Where the Mountains Answer Back: Brahmatal Trek Chronicles

I can’t believe I’m writing again after such a long time!

Of course, in this era of LLMs and AI everywhere, writing might not feel like it holds much “value” anymore. But somehow, I still feel the urge to put my thoughts down—just to preserve these moments in a way that feels real, personal, and a little nostalgic when I look back someday.

So, if I’ve decided to start blogging again, why not begin with something truly special?

My very first Himalayan trek—Brahmatal Trek.

This wasn’t just a trek for me. It was the beginning of something much bigger—a love for the mountains, for long walks into silence, for cold air that somehow feels comforting, and for the kind of peace you don’t realize you were missing until you find it.

We (my husband Nithin and I) reached Rishikesh one day earlier, planning to explore both Rishikesh and Haridwar before the trek began. There was a strange excitement in the air—like the journey had already started even before the mountains.

Day 1: January 11th, 2026 Rishikesh to Lohajung

We woke up at 5 AM, with all our baggage neatly packed and our minds fully focused on reaching the pickup point on time. We had booked a hotel very close to the pickup location, thinking we were being smart and well-prepared.

But travel has its own sense of humor.

To our surprise, there were two hotels with the same name in the same area. What followed was a slightly chaotic but funny situation—dragging our luggage for nearly 500 meters, trying to figure out if we were even heading in the right direction, half-awake but laughing at how easily things can go wrong even with “perfect planning.”

By the time we finally reached the pickup point, we were the last ones there.

As expected, the seating arrangement also had its own little twist—Nithin got the front seat, and I ended up at the very back of the van. Not exactly what we imagined at 5 AM, but somehow it made the beginning of the journey even more memorable.

Since it was still quite early, most of us were half asleep until we reached our first stop—Ganga Sangamam, the stunning confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers. The view there was absolutely mesmerizing and set the tone for the journey ahead.

After about an hour, we stopped for breakfast. This is where we finally began interacting with our fellow trekkers. Our group turned out to be quite interesting—young tech professionals, a family, and a few solo travelers. Everyone seemed to have solid trekking experience, which honestly made me a bit nervous. I started wondering if I would end up being the only one struggling or lagging behind on the trek.

After a 10-hour-long ride, we finally reached the base village, Lohajung. Although the journey was long, it was quite enjoyable as we played games and interacted with the crew throughout the ride. Upon arrival, we were allotted our rooms, dropped off our baggage, and explored the village. We also purchased a few items that we had forgotten to bring. Later, we interacted with fellow trekkers who had completed the trek and returned, gathering their feedback and experiences. Touchwood!

We also caught our first glimpse of the majestic Nanda Ghunti peak from the base village and witnessed a beautiful sunset, making the day even more memorable. 
After an early evening tea followed by a delicious dinner, we once again strolled through the chilly streets of Lohajung. It was freezing cold, and my only thought at that moment was — how was I going to manage the coming days, especially staying in tents in such weather!

And honestly, I seriously questioned why people choose trekking over simply relaxing and enjoying a comfortable vacation.

We also had a stargazing session after dinner in Lohajung, where we spotted Jupiter and some of its moons through a telescope. My kid would have absolutely loved that, as he is deeply interested in astronomy and everything related to space.


Day 2: Lohajung to Gujreni
Altitude: 2,800 m / 9,200 ft
Trek Distance: 4–5 km | Approx. 5 hours


And the day had finally arrived to kickstart our trek. Geared up with excitement and a mix of nervousness, we began our journey with the powerful slogan that still echoes in my mind whenever I think of Uttarakhand — “Har Har Mahadev!”

The first 20 minutes were quite challenging for me. Fellow trekkers were overtaking me, and I found myself gasping for breath due to the steep ascent. I quickly removed one layer of clothing, which helped me feel more comfortable, and then continued the trek with much better ease and rhythm.

The first pit stop was at an old lady selling refreshing rhododendron flower juice, locally known as “Buransh”. It was a much-needed hydration break, as the trail was quite dusty and the sun was blazing down on us.

An old lady selling refreshing Bhuransh juice by the mountain trail — a simple, heartfelt taste of the Himalayas.

We reached the campsite by midday. Along the way, we also met other trekking groups and had the opportunity to interact with them and share experiences from the trail. On arrival, we were welcomed with a refreshing drink followed by a delicious lunch.

Our trek team, effortlessly striking a pose in the heart of the Himalayas—moments before reaching our first campsite, where adventure truly begins

The entire afternoon was dedicated to acclimatization at the Gujreni campsite. We spent the time relaxing and participating in fun activities like dumb charades and other games organized by the Trek The Himalayas (TTH) team. It turned out to be a lively and fun-filled evening.

