Go goa?Monotony and boredom become an ever-raging battle as you continue to grow older.

At no other time was this more apparent to all of us than when we were riding our rented scooters through the charming by-lanes of Goa for the umpteenth time and found it to be tiresome.

A board that advertised scuba diving in Goa was just the thing we needed to add depth to our holiday.

We contacted the diving school right away and booked a dive for the next day.

The instructors greeted us and geared us up figuratively with a quick briefing session.

Our instructors pointed out a number of historic and monumental buildings all along such as the Modern Light house, Governor’s Palace, Aguada Fort among many others.

I couldn’t break away far or for too long because I had only weekends off from work which is why kolad rafting seemed like the perfect way to scratch the itch.

Nestled within the lap of the Sahyadris, Kolad is a quaint village located only a couple of hours away from the bustling city of Mumbai.

It is the ideal way to spend two days mixing relaxation with a bit of adventure.

Rafting in Kolad takes place on the serene Kundalika river which roars into life every morning when the adjoining Bhira Dam is opened.I was lucky enough to discover Kolad in the midst of the monsoon season because it is during this time that Kolad is at its best.

During winters on the other hand, the days are pleasant but the surroundings not as vibrant.I hired a private taxi to take me to the campsite because it is much safer for a girl to travel this way.

You can reach Kolad by other forms of public transport such as train and bus or even take your own car to make for a fun road trip.

I could feel it within my veins, my adrenaline had been building up over the last few months and I needed to find release.

I roped in my friend, Simran and together we decide to conquer the Hampta pass.One of the most famous treks within the country, the Hampta pass trek offers stunning vistas of mountain ranges, pine forests and vast meadows in addition to thrilling challenge for anyone with moderate levels of fitness, even first time trekkers.The pass is most accessible from the village of Prini, located in Himachal Pradesh, which is where Simran and I started our adventure along with a few other trekkers who were part of our group.

The path was steep and difficult but our spirits were high and we hiked our way through in about two hours cutting through thick forests, apple orchards and some endearing villages.

I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the sleeping bag.The second day of the Hampta pass trek took us through Chikka, a surreal place, as if right out of one of those stock internet photos.

Huge conical columns of bare rock kissed the sky creating a horizon unlike any I have ever witnessed.

Simran’s jaw was left hanging when she caught her first glimpse.

Has it been five years?”, was Abhey’s response to my comment that our five year anniversary was looming large.

As I looked through the different adventure activities in India, treks seemed the most appropriate and one among them, the valley of flowers trek, seemed and sounded the most appropriate.Averaging about a week, the trek cut through the Nanda Devi National Park.

A world heritage site, the valley of flowers is bustling with well over 300 different species which includes the exquisite Blue Poppy as well as Brahamakamal, something that stirred the nature lover within me.The valley is home to not only these radiant flowers but also thick forests of rhododendron and oak  in which live diverse wildlife like red fox, Asiatic black bear and musk deer as well as the elusive snow leopard.After much pushing and prodding, a reluctant Abhey took some time off from work and we made it to the valley during the monsoon months, just in time for the blooming season.

With new flowers blooming every day, the valley of flowers seemed like it was alive, changing its looks and coloring itself anew every few hours.Abhey’s grumpiness melted at the first sight of those rainbow colored hills and the trip only got better on from there on out.

We hiked on stony roads that zig-zagged their way through the flowering meadows glowing in all colors from lemony yellow to snowy white.

Located at a comfortable altitude of 3650 meters, the valley of flowers trek is of moderate difficulty which explains why we had so many first-time hikers in our trekking group.

In or out?”, is the voice note I receive from Kush as I open his chat on WhatsApp; his voice laced with impatience.

It had been a long and hectic few days on both personal and professional fronts and my mind was craving for some down time, away from the bustle of Chandigarh.

I went on a google bender to know what I had signed up for in the first place.

Nestled within the heart of the Parvati valley at a height of about 9700 feet, Kheerganga is a flourishing grassland, famous for its natural hot springs and as the place where Lord Shiva is said to have meditated for years on end.

We woke up to the crispy air and tranquil atmosphere of this peaceful hamlet, looked at each other and exchanged huge grins, albeit for different reasons altogether.

After feasting on the delicious food and heartfelt humility of Kasol we began the Kheerganga trek by hiking our way towards Rudra Nag, home to a serpent shaped waterfall, a stunning work of art created by Mother Nature herself.

Right at the top (pun intended) was the Everest Base Camp trek mocking the hiker within me.

A rendezvous with the highest mountain in the world is an opportunity every high-altitude climber relishes for the mountains offer a shot at self-actualization and bragging rights for life.

I finished cleaning my room, then cleared my schedule and set off to Nepal in the next few days signing up with a renowned tour operator for the hike.

The trek lasts for an average of 12-15 days during which you battle punishing weather and extreme terrains while climbing to a height of 18000 feet.

Over the course of the next two weeks, we saw not only the terrain but also ourselves undergo drastic changes.

What started off as a landscape blanketed with pine forests and gorgeous streams soon transformed to a rocky terrain coated with pristine snow and glacial moraine.

I had seen my older brother and parents lose friends steadily as they aged; they said it was because life gets in the way.

I thought this could never happen to me and that the bonds I have forged with my friends will only get stronger over time.

Then it happened; life got in the way.I sent out WhatsApp messages to a group of our closest friends and a few calls later, we found ourselves planning a week-long adventure to conquer the Kedarkantha trek and strengthen the bonds of our “wolf-pack.”After much consideration, Kedarkantha seemed like the ideal choice because of two primary reasons.

We were all beginners and we all shared a common love for snow.

While it is one of the few treks in India that is accessible throughout the year, the best time to go hiking through the region is the winter season.

The peak of Kedarkantha was quite literally, and figuratively, the pinnacle of the hike, as far we were concerned.

We hired monstrous bikes from the city itself and left at the crack of dawn the next day after deciding on the routes, itineraries and doing some final checks.

I was adamant about not riding pillion in the beginning itself and managed to convince the boys to be one of the earlier riders.

I had been reading bikes for nearly a decade by then which instilled within them, and me, confidence.

The cold desert, as it is often know, Leh Ladakh is a place unlike any other you will experience, not only in India but all over the world.

Every biker in India dreams of traversing this stupefying and mystifying landscapes that has established itself as one of the most iconic bike rides in the country.

Over the course of the next few days, we traversed the Ladakhi terrain, visiting the multi-hued lakes of Two Moriri and Pangong, the sand dunes of Sumur and Hundur hiding in the picturesque Nubra Valley as well as the historic monasteries that rivaled the natural allure that Ladakh had on offer.

“Papa, how come birds can fly but we cannot?”, Ansul had once asked me with innocence that is exclusive to a child.

“I wish I too, could fly”, he followed up with a longing that is also the sole domain of children.

I could not simply turn down this chance given Kamshet’s proximity to Mumbai and the stunning views of the Western Ghats the advert displayed.

Come weekend, we packed a small bag, fueled up and were soon on our way to the picturesque town.

I had booked a tandem paragliding session for Ansul in which a pilot operated the glider while Ansul gawked at the mesmerizing views of the valleys and hills from several thousand feet in the air.

I swear I could see him smiling even when he was all the way up there.