The Hidden Haven Of The Himalayas | INDIA (Guest Series: 09)

Let me take you back three years, its late March 2017. I, at the time studying in College and working had very little free time. One day, around 5 pm I received a call from work saying that I would be off for the next three days. 

Quickly I started to think what I could do in three days. Where could I go? I had hardly been out of Punjab at this point. After a few google searches I found a place called Bir, which I had never heard of before, I didn’t know much about this place, only that it was the nearest ‘mountain peak’ to Amritsar 300 km away, to be honest I didn’t really care where I went, as long as I went somewhere. By 6 pm I had made up my mind that that Bir is where I should go and that too on my bullet. All I needed to do was find some people to go with me, I called my best friend, told him my plan and all he replied was ‘when?’ and to his surprise I said ‘now’, obviously he agreed. We rallied a couple more friends and by 9 pm our small group of 4 set off on our bikes for the first time in our lives, not knowing where we would be sleeping or eating but an eagerness to get there. We road through the night, we entered the district of Kangra around midnight, and could just about make out the mountains with the help of a few flickering street lights, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, it was like something out of a movie, thick untouched snow pillowed on top of perfectly placed mountains. We continued our journey, some 16 km away from Bir. we were stopped in our tracks, not by police or a wild animal, but by the snow!

Reaching to nearly our knees our trusted bikes could not take us any further, we had no option but the walk the remainder of the way. We parked our bikes to the side, took our bags and walked and walked and walked in minus weather with snow up to our knees. On our way up the bumped into an old man who was closing his small shop, with a shocked tone he asked us where we were going, we just replied ‘up’ then he asked where we were sleeping and we said we will try and find some hotel, he laughed at our innocence and explained that in this minus weather you can not safely make it up the mountain let alone find a place to stay. He opened up his shop gave us some sleeping bags and told us to spend the night here. We had a few drinks which helped keep us warm in the cold weather and slept. I woke up first like a child on their birthday, bright and early, earlier then I had ever woken up for school or college. I wanted to see the mountains, I wanted to feel the snow I wanted to see it under the light of the sun and not a flickering street lamp. 

the view was breath taking, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, it lit a fire inside me I realized I hadn’t seen anything that this world had to offer, the way I looked at life changed so much just from opening my eyes and looking at what was around me. The kind old man offered us some warm tea and Maggie, we ate quickly as to not miss any day light. We thanked the old man for his kindness tipped him and went to explore. Whilst walking up the mountains we met two paragliding instructors, they told us that its very early, there is not too much rush and the winds are calm, if you want to fly now is your chance. We all looked at each other, nodded and followed them to the top. I don’t remember much, just feeling a little scared, it was a massive drop and I had never done anything like this before.

I mustered up the courage, put on the harness and said a little prayer. The instructor said ‘run’ I remember saying ‘where?’ there were only a few meters of ground and then nothing, he said ‘just run’ so that’s what I did, I ran and then we jumped. With that came my scream, I hadn’t screamed so loud before, kept my eyes open and took in the unbelievable view. The feeling of being free, light no worries nothing to think about just living in the moment and enjoying nature. When I landed I remember saying to myself ‘yes, you did it’ I was so happy I wanted to go again and again I wanted to feel that Adrenalin rush and the cold wind on my face. 

We ate, took some pictures and collected our bikes and made our way back home. Its been three years since this trip, since then I have been on many road trips but nothing compares to the this, even though it was my shortest trip with the least planning it taught me so much, how to appreciate the small things like a cup of warm tea or a view. Everywhere I go I seek that rush that I got from paragliding, I seek laughter with my friends while our boots are filled with snow. But most importantly this trip taught me that sometimes the best things require the least planning, all you need in life is a good view, good friends and a warm cup of tea.

Please take a trip hear and let me know it was! If you liked my story please comment below and follow me on Instagram @nomad.punjabi where you can keep up to date with my travel journey. Happy travelling

       Story By: Nomad Punjabi | Country: India_

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