1. Trekking in the Himalayas- A Report
“There will be no lack of adventure of the mind and body for those who are prepared
to venture into uncharted seas and climb unknown Peaks” – Jawaharlal Nehru
April 13, 2013-
10 girls and 15 boys (Grades 7-11) form The International School Bangalore along with 3
teachers went for a trek to Himalayas in Manali, Himachal Pradesh. The group left on
13th morning at 6 O'clock with each student carrying a rucksack and a bag pack. After
early breakfast at TISB we departed form Bangalore by flight S2-4632 and reached Delhi
at around 12:30 pm and continued journey to Manali by Volvo A/C bus. At around 4:00
pm we stopped at Haveli Restaurant in Sonepat for lunch and around 9:00 pm at Punjabi
Dhaba near Chandigarh for dinner.
The travel from Delhi to the base camp Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of
Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) at Manali was a strenuous bus journey of
about 15-16 Hours. The last leg of this journey invariably excites everyone and the strain
of travel is forgotten. The air gets perceptibly colder; the landscape is noticeably
different; the broad-leafed trees give way to the dark green conifers. A few snow-laden
peaks make their first grand appearance, albeit at a far distance. It is a glimpse of
another world. We reached at the base camp around 7:00 am on April 14, 2013. After
registration, briefing, lecture on Mountain walking, Do’s and Don’ts during the course and
issuing of the instruments we all checked in to the Adventure Lodge in the campus.

2. (A view from the ABVIMAS)
April 14, 2013-
Arriving at the base camp signals the start of the actual trekking program. A full day is
spent in 'acclimatizing', a familiar term in the vocabulary of trekkers and mountaineers.
The day at the base camp is spent exploring the surroundings. There is usually a river, or
a mountain stream or a spring nearby. A nearby hillock may be scaled, or a local temple
situated at some height attracts our attention. We walked to The Hidimba Temple in old
Manali, which was about 4 km from the Institute.

3. (Hidimba Temple)
April 15, 2013-
After the breakfast at 8:30 am, we started for trek to Bhanaru Village about 7 Km from
the base camp. On the way we passed through Shabari Temple, Arjun Gufa (Cave), and
Takshak Nag Temple. The route is charted out by experienced persons from the trekking
organization, who have a good knowledge of the region. The initial day's walk is often
easy-paced, on gentle slopes. But this invariably gets tougher as the height increases.
We came back to the base camp at about 2:30 pm. After taking lunch, in the evening the
group headed to the Mall Road in Manali to enjoy local food and visit local market. After
Dinner they all went to sleep around 10:00 pm.

4. (On the way to Arjun Gufa)
April 16, 2013-
After the breakfast at 8:30 am, we started for trek to Solang nullah about 13 Km from
the base camp. On the way we passed through Manu RishiTemple (Only Temple in India),
Ghoshal Village, Bhurva Village and Shanag Village. We reached Solang at 2:15 pm, had
lunch at their and came back to the base camp by vehicle.

5. (On the way to Solang Nullah)

6. (A view from Solang Nullah)
April 17, 2013- (The joy of snow)
After breakfast at 8:30 am we went to Solang by vehicle and from there we started to
trek further to Shagara Dug (9500 ft. approx.). Experiencing snow is, of course, one of
the prime attractions for most to join a trek and many (including teachers!) go crazy with
their first contact with it. The group is taken to a nearby snow point and for few hours
everyone plays on the snow (sliding and throwing snowballs at each other). Making a
'snowman' is a must! We have been through all this and more. After lunch at Solang we
came back to the base camp by vehicle.

7. (At Shagara Dug- 9500 ft)
April 18, 2013-
After the breakfast at 8:30 am, we started to Aleo Village for Rock Climbing and
Rappelling. We collected the instruments needed for, and after the lecturer
demonstration, we have learnt techniques how to climb get down from the steep rock. At
lunch time we came back to base camp and in the evening we again went to the market
to enjoy local food and for little shopping.

8. (Rappelling Experience)
(Rock Climbing)

9. April 19, 2013-
Next Morning after breakfast, we started for the camp site name above 14,000 ft. The
group had a different experience staying in the tent in the middle of the forest. Sleeping
in a tent can be quite an experience. While turning over one might brush against a
boulder; a large pebble might keep poking you; sometimes an 'invisible' insect may annoy
you for a while. At other times, there simply may not be any space to turn! It gets pitch
dark. However, everyone is rather tired and sleeps like a log!
(Tents at which Children stayed one night)
On the way there were hill villages nearby and we have had some absorbing chats with
the local people. Through these we learn something of the local customs and traditions.
The construction of the houses and the architecture of temples are also interesting. The
people of the village were very warm and welcoming.

10. (A group of local children)
April 20, 2013-
After breakfast, we had packed our luggage and after lunch we started for our return
journey back to Delhi by the same Volvo Bus. We started at 4:30 pm and reached Delhi
and checked in hotel Radisson Blu at 7:30am on April 21, 2013. We had a plan for a half
day sightseeing at Delhi but due to some agitation by BJP and some safety issues we
decided to stay back in the hotel, enjoyed the amenities and food.
Next morning, after breakfast we were ready to return back to our respective
destinations. After sending all the children, we came back to TISB at 11:00 pm on April
22, 2013
The spirit of cooperation and togetherness that it fosters, and the way students learn to
handle inconveniences and uncertainties, is compensation enough for the stress one has
to undergo. They were accommodative of each other and learnt to shoulder
responsibilities.
When the trek is over, the sense of fulfillment writ large on their faces is a joy in itself.