Navneeth Indian traveler, co-author of The Backpacksters blog Date of Birth: .

1. Navneet: An Indian Backpacker Exploring the World
2. The Backpacksters: Sharing Travel Tales
3. Leaving it All Behind for a Year of Adventure
4. Mursk and Teriberka: Northern Lights and Arctic Wonders
5. Around the World in 2023

Navneet: An Indian Backpacker Exploring the World

Navneet, an avid traveler and co-author of the blog "The Backpacksters," has always harbored an unquenchable thirst to explore the world's diverse landscapes and cultures. For years, he spent countless hours poring over globes, atlases, and world maps, dreaming of embarking on extraordinary adventures.

The Backpacksters: Sharing Travel Tales

In 2017, Navneet's wanderlust finally materialized when he embarked on his first international trip with his wife, Shishira. Shishira, an enthusiastic travel companion with a penchant for capturing picturesque moments, assumed the role of budget-conscious "accountant," ensuring the couple's travels were financially sustainable. Together, they launched the insightful and inspiring blog, "The Backpacksters."

Leaving it All Behind for a Year of Adventure

In May 2022, the couple from Bangalore took a bold leap of faith that they had been contemplating for years. Navneet and Shishira sold most of their possessions, vacated their apartment, and quit their jobs to embark on a year-long, round-the-world adventure.

Mursk and Teriberka: Northern Lights and Arctic Wonders

While exploring the Arctic region, Navneet and Shishira stumbled upon Mursk, which they dubbed "the most budget-friendly place to witness the Northern Lights." Intrigued by the existence of the small fishing village of Teriberka, located approximately 130-140 kilometers from Mursk, they couldn't resist a visit. In the 1990s, Teriberka had a thriving population, but the decline of the fishing industry and the barren terrain forced many residents to abandon their homes and relocate to the south.

The Indian couple was captivated by Teriberka's remote beach, which offered a stark contrast to stereotypical seaside scenes. Instead of azure waters, salty breezes, warm sand, and scorching sun, they encountered rough seas, icy water, snow-covered shores, and breathtaking fjords. Visitors can easily arrange guided tours to Teriberka through murmansk-teriberka.ru, a website that facilitates travel to Mursk, Teriberka, and other destinations in the Kola Peninsula.

Around the World in 2023

The couple's travel itinerary for the second quarter of 2023 included flying from their hometown of Bangalore to Mumbai and then to the capital of the UAE. Despite the sweltering 35 degrees Celsius at midnight in Abu Dhabi, Navneet and Shishira dedicated only a couple of evenings to exploring the city.

Their adventure continued in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where they marveled at the architectural wonders for a week. They then boarded a train to Bukhara, the holiest city in Central Asia, and took an overnight train to the ancient desert city of Khiva. A visit to Muynak shed light on the tragic fate of the Aral Sea, once a thriving body of water now reduced to a barren desert. Returning to Samarkand, the couple crossed the border into Tajikistan, trekked to Penjikent (Seven Lakes), and reached Dushanbe.

Determined to traverse the entire Pamir Highway, the couple spent ten days on the scenic route, even dipping into their "non-budget" funds. It was along this breathtaking road that Navneet celebrated his 30th birthday.