Trek India
Trek India diary: 29 April - 9 May 2006
Day 1: Saturday 29 April
Today, our excited group of trekkers all met with Julie and Lucy from the Events team in Heathrow airport to take the evening flight from London Heathrow to Delhi. They certainly made their mark, as the sea of yellow Help the Aged t-shirts took over the airport and even got a mention by the captain of the plane!
Day 2: Sunday 30 April
Delhi
The group arrived safely late morning at Delhi International airport and then transferred to a hotel to freshen up.
The whole group then sat down for a welcome briefing from Help the Aged and the Classic Tours representatives.
After lunch the group endured a very bumpy coach journey to Jehangirpuri to visit a mobile medical unit and Sponsor a Grandparent projects which are supported by Help the Aged. Everyone was thrilled to see that some of the funds they have raised are being spent on such worthy causes.
That evening, the group sat down for their first well-deserved and extremely tasty Indian dinner. With happily full stomachs, everyone climbed upon the overnight sleeper train, pronounced an experience in itself(!) to travel to Pathankot.
Day 3: Monday 1 May Pathankot to Dharamsala
The group arrived early morning at Pathankot and then transferred immediately by coach (2 -3 hours) to Dharamsala. The long journey was justified though as everyone was overwhelmed by the beauty of this enchanting town. The group then had an opportunity to explore Dharamsala which is located in a very picturesque setting high up on the slopes of the Kangra Valley. Kangra valley is one of Himachal Pradesh’s most beautiful valleys. It is on the southern side of the Dhaula Dhar range and its gentle slopes are covered with pine forests, green tea gardens and terraced fields.
The group visited the Dalai Lama’s house and a tea factory. Today is Maggie and Nora’s birthdays, so the group celebrated that night with delicious cakes and cards. Then, the team sat down and relax to hear about the challenge ahead…
Day 4: Tuesday 2 May
Mcleod Ganj (Dharamsala) to Kareri (2050m)
approx. 13km / 7-8 hours
After breakfast the group prepared for their first day of trekking with Bridgeen showing them yoga moves to warm up. Then they set off into the majestic mountains with the bare essentials for the trek ahead. They started along a paved road through Mcleod Ganj, home to the Gaddi, a semi-nomadic tribe of mountain shepherds. Everyone pronounced the scenery amazing and said that the trip is exceeding all expectations! A few metres on they joined a mountain path leading gradually uphill to a Tibetan Children’s Village. Everyone loved meeting the local children. Some of the trekkers had taken presents with them for the children which they loved. Whilst they were trekking up they all watched out for a glimpse of the Himalayan Languor monkeys which inhabit the area. Unluckily, the group got caught in a hail storm!
After they had all trekked through the village, the team passed Dal Lake and followed a pathway of steps cut into the mountainside. The pathway descended sharply down to Gaj River which they crossed and stopped for a leisurely lunch in the shade of the ubiquitous pine trees. The group worked off their lunch with a steep climb back up the other side for the first 3km, where the trail evened out and lead the group to Kareri where they ended the first day’s hike. The campsite was idyllic, as it was situated near the village surrounded by a cool pine grove and lush green meadow near a mountain spring.
Day 5: Wednesday 3 May
Kareri to Bahl Village (2300m)
approx. 13km / 7-8 hours
Firstly, a message from one of our trekkers: 'Happy 2nd Birthday to Oscar on 5 May! With love from Gran in the Himalayas'.
Today the trekkers had a difficult walk- it was very steep, but everyone did brilliantly. They started off from the campsite with a gradual ascent into the nearby forest. The path levelled off and then dipped steeply downhill to the valley floor. At the end of the morning the path had taken them to a wooden hanging bridge over Gaj River and the village of Rawa, where they had a lunch stop on the riverbank. Through most of the first half of the day the trekkers passed through small villages which they really enjoyed. During the day, the group adopted a dog, which they named Rabies! They also got caught in another hail storm and visited another school. Some of the group were blessed in a temple and other made chiappatis in a local village, which was a great experience.
