A Solo Trek Through the Himalayas: From Snow to Rhododendrons

I spent the last night at 3700 meters, this place is Panar Bugyal. Bugyal means grassland. Yesterday I reached Panar Bugyal from Rudranath temple with an uncle walking on snow. Yesterday it took many hours to cover a distance of 6 km and I was very tired because crossing the snow upto my knees took out all the energy of my body. In today's post I will tell how I reached Sagar village from Panar Bugyal.

Last night I slept in the hut present here, due to the good sleeping bag I slept very well and warm. In the morning I woke up late and after eating the chocolate I had brought with me for breakfast, I packed my bag and sleeping bag and tied it in my rucksack. Today my destination is Sagar village from where I started my journey a few days ago.

The climb to Panar Bugyal had ended yesterday itself, today the whole route is down hill. So I start in the morning when the sun comes out, now I have to cross only one patch which is covered with snow. I walk slowly and cross this snowy path and look at the mountains visible in the distance. When the cold wind hits my face, then I really want to forget everything and stop here.

Some of the mountains visible in the distance look as if a monk has been engrossed in meditation for centuries, I am a bit of a religious type of person and I love mountains so much that I bow down before them and move on. I have now come down from Panar Bugyal which was above the tree line. Here the forest is in its full glory and witnessing this view really feels like a blessing.

As soon as I enter the forest, the rhododendron flowers have covered the whole nature with their red and pink colors, I am alone in this forest and believe me these colors have also colored all the emotions. Even though I am alone, I am not alone here...this fragrance will go home with me. It has been 2 hours of walking and looking at these views, I am not even aware of the time.

After walking for another 5 km, I finally reach Sagar village which is situated at an altitude of 1800 meters. Here is a temple of King Sagar, a descendant of Lord Shri Ram. After staying alone in the mountains for the last 3 days, I do not feel like going back now. I will treat myself and spend a few days in Haridwar where Maha Kumbh is going on right now. I will bathe in the Ganga and head home. That is all for today. I will meet you again in the next post where I will tell you about another trip.

Disclaimer: This post is originally written in Hindi and I have used Google Translator to translate the Hindi text in English. All the photos have been clicked by me from Canon 77D.