Sorry, we had no data for two days!!

“Do yoga,” they said…

Our early morning wake-up call came at dawn for a sunrise yoga session — and what a way to start the day. As our instructor led us through gentle stretches, sun salutations, and deep breathing, the first golden rays of light crept over the mountains.

It’s not easy to still the mind when you know a big day of trekking lies ahead, but in that quiet moment — surrounded by silence, mountains, and morning mist — we all felt a deep sense of gratitude. Grateful to be here, to be healthy, and to be sharing this experience together.

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The Challenge Ahead

After breakfast, our tour leader Theo gathered us for the daily briefing.

“Expect it to be hard,” he said with a grin. Spoiler: he wasn’t wrong.

The day began with a gentle amble down through the village to the river — all very pleasant — before the trail suddenly tilted skyward into a steep climb through the forest. The air was still and hot, and the ground dusty beneath our boots. Every step reminded us that the Himalayas don’t give up their views easily.

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The Shepherds Without Masters

We haven’t yet mentioned our four-legged companions. Right from day one, two dogs joined our group — one black, one golden. At first, we weren’t sure whether they were strays or someone’s farm dogs, or whether they’d be friendly. But by now, on day three, they’ve become part of the team.

They guide us along the paths, wait patiently as we stop for breaks, and even guard our tents at night. No owners, no expectations — just loyalty, warmth, and trust in exchange for a little kindness and the odd biscuit or remains of our lunch. There’s a quiet lesson in that for all of us.

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A Well-Earned Break

Eventually, we stumbled upon a tiny tea stop aptly named “Rest A While”, tucked into the middle of nowhere. We did exactly that — and possibly funded the shopkeeper’s early retirement with our haul of Coke, chocolate, and biscuits.

Recharged (and slightly sugared up), we continued onwards, joining the start of the Triund Trail — the winding mountain path that would take us higher and higher into the clouds.

The path hugged the mountainside, weaving through shaded woods and rocky ledges. Our donkeys soon caught up with us, trotting past gracefully with all our camping gear while we trudged behind in the midday heat. It was slow going, but spirits were high — and the promise of lunch kept us moving.

Finally, we arrived at Magic View Café — a name that didn’t disappoint.

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Climbing Into the Clouds

After lunch, we pressed on, the air thinning as we climbed higher. The forest began to thin, replaced by rhododendrons and wildflowers. We could feel the altitude now — every step a little slower, every breath a little deeper. We climbed and climbed.

But then, as if rewarded for our effort, the path opened out to a sweeping ridge where the world seemed to stretch forever. The clouds drifted around us, the peaks glowed in the afternoon light, and someone said quietly, “aren’t we lucky.”

By the time we reached camp, we were exhausted but elated. Our tents sat on a small plateau overlooking the mountains and we sat outside our tents enjoying the sunset and perhaps one or two cans of Kingfisher beer that the donkeys had brought on their own long journey.

As darkness fell, we gathered around, wrapped in jackets, to enjoy dinner, tell stories of our day and then finally to bed, to watch the stars appear one by one.

And maybe it was the altitude, or the fatigue, or the sheer beauty of it all — but we felt completely at peace.

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