We had enquired at the office for potential tourist spots for the weekend. First one on the list was “Touchal”.It was the same mountain range that I could see from the hotel.Myself, Salman and Deepak(colleague) were pretty excited about this spot.As advised, we got all the jackets on to our body that hid 2-3 layers of shirts.
The date was 28-Feb-2008.We were all set to explore this mountain range.All geared up, we got into a taxi.It took some effort from our side to guide the taxi driver to the place though we kept on saying the place’s name and pointing at it and also trying to make a shape of mountain with hand. We somehow managed to reach the place.Next, we started searching for the “cable car” counter.We asked few people and they just pointed towards the
peak.We thought its just few steps away and then started walking.We walked for about 10 mins and then we finally saw this huge mountain that had a roadway cut into it.It looked like about 2-3kms to reach the next visible junction.We started walking towards our goal.There was a slight steep on the road that made the distance seem longer.
10-15 mins into the walk and Deepak said that he’d had enough!!!It was really funny to see him getting tired and give up the mission midway.He started looking out for buses that were zipping past us.But all his efforts were in vain. None of them actually stopped.He was trying his level best to attract attention of driver so that he would stop the bus.But , none of the buses stopped. Juice went in,chips went in, still Deepak was trying very hard to cope up with the long walk!!!! Finally a bus driver looked at Deepak’s diameter, showed mercy on him and stopped the bus. Deepak was overjoyed and got into the bus. I could see the smile on his face. The smile marked an achievement. Myself and Salman just waved at him and bid goodbye, hoping to meet him at the junction. But guess wat, things were still not great for Deepak.The bus stopped after covering 40-50 metres from that point and everybody in the bus got down , as it had reached its last stop!!! We were all cracked up. Kya scene tha!!!! Had a great laugh looking at his situation.
We had reached the “cable car” counter finally. People had told that we should go to the 7th station to get maximum fun at that place. We were disappointed to know only the Skiers were allowed to go to the 7th station and rest cannot go beyond the 5th one.We took the tickets anyway.We got into these not so strong looking cars.The start was amazing.The car suddenly came out of the station and got onto the cables at great speed.Just the right beginning that we could have asked for.
Just 2-3 mins into the mountains and we were awestruck by the visual treat that was lying in front of us.SIMPLY AMAZING!!!We looked all around and for a long long distance all we could see was just snow!!!It was a truly a great scene. As none of us had experienced snow before, it was gonna be a great experience.
It was getting cooler as and when were getting closer to the peak.The 5th station arrived and we had to get down. We got down, came out of the station and saw a spectacular scene.The snow lying all around us that looked unreal.We were still trying come on terms with what were going through for the last 30-40 mins. Just superb!!We ran, threw snowballs at each other,captured snaps like there would be no tomorrow. Everything still seemed like a dream.
Someone told us that we were at about 3200metres above the sea level and the temperature was round about -10 to -12 degree centigrades.We were feeling the chill now. The cold wave sending a chill through the spine. Woohoo!!! Wat an experience!!!
A thought came by, was this trip to touchal on my mind when I had planned to come to Iran??None of the major travel sites gave me a clue on this.Was this unintentional or is there something more to this.Intentional or unintentional, it’s a blessing in disguise to the local people.No heavy traffic jams to get to this place.
They don’t have to stand in long queues to enter. They enjoy this anonymity.
I just looked at people around me.Elderly people, Couples, Families, teenagers,everyone was enjoying themselves. The place wasn’t crowded at all. One could select different spots to treat themselves looking at the gift of mother nature.I selected one such lovely spot and sat on the snow.Still lotta thoughts running in my mind.Why isn’t this place known to the whole world when it genuinely deserves to be.why deny this people of so many jobs that tourism would generate.Hotel industry,transport,Skii resorts etc etc.There can be no end to this list.I just thought that these were bigger issues that have to be sorted out at an international level and I just need to concentrate on smallest possible issue like my jeans getting wet all this while when I was sitting on the snow!!!!!I jumped from the ground.But, it was tooo late.The damage had been done!!I ran around and tried to get it dry.Then realized that it would be tough thing to do at that temperature.
