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That's How I Got Leh'd

This is a continuation of a travel series. Read the previous blogs here..

  1. To The Himalayas - Unguided Solo Travel 
  2. Niti Malari - Where People Are Gods
  3. Heavy rains, Dark night, A stone cave and Me
  4. Loitering in Badrinath | Sadhus, Cannabis, Free Meal, Free Stay

 

 

The Heart's Walk

I was having a wonderful and quality time in the ashram of Badrinath, but somehow after 3 days into it, my heart started to run away to gather other experiences. I got restless and decided to take a leave.

To Ukhimath and trek Nandikund, and then trek the Panch Kedar was the plan. I was supposed to get a vehicle from Joshimath or Chamoli, but don't know what happened, I headed towards Dehradoon..

Let's Inject Some New Excitement To My Plans By Boarding Any Bus From Dehradoon

On reaching Dehradoon, I went straightaway to its ISBT. There were lots of buses parked, and I decided to play my luck by boarding any bus to my eye's likeness !!

At around 4 PM, I was seated in a bus to Manali.

With that, my plans had now changed drastically from the initial one, which was centred in Uttrakhand only. Now I was going to Himachal !!

Somehow Manali was very plastic and my camera became my best friend. I did not want to waste money on drinks and food. So I sought out corners to feed myself with Tibetan delight !! I knew I would be getting authentic Tibetan food here. 

A half plate of fried Juma ( spiced clotted beef blood stuffed into intestines, dried and fried before serving ) and 1 full plate of Pork momo.

Aah !! Full and Content. It was time for a good night's sleep.

Street Photography In Boring Manali

  • local porters in manali streets
  • children working in Manali
  • children sharing tea
  • a begger near Manali
  • baloon seller near Manali
  • baba near Manali
 

 

 

 

Getting To Keylong

Manali was overcrowded by tourists to my liking I didn't quite like that. If I liked anything about Manali, it would be the journey to it, and its authentic Tibetan food, in the corners, near the Government Bus Terminus.

Not to my heart's content was indigestible for me. So I started to overwork my mind to do something about it. I remember reading a book by Mr. Manohar Singh Gill on Lahaul and Spiti, which described the places in a most authentic way. Soon I was found on the jeep going to Keylong - the capital of Lahaul.

truck Leh Manali

 

 

 

.. And The Milestone Which Read - Leh 362, Changed It All

The drive was getting better with time and I started to receive the 'Drug of Thrill' to calm my soul.

Rohtang Top gave me a sad feeling. It was a fairground for some of the most irresponsible tourists and tour operators there. Good, that I was in a daily transport jeep which didn't stop there !! I had entirely different visions of Rohtang. 

Soon after Khoksar, the road showed a different charm and kept me excited, but it was on reaching Keylong when a milestone reading 'Leh 362' entirely changed it all !!

I spent the remaining of the day loitering around Keylong, but most importantly, booked my tickets to Leh, on an HPTDC bus. The bus would leave at 5 in the morning. I asked at the counter about the cheapest stay option here. He replied, in the bus stand itself, opposite to the counter. I checked into a basic clean dormitory, which ensured no security of my luggage. Rs. 50 per night. Food would cost another 50. Cheap, isn't it? 

Now, it was time to get some good sleep for an eventful journey tomorrow..

  • leh manali road photo 1
  • leh manali road photo 2
  • leh manali road photo 3
  • leh manali road photo 4
  • leh manali road photo 5
  • leh manali road photo 6
  • leh manali road photo 7
  • leh manali road photo 8
 

 

 

Keylong To Leh

Well, only 6 of us boarded the huge bus. 3 Indians, a Korean, a Mexican and a German. The rest of the journey was a lifetime experience. Himachali drivers, I tell you.. Till now I had seen humans taking shortcuts while walking. Now, I was witnessing a big bus, taking short-cuts in the treacherous mountainous roads !! UNBELIEVABLE !!

While all of them were sleeping or feeling dizzy, the route was extraordinary for me to even blink my eyes. If I had closed my eyes, it was only my right eye, to see through the camera viewfinder

For the rest of it, let the photos talk.

  • keylong to leh road photo 1
  • keylong to leh road photo 2
  • keylong to leh road photo 3
  • keylong to leh roadside canteen
  • keylong to leh roadside dhaba
  • keylong to leh flat road
  • keylong to leh sand scape
  • keylong to leh pass top prayer flags
  • keylong to leh chorten
 



 

Leh - My heart feels settled

The thrilling and beautiful drive to Leh already won my heart. Leh further did magic to capture my soul... 

