InklingsInsight

The day began with Tanvi (trip leader) waking everyone at 5 a.m. We were eight people and had three rooms to manage getting ready on time so we could leave for the first trek, or say it as the base camp for Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib Trek, Ghangaria. It was a 10 km journey with a steep stretch of more than halfway and descending a few kilometers. Everyone got ready, turn by turn, and went to the breakfast table by 7 a.m. Our trip guide, Alok, patiently waited for us to start the journey and allowed us time to prepare for the adventure, as it was a long day with 10 km of walking. Those who got ready early got a chance to witness the beauty of the cloud-covered mountains from the terrace of our stay with a cup of hot tea. The best part apart from the trek on the trip was the food. Every day, we received different delicacies, from poha to pancakes. We had meals we did not expect to receive on this kind of trip, where we lived in secluded places away from the city. After breakfast...

A ride to remember for life started with the introduction. There were eight in total, including the trip leader Tanvi. It started with Tanvi sharing about her, followed by Shreya sharing her experience with Firgun and her passion for photography. Moving on, I introduced myself, letting them know about my profession, books I wrote, and other stuff (and that was where a request for poetry recitation came from). Further, Neha (designer), Nikita (make-up artist), Sejal (Auditor), Sapna (Auditor), and Amish (Software Developer) introduced themselves. If we had the funniest introduction award, Sejal would be the most eligible tripper. We shared more about our lives, and the journey amidst the scenic beauty began. From mountains to rivers, we witnessed it all. The best part was that the 9-hour journey went by without any boredom, but by playing different games, including Antakshari and Dumb Charades, and enjoying the view. Many cameras would rise out of the traveler's window to capture th...

The work-life imbalance was taking a toll on my mind. And the Universe knew what was best for me at that hour of emergency and chaotic life. So, not only once but thrice, it tried to tell me that it was time for a trip and get recharged. The best thing was the decision-making for the destination. Whenever I talked to my friends, I would hear one place - Valley Of Flowers. A person like me who had never done a single trek got motivated to choose a moderately challenging trek as her first trek, and that too with a group of strangers with one of her friends who was pro in trek adventures. Valley of Flowers considered a monsoon trek, is one of the beautiful trails with a surreal experience, teaching trekkers different lessons on the way, including patience, consistency, perseverance, and faith. I checked the itinerary multiple times, but not once did I seriously explore what that trek held for me being a non-trekker because somewhere in the back of my mind, I had doubts whether I should go...