Manali, the name itself conveys coolness. A trip to Manali is worth looking forward to, that too if on a cycle, is double enjoyment, says the trio from MDIT Engineering College at Ulliyeri in Kozhikode.
The third year engineering students, Muhammad Nihal from Elathoor, Muhammad Thufail from Perambra and Muhammad Safvan from Balussery set out on an adventurous expedition on January 28 taking a break from their studies.
They started the trip deciding on Wayanad as destination. But the trip went long and reached Manali.
Covering the greens, ghat passes and forests, they went on in scorching sun, in chilling cold. All they had in possession was an extra pair of dress and a makeshift tent that they decided to take to Wayanad.
It was on an impulse that they decided to go to Manali and hadn’t informed at home. As days passed anxious phone calls flooded their phones and finally they told the truth to parents.
As they gained enough support from home and college, things were easy.
They reached Delhi on cycle in 8 days. In between the trip, on the way to Nagpur from Hyderabad, Nihal had a knee injury and travelled a small distance in a lorry.
Many people helped them. Many offered them free food and stay when they knew about the trip. It took 21 days to reach Manali. Rs 2500 was the expenditure incurred for each person.
It was decided before the trip that each person’s daily expenditure shouldn’t exceed Rs 300. In the 21 days, not even once they rented a room. Nights were spent in the tent setup at bus stops, petrol pumps and mosques.
Now, the trio is on the preparation for their next trip to undertake after exams.
