By Aditya Nigam
Location: Delhi | Age: 28
If you live in Delhi, you know the drill. The constant honking, the grey haze of pollution, and the never-ending rush of corporate life. I had spent years staring at wallpapers of snow-clad mountains on my laptop screen, dreaming of an escape. I admired the Himalayas from a distance—usually from a crowded mall in Shimla or a traffic jam in Manali—but I had never truly been in them.
To be honest, the idea of a “trek” intimidated me. I’m 28, reasonably fit, but I’m no athlete. The words “high altitude,” “remote border villages,” and “rugged terrain” sounded magical, but they also sparked a little fear in the back of my mind. Was I fit enough? Would I get altitude sickness? Is it safe to travel so close to the border?
Despite these doubts, the spiritual pull of Adi Kailash and Om Parvat was too strong to ignore. I didn’t just want a vacation; I wanted a journey. I wanted to stand in front of something so massive that it made my worries feel small.
That’s when I found Uttara Hikes.
I chose their Haldwani to Haldwani – 5 Days / 4 Nights package. It seemed perfect for a first-timer: short enough to fit into a work leave, but comprehensive enough to cover the major spiritual sites. Looking back now, sitting in my apartment in Delhi, I can safely say it was the best travel decision I have ever made.
Here is the story of my first deep Himalayan expedition.
The journey began in Haldwani. I arrived with a backpack that felt slightly too heavy and a heart beating slightly too fast. But the moment I met the Uttara Hikes team, a wave of relief washed over me. You can tell a lot about a travel company by how they start the trip. There was no chaos, no waiting around wondering where the car was. They were punctual, professional, and greeted me with genuine warmth.
As we drove out of the humid plains of Haldwani and started climbing the winding roads of Kumaon, the air changed. It became crisp, smelling of pine and damp earth. We passed Bhimtal, drove through dense forests, and watched the landscape transform from civilizational clutter to raw nature.
The drive to Dharchula is long, but it is incredibly scenic. For hours, the river flowed alongside us like a restless companion. We stopped for chai at small roadside dhabas, where the tea tastes sweeter just because of the view.
By the time we reached Dharchula—a bustling town on the edge of India, separated from Nepal only by the Kali River—it was evening. Uttara Hikes had arranged a hotel that was surprisingly comfortable for such a remote location. After a hot, home-style dinner, we were briefed about the next day. The team leader checked on us, asking how we were feeling. It was a small gesture, but it made me feel safe. I wasn’t just a customer; I was their responsibility.
If Day 1 was about leaving the city, Day 2 was about entering a different world.
We started our drive towards the inner Himalayas. This is where the adventure truly begins. The roads here are an engineering marvel, carved into the sides of vertical cliffs. As we moved higher, the vegetation changed. The trees became sparse, the cliffs became steeper, and the waterfalls more frequent.
We passed through restricted areas near the Nepal border (where the permits arranged by Uttara Hikes were checked seamlessly). It felt thrilling to be in a place that very few people get to see.
Our destination was Nabi Village, and I have to say, this place stole my heart.
Nabi is like a village frozen in time. Nestled in the Vyas Valley, it is surrounded by jagged peaks that seem to touch the sky. Uttara Hikes had arranged a homestay for us here, and this was the highlight of the trip for me. This wasn’t a sterile hotel; this was a home. The wooden architecture, the intricate carvings on the windows, and the smoke rising from the chimneys created a picture-perfect setting.
The local Rung community welcomed us as if we were long-lost relatives. We sat on the floor, drank butter tea, and listened to their stories of surviving winters in the high Himalayas. The dinner was simple—local lentils, fresh vegetables, and rotis—but it was the most nourishing meal I’ve had in years.
That night, I stepped outside. The temperature had dropped significantly, but I didn’t care. Above me, the Milky Way was visible to the naked eye. The silence was absolute. Standing there, I realized how far I had come, not just in kilometers, but in spirit.
This was the big day. The day I had been anxious and excited about.
We woke up early. The air was thin, and I could feel the altitude, but the adrenaline kept me going. We drove towards the base of Adi Kailash.
When the mountain finally came into view, I was speechless. Literally.
Adi Kailash is distinct. It looks like a massive Shiva Lingam carved by the gods themselves. Clouds were flirting with the peak, but as if by some divine intervention, they cleared up just as we arrived. We were blessed with a crystal-clear view.
We visited the Parvati Sarovar, a sacred lake at the base. The reflection of the peak in the still waters is a sight I will carry to my grave. It was so peaceful that people were naturally whispering, afraid to break the sanctity of the moment. We also had the rare opportunity to witness the Kailash Mansarovar view from the Indian side, a privilege that has only recently opened up for travelers.
I’m not an overly religious person, but in that moment, with the wind hitting my face and the mountain looming above, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. I sat by the lake for a long time, just breathing.
Returning to the Nabi homestay that evening, I was physically tired, but my mind was incredibly light. It was a spiritual detox.
Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, Day 4 brought us to Om Parvat.
We drove to Nabhidhang, the viewing point. The geography here is stark and dramatic. And there it was—the miracle. The snow on the mountain naturally falls in the shape of the sacred symbol ‘ॐ’ (Om).
It is baffling to see. On the surrounding peaks, the snow was random, but on this specific black rock face, the Om was perfectly etched. It felt surreal, almost impossible. It’s one thing to see photos on Instagram; it’s a completely different experience to stand there, shivering in the cold wind, looking at a symbol that has been revered for thousands of years.
The Uttara Hikes team was fantastic throughout the day. They managed the timing perfectly, ensuring we didn’t rush the Darshan but also didn’t get delayed (mountain weather can turn nasty in the afternoons). They helped us with photos, shared local legends about the peak, and kept checking if anyone was feeling dizzy due to the height.
We drove back to Dharchula that evening. The mood in the car was different. On the way up, we were chatting nervously. On the way down, we were quiet, absorbing the magnitude of what we had just seen.
The final leg of the journey was the drive back to Haldwani. As we descended, the air got thicker and warmer. The phone signals returned, and the notifications started pinging.
But I felt different. The roads felt familiar now. The fear I had at the beginning—of the unknown, of my own capability—was gone. This trip had given me a newfound confidence.
When Uttara Hikes dropped us off at Haldwani, I didn’t just say goodbye to a tour operator; I said goodbye to friends.
As a first-timer, I had a million questions and worries. Here is why I am so glad I chose Uttara Hikes:
Since I came back, many of my friends have asked me about the logistics. If you are planning this trip with Uttara Hikes, here is what you need to know:
Q: Do I need prior trekking experience for this trip?
A: No. This is mostly a road journey with short walks, not a hardcore trek.
Q: How is altitude sickness managed?
A: Slow travel, good hydration, proper acclimatization, and emergency oxygen are part of the plan.
Q: What clothing should I pack?
A: Pack warm layers—thermals, down jacket, windcheater, gloves, and woolen socks. Nights can be very cold.
Q: Is mobile network available?
A: Network works in Dharchula. Beyond that, only limited BSNL connectivity is available.
My first Himalayan journey to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat was not just a vacation; it was a transformation. It taught me that we are capable of much more than we think.
If you are sitting in your office right now, looking at mountain wallpapers and wondering “What if?”, do yourself a favor. Book the ticket. Pack your bags.
And if you want a team that will hold your hand through the process, ensure your safety, and show you the mountains with love and respect, I wholeheartedly recommend Uttara Hikes.
This journey gave me memories, faith, and a story I will tell for the rest of my life.