My first solo trip ever and I chose Dharamshala.
Why Dharamshala for the first solo trip ?
First of all an overnight journey from Delhi, so anyone can reach here easily. Just hop into your bus at Delhi, sleep on the way and wake up in Dharamshala surrounded by beautiful mountains.
Secondly there are Tibetan refugee locals who are really humble and non-violent. And for a girl, it's a big plus as safety is not something that you have to worry there.
I reached McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala by 6:30 in the morning after 12 hr. overnight journey by bus. You can either walk from there to your hotel or can hire a taxi which are readily available there. For cost cutting I walked to my hostel, and it was worth it.
After resting for a while, I started exploring McLeod Ganj on my own. Just me and my camera backpack walking on the streets alone, no one to talk to or to click your pictures. But the best thing that occurred was I started talking to myself, about random stuffs, the things I really like and want in my life. I was my true-self there as no one was there to judge me or knew me.
After a long walk I visited the famous Illiterati café for my brunch as I hadn't had breakfast. For brunch I had muesli and cold coffee. The Vibe there was so amazing and positive. The only part I hated was that I had to wait in long que to have food as the place is usually always super-booked.
After the breakfast, I again started walking and was in search of Scooty for rent in the market area. In the meanwhile I found myself some interesting books from a bookstore in the main market area. Visited many shops and more, did a lot of bargain and finally got the Scooty for merely Rs 400 per day. (Had to just pay the rent for the days I was renting for and just deposited my ID card ... no other security deposit ... wow ! ) Was so happy that I took the Scooty and instead of driving it here and there went on to spend some time on a bench with mountains.
Day 2:..........................................................................................
I decided to explore various places around and had to go to get my scooty some food-petrol. There is only one petrol pump near Dharamshala (Mann filling station). I went there and got it filled for Rs 312. But the major problem that occurred was that the Scooty hitched multiple times after that and I had to take help of locals to get it started. The locals told me that the Scooty had water in the petrol tank along with petrol and it's the usual occurrence for those who get it filled from that particular pump as they mix water in petrol 🤢. I mean why do people become so greedy. Dragging your Scooty on foot and that too on incline of the hills God knows how many curses those people get from you. 😉 (Please be careful whenever you buy petrol from there and always take receipt for it)
After that I decided go to Naddi, as the view from there is supposed to be mind blowing and that's a really peaceful place.
While going towards Naddi I took a break at Dal Lake. The water there is not so clear. And the water level of the lake is also reducing. Few locals told me that they believe it happened because of the decision taken by the Himachal government to allow the tourists to do boating for the purpose of increasing tourism at dal lake. The day boats were immersed in the lake the water level drastically fell down and never been the same. (Gods probably didn't agree with the Government)
After visiting dal lake I headed towards my destination and reached Naddi view point after about 10 minutes drive. The view from there is miraculous and the vibe so positive. There are only a few tourist at this place as not many people like to travel only for view and peace like me. But if you are a peace lover or you talk to mountains, Naddi is your place. (Plus you get a picture perfect background as well)
Near Naddi there is a small waterfall in the village. I had to trek there and it was so calm and the sound of water so mesmerizing that I sat in peace for a few hours. just enjoying the nature's music. But after those few hours I felt hungry and as always maggie came as a delicious savior. I then decided to go to Dharamkot. There are many good cafés in Dharamkot. Dharamkot is a small but happening village, also known as Hippie village / Yoga village of Dharamshala. At Dharamkot I decided to not experiment and stick to the famous café The Morgan's place and ordered Hot chocolate with some Israeli dishes like Pita, falafel and hummus. The food was authentic and yumm to the core and worth every penny spent.
After the lunch felt like going back to McLeod Ganj and explore the market there and try some Tibetan food there. But after reaching there I was still full and not in mood to eat so I headed to the monastery backside which I discovered on day one. The place is a small trail with so many Tibetan flags and Dharmachakra's till the end of trail. (There are more than a hundred of them on a single trail 😍) Only local's were visiting this place and I didn't see any single tourist there as most people don't know about this pace. Even I also don't how to direct someone there because this place is not mentioned on google map. (If you are in luck you may find it by randomly wandering around on foot)
After that I just watched sunset alone and ate my dinner at Tibetan kitchen. Also booked my trekking and camp for next two days.
