MCLEODGANJ, HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA

Have a long weekend on hand? Time to plan one so needed getaway!

Mcleodganj is one of those few places which is on almost every wanderlust bucket list ever made. Almost, because the rest fall into the 'been there; done that' category. Soo.. if you don't want to look at another face during this vacation, it's not for you this time. But if wanna meet cool new people and just might wanna strike into your new found great travel buddy as well, read on.

Pine covered lands and hill covered skies is what my heart longs for [on way to Triund]

Mcleodganj, also called the Dalai Lama's land is serene! Despite all the people buzzing around you, if you do not experience calm at heart, you know where to find me. I've read n number of stories of people who went to this place and called it home. And more of those who talk about it more than they talk about home :p
Get my point?

I am a road trip person and so i, with 2 other friends, took an overnight HRTC bus from Delhi to Mcleodganj (takes 11-12 hrs including one dinner stop and is generally on time from both sides). You don't want to see all those cities that you see everyday anyway, do you? So when your eyes open in the morning, you'll be riding on picturesque hills bringing you to Dharamshala and then soon Mcleodganj. The sights are beautiful and so is the destination.

You can, with utmost ease, get your HRTC bookings done here... http://www.hrtc.gov.in/hrtctickets/ 

It does have a few touristy places to go to, like...

• Bhagsu waterfall
• Dal lake
• Temples
• Monasteries
• A museum
• Mall road (which have considerably nice stuff unlike just keychains with names on it)

First, let me cover the mall road point. They sell great accessories. Girls ;) 

And you'll find shawls made of yak wool which is super soft and super comfortable. Other woollen items are equally good and useable too. Also you'll find many little shops here and there offering you cool souvenirs.

And back to my personal fav, wandering point.

If you're someone who'd like to spend your time better wandering around, Triund is your way to go!

It's a 9km steep and steps trek which might take every drop of motivation out of you if you're a non-walker. There's a 2-3 km road uphill from Mcleodganj main square which takes you to the point where you register your names and start up to Triund. Pack light, preferably get a room in Mcleodganj, leave your luggage there and carry just the important stuff. Also i'd suggest you to make prior bookings online for your stay to enjoy as much as 50% discounted rates. We chose "The Pink House", which is one of the most recommended ones there, and is just a perfect bit away from the main mall road buzz.

Go slow, in peace and having fun; and it's not as difficult as it may seem initially. There are a few rest points on the way to get water, tea, juices, noodles, other dry munchies, etc. First one being the 'Magic View'.

Magic View, the first rest point on your way up to Triund

Note:- Prices will rise as the height from sea level rises!

You can either spend the night up on the meadows of Triund, in a sleeping bag, under a tent, in bone chilling weather. Or you can trek back down the same day. There's not much to do up there except a big green grassy meadow having 3 little tin roofed shops to offer you tents on rent and take care of your hunger and thirst with a close view of the Dhauladhar Ranges.

The forest rest house situated on Triund
[booked personally only (if available), from the forest department office in Mcleodganj]

Many sites say that renting tents should be taken care of well before as they might be out of it up there when you reach. So for the facts, in peak times, the shops in Triund actually do run out of available tents. But they know well about how much tourist is going to be there at what times and a little enquiry from a few local people in Mcleodganj market itself will suggest you what's better to do right then. We found ours at Triund and thankfully didn't have to carry it with us all the way. You can also get in contact with guides from Mcleodganj main square and they'll help you with carrying a bit baggage too. You'll find tents, on per day rent basis, in 3 sizes- single, double and triple. The price will include the tent, a base mat and the sleeping bags.

They'll show you the area under their control and you can ask them to place your tent at your own favourable spot facing your own desired direction

The trek can be elongated if wished for, to 2 days and further to Ilaka, after admiring Triund.

Capturing sunrise from Triund point of view

What we did was just trek to Triund the same day we reached, met and befriend new people on the way, stayed the night up, walked back the next day and partied the evening in Mcleodganj. Next day was given away to shopping and a pre booked overnight bus to home sweet home.

Carpe Diem, lies on the left diversion of the mall road [picture credits- google images]

Last but not the least, A HUGE SHOUTOUT TO CARPE DIEM. There's this place, in Mcleodganj, called Carpe Diem. Its a cafe cum restaurant and it records the coolest evening i ever spent on a vacation! The prices are so down to earth, and the ambience when the jam sessions start at dusk gets you so high. The perfect combo, isn't it?

English breakfast at carpe diem [picture credits- google images]

You can leave pictures and memories written under the table glass, eat and drink your heart out or just go sing and dance with the band.

P.S.- My experience and the pictures are dated back to November 2015.

Tried to give away the most needed information for your getaway vacation, contact me for any other details and I'd get to you asap.

Been to Triund/Mcleodganj?

Been to Carpe Diem? Any other cool must go places up there you wanna shoutout to?

Felt relatable?
Leave your presence in the comments :D

OM MA NI PADME HUM, OM MA NI PADME HUM

- go to Mcleodganj and you'll know why ;)