A Trekkiyer’s tale told by yours truly, Vaidhyanathan (aka Vaidy, aka Malli, aka “Did you pack the pulikachal?”)
Every year, as the Himalayas whisper our names and our knees whisper “Are you sure?”, the Trekkiyers assemble. What began in 2018 as a modest mountain mission with me, Ramesh (my brother-in-law and chai philosopher), Sridhar (my school buddy and trekking purist), and Dr. Narayanaswamy (Swamy, our in-house medic and spiritual anchor), has grown into a full-blown annual tradition. (The link to our first trek when the idea of Trekkiyers was mooted - https://itsmevaidy.blogspot.com/2018/03/annapurna-circuit-dream-trek.html )
Over time, we welcomed Srinivasan (my actual brother, not just in altitude), Sumathi (Swamy’s wife and our culinary savior), and Vishagan (my cousin and 2024’s recruit). Each year, someone new joins. Each year, someone’s knees regret it. But the spirit? Unshakable.
This year, Langtang Valley was our chosen playground. And what a playground it turned out to be - complete with yaks, landslides, and SIM cards that worked only when you didn’t need them.
After having half a dozen VDO calls and numerous thoughts and rethoughts on the decision for the trek , first we had the regime change at Nepal which lead to a lot of sleepless nights as to the fate of the trip and then closer to the dates was the Natural calamity with scary visuals of houses being washed away in the floods. All this happened between August and October 2025.
🎬 Saturday, 4 October 2025 - – The Flight That Did a U-Turn
We were airborne. We were excited. We were... rerouted. Thanks to Kathmandu’s moody weather, our flight was canceled midair. After a refueling pitstop in Lucknow (where we waved at the samosas), we returned to Mumbai. It was like a teaser trailer for the real trek—frustrating, dramatic, and oddly energizing. The nine hour journey from Mumbai to Mumbai in retrospect was funny.
🛬 Monday, 6 October – Kathmandu, Finally
Take two! This time, we made it. Srinivasan, Ramesh, and I landed in Kathmandu after a scenic detour via Delhi. Ramesh, ever the smart one, had taken a direct flight and was already sipping coffee like a local.
We met Sameer Tawde (my neighbor and surprise trekker), and headed to Backpackers Lodge. Swamy and Sumathi had arrived earlier and were already acclimatized - and possibly scouting SIM cards. We bought two each, because in the Himalayas, one network drops faster than your trekking stamina.
Evening brought us to Pashupatinath Temple, where Rudram chanting echoed through the air. Spirituality met signal strength. Both were patchy but powerful.
🚙 Tuesday, 7 October – Jeeps, Jams, and Jam Sandwiches
Decked in our matching “Trekkiyers” T-shirts (because nothing says ‘serious mountaineers’ like coordinated cotton), we posed, chanted “Ganpati Bappa Morya,” and boarded our Scorpio for a 7-hour drive that felt like a rollercoaster designed by Mother Nature. ( The roads beyond the City limits have to be experienced !!)
Lunch was a gourmet affair of banana chips, curd, and biryani - because why not confuse your stomach before a trek? We reached Country Villa Hotel by 3 PM, where a full moon ( Sharad Poornima) and full tummies made for a magical night walk. My pedometer said 10 km. My legs said, “Liar.”
🌊 Wednesday, 8 October – Waterfalls and Wobbly Bridges
After a hot bath and tomato soup (yes, in that order), we set off on a 7-hour trek that featured waterfalls, suspension bridges, and enough wet socks to start a laundry business. Porters turned engineers, building stone steps over landslides like it was just another Wednesday.
Sea buckthorn juice became our unofficial sponsor - tangy, refreshing, and possibly magical. Dinner was a fusion of dal baath and South Indian spice, proving that even at 10,000 feet, you can’t escape puliyodarai.
🐂 Thursday, 9 October – Yaks, Yarns, and a Yak Attack
Fueled by coffee and a maida roti thick enough to double as a frisbee, we marched on. The trail was kinder, the views grander, and the socks - still damp. A yak decided to spice things up by charging a fellow trekker (expectedly clad in a bright red Tee) . We took it as a sign of affection from Nandi's Nepali cousin.
We met a Nepali guide who spoke Tamil and Malayalam, thanks to his stint in Qatar. Proof that South Indians are everywhere - even in the Himalayas. Dinner was a delightful mix of local fare and our trusty pulikachal. The homestay was cozy, and the fruit was fresher than our jokes.
🩺 Friday, 10 October – High Altitude, Higher Drama
Ramesh gave us a scare with a fever and low oxygen levels. Swamy, ever the calm doctor, sprang into action with his medical kit and reassuring smile. Ramesh stayed back to recover while the rest of us trekked to Kyanjin Gumba.
Electric blankets ( not working though) , sunshine, and khakra choora awaited us. Plans to climb Kyanjin Ri were shelved due to cloudy weather ( Explanation - The climb was for the view and with the weather playing spoilsport there was no point in testing our knees further) - clearly, even the mountains wanted a day off. Dinner was a carb-lover’s dream: French fries, momos, and sandwiches that looked like they’d been arranged by a Michelin chef.
🏁 Saturday, 11 October – The Great Descent
We reunited with a rejuvenated Ramesh and posed for a group photo with the Indian flag - because patriotism hits different at 12,000 feet. The descent was swift, the puliyodarai was spicy, and the milk coffee at Hotel Woodland was divine.
As darkness fell, porters met us with torches, guiding us like Himalayan fireflies. We reached the hotel, tired but triumphant.
🌸 Kadmom Mein Padam - A Reflection from the Trail
As we descended from the heights of Langtang,
legs weary, hearts full,
I found myself walking not just through valleys,
but through verses of remembrance.
Each step - a Kadam.
Each moment - a Padam.
Not just a lotus blooming beneath,
but a trillionfold blessing unfolding above.
For when the soul walks in divine memory,
the trail transforms.
The rocks soften, the winds whisper,
and the journey multiplies -
not in kilometers, but in Padams of grace.
We didn’t just trek.
We offered each stride as a prayer,
each laugh as a hymn,
each silence as a sanctuary.
🛤️ Sunday, 12 October – Slippery Slopes and Sweet Goodbyes
Our final trek featured landslide zones, rescue crews, and a restaurant that believed in slow food - very slow. Thankfully, the dreaded log crossing was avoided, and we returned to the hotel for hot baths and heartfelt thanks to our porters and guide Ram Sharan, who had become more like family , though it still took some time to understand his quaint lingo.
🚙 Monday, 13 October – Back to Kathmandu
We bid farewell to Syabru Besi and bounced our way back to Kathmandu, stopping for fruit, border checks, and a visit to Ram’s ancestral village. Thamel welcomed us with shopping, temples, and ice cream - because nothing says “spiritual fulfillment” like a double scoop of chocolate chip.
🙏 Tuesday, 14 October – Pashupati, Parathas, and Parting Shots
Our last day began with coffee, aloo parathas, and a soulful visit to Pashupati Nath Temple. Rudram chants echoed once more, sealing our bond with Nepal.
After some last-minute shopping and a tea with Rajan Simkhada, we headed to the airport - legs sore, hearts full, and memories packed tighter than our rucksacks.
Langtang Valley wasn’t just a trek. It was a test of knees, nerves, and network coverage. But above all, it was a celebration of friendship, resilience, and the joy of walking uphill just to come back down.
And yes, the pulikachal survived. Just like we did.
PS : I look forward to reading your comments
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