Traveling the Himalayas Can Be BRUTAL (But It's Worth It)

Another intense day of traveling in the Himalayas of Sikkim, India, from the small town of Pelling to Yuksom.
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Music during the video (in order):
"Raga Scape" by Jingle Punks
&
"Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons...
&
"Remote Locations" by Edward Karl Hanson
&
"Tibet Meditation" by Bjorn Alva
&
"Mountain Mist" by Lucention
&
"Views From Himalaya" by Sight of Wonders
&
"Desert Blues" by Don Syke
&
"Entering Kathmandu" by Sight of Wonders
&
"The Emperor's Army" by Jeremy Blake
Need some good music for your KZbin videos? I use and recommend Epidemic Sound. To get a free 30-day trial click here: share.epidemics...
Video created by Gabriel Morris, who is the owner of all video or photo content. Filmed with a DJI Osmo Action: amzn.to/3gSi8rA
**Disclaimer: Gabriel Morris is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to www.amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, Gabriel earns revenue from qualifying purchases.
Gabriel is a world traveler and travel writer who has been adventuring around the world off and on since his first trip to Europe in the summer of 1990 when he was 18 years old. He is author of "Gabe's Guide to Budget Travel", "Following My Thumb" and several other books available on Amazon.com and elsewhere.
Thanks a lot for watching and safe journeys!

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Correction: At the beginning it says the population of Sikkim is 46,000. That's actually the population of the town of Pelling, where the video starts. The population of the entire state of Sikkim is 610,000.

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

** In my opinion perhaps the most stun-ning parts of your videos are where you show and outsides AND insides of the beautiful buildings, museums and monuments. Example: 11:12 and 12:04 and 15:04, amoungst MANY others, of course. ** And, the worst ... are the public facilities with those bloody awful squat toilets. Example: 08:18 Western sit up toilets must be hard to come by, eh? >> And, on top of the above is the fact that there is no toilet paper!! You have to use your hands to ... well ... you know. Damn. 😱 🤮 ** 16:32 -- Those alpenhorn sounding thingies are what my Grandparents brought home from Nepal after they went up to Mt. Everest base camp for my grandmother's 75th birthday. They went no higher on the mountain. They only brought home one though, and how in the Hell they had it transported remains a mystery to me. Those folks brought home rugs and tapestries, as well. There dining room was where they showcased it all. God, I LOVE the patterns on the walls and fabrics with its festive themes and colours. Damn! >> 30:40 -- That wall hanging we can see is EXACTLY like one of the tapestries (?) that they brought back, from Nepal, in fact! ** 24:22 -- I like the nice, huuuuge hotel room, but, it really does boggle my mind that you were given such a small heating unit! I guess all of their usual tourists are stalwarts who are used to FRIGID temps. all year round, or else ... each room would have a radiator, or some such in it / You know, like a central air type heating arrangement, or some such. 27:58 --Jeeez, that restaurant did not look very busy. I'd be leery eating anything from a restaurant which had NO apparent customers! But, you are nothing if not intrepid, so ...

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

I am now going to put the bug in your ear, Gabriel and say AUSTRALIA to you, nice and loud!!

[@seanmac5093]

The BEST traveler vlog on KZbin. Egoless and travel-centered. Thank you Gabriel.

[@FSVR54]

Facts

[@terjerendalsvik5461]

One of the best, a bit impersonal though

[@lindab6113]

I literally cheered out loud when I saw those gorgeous mountain peaks at the end!!!! You are truly an amazing person and I am so incredibly inspired and grateful for these beautiful videos you produce. Namaste 🙏 ❤

[@DMUSA536]

Me too 😊

[@Tvidstein]

I think Gabriel is giving us such an honest and undistorted video of the Himalaya, without any attempt of doing a show, so that i directly give him a thumb up...

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Glad to hear it. Thumbs ups, directly or indirectly, are always appreciated.

[@DMUSA536]

That’s what I like about ALL his videos

[@art_nouvelle]

I saw the Kangchenjunga on the last day of my visit to Sikkim too. Seeing it was a mystical and magical experience. I woke up rather early on the day and felt this strong urge to go out. When I did go out around 6 AM, the mountain revealed itself to me. It's as if the mountain finally beckons to you after you spend days yearning to see it. It's almost as if the mountain needs to consider us worthy to show itself to us or something. I am glad you were able to see it too. 😊

[@booyou91]

My dad loves your videos and has been asking 'where is Gabriel today' waiting for a new upload. I think he was actually worried on your behalf. Glad to see you're okay and enjoying the Himalayas.

