The idea of a women traveling alone is being celebrated like never before. Solo women explorers are mapping the length and breadth of the world… And they don’t settle for anything less than offbeat. And to bring this change in the outlook, many generations of women sacrificed and compromised. I have read somewhere –
                               I stand, on the sacrifices
                          Of a million women before me
                               Thinking, what can I do
                            to make this mountain taller
                                So the women after me
                                        Can see farther

And we can do this by changing our outlook towards our eating habits, exercise routine, preserving hobbies, nurturing relationships, traveling styles etc.

In 2016, after a long professional career, I thought of taking a break and travel to far distances, to make my mind and soul fresh. There and then I decided to go for a trek with my girl besties.

Trekking in himalayas is so much exiting and meditating experience. Trekking makes you strong physically and internally. And doing it with your besties gives you memories to cherish for lifetime.

We finalized on Trekking in Sissu Valley, in lahaul district in Himachal Pradesh.

Sissu, a small town situated on leh-manali highway (Lahaul district), on banks of river “Chandra”….approx 90km from Manali, has everything to offer for a nature seeker…..The spectacular view of grand “Palden Lhamo Dhar” Waterfall….bank of Chandra river…mountains covered with snow & its reflection in sissu lake…at altitude of 10,980 ft….a must visit Sacred Buddhist gompa dedicated to “Palden Lhamo” popularly known as sister of “Lord Gyepang” after whom the valley is named for……..
Less explored and less crowded, this destination provides visitors with peace of meditation, may this be the reason every year thousands of monks come here from long way to meditate.

A full too fun, camping, bonfire night, rappelling, river crossing…and much more fun. Here is our day to day itinerary –

Day 1 : Chandigarh

We took a morning flight to Chandigarh. we booked flight from Make my Trip and got good deals on flight booking.
Reached there by 2 pm and explored chandigarh.
We had lunch at the very famous “Pal dhaba” satisfied our taste glands with typical cuisine, makke ki roti and sarso ka saag with a full big glass of Lassi.

Then we moved towards Rock Garden, a manmade garden in a manmade and planned city of chandigarh. It is made up of remains of construction materials after the city development.

It was around 5 when we are done with the rock garden, and it was the time to visit “Sukhna Lake” and spend our evening there.

by 8 pm, we started for Manali, for a much awaited adventure.

We scheduled to reach at our base camp in Naggar, Himachal Pradesh by 4 am, as the security gate while entering to Manali is closed from 12 am to 3 am. If you’re traveling to Manali by road from chandigarh, then it’s advisable to reach or cross that gate before 12 am or after 3 am, to avoid any inconvenience

.

Day 2 : Naggar

We reached @ Naggar by around 4 am and rested in the tent alloted to us, until the time our group leader came and woke us up for the exercise routine. It was 6 30 am.

The entire day we were busy doing different activities like hiking, rappelling, river crossing etc. This is a day kept leisure to accustom to the climate there.

Day 3 : Sissu Valley

We departed for Sissu Valley early in the morning by 5.

Kept our excess luggage in the lodge at Manali and with just one sack, having only essential things, we left for Sissu.

The route was scenic and mesmerizing. Snowy hills with little to no greenery as we climbed up on the rohtang pass. Curvy roads and steep valleys took my breath away. Our permits were managed by our group leader.

We Halted for lunch after crossing rohtang pass. It took us around 9-10 hrs to reach Sissu.
By afternoon we reached and rested in our alloted tents.

Rest of the evening was spent exploring the area. The only helipad, Lake etc. There is also a PWD guest house in lahaul.

Sissu is a very small town in lahaul district on leh-Manali highway, with minimal urban facilities. Even it’s connectivity to Manali is lost during winter (December to February). To improve tourism and provide essential facilities to the people during low time a helipad is created. Even construction of a tunnel is in progress, after completion it will provide a better connectivity of lahaul to rest of the Himachal.

We were fondly exploring the area as our group leader gave us a good insight of flora and fauna in the region.

The one thing that fascinated me was one of our group leader, Ms Nutan. She is a localite. Her depth of knowledge about the area was tremendous. She is a good trekker. Climbing on tough slopes, taking the group along… She has done all this things with such an ease. I admired the women in her, the strong persona of her.

