My Trek to Rolla and Chalocha || Great Himalayan National Park || Himachal Pradesh

Trek to Rolla and Chalocha in Great Himalayan National Park

Blog || Zuba'r Saifi

As you know, I love trekking and exploring the unexplored. I got a chance to trek to Rolla and Chalocha with some amazing folks. Both the places are situated in Great Himalayan National Park. The Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), is one of India's national parks, is located in Kullu region in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The park was established in 1984 and is spread over an area of 1171 km² at an altitude of between 1500 and 6000 m. The Great Himalayan National Park is a habitat to numerous flora and more than 375 fauna species, including approximately 31 mammals, 181 birds, 3 reptiles, 9 amphibians, 11 annelids, 17 mollusks and 127 insects. They are protected under the strict guidelines of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972; hence any sort of hunting is not permitted.

In June 2014, the Great Himalayan National Park was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.The Unesco World Heritage Site Committee granted the status to the park under the criteria of "outstanding significance for biodiversity conservation".

Do you remember I wrote a blog on three amazing travelers on Instagram? One of them, Pooja Sundrani organized the trek and I joined. Let's start.

We all met at Delhi and boarded on a bus to Aut, Himachal. From there, we had a taxi to Tinder Village. In Tinder, we went to Tek Singh's house. Tek Singh was our guide and trekking company. I have been on many treks and I can tell you how awesome Tek Ji and his boys were on trek. Follow him on Instagram. Click.

Day-1 - Meet up in Delhi and Camp at Rolla 

Pooja told us to meet up at Majnu ka Teela, in Delhi, from there, we picked a bus. We boarded in at 6:30 PM and it brought us at Aut at 7 in the morning. From Aut, we took a taxi and reached Tinder, a small village in Tirthan Velley. It is the hometown of Tek Ji. After being freshen up, Tek Ji's wife made us Himachali breakfast called Siddu. It is like momos, filled with veggies and served with Desi Ghee. It was tasty and we had it first time in life. 

           

We started our trek to Rolla from Tinder Village. It was around 7 km long trek and we took five hours to climb up to Rolla. On the way we saw some jaw dropping scenes. Take a look. 

Let's have a look at the gate of Great Himalayan National Park. Its an entry gate to enter the forest. Here, you have to take permit and submit your papers. All our paper work was already covered up by Tek Ji himself.

We stayed in between our trek for a tea and coffee at a small shop at hill, run by an elderly local. He served warm and tasty tea to us that was calming our breathless souls.

We kept on meeting locals as we climb up. Locals in Himachal Pradesh are so cordial and kind that I can not describe in words. They always smile and never say not to anything. They usually say- "Thik Hai, Ho Jayga"

Dr Senneil, one of the trekkers, meeting with locals.

Beauty of Himachal can't be written down, I don't think I would be able to justify its beauty. So here are some glimpse of HP.  

We had packed lunch for the journey, so we had it middle of nowhere. You know hunger is the best sauce. Simple paratha seemed heavenly. 

Taking lunch on the way.

We finally reached at Rolla. Tek Ji and his boys set up tents for us. It was colder here than that of Tinder. 

Camp Site at Rolla in GHNP

We had so much fun in tents. We played many games, we were served delicious snacks and food. It was amazing. I think this was the place we made our bonds sharing our stories a bit to everyone. 

Day-2 Starting Trek to Chalocha from Rolla

Day-2 was more challenging and adventurous than yesterday. We woke up and made ourselves fresh in river's water. Obviously, we hadn't taken bath in cold water. Sigh of relief was, we had built toilet in Rolla, made up by Forest department. You can see in the pictures below. 

I, and Hrishikesh were the first who woke up, Hrishikesh clicked some of the greatest pictures of mine in the scenic beauty of morning. Then, it started raining and we slept again for an hour. 

We trailed off to Chalocha around 9 and we witnessed some of the most beautiful, unexplored beauty of Great Himalayan National Park. Take a look. 

Trek from Rolla to Chalocha is extremely beautiful that I can't forget this in my life. Passage is full of hills, wooden bridges, cliffs and waterfalls. Yes, you have to go through all. We were so fortunate that there was rain and it made everything more aesthetic. 

