Going on a trek
to Kugti Pass Base Camp, a high altitude trek at 15,000 feet with Trekking Adventures of Goa
(TAG) was a blissful experience as even a few days in the mountains can give
you tranquillity, positive energy and happiness.
We set off on our journey by boarding the train to Delhi on May
9, 2018, reaching Pathankot on May 11. From there, we set out on a road journey
of 195km to Bharmour in Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh, giving us the
first glimpse of the Himalayan roads.
Bharmour, situated at
an altitude of 7,000 feet in the Budhil valley, is known for its scenic beauty
and is home to an ancient temple site. It was chilly as we set out on our
acclimatisation trek to Bharmani Mata Temple, the temple of the patron Goddess
of Bharmour, situated at around 8,500 feet. The pristine beauty of the location
truly gave us a feel of spirituality in the mountains.
After getting
acclimatised, we moved forward from Bharmour to the picturesque village of
Kugti, covering a cloudy distance of around 8kms by foot. The campsite at Kugti
brought us face-to-face with wooden houses and their residents, who, despite
the lack of modern amenities, lived content and joyous lives.
Early the following
day, we set out on our morning trek amidst beautiful valleys and mountains, to
Dughi, a beautiful place for camping. On the way, we came across Kartik Swamy
Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva’s older son, Kartikeya. The beauty of the place
makes you truly grateful to be a part of nature.
On
the day to reach the summit, the sun god favoured us with clear skies and the
trek to Kugti Pass Base Camp at 15,000 feet started with much enthusiasm.
Challenging as it was, as it tested our endurance level, with sheer
determination and will, the participants made it to summit, where we remembered
the wise words of Sir Edmund Hillary: “You don’t have to be a fantastic hero to
do certain things – to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap, sufficiently
motivated to reach challenging goals.”
