With Deshatan this was my first project leading a group of 22 people from different age groups. Youngest in the group was 6 years old and the oldest was 55 years old.
07th June 2025
This time Sandeep and his best buddy Prahalad also joined me for this trek. It was Saturday so I gave my rucksack to Sandeep and went workshop. From workshop I joined them at Chowrongi where they were already waiting for me with a cab. One of my childhood friend Shyamali was in town she also joined us upto Howrah.
Our train was at 1700hrs. We reached Howrah station around 1530hrs. Few other members were already waiting there. Sourav and Malabika with their 6 year old son Hrik, Souvik, Soumitra Da, Deep and Manali and we three boarded train from Howrah Station. We all gathered at the waiting hall. At 1655hrs our train left Howrah station. Another team Shreyash, Neev, Tanishka, Dhristi and Keshav boarded from Sealdah.
It was our first experience in Rajdhani Express. Half n hour passed evening snacks were served. After having we were on our respective berths.
08th June 2025
Next morning 1100hrs we reached New Delhi Railway station. Another team from Sealdah Rajdhani also arrived and we all met at AC waiting hall of Paharganj side. Harimohan ji and Rekha ji reached Delhi by flight and they also joined us here at New Delhi Railway station. Sourav and his family already have their rooms booked in CWG Khel Gaon. So they went there. Harimohan - Rekhaji, Deep and Manali kept there luggage in cloak room and went to meet their friends and relatives. We also wanted to go outside to kill our time. But the heat waves and the temperature showed us the importance of waiting hall.
We all decided to stay back. Sandeep and Prahlad's childhood friend came to meet them. Around 1400hrs Antara also came with our lunch (Afghani Momos and Soya Chaap).
We cherished every bite of it. When Antara is around there is no need of topics to talk and getting bored is a myth with her. She can continuously talk for hours. Everyone in the waiting hall atleast once gave us a glance.
Evening we pleased our appetite with a large Delhi ki lassi. Around 1900hrs she left. Another boy Yuvraj also arrived. Our bus arrived at 2100 hrs. Yogi and Haritha were supposed to reach Delhi at 1500hrs but there train was so late that they arrived around 2100hrs. Gajendra, Poly also arrived in time. We loaded all our rucksacks on the roof and ourselves inside the bus.
Around 2230hrs we took a halt for dinner.
I instructed our driver to stop wherever he wants to take a nap, he almost drove overnight but early morning 0400hrs he stopped near a dhaba for a nap.
09th June 2025
Around 0900hrs we were in Kullu. We took a small breakfast break meanwhile few members went for rafting and few for para gliding.
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After all these activities we were off to Manikaran, but looking at the traffic we immediately turned our vehicle and cancelled our Manikaran visit. We reached Manali hotel around 1330hrs. Checked-in and had our lunch. Evening few visited Mall road and few to Hidimba Temple. Night 2200hrs nice chinese dinner was served. Everyone was very happy with the food and Stay facilities.
10th June 2025
It was a slow morning, after breakfast we left the hotel premises around 1000hrs. The bus dropped us near the road head from where the trek starts.
In 20 minutes we were at the starting point of the trek, few villagers sell walking sticks, you can hire them. They don't allow you to break them from the forest. You have to rent them. The trail starts from a temple, then passes through dense bushes to reach the pine forest. The initial part of the trail was very elevated. Until Maggi Point the ascent is a bit tough. Every step until you reach Maggi Point when you turn back and see the view you can see the beautiful Manali City and Solang Valley.
After this point the trail is less ascent, kind of easy ramp walk. We reached Maggi Point around 1215hrs. The trail from this point is very beautiful, a walk through dense pine and Walnut forest. Walnut blossoms were making it more picturesque. Around 1530hrs we were at Moridug Camp. Camp was already established, it's a fixed camp with big tents and nice dining area. First we had our lunch and then went into our tents. Everyone in small groups went for walk near the camp area and clicked many pictures. There is a swing where we all swinged and clicked pictures and made videos for Instagram reels. Evening tea and pakodi and then a nice dinner to end the day. we had our dinner bit early as next day we have to start for summit.
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11th June 2025 - SUMMIT DAY
We were already half n hour late. We had our breakfast and packed some lunch with us. By the time we left Moridug Camp it was 0630hrs ticking on our wrists. You walk through dense shade of pine and Walnut trees. Herds of sheep and dogs were adding on to the beauty of the trail. Sun was peeking in and out of the tree gaps giving a cinematic effect. We were slowly heading forward.
