Day 1: The Adventure Begins
1. The Spontaneous Decision
It was 1 a.m. in Kharar, and I was lying in bed, scrolling through travel reels on Instagram. A thought struck me: Why not just go? I had always dreamed of traveling solo, but fear held me back. That night, something inside me snapped. I packed a small bag, booked a ride to the station, and boarded a train to Rishikesh. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of an unforgettable journey.
2. The Train Ride: From Kharar to Dehradun
I traveled in the general ward of the train, which was crowded and chaotic but oddly comforting. Exhausted from the adrenaline rush, I fell asleep almost immediately. When I woke up, I realized the train had reached Dehradun station instead of Rishikesh. For a moment, panic set in. But then I thought, Why not go with the flow? I got off the train and stepped into the bustling station.
3. The Unexpected Detour: Mussoorie Calling
As I walked out of the station, I saw a bus to Mussoorie parked right in front of me. A thought crossed my mind: Why not Mussoorie? Without overthinking, I boarded the bus. The scenic ride through the mountains was breathtaking, and before I knew it, I was in Mussoorie—a place I hadn’t even planned to visit.
4. Checking into Hostellers Mussoorie
My first task was to find a place to stay. I had heard about hostels but had never stayed in one before. After a quick search, I checked into Hostellers Mussoorie. The dome-shaped rooms were cozy and unique, and the vibe of the place instantly made me feel at ease. I freshened up, took a quick shower, and stepped out to explore.
5. Exploring Mussoorie: Temples, Scooties, and Waterfalls
I started my exploration by visiting a temple near the famous Mussoorie Library and the main chowk. The area was buzzing with life—locals, tourists, and vendors offering rental scooties. I struck up a conversation with a few of them, asking for recommendations on places to visit. They suggested several spots, and I decided to rent a scooty for 24 hours for just ₹600.
Bhatta Falls: A Mixed Experience
My first stop was Bhatta Falls. It was a beautiful place, but honestly, it didn’t live up to the hype for me. The water activities looked fun, but since I was traveling solo, I wasn’t in the mood to indulge. I spent some time near the waterfall, clicked a few photos (of the scenery, not me), and moved on.
Lal Tibba: A Sunset to Remember
Next, I headed to Lal Tibba, the highest sunset point in Mussoorie. The ride was breathtaking, with winding roads and stunning views. I was in a bit of a hurry to catch the sunset, so I didn’t stop anywhere along the way. When I finally reached Lal Tibba, the view was worth every second of the ride. The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. It was magical.
6. The Challenge: A Dead Phone and Lost Directions
On my way back to the hostel, my phone died. No GPS, no maps, no idea where I was. To make matters worse, rental scooties weren’t allowed on Mall Road, so I had to find an alternate route. I asked strangers for directions, got lost a couple of times, and finally, after what felt like an eternity, I made it back to the hostel. It was a chaotic end to the day, but it taught me to trust my instincts and embrace the unexpected.
7. The Evening Unfolds: Beers, Bonfires, and New Friends
By the time I parked my scooty back at the hostel, I was exhausted and hungry. I grabbed two beers from a nearby shop, found a quiet spot to enjoy them, and then headed to a hotel for dinner. When I returned to the hostel, I noticed a small group of people sitting around a bonfire in the common area. A guy was strumming a guitar, and a few others were humming along. I hesitated for a moment but then decided to join in.
The Jamming Session: From 4 to 20 People
The jamming session started small but quickly grew. More and more people joined—some with guitars, others with tambourines, and a few just there to vibe. Within an hour, the group had grown to around 20 people. The energy was electric, and the music was soulful. We sang, we laughed, and for a moment, it felt like we were all old friends.
The Tehri Plan: Spontaneity Strikes Again
During the conversation, someone mentioned they were planning a trip to Tehri the next day. They talked about visiting Tehri Lake and the Surkanda Devi Temple in Dhanolti. Initially, I had planned to spend the next day exploring Mussoorie on my scooty, but the idea of joining a group for a day trip sounded exciting. Without thinking too much, I said, “Why not? Let’s go together!”
Late-Night Chai and Plans for Tomorrow
By 1 a.m., some of us were feeling hungry again. We decided to head to Mall Road for a late-night snack. A group of 15 of us walked down the quiet streets of Mussoorie, found a tea stall, and enjoyed chai and snacks. We laughed, shared stories, and made plans for the next day. By 2 a.m., we were back at the hostel, ready to meet at 8 a.m. for our trip to Tehri.