcards from nowhere: https://ivmpodcasts.com/postcards-from-nowhere
Also available wherever you listen to podcasts

Link to the Utsav's budget traveling specials on Simblified:
https://ivmpodcasts.com/simblified-episode-list/2019/6/10/ep-137-how-to-travel-on-a-desi-budget-with-utsav-mamoria-part-1-1

https://ivmpodcasts.com/simblified-episode-list/2019/6/24/ep-139-how-to-travel-on-a-desi-budget-with-utsav-mamoria-part-2
Twitter: https://twitter.com/utsavmamoria
IG: https://www.instagram.com/whywetravel42

Photo by Abhishek Singhon Unsplash

Follow the Musafir stories on:
Twitter : https://twitter.com/musafirstories?lang=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themusafirstories/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musafirstoriespodcast/?hl=en
website: www.themusafirstories.com
email: themusafirstories@gmail.com

Apple podcasts -  https://apple.co/2LPtTA3
Google podcasts - http://bit.ly/2toY7lj
website - http://bit.ly/2xFZqOV
Saavn - https://bit.ly/2J5rIqi
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/2HLPSVi
Gaana - http://bit.ly/2NClUYY
pocketcasts - https://bit.ly/2xu3Ewg
castbox - https://bit.ly/2sqBDQi
Overcast - https://bit.ly/2LN9wnf
Stitcher Radio - https://bit.ly/2JiBbhw
audioBoom - https://bit.ly/2oZZowS
TuneIn - https://bit.ly/2xyQH4a
RadioPublic - https://bit.ly/2snY9u0
iHeartradio - https://ihr.fm/2xvOG8R
Deezer - https://bit.ly/2L7GmOo

