It is a good thing to be bitten by the trekking bug, because it sometimes takes you to places which make you wonder if you are still in India! Let me talk about one such experience I had at Triund in Himachal Pradesh.
Ever since I returned from Chadar, I found it difficult to get the prospect of yet another trek out of my mind. I longed to go back. But I was a little apprehensive. While the Chadar trek was on a completely flat terrain, I knew other treks wouldn’t be so. I am not an athlete, even by the most lenient standards, and I wasn’t sure if I would be okay while climbing mountains. And so I decided to do the Triund trek because I was told by Gaurav, a fellow trekker at Chadar, that Triund has all the elements to test one’s perseverance for Himalayan trekking.
Having said that, and that Gaurav was mighty right with his suggestion, let me also add that I found much more there! Triund is an ideal place for someone new to trekking or one looking for a quick weekend adventure out of Delhi. With its snow-covered hilltop, the mighty Dhauladhar range in the backdrop, the chilly night and a warm, cozy and electricity-deprived guest-house room, Triund was incredibly beautiful and inviting!
Triund, however, is gradually becoming popular among pseudo-travelers and first-timers and so becomes crowded and expensive during summers (and by the way, I’ve heard the camping scene at Triund is something to look forward to in the summer season!). It wasn’t so for us, because we went there in the first week of March when the summers were still not fully upon us. But if you happen to visit Triund in peak summers, you’d better go further up to Lahesh Caves, or even to Indrahar Pass, if you are looking for some peace!
I’ve also heard some really good things about the cuisines of McLeodGanj. I missed out on exploring them, but there’s always a next time around the corner!
P.S.- I found this website very useful while planning my trip.