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Himalayas
India
Witness a journey of self-discovery through the 8 valleys of the lower-Indian Himalayas
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Old Manali
Himachal Pradesh
Explore the narrow alleyways of Old Manali
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Old Manali
Himachal Pradesh
Experience the spell of enchanting pine forests
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Solang Valley
Himachal Pradesh
Experience stargazing over the skies of Solang
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Kangra District
Himachal Pradesh
Discover Bathu Temple that only emerges from the Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake during spring
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Himachal Pradesh
India
Witness the ever changing landscape of the mountains along the drive
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Triund
Himachal Pradesh
Experience what camping feels like at 10,000 ft
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Lower Kinnaur
Himachal Pradesh
Watch the snow make a perfect canvas for “Holi” celebrations
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Kinnaur Valley
Himachal Pradesh
Experience the unruly roads of Kinnaur
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Enroute Spiti
Himachal Pradesh
Experience the frozen lake of Nako on the Kinnaur-Spiti Road
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Nako
Himachal Pradesh
Discover the Nako monastery built by Rinchen Zangpo, The Great Translator, in the 11th century
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Spiti Valley
Himachal Pradesh
Observe the panoramic views of a whitewashed morning in Kaza
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Spiti Valley
Himachal Pradesh
Explore the 1000 year old Kee Monastery perched on top of a hill
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Spiti Valley
Himachal Pradesh
Witness the extravagant snowfields and mountains of Spiti
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Spiti Valley
Himachal Pradesh
Experience the surreal views of the rocky spurs at Dhankar
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Leh
Ladakh
Experience the quiet stillness of the Shanti Stupa
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Himalayas
India
Experience the sheer vastness of the Himalayas
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Spiti Valley
Himachal Pradesh
Unravel untold stories of spiritual belief and faith at Langza
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Nubra Valley
Ladakh
Experience an oasis in the middle of a cold desert at the Hunder Sand Dunes
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Pangong Tso
Ladakh
Explore the endorheic lake spanning eastern Ladakh and West Tibet
WAY BACK
HOME
A HIMALAYAN TRAVELOGUE
Experience
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A journey of self-discovery across the lower-Indian Himalayas
It was the winter of 2013. We carried a camera to the Himalayan highlands, driving across enchanting valleys, visiting remote villages, indulging in the unwavering hospitality of the Himachalis, collecting precious memories for life. Over this incredulous journey, we met some really inspiring people, some locals, others who have made these mountains their home. Every one of them had stories to inspire, educate and enlighten. Before taking a step outside into the paths unknown, one must truly understand where he belongs - Discover the 8 valleys of the lower-Indian Himalayas with filmmaker & musician Rohan Thakur as he sets off on a re-discovery of himself and his roots.

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/ PEOPLE
OF WAY BACK HOME
Over this incredulous journey, Rohan met some really interesting people, with stories to inspire, educate and enlighten.

Rohan

Thakur

As a Himachali boy, hailing from a little known village of Tholong in Lahaul Valley, who was born and raised in Manali, and completed his High School in Mussoorie – the presence of the mountains in his childhood and nascent adulthood, though powerful, was plagued with a constant sense of abandonment and change. Rohan, the perfect example of a young confused Indian, has been away from home all his life in pursuit of better things. An artist at heart with an intense potential to express, he lacked direction & discipline. After trying his hand at many things, being a traveller, adventurer, musician and filmmaker; he is finally back to his backyard to explore his roots and seek answers to his true calling, on the 4 month long journey, crossing 7 valleys, he finds his Way Back Home.

Panchi Ram

Best Tandoor Maker

There are two types of heating systems that the Himalayans totally depend upon, the tandoor and the bukhari. The only difference is that the bukhari is meant for keeping warm alone, whereas on a tandoor, one can also cook. This is Mr. Panchi Ram, the best tandoor-maker in Manali. The heating systems in Himachal originated from his family, the makers of the tandoor. If they work hard enough constantly, then it takes about 3 days to finish a tandoor with intricate designs on it. He gets close to 200-300 orders in one winter, which gets really difficult to finish since he only has his son to do the work. But they take on Himalayan winters with pride and carry forward the family tradition of craftsmanship and honest work.

COL. J. P SINGH

COLONEL'S RESORT

Colonel’s Resort is run by a retired colonel alongside his house, a couple of cottages and horses in Bir, Himachal Pradesh. His name is Jotinder Pal but in the army, he’s popularly known as J.P. While he was in the army for about 26 years, he and his wife always dreamed of starting something of their own. As they were deciding what would be best suited for them and their temperament, they arrived at the idea of retiring in a mountain resort, growing their own vegetables in a greenhouse and enjoying life’s truest pleasures.

Gurpreet Dhindsa

Pro-Paraglider

“Don’t let anybody else tell you otherwise, because it is dangerous. It’s every kid’s childhood dream to fly, I think it’s inherent. Some people grow up and forget it, some don’t. I didn’t, that’s why I do this, says Dhindsa about the sport of paragliding. On trying paragliding for the first time Rohan Thakur said – “You’re completely playing this game with the air, and searching for those points that will keep you high up in the air and airborne for longer.”

Shyam Sharan Negi

1st Voter of India

They say that the first ever election in India was held here in Kalpa, this is where we met Mr. Negi, who’s almost been around for a century. On being asked by Thakur about the old ways and the new, Mr. Negi said – “After Independence, our country has progressed a lot. There have been a lot of changes. Earlier, we would all live together happily. Nowadays, that culture doesn’t exist anymore. That’s what I don’t like at all. One can’t bear to live in the cold in those (cement) kind of buildings. I prefer these wooden houses that keep us warm.”

