An unplanned escape to Himachal

Some of the best adventures are the ones that aren't planned. This is the story of one such trip—an unplanned escape to Himachal.

Why unplanned? 

Well, my friend Ayansh and I originally had our hearts set on escaping to Kashmir. However, as the travel day approached, we reconsidered the plan. We realized that traveling during the week of August 15th could present multiple challenges like heightened security checks, road blockages, or even curfews. That’s when we looked at each other and said, “Do we really want this hassle?” So, in a spur-of-the-moment decision, we decided to take the same train bound for Kashmir but hopped off early at Pathankot instead. No plans, just a blank slate and a sense of adventure! And honestly, that was the best decision ever.

From Pathankot, we made our way to Joginder Nagar and checked into Ram Home Stay, a cozy place about 4 km from town. The moment we arrived, we felt at home. The place was surrounded by misty mountains, lush greenery, and the calming sound of a waterfall in the distance.

The night was cold, but our host, Mr. Ram, made sure we were warm—not just with blankets but with his kindness. He welcomed us like we were family. For dinner, we had egg curry and aloo parathas, served in our room just as we wanted. Simple, home-cooked, and absolutely delicious.

The next morning, it was still raining lightly. The cold breeze made the hot milk tea (fresh from their own cows!) taste even better. As we ate breakfast, we chatted with Mr. Ram about everything—his army days, how he started the homestay, the struggles of living in the hills. He even invited us to his home, which was a steep 300-foot climb above the homestay. The climb was a little hard because of the rain, but once we reached, the view was something else.

We discussed almost everything under the sun—from his stint in the army to his homestay business ideas, to the problems people face in the hills, and more. The conversation flowed naturally, without any filters. Mr. Ram shared that they have served over 1,000 guests since the homestay’s inception, hosting both Indian and international visitors, all of whom admired the place and the hospitality. Standing there, looking at the valley below, I felt like we had entered a different world—one where time moved slower, and life felt more peaceful.

Captures from my room

Next morning, we set off to Barot Valley, a heavenly village immersed in nature with serene streams, towering mountains, and forests rich with Deodar and pine trees. Deodar wood is used in various parts of Himachal Pradesh and the Western Himalayas. This wood is durable, withstands harsh weather conditions, is lightweight, and has good insulating properties, which makes it a popular choice for building houses and hotels in the region. Barot valley is particularly known for its abundant Deodar forests.

Deodar Forest

Barot Valley

We checked into Hotel Hidden Heaven, and let me tell you, the name was spot on! Right in front of us was the Uhl River, flowing calmly through the valley. The Uhl River originates from the Thamsar Glacier in the Dhauladhar range, winding its way through the Uhl Valley and passing by the villages of Bada Gran and Barot. That night, the sound of the river mixed with the raindrops made for the best sleep I’ve had in a long time. There was something about being away from the city, surrounded by nothing but nature, that just hit differently.

Uhl River flowing through Rajgundha

We stayed at Zostel Rajgundha, where we kicked back with some hot tea before heading out to explore. The valley was full of cabbage and cauliflower farms, along with local rajma (kidney beans). Watching the locals work in their fields, growing their own food, made me appreciate the simplicity of life here.

At one point, I caught myself staring at the view, completely lost in thought—what if I had a small house here? A little place in the mountains, away from all the rush. It wasn’t just a passing thought; it felt like something I’d actually want one day.

After spending four incredible days in Rajgundha, we made our way to Bir. Now, Bir is famous for paragliding, but for me, this place will always be about Siddu. Oh my god what a taste! I swear, if there’s one thing besides the beauty of the mountains that will pull me back to Bir, it’s Siddu. On the last day of my trip, just before leaving for my flight to Pune, I heard about an old man who makes the best Siddu. His little shop was about 7 km away, nestled between a waterfall and the mountains. Something inside me told me I had to go. So, with barely any time to spare, I rushed over. And there he was—an elderly man, sitting by his shop, preparing fresh Siddu on a traditional wooden stove. As I took my first bite, time seemed to slow down. The warmth of the Siddu, the sound of the waterfall in the background, and the old man’s stories—it all felt like something out of a childhood tale. It was dark, peaceful, and almost magical—just like the bedtime stories our grandmothers used to tell us when we were kids.

And just like that, with the taste of Siddu lingering on our tongues and the echoes of the waterfall in our ears, our journey in Himachal came to an end.

Sometimes, the best trips aren’t the ones we plan for months. They’re the ones that just happen.

Until next time, see you in the next adventure!