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A blissful leisure travel experience offering a perfect blend of food and fitness amidst untamed nature, the melodious chirping of birds, the musical symphony of the Tirthan River and more.
The beginning of 2023 was a time of true celebration. It was finally the end of COVID-19 restrictions, resulting in everyone ringing in the New Year with much pomp and gusto! I, however, had to work through the night of jubilation, which made me realise that I was on the verge of burnout and needed a break. So, I decided to look for a perfect place near Delhi to spend a few days and picked a special find called Tirthan Valley in Himachal Pradesh. Join me as I explore the ABC of leisure travel designed specifically for those looking for a break from the monotony of everyday life and wanting to become one with nature.
The road to Tirthan was flanked by dense pine forests, providing occasional glimpses of bubbling streams and the glistening Tirthan River. It was a special feeling as, for the first time in years, I was completely present in the moment and soaked in all of nature's beauty. I booked the Manali Volvo from Kashmere Gate ISBT at night and reached Aut (located 30 km short of Kullu) by 7 am. The distance covered was approximately 468 km. From Aut I immediately booked a cab to Gushaini, one of the quaint hamlets located amidst the pristine landscape of Tirthan. My driver was a young Himachali gentleman named Manoj, who had a playlist of typical 'Pahari’ songs playing on the radio, throughout the journey. As he drove on, the cool mountain breeze felt so calming that I went into a state of deep rest. I woke up about an hour later to Manoj’s voice telling me that we had reached our destination.
The relaxed and leisurely spirit in me grew as I entered Gushaini, a small village covered in a green carpet with colourful flowers blooming everywhere. It was drizzling throughout my journey with no sign of the sun. Upon arrival, I checked out a few places for my stay and came across a pretty cottage standing by the main road, overlooking the Tirthan River. Tirthan Ecostay turned out to be the perfect place for me to spend my leisurely vacation. The wooden architecture of the homestay was based on typical Himachali heritage buildings and structures. The quaint cottage offered spectacular views of the Tirthan Valley and was located amidst a mini-forested area. Though I landed at their reception area without prior booking, I was in luck! Fortunately, they had a vacant room with wooden interiors, a double bed, a small fireplace and a private balcony—which made it a perfect haven for rejuvenation. As I reached the place two days prior to a group booking, the owner, Mr. Virender Negi, graciously offered me a discount for my brief stay. Depending on the time of the year, the room tariffs can vary. Though it was the peak season, I paid only Rs. 2500 for my double occupancy room, thanks to the large-hearted discount offered by the host!
As I settled in my cosy room, I ordered some pakoda and chai, which I had been craving since it was starting to rain. The rain turned into a downpour by the time I gobbled the delicious snack. The warm room and comfortable bed got me feeling calm and I soon fell into a soothing slumber. By the time I woke up, darkness had already fallen and the raindrops had turned into snowflakes. I put on my warmest coat and ran out of the cottage to find the road, the trees, the blooms, the cottage—everything covered in a blanket of white! Soon, I was rolling in the thick layer of snow covering the road and found myself hugging every tree in sight! Mother nature truly has healing powers as I already felt refreshed and recouped after my long journey. Later, the host invited me for dinner, which was an authentic Pahari thali (platter) comprising vegetarian food comprising rice, green gram cereal, ghee-soaked chapatis, kheru, raita, meethe chawal and more. I indulged in these fresh and authentic local flavours and felt satiated after a very long time. After all was done and devoured, I headed to my room to gaze out the window and embrace the beauty of the snow-clad hills. I helped myself to a hot cup of coffee from the coffee machine placed in my room and found a book to read.
I slept like a baby and after months had the pleasure of waking up late and not feeling guilty about it. I decided to spend my leisure time indulging in fulfilling activities. I requested the in-house yoga teacher, Ms. Shailja, for a yoga session on the private terrace attached to my spacious room. We started with relaxing stretching exercises, and for once, I didn’t have to worry about getting late for work. I breathed deeper and better and listened to the musical gurgling of the Tirthan River and the constant chirping of birds while moving my body into various yoga poses. She did a great job as I found myself sweating on a cold winter morning. I thanked her for the session and headed straight for a shower. By the time I was out, my complimentary breakfast had arrived. It was a fluffy omelette that came along with bread, butter, a bowl of fruits and a hot cup of coffee. I savoured the aroma of coffee before taking the first sip and chewed my food very slowly—allowing it to melt in my mouth. With every deliberate bite, I thanked myself for deciding to come on this vacation. By evening time, the snow had melted, so I set out for a walk through the beautiful valley—chatting with the locals, sitting by the river, and even trekking a short distance to find the most stunning waterfall I had ever seen!
A local lady even invited me to her house for a bowl of Maggi and chai. She prepared it with vegetables picked from her own garden, and it was all so delicious! She told me how all her family members contributed to making ends meet throughout the year—especially during the winter months. She also mentioned that the ladies of Gushaini, including herself, were slowly getting into the business of knitting, cooking, selling home-grown vegetables, etc. to become self-sufficient. I truly admired her initiative to step out of her comfort zone, and this was the moment that changed my perspective—I realised how blessed I was to make a living out of my passion! Though I was tired of slogging day in and day out and certainly needed a leisurely vacation, however, suddenly I couldn't wait to get back to work. It was so heartening to see that though with limited resources, the locals welcomed me with open arms and warm hearts. As the day ended, my heart was full of gratitude, knowing that my short yet impactful leisure trip was completely worth it! That night, I went to bed with the faith that once I get back to work, I’ll be a new and improved person.
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