Have you ever heard of a bookish trip, where passionate readers come together and let their love for books run wild? Yes, The Bookoholic made it possible with their unique and wonderfully curated journey. As someone who loves both reading and traveling (especially trekking), I knew that when these two passions combined, it was bound to be an unforgettable experience.
Travelling
The trip began in Delhi, at Connaught Place, where a bus awaited to take all of us readers on what would become one of the most unforgettable experiences of our lives. For me, the best part of any trip is making new connections. Initially, I believed it would be a solo journey, but to my surprise, it turned out to be a group trip with 45 people, many of whom would soon become friends.
I met a few fellow travelers on the bus, and we exchanged warm introductions. The overnight journey was filled with music, dancing, conversations, and a bit of sleep. By morning, we arrived in Sundarnagar for breakfast—later than planned, but what’s a trip without a few delays? After a hearty meal, we resumed our journey toward Kasol.
Our next stop was Bhuntar, where we switched from the bus to a smaller traveler vehicle due to the narrow mountain roads. Finally, after a long drive of nearly 15 hours, we reached our destination—the Kovid Campsite by the riverside (and no, it’s not that Covid!).
Exhausted from the journey, we barely noticed the serene beauty surrounding us. We simply checked into our camps as per the assigned allocations and settled in for some much-needed rest.
They say the journey is more beautiful than the destination—but I’d like to rephrase that:
“The company you have on the journey is more beautiful than the journey itself or the destination.”
Because without the wonderful people who accompanied me, those 15 hours on the road would have felt endless. I’m certain everyone on this trip would agree—the memories we created together made every mile worthwhile.
Camping And Trekking
The day we arrived at our campsite was sunny, warm, and inviting, making the mountains appear even more enchanting. The breathtaking view of the riverside camp nestled against the backdrop of majestic peaks is something we’ll never forget—it’s etched in our memories forever.
Since it was our first day, we kept things simple and rested through the afternoon. As evening approached, a cool breeze swept through the campsite, and the atmosphere almost whispered that it was time for a walk to explore Manikaran. So, we set out on foot, and just around the corner, we were greeted by Kasol’s first rainfall.
As a true pluviophile (someone who loves rain), I was delighted. But not everyone shared the same enthusiasm, so we decided to head back to our haven—our riverside camp. On the way back, our friend Vishnu suddenly remembered that this weather absolutely called for coffee. We picked up a few essentials, and soon our in-house baristas, Vishnu and Deeksha Kahol, whipped up the perfect brew. A book in one hand, coffee in the other, with the sound and sight of gentle rain—this is the dream setting for every reader. And that evening, it became our reality.
It’s always the little things that we may look back and realise were the big things.
After dinner, it was time for introductions and the much-anticipated open mic session. To my surprise, I discovered I had a knack for remembering all 45 names and faces within just half an hour.
Once we got to know a little about a lot of people, the open mic began. What followed was an evening of artistic exploration, featuring soulful singers, heartfelt poets, and eloquent speakers—my personal favorites. The event was a delightful blend of emotions, insights, and melodies that lingered in the air long after it ended.
It was truly a night to remember—etched in memory by words, warmth, and voices that will echo in our hearts for years to come.
The night ended early, as we had been instructed to be ready by 8 AM the next morning for the much-awaited Kheerganga trek—undoubtedly the highlight of the trip. It was during this trek that I had the chance to connect with nearly everyone on a one-on-one level.
As we walked together, shared food and water, and looked out for one another, our bonds grew stronger. It was a truly exhilarating experience, with nature at its absolute best—lush, wild, and calming—compelling us to forget everything else and simply live in the present moment.
“Kheerganga or Kheer Ganga, as the name suggests, is the Ganga River as White as a Kheer. The name Kheerganga came due to the milky waters of the river flowing in all its vastness and its streams flowing into Parvati valley from all sides of the mountain.”It is a popular and moderately challenging trek offering stunning views of the Himalayas and the Parvati Valley. The trek is approximately 12-13 kilometers long and takes around 5-6 hours to complete, typically starting from Barshaini.
The weather was a beautiful blend of rain, clouds, sunshine, and a cool breeze all wrapped into one unforgettable day. The trek, however, remained incomplete. We couldn’t finish it due to time constraints.
I call it both the best and the worst part of the experience. The best—because it gives us a perfect reason to return to Kasol someday. The worst—because leaving something half-finished has a way of lingering in my mind until it’s finally done.
Overall, it was a truly thrilling experience, and every one of us enjoyed it to the fullest. We also indulged in some local delicacies—Siddu, momos, and of course, the ever-comforting Maggi. As for the food, I’ll admit, words simply don’t do it justice. Some things are meant to be experienced, not described. So, if you ever find yourself in Kasol, don’t miss the chance to taste it for yourself. As people say,
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.”
Day of Activities
The day finally arrived when it truly felt like the bookish trip we had all come for. I like to call it “The Day of Bookish Activities.”
It began with bookmark drawing. Now, anyone who knows me knows that drawing isn’t exactly my strong suit—but that’s precisely why I embraced the challenge. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me break the limiting belief that I can’t draw. So, I gave it my best shot and created a bookmark just for myself. While mine was humble, I was genuinely amazed by the creativity of others—some of the bookmarks were absolutely stunning. I was left awestruck by the sheer talent and imagination on display. I even received a beautifully hand-drawn bookmark from my friend, Deeksha Jain—a gift I’m truly grateful for.
