The perfect itinerary for Mcleod Ganj

Not waking up to the alarm is itself an alarm that wakeup, you are cradling in the beds of Himachal and so was the scenario with me. Yes my pals, I woke up cradling up in Mcleod Ganj, Himachal. Mcleod Ganj is a suburb of Dharamshala in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The windy-cold roads of the district invited me to celebrate my birthday there in the month of October. A great time to visit is the shoulder season of lush greenery (March-July ) and in November-February for white expanse. The local bus had always been my support to go on a cheap trip for only Rs 700 (includes transports) from Delhi. The draping tent house was my first accommodation with my friends with alluring things around the tent for only Rs 1000 per tent at Camp Bhagsu. We all were knackered and a quick nap followed by snacks was impeccable. The long walks in the small market of Mcleod Ganj is how we started our first day. The night in the camp was one unforgettable page of my travel diary filled up with guffaws, fights, dance, singing and what not. That night in the camp of Mcleod Ganj etched gleeful memories in my heart.

                                TRIUND

The next morning didn’t need any alarm as it was the day to trek. Trek to? “Triund”. We gobbled down sandwiches and bid adieu to those white camps as our itinerary included the mountain camping at Triund top. The cabs are easily available at the main chowk to take you to Gallu Devi temple (Start point of trek) for Rs 500. Carry the water bottle and food along as you may get them at high price. The wondrous climate, the melodious winds with the chattering of friends added more joy to the drive of 1.5 hours. The knapsacks at the back of the boys and the sticks in the hands of the girls paved an easy way for me to trek. The alcohol and other drug items cannot be taken along as the Police department checks what you are carrying along and you all are also requested to bring back the plastics and not pollute the vulnerable mountains. The straight path and then a left turn made us sceptic and led us to the wrong but to a beautiful view of blue clouds, small trees and a small town down the hills. Routing our way back to the correct path made us meet legions fellow trekkers some of which were moving towards the heartwarming landscape and some of which were trekking back as blessed trekkers. The easy trek with few hucksters amid the mountains offering Maggi and tea was a pure JOMO. The shortcuts made us walk briskly to the magnificent Triund. The expected green expanse wasn’t the outcome.

The tiring trek ensued by icey landscape was our energy drink. My eyes lit up in delight when I saw the mountains enfolded in the torn blanket of ice. The clouds seemed raining gold over them. The long dense trees seemed trying to touch the mountains. The view was a feast to my eyes. The sun was shining bright but as the time passed, Triund awaited for its magical moment. Triund was drenched in the shades of the sunset as I stood on one nook of the mountain.  Then, what my eyes could witness were the changing colors of mountains. It seemed that the clouds stopped raining gold and started raining pearls, it beautifully changed from gold to icey white and the other side was the sunset amid the different colors of the sky. The azuring sky was what I had my eyes for. I relaxed a bit in the camps, we rented for only Rs ­800 . I was heady with the combination of mountains, sunset, tents and the azuring sky. It was the time for Triund to show it’s another magical moment. Since twilight is my favorite hour, the moon too wanted to welcome us to Triund. All icey mountains, the green land, the wildlife got covered under the dark blanket of the night. The camp was icing me up and making me numb. But as I went outside the camp, what I had for my eyes was the live version of my mobile wallpaper. Yes, I finally had the sky completely filled up with stars. That's when I had my own "fault in our stars". Though I was shivering but I didn't want to miss it out. Settling on one nook of the mountain and gazing at those stars was one of the things of my to-do-list, of course with my best friend on my side. That was unpredictable place of serene. Though it was a little scary, but inexplicably beautiful. The nature lighting up the little pockets of the sky was my favorite. I could see the shooting stars every now and then but before I could make a wish, they would disappear. Maybe because my wish already got fulfilled.