I’ve done treks before, through the Sahyadris, parts of the Western Ghats and even a short stretch of the Nilgiris, but this was my first time trekking the Himalayas. So, I finally blocked a week off work, packed my worn-in boots, and signed up for my first Himalayan trek.
I went with a six-day trek-package that started from the Sankri base camp in Uttarakhand and led to the Kedarkantha summit. Previously, I had read a few Thrillophilia Reviews before booking, and they included all the practical stuff that helped me know what to expect from this trek.
Day 1: Arrival at Sankri – Meeting the Mountains
It was quite early in the morning that I reached Dehradun and my pickup was already waiting with a placard in hand. After an eight-hour winding ride through pine forests and along riversides, I reached Sankri. Somewhere around Purola, we stopped for chai and aloo parathas, and it hit me, I was finally here. That distinct Himalayan chill, even under the sun, made everything feel crisper.
By the time we reached Sankri in the evening, our group was welcomed with warm smiles, hot soup, and an introduction session with the trek leaders. The tents were neatly pitched, sleeping bags already placed inside, and I met fellow trekkers from all across India.
Day 2: Sankri to Juda ka Talab – Into the Pine Forests
After a solid breakfast of poha, eggs, and tea, we began the trek to Juda ka Talab. The path was mostly uphill, winding through dense pine and oak forests. The silence here wasn’t empty, it was filled with the crunch of leaves, the occasional distant call of a Himalayan magpie, and soft murmurs between trekkers catching their breath.
About halfway up, we stopped at a clearing where a local family offered warm rhododendron juice. They belonged to the Uttarkashi region, and their stories of growing up in these hills added a whole new layer of meaning to the landscape.
By late afternoon, we reached Juda ka Talab, a frozen lake wrapped in a peaceful hush. Our tents were pitched near the tree line, and the view was simply breathtaking.
The package I chose did not include dinner, so I went to a nearby eatery and had some rice, dal, and sabzi, piping hot and filling. We ended the evening huddled around a bonfire, trading stories while the wind whistled softly through the trees.
Day 3: Juda ka Talab to Kedarkantha Base Camp – Snow & Silence
The next stretch took us higher, and we began spotting snow patches along the trail. The temperature dropped steadily, and by the time we reached base camp, the landscape had transformed into a winter postcard.
The base camp was perched on an open slope with a direct view of the Kedarkantha summit. Lunch was hot khichdi with pickle and papad, and trust me, it felt like a five-star meal after four hours of trekking in the cold.
I wandered around the camp a little before sundown and realised that the peace here was different, deep, grounded, and strangely emotional. Later, I sat quietly beside the guides as they prepped gear and gave us a safety briefing for summit day.
Day 4: Summit Day – A Morning That Changed Me
We started climbing at 3 AM, the sky still full of stars, with our headlamps lighting up the snow. The silence was surreal, just footsteps crunching in the snow and your breath forming clouds in the freezing dark.
About two hours in, the trail steepened, but we moved slowly, helping each other across icy patches. At one point, I paused to look back, and there below me was the sleeping world, twinkling with patches of faint light.
Reaching the summit just as the sun rose felt unreal. The peaks turned orange, the valley stretched endlessly, and everyone stood quietly for a moment. Some cried, some cheered, some took a hundred photos, but I just sat, took off my gloves, and let the cold bite into my skin, grounding me in that moment.
At the summit, our guide pointed out Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, and Black Peak, legends among mountaineers. It felt like standing in the presence of giants.
We headed back down slowly, stopping at a ridge where we ate the best bowl of Maggi I’ve ever had.
Day 5 & 6: Descent, Villages & Warm Goodbyes
The descent was easier, but emotional. We passed by tiny Garhwali villages where kids waved from rooftops and the locals smiled with that same quiet dignity you often see in mountain people.
We spent one final night at a homestay near Sankri, where we were served rajma-chawal, gur ki roti, and even got a taste of local chutney made with bhang seeds. It felt less like being a guest and more like being welcomed into someone’s home.
The next morning, our vehicles arrived to pick us up and just like that, the trek was over.
Final Reflections
This wasn’t my first trek, but it was the one that moved me the most. The terrain was challenging but not impossible, the camps were comfortable, and most importantly, the people, both the staff and the locals, made the journey what it was.
I had read a couple of reviews of Thrillophilia that mentioned how well the trek leaders handled emergencies and kept everyone motivated. There was no fuss, no drama, just a calm confidence that made you feel safe, even at 12,000 feet.
To anyone wondering if the Himalayas are worth the hype: yes, they are. Not because of the Instagram shots, but because of how human and alive they make you feel. This trek reminded me that adventure isn’t always loud, it can be slow, silent, and absolutely unforgettable.
I’ll carry the snow trails, the smell of pine, the taste of Maggi in the wind, and the crackle of bonfire laughter with me for a long, long time.
And if you’re looking for something that’s real, raw, and quietly beautiful, then just lace up your boots and go.