Around 0900hrs we reached a point which is a perfect replica of windows screen. We took a small break clicked few pictures and made some reels for Instagram. Soumitra Da, Yogi and Harshita were walking in front. Sourav, and his family were following them. After crossing this meadow we reached a stream filled our water bottles and continued, we found some snow patches and everyone was very happy to see, kids clicked few pictures and continued to walk. Time was ticking and it was still long way to go. We saw few people returning. They said it will take another 3 hrs to reach the summit. So they are returning. Ignoring them we continued to walk, but weather was changing, afternoon sky was full of clouds. Everyone was worried but we were used to such conditions in high altitude where every afternoon it's almost same scenario. We were having our raincoat with us, so we continued to walk.
Around 1400hrs we saw guide is returning with Sourav and family. He reported us that Soumitra Da, Yogi and Harshita summited and now moving forward will be risky as the weather is changing and it will take another 3 hours to reach the lake and will be dark while returning. Sourav decided to return because his 6 year old son was with him. I had a quick team meeting and decided to move forward with few strong members. I asked guide to take the rest of the team safely to Moridugh camp.
I asked Deep whether he wants to go for the summit, but he has to go without Manali. He agreed. Sandeep Neev were already on the top and waiting for our decision whether I will ask them to return back or continue to the lake. I waved them to stop there. Deep, Prahalad, Poli and me moved forward. In 40 minutes we were at the lake, boys were literally running with me.
It was 1420hrs when we started there and reached the summit around 1500hrs. We were walking so fast that after reaching spur just before the summit point Prahlad said my legs are jammed, so we sprayed some moov and continued. From that point it's a descent down to the lake but you have to walk through big snow patches. After reaching the summit we paid homage to the almighty and clicked many pictures and made some videos for Instagram reels. We spent some 30 minutes there at the lake and then started descending.
Around 1300hrs Soumitra Da reached the summit followed by Yogi and Harshita around 1330hrs and then Sandeep, Neev, Prahlad, Polaya Reddy, Deepayan and Jaydhar (me) at 1505hrs
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At 1745hrs we joined our rest of the team near that windows replica meadows. We were almost near the camp when drizzling started, few of us put on the raincoat and it was dark now everyone was walking like Pushpa signature step, dragging their legs. So we were moving very slowly and when we reached the camp it was 1930hrs displaying on my screen. It was a terrible situation when we reached the camp. Some 60-70 students were there at the camp who were going for the summit the next day. They were spoiling the sanctity of the camp. Smoking and shouting, making so much noise amidst such a beautiful location was making us really upset. I can't stop myself and during dinner I asked their leader to please ask them to behave properly. We are guests here and we must not disturb the flora and fauna. But his response was something I was not expecting. He said this is what makes our business going, if we treat them strictly they may not come. I realised that there is no point in explaining him. He is not going to listen. So we silently finished our dinner and slipped in our tents.
Neev came upto us and said Uncle let's do some bonfire, he arranged some firewood as well. Few of us joined the bonfire, had some fun singing and jamming. We spent another half n hour near the fire before getting into our tents.
12th June 2025
A very slow morning for all of us. That big team was supposed to leave for the summit today. Around 0800hrs we went for breakfast and still many people were in the camp only and few were returning back to the camp. We finished our breakfast and around 0900hrs we left the camp and started descending. We moved very slowly clicking pictures and making videos. Around 1430hrs we reached the road head. I was trying to call our driver but he was not responding. After a while I received my call but said he will reach us in 15 minutes. It was about to rain and there was no sign of our vehicle. I reported the bus owner as well. Then I asked my hotel manager to send a vehicle for us. He immediately sent his son Vicky and he dropped all of us at our stay. We all accommodated ourselves in different cottages. After lunch we all took some rest and evening we gathered for certificate distribution and feedback session. It was a great evening and everyone shared their experiences. After dinner we arranged a bonfire and had some fun singing and dancing, before everyone was slowly slipping into their rooms.
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13th June 2025
After a yummy breakfast everyone went for sightseeing. Me and Chaparamji went to Sethan and Hampta Valley to recce our next treks. By lunch time everyone was back at the camp. We had our lunch and took some rest. Around 1730hrs we loaded all our sacks on the bus and left the camp. A few of the team members wanted to visit the Vasisht temple. So few went to the temple and the rest of us went to the Mall road. Everyone was instructed to reach the bus at 2200hrs. Everyone had their dinners and reached the bus in time. We left Manali and the next morning around 0930hrs reached Delhi.
14th June 2025
We already have our rooms booked at Sports Village, Akshardham, but before leaving I went with Neev and his cousins to settle them in a hotel. From there we had some breakfast and packed some for Poly and Soumitra Da. We reached the hotel and took a nap before leaving. Our train was at 2200hrs so we went to Antara's house. She invited us for the lunch but we reached her house in the evening. Poly and Soumitra Da went to the Railway station as their train was at 1700hrs. After spending some time at Antara's house we left for the station. Neev and his cousins also joined us and we all had our dinner together. Their train was next morning. After bidding Goodbye to everyone we boarded train to reach home safely.
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