I turned 60 years old in December 2023. Like any other senior citizen, I was looking forward to spending my time in the most mundane – routine oriented fashion. My retirement thoughts always revolved around being in the city, going on walks in the garden and reading the newspaper. But little did I know, my daughter had plans of taking me on an offbeat adventure in Kashmir.
My daughter, who is in her late twenties, has been an outdoor enthusiast for many years. For some reason she thought her senior citizen dad would also like to be one. She had been behind my back for a long time trying to convince me to go on treks with her. I, of course, laughed it off and excused myself, given my age. But persistence works! Especially when it comes from women.
I finally gave up and found myself agreeing to go on a trek with her in Pune.
I chose to trek from Bopdev to Katraj with Adventure Pulse, just an hour’s drive from Pune. This beautiful Sahyadri trail features lush green meadows, stunning views of the city, a small forest, and some challenging hills—a must-do adventure in the Western Ghats.
I initially thought this would please my daughter and put an end to her urging, but I was mistaken. When she asked about my experience, I realized I had truly enjoyed it. Though I was nervous at first, it became clear that I was having a great time.
Despite feeling exhausted on some parts of the trail, the trek was a wonderful experience—my first time in the mountains after 59 years.
On knowing that I had a good time, she wanted me to take me on more adventures. I casually said “okay we’ll see” and later realized it wasn’t so casual for her after all…
My journey on the Silent Meadows Family Trek –
… A few weeks since I casually agreed to another adventure, I was asked what my plans were for the month of June. Little did I know, my calendar was about to get very interesting!
My daughter planned to take me on an offbeat and unexplored trek in Kashmir which was supposed to be my very first high altitude adventure. Was I nervous? Terrified!
This offbeat trek in Kashmir was called ‘The Silent Meadows trek’ which was a 6 days’ journey. Out of 6 we were supposed to trek for 4 days and 2 days involved our arrival in Kashmir and departure back to our respective city.
A 4 day’ trek may sound like a short duration to most of you, but for someone who had only 4 hours of hiking experience, this was a LOT. Moreover, aside from the fact that we had to trek for 4 days back to back, I had never been camping before and the thought of sleeping in tents, added to my nervousness.
I voiced my concerns and tried to avoid the trek, but my daughter’s persistence won out. As parents, we often encourage our children to take risks, and in this case, the roles were reversed! It was decided that I would embark on this offbeat trek in beautiful Kashmir. I felt a mix of nervousness and excitement, but deep down, I was genuinely looking forward to this adventure to see if it was a good idea.
Physical and mental preparation –
I began preparing for my offbeat trek in April, fitting in long walks and stair climbing about three days a week. Since my daughter took care of all the essentials, I focused on building my stamina and practiced Pranayam daily to aid with the altitude.
Due to work constraints, I organized my daily chores to stay active. However, mental preparation took time. While my daughter managed everything from bookings to shopping for trekking gear, I couldn’t shake my fears about trekking in Kashmir for the first time.
The one thought that constantly bothered me was, what if the other trekkers were not as old as I am? What if they feel slowed down because of me? Or what would happen if they are far fitter than I was?
Why I chose Adventure Pulse –
One of biggest reasons to go with Adventure Pulse was that no matter what the pace at which someone was comfortable, they were always accompanied by a team member. Whether you’re a 16-year-old enthusiastic kid or a scared 60-year-old adult who moves at a slow pace, it doesn’t matter. You’ll still have an excellent experience because you’ll receive ample support. This assurance was one of the biggest factors why I even thought of attempting this in the first place.
I never imagined that, as a senior citizen, I would embark on an offbeat trek in Kashmir, but Adventure Pulse made it possible. In our country, adventure after a certain age is rare, especially trekking in the mountains, so this felt completely unexpected. When I shared my plans with friends and colleagues, their reactions were mixed—happy but also concerned, and they just didn’t seem to understand why I wanted to do it.
First experience of High Altitude –
This adventure introduced me to many new experiences: my first multi-day trek in Kashmir, my first night in a tent, and my first encounter with high altitude. My daughter explained Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and its symptoms, helping me understand how to manage altitude gain.
I was initially nervous about acclimatization, but surprisingly, I felt no adverse effects. With my daughter constantly reminding me to drink water, breathe deeply, and take breaks, her “nagging” was invaluable.
