by Usha Manne
PureTravel Writing Competition 2024
For me, traveling is always more than a hobby. It’s a way of life, an exploration of the unknown and self-discovery. My most memorable journey was one through the Indian Himalayas that just happened without planning. This trip changed my life in ways I never expected and now it is my best journey.
There was something about exploring the Indian Himalayas that attracted me all along. The snowy peaks, ancient monasteries and calm valleys among others were like scenes from a fairy tale book. As such, I resolved to set out on a journey alone with hopes of getting closer to nature and probably myself too. Unfortunately, this trip had much more to offer than beautiful scenery alone.
In Delhi, India’s capital city, I was filled with excitement as well as anticipation. My plan was simple; take a train from Delhi to Shimla which acted as the gateway to the rest of the Himalayas. The train ride itself was an adventure in its own right. From urban landscapes to rural ones with rolling hills, thick forests and shiny rivers as seen through my window while moving up northwards by train.
An old-new blend of Shimla met me with a smile. There were the old-world colonial era structures, the busy markets and cool mountain breezes to set my journey off on a perfect note. Exploring the town for a day had me visiting places such as Christ Church and Mall road before heading to remote parts of Himalayas.
My next destination was Manali, which is an ideal place in Kullu valley. Indeed, reaching Manali was quite an experience. It was an exciting ride on those curvy roads lined by tall deodar trees alongside noisy streams. As I progressed higher into the mountains, I felt so peaceful that I have never realized it before.
In Manali, I decided to go for Hampta Pass Trekking. This trek was hard yet worth it. There were several other hikers from different countries; we bonded pretty quickly because exploring things together excites us all equally. Across green fields, cold rivers and white trails we crossed our paths sharing stories and experiences like never seen before. The beauty of the Himalayas overwhelmed me at every step taken.
There was an evening when we were setting camp near an ice lake and a local shepherd came to meet us. He gave us some advice about life in the mountains and served us fresh goat milk. It reminded me of how precious life is, and how important it is to connect with others.
However, things did not go as planned. Upon descending from the mountain, a surprise snowstorm hit making the path icy and dangerous. Our team had to be cautious so as to avoid any incidents. Nevertheless, despite all the challenges, we kept on going because of our collective spirit and camaraderie that bound us together. I have come to realize that travelling is not only about getting there but also about journeying through life and encountering new people.
Upon reaching Manali safely, I spent several more days covering neighboring places such as Hidimba temple which was ancient or Solang valley among others. They each added something special to my experiences.
My trip through the Indian Himalayas changed me completely since these mountains taught me endurance; they showed me how beautiful friendship can be; they made me realize why I should not fear what lies ahead of my path in this world.
I took the train to Delhi with a colonized heart as it was full of gratitude for the trip and what I learned from it. If one would look beyond the simple travel experience, he/she will see that this journey has been a lot more than that. It has been an expedition in search of self and a reminder of how splendidly beautiful our planet is.
Photo by Chirag Vashist on Unsplash