[@JohnPValentine]

Omg, that made me laugh so much when she said, “no dosas” but then they were able to make chicken enchiladas for you. Thanks for all the great videos!

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Yeah, pretty funny.

[@samewalt6486]

Chenrezig is the Tibetan name for Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of great compassion, the one who hears the cries of the world. Very beautiful to find in your travels.

[@ivanzirka2386]

10:45 "Chenrezig". But he's a bodhisattva, not a Buddha. Called Avalokiteshvara in sanskrit or Kuan Yin in chinese (in the Himalayas he's portrayed as male). So yes, you were right.

[@2ChukBuk]

Northern India...in this case northeast...really has a certain vibe that speaks to me. At least it does through your lens. Highly watchable and informative as usual. Big thumbs up.

[@viaesta]

I love when you make merit by visiting Buddhist Vajrayana temples. Thank you Gabriel! Om Mani Padme Hum!

[@samuel1121]

You are truly an inspiration even for an old man like myself

[@somejohndoe3004]

He really is, well said.

[@davidmorgan2428]

You are and always have been since I started watching you a very nice and polite person to all the people you bump into along your journeys, Im from England but its nice to see manners and respect. Thankyou Gabriel. ALL the best

[@dlee6266]

Wow!! Amazing Gabriel!! Just amazing!! I don't know how you do it, but you do. The distances, rough roads, driving and walking does look brutal. But, the views are so beautiful, that it really makes the trekking worth it all. Plus, you try different foods and learn new cultures and visit historical sites. You simply "Rock" my friend!! You are in incredible shape physically, spiritually and mentally to be able to do these travels. I am in awe every time that I watch your travels. Thank you for giving us the experiences of your journey through this beautiful globe of ours!! Aloha from Hawaii Gabriel!!🤙

[@amandabradley6256]

We went to Yuksom a few months ago…….it was absolutely magical. We’re actually in Nainital atm and the views of the Himalayas are incredible.

[@VitalityMassage]

Gabe you are a true travel warrior!

[@mikejohnson599]

at least the clouds rain and fog cant block the pretty faces and beautiful art work

[@dominiclavu193]

That's a magical place! Wish I could go there in my wheelchair. Thanks for taking us along! That sky bridge though! 🙇

[@davidmoore5822]

The peak viewing time is now, the dead of winter. It was a true reward for the hardy visitor. Balmy 70 degree F days but as soon as the sun sets ..0 degrees F.

[@emilye126]

I don't think I have ever heard you describe a meal as delicious! Your dinner really did look delicious 😋

[@maggieskitchen-]

Thank you so much for this video showing us the scenery that I probably will not go for this life. I felt that I was visiting and seeing with my own eyes. Really appreciated your work!

[@iceberg789]

some roads will remain untraveled.

[@SK-xw4gu]

Hi Gabe: Your perseverance finally pays off. You got a glimpse of the mighty Himalayan peaks. As they say, fortune favors the bold.

[@pleasantjourneys]

"The sun shines every day; sometimes there are clouds."

[@juliocastillo8472]

that enchilada looks like it hit the spot and brought your spirits up man love the videos

[@pulakification]

I am happy for you that you got to see the blue sky finally, waiting for next episode.

[@b.m.48933]

Gabe, that big statue is the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (in Sanskrit), a.k.a. Chenrezig (in Tibetan), a.k.a. Kuan Yin (in Chinese). But, I bet you didn't know that that is also the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is the reincarnation of Chenrezig/Avalokiteshvara/Kuan Yin. Look it up.

[@forrestaustin7050]

Was wondering how you were sense you hadn't posted in a few days. Can't wait to watch!

[@theadventuresofbrockinthai4325]

Hey Gabriel, great video my friend and it looks like you are gonna have some mountains to look at on your way to your next destination. Enjoy your trip my friend and I'll keep watching.

[@isabelle3365]

Amazing trip with lots to see. Thank you for your filming. Travelling seems only for the Braves.

