NEW DELHI: The Malaysian hikers who were stranded on a mountain pass in India's Himachal Pradesh state due to incessant rains described their ordeal as a "crazy adventure" as they left for Kuala Lumpur on Friday (July 14) afternoon.
They arrived in India on June 30 for a 12-day trekking experience, but the weather deteriorated sharply in the final stage of their itinerary.
"In the first three days, the weather was perfect. When we were camping in Hampta Pass, it rained continuously for three days and we could not make river crossings due to strong currents," Siew Wey Tyng, who was leading the group, told Bernama.
The Hampta Pass trek is one of the popular adventures for local and foreign hikers.
Siew said her group was made up of 10 Malaysians, one British friend and one Chinese national who is married to a Malaysian.
The youngest member of the group is 38 year old and the oldest is 65.
The incessant rains had destroyed camp sites and made river crossings dangerous, 54-year-old Siew said.
They lost contact with their families on July 11 while trying to get out of the mountain pass.
"We were not sure how we would cross the river because the current was so strong. It turned into an extremely crazy adventure," she said.
"We were worried because we were not able to reach our family members. At this point, our families contacted the Malaysian High Commission," she added.
The local trek operators worked hard to ensure the Malaysian group was able make its way out safely.
While the mobile network wasn't available, the local guides were able to get help from within the area using a walkie-talkie.
"There were 20 guides working together. They were finally able to set up a zip line for us to cross the water," Siew.
The Malaysian group eventually reached Manali town on Wednesday.
The Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi, which had contacted the Indian authorities for assistance in locating the hikers, was able to track them down in their hotel.
From Manali the hikers faced a grueling journey of more than 500 km, taking 21 hours to reach New Delhi via Chandigarh.
They had a different set of drivers and cars for the second leg of their journey from Chandigarh.
Heavy monsoon rains in north India in recent days have led to swollen rivers, landslides and flooding.
"The journey was challenging. In one place the main road had collapsed and we did a detour and drove on a narrow hilly road. The Malaysian High Commission was very supportive and remained in constant touch with us,” Siew said.
Malaysian charge d'affaires Amizal Fadzli Rajali and second secretary Jefri Harun received the group at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport in the morning.
The hikers remain undeterred by their ordeal and say they intend to return to India to seek more adventures.
"Hampta Pass is a beautiful place. Unfortunately we were at the wrong place at the wrong time. This has not deterred us and we plan to explore more places in India," Siew said.- Bernama
