Day 8- Triund trekking

Triund Trek (long post alert)

Dharamshala is famous for  breath taking views of Dhauladhar Ranges and trekking in these ranges. We went to Triund Trek y'day and here is my experience in my words.

I’m certainly not a trekking person. I like mountains but I’m happy to see them from distance.  When we made itentary for this trip, all us added “things that we want to do/ see” in the list , Sumeet added this trek. It’s a one night stay trek and famous among travellers because apparently it’s an easy trek. I really want to meet all those travellers who have said in their reviews on TripAdvisor  it’s an easy trek.

We took a local guide’s help and instead of doing a stay trek we decided to do one day trek. Local guide Mr. Vikas Kumar is a trained mountaineer and conducts professional treks. For him we were class 1 students and I was last bencher. Day before the trek he explained us the route, we were supposed to cover total distance of 7.5km one way which would take minimum 4 hrs one way. Also to see the view of  Dhauladhar Ranges we need  to reach by noon to the top otherwise weather becomes cloudy because wind changes it’s direction. Vikasji  explained this to us so well that for a  moment I wondered whether he is a Geography teacher or trekker. We decided to start at 7.30 am in the morning. When  temperature is like 4-5 degrees , getting up from bed itself is a task for lazy person like me so instead of 7.30 am we reached meeting point at 8 am.

We minus me were very excited to start the trek. Trek was divided into 3 parts.

Part 1: Naddi Village to Gulla temple
Vikasji took a “shortcut”, he told us it’s going tobe 3 km walk. I was pretty chilled, 3 km it quite manageable for me. But little that I know 3km in “pahadi area” is like doing treadmill on inclined position. The route was from village leading towards woods. It was succulent and beautiful. Vikasji gave us loads of information on the way.
It took  approximately  an hour or more to reach Gulla temple. It’s a base for Triund Trek. There is a check post  where you need to register so do carry your ID card. You can have some refreshments here. Also you can rent out a walking stick which I’d highly recommend.  Post the formalities we started second part of our trek. This stretch was for 3.5 km and altitude of 2500 MTR.

Stage 2: Gulla post to Magical view
By this time I was mentally prepared for uphill walk. Sumeet and kids went ahead with Vikasji and I was walking with snail speed enjoying the weather and nature. There are couple of shops on the way where you get cold drinks,tea, coffee. My dhanno (walking stick) was my saviour. I could manage this stage because of her. I  met lot of people on the way who were returning from their night stay and eager to share their experience. Last half an hour was way too difficult for me because I was too tired. I must have taken n number of stops in that half an hour and finally when I reach Magical view point I was the happiest person and control my eagerness to shout “I did it, I did it”
Magical view is a point where people take a stop to have food and view from here is called magical because you can see different shades of valley at different hours in a day.
Café serves Maggie, bread Omelette ,tea , coffee. Trust me even if they would have served shepuchi bhaji (dill leaves)which I hate the most ,I would have had it happily.
We met group of young kids from IIT Mumbai here , they were planning to go up for night stay.
This place is on high altitude so people may feel bit dizzy. I was bit sceptical about Ovee but she was perfectly ok and enjoyed her Maggie.
While I don’t criticize people but can’t help to share this with you. There was a group of people from neighbouring state of Maharashtra in branded wear but unfortunately bargaining with café owner on  Maggie and bread Omelette price. This makes you wonder kahase aate hai ye log. Off course the  rates at this cafe are bit high but totally justified as they have to carry everything from Gulla village without any transportation.
Triund is another 3 hrs trek ok from here which was impossible for me to do. Sumeet wanted to do it but I guess he changed his mind looking at my long face.
After spending half an hour here we started our return journey. Thanks to my Dhanno. Downhill trek is more tricky but because of that walking stick I could manage it easily.  On the way I noticed few huts deep in a Jungle , apparently Tibetan Monks live there and do meditation. My instant reaction was “don’t they get scared?” , my guide started laughing and said “madam who monk hai, moh maya se dur hai”.
With this gupshup we reached Gulla check post in 1.30 hr much faster than uphill trek.
I had to say bye bye to my Dhanno.  By the time I was really tried, we completed more than 12 kms walk and phone battery also died.  But kahani main twist was awaiting , that’s part 3 of the trek.

Part 3 : Gulla to Naddi
We had 3 options here.  Option 1 was same as part 1 route which we were not keen as it would have been monotonous.  Option 2 was take a taxy to Naddi. Offcourse my preferred option and was sure that we’d take a taxi but option 3 was a culprit, Vikasji said it’s a “shortcut” that would take us to river view and then walk to reach Naddi. Moment kids heard River they went into hysteria. They kept nagging “mumma please” mantra and I didn’t want to be a spoilsport so finally agreed to option 3. Vikasji asked me “madam aap kar paoge na?” adding to this “encouraging” question he said 40 mins ka rasta hai sirf  ,usame 15 min thoda steeply hai. Now after 5 hr of hill trek ,15 mins is kis zad ki patti so I happily said ho jayega and we started. Whole route had down slop. I regretted not carrying my Dhanno. While I was having great difficulties walking on slop , kids went way too ahead with guide. I always had a doubt and y’day it proved that those 2 little monsters must have been monkeys in their previous birth. I was on my highest pick of crankiness. Sumeet was literally guiding me where should I keep my foot while holding my hand tightly and on top of that “zelofying” my tantrums. Entire was I was continuously complaining “ही अशी vacation असते का?” “ यापुढे मी कधीही कुठे जाणार नाही आहे?” “ह्यांना road बनवायला काय झालय”. Now while writing this I can’t stop laughing. Finally we reached  in 1.5 hours instead on 40 mins. I made a mental note “shortcuts never works in life”. With a grumpy face I straight away went to the river side café and ordered a coffee. Trust me I was physically and mentally tired but with one dose of caffeine I realised what a lovely view I must have missed  If I would have taken this route. Kids and Sumeet went in a river, water was freezing cold but sometimes I wonder if they are real humans ,they still enjoyed that freezing cold water.

This part by of Dharamshala is still untouched by tourist because there are no proper roads. Vikasji did show us a village far in the valley where there are no roads so people have to travel in the hills to come to the City. School kids commute daily in the both infrastructures wise as well as environmentally difficult situation. I really felt ashamed of myself for throwing tantrums.

In this way we completed our trek. It took total 10 hours for us. I felt so proud about my kids y’day. Sushrut does go on trek with Sumeet so we were confident about him but Ovee surprised us. Entire trek except for 15-20 mins she did on her own. Food was limited, we had bread butter  the breakfast and Maggie and bread Omelette in lunch but they didn’t complain about it. I guess it’s a magic of nature that gives you the power and makes you to fall in love with it.

Tips
1.you don’t need a guide for this trek but would still recommend. Vikasji told us so many things about the Village, culture,local food. Will have to write separate post on this. Besides tourism is the main business here so I personally feel we need to help local people whatever way we can.
2. Like any other trek go light. Just carry water bottle, suncap,jackets based on a weather, some cash for snacks and trekking pole or walking stick. Don’t forget to wear good shoes.
3. Incase you are going to do stay trek, carry warm clothes. Temperature drops to minus in this season at the top.
4. Bears are spotted here so unless u want to say hello to them  don’t venture out offbeat roads on your own.