Here’s What My Experience on A Manali Trekking Camp

Since the Corona outbreak, we've lost a lot, and travel is one of the worst-affected businesses. Our lives have changed, and our travels have changed as well. We're now left to worry if they'll ever be the same again. Is this going to be the case forever? Whatever the reason, our pre-pandemic travel days today appear to be a distant memory.

Therefore, in order to escape from this uncertain and anxious situation, we group of eight friends decided to go on trekking to feel re-energized and refreshed. We chose Manali as the trekking destination. It's been two years and all of us were confined inside our homes. We finally called all the friends and thought of visiting the best place where we can go on an adventure, have fun and feel refreshed.

We googled certain destinations, viewed Instagram and suddenly a post from Soundaryasafar popped up where all the information regarding Manali Trekking Camp was given. Without wasting a second we immediately contacted them, inquired about the trip, and booked tickets. We all eight friends were too excited about the journey and started preparing.

As we were totally clueless about the trekking, we were used to making calls to Soundaryasafer to ask small questions such as what to pack, what will be the weather, what to take for food, and much more. But the best part was that they were always ready to help us and resolve our doubts without losing their temper. We all were really excited about the camp as it was two years and we could not step out of the city.

Finally, the day arrived and we reached Ahmedabad Railway Station. Our train timing was around 11.05 AM and we were told to report at 10.30. We reached before time, then we called Soundarysafar about our arrival but they told us to meet at the gate as another group was about to join us but Mr. Raj Bramhbhatt (our trek leader) met us in between, he started counting and gave a small introduction of himself.

After the introductory part, he also explained what things to be taken care of on the train and what we will do until we reach Manali. Then our seats were allotted, initially, the seats were in different coaches but after some time, Mr. Raj arranged all the seats in a single coach so that all can have fun and here I am unable to explain what beautiful moments we all have created altogether.

From playing games to singing a song to playing cards and irritating fellow passengers also, I really don’t feel even today when 28 hours passed so quickly. Then we reached Pathankot and at Pathankot Railway Station, there was a tempo traveler waiting for us. At that time I realized that booking with Soundaryasafar was the correct decision I took for me as well as for my friends as the management was so perfect timing and facility wise.

We got into the tempo and Mr.Raj told the driver to load our bags and luggage inside the tempo so we could roam around Pathankot without carrying heavy luggage. So I visited the local market, and took lassi. Trust me, it was a real Punjabi taste. We also took chole kulche for dinner and roamed around the city. At 7.30 in the evening, we again reached the tempo and started the journey to our final destination, called Manali. Initially, we listened to some songs and had fun but gradually one by one started sleeping as it was hectic.

Early in the morning, around 5.30 am, amid the cold breeze, we reached Manali but we were unable to find what was happening as it was dark. Then, Mr. Raj allotted a tent and told us to take a rest then we will resume again. We slept as it was too early but the first ray of the sun we experienced around 7.30 am and the view was amazing.

We were surrounded by the snowy mountains, and rivers and also heard the chirping of the birds. Fantastic, indeed. Then, our leader Mr. Raj came and told us to start walking for body acclimatization. The walk was different from the regular city walk as we were in the middle of pine tree forests. Then he gave us some tips, again we played games and returned to the campsite.

After getting fresh, we took lunch, and went for a small trek (the place’s name was Jogni Waterfall Trek) . It was a popular trek but our trek leader, Mr. Raj took a new path, however, it was a difficult one but the view was mesmerizing. There was snow everywhere, even though there was a water flow but the snow was coming out. We clicked pictures and started trekking again.

Then we reached Vashistha Temple as this place is famous for its hot water springs. The Vashisht temple is located in old Manali, around 6 kilometers from Manali. It is a peaceful village that is currently bustling with several shops selling largely pure wool clothing and lovely eateries. Vashisht is named after Rishi Vashisht, one of Hinduism's seven sages.

In the evening, there was a fair related to some rituals, everyone was worshiping God. But we all were curious to know more about that so we asked local folks and they told us that they bring God to take a bath at the Vashishth temple. Then we reached Manali mall road, explored the local market, did the shopping, and tried local food over there.

The weather was too cold, we took dinner and then did a bonfire. It was an amazing experience for all of us. We also listened to songs, shared stories with each other, and then went to the tent and slept down. Here I must say that the temperature usually reaches minus 8-10 degrees celsius but thanks to Soundarya Safer who provided us with good quality sleeping bags so we did even realize that we are sleeping in minus as the bags were too comfortable and warm.

On the next morning, we left for campsite adventure activities and did zipline, river crossing, rappelling, and much more. We were hungry so we took lunch and then started a journey to Solang Valley. Solang valley is popular for the snow point. There we did snow activities, and paragliding and had lots of fun.

Then again we reached the campsite, had dinner and had a bonfire. Here I must say the food quality was too good. After spending 2 days nicely, the day arrived for the main trek. We took breakfast, got ready, and reached Solang valley as the next trek was about to start here. We sat down in the tempo but faced too many traffic jams on the route and reached the valley around 10.30. From here we started a trek and the name was Patalsu Peak.

Trek Name: Patalsu Peak

Altitude: 4220 meter

As per the trek leader’s instructions, in order to finish the trek, one requires a minimum of 10-11 hours, we started a trek around 10.30, and we were gradually climbing and crossed the treeline around 4.30 the noon. Fellow group members were too tired, still, they were climbing and took a rest. It hardly took one hour to reach the final destination but unfortunately, we had to come back.

Due to sunset, the temperature was going down quickly so our trek leader, Raj Sir told us that it hardly takes one hour but it's almost 6, and it became risky for all of us. Moreover, the weather condition was also worse. The atmosphere was cloudy and there was a chance of heavy rainfall. So we decided to come back.

We started walking fast and within two hours, we reached Solang Valley. We were fortunate enough to have Mr. Raj was our trek leader, so we reached on time but I am still regretting that we could not reach the peak point. But yes, the overall experience was too good and memorable.

After reaching the campsite, we had dinner and all members went to sleep because all of them were too tired. On the second day, we did not spot that much snow so on the fourth and last day we did the local sightseeing and visited many temples including Hidimba, Manu, and then after lunch. Mr. Raj took us to Atul Tunnel. We did not know about this place as there was nothing mentioned about this anything in the package.

After crossing Atul Tunnel, he also took us to Lahul-sishu (the last district of the Himachal). We experienced a lot of snow over there and had lots of fun. Then the same night, we packed bags and left for Ahmedabad.

Indeed, we came with lots of memories and I still remember how adventurous and thrilling the journey was. If I ever get a chance to visit again, I would wish to go. Once again, thank you Mr.Raj for guiding and helping us throughout.