The heavenly McLeod Ganj emerging out from mist before we leftQuestioned Amrita, the beautiful daughter of my friend, Tommy Singh.
I tucked delicious
Chetze, a Tibetan specialty in my mouth, waited for a while and said,
"Amrita, I think my age will ditch me on this so called "easy" and beautiful trek to "Triund". I know it's only 9 Killometes trek from here but still, I'm not as young as you guys are", I replied with a sadness in my voice.
"Don't worry uncle. If you get tired or can't take a climb on the way, I w'll bring you back" replied Ramesh, Amrita's hubby. Others, Gopal and Seema also joined them in pastoring me to come along. So, eventually I agreed.
It is supposed to be the most beautiful and an easy trek. Also called as a "Family Trek", being manageable by senior citizens and kids apart from being a favored place to visit by Honey Mooners who like a bit of spice in their newly wedded life and of course, by foreigners.
Our guide,
Man Singh suggested to do a 2 days trek. That way we can be more relaxed on our way up and actually take in all the sights.
Man Singh had already booked a room for us at Forest Rest House at "Triund" from the Forest Department Office at McLeod Ganj. You can arrange tents also from McLeod Ganj and can hire porters for your various requirements.
We left early from our Hotel-
Chonor House situated at Temple Rd, McLeod Ganj. Took a taxi to Galu Devi Temple just ahead of
Dharamkot (2100 meters), reducing the total trek from 9 km to 7 km and cutting short the estimated time from 9 to 7 hours. All arrangements had to made at Dharamkot like water, food etc.
The trek started at 9 AM. There was a gentle gradient in the beginning through alpine forest. A cool breeze was caressing our faces. I had no problem in walking. There were many paths leading you to
"Triund" and it's here that the services of a guide came as a great help. Perhaps a psychological advantage!
Panora
mic scenes stretched below — layers of hills housing small villages spread in the vast expanse of
Kangra Valley. As we went up a little further, I heard the silence speak in the sound of birds’ wings flapping. It was happy, free birds taking joyous flights, hovering over our heads, as we took rest, especially for me. I could see the wind and its presence in swaying tiny twigs and towering pines. The music of birds reverberated all around in their magical chirping. Wow!
The going got tougher. My mind was fully focused on the heights while my body was busy using all its power to pull along my tired legs. We continued to rough it out through a grueling course — walking on stony trails, yellow-brown fallen-leaf paths or jumping over an occasional fallen tree trunk. On the way, we met the simple shepherds guiding their flocks. We stopped at two places in between at shacks and had
tea and snacks.
Some sharp turns, steep gradients and then we were at Triund (2975 metres). The sheer magnificence took us unawares. We were told from there it takes just a little over an hour to reach
Illaqa (3350 metres) — the snow line. Then we saw two groups, both Indians. One group with two kids and their parents and I was surprised! It seemed kids were enjoying it! Laughing and running! The second one, a newly wedded couple, I think from Delhi, the girl with a typical attire of tight jeans, high heals and my goodness! Still decided to wear bangles right up to her elbows!!
Sun set at "Triund"
The Forest Rest House
The Rest House had just basic amenities. We met a young American trekker
Johnny living in the next room who commented as we were self introduced,
"Man, your country is beautiful. I am glad that I came here. The trek was just amazing. It’s so wonderful here. I will remember it for life." 
It's a family tea time at "Triund"posted by Global LABI was happy that I made it and then watching those kids, I was overjoyed! Yes, the heavenly "
Triund Trek" was a
"Family Trek". I was convinced. We returned next day back to McLeod Ganj.
Suggested itinerary:
Trek to- Guna Devi temple 2320 m. 8 km.
- Gunadevi to Galudevi 2100 m. 7 Km.
- Galudevi to Triund 2875 m 6 km.
How difficult or strenuous is it you might ask?
- Well it depends on the shape you are in.
- If you are the average person irrespective of your age
- If you are not overweight
- you walk a decent amount at least on a regular basis
- you walk to the grocery shop, to the bus stand and take the stairs most of the time
- don’t try and hop into an auto rickshaw at the slightest opportunity
Then you will make it, though a fair amount of huffing and puffing is inevitable. No special trekking skills required – just essential fitness and a good pair of legs.
The price of all that sweat is indeed worth it – the sight of the mountain so up close- like a sheer vertical snow-speckled wall right in front of you is something you will cherish for a long time.
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