Mountain Echoes – Part-1

Aditi Ghosh

There is already festivity in the air, but yet to get the feel of full autumn ( শরৎ ) as the southwest monsoon could not retreat due to western disturbances. But who can ignore the calling of mountains? We start for ‘Kailash Kinnaur’ at Indo – Tibet border. Took Delhi – Kalka Shatabdi( train) and then started our long road trip from Kalka( Himachal). Our first stop by evening was Narkanda- a small hill town after Simla on Indo Tibet road perched at 8100 ft and its slopes are perfect for skiing in winter. No snow now but full blooming apple trees all around. Rain continues to accompany us from Delhi, the heavy downpour of Delhi has only changed to drizzle here.

We start our day 2 after a heavy breakfast from Negi Dhaba which was established in 1950, much before my birth! We have a long journey today to Kalpa. Kalpa is a small hill town situated in Sutlej valley and famous for its apple orchards. The scenery is picturesque with endless waterfalls and alpine pastures, snow peaks start once we enter the Kinnaur district. Mighty Satluj river gives us company all along (numerous hydropower plants too) and we can also see military establishments, Kinnaur being the bordering district to Tibet. We took a quick stop at Nichar village, a small village with spotted wooden houses in Himachali style on the top of the hill with a panoramic view. It feels the time has stopped here. In another few hours, we are in Kalpa at 9711 ft just before evening.

The quaintness of Kalpa and its ever-evolving panoramic views of the Kinnaur Kailash mountain range are simply breathtaking. In the hotel, we find ourselves with apple orchards aplenty and the moment we look out, see the mighty Himalayas staring us down and reminding us of our place in life…we bow down in humility.

The writer is a globe traveller