Dear All friends,
This journey reaffirmed a simple truth:
- Distances don’t matter when passion, purpose, and community bring us together.
Gratitude & Togetherness Beyond the Journey:
- This trip was planned based on the “Winter Special Meet-ups” organised by Sambhaji Nagar LGs on December 27-28, 2025, which Raj Tayade led.
- I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to @Raj_Tayade, @Nidhish_Jaju and @DattaChoube, whose dedication, planning, and coordination made this wonderful Mega Meetup exceptionally memorable.
- A special thank you to the other Local Guides who were part of this journey, who added their own unique energy, kindness, and camaraderie, making every moment extremely memorable.
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Travelling long distances becomes truly meaningful when the destination is not just a place, but people and connections. This journey of nearly 2,500 kilometres was one such memorable experience—undertaken not just as a Local Guide, but also as a proud parent, travelling alongside my daughter.
Day -1 (26th Dec 25)
On December 26th afternoon, we began our journey with a flight to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar via Mumbai. The excitement of attending a Mega Meetup kept us energised throughout the travel. After a smooth transit, we finally reached our destination by 9:00 PM, carrying with us a mix of travel fatigue and anticipation.
What truly made the arrival special was the warm welcome extended by Nidhish Jaju and his friends. Despite the late hour, their hospitality instantly made us feel at home—reminding me once again why the Local Guides community feels like a global family.
The day concluded on a delightful note with a grand dinner, which was followed by a check-in at Hotel ShivSundar Executive, where a comfortable stay awaited us.
Day -2 (27th Dec 25)
The next morning marked the real beginning of our heritage trail. Almost 12 passionate Local Guides assembled early, filled with excitement, cameras, and curiosity. Our first destination was the iconic Ajanta Caves—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a dream destination for many of us.
The journey to Ajanta itself was lively, filled with conversations, laughter, and shared expectations. Once inside the caves, the ancient murals, sculptures, and architectural brilliance left us awestruck. We explored the caves and concluded our visit by evening, carrying with us deep admiration for India’s artistic legacy.
As night fell, we headed to Bibi Ka Maqbara, where the monument looked absolutely magical under lights. This turned into a wonderful night photography session, with every Local Guide capturing the beauty from their own creative perspective.
From there, we proceeded to Gulmandi, where the much-anticipated “Scavenger Hunt Game” took place. The activity was energetic, engaging, and full of laughter—perfectly reflecting the spirit of the Local Guides community. After an excellent dinner, we wrapped up the day and took some well-deserved rest.
Day -3 (28th Dec 25)
We started early the next morning towards the magnificent Ellora Caves. Despite the heavy crowd, our enthusiasm never dipped. We patiently navigated through and managed to cover all possible caves, absorbing the sheer scale and diversity of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain architecture.
Our journey continued to the mighty Daulatabad Fort. Here, we split into different groups to explore the fort at our own pace. While some ventured further into its challenging pathways, others—including me—took a brief rest near the Chand Minar, sharing experiences and soaking in the surroundings.
The final destination of the day and the “Heritage Walk” was Panchakki. This was a moment of togetherness—group photos, candid shots, conversations, and finally, a warm collective hug, symbolising friendships formed and memories created. Except for a few, all other Local Guides proceeded on their return journey.
Day -4 (29th Dec 25)
On December 29th, along with my daughter, we hired a 12-hour taxi and revisited Ellora Caves, this time exploring them in greater detail and at a relaxed pace. We also covered Bibi Ka Maqbara once again, focusing on daylight photography, capturing the monument’s elegance till sunset.
Day -5 (30th Dec 25)
On the 30th morning, it was time to say goodbye. We headed to the airport for our 9:00 AM flight back to Bangalore. With tired bodies but full hearts, we returned carrying unforgettable memories, countless photos, and bonds that go far beyond Google Maps.
- This Mega Meetup wasn’t just about places—it was about people, passion, and the power of community.
Sustainability:
The water bottle, light eatables, etc are permitted to be carried along with you due to the nature of the locations; however, most of the locations have wastebins provided.
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My collection of ‘Treasures’ from Raj Tayade and fellow LGs:
Our dear Local Guide friends who joined us for the mission:
@Ru_pali4 @Nidhish_Jaju @DattaChoube @Mayur_Pawar @Shubhu1 @Raj_Tayade @Sagarkanherkar @MohanG @Arati @MayuriKubal @ShubhamWaman @Viranchi @Sakib_22 - Thank you all a lot…
Say Hi to Chitra too 
