Journey to Buran Ghati

 

 Buran Ghati: My First Himalayan Adventure

A travelogue by [Albrosh Mayengbam]

(April 30 – May 10, 2023)

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6/5/23 Dayara Thach

During my college years, I developed a deep passion for travel. It was during this time that I had my first Himalayan mountain experience—an unforgettable journey that began in Shimla and led me to the mighty Buran Ghati Pass.

April 30, 2023 – The Journey Begins

My friend Abhinav, a native of Shimla and my hostel mate at MA Hall, MSU Baroda, invited me to visit his hometown during the vacation. Excited, I decided to join him and trek to the majestic Buran Ghati Pass.

We began our journey from Baroda Central Junction, catching a train to Kota, Rajasthan. From there, we switched trains and headed to Delhi. After reaching the capital on 1st of may , we roamed around the city, shopping for warm clothes needed for the trek. That night, we boarded an HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) ordinary bus from ISBT Kashmere Gate to Shimla—an 8-9 hour journey that cost ₹500.

Despite our exhaustion from continuous travel, the excitement of entering the Himalayas kept our spirits high.

May 2 – Arriving in Shimla

2/5/25 Shimla Himachal Pradesh

The ride into Shimla was like a roller coaster. Fog blanketed the 

Pir Panjal and Greater Himalayan ranges as our bus maneuvered hairpin bends at high speeds. I was nervous but equally amazed by the skills of the HRTC drivers.

From ISBT Shimla, we took a local bus to Abhi’s home, about 10 minutes away. I was filled with a mix of nervousness and excitement—finally in Shimla, a place I had dreamed of visiting ever since I watched 3 Idiots, and heard the line Rancho is in Shimla.

Upon arriving at Abhi’s home, I was greeted with warm Himachali hospitality. Everyone I met greeted me with a heartfelt "Namaste," a custom I quickly adopted. I greeted Abhi’s mother with a respectful Namaste and touched her feet—a gesture she appreciated.

Aunty served us hot rajma chawal with plain roti—my first taste of homemade Himachali food, and it was absolutely delicious.

Later that evening, we strolled along Shimla's Mall Road, shopped for souvenirs, and tasted more local delicacies. The cold, cloudy weather added to the charm, and the night view of Shimla—with glittering city lights piercing through the fog—was mesmerizing.

May 4 – Off to Rohru, Heart of the Trek

Abhi’s family also had a house in Rohru, a small town that serves as a base for the Buran Ghati trek. Though we had planned to leave earlier, heavy rains delayed us by a day. I was genuinely worried that my long-awaited trek might be canceled.

Fortunately, the next morning the weather cleared, and we boarded another HRTC bus from IBST Shimla for a 6-7 hour ride to Rohru. The journey was scenic—lined with apple orchards, blue skies, and cotton clouds. In the evening, we reached Rohru where Vineet bhaiya, Abhi’s elder brother, picked us up for a 30-minute drive to Upper Rohru.

There, I met Abhi’s dadi, mama ji, auntie, and his sister—all of whom welcomed me warmly. Dinner was comforting: hot chole with roti and a full glass of milk. Abhi’s room had a breathtaking view, accompanied by the soothing sound of nearby mountain streams. That night, we watched the stars and full moon from the rooftop of their traditional Pahadi house, with its signature stone roof. It felt magical.

May 5 – Weather Woes and Divine Blessings

Devta Temple

We explored Upper Rohru the next morning and visited a local Devta temple, where the deity is revered by the Himachali people. The plan was to begin our trek the following day, but once again, bad weather put us on hold. Vineet bhaiya suggested we visit Chansal Pass instead, but my heart was set on Dayara Thach, a key point in the Buran Ghati trek.

I had come all this way—I couldn’t give up.

May 6 – Trek to Dayara Thach Begins

Early the next morning, Abhi, Vineet bhaiya, Anshul bhaiya, and I left for Janglik, the official starting point of the Buran Ghati trek. Our drive took us along the stunning Pabbar River, with a brief stop at Chirgaon for snacks.

As we passed Tangnu, I caught my first glimpse of snow-capped mountains—an emotional moment I’ll never forget.

We reached Janglik around 10:30 a.m. and began the trek. The Buran mountain towered majestically to our right as we climbed, with blue pine trees standing tall amid patches of snow. After about an hour, we arrived at a beautiful meadow called Simran Thach, where horses carried supplies and local shepherds tended to their flocks. The scenery looked like something straight out of a dream.

We passed through rocky terrain and dense willow forests. A loyal Himalayan dog (pahadi kutta) followed us the entire way, almost as if guiding us. We stopped at a small dabba (tea stall) for snacks and continued our hike.

Finally, we reached Dayara Thach, a vast green meadow that looked like the Alps I had only seen in books and on social media. A few tall pine trees dotted the landscape, while sheep grazed peacefully on the slopes of the Buran hills.

We spent the afternoon in joy—singing, dancing, and laughing under the open sky.But by late afternoon, heavy snowfall made it impossible to trek further. As darkness fell, we decided to stay overnight at the dabba.

Simran Thach 11:00 PM

That night, the moon rose late—around 11 PM—and it was the brightest, most beautiful moon I had ever seen. It illuminated the snow-covered landscape in a soft, silvery glow. We sat around a bonfire, soaking in the surreal atmosphere, with Lord Shiva’s statue visible in the distance against the backdrop of the mighty Buran mountain.

It was pure magic.

May 7 – Return to Rohru

The next morning, we hiked back to Janglik and returned to Rohru. Though we couldn’t complete the entire Buran Ghati Pass, reaching Dayara Thach felt like an achievement in itself.

The following day, we roamed around Rohru town, reflecting on our adventure. It was hard to believe how many memories we had created in just a few days.

“Dear Rohru, Vineet bhaiya, dadi, auntie, Abhi—thank you. I’ll always cherish these moments with you. Every conversation, every shared laugh, every meal—it’s all etched in my heart forever.”

May 9– Farewell to the Mountains

On the morning of May 9, we left Rohru and made our way back to Shimla. I was running late but managed to catch the iconic Shimla-Kalka toy train, a slow, scenic ride through the Pir Panjal range. Watching the mountains fade away through the window, I felt a wave of nostalgia and gratitude.

At Kalka, I boarded my next train to Delhi, where I reached early the next morning. From there, I headed straight to the airport for my flight back home to Imphal.

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This trip was more than just a trek—it was a journey of discovery. From the warmth of Himachali homes to the thrill of climbing mountain trails, every moment felt alive.

Buran Ghati may have tested my resolve, but it also gifted me a lifetime of memories. My first experience in the Himalayas will always be one of the most unforgettable chapters of my life.