Musings from A.Sinh

This ten day trip was a fun and it didnt cost much even after staying there lavishly for ten days. The whole trip costed us Rs12000, accordingly it was pretty cheap. We stayed at all good places except Kunga's Guest house. Unfortunately, the room had different types of flies and insects but it was cheap at Rs 500, and we stayed there only for one night. Our trekking was fun but, if you wanna go for trekking you should be totally prepared to suffer all types of pains, tiredness and adjusting yourself to not taking bath for 3 days. If you are going to Triund for one day trek then its fine but still it will be tiring but atleast it will get finished in one day.

you pick yourself up and go trip-ping somewhere...

Day 6: After a peaceful yet uncomfortable night inside our sleeping bags, we headed out to Ilaka and the cave on the glacier. Its about 3700 m above sea level to which we climbed. Another 800 through a steep climb on the snow and you're at the Indrahara Pass. It was sunny mostly while we were at the cave. Our lunch was prepared in the cave and served hot to us. While we were at it, we saw a storm building. It was surreal to watch the clouds come in and go the way they did. Since were at a higher altitude, we witnessed the clouds gathering lower, darkening the surroundings, making the atmosphere colder, and thundering menacingly. That night our camp was fraught with rain, high speed winds and continuous flashes of lightening. We obviously had to abandon camp, and so sought shelter in the cafe- 9 people in that small space yet cosier and comfortable-r thn d tents.

Day 7: Headed back to town after breakfast. Climbing down may not be too taxing for the body in terms of effort, but requires greater care over both rocks and loose mud. Overnight at Spring Valley Resort at Bhagsu, that part of dharamshala most dominated by Hindus.

Day 8: Visited the waterfall and the bhagsunag temple. Back to Mcldgnj. Stayed 2 nights at Pema Thang Guest House. Very comfortable and homely, almost authentically Tibetan in style. Day 8 and Day 9 were spent lounging around Mcldgnj.

Day 9: Highlights- visit to the nunnery, Taste of India restaurant and Chocolate Log cafe.

Day 10: Said goodbye to the mountains, and drove to Amritsar. Reached the holy city by 4pm. Checked in at the CJ International Hotel. Its high point is that it offers 4 star comfort almost inside the gurudwara complex. Visited the Golden Temple and the Jallianwallah Bagh.

Day 11: After another darshan and the holy dip in the sarovar, headed out to the bazaar to shop for authentic juttis and salwar-kameez pieces. [There is plenty more to do there. Visit other gurudwaras and temples, make a trip to the Wagah border in the evening for the sundown ceremony which is quite amazing, there is plenty to eat- The Brothers, Bhrawan da Dhabha, Punjabi Rasoi to name a few.] Took the Swarn Shatabdi to Delhi- very convenient and comfortable.

you pick yourself up and go trip-ping somewhere...

Day 3 contd. : Arrived (finally, phew!) at Mcleodganj around 7pm. Managed to find a room at Kunga's Guest House. Its a well-maintained place with airy, clean rooms. Its highlight is the Italian restaurant downstairs that serves all meals (vegetarian) with ample variety and taste. Plus it offers great views of the valley below and the snow-laden mountains above.

Day 4: Woke up early. After breakfast at Nick's, we walked down Temple Road to the temple of the Dalai Lama and the Namgyal Monastery. Later in the evening, reached Upper Dharamkot about 4km from Mcldgnj, near Gallu Temple. Checked in at Sagar Guest House, the lodgings of our trekking company High Point Adventure. This place is truly away, serene and beautiful. Insects of all kinds are a problem in the upper reaches. fight them with odomos and the like, or just keep the lights off. The moment the weather gets cooler, most of the flying insects hide away.

Day 5: Shouldered our backpacks and began the trek. The trek was hot, sultry, burning and tough. Stopped for lunch at Triund, the base camp. Set up our own camp about 4 km away near the snow line cafe (read dingy chai stall/ dhabha), which is the last form of habitation in the area. These small cafes are the only source of entertainment, information and companionship for those who hike to high altitudes. Not to mention they are the ones with everyday supplies like food, mineral water, drinks, cigarettes and such.

The surroundings are splendid to say the least. At an altitude of about 3000m, it does get quite cold in the night, and a sweater becomes a must. (But for people who are more sensitive to the cold like me would need a sweater and a jacket.) Our trekking company provided us with a guide and two porters so we did not have to worry about food and supplies. everything was done for us. In the night the sky was clear enough to watch about a million stars, close planets and even moving satellites. The difficulty faced, if at all, is having access to water and a toilet. Water is usually filled from a spring about half n hour away. The spring water is clear, and there is just enough for cooking and drinking; almost none for washing, not even to wash yourself. For excretory purposes, you have to share the wide expanse with dogs, cows, goats and ponies. Behind a bush, tree or a rock, you use a place once and it is rendered unfit for use by the hoards of flies that feed on waste. So you can be in big trouble if you have to go more than once, or especially in the night. Post 7.30 in d evening, things begin to come down to a standstill. Once its dark, you're lost. Only a flashlight or candles to brighten u up.

you pick yourself up and go trip-ping somewhere...

10 DAYS

Day 1: Left for Pathankot on a night train. Confusion and tamasha at the old Delhi railway station. Dhauladhar Express that never came on platform 8 did to the extreme surprise of many senior ticketing officials. It came without electricity, so the AC did not work. But all turned out well in the end.

Day 2: Arrived at Pathankot around 9.30 am. Haggled with taxi wallahs to go to Dalhousie. Reached by noon. Stayed at Hotel Spring, Gandhi Chowk. Nice, comfy place. Not in the midst of things. Ate at Kwality Restaurant- good food, cosy ambience. [Things to do in Dalhousie: Dalhousie City-The Mall- Make an 8, Kalatop, Khajjiar, Punjpula, Chamera Dam Trail.]

Day 3: Took a Taxi from Subhash Chowk to Mcleodganj via Khajjiar. Small dhabha opposite the taxi stand serves sumptuous food at very reasonable rates. Khajjiar a bit of a disappointment. Hardle any lake, grass overgrown with horse shit. Good dhabhas around though. Drive from Khajjiar to Dharamsala is amazing. The route is not used too much so the roads are good, traffic-less and very scenic. It cuts through the Dhauladhar range overlooking Chamba valley towards Kangra valley. The drive is long but not too tiring if you're not the driver and are in a car that is not too crowded.