For most beginners like me, the idea of a trek in the scorching summer conjures up images of relentless sun, sticky clothes, dehydration, and exhaustion. The assumption is that if it’s not the cool, postcard-perfect Himalayas, it’s probably not worth the effort. But that belief doesn’t quite hold up. Speak to anyone who has actually attempted a summer trek (me), and suddenly it seems like a pretty “cool” thing to do in the season. 

Last week, my mum and I set out on the Jor to Mahabaleshwar jungle trek, expecting to endure the worst of the season. It was an all-day trek, the kind that would typically intimidate a first-timer. But instead of harsh sunlight beating down constantly, I found myself walking through dense green canopies that filtered the heat into something softer, almost pleasant. The jungle had its own climate. Cool air brushed past as we weaved through winding trails, careful with each step but never overwhelmed. The experience was about being present. Listening, observing, and adjusting. At the end of it, none of us could remember the discomfort as much as the beauty of the entire journey.