🏔️ The Surreal Waichin Valley

The Untouched Magic of Waichin Valley

After a peaceful, storybook escape in Naggar, our next stop on the Himalayan trail was something a bit more off the grid: Waichin Valley. Tucked away behind the more well-known village of Malana, this hidden wonder had only lived in my imagination, sparked by stories from a close friend. Little did I know, the real thing would leave a far deeper imprint.

A Journey into the Wild

We left Naggar before sunrise, still buzzing from our cabin stay, aiming to start our trek by 8 AM. The ride to the Malana Dam—the last point accessible by vehicle—was around 2.5 hours. The final leg of the drive was something else: tunnels carved straight out of the mountains, ancient-looking trees towering above us, and that unmistakable chill of high-altitude air. It was clear we had entered a different world.

By 8:15 AM, we reached the dam, said goodbye to our ever-dependable driver (no phone signal from this point on), and strapped on our backpacks. The trail started with a short climb up a ladder, leading us directly into the mountain’s embrace.

The Trail, the Tea, and the Terrain

About 30 minutes in, we stumbled across a small, hand-built shack offering chai, Maggi, and aloo parathas. The warmth of that first cup, surrounded by nature and pine-scented air, was something else. After a quick breakfast, we got back on the trail.

Waichin is full of surprises. Every turn brought a new layer—snowcapped peaks, cascading glaciers, wild meadows... It’s the kind of trek that reminds you how small you are in the best way possible.

Our Furry Trail Guide

Roughly two hours into the walk, we met a local mountain dog—tail wagging, eyes twinkling, and clearly a seasoned trekker. He licked our hands in greeting and then, without being asked, took the lead. It felt symbolic. Just when the trail markers started to disappear, here was someone—or rather, somepaw—to show us the way.

A Quick Pause and “The Kit”

By 2.5 hours in, the trail began to climb steeply. We took a break to catch our breath, hydrate, and pull out The Kit.

Now, when you're heading to the mountains, you pack with care. My kit included:

• Stash Pro King Size Brown Cones (for the slow, even burn),
• A windproof lighter (a mountain essential),
• My new UFO grinder (trust me, it’s a showstopper),
• And a community-sized rolling tray—because the mountains are better shared.

The energy shift after that break? Undeniable. Even the wind seemed more in sync with us.

 The Summit Welcome

The final stretch was steep—45 minutes of switchbacks and water breaks—but we made it, with our loyal guide still trotting beside us. The village at the top was hauntingly quiet: homes shut, shops locked. Turns out, everyone had gone to Malana for a big pooja that day.

Just when we thought we might need to turn back, a voice rang out:

“Jule ji! Bhaiji, please come, our café is open—rooms available too!”

Ah, the signature warmth of pahadi hospitality. We were home again.

A View to Remember

With a cup of lemon-ginger-honey tea in our hands, we finally took in Waichin properly. Surreal peaks, sunshine reflecting off snow, the perfect crispness in the air—it felt like a secret sanctuary high above the chaos of everyday life.

Our guide munched on some rotis, clearly content. We walked a bit further, spoke to a few locals who confirmed the village’s temporary emptiness, and took in the serenity.

Closing Moments in Waichin

Before starting our descent, we made one last stop at a café tucked into a hillside—the kind of place where time moves differently. We shared stories, laughter, a snack, and a moment of stillness.

That session? One of the best yet.

As we began our walk down from the surreal heights of Waichin Valley, we said goodbye to our four-legged guide. He had led us through it all—literally and spiritually.

A Note from the Trail

If you're ever blessed enough to walk these trails, remember this:

• Leave no trace.
• Respect the locals.
• Take your time.
• And always carry your own stash (responsibly, of course 😉).

The mountains offer magic, but it’s up to us to keep them that way.