My experience of the Laka Glacier Trek

The best trekking experience I have yet is the trek to the Laka Glacier. I have been to Mcleodganj twice in past but was unable to go to Triund due to snow. Triund is a very famous hilltop among trekkers. The trek starts from beautiful McLeodganj. The total distance of the trek is approximately 7 km which goes through steep rocky and stairy trails. The Triund top is at the foot of the Dhauladhar ranges and is at a height of 2850 meters. This time when I was planning, I heard for the first time about Snowline and Laka Glacier which is furthermore above Triund so I made up my mind to go beyond Triund.Laka Glacier is another 5 to 6km of a trek from the Triund top and the trail to Laka is so adventurous. It passes by Snowline and goes through very steep rocky paths, some plain mountain edges covered in snow, and small ascends and descends when crossing mountains. Laka Glacier is at a height of 3231 meters. This trek goes above the Laka glacier to the Lahesh cave and then to Indrahar pass and further to the Moon peak.

A quiet evening

This was captured at Laka Glacier. We were the only 7 people there that night including our guide and caretaker. It was so quiet and felt amazing to be far far away from the regular busy life of cities.

Tibetan prayer flags

I have seen this Tibetan flag so many times before but never gave a thought about them that why they are hanging everywhere in mountain areas, especially in Himachal. So this time I found out the meaning of these flags.These are the prayers flag with a Mantra written on them 'Om Mani Padme Hun'. The prayer flags are meant to encourage compassion, peace, strength, and wisdom. Prayer flags are hung outside with the strong belief that the wind can carry the prayers to the world for the benefit of all sentient beings.To know more about these Flags and Mantra please check my Instagram reel here: https://www.instagram.com/iamtamnjeet

Sunset on the horizon

The one thing we all get excited about in mountains is watching the sunset. This was captured from the top of Triund hill. It was the first time when I witnessed the sun disappear over the horizon, else all the other times I have seen the sun going down behind some buildings or mountains or any other objects.

A little more closer

It felt so exciting to know that we are so close to reaching the Laka Glacier. The moon peak that we saw from Mcleodganj market was just in front of us now.

Moon Peak

Moon Peak is one of three peaks of the Dhauladhar ranges that can be clearly seen from the Triund top. And it is the only peak that can be seen from the Mcleodganj market too. It is located at an altitude of 15200 ft. This 45 km long trek to Moon Peak starts from McLeodganj and passes through rocky ascends and steep traverses. The trek also passes through Triund, Ilaqa Got (Laka Glacier), Lahesh Caves, and Indrahar Pass.

A moment with mighty mountains

A feeling of accomplishment is a paid-off to your hard work. No matter how long and tiring your path was, reaching the destination vanishes all the pain. The first thing I did when we reached the top was admiring the beauty around me. The huge mountains, deep valleys, freshening air, and wider sky.

A wild night

It was 2 or 2:30 am when I woke up inside my camp shivering from the cold and found that I was not covered well with the blanket. I was fixing my blanket and then I heard the sound of some heavy footsteps beside my camp on my left side and like someone touched the camp also (I am not sure if it was the wind that made the tent sound like someone touching or someone really touched it) and also a local shepherd dog came along with us on the top was barking continuously from the distance on my right. I had some weird feelings and wanted to know what is outside but I had no guts to peek out so keep laying inside and fell asleep later. Then in the morning, a girl from another camp mentioned the same that she too heard the footsteps around the same time at night. And then we later found the footprint of a black bear near our camps. That was the bear who crossed us at night.

Group picture

A moderate trek with some wild adventure was perfectly made for me. But, above all of these, the company matters, and I got the best travel buddies on this adventure and a very passionate guide who makes sure of our comfort and needs.I am on the first from the Left. Then Ankit with Aastha. Nischal (guide) is in the mid wearing a cap. Manjot with a snowball in his hand. Then Parvati and Shiv.

If you enjoy trekking in the mountains then you must think about visiting Laka Glacier. It is the best trekking experience of my life I had until now!!!