JOURNEY FROM GUJARAT TO MCLEOD GANG
(Optional read - Not part of my trekking experience)
Summary:
- Journey started from Navsari, Gujarat, on evening of 21st May 2013
- Purchased Trekking shoes at Delhi on 22nd May 2013
- Reached McLeod Gang next to next day Morning of 23rd May 2013
Journey Route:
Navsari - Kota - Delhi - McLeod Ganj
21st and 22nd May 2013
Due to the summer rush of Tourists I could not book a direct ticket to Delhi. I had to break my journey in two parts. I boarded the train to Kota on the evening of 21st May 2013. A connecting train from Kota to Delhi would drop me next day at Delhi by 10 AM. As far as my luggage was concerned I had purchased a new rucksack for the journey. The luggage had turned out to be heavier than my expectations. I was worried if I would be able to carry this heavy rucksack on my shoulders and trek for three days till Indrahara. Apart from this, on reaching McLeod I would have to hire a guide, tent and make food arrangements for my trek to Indrahara. I already had a sleeping bag with me so I was not planning to rent one at McLeod Gang.
My journey started on a good note. I was worried that if my train till Kota got delayed, I would miss the connecting train to Delhi. Fortunately the train to Kota reached 20 minutes before time at 3 AM. I rested a while at the station waiting room and boarded the next connecting train to Delhi.
Upon reaching Delhi, I had about six hours to catch the bus for Dharamshala. I had some breakfast and afterwards purchased a pair of good trekking shoes near Karol Baug. (For details see Trekking Shoes)
Upon reaching Delhi, I had about six hours to catch the bus for Dharamshala. I had some breakfast and afterwards purchased a pair of good trekking shoes near Karol Baug. (For details see Trekking Shoes)
It was 1 PM by then. By metro I reached Ramkrishna Ashram Marg from where my bus for McLeod was supposed to leave. I had a lunch at a local restaurant, the food was delicious.
The bus for Dharamshala was late by 2 hrs. To make matters worse passengers realized that the AC in the bus was not working. The bus had to stop for one more hour till the AC man repaired the compressor. At last we headed for Dharamshala. At night the bus stopped at a Dhaba for dinner. I saw that the Dhaba was specially meant for Volvo buses only. Expectantly the food rates were high accordingly. But the food was delicious as is expected in the state of Haryana.
The bus for Dharamshala was late by 2 hrs. To make matters worse passengers realized that the AC in the bus was not working. The bus had to stop for one more hour till the AC man repaired the compressor. At last we headed for Dharamshala. At night the bus stopped at a Dhaba for dinner. I saw that the Dhaba was specially meant for Volvo buses only. Expectantly the food rates were high accordingly. But the food was delicious as is expected in the state of Haryana.