One of the best things about TTH was definitely the food — they made sure we were always well-fed, starting with evening high tea, followed by soup, snacks, and a hearty dinner. To our surprise, we even had a birthday celebration within our group. The cake, prepared with very limited resources at such high altitude, was absolutely delicious and made the moment even more special. But I was still in shock — how do people even dare to celebrate birthdays in such extreme conditions?!

For me, this trek already felt like a big push, almost something I had been convinced into by my husband. He kept motivating me, saying that if not now, I might regret postponing it later. 
 
And then, amidst all this — birthdays! I couldn’t wrap my head around how someone could think of celebrations at such high altitudes and in such tough conditions.

And then came the toughest part — sleeping in the tents. Inside the sleeping bag, I had to stay almost completely still, and I simply couldn’t fall asleep. I kept tossing and turning mentally, even if not physically, and sleep just didn’t come.

I was awake until around 4 a.m., managing barely about two hours of sleep-in total.


Day 3: Gujreni to Tilandi
Altitude: 3,200 m / 10,500 ft
Trek distance: 4–5 km | ~4 hours

We woke up around 6:30 AM to a chilly morning and a comforting cup of hot tea. As everyone slowly came out of their tents, the camp was filled with laughter and chatter. We shared funny stories from the night before—about snoring that echoed through the tents, couples talking in their sleep, and all the little quirks of camping life at high altitude.


There was a lightness in the air despite the cold, as if the shared discomfort had turned into shared memories. After breakfast and packing up, we prepared ourselves for the next stretch of the trek.

But for me, this day felt quite difficult as I was dealing with cold and a headache throughout the trek. I kept my ears covered like a sick patient and continued walking until our first stop—a frozen Bekatal Lake.

We had a great photo session there with our Insta360 and some drone shots capturing the stunning landscape from above. We didn’t dare to step onto the frozen lake, unsure of its thickness, but a dog fearlessly ran around on the ice, happily exploring the surface while we watched in awe.

The frozen Bektal Lake—we did step onto it, all brave and confident… while secretly wondering every second what if the ice decides to break right now

We also had the chance to hear the stories and legends behind Bektal Lake from the locals, which made the place feel even more special. They spoke about how the lake is tied to village beliefs and how it changes with seasons, adding a layer of mystery to its already striking frozen beauty.

We passed through stretches of rhododendron trees, and gradually the landscape opened up into the beautiful meadows of Tilandi Top. Reaching it felt surreal—the wide alpine grasslands, the crisp mountain air, and the quiet surroundings made it the best campsite of the entire trek, in my opinion.

This transition occurs because as altitude increases, trees like oak and rhododendron find it difficult to survive due to harsher weather conditions, lower temperatures, and thinner soil. As a result, the dense forest slowly gives way to open alpine meadows.

We warmed up, chose our tents, and had lunch. Since we weren’t allowed to sleep during the daytime, we had to roam around Tilandi Top instead. Even though I was feeling sick, I still managed to explore the surroundings.

Later, Nithin and I even danced to our favorite song there, as Nithin was quite interested in it. Though honestly, it’s usually the other way around when it comes to dancing, photos, or videos.

The most breathtaking and unforgettable part of this entire trek was the sunset at this spectacular campsite. It felt truly surreal, almost otherworldly—something I don’t think I can ever erase from my memory in my lifetime. As the sun began its slow descent, golden light spilled across the Trishul ranges, and the mountains awakened in a soft, glowing warmth.


Peak after peak shimmered as if lit from within, while the sky slowly melted from gold into hues of pink and ember. In that quiet transformation, everything felt still—time, thought, even breath—leaving only the Himalayas and their silent, burning beauty. 

"Maybe this view itself was the answer to every question I had ever asked—why we trek, and why we choose to endure such harsh conditions just to witness moments like these."

Sun setting on one side, and golden rays lighting up the Himalayas on the other—nature showing off from both ends.



The magical moment—a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with an adrenaline rush, as we witnessed the breathtaking golden Himalayas at Tilandi Top


After dinner, they gave me a warm kashayam-like herbal tea for my cold, and it worked surprisingly well. I felt much better the next day, almost relieved without needing any medicine.


Nithin and a few fellow trekkers went out for stargazing with their gadgets, capturing the night sky in all its glory. I, however, didn’t dare to step outside into the freezing cold and stayed back in the warmth of my tent.


Day 4: Tilandi to Brahmatal via Jhandi top and Brahmatal summit
Altitude:
Brahmatal summit: 3,750 m / 12,250 ft
Jhandi top: 3,400 m / 11,150 ft
Brahmatal camp: 3,200 m / 10,700 ft
Trek distance: 6 km | 7-8 hrs approximately 

We started our day with a hot cup of tea, welcomed by the spectacular sunrise painting the mighty Trisul Himalayan ranges in shades of gold and orange. After a quick breakfast, excitement filled the air as we geared up for the most awaited part of the trek — the final summit to Brahmatal.


