Escape to the Himalayas - A picture story (Kp#2)

This realization hit me a couple of years ago – My life had stopped surprising me at the age of 22. Don’t get me wrong, I was frequently delighted, the rains delighted me, so did acts of kindness and I found beauty in random places. But everything else was an ‘upgrade’. Everything was read, seen, heard, and experienced. I was resigned to the fact that my generation will never have its moon landing or the first excitement of knowing that a miraculous cure has been found accidentally..

Hence, I started traveling.

And I was surprised. Things..people.. were so much more than what I had read, seen, heard and experienced.

This picture story is from my trip to Delhi – McLeodganj – Amritsar and my trekking in the Dauladhars!

One restless night in March I woke up from a state of semi-sleep and only one word kept bouncing in my head – ‘Trekking’. I took out my laptop and started researching on the popular treks in India. A month later my bag was packed for McLeodganj, Himachal Pradesh.

First stop New Delhi – Sexy, rich, dirty, ugly, kind, cruel, a pervert and a saint. My favourite city. I also hate it with equal measures! Here in picture is the South Block, Raisana Hills, housing the Indian Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Him Mani – fleet of Tata Star buses under the Himachal Road Transport Corporation. Tickets are relatively cheaper compared to Him Suta and Him Gaurav but I was severely warned against traveling in these since they are non AC and don’t have as many suspensions and axles as Volvo buses. I took the ride and I am just fine, the chairs reclined, the charging ports worked and the ride was not at all bumpy. I took the night bus to McLeodganj.

Next morning, out on a stroll I noticed that quite a few places (cafes, travel agencies, hotels) have Hebrew written outside them, on further enquiry I found that the place is flocked by young Israelis, straight out of compulsory military service.

The 3 bed dormitory I shared with a guy from Netherland. I used RedBus to get this for INR 315 per night.

‘Motton Thupka’ from the quaint lill Kalimpong Restaurant – try ‘em out if you are ever here!

See that white peak? Jutting out like a proud giant – that’s Indrahar, our destination !

Trek Day 1 : On the way to Triund, every step of the 9km uphill walk is worth it !

Triund !

Trek Day 2 : “Limelight”

llaka, base camp for Indrahar.

Trek Day 3 : The treacherous 6 Km journey up the Indrahar. This was the toughest thing I ever did – physically & spiritually.

Day 4 : Back to Mcleodganj

Day 5 : Adieu !

Hello Amritsar !