After that, we had a few hours to ourselves—pure reading time. Nestled in the lap of nature by the riverside, my friends and I sat around a table with our current reads in hand. Between pages and quiet chatter with tea(of course), it was the perfect way to unwind and enjoy what we all love the most: reading. It was peaceful, immersive, and the kind of moment every book lover dreams of.
Following the reading session, we jumped into a group discussion about the books we had chosen before the trip. I was in the group for The Silent Patient—currently my favorite in the psychological thriller genre. Alongside four thoughtful readers, we delved deep into the layers of the story, and I walked away with unique, eye-opening perspectives I hadn’t considered before. That’s when a quote struck me:
“Every reader reads a different book, even if it shares the same title.”
Then came the treasure hunt—yes, a literary-themed one! But first, we had to form teams. Our fantastic host, Shashank, cleverly divided us into four groups named after the iconic Harry Potter houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, and Ravenclaw. The hunt was a mix of riddles, poetry, and shayari that led us scrambling like happy maniacs across the area in search of clues. It was hilarious, energizing, and wildly fun. After a thrilling chase, Team Ravenclaw emerged victorious!
Next up was the quiz, played with the same teams. Again, Shashank did a stellar job crafting thoughtful and exciting questions. What stood out most wasn’t just the knowledge, but the display of teamwork, calmness under pressure, competitive spirit—and, of course, a touch of friendly politics (because let’s be honest, what’s a game without a little strategy?). Once again, Team Ravenclaw took the win.
The day ended perfectly. Despite doing so much, we didn’t feel the slightest bit tired—just full of joy, energy, and memories. Of course, the night party followed… but let’s just say, some stories are better left untold.
The Final Day
It was the much-anticipated day of exchanging book gifts and receiving goodies—naturally, excitement was in the air. But before diving into the festivities, my friends and I decided to visit the Gurudwara and the Shiva temple in Manikaran, both just a short walk from our campsite.
Manikaran is considered a sacred and spiritually charged place, attracting countless devotees in search of peace and blessings. Despite the crowd, we felt an immediate sense of calm upon entering the area.
According to Hindu belief, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati once visited Manikaran. During their time there, Parvati is said to have lost an earring, which fell into a spring, giving the place its name—Manikaran, meaning “earring jewel.” In Sikh tradition, it is believed that Guru Nanak visited this site and, through a miracle, created the hot springs by lifting a rock.
“Belief and reality are two sides of a coin.” – beliefs significantly shape how we perceive and experience reality, and conversely, that reality can influence and modify our beliefs.
And then came the moment we were all eagerly waiting for—the goodies! We received so many thoughtful items that it left us all overwhelmed, speechless, and brimming with joy. A heartfelt thank you to The Bookoholic and Simon & Schuster India for making it all possible.
One of the most touching parts of the day was the surprise book exchange, organized beautifully by The Bookholic. Each of us was paired with a “blind book friend” and asked to write two postcards—one for our mystery friend, and one for ourselves. It was my first time doing something like this. While I often write for myself, I had never written to myself. It turned out to be a sui generis and introspective experience.
I received my surprise gift from Sakshi, and let me just say, she’s the best gift-giver! I was lucky enough to receive not one, but two incredible books, along with a stunning hand-drawn card she created herself. She’s not only thoughtful but also an exceptionally talented artist. I was completely moved, and for a rare moment, at a loss for words to describe the happiness I felt.
That was the final event before we began packing up—but truth be told, none of us were truly ready to leave. The thought of parting from such a beautiful place and even more beautiful people felt too soon. So, in true bookish-trip fashion, we did the only thing that made sense—we started dancing. For a while, we completely ignored the fact that others were waiting for us. It was our way of holding on to the magic just a little longer.
Every goodbye has a new hello with it – when something ends (a goodbye), it also opens the door to a new beginning (a hello).
The trip came to an end, but it opened countless new doors through the friendships I made—doors that lead to fresh perspectives, shared laughter, and memories waiting to be created every single day. I’m truly grateful for this journey, not just for the experiences it offered, but for the lifelong friends it gifted me. It wasn’t just a trip—it was a turning point.
Before wrapping up my article, I want to mention some of my friends’ experiences that they want to share about the trip. Thank you for that….
An escape, a source of peace, lifelong memories, and a load of fun.
Vishnu (HR)
A sweet Surprise
Nikhila
Friends with lots of books and loads of love
Jyoti ji
Must need a break from a fictional trip that ended with lots of friends and experiences into real world.
Namita
A trip started with folded clothes and ended with memories. Lots of friends and love, which can’t even be put in words.
Deeksha Jain
A bookish mountain trip that turned special with amazing people I met along the way.
Nijee
A beautiful experience I’ll never forget, with the right people in the right place.
Nidhi
A unique experience to be around so many book lovers, and grateful for the new friendships. Days to be remembered forever
Deeksha kahol
An amazing experience that my heart is so full, I might float away, and I met so many beautiful souls I didn’t know existed outside of a romance novel.
Sakshi
See you in the next article…