"You will stay here for longer " - said my heart.. :-)

Stok Kangri - An Unplanned Climb

 

View User Profile for Suman

Every day I keep learning new things, but as of now, I think I can describe myself as a Loyal Himalayan Lover, Avid Trekker, Student Of Mountaineering, Amateur Photographer and an Enthusiastic Anthropologist. I am a Computer Science Engineer by education and previously worked as a Software Developer for premium IT companies. However, I quit the luxury of a high-earning corporate job and left behind the herd to walk towards the spiritual path laid down by the Godly Himalayas. At the age of 27 with no savings at all and being the only son from a lower-middle-class family, it was too young to fight against the family who in turn had to fight against the rules laid down by society. However, with my determination and perseverance, everything became smooth by passing time.

It wasn't easy for me as I learnt the hard way from mistakes - my own and by observing others. I fought 2 major road accidents that broke my right tibia and femur. I underwent 7 surgeries that kept me away from the mountains, but I patiently fought them all to get back to trekking again in the Himalayas with rods and plates in my bones. Despite doctors saying I cannot walk properly ever again to getting back to trekking on the difficult routes again, Life made me understand very clearly what it wants out of me in this World. It wants me to serve the Himalayas and its community, live a peaceful, content and simple life. That's what I have dedicated my this life to. I am not religious, but spiritual. The Himalayas define my road.

The Himalayas today is spammed by mushrooming trek agencies and big companies who take pride in being India's Largest, biggest, oldest, etc. They are exploiting everything for the sake of profit. It is in dire need of regulation by credible Government authorities, Sustainable Tourism Practices needs to be forced upon every organisation, Small Group Sizes needs to be mandated, Fixed camping should be restricted in alpine zones and Negative Ecological Impact Trekking Protocols should be laid down immediately by governing bodies. With all these objectives, I founded Himalayan High in the year 2015. Learn more about Himalayan High on About Himalayan High

Posted by Suman Chowdhury Thursday, October 1, 2015 8:19:00 PM Categories:

Celebrating 10+ Years of Himalayan Excellence

Over 10000+ Successful Summits with a remarkable 85% summit success ratio and 0% casualties.

Suman Chowdhury Montu Kumar Stanzin Clement Raju

Making Life Extra-Adventurous, We Create Experiences For Our Living

We are Incredible India and Indian Mountaineering Foundation approved proficient adventure tour operator and mountaineering experts serving exclusively in the Himalayas of India, Nepal, and Bhutan. We operate in the altitude range from 4000 to 7500 meters and support mountaineers from all around the globe, and of all grade in achieving their dream.

We pledge to realize our client''s mountain goals by all means and effort. From the moment you start communicating with us, we start building your experience right away by crafting an authentic, raw and immersive travel experiences in the Himalayan, blending uncompromized safety standards with deeper knowledge of the terrain, locality, sprituality, and professional skills which have been roughened and shaped by loads of successes and failures in the Himalayas. We maintain a harmonious balance between luxury and comfort on the treks, Our entire team from top to bottom, is very friendly, highly flexible, and, most importantly are genuinely committed towards your goals and will leave no stones unturned to realize the success on the summit.

Since our inception, we have been devotionally committed to responsible tourism with strict adherence to eco-friendly and low-impact trekking practices. While there are a lot of companies boasting of being the largest, crowdiest, cheapest or oldest in the Country, we in Himalayan High take immense pride in being one of the smallest, yet the strongest and most trustworthy service provider in the Indian Himalayas. Our professionalism, mountaineering expertise, morality, work ethics and business conduct talk for itself as we are a growing business without putting any effort towards glamorous marketting because thats not where our audiences are, and thats not what our clients seek as well!

Our pioneering SMALL GROUP Policy, coupled with a trekker to guide ratio of 1:2, provides us unparalleled flexibility and strength which stands as the bedrock of our exceptional success on the summits in the field of mountaineering. With us, you are in the absolute right hands to build your experience. Its not just because we are professionals doing our duty, but because most of our initial efforts are put towards understanding you and your requirements first, and not to draw you towards a rigid travel plan and ride you through. Our reviews boasts of the same.

Come, join us to gift yourself a life-changing experience in the mighty Himalayas. We believe, if a person is not changed from inside after visiting the Himalayas, he actually didn't visit at all!

