Day 1 of the Bali Pass Trek: Arriving in Sankri from Dehradun
8th June 2024 – Saturday
As the minutes passed after 5 o’ clock, the train began to slow down. The next station was Dehradun.
The sunrise outside was a nice view and I noticed that a new person had joined in. It was Kavita who had gotten into the train at Ghaziabad station and excitedly woke up her friend Harish upon arriving.
We got down the train and made a check of all the luggage. We then went and brushed our teeth in the middle of the platform at a public sink.
As we got out of the station, we walked on until a tempo traveller that was halted on the side of the road came into sight.
Quickly enough, our luggage was taken over by a group of 3 porters and they tied it on to the top of the vehicle as we stood there watching. There, another member of the group, Ashish, joined us after his bus journey from Chandigarh to Dehradun.
As we got in to the vehicle, we were met by a few unfamiliar faces. On the back seat were two people. I later came to know them as Bachan Rana and Prashant. Bachan was the founder of Himalaya Shelter, the group that we were going with, and Prashant was a content writer who was brought in as an intern to work with the company.
To our surprise, we were also met by another new face. His name was Sahil and he was a solo traveller who had been assigned by Himalaya Shelter to join our group for the trek.
The bus journey began. We were to reach the village of Sankri within 8 hours, from where we would begin the trek tomorrow morning.
We stopped at a restaurant for breakfast and ate a hearty meal of aloo parathas and curd. The restaurant had a huge glass pane towards its wayward side and that was when the first site of the hills came to be seen.
On the way, we stopped by and saw the river Yamuna, gushing against the rocks and exceptionally clean, a far cry from its polluted segments in Delhi.
We spent some time here, splashing water on our faces to relieve ourselves from the scorching heat outside.
It was also interesting to see the turpentine collection on nearby trees surrounding us. Turpentine is commonly used as a paint solvent and has various other uses in the chemical industry. It had a gel like texture that was a bit sticky to touch and had a peculiar smell. It’s also a highly flammable liquid which may have been an explanation for the abundant charred remains of pine trees close by.
The rest of the journey to Sankri, was rather uneventful except for the narrow pathways, several feet high above the ground, that would give me a short lived adrenaline rush each time the bus passed through one. Yet the frequent hair pin turns was a bit unsettling for anyone with motion sickness. (I learnt it the hard way.. yikes!)
Once we arrived at our destination, we reached the guest house and got into our rooms. There was a slight chill in the air but just enough to be classified as pleasant weather. Everybody got freshened up and we explored the nearby area and walked around.
There were a few more groups who were staying at the same homestay, as Sankri was the starting spot for a lot of Himalayan trekkers.
During dinner we were briefed up about the next days plan by Bachan and his team. We were to be there for breakfast at 7 am and would start for the day at 7 : 30 am sharp.
As we walked back into the room for a good nights sleep, I wondered what was next in store. Thankfully I could sleep quite easily that night and the next morning I was ready to finally begin my first ever Himalayan trek.
Bali Pass : Day 2, journey to Seema from Sankri
Bali Pass : Day 3, journey to Waterfall Camp
Bali Pass : Day 4, journey to Ruinsara Lake
Bali Pass : Day 5, journey to the Basecamp
Bali Pass : Day 6, a chilling ascent, summit triumph, and a snowy descent
Last Day of Bali Pass Trek: An Epic Himalayan Adventure in 2024
Related Blogs
August 30, 2024
Why Himalaya Shelter is one of the Best Trekking Companies in India- Trekker's Perspective
Read more
September 10, 2024
Things Beginners Should Know to Avoid Hiking Mistakes on a Himalayan Trek
Read more
August 16, 2024
Day 6 of Bali Pass: A Chilling Ascent, Summit Triumph, and a Snowy Descent
Read more
August 16, 2024
My first ever Himalayan trek: Day 0 of the Bali Pass, arriving in Dehradun
Read more
July 22, 2024
The Top 5, 8000-meter Peaks: This is every climber’s dream if ever one is dreamed, and I hope it is still dreamable.
Read more
July 22, 2024
The Tale of Legendary Mountaineers: An insight into the lives of Iconic Climbers Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay, Reinhold Messener, Rob Hall, Scott Fischer, and Jon Krakauer.
Read more
May 10, 2024
Butter Festival Bliss, Anduri Utsav: Trekking Through Tradition On Dayara Bugyal
Read more
March 28, 2024
Things to do near/at Sankri
A complete guide about the beautiful Himalayan village named Sankri. This article contains all the details that you need to know about Sankri. The best treks from Sankri, The best accommodation in...
Read more
March 20, 2024
Customize your Trek with Himalaya Shelter
A comprehensive guide for trekkers and adventure enthusiasts curious about the structure of a customized trekking program. This article outlines all the facilities provided within our customized trekking programs.
