Tents and Trails: Wild Camping Chronicles-Ratheesh Menon

Book: Tents and Trails-Wild Camping Chronicles
Author: Ratheesh Menon
Publisher: Bluerose India

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Have you ever done a trek or camped under the stars?

Tents and Trails is an evocative journey into India's untamed wilderness, blending adventure, discovery, and the spiritual essence of nature. Through the eyes of a passionate traveler, trekker, and explorer, the book transports readers from the dense jungles of Karnataka and Kerala to the rugged terrains of Uttarakhand and Himachal. Each expedition unfolds extraordinary encounters-wolves lurking in shadows, elephants crashing through the undergrowth, tigers moving silently, and cobras gliding along moonlit paths. Under star-lit skies at each campsite, survival skills intertwine with lessons from the forest, revealing the rhythms of animal behavior and the profound silence of nature. Beyond thrilling adventures, this collection captures the healing, teaching, and transformative power of the wild. Rich in wonder, mystery, and raw experience, Tents and Trails invites readers to feel the pulse of the jungle and rediscover the timeless bond between humans and the natural world.

Tents and Trails is a collection of 8 stories from Ratheesh’s camping and trekking journeys through Karnataka, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Written as a travelogue, Ratheesh tells us the story of how he decided to plan the trip, how to reach that location, and some interesting trivia of the place. He also weaves in the flora and fauna that are found in that location and how his camping got interspersed with the call of the wild. Ratheesh’s writing is fresh, engaging, and honest, and it presents an interesting perspective on how connecting with nature can help us maintain a balance in our lives which are quite heavy with the city life that most of us are accustomed to. I loved the uninhibited way he tells us the story of meeting different people, connecting with them and making friends. Another aspect that shines out is the bits and pieces of facts that are sprinkled across the book where he covers the wildlife that he encounters. His love for nature also shines out from the fact that he has mentioned about collecting plastic for disposal on his treks, which I do believe is a very good practice to have. His photography skills also come out very beautifully in the way he talks about cameras and settings, but I would have loved to have seen some coloured inserts of the photos for each of the treks which would have elevated the overall reading experience.

I am quite inspired by the book, and having taken note of the locations, I might just plan a few trips taking his recommendations. The book scores a 4.69/5 for me, and is recommended for people who love to travel, trek and camp.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India.