Sungri, Himachal Pradesh, India, 19 December 2016, 1200 hours:

After having breakfast at Rohru, we headed back towards Shimla. However, we took a different road – via Sungri and Narkanda. The drive was wonderful through a thick and young pine forest. Along the road we crossed many apple orchards and also spotted villagers cutting and storing wood for the winters. By now we also got used to see more forest fires as well. All the sights along this drive made a fitting finale to this trip.

Thick pine forest along the way with smoke coming off a forest fire; Photo: Abhinav Kaushal

Looking back downwards towards the valley as we approach Sungri; Photo: Abhinav Kaushal

Village folk carrying out chores while the warm sunshine lasts; Photo: Abhinav Kaushal

View of Muraal Danda peak near Sungri; Photo: Abhinav Kaushal