Travel Books that Inspired me the most

 

Reading is a beautiful journey, although you scale distances inside your head. Books have the power to transport you to a distant land without moving an inch. Above all, they inspire you to embark on new journeys.

I have been fortunate enough to come across a few such books, and trust me they have influenced me a lot.


I am sharing some of my favorite travel books here:

Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Che Guevara

I'm happy that one of the first travel books I ever read was the Motorcycle Diaries. It is a series of diary entries by none other than the South American revolutionary Che Guevara. He undertakes a cross-continental journey on a motorcycle with his friend. The crazy adventures of this young man of 23 will make you want to leave your past behind and hit the roads without plans. I am so in love with this book that I have read it 2 times. Strongly recommended.


Into the wild, by Jon Krakauer

Into the Wild is an account of the life of Alexander McCandless, the boy who walked into the wild, leaving behind all the luxuries of the modern world, giving in to the appeal of living in the wild–all alone. Alex dives headfirst into the world, moving around as he pleased, doing crazy things, making life a full-fledged crazy adventure till he gets to his destination–the Alaskan wilderness. The book highlights the importance of leading a life of adventure, rather than monotony, as many of today’s people continue to live. It touches you on so many levels, making it a must-read for anyone curious about exploring life’s possibilities.






The Nanda Devi Affair by Bill Aitken

This book has a special place in my library, for it is a wonderful account of journeys into the Himalayas. The author hails from Scotland but becomes a true devotee of goddess Nanda Devi after witnessing the landscape, cultures, people, and traditions surrounding the Himalayas. He narrates his numerous treks in the high Himalayas and gives a lively glimpse of life in its quaint villages. A complete book filled with adventures, explorations, and cultural insights.


Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Wild is an account of Cheryl Strayed’s hike on the famous Pacific Crest Trail. It is a grueling hike that starts in the Mexican border and ends in the Canadian border, tracing the entire length of the USA for 2650 miles. Although Cheryl is a first-time hiker she chooses this long trail, to create a new space in her extremely forgetful life and to symbolically begin marching towards her dream of making it as a writer. What awaits her it's a lifetime adventure, full of surprises, difficulties, and revelations. A captivating read with deep emotions.







My first summer in the Sierra by John Muir

John Muir was one of the earliest pioneers of environmental protection in the world. In this book, he embarks on a journey with some shepherds and hundreds of sheep into the wild jungles of Sierra in America. It shows the wonderful experience of spending time in nature, cut off from civilizations, and living off bare minimum. Written with romantic enthusiasm, it explores the perspectives of a true nature lover when surrounded by nature’s glory.










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