Bull's Adventures

19/11/2024

So rare! And so fascinating to watch these 4-day old cubs. Nature is just so beautiful!

https://www.facebook.com/bbc/videos/878268877357059/

01/07/2024

For all those heading to Ladakh this week - please note that there is a weather advisory we have received as of 10 am this morning.

The monsoons have begun in full earnest across the northern region and because of rising temperatures across Ladakh, there's a lot of fast melting snow and glaciers. Which means the water levels across the nallahs and rivers have increased. The forecast is rain/snow across many places in Ladakh during July-5th to 7th. A brief but heavy shower expected in isolated pockets - one of the main triggers for a flash flood, mudslide or landslide.

So, please ensure the following:

1. Ask your operator how long have you been in the adventure travel business?
2. Are they running the trip themselves or have they sub-contracted it to someone else?
2. Who are the guides? Are they locals? How long have they been guiding this route? What kind of training do they have?
3. The trek leader - are they experienced? Are they employees of the company or freelancers?
4. The company you've booked with - is it recognized by the Ministry of Tourism?
5. How many people in the group? Anything more than 15 and an alarm bell should ring in your head.
6. What is the company's safety record? (Lots of the mass operators have hidden their "accidents" behind lakhs worth of SEO. Don't get conned. Do some digging of your own)
7. Are your questions being answered patiently and accurately? If you find some mumbling and bumbling on the other end of the phone - an alarm bell should ring in your head.
8. Ask for references - any previous guests that you could contact for a reference.

Please don't go in ignorant. You will only have yourself to blame.

30/06/2024

I've always been a bit skeptical of the sunscreen market. Never really been a fan. Common sense (and just the experience of being in the sun) always tells me that sunshine is good for me, that sunshine on my skin makes me happy. So apart from using it on my face during treks, I never use sunscreen on any other part of my body - not even on the beach in Goa. And on my face only because it brightens into a ripe tomato if it sees the sun too long! Have never ever used sunscreen daily.

And then i read this article. It's an eye opener. Do read it till the end. And then step out and enjoy some sunshine!

Current guidelines for sun exposure are unhealthy and unscientific, controversial new research suggests—and quite possibly even racist. How did we get it so wrong?

05/06/2024

This is the last Kashmir trek for this season! If you've got:

* Time on your hands (6 days)
* Looking to test your newbie trekking feet
* Would love to explore the outdoors
* Have kids (7+ years) with whom you'd like to bond
* All of the above!

Here's the perfect amble in the mountains. Coming?

13/02/2024

Ever skied before? Yes? Join us in Gulmarg from March 8th to 13th.
Never skied before? We'll teach you! Join us in Gulmarg from March 8th to 13th.

It's a great sport for kids 5+ years, and adults can learn it too. Send us a message if you'd like to join our group.

13/02/2024

When you're headed out for an adventure activity - rafting, trekking, paragliding, biking... do you ask these questions?

1. Is the travel operator organizing this a recognized operator? Recognized by Ministry of Tourism and by AdventureTour Operators Associationof India? Did you bother to ask?

2. Did you see those two logos (of MOT and ATOAI) on the operator's website? No? Did you bother to ask why they're not there?

3. Are their guides, trainers, leaders, pilots licensed? Yes? Did you ask to see the license? No? Why not?

Most people will look at only the price and go with the cheapest. The cheaper they are, the more your life is on the line. Because they've cut corners, they've compromised your safety, they've compromised the quality of your experience - if you live to tell the tale. And often, the bigger companies - they've buried their "unfortunate incidents" under millions of rupees worth of SEO on their "safety".

Adventure should be thrilling, not risky (to quote a fellow ATOAI partner).

Get smart. Stupidity kills.