The Diary game. Better life with steem. From International Yoga Day to an Epic Nilnag–Yusmarg Trek. 21 june 2026
Since it was International Yoga Day on 21st June, our district administration had arranged for us to participate in a yoga session at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. Because of this, I woke up at 4:00 AM and quickly got ready, as we were supposed to reach the district headquarters by around 4:30–5:00 AM before heading to Srinagar.
One of my friends was the nodal officer for the event, so I contacted him beforehand and informed him that I would go directly to Srinagar and join the district bus from there instead of travelling to the district headquarters first, which would have been more difficult for me. On the way, I picked up a few friends who were also attending the event, and we travelled together. Before heading to SKICC, we parked our vehicle, had breakfast together, and then boarded the bus.
After reaching the venue, we completed all the required activities and were fortunate enough to catch an early bus back. We left around 8:00 AM and soon returned home.
As soon as I reached home, another friend called me. Some of his friends from a distant district were visiting, and they were planning a trekking trip. Since my friend was not very familiar with the route, he asked me to accompany the group. Since it was a holiday and I had no pressing commitments, I immediately agreed.
A little later, we reached Nilnag Lake, where our trek began. Our destination was Yusmarg, and the trail usually takes about two hours. The group was quite large and included several children, so we had to maintain a comfortable pace for everyone.
It turned out to be an amazing gathering. Everyone was cheerful, enthusiastic, and excited about the adventure. Having such positive people on a trek is truly a blessing. We followed a beautiful route through forests and meadows and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the journey. By around 12:30 PM, we finally reached Yusmarg.
Soon after, clouds gathered overhead, making us think rain was on the way. We stopped near a restaurant, had tea, and interacted with several tourists who were visiting the area. Before long, it started raining lightly, but by then we had already explored a large part of the region. Some members of our group were visiting Yusmarg for the first time, and they were amazed by its lush green landscapes and breathtaking scenery.
Later, we all sat together and had lunch. Afterward, the group split into smaller groups. Some went horse riding, while others relaxed in the sunshine whenever the weather cleared. My friend and I met a local employee from the area, and he invited us to spend some time at his quarters, where we rested for a while.
Around 3:00 PM, we started our return journey along the same route. At one point, a section of our group took a different path and got separated from us, but fortunately they knew the general direction and eventually made their way back safely. By around 4:00 PM, we had returned to Nilnag.
We spent some time sitting along the shores of the lake and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. Since it was a Sunday, the place was crowded with visitors. The guests who had come with us were fascinated by the scenery, many of them experiencing such natural beauty for the first time.
Even when it was time to leave, they were not ready to end the adventure. They wanted one more activity before heading home. We suggested visiting the nearby village of Branwar, where a clear river flows through the area and offers a perfect place to enjoy the water. The group happily drove toward Branwar, while my friend and I headed back home.
After reaching home, I went straight to my room because I was completely exhausted from the day’s activities. I fell asleep almost immediately and remained asleep until around 10:00 PM, when my family called and woke me up. Only then did I have dinner, bringing an eventful and memorable day to a close.
