Triund Trek- One Hell of a Beauty!

So while this heartbreak made me delve deeper into my self-made den, incessant provoking by my sister finally made me give in and we were ready with our bags and jackets in tow. Whether or not we get up on time on usual days, on trip days sleep automatically vanishes at least half an hour before the planned time. While we two girls were still ensuring nothing of importance (initial phase, when Velvet Passion by KIKO is as important as say, snow boots!) remains behind, the two guys- our trip companions- honked hard outside our gates to inform us of their arrival. So while this side of the world was still fast asleep, we were out on the roads, ready for the first actual trek of our lives.

We started off from our home at 4 in the morning and after many loo breaks, breakfast breaks (the one at Sagar Ratna was such a bliss!) and leg-stretching breaks (with each of us managing the driving-part for some hours each), we saw the board that welcomed us to McLeodganj.

Since it was meant to be a budget trip, we had to hop from one hotel to the other on the look-out for the one that fit our budget like okay. We then zeroed in on one Krishna Hotel (?) that has a nice kitchen next to the reception. After lodging in and changing into comfy clothes we headed out to fill our stomachs with tasty steamy momos adding to the beauty of this fine a place.

The sun goes down quite early and so do shops and stores. With nothing much left to do on Day 1, we headed to this fine eatery at the T-point upstairs. Though the wait was a bit long, the food (chilly chicken, chilly paneer, veg. Manchurian, fried rice) was worth every second.

Bhagsu Waterfall: Something a Beginner Looks Forward To

Once back to the room, we prepped ourselves for Day 2. Tired from all that driving etc., we dozed off as soon as we hit the beds. Next morning is when the adventure actually began. The walk up Bhagsu falls was an interesting one. The flight of stairs helped me glide a bit away from the anguish I had when we began the trip. As we reached there, we were a little disappointed as there was no active waterfall (but what else could we expect when we had planned the trip in the chilling month of January?), though the picturesque view soon made us pull out our phone cameras and go click click. One photo sitting on a rock set ensconced in the pond, another photo on the bamboo bridge, and yet another stooping inside a den carved out of a rock.

So whoever goes to Bhagsu Falls and takes a U-turn without visiting the infamous Shiva Cafe misses out on a lot (did I just say that?). This quite den up there has a 'feel' to it. You are welcomed with eye-catchy, colorful idols and rock-paintings of Hindu deities. The insides are done with rugged mattresses on the floor alongside low tables. Music defines the wall paints quite well. A simple menu in a peaceful setting satiates hunger quite well.

We then started our journey down from there as exploring the place was still remaining (because we were quite late the previous day). Our adrenaline reached new heights when we saw a store we could hire mountain bikes from. Here started our thrilling journey of exploring McLeodganj inside out. The bikes became our companions while we shortlisted cafes on our way and shopped for some Tibetan and Korean artifacts for our doting moms back home. For meal stops, we never had to think twice because each one of them dishes out amazing stuff. This day, we headed to this joint named Kailash. The owners are Tibetans and they don't understand Hindi however that did not act as a barrier when it came to their hospitality. On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at Jimmy's Italian Cafe for the love of desserts. Their Hot Chocolate can melt any heart in a second, I assure you. Day 3 was going to be an adventure-packed day, so after coming back to the hotel, we did the packing-unpacking for it and went to sleep.

Here Comes the Big Part: Triund Trek

Day 3: We had a nice Indian breakfast of Poha and aloo parantha with curd from the kitchen downstairs and were ready for the trek- Triund Trek. The car drops you like two kilometres before the point where the trek starts from. For newbies like us four- those two kilometres were trek enough but since we had paid a lot for it, we went ahead and lo and behold! that would have been the best decision we made till that day. The first half of the trek is an easy one and it gives you an illusion that you will be up there soon. This is when the things begin to escalate (pun intended). The rough and rocky patch does not seem to end. We made small-talk with people we meet on our way, some resting on their way to the top and others going back down with their eyes shining with all the beauty they just witnessed.

We saw a small patch of shining white ice and thought we were just there... Thinking so, we trekked another hour or so, when suddenly our jaws dropped and a new lease of energy injected through our bodies. What else could have happened when we realized there we were. The vast Greenlands on one side and endless shaft of ice on the other side hidden from the sun make this place the Kohinoor of all diamonds (a dose of my sense of humor!). We let the beauty sink in, clicked some photos, lied down, had our lunch (after such hard work), and deep we went- exploring the vastness of the place. Just so amazing. The guide asked us several times that it was time we headed back but there was no separation from the place we could handle. After 3 hours of him requesting us to move, we finally did- at a snail's pace, I would say.

Whoever thinks the downward journey is easier than going upwards is wrong in every sense. One, in your heart you carry the heaviness that you are going back from such an amazing place. Two, the gravitational pull acts hard on your body- especially toes. But down we had to, because our tents were waiting to welcome us at some other location arranged by our Trek agent (yes we went ahead with an agent it being our first trek experience). Once there, we changed into warm and cozy clothes and headed towards a night full of music, dance, and bonfire. Sometime late in the night we headed to our tents, zipped ourselves in tightly and securely (because hey, who wants to get awakened to the sound of an animal ripping the tent apart?). After an almost cozy sleep, we got up to the chirping of birds and on opening the tents did we realize the place was no less than heaven. The sight left us asking for more. Though it was time for us to take shower, have breakfast, and take a journey back home, none of us was willing to take the first step. We anyway took our shower (liar!), had Maggi as breakfast, and packed our bags to come back home.

McLeodganj, you are one haven of peaceful bliss!