Read more
March 14, 2024
Top 30 Best Places to Visit and best treks to do in Mussoorie:
A complete guide about the best places to visit near Mussoorie, the famous picnic destinations in Mussoorie, best trekking places near Mussoorie
Read more
March 11, 2024
Best Treks to do & Best Places to Visit in Dehradun
A complete guide about the best places to visit near Dehradun, the famous picnic destinations in Dehradun, best trekking places near Dehradun
Read more
February 2, 2024
National Parks of Uttarakhand-A Journey through Uttrakhand's Spectacular National Parks
A complete guide to the most popular and famous National parks of Uttrakhand, India along with the trekking destinations associated with them.
Read more
September 28, 2023
8 Essential Safety Tips for Trekking in the Himalayan Mountains for a Safe Journey
Trekking in the Himalayas offers a unique experience, combining imposing peaks, serene valleys, and diverse cultures. Preparation and safety are crucial.
Read more
September 25, 2023
14 Best Destinations for Spiritual Trekking in the Indian Himalayas
Explore the divine heights of the Indian Himalayas with our guide to the 14 Best Destinations for Spiritual Trekking.
Read more
September 22, 2023
Solo or Group Trekking in the Himalayas: Which is Best for You
Explore the pros and cons of solo and group trekking in the majestic Himalayas to find out which suits your trekking style best.
Read more
September 22, 2023
13 Best Himalayan Treks To Do in October, November, and December in India
Discover stunning treks to do in Himalaya in October, November, and December in India.
Read more
September 18, 2023
Himalayan Trekking Permits: A Complete Guide for Adventurers
Explore our comprehensive guide to Himalayan Trekking Permits, designed for adventurers like you.
Read more
September 18, 2023
Discover the Top 15 Trekking Places in Kashmir in 2024 From Lakes to Peaks
Discover the top trekking places in Kashmir featuring stunning lakes and towering peaks.
Read more
August 23, 2023
Discover the Must-Have Hiking Essentials for Beginners in the Himalayas
Prepare well for beginner Himalayan treks: essentials, best routes, high altitudes, fees, and cultural immersion for a secure adventure.
Read more
August 18, 2023
Understanding Acute Mountain Sickness: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Discover the causes, symptoms, prevention strategies, and effective treatments for Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
Read more
August 16, 2023
10 Stunning Treks Near Manali, Himachal Pradesh in 2023
Explore Himachal's stunning landscapes with thrilling Manali treks. Experience extraordinary walks amidst magnificent mountains and serene roads.
Read more
August 14, 2023
9 Best Short Treks in Uttarakhand for 1, 2, or 3 Days for a Weekend Escape
Explore Uttarakhand's stunning weekend getaways with short treks, immersing yourself in nature's beauty and adventure on these breathtaking trails.
Read more
August 9, 2023
10 Toughest and Most Difficult Treks in India in 2023 to Push Your Boundaries
Discover the toughest and most difficult treks in India and test your endurance in the breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayas.
Read more
August 2, 2023
Essential Camp Hygiene for Health and Safety
Maintaining camp hygiene and sanitation safeguards health, environment, and water sources, ensuring an enjoyable, compliant, and safe camping experience.
Read more
July 25, 2023
11 Best Places to Visit in Sonamarg, Things to Do & Attractions
Sonamarg, in India, captivates with its stunning landscapes. Nestled in Kashmir, it's a serene haven for nature and adventure enthusiasts.
Read more
July 24, 2023
Nanda Devi National Park, Uttarakhand - How To Reach, Best Time to Visit
Nanda Devi National Park, in Uttarakhand, India, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning Himalayan landscapes.
Read more
July 19, 2023
15 Best Himalayan Treks for Beginners in India in 2024
Discover beginner-friendly treks in India's Himalayas. Experience breathtaking mountain beauty, push limits, and connect with nature in stunning landscapes.
Read more
July 18, 2023
Top 15 Highest Mountain Peaks of Uttarakhand in 2023
The state of Uttarakhand boasts of two of the top three mountains in India. Read the blog to find out about the famous peaks of Uttarakhand...
Read more
September 10, 2021
Why Is Hydration Important during Himalayan Treks?
Garhwal Himalaya offers thrilling treks. Hydration is crucial, and it's essential to drink water regularly, even in colder temperatures.
Read more
February 1, 2024
Why Bali Pass Should Be Your Next Trek?
Why Bali Pass Trek should be your very next trek? The complete guide. This artiucle has answer of almost all your questions.
Read more
February 28, 2023
What Makes Har Ki Dun Valley a Popular Trekking Destination in Uttarakhand?
Har Ki Dun: Popular Trek in Uttarakhand with Breathtaking Views of Himalayan Peaks, Meadows, and Rivers.
Read more