From City Buzz to Mountain Bliss
“The best kind of therapy is a long drive, messy hair, and mountain air.” The Baleni Pass trek offers a beginner-friendly adventure with breath-taking views. It’s the kind of experience where your shoes get muddy, your nose and cheeks turn red from the cold, and your spirit feels more alive than it ever did in the city.
Hi, I am Jiya Tinani from Cygnus World School and I cannot wait to share my journey with all you readers! Our school organized a trek to Baleni Pass in Himachal and I had the opportunity to be part of this spectacular adventure.
We began our journey in Chandigarh — the land of Punjabis, where parathas come with a side of laughter and music blares louder than traffic. The city welcomed us warmly. From there, we hit the road for a 7-hour drive to the vibrant town of Dharamshala. The ride was anything but dull — jokes, songs, Dumb Charades, snacks, and even naps (for the lucky few) made time fly. After bouncing around like popcorn in a pan for hours, we sank into cozy beds that hugged us back. It was the kind of peace everyone secretly craves.
Into the Wild, Offline and Alive
While Chandigarh and Dharamshala city, felt extremely hot and humid, the mountains had other plans. The next morning greeted us with a chill that made us question all our clothing choices. The kids buzzed with energy, ready to take on the mountain trails and experience tent life by a flowing lake — far from phone signals and closer to peace. No Wi-Fi. No Instagram. Just screens that read, “No Signal.” That’s when we knew the real adventure had begun.
We left the hotel and drove two hours deeper into the wilderness. We reached Chandrella Dhar — a place that looked like a painting someone forgot to frame. We trekked through meadows and whispering pines for about two hours and glimpsed the simplicity of village life. Just when our growling stomachs thought we’d be chewing on mountain grass, the Adventure Pulse team surprised us with meals that tasted like they came straight from a five-star kitchen — just 3,000 feet higher.
The children dove into the icy lake nearby, embracing mountain life head-on. It was freezing, yes — but unforgettable.
Starlit Skies and Forest Trails
Our first night under the stars at Chandrella Dhar felt magical. We left luxury behind, but honestly, who needs Wi-Fi when the Milky Way stretches above your head?
On Day Three, we took on a longer trek. We said goodbye to Chandrella Dhar and walked four hours toward Dhaled Camp. Dense forests, scenic bridges, and crystal-clear streams — everything looked too beautiful to be real. Some trekked fast, others took their time. Some needed a hand, others offered one. But no one got left behind. We all walked at our own pace and reached together.
When we posed for group photographs, we weren’t just taking pictures — we were capturing proof that we made it, as one. That evening, the kids pitched their own tents and officially stepped into mountain life. As night fell, marshmallows, a warm bonfire, and stories from Sauraj Sir and Sameer Sir brought a deep, admiring silence over us.
The Summit: Where Silence Speaks
Then came summit day — Teh Glacier, our final goal. After breakfast, we laced up and climbed into a winter wonderland. The views left us speechless. The river murmured, the snow squeaked under our boots, and the kids screamed with joy as they pelted each other with snowballs. A nearby waterfall chilled in the background, adding its own magic to the scene. We stood still, soaking it in — away from honking cars and noisy feeds.
None of us wanted to leave, but the promise of hot khichdi and mountain Maggi pulled us back.
Adrenaline and Goodbyes
On our way back, warm khichdi and steaming Maggi never tasted better. But the adventure wasn’t over yet. Back at Dhaled Camp, we geared up for rappelling — complete with all the safety gear and just a little bit of panic. A short uphill hike followed, making our hearts race one last time. Hanging off a cliff has never been this fun!
That evening, the weather felt too pleasant to sit inside, so we invented a game of virtual volleyball. Laughter echoed, and joy lingered.
The next morning, reality returned. We packed up and drove back to Chandigarh. The city felt like an oven after days in crisp mountain air. The sudden heat made us miss the hills even more.
The mountains didn’t say much — they never do. But they left us with moments, memories, and maybe even a little extra lung capacity. At the airport, we played Uno at the gates, squeezing joy out of every last second.
More Than Just a Trip
This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Adventure Pulse team. They formed the backbone of this experience — managing meals in the middle of nowhere and handling unexpected situations with calm and care.
The kids stepped up too. From zipping tents to keep insects out, to escorting each other with flashlights during late-night washroom runs — we looked out for one another.
We had started this trek as familiar faces — people we’d pass in school corridors or see at events. But this trip gave us the chance to connect. It created space for conversations we never had during school hours and laughter that echoed long after the lights went out.
What the Mountains Gave Us
I realized something — beyond cities and screens, there’s so much more Earth has to offer. I’ve barely scratched the surface of nature’s wonders, and that thought stings a little. Every mountain trip reminds me just how much there is left to explore. A part of us will always remain on those trails.
In the end, all 36 of us learned something important — We may have left the mountains, but the mountains? They’ll stay with us forever.
Blog By – Jiya Tinani, Cygnus World School
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