McLeod Ganj

One of the many highlights of spending time in this low key mountain town has been the short overnight trek to Triund. We scooped Bridget from the plane and hit the trail by headlamp. The 9k climb ends at a saddle in the high peaks of the towering Dhauladharas. As we reached the boulder-laden meadow that would be our camp, a light snow was blowing off the nearby peaks. We slept under a dense veil of clouds that, by morning, made way for the purple, blue and orange hues of sunrise. After a snickers on-the-fly breakfast, we headed up to the snow line to Ilaqua for views of the Indrahar pass that opens up passage to the Chamba Valley. Our path back to town followed a steep slate staircase and wound steeply through thick rhododendron forest.

Back in town the slightly glitzy, but mostly zen atmosphere is an interesting mix of the typical hubub dotted with maroon and gold robed monks patiently weaving in and out of the competitive chaos of the street.

Some of the highlights of McLeod Ganj so far have been the views of the lamb hawks that swoop in front of the "living room" window of our apartment hotel room, sitting for tea on the ridge below Triund with views of two valleys, wandering through the peaceful hilltop villages near Nadi, masala dosas for every meal, and getting stopped by an Indian family near the Dalai Lama Temple who wanted their children in a picture with me...the tables turned!