The Beginning of a Love Story- Siddharth’s First Solo Trek to Kheerganga and Chalal with Thrillophilia
“And there's a place that I've dreamed of
Where I can free my mind
I hear the sounds of the season
And lose all sense of time.”
The earphones buzzed with this song as I took them out of my ears and clicked a picture from my phone- I could see a snow-covered peak in the distance. While walking up the steep trails of Himachal Pradesh, this song reverberated everything that I was feeling.
Freedom is scary, and so is seclusion. Do you know why?
Because they empower you, as a person, as a personality, and as a human being.
As for me, I was on my first-ever solo trek to Kheerganga, and I had never felt my spine to be this cold and stiff.
It was my first day and everything around me seemed to scream the same things-
“GIVE UP.”
But I knew that was the test of nature. So I continued, with a smile and cramped legs.
Chai and Brownies
Since our trek was to start from Kasol the next day, we all had different plans to execute there on the first day of leisure. The ‘mini Israel of India’ is a powerhouse of amazing experiences. With the backdrop of the mountains and the surrounding greenery all around, I could not help but go up to a nice cafe beside the Parvati River and order a brownie.
After reaching the campsite in the evening, we had a bonfire planned. It was such a mesmerising experience, sitting in front of the camp heating our palms while listening to the roars of the Parvati.
The next morning we started on our trek to Kheerganga. On the way, we took a break at a small shop that sold only tea and Maggi. Since I was alone, I started talking to the shopkeeper while taking sips from my cup of Chai. It tasted different, more creamy and dense than I expected. I asked him while taking a drag from my cigarette-
“What is this chai made of?”
“Sheep milk”
“Really? Do you get it here?”
“We breed them in our house, sir. It's all homemade.”
I was impressed, and very keen to see the cow/sheep shed.
He told me that he had his house and his farm just down the road. Upon showing interest in visiting his farm, he handed over the shop to his brother and escorted me to his house. I was surprised to see the construction of the house, it seemed very fragile but apparently, I got to know that they are the earthquake-resistant structures of Himachal that can withstand any calamity for years.
When I came out of his house, the trek leader was already looking for me. Hastily, we started our journey to the Kheerganga top.
Kheerganga- A Heaven in Himachal
We all had completed the trek. Me, especially, had a lot of difficulty climbing the mountains as it was my first time. But as I said, I did not give up. And I was rewarded well for my faith.
The natural spring there seemed so inviting and comfortable, that I spent no time wasting. I changed into my bathing clothes and dived into the hot spring! Oh my god, it was such a relaxing feeling. The temperature outside almost touched 13 degrees, and sitting in the spring was very rejuvenating.
All around me, vast expanses of rolling meadows and pasturelands spread out into infinity, and the lofty peaks around us stood there like guardians of the galaxy- protecting us and relishing the sight of tired trekkers finally enjoying a moment of respite.
Nature is truly magical- this day provided me with enough proof of that.
Photographs Tickling Souls
We were on our way back to Kasol from Kheerganga, and on the way we had a stop in Manikaran- the famous Gurudwara and temple.
I had a drone with me.
After a lot of prayers and manifestations, I was able to buy it just before this trip. I had used it to film some of the trails on the trek, and I wanted to capture a bird’s-eye view of this temple as well.
It was a very soulful experience, exploring this sacred place. The hot bath there seemed very lucrative, but my bathing clothes were already wet. I had no idea that there was a hot spring in Manikaran where I could take a bath, so I was not carrying any extras.
Rather, I chose to go out and find a good spot to fly my drone and click some pictures.
And the result was fantastic. I still consider it to be one of the best pictures I have clicked so far in my life.
The next day, we were going on an excursion to Chalal. The Parvati River accompanied us throughout the journey, and by the time we reached the village, the river had taken its most beautiful form.
It looked surreal. I could not take my eyes off the river, so I sat beside its bank and started flying my drone. Although it captured a different kind of essence of the place, I wanted a different angle.
So, with a lot of courage and determination, I hopped onto some of the rocks in the river to reach the middle point. I was afraid that I would fall into the cold river and wet my clothes again- I did not want that as it could make me sick. I had to be very careful and steady.
But all my efforts paid off and I could capture a magnificent picture of the river.
Chalal was the last leg of the journey, and the road to this village was so bumpy that my intestines seemed to get tangled up while walking. It was already late afternoon by the time we set off for Kasol again.
The sky was deep blue, and the sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the entire landscape. I could not help but stare at the distant mountains- and what did I get for it?
A Trip, a Slip, a Fall.
Yes, I fell.
Nothing happened to me for all these days, but right before reaching Kasol, I fell. Daydreaming should not attract destiny, I strongly believe.
Anyway, I was fine. I got up, dusted myself off the mud and soil, and finally reached Kasol.
And this is how my epic first-ever solo trek went.
But I did not know that this was just the starting-
I had fallen in love with trekking (and this one did not hurt me). I enjoyed the experience so much that I had booked another trek with Thrillophilia the very day I came back home!
Read More: Thrillophilia Himachal Trek Reviews