OT Journeys: Rency Thomas Sets Off On A 100-Day-Long Ganga Voyage

Welcome to OT Journeys, our exclusive space to take you on meaningful expeditions undertaken by travellers and professionals pursuing travel as a passion. These journeys aim to chronicle the essence of slow travel, where local experiences and challenges weave the narrative.

In our opening episode, meet Rency Thomas, a 36-year-old traveller from Tamil Nadu's Kanniyakumari, currently on a 100-day-long voyage across the Ganga river in Uttarakhand. What makes Thomas' journey unique is his perseverance. Despite being diagnosed with chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), he runs an adventure tourism company in Himachal Pradesh's Manali and travels the world, setting an ideal example of human strength.
Follow Thomas’s day-to-day updates on our page through blog posts, videos and photos as he progresses on his epic adventure.   

Day 1, November 4: The Trek

Starting our expedition from Uttarkashi's Bhojbasa, elevated at 3,800 metres, we experienced a biting 5-degree sub-zero temperature. I, my wife Ponni M Nath, and our logistics manager Yog Raj Thakur, set off towards Gaumukh at 8 am. My heart surged with a mix of happiness and excitement. The trek soon grew arduous, strewn with boulders and massive fallen rocks along the path. Manoeuvring through the moraine (scattered debris) proved the trickiest segment. The route had been smoother, but the past winter brought a surge of new rocks down the slope.

By 11:30 am, we arrived at Gaumukh, stopping a short distance from the glacier, following the advice of the forest department. It was also the perfect spot for capturing Gaumukh in the background through photos and videos. The most striking feature along the trail was the Shivling Peak. We spent about one and a half hours enjoying the view and capturing content for our social media feed.

Returning to the Bhojbasa trek felt easier, and we paused midway to cook noodles and brew hot black tea, providing us with much-needed warmth and energy. As I write about this experience, my hands struggle to type, making me realise that the gruelling 2600 km journey of human endurance is finally underway.

For Day 2 updates, click here!