Day 4 : Sissu Valley

After breakfast we started our trek to Glacier point. We took our lunch packets, drinking water, napkins, medical kit and some very essential things only. During this expedition, I realized, the less materialistic things we carry the more comfortable journey becomes.

Hiking through narrow roads, deep Valley on one side and steep mountain on the other. We reached our destination and celebrated our victory.

Had our lunch on the banks of river chandra and after spending some time in the cold water over there, we began our return journey.

Evening was spent in leisure with our group, knowing each other, enjoying the bonfire night with Antakshari on old melodious songs.

Day 5: Sissu Valley

” Palamdhara”  or ” Palden Lhamo Dhar”  is a sacred waterfall in the area. It is worshipped by the people over here and the monks coming here.

Hiking to this waterfall was altogether a different experience. The farms, food godowns and top of it… Serenity of the water flow.

Day 6: Sissu Valley

This was the last day at Sissu Valley. We visited the monastery or buddiest gompa nearby. It was a good piece of Architecture. So calm and sacred. The ” Lahaulies ”  worship here.

In Himachal, there are different tribal communities. They differ region wise. Some of major tribes are Kinnauris ,Gaddis,Gujjars and Lahaulies. These tribes resides over different parts of Himachal especially in far remote area but nowadays the tribal people are residing all over Himachal.  Tribes are rich in cultural heritage, the music, the dance, the dresses are so unique that visitors are mostly attracted to the tribes of Himachal. The tribes of Himachal has maintained the balance within Tradition and modern values and education.

Monks come here in lahaul and spiti from far distances to learn Buddhism and Meditate.

We met some local people on our way to monastery.

The weather in lahaul and spiti is very chill, even in summer. So chill that, the rice kept to cook in the morning will get ready by afternoon. People there take a shower or bath once in a week or 10 days, even 15 days in winter, because water takes much more time to boil and it’s highly not advisable to bath with cold water. This is the reason why Rum is most popular in the northern states of India.

One should not go and sleep or take rest soon after hiking in lahaul, as it will raise body temperature and led to fever like conditions.

Below are some photographs for an better insight of the area –

Day 7: Manali

Early morning by 7 we departed from Sissu with many pleasant memories.

We Halted at Rohtang Pass to enjoy snow, also we celebrated birthday of my dear bestie at the top.

By afternoon we reached Manali, checked in to our hotel room and took a shower, after 4 days.  

Rest of the evening we spent exploring market in Manali. It’s advisable first to explore maximum market and then do shopping. It’s a bargain market. And we girls are good at it.

Market in Manali has a good range of pashmina shawls, sweaters, typically embroidered dresses, handicrafts etc. This market is a treat for girls to embrace yourself.

Day 8: Manali

Early morning we visited Hadimba Devi Temple in Manali. It is said that, one who wishes something here, his wish get fulfilled.

Rest of the day we enjoyed Manali, with a little raindrops and dearest friends… Some old, some recent. Cherishing the girl bond like never before.

We spent the day shopping, partying, enjoying the rains and chilly weather.

Day 9: Back to Home

Early morning we left for chandigarh.

Route to Chandigarh from Manali is captivating.

The spectacular view of Bhakra Dam, curvy roads, Green lush and dramatically cold weather… It held me Spellbound.

We had a return train (sampark kranti Express)
From chandigarh. Train journeys in India are always fun. And if you’re traveling with a group, then it becomes a journey to remember and cherish for lifetime.

Trekking and camping taught me many things –

# The less you carry, the more comfortable your journey becomes. May it be materialistic things, grudges, sadness, tensions, betrayals and many things.

# Don’t stop until you reach your destination.

# Don’t get frightened of the road ahead and stop your expedition, don’t think of returning from midway. Keep courage and keep going and you will reach your destination.

# Be adjustable. Adjust with any situation and any type of person.

# keep your needs less, and expedition will be easier.

# Friends and family makes the journey worthwhile.

# Nothing comes easily in life. We need to put hardwork and be patient. It will pay off in the end. Everything will be worth in the end.

# Eat fresh, Exercise regularly and be happy.

So girls, pack your bags and go on a trek. At least once in a life every girl should go on a trek.

Ladies, we have many responsibilities to carry. But don’t forget our journey. We have to reach out to our destination also, so keep going!

HAPPY WOMEN’S DAY!!!