Weekend Trek to Triund

---

On Thursday we signed up for a three day trek. We had heard from other volunteers that it was completely worth it so we thought it was an excellent way to spend our weekend. Friday afternoon, we met up with our guides and hiked about 2 hours to a nearby temple. We got there just in time to see a beautiful sunset. The guides then made us chai and cooked us supper (which was delicious), while we sat and talked around the fire. The temple was very neat. Apparently during the warmer seasons, it is so packed with people that sometimes you cannot even find a place to sleep. We felt pretty lucky to have the place to ourselves. Our guide told us that you can find a temple every kilometer you walk. Many seem to be plopped on the side of a mountain in the middle of nowhere.

The next morning we woke up with the sun and filled up on bread, porridge and chai before starting again. We met up with two other fellow volunteers after about an hour at a small store. These little stores were set up all along the trail, selling drinks, chai, and Indian snacks. It was fun to take a break at some of these spots, drinking chai and meeting other trekkers. However, after about the third pit stop, I could not drink any more tea. Our guides seemed to be powering their way up the mountain on chai and cigarettes. I don’t know how they did it. They kept offering us a cigarette every time we stopped, saying it was good energy. They were fun guys.

Busting our ass up the hill was completely worth it once we reached our destination, Triund (9,278 feet). The view was like nothing I had ever seen before. The sky was so blue and so clear. One of our guides actually said it was the clearest he had ever seen it. Exhausted, the four of us threw our packs down, laid down against them, and watched the mountains in front of us. We must have stared for a good twenty minutes or so, our trance interrupted only by someone saying: “I can’t believe this.”

There was a large group of Tibetans who were enjoying the view as well. One of them came over and invited us to join their party (which we later figured out was a class). He offered us bread and then showed us a place to sit with a couple Tibetan women. As we talked and got to know our new friends, we were bombarded with biscuits and more bread. Although I was thoroughly enjoying their hospitality, I couldn’t help but laugh. Here I was sitting with my hands completely filled with bread and biscuits, and the Tibetans trying to offer me more still.

The rest of the day consisted of eating supper, talking to other travelers around the fire, and putting on every single item of clothing we brought. It was a very cold evening. However, after putting on three pairs of pants, two pairs of wool socks, two long sleeve shirts, two hooded sweatshirts, mittens, and a winter hat, I was able to get a little bit of sleep. The next morning, we packed up and headed back home. The trek down was definitely the least fun part and my knees and feet were screaming at me by the time I reached my flat. However, reflecting on my pictures and the gorgeous views we saw, I have no doubt that it was completely worth it.

---

Photos

Lambs
We had a few obstacles on our way ...

Temple
This is where we stayed our first night.

On our way!
I kept thinking the views couldn't get any better ... and then I would look up again a little later.

Temple
Thought it was worth a picture ... :)

First Night
Here is the little room we camped out in the first night.

Pit Stop
One of the many small cafes along the trail.

Triund!
After arriving.

Lunch at Triund
Some guy from Delhi wanted our picture, so I made him take one with my camera as well. I guess we are more interesting than I thought.

Sunset 1st Night
From the Temple

Sunset the 2nd Night
Triund

Our Guide
This is one of my favorite pictures so far.

Comments

[Joyce]

Keep going on those side adventures so you won't have any regrets. What a beautiful spot you were in and your right about all the views. Every scenery picture is unbelievable.