On 30th August 2024, I set out on what I thought would be just a trek — a break from the chaos of city life and career stress. But as it turns out, this journey became something far deeper: a story of courage, connection, and quiet healing. I was headed to Kashmir for the iconic Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, accompanied by a group of strangers under the banner of Khoye Raaste. And yes, it truly was one hell of a ride.
The Backstory: When Escape Found Me
To understand how this trip carved a home in my heart, we need to rewind to May 2024. Life then? Messy. I was in the thick of personal chaos and career confusion, scrolling through Instagram like we all do — half looking for memes, half looking for meaning. And that’s when Khoye Raaste popped up on my feed.
A reel, a vibe, a feeling I couldn’t shake off.
They were organizing the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek — considered one of the toughest in India. I had never done a trek before. Not even a baby hill hike. But something inside me said, “Go.” Maybe it was rebellion, maybe intuition. Either way, I booked it.
A 10-day adventure into the Mountain with no prior experience and zero clue of what I was getting into. Classic me.
Convincing Dad (Plot Twist: He Agreed!?)
Now here’s the desi parent curveball: telling my dad. He was, obviously, hesitant. With the political situation in Kashmir and the fact that I’d be travelling solo with strangers — it was a hard sell.
But then, something unexpected happened.
He told me how he always wanted to travel solo in his youth but never got the chance. And maybe, just maybe, he wanted me to live that dream for both of us.
Coming from a desi dad? That hit different
New City, New Chapter, New Trek
In the weeks leading up to the trek, I moved to Mumbai to pursue my career. Life was already shifting gears. And then — boom — it was time to fly to Kashmir.
I was nervous. Not going to lie.
I had never travelled solo. Never flown alone. And definitely never signed up for 10 days of mountain madness with strangers. But looking back, I can say this: that nervous girl at the airport didn’t know she was about to make one of the best decisions of her life.
Kashmir: Not What They Show You on the News
I was travelling with Naman, a fellow trekker (and fellow flight-booking miscalculator 😅). We’d synced up flights — both flying from different cities, but landing around the same time. I reached first, which gave me some solo-in-Kashmir time. And yes, I was anxious. The media doesn’t exactly paint a rosy picture.
But the moment I stepped out of the airport, something shifted. The crisp air. The kindness of locals. The silent strength of the mountains. My perception of Kashmir and its people flipped entirely.
Let’s just say… media narratives don’t do justice to the soul of this place.
Kashmir isn’t just safe. It’s sacred.
Hotel Check-in, Horizon Check-out
We checked into a hotel arranged by Nikhil, the co-founder of Khoye Raaste. He wasn’t physically present, but the energy of the community he created was already magnetic. The group hadn’t fully assembled yet, but I was already in awe — not just of the trip, but of the decision to be here.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the place. Kashmir, in that moment, felt like something out of a forgotten dream — snow-kissed peaks, golden light, and a kind of calm I hadn’t felt in years.
To Be Continued…
This is just the beginning of the Tarsar Marsar trek — a journey that would go on to break me, build me, make me laugh till I cried, and cry till I healed. From bonding with strangers who now feel like family, to pushing my body and spirit further than I thought possible — this trek wasn’t just a getaway. It was a coming home.
But more on that in the next blog post.
Because this ride? It deserves to be told one breathtaking chapter at a time. 💫
Stay tuned for Part 2: The Trek Begins – 70km of Madness, Monsoons & Magic.
If you’ve ever doubted yourself, feared the unknown, or craved something deeper than a vacation — this one’s for you.
Until then… keep wandering, keep wondering.