Then we got into this restaurant which was standing tall and was a silent witness to all the buffoonery that were doing there. Sat on one of the chairs an
d started looking around to see some board that would have English on it and would read “Vegetarian”.I knew it too much to ask for. But, what do I lose in hoping?!!! Gained some courage and went to a counter and started throwing the regular set of words, “vegetarian” , ”No ghosth(meaning no meat)”,”No murgkh(meaning no chicken)”,only sabzee(only vegetables).Luck smiled at us.There were 3 types of soups and all 3 were vegetarian. We were overjoyed. The soups were really hot,fuming. It relieved our cold nerves.We were feeling better now.Had a cup of tea and here we were all set for round-2 with the snow,afresh.
The sight still seemed unbelievable.It looked like a large painting with white paint all over and some cotton being thrown on it.The sight was makin me go crazy.Here and there, you could see the mountaineers and skiers in groups walking up the peak. It just startled me when I tried to imagine what distance they must have covered by foot to reach that place. Simply great!At that height and low temperature its not easy to walk for such distances. It was astounding.
Then we realized that we had already spent more than an hour and it was time to get back to base. The cabin-car facility closes down by afternoon. It would have been scary thing to have ourselves stranded up there and to be asked to go back by walk!!!!
We rushed back to the station and got into the car.Continued to enjoy the large ice-pizza that was under us.The car moved swiftly and we reached the base.
WOW!!What an experience we’d had!!Something to cherish for rest of the lifetime.Simply amazing!!
There were still some thoughts running through my mind.What if this place was given prominence like all the other “high-profile” tourist spots.Are we missing out on something??Keeping the whole world away from discovering this hidden gem!!!May what the actual thing be, it had to get its due prominence.I just wished that it gets the name and fame it genuinely deserves.
With a heavy heart, we bid goodbye to TOUCHAL. It was not mere mountain for us,It was an experience.
The date was 28-Feb-2008.We were all set to explore this mountain range.All geared up, we got into a taxi.It took some effort from our side to guide the taxi driver to the place though we kept on saying the place’s name and pointing at it and also trying to make a shape of mountain with hand. We somehow managed to reach the place.Next, we started searching for the “cable car” counter.We asked few people and they just pointed towards the
peak.We thought its just few steps away and then started walking.We walked for about 10 mins and then we finally saw this huge mountain that had a roadway cut into it.It looked like about 2-3kms to reach the next visible junction.We started walking towards our goal.There was a slight steep on the road that made the distance seem longer.10-15 mins into the walk and Deepak said that he’d had enough!!!It was really funny to see him getting tired and give up the mission midway.He started looking out for buses that were zipping past us.But all his efforts were in vain. None of them actually stopped.He was trying his level best to attract attention of driver so that he would stop the bus.But , none of the buses stopped. Juice went in,chips went in, still Deepak was trying very hard to cope up with the long walk!!!! Finally a bus driver looked at Deepak’s diameter, showed mercy on him and stopped the bus. Deepak was overjoyed and got into the bus. I could see the smile on his face. The smile marked an achievement. Myself and Salman just waved at him and bid goodbye, hoping to meet him at the junction. But guess wat, things were still not great for Deepak.The bus stopped after covering 40-50 metres from that point and everybody in the bus got down , as it had reached its last stop!!! We were all cracked up. Kya scene tha!!!! Had a great laugh looking at his situation.
We had reached the “cable car” counter finally. People had told that we should go to the 7th station to get maximum fun at that place. We were disappointed to know only the Skiers were allowed to go to the 7th station and rest cannot go beyond the 5th one.We took the tickets anyway.We got into these not so strong looking cars.The start was amazing.The car suddenly came out of the station and got onto the cables at great speed.Just the right beginning that we could have asked for.