Lobsang Thilay

Resident Teacher, Kee Gompa

“Children are sent to become monks when they are around 8 years old. It is a tradition in Spiti, that from every household the oldest son has to take up farming and the second oldest son must become a monk. In our religion, it is an honour for the parents to send their child to become a monk.”

Chhering Rapten

Organic Farmer

Rapten is not your average farmer. In fact he’s quite a progreesive thinker and also the owner of Norling Homestay in Kibber – Always finding new and innovative ways to improve the standard of living in these harsh conditions. “There have been a lot of changes – When we were kids, studying in school, we would burn a kerosene lamp after dark. My father told me that even before the kerosene lamp existed, they would make lamps using mustard oil to be able to see at night. It’s been only about 6-7 years since we got electricity here. After that they built the roads and then medical facilities became available. But we still don’t always have electricity so we use solar lights to get by. Generally if you look at it, the plains have more facilities in terms of food and shelter, higher levels of oxygen, places to go out, etc. But the kind of peace you can experience here, you will never find that in the plains. People do have their petty differences, but in times of sadness no one holds back. All the people come together and help each other through it. That’s why I feel very strongly that, even though we might not progress as fast as the rest of the world, the mental peace that I have, I can only get that here.”

Cheten Dorje

Highway TVC Operator

On observing the farmers, Cheten says – “The farmers at Spiti sing to the yaks to show their love so that the yaks don’t get too tired during farming. It makes them feel at ease. If you hit the animal and overwork it, the animal will be difficult and will not work properly. The louder they sing, the more at ease the yaks will be. While tilling the land, a lot of little bugs and insects get crushed, so to wash off the sin of taking these lives, they have to chant “Om Mani Padme” everytime they take a turn.” To work in the fields is one thing, it’s hard work, it’s very taxing on your body but it’s another thing altogether to endure this kind of climate, but yet people here sing, they have chai and carry on with their day.

Tsering Angdui

Teacher

Teacher and Owner of Tanzi Homestay in Spiti, Tsering shares his love for his village –“My village is called Langza, which means “Village of the Gods.” It snowed a lot this year, I don’t think I’ve seen this much snow in my entire life. It snowed every single day during the month of February. For many years it hardly snowed in Spiti and the fields had almost dried up, but this year, everyone in this village was so happy even though there was no electricity and the roads were also blocked because – snow meant a good yield of the crops. We have pretty much all the facilities that one would need. There is electricity, we have phone lines set up, we have land for agriculture. The village is really beautiful and it truly is a home to the Gods. I don’t think I’ll ever leave my village.”

Nawang Upasak

Resident Monk

“Today this Shashur Gompa (monastery) belongs to the “Drukpa Kargyu” sect of Buddhism. But in the past this monastery was a small meditation centre belonging to the Nyingma sect. In the 15th century Drupchen Deva Gyatso came to Lahaul as a missionary from Bhutan. He established this monastery as a Drukpa Kargyu centre and spread Buddhism throughout Lahaul. At the end when he passed away, he attained “Mahapariniravana” (complete enlightenment). They say that after his body was burnt on the pyre, his heart still remained intact. The sculptor took his heart and embedded it in the statue you see downstairs. Overtime people have bestowed so much faith in this place, it is believed that if you wish for something here it will come true.”

Suhail Kakpori

Rock Climber

“We have this small bouldering gym in Leh city that’s also a restaurant – Gravi T Bouldering Cafe. We take people out on climbing tours, day tours mostly. For me personally, I think we put ourselves into such a situation that you have to shut off your brain and let your body do all the work. Once you flow naturally, you come into this meditative state. Because when you’re up there, you’re pretty scared, everything in your body is telling you that you shouldn’t be doing this but you’re overcoming all those fears by challenging yourself. Finishing the climb then is a very sweet feeling. You can learn anything, you just have to get on with it. So we get a lot of first timers and we teach them right here. Apart from all the physical strength, it’s more about natural body movement, how you move with the rock.”

CATALOGUE
// MUSIC
OF WAY BACK HOME
Way Back Home is a first of its kind docu series with an originally written & produced soundtrack by Rohan Thakur
Aao Chalein
by taba chake
00:00
Sit Back, Relax & Watch The Show
Rohan Thakur
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It Will Snow
Rohan Thakur
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Way Back Home OST
Rohan Thakur
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Loosen Out
Rohan Thakur
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CATALOGUE
/// SOCIAL
COLLABORATION
We worked together with Thought Over Design to create a map of this 4 month long journey through the Himalayas
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WAY BACK HOME

JOURNEY MAP

Way Back Home series is a first-of-its-kind travelogue on India as it trails young, authentic, passionate travellers embarking on a road to self-discovery. Covering an entire diaspora of activities steeped in travel, adventure, music, lifestyle, people and fun, it became almost essential to put down the 4 month long journey on a map. Our extremely talented folks at Thought Over Design brought this journey to life through design and illustration, headed by Anushka Sani, the founder of TOD and Associate Producer on the series.

CATALOGUE
//// THEVIBE
ORIGINALS
The legacy left behind by this series is what drew the way ahead for us.

Way Back Home series is the most popular asset of TheVibe Originals. It has been syndicated on television across 5 major territories worldwide ever since its production in 2014 and continues to travel far and wide, it has also made the filmmaker couple Ronnie and Barty – one of the most influential YouYube content creators in the category of Travel and Mountain Filmmaking in the country.

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CREATED BY
All the brilliant humans that made this happen.

Asad Abid

Showrunner & Executive Producer

Anushka Sani

Associate Producer

George Abrao

Producer

Rohan Thakur

Filmed & Edited

Bharati Bahrani

Filmed & Edited

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