Before I went to Tirthan Valley, I had become the type of traveller that tries to squeeze too much into every trip. I wanted three full days for sightseeing if I had three days. My phone would be full of saved venues, restaurant tips, and routes that appeared reasonable until I tried to follow them.
I started preparing for Tirthan Valley very much the same. There were towns to explore, waterfalls to locate, and excursions throughout the Great Himalayan National Park. I wanted to make every hour matter.” It was only when we reached the valley that I realised, oddly enough, how tiring that approach had become.
Tirthan didn’t hand me a big list of attractions to tick off. Instead, it offered me a reason not to seek one.
Tirthan Valley encourages you to slow down
The first thing I noticed was the sound of the river. It followed me practically everywhere. Sometimes loud along the road, sometimes faint behind trees or homes. There was traffic, but never the kind that made the place feel restless.
I intended to check in, leave my luggage, and go straight out. Instead, I sat with a cup of tea beside the property for over an hour. I could see the river through the trees and a dog from one of the nearby houses had decided to settle down next to my chair.
Nothing truly occurred. That was exactly what was pleasant.
I stopped measuring days by attractions near Tirthan Valley
The next morning, I set out for a neighbouring settlement, without knowing how far I might go. I passed small fields, children walking to school, and wooden houses. Sometimes I stepped aside for a motorbike or stopped to let a group of sheep pass.
No notable landmark waited at the end of the route. I just kept going till I discovered a relaxed spot by the river. Then I sat there for a little while.
Usually, I would have pondered if I were wasting my time. Sitting by the lake was not a pause between activities in Tirthan Valley; it was the main activity.
Staying close to the river changed my Tirthan Valley trip
I had chosen one of the smaller hotel stays near the river instead of looking for a large property with a long list of facilities. The accommodation was simple but featured a balcony, hot water and a view of the surrounding woods.
This also put me within walking distance of village trails and calm places by the sea. I did not feel the need to prepare a car every morning or select where the whole day would be spent.
Some afternoons I came back early and sat on the balcony and read. With others I would chat with the host about weather, local food, and nearby hikes. These conversations typically gave me better ideas than anything I kept online.
Meals became something to look forward to in Tirthan Valley
The food in the valley kept pace with the journey. Breakfast was generally parathas, eggs or bread with tea. Dinner took a while because it was cooked to order instead of being pre-made.
One evening, I tried locally prepared vegetables with rice. The next night I had rajma, rotis and a basic vegetable curry. The lunch was warm, substantial, and just what we needed after spending the evening outside.
No one was rushing us. I would frequently remain for another cup of tea, listening to the river and chatting with other tourists about where they had travelled that day.
I left with fewer photographs of Tirthan Valley than usual
On the final day, I found I had taken very few images. I hadn’t forgotten my phone, and I hadn’t set a rule to stay away from it. I just stopped reaching for it every few minutes.
Some views seemed to be better accepted if they weren’t framed properly. The river seemed different in the morning mist, the villages were calmer after nightfall, and the mountains seemed to change colour in the evening. I saw these things because I did not have to rush to the next station.
Final thoughts
Tirthan Valley informed me that a leisurely journey is not about doing nothing. I still went to communities, walked trails, ate local food, and sat by the river. I basically stopped looking at those encounters like items to be checked off.
When I got home, I couldn’t pick one main attraction that marked the vacation. What stuck with me were the little things. Tea on the balcony, long walks with no destination, the sound of the river at night and talks that had nowhere further to go.
That was more than sufficient. Actually, that was the first trip in ages that didn’t leave me seeking another getaway afterwards.