The mornings here begin early, and for good reason. The crisp mountain air, a warm breakfast, and a front-row seat to a majestic Himalayan sunrise create a memory that stays with you forever. Soon, we began our ascent, walking along a beautiful ridge trail with panoramic views unfolding at every step.


As we trekked towards Jhandi Top, the mountain landscape slowly started revealing its magic. With every turn, the grand Himalayan panorama opened wider, offering breathtaking views of the towering peaks. And then came one of the most spectacular moments of the journey — our first glimpse of Jhandi Top, standing proudly amidst the vast snow-clad landscape. The sight itself felt surreal.


Reaching Jhandi Top felt like stepping into a postcard. The magnificent peaks of Mt. Nanda Ghunti and Mt. Trishul stood tall before us, and from here, one could even trace the famous Roopkund trail weaving through the mountains. We paused for a while, clicking countless pictures, soaking in the views, and simply taking in the beauty around us. A small pit stop with classic retro music playing in the background felt like the cherry on top of the journey. It was the perfect place to sip on hot steaming tea, enjoy light snacks, and soak in the breathtaking views of the mighty Himalayas.

Har Har Mahadev from the sacred stop at Jhandi Top

The Trishul temple here draws everyone’s attention, standing gracefully amidst the landscape and adding a spiritual charm to the surroundings. It serves as a peaceful resting point where trekkers from different groups gather, pause, and share moments of connection amidst the mountains.

We spent some truly memorable time here—relaxing, recharging, and soaking in the calm mountain atmosphere that makes this trek so special.

Can you spot the dog in my shadow? You may have heard about mountain dogs, but I’ll say it again—these loyal companions follow you everywhere on the trail, making sure you’re safe and never lost


After carrying these beautiful moments with us, we resumed our journey toward Brahmatal Lake. Taking the trail on the right from Jhandi Top, we climbed another ridge leading us toward Brahmatal Top — the highest point of the trek at an altitude of 12,250 ft. The views from here were beyond words; endless mountain ranges stretched across the horizon, making every step of the climb worth it. We paused once again, capturing photos and silently admiring the unmatched grandeur of the Himalayas.

The final summit—hurray, we did it!!!

Our crew at the top—every step worth it

We then started our descent towards the Brahmatal summit, which felt relatively easier for me this time and I managed to cover it much faster compared to the others. On reaching the summit, we were welcomed with a refreshing juice followed by a delicious lunch.

Brahmatal summit felt a bit disappointing for me after experiencing the unmatched beauty of Tilandi Top, although the sunset there still managed to capture my attention.

Brahmatal frozen lake—we were all geared up for a full snow wonderland… but nature had other plans, so we got the “almost frozen, please come back later” version this year

The nights at the campsite were always fun—filled with sharing experiences, planning our next treks, and playing the funniest games under the stars. Somehow, after a long tiring day, we still had enough energy left for endless laughter and conversations. 

And yes...... I almost forgot—there was yet another birthday celebration at the campsite! Honestly, kudos to these people and their spirit. Celebrating birthdays in such freezing, extreme conditions takes a different level of enthusiasm. Somehow, they made even the mountains feel festive.

But the real adventure began after dinner every night during our debrief sessions, where the organizers explained the next day’s plan. On the very first night, in the calmest tone imaginable, our organizer casually said:

“Please don’t step outside alone in the dark. Inform your fellow trekkers before heading to the restroom… and use your torch first to check the surroundings for Bears.”

We all froze for a moment. Wait… what?! Bears?? The funniest part was that he looked completely serious while saying it, which somehow made it even scarier.

As if that warning wasn’t enough, later that night the dog near our tent area started barking continuously, almost like it had spotted something in the darkness. It even came close to our tents and honestly, we were terrified. By then, our imaginations had already created an entire wildlife horror story in our heads.

When we asked the organizer about it the next morning, he calmly said the dog was probably protecting us from forest foxes. Suddenly, that nonstop barking felt a lot less annoying and a lot more heroic.

Day 5: Brahmatal to Lohajung

Altitude: 2,300 m / 7,800 ft
Trek distance: 10 km | 8 hrs approximately

Hey, this isn’t the end of the journey yet—we still had the descent to the base village on Day 5 . Honestly, I was just happy thinking I’d finally get a bath after 5 days, not even a drop of water on my face all this while.

The descent got a bit tricky as everyone moved at their own pace and I almost got separated, but again, full credit to the organizers who kept the group united and made the journey easier with their constant support, stories, and experience.

And finally, I got to sleep comfortably on a proper bed after days in the campsite—hurrayyy!!!

And that’s all about my Brahmatal journey. Hope you all enjoyed reading this and experienced a tiny part of it virtually through my stories. Some treks end when you reach the base village, but a few stay with you forever. Until the next mountain calls… see you soon.