After lunch they began the next 8km along a gradual uphill path following the mountain slopes of the valley, shaded by pine and oak forest. The route then became more undulating as they hiked up and over two mountain ridges and finally down to the village of Bahl where they pitched camp for the night and took a well-earned rest. They had a bonfire that night to celebrate the day’s trekking achievements.
Day 6: Thursday 4 MayBahl to Triund (2975m) approx. 10 km / 6-7 hours
Today the group had an early start as the mountain trail continued uphill for most of the day. The group crossed the Bahted River and picked up a rough mountain trail which climbs steeply through the forest. Once they had climbed a bit further up they all caught their breath at a small tea shop and admired the amazing view. The terrain changed to a wide paved mountain path as the team continued its gradual uphill ascent for a further 3km. The climb was well worth the effort as the lunchtime spot affords wonderful views of the Dhaula Dahr mountain range. A short trek in the afternoon brought the group to Triund, the base for the next two nights, before reaching the final destination! Triund is the most spectacular camp, set on an alpine meadow, high up on a ridge facing snow-capped peaks of the surrounding Dhaula Dahr. The location of great natural beauty as it affords breath-taking close up views of the impressive Dhaula Dhar mountain range to one side and views of the entire Kangra Valley sweeping away on the other side. That night, the trekkers celebrated Dave’s birthday.
Day 7: Friday 5 May
Triund - Laka Got (3500m) – Triund approx. 10 km / 7-8 hours
Today was perhaps one of the most challenging days facing the trekkers so far. Leaving Triund behind, the guides took the group up a gradual uphill path to Laka Got, the site of a temporary shepherd camp in summer, situated at the tip of a small glacier. There was an opportunity for trekkers to walk on this glacier to reach Lahes cave. This was quite strenuous but well worth the effort once they had made it up there. Many of them also improvised sledging on the glacier with plastic bags. Lahes cave is used as an overnight shelter by the shepherds travelling over the mountain with their sheep. The group returned to Triund for its final night under canvas and lit a huge bonfire to keep them warm before bedtime.
Day 8: Saturday 6 May
Triund to Mcleod Ganj ( Dharamsala) via Laheta approx. 12 km / 6-7 hours
The trekkers had an interesting night, as they all got up at 2.30am to see the Milky Way! Today was the final stretch trekking in the mountains, making the return journey back to Dharamsala, which was all downhill. During the first part of the day the trekkers walked across a 3km grassy ridge with panoramic views across the valley below and the snowy peaks in the background. It was then a steep descent down the mountainside through Laheta then on to Bhagsu river where the group celebrated finishing the trek. Everyone crossed the finish line after Pat cut the ribbon. They met the road and walked 500m to Baghsu where they make a short visit to a Hindu temple. From here the group transferred by jeep to an overnight hotel in Dharamsala for some well earned relaxation! In the evening the group had a gala dinner and then entertainment from Julie and Lucy, then Carol and Janet Lenord, Janet Haywood, Amelia, Peter, Maggie and Nora and finally Ralph! Afterwards, the group enjoyed the infamous Help the Aged Award Ceremony. Everyone had a great evening celebrating their achievements.
Day 9: Sunday 7 May
Dharamsala
Today the group visited a nearby Tibetan temple, which was incredibly peaceful and beautiful. Everyone enjoyed a great lunch, which wasn’t curry for a change!
In the afternoon the trekkers transferred back to Pathankot for the overnight train to Delhi where their challenge began.
Day 10: Monday 8 May
Delhi
The group arrived back into Delhi very early in the morning after travelling with some VIPs on the train journey! Then they caught the coach and made their way to the Taj Mahal. The temperature was a sweltering 45ºC! When the group arrived at the Taj Mahal they were blown away by the beauty of it. Everyone did the 'Princess Diana pose' on the bench in front of the Taj Mahal and took tons of photos. After this amazing highlight, the group had lunch and visited a marble shop to pick up their final presents. The group travelled back to Delhi to celebrate their final night together and Julie’s birthday. Tomorrow the team will be up early to catch their flight back home.
