Triund Trek
Intermittent prayer flags and chirping birds keep you company on this hour-long steady climb to the revered Galu Devi temple. With spectacular views of the valley below, winding through forests, the path to the Galu Devi Temple might seem like an ancient riverbed. A few steps below the Temple, is thestand-alone cafe that serves you steamy noodles, chai and other snacks with a view of the valley below. After resting for a bit, we climb towards the meadow of Triund.
Pass a couple of teashops on the way here and stop for a cuppa while you take in spectacular views
valley of Dharamshala with its superb cricket ground below. A nearly 3-4 hour hike after, the meadow
of Triund is visible. Dotted with tents and a few shacks that sell tea and food to the campers and the
trekkers, there has recently been a sudden influx with tourism getting the better of these pristine lands.
Dharamshala
The Dalai Lama, little Tibet with nuns and monasteries, a spectacular international cricket ground where the bowler seems to ‘run in from the Himalayas’, this and so much more to un[travel] in Dharamshala. Literally bursting at the seams with everything Tibetan, from momos to monks, there are Tibetan souvenir shops around every corner and nirvana-searching souls of every known nationality. This former colonial hill station, in the higher reaches of Kangra Valley, is now the centre for the exiled Tibetan government. Restaurants boast of regular Hollywood patrons, from Goldie Hawn to Richard Gere, and often have their pictures up along with an amazing international cuisine from Italian to Punjabi.
Best time to visit Dharamshala
One of those rare places that you could visit throughout the year, Dharamsala’s winters could be
intimidating with occasional snowfall, but that’s all the more reason to visit for those splendid snow
peaks and valley views. Summer here is pleasant with a maximum temperature of 25 degrees.
Monsoons are damp and wet, but rains here aren’t very heavy, and Mcleodganj is still a pleasant visit
except for dodging the odd puddle.
Summer – April-June
Monsoon – July-September
Winter – October-March
Things to carry
Pack as light as possible given the amount of road travel involved here.
• Cotton clothing for summer and a light jacket would work for when evenings get cooler. If you’re
un[travel]ling in winter, warmer clothes complete with thick socks and warmer jackets. Carry your
windcheater and umbrella if you’re here in the monsoons as well.
• Sturdy walking shoes, mandatory if you’re hiking, makes sense given the amount of walking involved
here.
• Sunscreen, especially if you’re going up to the higher reaches. Usual prescription medications.
• Mobile and tablet electronic chargers.
Best places to stay in Dharamshala
• Norling House
• Glenmoor Cottages
• Horizon Villa
• Chonor House
• Serkong House