[@elizabethcraig5825]

Wow you finally get a view! That food looks delicious! Love enchiladas and the topaz looks great also. Nice video as always. Thank you Gabriel.🌞🌞🌞❤

[@jacksondrake-lost]

Man you are deep in the mountains of India! More temples and incredible detail.. the ancient homes amazing. Agree on the age. Still standing well built! And you nailed the restaurant find!!!!

[@AnkleSnapper72]

Great stuff. Live the adventure Gabriel.

[@stevenponte6655]

I am so glad you got some sunshine and views!! When I was in Yuksom we were sitting outside (I think it was Guptas), and 3 locals got into a heated argument with each other, as they had consumed too much tongba. Whether you are in outback Australia, cool bars of NYC or in the Himalayas, nothing really changes! ha ha

[@effie-montreal]

Gabe what an amazing video ...happy to see you are ok you inspire me to travel more

[@pankajmaliknewdelhi]

This is the most expensive room for you in India as far as I can remember. Nice view in the end.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

You might be right, I can't think of a more expensive one.

[@johnneycoon7808]

Nice video plus great choice of music. Loved the look of the restaurant, looked very cozy and warm. Glad you found somewhere good to eat. I love your adventures and that your videos are not filled with fluff. I had a trip planned and paid for to India and Nepal, then Covid hit and I cancelled. You are inspiring me to finally take the plunge.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Go for it.

[@billmoeller8897]

That chicken enchilada looked like the highlight of your day !!! Very happy you had sun on your last day in the mountains.

[@tyronsimpson2143]

This time of year can be touch out there man. Go Gab ......

[@99cachorro]

Wow! I got to see all this before going to work building fences????

[@votejohndoe1038]

Stay safe and keep on going, cuz aint there no one like you.

[@meemaflowers9446]

Great editing! Thank you! Namaste!

[@ashxsh]

At last they appear, the mighty peaks for Gabriel. To see a glimpse, he travelled far, Up and down on curvy roads Bumpy ride, and many loads They test his will, and he carries on In hazy fog and bitter cold At last they appear, the mighty peaks for Gabriel. Looking forward to the next video.

[@ashxsh]

When do you sleep? It's 1am now.

[@elizabethcraig5825]

Nice.poem!😊

[@ashxsh]

@@elizabethcraig5825 Thanks Elizabeth. Are you related to Mr. Bond, Daniel Craig? ☺

[@elizabethcraig5825]

No I am not that I know of.🌞

[@ashxsh]

@@elizabethcraig5825 It's a small world. You never know. 😇

[@UVF79]

Another Wonderful and fantastic clip from Gabe 😃✌️

[@ARNABOSS]

it was a fascinating mind-blowing view at the middle of the bridge … thanks again for rekindling my fond memories 💕💟

[@donnaleecriss8692]

I followed u to Nepal a few tears ago. I made it to Katmandu by bus on return to bodh gaya rode in jeep. Brutal. I'm a large size person it didn't matter 4 of us in back seat. Windy rough roads but an experience I'll forget. Where r we going next Gabe. From Vancouver Island

[@556suppressor]

Fascinating videos. I just started watching these in 2023.

[@adventureswithfarmertroy]

The beginning of this video is harshing my mellow a little bit . . . I am looking forward to visiting the Himalayas in August (Leh Ladakh), but I am feeling like you are kinda sick of being there, and ready to leave . . . hope things improve for you, and hope you enjoy your last day (and hopefully no clouds) . . . Namaste Bro'

[@monKeman495]

darn haze make whole trip of himalayan view to the setback i can understand mr Gabe situation

[@alokm1233318]

Leh Ladakh is completely different universe from sikkim. Also more majestic and beautiful.

[@mooskamoo]

He’s not really there at the right time, cold and hazy is not great. Himalayas are best Sept/Oct, absolutely stunning area of the world at that time.

[@nixonraj]

What ?? Enchiladas ? I gotta do my tour of Sikkim all over again now. Thanks Gabe. Keep the videos coming.

[@wadawads]

Gabe's Making Moves!,, Keep on Cruising!

[@christopherk6353]

Glad that you spotted those white peaks on your final day up in Himalayas

[@bandariyah8652]

Oh WOW! You landed up staying in the same hotel where I stayed (several years ago) in Yuksom. So happy to see your vlogs and especially the Himalayas which never fails to impress. Thanks Gabriel! Can't wait to see your next journey with the bright sunshine

[@satadrughosal8859]

So you saw the range...mission accomplished

[@morty412]

Great videos even with the cloud cover Gabe! Here comes the sun! We are heading to Southern Portugal to hike the fisherman's trail along the coast. Look it up, right up your alley!