<div>
Thank you New Indian Express &amp; EdexLive for '40 Under 40 Award for Socially Responsible Social Media Superstars' to The Musafir Stories!! <a href="https://www.edexlive.com/40-under-40/2020/sep/23/saif-omar-faiza-khan-14711.html">https://www.edexlive.com/40-under-40/2020/sep/23/saif-omar-faiza-khan-14711.html </a> 
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</div><div>
 This week, The Musafir Stories speaks to Utsav Mamoria, host of the travel podcast "Postcards from nowhere"! Today's destination: North Sikkim! Nearest Airport: Bagdogra airport, IXB or Pakyong Airport Nearest Railway Station: Jalpaiguri or Siliguri railway station Prerequisites: permits might be required for some regions, make sure to check. Packing: Pack warm clothes and multiple layers based on the time of the year Time of the year: Late Feb-March (shoulder season) Length of the itinerary: 8 days Itinerary Highlights: - Utsav arrives in Gangtok, where he is based briefly before he starts moving north. - If this is your first time to Sikkim, make sure to explore some of the touristy places in and around Gangtok. You can also check out our other episodes on Sikkim by Surya Raju and by Sandy and Vyjay - Utsav and his partner head off from Gangtok towards their itinerary of Lachen, Chopta valley and Gurdongmar lake. - It is highly advised that you hire a driver to drive you around as driving in the state is quite challenging given the weather conditions and the roads. - Utsav spends his time in Lachen, enjoying the shoulder season with no tourists, interacting with locals as well as exploring the local monasteries. - Make a quick trip to Chopta valley from Lachen - the valley gives a beautiful view of the snowcapped mountains and the river (depending on the time of the year). - Utsav's trip to Gurdongmar was cut short due to the weather, since the army recommended to avoid travelling during severe weather conditions. - On the way back, Utsav makes a stop at a Gurudwara to enjoy some good conversations and a hearty langar (meal in the community kitchen). - Utsav also learns about the legend of Gurudongmar, about how Guru Nanak is believed to have traveled here and how a portion of the river never freezes at the point where the Guru hit his staff ('Dong' in Punjabi, 'Maar' is hit). There is also a legend about the Buddhist saint Padmasambhava with a similar story, hence the lake is considered sacred by both Sikhs and Buddhists. (Erroneously mentioned as "Sikhs and Hindus" on the podcast) - After spending a day at Lachen, Utsav decides to move base to a small village called Dzongu and spend some time absorbing the slow life of the village. - Slow travelling gives one the opportunity to live like a local and enjoy some authentic experiences, without having to rush from point to point. - This includes enjoying some wholesome organic food (Sikkim is the first officially organic state in India), local beers and Sikkimese hospitality in general. - Utsav also shares some interesting tidbits about the colourful prayer flags in Sikkim and their significance. - Try to hire a local tour guide driver, as they have the best network in the area (which is often useful) and also helps boost the local economy. Links: Link to Utsav's podcast: Postcards from nowhere: <a href="https://ivmpodcasts.com/postcards-from-nowhere">https://ivmpodcasts.com/postcards-from-nowhere</a> Also available wherever you listen to podcasts Link to the Utsav's budget traveling specials on Simblified: <a href="https://ivmpodcasts.com/simblified-episode-list/2019/6/10/ep-137-how-to-travel-on-a-desi-budget-with-utsav-mamoria-part-1-1">https://ivmpodcasts.com/simblified-episode-list/2019/6/10/ep-137-how-to-travel-on-a-desi-budget-with-utsav-mamoria-part-1-1</a> <a href="https://ivmpodcasts.com/simblified-episode-list/2019/6/24/ep-139-how-to-travel-on-a-desi-budget-with-utsav-mamoria-part-2">https://ivmpodcasts.com/simblified-episode-list/2019/6/24/ep-139-how-to-travel-on-a-desi-budget-with-utsav-mamoria-part-2</a> Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/utsavmamoria">https://twitter.com/utsavmamoria</a> IG: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/whywetravel42">https://www.instagram.com/whywetravel42</a> Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@iamsinghabhishek?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Abhishek Singh</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/sikkim?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a> Follow the Musafir stories on: Twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/musafirstories?lang=en">https://twitter.com/musafirstories?lang=en</a> Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/themusafirstories/">https://www.facebook.com/themusafirstories/</a> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/musafirstoriespodcast/?hl=en">https://www.instagram.com/musafirstoriespodcast/?hl=en</a> website: <a href="http://www.themusafirstories.com/">www.themusafirstories.com</a> email: themusafirstories@gmail.com Apple podcasts -  <a href="https://apple.co/2LPtTA3">https://apple.co/2LPtTA3</a> Google podcasts - <a href="http://bit.ly/2toY7lj">http://bit.ly/2toY7lj</a> website - <a href="http://bit.ly/2xFZqOV">http://bit.ly/2xFZqOV</a> Saavn - <a href="https://bit.ly/2J5rIqi">https://bit.ly/2J5rIqi</a> Spotify - <a href="https://spoti.fi/2HLPSVi">https://spoti.fi/2HLPSVi</a> Gaana - <a href="http://bit.ly/2NClUYY">http://bit.ly/2NClUYY</a> pocketcasts - <a href="https://bit.ly/2xu3Ewg">https://bit.ly/2xu3Ewg</a> castbox - <a href="https://bit.ly/2sqBDQi">https://bit.ly/2sqBDQi</a> Overcast - <a href="https://bit.ly/2LN9wnf">https://bit.ly/2LN9wnf</a> Stitcher Radio - <a href="https://bit.ly/2JiBbhw">https://bit.ly/2JiBbhw</a> audioBoom - <a href="https://bit.ly/2oZZowS">https://bit.ly/2oZZowS</a> TuneIn - <a href="https://bit.ly/2xyQH4a">https://bit.ly/2xyQH4a</a> RadioPublic - <a href="https://bit.ly/2snY9u0">https://bit.ly/2snY9u0</a> iHeartradio - <a href="https://ihr.fm/2xvOG8R">https://ihr.fm/2xvOG8R</a> Deezer - <a href="https://bit.ly/2L7GmOo">https://bit.ly/2L7GmOo</a>
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The Musafir Stories is an audio podcast that documents Indian travel tales. Each episode, we share the journey of travelers in their own words and relive their experience with you, our listeners. The sole aim of our podcast is to share the rich experiences of traveling in India and inspire listeners to take the leap of faith, grab those backpacks and set out to explore the beautiful and exotic country, India!

This week, The Musafir Stories speaks to Rajat Ubhaykar, a journalist from Mumbai who talks about his journey around India on trucks and highways!

Today's destination: India!

Nearest Airport: n/a

Nearest Railway Station: n/a

Prerequisites - n/a

Pa...

The Musafir Stories - India Travel Podcast

<div>
Thank you New Indian Express &amp; EdexLive for '40 Under 40 Award for Socially Responsible Social Media Superstars' to The Musafir Stories!! <a href="https://www.edexlive.com/40-under-40/2020/sep/23/saif-omar-faiza-khan-14711.ht

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