After four hours of climbing, we had packed lunched in nowhere between hills. There were hills, trees and fog around us, and we had sandwiches, juice and chocolate in our hands. 

Hrushikesh, Senneil, Zuba'r, and Kajal (R to L)

Finally, after facing so many hurdles we reached at Chalocha, our next camp site. We were so tired. You can see our happy souls in the pictures when we touched Chalocha. 

Dr Kajal, Pooja, Zuba'r, Niranjana, Senneil (L-R)

Chalocha was overwhelming for me, I sat alone for half an hour at river's edge. There was only river's noise and it was so calming, soothing and therapeutic as literature itself. You know, I composed 3 poems sitting there alone and one after coming back from Chalocha. That's how nature works on me. Oh Wordsworth! you were right. 

Day- 3 Going back to civilization aka Tinder Village

Yes, we had not seen a single soul on hills in the forest except us. (Relief) We climbed down in a day what we climbed up in two days. Some of us were frightened but it was fun. And yeah, we faced rain cats and dogs the whole day. Tek ji gave us raincoats and saved the day. 

We checked in a beautiful home-stay in Gusheni, and left it next day for Delhi. We clicked our last selfie in Delhi with a hope that we would meet again. 

No, that uncle behind us, was not a member. lol 

I met a bunch of fantastic people whom I would never forget

Travelling is usually a moment of remembrance, and if you get to know the good people in your journey, your travelling would be too awesome to be forgotten. On this trip, I got to know a few cool people and I learned a lot from them. They each inspired me in their on ways. 

Niranjana and Her Mom- Niranjana is from Tamilnadu and works in Colgate India. One of the few talented persons I have met in life. She seems to have a passion for everything in her life either work or loved one. You can say she has "monopoly" on everything. She is so caring towards her mother. Who knows me knows that I want to two daughters in near future if I would ever have offspring. And, Niranjana made my wish more strong. The way she treats her mother, is heavenly. And what to tell about Jayshree Aunty. She was so excited for the trek, omg. Despite her age, she never gave up and completed her trek like a pro. She enjoyed every moment and boss, she is a goal for future. 

Dr Kajal- My first line for her. The sweetest and most innocent girl I have ever known. And it's not an exaggeration. I really don't know a girl like her. She is old school and that makes her more interesting. She loves enjoying her own company, whenever I saw her wandering among the flowers and feeling the nature, I got the vibes that Dorothy Wordsworth used to do the same that William Wordsworth described. She is an aspiring surgeon, can you believe?

Pooja Sundarani- I have already featured her in one of my previous blogs, and most of you know how much I adore her as an off beat traveler. She organized the whole trip and I fortunately joined. I knew she was a superb traveler but she is the kindest, tenderest person as well. She is beautiful in and out. She was the point that bound the whole thread. She took care  of everything on the trip singlehandedly. I won't spare any opportunity of traveling with her. Amazing human being.

Dr Senneil Gomes- You meet some people in your life for a moment and you feel that you know them for a long time. Senneil is like her. We have talked a lot during our trek. You know vibes matched. She has her fingers in many pies. She is a doctor, runs an NGO, teaches art, create content for Insta and YouTube. It is so unreal, isn't it?

Hrushikesh- The reason behind all our memories of this trip. Why? He clicked most of the pictures you saw in the blog. He is really good in photography. We were awe and laughed at his stories. He is so naive and innocent. I wish him for his brightest future ahead and deeply wish he might have a girlfriend soon. 

Tek Ji from Trek with Tek- Tek ji was our guide on the trek. His company works and organizes treks in GHNP. He is so kind and passionate about his work that you can feel it on the very first day. What Tek Ji provided, I don't think anyone will even try. If you want to trek in GHNP, contact Eknath. Click. I didn't meet Eknath, but he seems so professional in messages and calls only. He will take care of everything. 

Tek G and Me

What we all shared was pure, and from heart. Memories with them will always cherish in mind. Can't wait to see you all again.