Just 2-3 mins into the mountains and we were awestruck by the visual treat that was lying in front of us.SIMPLY AMAZING!!!We looked all around and for a long long distance all we could see was just snow!!!It was a truly a great scene. As none of us had experienced snow before, it was gonna be a great experience.
It was getting cooler as and when were getting closer to the peak.The 5th station arrived and we had to get down. We got down, came out of the station and saw a spectacular scene.The snow lying all around us that looked unreal.We were still trying come on terms with what were going through for the last 30-40 mins. Just superb!!We ran, threw snowballs at each other,captured snaps like there would be no tomorrow. Everything still seemed like a dream.
Someone told us that we were at about 3200metres above the sea level and the temperature was round about -10 to -12 degree centigrades.We were feeling the chill now. The cold wave sending a chill through the spine. Woohoo!!! Wat an experience!!!
A thought came by, was this trip to touchal on my mind when I had planned to come to Iran??None of the major travel sites gave me a clue on this.Was this unintentional or is there something more to this.Intentional or unintentional, it’s a blessing in disguise to the local people.No heavy traffic jams to get to this place.
They don’t have to stand in long queues to enter. They enjoy this anonymity.I just looked at people around me.Elderly people, Couples, Families, teenagers,everyone was enjoying themselves. The place wasn’t crowded at all. One could select different spots to treat themselves looking at the gift of mother nature.I selected one such lovely spot and sat on the snow.Still lotta thoughts running in my mind.Why isn’t this place known to the whole world when it genuinely deserves to be.why deny this people of so many jobs that tourism would generate.Hotel industry,transport,Skii resorts etc etc.There can be no end to this list.I just thought that these were bigger issues that have to be sorted out at an international level and I just need to concentrate on smallest possible issue like my jeans getting wet all this while when I was sitting on the snow!!!!!I jumped from the ground.But, it was tooo late.The damage had been done!!I ran around and tried to get it dry.Then realized that it would be tough thing to do at that temperature.
Then we got into this restaurant which was standing tall and was a silent witness to all the buffoonery that were doing there. Sat on one of the chairs an
d started looking around to see some board that would have English on it and would read “Vegetarian”.I knew it too much to ask for. But, what do I lose in hoping?!!! Gained some courage and went to a counter and started throwing the regular set of words, “vegetarian” , ”No ghosth(meaning no meat)”,”No murgkh(meaning no chicken)”,only sabzee(only vegetables).Luck smiled at us.There were 3 types of soups and all 3 were vegetarian. We were overjoyed. The soups were really hot,fuming. It relieved our cold nerves.We were feeling better now.Had a cup of tea and here we were all set for round-2 with the snow,afresh.The sight still seemed unbelievable.It looked like a large painting with white paint all over and some cotton being thrown on it.The sight was makin me go crazy.Here and there, you could see the mountaineers and skiers in groups walking up the peak. It just startled me when I tried to imagine what distance they must have covered by foot to reach that place. Simply great!At that height and low temperature its not easy to walk for such distances. It was astounding.
Then we realized that we had already spent more than an hour and it was time to get back to base. The cabin-car facility closes down by afternoon. It would have been scary thing to have ourselves stranded up there and to be asked to go back by walk!!!!
We rushed back to the station and got into the car.Continued to enjoy the large ice-pizza that was under us.The car moved swiftly and we reached the base.
WOW!!What an experience we’d had!!Something to cherish for rest of the lifetime.Simply amazing!!
There were still some thoughts running through my mind.What if this place was given prominence like all the other “high-profile” tourist spots.Are we missing out on something??Keeping the whole world away from discovering this hidden gem!!!May what the actual thing be, it had to get its due prominence.I just wished that it gets the name and fame it genuinely deserves.
With a heavy heart, we bid goodbye to TOUCHAL. It was not mere mountain for us,It was an experience.
Congratulations to you, for reaching the end of this post.If you haven't got bored yet and want to see more pics related to the above blog, then try this :
