9th Trip to Bir & Barot

On 13th November, Belong Journeys kicked off a beautiful adventure with a vibrant group of 40 LGBTQ+ individuals from Delhi Vidhan Sabha Metro Station. This trip, organized in collaboration with QConnect, received an overwhelming response and incredible support from our community. With heartfelt appreciation for the volunteers who stood by us and helped through every step, we started our journey towards Bit Nest — our cozy stay for the next two days, with delicious dinner halts along the way.

We reached Bir early the next morning and took some time to relax before diving into our first exciting plan on the itinerary — a trek to the mesmerizing Gunehar Waterfall. Hidden deep in nature with a 1500-meter trail, the walk was absolutely worth the effort. The peaceful ambience, refreshing sprinkle of water, and the scenic views around made it the perfect spot to unwind. Some of our group members, full of adrenaline, even trekked all the way to the top with our guide!

After a refreshing time at the falls, we recharged ourselves with local Himachali delights — Siddu, momos, Maggi, and chai — the mountain favorites! By evening, we returned to our stay where Belong Journeys hosted a fun Tambola Night paired with soulful performances by local artists. Laughter, cheering, and bonding around the bonfire set the perfect tone, ending the night with warmth and joy.

The next morning began with a wholesome breakfast and renewed excitement. Our destination for the day — the breathtaking Barot Valley, a paradise of mountains, rivers, and endless beauty. We first visited the Barot Dam, where the views were picture-perfect and everyone enjoyed clicking memories along the serene waters. A delicious lunch by nature made the experience even better!

Post Barot Dam, we headed to the magical Lapas Fall — a true blissful escape! The group had the time of their lives playing in the water, clicking fun pictures, and simply soaking in joy. We returned by evening to prepare for our big Open Mic Night — a celebration of talent, confidence, and pride! From poetry to dancing and singing, the night saw pure expression and community love, ending once again near the comforting warmth of a bonfire.

The toughest moment of every journey finally came — saying goodbye. With hearts full and memories packed, we checked out the next morning. Some adventurers headed for paragliding while others explored Bir’s cafés, markets, and monasteries near the landing site. After lunch, we made our journey back toward Delhi, taking a dinner halt enroute and reaching home early morning on 17th November — carrying unforgettable experiences and the joy of belonging.