[@Matij1004]

There you have it - the clear skies that you so dearly sought ❤‍🔥👏

[@spiritart]

At last you saw the Himalayas!! :) I wonder why hotels don't have heating panels for the guests :/ it was so wet and I can imagine how cold it would be.

[@user-pm1ic9ul4v]

Another Wonderful and fantastic clip from Gabe ️

[@somejohndoe3004]

Thank you for the day trip, that was highly enjoyable. 🙏

[@User58747]

Hi Gabe. Long may you continue to make the best travel vlogs on KZbin.

[@israr144]

China claims Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh of ind as their land. they show them in their map of China. once they have produced a Chinese map without Arunachal Pradesh by mistake. China has burnt all 38000 copies of that map angrily. in 2020 when India was under lockdown because of China created virus Chinese came and grabbed some land of Ladakh. in 2022 china tried again to you tried to grab parts of Arunachal Pradesh but their effort was failed by Indian Army.

[@VitalityMassage]

8:20 Squatting is the best Gabe. Much healthier!

[@KennethSee]

The Himalayan region is my favorite place on the Asian mainland. Hands down.

[@harnaamkaur3020]

covering ground Gabriel...with the desolation it offers some great meditation time to get into..Safest travels as you move through the majestic country!

[@ctyke5553]

Gab, top quality as always. How you only have half a million subcribers . Its beyond my understanding.

[@RohitSingh-wj3wc]

Really nice video Gabriel. Seeing bright morning can expect to see clear mountains in your next video 😀😀

[@MilaTheTravelJunkie]

You are making me hungry and there is no thukpa around 😀 lovely adventure.

[@emilymary1436]

Finally clear skies at the end!

[@kemosahbe2564]

Clear skies at last!! Awesome!

[@virginianemith]

I hope it clears up 4 U tomorrow. Nice videos. Much love to All

[@rg353]

You're my blue sky, you're my sunny day

[@griopfrew3260]

Always very very good and very interesting and among the best

[@DougPVlogs]

I hope I can vlog from the Himalayas one day.

[@FiresideCollective]

Glad you saw the mountains!

[@lorrainedavidson7229]

Gabriel did you go to Simla/ Shimla? That was my experience of the toilets in 1989. I am interested in Simla / Shimla.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Yes, but I didn't make a full video there, just this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHm1q2yibcmdbM0

[@lizcarlyle2477]

Hello from CA. Incredible food at the top of the world! Gee, your so brave in the cold!

[@vwitty5189]

Because of few KZbin Travel videos about North East India will indirectly is going to Favor them with Lots of Developments in various ways or no one will be able to REALIZE the GOOD CORNERS of them anyway.

[@vwitty5189]

Ok thanks Respected sir.

[@goostrey4210]

I wonder whether it would be more physically and emotionally sustainable to drive oneself through the mountains, rather than travel by tiny taxi or agricultural jeep.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I wouldn't want to take a chance with a rental car on those crazy roads myself, but buying a motorcycle would be a good way to go. Not in winter though with the cold and rain.

[@goostrey4210]

@@GabrielTravelerVideos Ah yes, get one of those old Royal Enfield bikes. It looks like one could be had for about $2000 or so. That could be an epic trip. Have you ever been tempted to do a great overland trip from, say, Sydney to London?

[@parulsinha3092]

Always let the locals drive, they have knowledge and resources outsiders don't.

[@goostrey4210]

@@parulsinha3092 More to the point, when I was driven about in India and Bangladesh, the culture of driving in both countries seemed bloody dangerous!

[@parulsinha3092]

@@goostrey4210 yes, it is, it's not something everyone can do. I have lived here in India throughout my life, am used to the crowds and chaos, but I still have difficulty driving because I took it up very late in life. You need years and years of practice. But beyond driving, locals have knowledge about how to handle sudden events that outsiders don't have, and they have useful information and connections that outsiders don't have.

