Factual
Discovery Channel to air ‘Walking the Himalayas’
MUMBAI: Six-month journey, over 4 million steps, trekking 1,700 gruelling miles across the roof of the world, teaming up with local guides and meeting monks, soldiers and nomadic tribes, explorer Levison Wood takes on an extreme challenge to walk the length of the world’s highest mountain range from Afghanistan in the west to Bhutan in the East.
Premiering Friday, August 5, Discovery Channel’s new series WALKING THE HIMALAYAS, airing every Friday at 9 PM, introduces explorer, writer and photographer Levison Wood as he embarks on an ambitious challenge to walk the length of the Himalayas.
British Army officer and explorer Levison Wood won critical acclaim for his nine-month long trek and first ever expedition to walk the entire length of the river Nile. Taking the same intimate and authentic approach that made his previous series a hit, Levison takes on a new adventure across Himalayas where he confronts snow and ice, altitude sickness and earthquake-devastated landscapes. He treads carefully through one of the most fought-over areas of the world, navigating isolated Afghan valleys and the Line of Control between Pakistani and Indian Kashmir. Along the way, he passes through some of the most remote, beautiful, and perilous regions on earth – places few outsiders ever get to see.
Levison begins is journey in Afghanistan’s remote Wakhan corridor, where the mountains first rise in the west. This 200 mile long and 25 mile wide strip of land, bordered by Tajikistan remains one of the most isolated and inhospitable places on Earth. His guide Malang Darya – one of the country’s best mountaineers accompanies him to trek through barren, snow-ridged valleys before attempting to climb the Irshad Pass, a 5,000m wall of snow and ice that leads to northern Pakistan.
Levison and Malang traverse breathtaking scenery in northern Pakistan’s remote mountain valleys, meeting tribespeople and nomads, before heading to the heavily militarised frontier with India. He passes through Kashmir, Dharamshala and spiritual heartland Rishikesh to reach the holy city – Benaras.
In Nepal, he reunites with an old friend, Binod Parya, who saved his life when, as a 19-year-old, Levison was caught up in political violence. Levison enters one of its least explored national parks – Bardia, which is home to rhinos, tigers and 10-foot-long crocodiles. But animals aren’t the only dangers he faces… he is forced to evacuate the camp site in the middle of night due to the rapidly rising river, swollen by the monsoon rains. Levison’s journey gets interrupted by a serious car crash which gives him a near-death experience. Levison undergoes a surgery in UK and resumes his journey with his friend Binod after six weeks of rest.
Further in his adventure, Levison heads towards Everest, Kathmandu and Bhutan and gets a rare chance to experience its dramatic scenery, colourful festivals and historic monasteries and meet its people. Levison Wood ends his journey in Bhutan climbing the world’s highest unclimbed peak and country’s holiest mountain ‘Ghankar Puensem’, which mountaineers are forbidden to climb.
Embark on a challenging journey with Levison Wood across Himalayas on Discovery Channel’s WALKING THE HIMALAYAS starting August 5, every Friday at 9 PM.
MUMBAI: India’s most famous hot seat is about to welcome an unlikely first-timer. For the first time on Hindi general entertainment television, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla will appear on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the iconic quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
The special episode marks a rare meeting point of boardroom heft and prime-time television, bringing one of India’s most influential business leaders face to face with the country’s most enduring screen legend. It is a crossover that blends intellect, leadership and popular culture, all under KBC’s familiar spotlight.
Birla’s appearance dovetails neatly with the show’s current theme, Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai, which celebrates the confidence that comes from clarity of thought and knowledge. His presence lends weight to the idea that sharp thinking and conviction are as vital in life as they are in the quiz chair.
In a thoughtful conversation with Bachchan, Birla shared an upbeat view of India’s economic journey, pointing to the nation’s rapid growth and the scale of opportunity opening up across industries and communities. He spoke of momentum, ambition and a future shaped by enterprise and ideas.
The episode is not all serious talk. In lighter moments, Birla confessed his long-standing admiration for Bachchan, calling him his favourite actor and admitting to a touch of nervousness at answering questions in front of the Shahenshah himself. The candour adds a human touch to a man more often seen in headlines than on television sets.
The special episode airs on Monday, 29 December at 9.00 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