Day 3...........................................................................................
I woke up early and packed my bag for the hike to Triund. (Triund is one of the most popular trekking sites in Dharamshala, Himachal)
There were two sides to the trek, Gallu devi temple side (usual and easy side) and the side of Bhagsu water fall (less taken and more steep, yet more calm, scenic and beautiful), I chose the later. I met my guide near Bhagsu waterfall and he told me that 6 other people are also joining us for the trek. We started our trek from Bhagsu waterfall side and the top was very very far yet. The trekking path was also steep and not well marked. Even after some-time there was no path at all and I was making my own steps on nearly vertical, moist and slippery rocks to reach the base camp. (If you are also planning your triund trek from Bhagsu side please bring a trekking stick with you).
We started our trekking around 11 am in the morning and by 2 pm we reached our base camp and the top was another 3 hour away. At the base camp I decided that I will trek to the top tomorrow as the wind was increasing rapidly and also sun about to set in about 3 hours. As I wanted to make some drone footage at top if I would have decided to trek to the top on same day I could never find enough time to record the awesome drone footage that I was able to record. (My drone can only cope up till wind speed of 35 km/hr and by the sunset the wind was blowing at a speed of 80-90 km/hr on the top).
At camp I witnessed the best sunset with the view of a clear winter-line and both the town Dharamshala & the village McLeod Ganj. There is a myth that winterline can only be seen from Switzerland and Mussoorie but you can see winterline from many more places in India like Shimla, Almora, Naldhera, Dharamshala etc.
Watching the sun set with a winter line in the sky is something that I recommend everyone should experience once in their life time. You would literally get goosebumps watching that.
The day ended with delicious locally cooked dal rice, Maggie and a bonfire.
Day 4...........................................................................................
I woke up early and got my breakfast so I can have energy for the rest of the trek. The rest of the trek from base to the top was more difficult as the rocks were more steep and the soil slippery too because of the black ice that got formed as the temperature in the night was about -10 degree Celsius.
The water at the café before the top costed Rs 50 for 1 liter, redbull costed Rs 200 for one can and one small bowl rajma chawal was for Rs 250. The price were inflated many times because of the steepness of trek. I huffed so much climbing the trek without much of baggage, think of someone who has to take an LPG cylinder to the top to cook you meals. I found the prices justified wherein many may feel otherwise.
The end part of the trek was a bit more difficult but I made it to the top. The view from the top was magical and breath-taking and all the efforts were paid off by the beauty of the nature.
Some important tips for trek:
1. Never litter
2. Bring your own stick
3. Bring dry fruits and electrolyte powder rather then chips and cold drink
4. Please please bring sunscreen and Moisturizer as otherwise you may get sun burns.
I took plenty of pictures and took my own time to shoot as many drone videos as I wanted. Then when the time was right I started to descend on my trek back to the city from the easier side of Gallu Devi temple.
My trek was in total of 22km as I started from Bhagsu side and end it at Gallu devi temple.
Day 5...........................................................................................
This was my last day in Dharamshala which I never wanted to leave. After having plenty of rest and a full breakfast I checked out of my hotel around 12 in the afternoon. I was with my 2 bags and still had my Scooty till 6 in the evening wherein my bus for Delhi was around 5:30. So I decided to spend some more time with the mountains and I sat on bench for around 4 hrs, staring the mountains, saying them bye bye until next time, thinking about all the good time I have spent with them alone. After that I had my lunch and boarded my bus for getting back Delhi.
Did I face any difficulties as I was a solo traveling female ?
The answer is NO. I didn't face a single bad event and the locals from there were very always helpful and understanding. I enjoyed a lot.
I enjoyed my company.
I got to know me more.
I learned more of my likes and dislikes.
I learned some new skills too.
And the trek made me feel each of my heart beat and each of my breath and taught me their importance.
So am also going to advice you to Go solo and find peace within yourself.
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