Escapade in Manali

Fresh Snow
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Manali

M - Magnificent

Manali - 5 days in Tranquility

A - Airy

Rohtang Road
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N - Nonchalant

A - Aromatic

L - Lovely

I – Imposing

Manikaran
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Manali - picturesque, scenic, and serene - is situated along the Beas River with a superb view of snow covered mountains. It transports travel-weary tourists into the exalted heights of the Himalayas, a place for families and honeymooners, focal point for treks and mountaineering expeditions into the Solang Valley and over the Rohtang Pass into Lahaul-Spiti.

Day 1

We reached our hotel - Ambassador Resort- in the evening. After settling down, we decided to explore the in-&-around the hotel. The hotel is located approximately 1.5 kms from main town on Manali-Rohtang Pass route, with gushing Beas river on one side and calm-&-passive hills rising majestically on the other. Hotel staff was very accommodating & cooperative. And hotel - no words to explain.

Manikaran - River Parvati
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Day 2

Next day our hotel arranged for half-day sight-seeing tour of Manali. First we went to Hadimba Devi Temple, built in 16th century by Maharaja Bahadur Singh after earlier temple was burnt down in forest fire. Surrounding the temple is a forest, quiet & soothing, where you can take stroll and enjoy its beauty, but of course after paying a minimal entrance fee. At the entrance of the temple, you will find lot of people selling goods ranging from local handicrafts to Tibetan articles. You can also catch a glimpse of Angora Rabbits & Yak. Take a pic with these beauties.

Naggar Castle Courtyard
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After spending 2 hours, we then proceed to down-town to witness another wonder this place has to offer - Gadhan Thekchokling Gompa - a Tibetan Buddhist Temple beautifully decorated in bright colors with prayers flags fluttering all around you.

Just adjacent to this temple is a small park, where you and just sit & relax. Also you can visit Club House on the bank of a small river (I forgot its name :-)).

It was lunch time by the time we finished our short trip of Buddhist Temple, feeling hungry but all excited. We then headed to The Mall where you can find all kind of hotels offering variety of food options ranging from Indian to Tibetan to Continental - authentic, well don't ask me. We settled down in a small restaurant to have a quick bite. Since we still had 1/2 day in our hand and didn't want to go back to our den, we headed to view another wonder - Naggar Castle, built by rulers of Pal Dynasty in 16th century. But there was a little surprise stored for us. We had a picture of grand palace or some big fort in our mind but that, to be true with you, was blown apart. It was small but no doubt superb example of architecture and workmanship, made from stones, rocks, and wood full of beautiful carvings. There is a shrine located in its courtyard decorated with beautiful carving and a small museum that didn't had much to offer. We then had little snacks in so called German bakery adjacent to castle and headed back to our resting place for quite and peaceful evening.

Waterfall
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Day 3

This was the day we all were eagerly waiting for. Why? It was time to visit Rohtang Pass. It was full day trip. We started early in the morning. Weather was also pleasant. Rohtang pass is situated at 13,000 ft above sea level surrounded with snow-covered mighty mountains offering marvelous view. One thing to keep in mind. Don't forget to carry heavy woolen clothes - jacket, gloves. You can even hire these on the way. Just ask your guide or driver. But careful about quality since lot many people use them so always take precaution. If possible carry your own stuff.

Cloud
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On the way we stopped at many places, each offering wonderful view of nature & each one different. We were spellbound, wondering nature has so many things to offer. So guys don't straight away rush to Rohtang; take regular breaks and enjoy scenery which this place has to offer. We stopped just before Rohtang for our breakfast. By that time weather was changing, fog was enveloping the surroundings, presenting another hidden wonder. We reached on the top before noon with little chill wave along with mist playing all around with us.

Lord Buddha
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After reaching on the pass, you have two options to move around - horses or on foot. We decided on later. We started our little journey on the pass on foot wrapped in fur coats looking like "little aliens" :-). Due to insufficient oxygen, we were soon worn out. So we decided to sit beside, ummm... lake or pond or just pool or water :-), which I think was seasonal. A local guy was serving hot hot coffee which was very very tasty. We also had some snacks that guy was offering which was again very tasty. We sat there for almost an hour enjoying cool, no no, chilled wave. Our noses were red with little water running down our eyes. After spending some time, exploring it, we decided to head back to the warmth of our hotel. Anyway you can't stay on pass after 12 pm as mist engulfs the surroundings thus decreasing the visibility which can be dangerous for driving. On the way back, it started drizzling making our trip even more exciting but at the same time little dangerous also. Anyway we enjoyed & that's the most important part... right???

Cloud & Mountains
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Day 4

After exploring mountains we decided to wash our sins :-). And Manikaran, situated on the banks of Parvati river, is the best place to do so. How? Well a Temple & Gurudwara is there. After travelling approx 85 kms [from Manali], we reached this holy place sacred for both Hindus & Sikhs. Another significant feature of this place is hot-water sulphur springs. We were amazed to see rice & dal being cooked in boiling water and even tea. Amazing. Right? We had langar in Gurudwara which is very sacred. Then we went to Temple which is adjacent to Gurudwara. On way back we stopped at Kasol village. and you guys won't believe, everywhere you will see lots and lots of foreign tourists living in B&B type lodgings. Reason -this place and its surrounding is so beautiful that you would like settle down. Don't forget to enjoy beautiful landscape on the way with gushing Parvati river on one side & lofty mountains on the other.

Park in Manali
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Day 5

On the last day, we just relaxed in our hotel. Enjoyed late hour sleep, late breakfast, late lunch. In the afternoon we went to main town and did lot of shopping in Tibetan market. Don't forget to bargain. You can get things in almost half of the price. According to me, Manali is the best place to spend your time in Himachal Pradesh. With friendly people and lots of sight-seeing options, you can easily spend a week amidst nature. If you are adventurous, you can go on trekking, mountaineering, & even para-gliding also about which you can get information from your hotel travel desk or your tour operator. Also you can eat lots & lots apple which is very healthy fruit. There is also a saying - An apple a day keeps the... yea you guessed it right...

Glaciers
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Best Time To Visit

You have options depending upon whether you like lot of noise or calm & peace. For former visit anytime between March till June, & especially if you want to play in snow try March or early April. And for later, go after rainy season is over - September. You won't find too many people, lots of bargains, cheap accommodations even in star resorts and above all peace of mind but no or very little snow. If you wanna enjoy proper winter try November end or December & January. But be prepared for cold winters, and "little" problems :-)

On The Way to Maniakran
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Next day, we proceeded to our new destination - Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) on which I'll write in few days.