Today I'm going to share the story of my two-day hiking trip to Azad Kashmir.
(Oh and yes, the title is a Coldplay reference. I understand I could have used Adventure of a Lifetime but I'm saving that for something bigger.)
Day 1, 6 a.m.
You would think it was a bad idea for my first college trip to be full of intense physical activity but it wasn't like that at all. I must admit I was almost on the brink of throwing up on our way to Muzaffarad but I held my own by taking small sips of Sting and listening to Noori. When we stopped at Kohala Bridge for a bathroom break, I had to take a moment to stop shaking but the pleasant cool weather and gorgeous sunrise over the mountains cured me of the motion sickness.
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| At Jehlum River, overlooking the Kohala Bridge |
Day 1, 10 a.m.
Our captain soon realized that letting us check-in before breakfast was a terrible idea. We were supposed to freshen up and come down to eat in half an hour but that was out of the question with 4 girls sharing a single bathroom and mirror.
Day 1, 2 p.m.
The first stop was Zalzal lake. A water body created by a a major landslide following the 2005 earthquake. The actual lake is a 90 minute descent from where our bus was parked. Before leaving our driver warned us to beware of crocodiles swimming in the lake. He highlighted the warning with a video of two suspiciously Chinese looking girls being gobbled up by a CGI lake monster.
15 minutes in, I became aware of the fact that it was a bad idea for me to hold a water bottle in my hand while attempting to climb down the precarious, rocky terrain. Thankfully, a chivalrous fellow offered to keep my bottle in his knapsack.
The lake appeared to be some sort of mirage, no matter how far we went it didn't seem to get any nearer. But after two hours of slipping and a little sliding, we made it to our destination.
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| Down, down, down |
Day 1, 4 p.m.
We barely had two hours of wading, swimming and even fishing in the cool water when the trek leader called for us to begin climbing back up. That's the downside of short trip, you're always running on a tight schedule. Surprisingly the ascent was much easier even with gravity acting against us. We did get a little lost but the cute little local kids came to our rescue by guiding us back to our bus.
On returning to the bus, we found the driver near tears as his mobile phone had been stolen. He suspected the local teens who were loitering near the vehicle of nicking it. When we complained to the kids' father, he picked up a heavy stick to give them the most brutal beating I've ever witnessed live. The boys all scampered to the hills with their tails between their legs.
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| Zalzaal Lake, Chakar |
Day 1, 7 p.m.
After chai and pakoras at a dhabba we returned to the hotel for a little R&R (read: charge our phones and cameras). Only after lying down on the bed did a massive headache strike, forcing me to skip dinner. You have to remember I was functioning on zero hours of sleep in the last 36 hours. I took an hour-long power nap and woke up feeling a lot better; just in time for a trip to the bazaar. And some kind soul had saved me a plate of biryani and seekh kebabs. Yay!
Day 2, 5 a.m.
Wake-up call was at dawn and we were all drowsy and grumbling. After a long session of giggles and gossip with the roomies we had finally quieted down at 2 a.m. to go to sleep.
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| The view from Sangam Hotel which is named so because it is situated at a point where the Neelum and Jehlum river meet. |
Day 2, 10 a.m.
We arrived at the base of Pir Chinasi, the shrine of a revered saint situated at 10,000 feet above sea-level. Even though this trek had a paved road, it was a massively steep ascent. You could feel each step right up to your thighs. I have no idea where the adrenaline rush came from because I powered through and managed to stay in the lead with a few others
(with frequent breaks to sit down, breathe and drink copious amounts of water, of course).
Day 2, 12 p.m.
It turned out I made that tiresome journey for nothing because right outside the shrine in big bold letters was a sign saying Auraton ka daakhla mana'a hai (Women are prohibited from entering). Not that it affected me; I don't really believe in that stuff. The scenic view with the snowy Himalayas as the backdrop was totally worth it.
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| Pir Chinasi's shrine |
Day 2, 3 p.m.
We only spent an hour at the top, most of which was utilized having chai and the most scrumptious aloo pakoras ever. While we were being rushed to head back, I completely forgot to buy mementos from the stall outside the darbar. I was amongst the first ones to reach the bottom which gave me and my friends time to take more pictures.
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| The Himalyan Range |
Day 2, 8 p.m.
We stopped at a restaurant in Lala Musa for dinner which was actually not bad. The journey back was entertaining with games of Antakshari and hilarious dance performances. But soon a feeling of melancholy set over the bus when realization struck that our two exciting days with new friends were coming to an end.
All in all, it was the perfect getaway right before finals. Even though, we were so strapped for time that we couldn't even stop to take pictures at certain points. And everyone basically passed out for 12+ hours as soon as they got home, skipping all classes. Also legs were sore fore at least 3 days after the trip.
But I would gladly relive those two days over again.