Atithi Devo Bhava!

We are proudly recognized by

adventure Tour operator association of india recognition incredible india recognition indian mountaineering foundation recognition west bengal tourism development recognition

Our Minimum Guaranteed Promises And Unique Value Proposition

Commitment Towards Exceeding Expectations, Satisfied Customers and Happy Ecology

  • Objective Oriented - Safety First

    With an unwavering focus on the objectives of the trek, we plan the best for summit success while always prioritizing safety, and have a proven track record of keeping our this promise intact right from inception till date

  • Intimate & Immersive Journeys

    Committed to organizing lesser-done, un-crowded, less than 10 members trekking groups, ensuring an intimate and immersive trekking experience. Personalized plan make our treks dynamic, flexible, and successful

  • Professionals On The Job

    Our highly trained leaders are sons of the land and are professionals at their job. They possess extensive Himalayan experience and expertise, prioritizing trail safety and adeptly managing diverse trekking scenarios

  • Expert High Altitude Care

    Our high altitude expertise ensure impeccable medical safety, resulting in zero injuries or fatalities in our expedition history right from inception, reflecting our knowledge & commitment to a set protocols, alertness, and mountain discipline.

  • Superior Sleep Comfort

    We arrange a cozy camping experience with double foam waterproof mattresses, down sleeping bag inners, sub-zero outer sleeping bags, air pillows, and double-layered all-weather tents for superior insulation and comfort during your trek

  • Eco-friendly Hygienic Toilets

    We prioritize eco-friendly, hygienic camp toilets, minimizing environmental impact and prioritizing trekker comfort and well-being. Our human waste management in the Himalayas ensures a leave-no-trace approach strengthening sustainibility

  • Tailored & Flexible Arrangements

    Our team is dedicated to meeting your unique and demanding requirements, offering flexibility, customization, and personalization throughout the journey ensuring creation of lifelong memories and friendly bond

  • Hygienic Dining & High Altitude Menu

    Enjoy a cozy dining experience in our mess tent, furnished with camping tables, stools, solar lanterns and buffet meals perfectly suited for high altitudes. Indulge in a variety of local delicacies and comforting meals that are easily digestible, fulfilling, and energizing

  • Unmedicated Natural Acclimatization

    We focus only on natural acclimatization for success on the mountains and our belief in our bodily capacities has given us tremendous success. Disregarding means of chemical acclimatization with use of diamox and other shortcut medicines, we rather take pride in achieving success in the purest form

  • Safe Water - Safe Trek

    We take enough caution to prioritize your health by serving natural stream water that is filtered, boiled, and treated with water purifiers before it is provided to you. We also suggest our clients take double precautions at their end too, answering our diverse sensitivity to the water

  • Best Guide-to-Trekker Ratio 1:2

    We provide the industry's best guide-to-trekker ratio of 1:2 for all semi-technical and technical climbs, ensuring personalized attention and support throughout your journey. This results in exceptional trial support and response to emergencies or crisis situations

  • Emmergency & Rescue Planning

    We take a lot of care for managing emergencies and evacuation on the trek and take all required steps firstly to prevent, and then to respond to it on uneventful situations. Small things like taking extra resources, monitoring daily health, etc are a part of it.

  • Leave No Trace Policy

    We implement a comprehensive waste management process from procurement to disposal. Our commitment extends beyond social media posts, ensuring proper waste disposal without leaving a trace. It starts from what we buy, to what we carry on the trek to what we bring back.

  • Low Impact on Ecology

    Our commitment to smaller group sizes, eco-friendly methodologies, waste management practices, zero tolerance for fixed camps, and utilizing natural resources in the required quantity minimize our impact on the ecology, allowing for sustainable and responsible treks.

  • Boosting Microeconomy

    As part of our commitment to supporting local communities, we hire local resources and make all non-equipment and trek leader-related purchases locally. By doing so, we contribute to the growth of the microeconomy in the regions we operate. We wish to do more of it in the future.

Chasing Dreams And Creating Lifetime Memories

For 10+ years

                                       
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HIMALAYAN HIGH ALTITUDE TREKS AND EXPEDITIONS (OPC) PRIVATE LIMITED

We are ecologically sustainable and low-impact trekking company in India working in the range of 3500 to 7500 meters only

We only organize lesser done, uncrowded, customizable & personalized, small-group private trekking tours in the himalayas of India, Nepal and Bhutan

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 +91 9434062849


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Atithi Devo Bhava!