“The mountains are calling and I must go.”
These lines of John Muir start buzzing in my head as soon as a weekend arrives. The happiest news that I heard in the last few months was a 3-day’s weekend falling at the end of March. Though I was willing to explore some of the seashores this time, mountains are love and the idea of a solo trek allured me. So, I decided to go with the instinct. The destination this time was- Triund, Himachal Pradesh.
Traveller: I, Me aur Main ;)
Destination: Delhi- McLeodganj- Triund
Trek Duration: 3 nights and 2 days
Day 1- Delhi to Mcleodganj
I was supposed to leave on Friday (April 27) evening itself but, due to a tiring day in the office + my ticket was also not confirmed, I decided to rest that night (Knowing the fact that Triund is not a long trek)
So, the next day (i.e. 28th April 2018) I had my bus from Potla ground flyover, near Majnu Ka Tila at 8 PM.
Ironically, I was late as my rickshaw met an accident on the way. Don’t worry! All were safe. But, you know na such situations her in Delhi! Somehow I reached the flyover. You should have seen me, I was like SRK of Pyar Kia Toh Darna Kya! :D
We finally departed at 8:20PM.
Honestly speaking, there were no butterflies in my stomach, instead, A feeling of calmness, feeling like I am going home. So, the journey has begun and I, made my first friend, Digi, a co-passenger. She was working in Dharamshala & was in Delhi due to some passport related work. I asked her I don’t know what not! She was so humble answering all my queries in a very sweet manner.
After two hours @ 10:30 the bus took a halt at Chokhi Dhani for dinner. It’s a beautiful place with the glimpse of Rajasthani culture & art in Sonipat, Haryana. I had uttapam in dinner with my friend Digi under the open sky. Though it was supposed to be a 30-40 min break, it took 1 hr for us to start the journey again meanwhile, I got a chance to explore the place. Loved the sculpture & artwork there. It was more like entering the magnificent Rajasthan. The journey resumed & we were 2 hr late than the said timings.
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| Chokhi Dhani |
Next day at 8:15 am the bus dropped us at McLeodganj. Ab Udi Titliyan 😉
Day 2- McLeodganj to Triund
I had plans to ascend on the same day so, after getting fresh n up at the station itself (as the market in hills does not open before 9-10 am) I was vigorously looking for some aloo paratha shop. After roaming around the entire marketplace, luckily found this one “Sai Coffee Shop” near the monastery in the main market. I quickly hogged two aloo paratha with adrak wali chai and after having some good Panjabi stuff I was all set to commence the trek.
I asked for some guidance from cafe wale bhaiya and he instead was suggesting me to take a guide & avoid to trek alone (out of concern I guess). Digi was also saying the same, maybe because I am a girl. Anyways! I was in no mood to shorten the distance. So, I started climbing.
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| Galu Devi Temple |
The first stop on the way was Galu Devi temple, some 5-6 km from the main McLeodganj market. There is a public water tank in the main “chauraha” if you stand there with your face outwardly, the narrow lane right in front of you leads towards the Temple or say Triund.
On the way, you will find the Regional Mountaineering Centre McLeodganj. As you ascend here, the route diverges at two points. You need to follow the left one, both the times. Bole Toh! Follow your heart. 😉
At Galu Devi temple, there is a general store just adjacent to the stairs of the temple. You can pre-book a tent here with Dharamkote Adventures for your stay in Triund if you are not carrying one.
They provide you with tents at a cheap price of Rs. 500 for a night. The same tent costs 1000-1500 bugs once you reach the hilltop.
100m above the temple you are asked to register your name by HP police. You must possess an ID proof having your home address. They usually ask you to trek in big groups. There are a number of stalls on the way where you can refill your tummy. Don’t buy water bottle every time, as you can refill them in just 20 rs/ltr. This way you can GO GREEN!
The trek is an absolute bliss; the magnificent view of the valley holds you on the verge of ecstasy.
By, 2 PM I was on the hilltop. I wanted to climb up till snowline on the same day but, I was advised not to go further by the tent owner as rain was expected and that’s exactly what happened after 35 min. It started raining there as I got inside the tent.
I could not have asked for more. Rain, tent, Tea, Maggie, Triund top and I. Speaking to my heart, I was actually feeling complete in that very moment. 😍😇
One more thing quite obvious in such a weather is, that the shayara inside you comes out in no time. :P I wrote something that I was planning since long… Masterpiece? Can say 🤗
If I have to explain this journey in one word, I would say “moments”. This place has all the elements to make you feel loved and blissful.
