Mountains or beaches? It has always been a tough this-or-that question. What remains unsaid is that they are both incomparable and beautiful at their place. Mountains are beautiful and serene and they take away all the stress. Beaches are dynamic and noisy in a good way, epiphanic even. They are different, yes! And we love them both!
What is it about mountains that may indulge you to introspect? That may be just a beautiful view from the window of your hotel room, or a long and tiring trek. It all, in the end, makes you realize the importance and satisfaction of earning.
But we have often heard people say that treks are difficult. Well, we say otherwise! Because they are not necessarily difficult. And to complete it for the view it offers at the top, is a little success party that fills the hollowness of the poor heart.
Beginners and naturalists, we have got you covered! Today we bring to you some easy treks that will make you fall in love with the idea of hiking and trekking! And who knows you might even make a bucket list?
1. Triund Trek
The trek beginning from Mcleodganj is going to make you cry and laugh! Mcleodganj is a suburb of Dharamsala in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Being home to a large population of Tibetans, it is also called Lhasa. It is located at an elevation of 2082 meters.
The trek of Triund top from Mcleodganj is surely something to talk about. But the base itself is pretty rich in cultural heritage. It is home to Namgyal Monastery, the personal monastery of the 14th Dalai Lama, and plays a key role in assisting with rituals involving the Dalai Lama of Tibet.
Mcleodganj is famous for a lot of things like culture, crafts, and momo. The town square of Mcleodganj is the right place to shop for all the craft and culture. This market takes a minimum of 2 hours to be fully explored. Souvenirs, singing bowls, Buddha statues, Tibetan handicraft boxes, clothes, bags, jewelry, diaries of handmade paper, books on Tibetan culture, rugs, paintings and much more can be found here. Yes, yes, it is a diverse market!
Bhagsu Temple and Bhagsunag waterfalls are a must to visit. The waterfall is just a few minute’s walks from the temple and is a place of utter divinity. The best part is that one can literally enter the fall by climbing down some stairs and experience the raw climb up and down the mountain rocks. Around the waterfall, there is a lot of natural treks that can be self-explored if you’re not a newbie.
Also read: Siliguri: Unknown and Hidden
Coming to the trek of Triund at 2800m above sea level, it begins from 3km over Mcleodganj. It is a steep journey up till the entry of the trek and is now supported by shuttle facilitations. From the entry gate of the trek after frisking, it is only adrenaline and adventure. The trek to the top will amaze you with narrow paths and steep stairs. There will be hindrances you would not have expected – broken trees, slippery paths, at a height that makes you dizzy.
The whole trek has no waterfall or natural source of water to drink from. Be prepared for the prices of any commissary being twice and thrice the normal rate due to the altitude. The view is mesmerizing when you reach the top. At night, the number of stars in the sky will stun you. Along with sunset, you will witness a moonrise and moonset! The place is magical! All you need to do is find the right time to visit i.e. August – October.
2. Kheerganga Trek
The name says it all – milky white natural water. The confluence of River Parvati and River Beas, make the waters here as white as a pearl. Legend says that the son of Lord Shiva, Kartikey came here after losing a race from his brother Ganesha. To tempt his son back, Lord Shiva channelized a stream of ‘kheer’. Kasol is a hamlet in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Situated in Parvati valley on the bank of river Parvati, this place has developed into a little escape for youth due to its amazing and lively cafes.
Kasol is the base to many treks like Kheerganga, Sar Pass, etc. It also offers a small but trippy market specially made for art-lovers. One can find tie-dye t-shirts, baggy pants, dashikis, and many kinds of artistic clothes here. Apart from that, leather diaries, handicrafts, etc are also famous here.
16km away from Kasol, is a place called Bharsaini from where the trek begins. This trek is a little more difficult than the trek to Triund top, especially if you are visiting in the monsoon. The trek is slippery and full of broken trees and unreal paths. The best part about the Kheerganga trek is the constant supply of natural water. This water is so clean that it can be drunk easily.
You will encounter a large waterfall and cross over it via an iron bridge. The trek gets interesting and is 15km long. It takes you to a height of 2950meters where you can feel fresh air and sunlight. Even in the month of October, it gets as cold as -1 degrees Celsius at the top. You can find a natural hot spring above. The water in it is naturally hot and open for bathing. So enjoy the warm water in the brisk sun!
3. Prashar Lake Trek
49km east of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, is this beautiful Prashar Lake Trek which is 8km long. Located at an altitude of 2730 meters, this trek is famous for the Prashar Lake, meadows, and dense forest. At the top, you will also see the snow-covered mountain range of Dhauladhar.
The trek starts from a small village of Mandi called Baggi. The commute is easily available between the two but is scheduled for fixed timings. So make sure you make an itinerary first! Baggi is a small village with a population of about 1000.
It is beautiful and serene. Unlike other bases for the trek, it is not very pompous and loud. Prashar Lake is a picturesque location with an island decorated in it. It is famous for the bonfire and other chill activities that can be enjoyed by a lakeside. December to February is the best time to visit because then one gets to enjoy the snowfall and the panoramic snow-clad sceneries.
4. Kareri Lake Trek
This easy to moderate level trek to Kareri lake begins from Kareri Village which is 2-hour away from Ghera if walking. The trek not being all that difficult is for anyone with a normal fitness level. Overall the trail is easy and not at all steep. But at some parts, one has to go steep and pass through some rocky paths.
The main base spot for this trek is also Mcleodganj from where cabs may be available up to Kareri Village. Approximately 9km west of Dharamsala, Kareri Lake is a shallow freshwater lake with crystal clear water. It is situated in beautiful meadows at a height of 2934 meters. It can easily be completed in 4 to 5 hours and is worth every sweat drop!
5. Chandrashila Trek
This trek is set in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarakhand. It is also otherwise known as Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek and is a short trek of 5km that can be completed in no time. It is a good trek to begin the experience of trekking with. The base for this trek is Sari which is 195km ahead of Rishikesh and takes around 8-9 hours of time to arrive. Sari is a small and scenic hamlet at a distance of about 20km before Chopta Hill Station.
The best part about this trek is the amazing view at the top and the birdlife. This trek is densely populated with birds of various species. Chandrashila summit is the home to the Tungnath temple. It is one of the highest Shiva temples in the world! It is also the highest of the 5 Panchkedar temples located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand.
Guess we have said a lot and now it’s your turn to explore these beautiful and easy treks which can be done over weekends too, all by yourself! Bon Voyage!
