Travel Blogger
“As the gusty glacial winds engulfed my midnight ascent under a full moon, I got engrossed in the latest archives of my life. It has been an eventful journey this year which saw an equilibrium of pain and gain. As I progressed, with each step, the squalls got sharper piercing my protective gear. The pain was intense, and I felt numb, slowly hearkening back to the turmoil which almost deluged my inner core. A part of me was already dead but I kept moving slowly and steadily in quest of that elusive ray of hope. The trail was murky and I hobbled and wobbled repeatedly. As I was about to taste the snow, I felt a hand and shoulder which arrested my free fall. Those were my pals who stood by me when, even I had lost hope in myself. They exclaimed,” Together we stand and Together we fall”. The rejuvenated and resurgent me started afresh. This time more vigorous and determined to scale my inner demons and the summit. Gradually I felt the numbness fading away and a newer me was reborn, as my eyes got the first glimpse of the dawn. The sapling of life which froze to pale white started greening in reception to the golden rays of sun.
And I think this greening does thaw at the edges at least of my own cold season. I have felt so heavy for so long. At first I felt odd- as if I shouldn’t be feeling this lightness, that familiar little catch of pleasure in the heart which is inexplicable, though a lovely passage of notes or the splendidly turned petal of a tulip has triggered it. It’s my buoyancy, part of what keeps me alive: happy, suddenly with the concomitant experience of a sonata and the motion of the shadows of leaves. I have the desire to be filled with sunlight, to soak my skin in as much of it as I can drink up, after the long interior darkness of this past season, the indoor vigil, in this harshest and darkest of winters, outside and in.”
Nestled amidst Ladakh’s serene beauty, the Dolkar Eco Resort awaits travellers seeking a peaceful retreat. This eco-friendly haven harmoniously blends comfort with sustainability, offering cosy rooms adorned with traditional Ladakhi décor. Guests can savour mouthwatering local cuisine prepared from organic ingredients. The resort also organises guided treks and cultural activities, connecting visitors with the region’s natural wonders and local traditions.
These were some of the feelings which were raging within me during the beautiful trek of Chopta and Tungnath which I undertook towards the fag end of 2018. I was going through a rough patch in life and wanted something rejuvenating and this brief escape in the lap of Garhwal Himalayas was a real breather and helped me to end the year on a high note. With a mix of meadows and perennial coniferous forests Chopta offers a window to the imposing Himalayan peaks of Trishul, Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba to name a few. Located at a distance of about 160 kms from Rishikesh and 450 kms from Delhi it is also known as “Mini Switzerland” of India. It forms the base of trekking to Tungnath, third temple of Panch Kedar and also the highest Shiva abode (elevation: 3,680 m) in the world. Other places of interest in the vicinity include Chandrashila peak, Deoria Tal (lake), and Atrimuni falls. An all season trek recommended for beginners it gets a bit enduring in peak winters when it is covered in 4-5 feet of snow. My quest for some thrills and adventure propelled me to take it up as a challenge in December since I wanted to savour the snow and pristine blue skies. Moreover I had a short window of 3 days and it was a perfect fit for that.
We started from Rishikesh on early morning of day 1 reaching Chopta by evening. We camped and enjoyed some bonfire and began at 3 am next morning to witness the sunrise from Chandrashila which is 6 kms uphill from Chopta. Braving the bone numbing chills (mercury was several notches below freezing) and the scare of Himalayan bears we reached the top just in time after numerous falls owing to black ice. Our legs, back and bums everything was paining but the view at the top was so exhilarating that all the pain waned away within a fraction of seconds. I felt like at the top of the world with the horizon below me and the sun trying hard to level up to me, an absolute bliss and some indelible moments to cherish throughout my life. By mid afternoon we reached back to our base and after some rest we ventured in the dreamy Bugyals (meadows) nearby for a leisurely stroll. Since we were short of time we had to skip Deoria Tal but it gave me another reason to visit this beautiful trek again sometime soon. So after a sumptuous breakfast and ample rest we left Chopta on the morning of the third day taking along with us a memorable experience to share with our peers back home. I would like to thank team Holiday Hike for making it worth with some amazing hospitality in terms of comfortable conveyance, stay, and fooding. Over the top both Gaurav and Nitin went a step ahead by being amazing guides ensuring that none of us face any sort of inconvenience during the trek. Their services are highly recommended for a hassle free, and enjoyable holiday experience.
Location: Tungnath (Uttarakhand)
Altitude: 3,680 meters
Date: 24/12/2018
Temperature: -16 degrees
Altitude: 3,680 meters
Date: 24/12/2018
Temperature: -16 degrees