The Hyderabad Break – When the road paused, but the journey didn’t. (1st–5th September)
Back in Hyderabad, life shifted from highways to office work — from rugged roads to the rhythm of home.
Missing Manali, Jispa, and Lahaul still leaves a small ache. Those roads — the dream route to Leh — I may never attempt again. But looking back, returning to Hyderabad was the best decision I could have made.
Instead of wandering aimlessly around Chandigarh or Shimla (which too were struggling with floods), or flying to Lehstraight from there without enthusiasm, I chose to come home — to spend time with family and join our community in the Ganesh Navratri celebrations.
That spiritual pause brought peace, grounding, and a sense of renewed energy. It restored the momentum that the blocked roads had drained away.
This part of the journey turned into a family package in Leh — and what a beautiful turn it was.
The Leh Family Package – (6th–10th September)
The four of us — Vani, PSM (Mr. P. S. Murthy, fondly called PSM), his wife Jothi, and I — had some of the most memorable moments together.
Monasteries, crystal lakes, and laughter-filled evenings turned those few days into an experience of warmth and friendship.
Since this travelogue focuses on my solo journey, I will keep this portion brief. But those Leh days remain close to my heart — and PSM is creating a separate blog to capture the moments we shared there in full colour and detail.
“Not every leg of a journey is meant to be solo — some are best lived in company that makes every mile feel lighter.”
