⛅ Triund_Trek_Solo ⛆ ⛈

Place                            Triund
Location                       Kangra, Himachal
Mountain Range          Lap of Dhauladhar's
Altitude                       2850 Mtrs,  9350 Feet
Difficulty                     Easy to Moderate
Month                          May
Distance                      9 kms (one side)

Triund is a small hill in the Kangra District & is a part of Dharamkot. It lies in the lap of the Dhauladhar Mountains. The trek to Triund is an easy one. But, the last one kilometer is very tiring. The last one kilometer is popularly know as the “22 curves”. The trail passes through forests covered with Rhododendron & Oak trees. A lot of foreign tourists visit this place because of its close proximity to Dharamshala.

 I came to know about Triund from a Travel Blog, & from then, i wanted to go, see this place. Its been 5 months since i went on a solo trip. So, I booked a ticket to McLeodganj to spend time with myself. Solo Trips are a great opportunity for Self Reflection & Self Discovery.

MY ROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF PLACES AROUND, BEFORE ACTUALLY SEEING THE MAP



 How to Reach:
  • ISBT Kashmere Gate Bus Terminal 
  • McLeodganj
  • Gallu Devi Temple (or) BhagsuNag
  • Triund
Started at room after the office on a Friday evening at 6 pm. Reached ISBT Kashmere gate, had some light meal, checked-in the bus at  9:30 pm. It was a very hot & humid day. Reached McLeodganj at about 9:30 am on Saturday. Freshened up at the bus stand, had breakfast & packed a paratha & omelet for lunch, bought water bottles, biscuits & snickers for the trek. Buy all the things that you need before starting the trek, the costs are high(over priced) along the trek. If you want to withdraw money, Dharamkot is the last stop where you can find an ATM.

ON THE WAY TO GALLU DEVI TEMPLE
You can walk from McLeodganj bus stand to Gallu Devi Temple via Dharamkot(2kms). I Took a taxi, i want to store my energy for the trek, i finally reached the temple at 10:15 am. Even though i have done some research about the places around, before my trip, the thing about this trip is, except for booking the ticket to McLeodganj i hadn't done a thing. I wanted to plan, all along the way. There is something liberating about travelling to a place where, no one knows who you are.

GALLU DEVI TEMPLE
You can stay at the Forest Department's guest house at Triund. But, you have to book in advance at the Forest Complex near Dharamshala police station. I wanted to camp, & the taxi driver Happy helped me find a place, to rent a tent & a sleeping bag, they will reach before i reach the top, on a horse or a mule. Trek shoes are not required, but if you go in rainy or winter season they are a must. 50 feet & i got to the forest department check post & got my ID's checked & registered my name.

FOREST DEPARTMENT CHECK POST
The first 15 min of the trek was exhausting, due to gradually increasing slope. I walked until i am tired & sat there watching the valley below, a procession of horses carrying luggage passed by, guess my tent is in there.

INITIAL TRAIL
I have seen a dog that was following me from the check post, i fed it some biscuits, it came along, for the next 2kms. The trail is well marked all along the way. You can trek without the help of a guide. 20 min & i can see the Kangra valley, & spotted the Cricket stadium.

ME ALONG THE INITIAL TRAIL

KANGRA VALLEY

DOG LEADING ME 
I met some foreign tourists from America, Israel, & Russia. One thing they speak at lengths is the Great Diversity of our country & the Cultural shock they experience. Through out the trek, i came across fellow travelers who play annoyingly loud music, even after the clear instructions (No littering, No Drinking & No Loud music) at the check post not to do so. Maybe the meaning of happiness is different for different people. I have come here for peace of mind, so i stayed away, or waited for them to pass. 

I, at places within my visible range, is the only one on the trail with no people around. Wow, that felt awesome. I just didn't come here to trek, i want to experience silence away from the routine. It rained in between many times, & when ever i found a beautiful place i sat there for 5-10 min.



There are sheep grazing, & on the rock tops. There are also some naughty lambs, which kick small rocks if you stare at them too much.