[@Andrew-cg2zl]

those clouds lol. bathrooms look wild

[@johnknox4293]

Persevere. Youre doing great. You always figure it out

[@microsatellites]

Thank you for the wonderful views. Safe travels

[@vivekra]

9:13 Old Man Yells at Cloud (It's a meme from the Simpsons)

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGPTY2eeq5plr8U

[@Tips4_Trips]

Nice video 😉👍

[@robcanad]

10 days of clouds in the Himalayas would be a wasted vacation for me, I ain't got time for that!

[@milanjeftic3374]

so beautiful,thanks for sharing

[@guskrist5781]

Hello, I am curious. With the wonder sights you have seen, have you thought of purchasing a drone for higher footage?

[@SchokoKekseFTW]

you're a legend man - ordering chicken enchila in Yuksom lol

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

If there's Mexican on the menu, I'm all over it. 😁

[@glennplumlee9155]

the taxi drive was unreal!!!

[@brucebenson5908]

Paying more than the posted price when traveling is an interesting matter. Say the fee to cross a bridge is 40 cents in some local currency and all you have is $5 in that currency. Say further that the $5 in local currency translates to less a U.S. dollar. It's easy to pay the local five. Plus it's convenient because you're not stuck with change in coins you have no need for. But you have just paid more than 12 times (!) the posted price and contributed to the reputation of Americans as filthy rich and profligate. In the case of the bridge here, Gabe paid only 2 1/2 times the posted price, probably a reasonable step to avoid a pocket full of pretty useless coins. For bigger overpayments, the local vendor, especially if a shopkeeper, busker, or other small fry, is thrilled. "Wait till I tell my wife what happened!." But in the big picture I think that largesse of convenience doesn't help the overall reputation of Americans as travelers. We see this especially with the tipping scene in European bars and restaurants, where we drop a $3 or $4 tip on a $20 tab when less than a dollar is the standard, normal and expected amount, if anything at all. The wait staff is over the moon but in the cosmic picture we are taken for fools. Every situation calls for its own answer. It's an interesting matter.

[@petergrima544]

Gray job Gabriel,love these videos,keep it up

[@hoz49]

Marvelous Gabriel, fate rewards the intrepid traveler. Namaste.

[@giriyoong]

Look cool climate, tell us the month, temperature. Very important for us to guage.

[@vwitty5189]

I myself is so Scared for that Spicy Foods of the North East Indian States always.

[@Sahajayana-Nirvanasara]

classic trip

[@ThorbjornTaule]

awesome to see the mountains at the end. stoked to see where the trips go to now, id love to see you travel to Tibet, in china but that is probly just a pipe dream

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I'd love to go there but it's super difficult. Maybe one of these years.

[@PatRiryl]

Head to Zanzibar Tanzania! Nice and warm!

[@MrSimonj1970]

Hey Gabe, after you mentioned Sai Baba the other day I heard his name TWO more times within 24 hrs of watching your vid! Great synchronicity

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Cool.

[@MrPoornakumar]

0:03 Sikkim population is not 46,000, but 610,000. Sikkim is a small state (like Delaware or Rhode Island) with an are of 2,740 sq. miles. It is entirely in Himalayas. The third highest mountain peak, "Kanchenjunga" in Sikkim border with Nepal, is 8586 metres high (28,169 feet). All the 14 "Eight thousanders" (peaks more than eight thousand m. high) starting from Everest in Nepal, are in the vicinity of India - eight are in Himalayas & 6 are in Karakoram range in the old Kashmir kingdom (presently under Pakistan occupation).

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Yes, that was a mistake. I originally included the name of the city, then changed it to Sikkim and forgot to change the population.

[@MrPoornakumar]

@@GabrielTravelerVideos You're welcome. Your videos are great. They are great as you are taking pains - even breathless at high altitudes, in rare atmosphere, depriving us humans of the required Oxygen content, forcing us to breathe harder. At the lofty heights of Himalayas this gets noticeable unlike any where else in the world (in North America for example, the height of Denali peak is common place here where there are habitats). I know as I spent well over four years all above ten thousand feet height. Had I known you're in Hyderabad I'd have met you to take you to Salar Jung museum. It is the only museum worthy of mention in Hyder`abad & India

[@stankormy5717]

That bridge is way up high!

[@bellalhossain2275]

Wao amazing

[@bobmarley6161]

The food at the end looked delicious amigo

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Si, muy delicioso.

[@crabsrice5600]

The next morning bit would of been great if you’d started it sitting on the toilet bowl