All I had to do was walk and enjoy the stunning views. With the team’s immense support, I felt completely at ease throughout the trek.
The beautiful landscape of Kashmir –
When anybody thinks about Kashmir, it’s unfair and impossible not to talk about its beautiful landscape. But to be very honest, unless you have trekked in the valley, you are far away from exploring just how mesmerizing this place really is. Trekking in Kashmir is like looking at a landscape that seems like it’s straight out of a Google wallpaper. With lush green meadows all around you, that stretch as far as your sight can possibly go.. Just as endless as the ocean.
Hundreds of sheep grazed in the meadows alongside vibrant flowers and flowing streams of crystal-clear glacial water you could drink. Small stone and mud houses, built by shepherds for shelter during their long stays, enriched the scenery. Each day of the trek brought gentle winds and bright sunshine, creating a picturesque landscape.
The beautiful sunsets and the stunning full moon nights were to die for. Living in the city, I had forgotten what star-lit skies looked like. This journey gave me an opportunity to discover nature all over again. All of this was coupled with the immense peace and quiet of the surroundings. The only voices we could hear were the blowing wind and the gushing waters of the stream. To top it off, the breathtaking views of the snow-capped Pir-Panjal range served as a backdrop. The mountains changed hues throughout the day, shifting from white to yellow and orange, finally turning dark purple before fading into silhouette. This offbeat trek in Kashmir truly showed me why it’s called Paradise on Earth.
The experience of living in tents –
It had been years since I slept on the floor, so I wasn’t looking forward to camping in a tent. However, for four days, the tent became my cozy home. Inside, I had a foam sheet, mattress, pillow, and warm sleeping bag, with plenty of space to move around.
After each day’s trek, I would freshen up, enjoy some snacks, and slip into my sleeping bag. It was warm and inviting, especially as the outside temperature dropped with the setting sun. The open tent zippers framed stunning sunset colors against the mountains, making each return to my tent a highlight of my day. What I initially worried about turned out to be one of the best experiences!
The campsite –
The logistics were truly impressive. Each day, as we prepared to leave our campsite, the team efficiently packed all the rations, cleaned up, and loaded everything onto the mules. It was a significant effort, and they did an outstanding job.
Remarkably, the team would arrive at the next campsite ahead of us. By the time we got there, our sleeping tents, dining area, and toilets were all set up, with hot tea and snacks ready to welcome us.
Our camps were beautiful, nestled in meadows just for us. We had sleeping tents on one side, a dining tent nearby, and the kitchen a bit farther away. In the evenings, depending on the weather, they often moved the dining setup outside so we could enjoy snacks under a stunning sunset and the emerging moonlight.
The food –
What can I say about it? I was a novice at trekking but what I have always heard is that it’s all about eating ‘Pahado wali Maggie’ and carrying your big bag and walking in the mountains. But, to my surprise, I think I put on weight after this one.
We literally had a lot of variety on our menu for all our meals. Starting from rice, roti, sabzi to omeltte, porridge and oats, from noodles, mutton, Manchurian to even desserts like Shahi Tukda, Gulab Jamun and Jalebis. I was totally mind-blown, to say the least.
Apart from all of this, we had evening snacks like popcorn, bread and onion pakodas, and also soup before dinner, made up of corn, carrots and tomatoes… all of this was beyond my imagination and I know I would go on another camping trek with Adventure Pulse just for the food!
Adventure Pulse as my trekking partner –
In summary, my journey through this offbeat trek in Kashmir was incredibly comfortable, and I can’t thank Adventure Pulse enough. At 60, I felt understandably overwhelmed, having no trekking or camping experience.
However, the Adventure Pulse team made everything a breeze. Their communication was excellent, addressing all my queries with detail and patience. From pickup to accommodation and logistics, they ensured our safety and comfort.
We had a small group of four, but two guides, a trek leader, and a team of about ten staff members, including kitchen staff and horsemen, supported us. This impressive support made me appreciate their commitment to our safety and comfort while trekking.
To my fellow 60-year-olds out there – It’s not too late!
Adventure Pulse believes that the mountains are for everyone, regardless of age or outdoor experience. From my personal experience, I can confirm they live up to that promise and will ensure everything goes smoothly.
All you need to do is trust them and take that first step. Whether you opt for an offbeat trek like I did or another adventure, it’s never too late. With the right support, anything is possible.