A CUTE NAUGHTY LAMB



Half way & i reached a famous location the Magic view point, it has amazing views all around.






It rained the previous day, so at places the path was muddy & slippery. At about 1:00 pm it started drizzling. So, i sat under a large bush & had my lunch. 

ONE OF THOSE 22 CURVES
Along the way
                    .
                    .
                    .
                    .                         To the top








CAN YOU SPOT THE RHODODENDRON FLOWERS??



THE FINAL CURVE
As i stepped up the final curve, there stood, the beautiful Mountain Ranges, The Dhauladhar in-front & Kangra valley behind me. After an exhausting 1km i reached the top at 2:15 pm. I have covered a distance of 7kms in 4 hours, breaks included & they cost me an extra hour. Nevertheless a good speed for an amateur.

MY FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE MOUNTAIN RANGES




LOOKS LIKE "MOUNT DOOM" FROM LORD OF THE RINGS

SHIV-LING OVER LOOKING THE MOUNTAINS

FINALLY AT THE TOP
This is one of those trips, i regret not having brought a camera along. I scanned the meadows & it took me 15 to 30 min to find the cafe that i booked tent with, & a place for camping. There are tents sparsely placed here & there. I pitched my tent, at an isolated place away from the crowds. I had a mild headache, guess due to less eating & not hydrating myself properly, so i had lunch again at a small cafe.
TENTS SPARSELY PLACED

MY TENT 😝

 My mobile's charge died down, & i received help from people in far away tents. "Ask & you shall receive." I am exhausted & went to sleep in my tent. When i woke up it was 3०C outside, i put on my winter wear & went to have a stroll. The sky became more clear. It was about 7:00 pm, when i sat on a rock on the edge of the cliff, that is over looking the Dhauladhar's. The thing about a serene place is it brings memories that are hidden deep in your neurons. It is said, "The absolute truths are often heard in silence". I recalled many memories, the good, bad & the ugly, i am conscious of. Its like a time-lapse of my life. I know very well, its now time for some much needed introspection. Many things crossed my mind in the one hour i sat there, Life in general, Spirituality, Morality, Family, Friendship,.....
IN A CLEAR SKY
When the turbulence in my mind died down, i became conscious of the weather. I was able to feel the chill. Sat there for another 15 min & left to my tent. At about 9:00 pm i had my dinner in a cafe closest to my location. Took a stroll around my tent, the sky was clear, full of stars & bright, & the Kangra Valley below looked beautiful. I went to sleep at about 10:30 pm in my sleeping bag. Mind you there will be no Electricity & Toilets. You have to go 1-2 kms into the jungle for natures call. 🌄

At 2:00 am, i woke up to the sound of heavy flickering of my tent, & it was raining...& continued for an hour. I woke up again at 5:30 am. 
MORNING VIEW FROM MY TENT

It started raining from 6:00 am again so, i went to sleep. When the rain stopped at around 8:15 am, i packed my bag & started the trek down. I had biscuits & a cake for breakfast. 
A FINAL GLIMPSE BEFORE I LEAVE.... & THE SMALL ROCK ON WHICH I SAT

Due to rain the trail became muddy & slippery. But the rain also made the surroundings, look more beautiful, added to it is the chirping of birds. 
DAMPENED TRAIL

A SHARP END

MONKS ON THE WAY
Finally reached Gallu Devi temple at 10:40 am. I decided to walk from the temple to McLeodganj Taxi stand, via Dharamkot. In the total down trek from Triund i have covered a distance of 9 kms. Charged my mobile in the taxi stand, & then booked a bus to Delhi for the evening. Freshened up & took taxi to explore places around.

A MAP IN THE TIBETAN MUSEUM

HIS HOLINESS DALAI LAMA TEMPLE

NORBULINGKA INSTITUTE

GYUTO MONASTERY






"Life is what we make of it. We always have been & always will be in complete control of our fate & destiny. Realize, the things we believe that are stopping us are nothing but excuses."









Note: This is a personal blog. Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the blog owner and do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated.

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