After the rain stopped, I went down to explore the area nearby & see the point where the land ends to create a void of excitement and thrill in the mountains. It became my favourite corner in the entire Triund top.
Suggestion: You are advised to carry own tent if you do not like noise and want some peace at this place. So that, you can place it near land’s end.
I met a French guy ‘Kelvin’, who had his tent fixed there. In an hour-long chit-chat, I came to know that he was a yoga practitioner and climber. The view at that point was astonishing. I witnessed sunset and full moon over the snowy glaciers together. That was a moment I can’t describe in words. All I would say is, if you have been to Triund & missed this moment, Mark my words, you have missed almost everything. It’s a MUST.
At night, after having rajma chawal (the most common meal after Maggie) I spent 3-4 hrs on a boulder nearby gazing the moon & glaciers and humming my favourite songs.
Suggestion: Do carry tissue papers & extra toilet paper with you, there are only a few temporary toilets.
Day 3- Triund to snowline + McLeodganj to Delhi
I forgot to tell you, last evening I met three boys who surprisingly emerged from the lands’ endpoint while I was adoring the nature. Came to know that they took a wrong turn and climb all the way from the other part of the Triund valley. Their condition was actually pitiful. I helped them to secure tents, so became kind of frnz, a friend in need is a friend indeed! 😃
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| Saurav (Papa) |
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| Rohit (Tuli) |
Lovepreet (Luv)
Next day morning, I woke up early as I had plans of snowline trekking. Saurav was awakened while I was capturing the peaceful morning in my camera. He expressed his willingness to join me for the trek to snowline. Tuli and luv also joined us, and we were four to climb at morning 6. It’s a 10 km trek up and down.
Tuli & Luv were finding it a bit difficult and about to quit in between but, my target was to get them to the snowline, since they started with me. Saurabh & I were almost climbing together. I kept on fooling these guys throughout the trek that we have reached the snowline, climb fast. And finally, when I reached there I waved to Saurabh, his words were- firse goli to nahi de rahe na aap? 😜
These two (Tuli & Luv) were invisible for some time, I thought they finally chose to quit in b/w, but to my surprise, they were there at snowline after 20-30 min.
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| Snowline Triund |
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| Groupie near Snowline Cafe |
I was so happy to see them there that I literally started clapping for their daunting spirit. Well done boys!👏
I spent half n’ hour there and descended to the base camp at Triund by 9:30. Already had packed my bagpack. Had tea & left for McLeodganj. This time the boys were descending together so that they don’t get lost again. Reached McLeodganj by the afternoon, got fresh n up and had proper Panjabi meal. Then we decided to explore the town together.
The places to visit nearby-
- Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Art & Culture.
- Dharamshala Cricket Stadium
- War memorial Dharamshala
- Monastery in the main market.
Norbulingka is a beautiful place to enjoy Tibetan art and culture. There are various sections inside the Institute for Thangka painting, wood carving and painting etc. The institute is located at a distance from McLeodganj. We hired a taxi from the union office. (it’s safe in case you miss any of your articles inside the taxi, they keep the record). It took us 15-20 min to reach the institute. We spend approx. an hour inside the campus. They charged us Rs. 40 per person for entry and sent a guide along to explain everything.
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| Cricket Ground Dharamshala |
We went to the cricket stadium from there. I must say the only reason you must visit the Dharamshala Stadium if there is no match is its location. You can even cheer for the view as it is surrounded by mesmerising Dhauladhar Himalayan peaks. We saw young cricketers practising there. Stars in making! ☺️
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| War Memorial |
On the way to bus station, there is the War Memorial, jointly of army, navy & air force. For me, this is the temple where I never miss to bow my head, food for the soul. The energy of this place refills your tired soul after everything you have done in the valley.
With all preserved in my memories, I left the place in the evening at 06:40, but with a promise to be back soon. While leaving the hills, the words of my new frn Saurabh were buzzing in my head.
Aap to pahado se he ho na! wahi pale-badhe ho, Fir pahado se itna pyar kyu?
(You are from hills, born and brought up there, then why are you so much passionately in love with the mountains !)
And a grin appeared on my face, with an automated response in mind.
“Tum kya Jano babu Moshai!
In pahado main kya nashi hai…” 😊
See you soon with another story, keep wandering! STAY TRAVELOHOLIC.
