HELLO FRIENDS!!!
This is my first proper post on Local Guides Connect. It is about my trip to Manali with my parents in March, 2013.
We went from Mumbai via train named ‘Paschim Express’ to reach Ambala Cantt Station. We had a car booked via HPTDC (Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation) which is a Government Tourism Corporation. The driver came to pick us up at the station. Our first stop was HPTDC Hotel Lake View, Bilaspur for our nightstay. It had good and clean rooms with attached balcony.
Next morning, we have left for Manali. On the way, we stopped at Manikaran. It is a beautiful located amidst the mountains and near Beas river. We went to the Gurudwara there.
It has natural hot water springs which have a lot of medicinal values.
Here are few more pictures from the beautiful Manikaran.
After that, we left for our destination i.e. Manali. While heading to Manali, you come across river rafting in Beas River in Kullu. Make sure you experience it. I could not do it because I was shit scared to do it without my parents. On the way, for the first time I saw snowfilled mountains. It was surreal. I was elated by its beauty. Here are some shots of the mountains that I took from the car.
We reached our hotel by the evening. We were staying at HPTDC Hotel Kumzam, Manali. It is located at the start of the Manali Mall Road.
It has amazing rooms with the mountain view. Our room had a huge bathroom. Their room service is great. Highly recommend this hotel.
Things to do around the hotel:
- Stroll in the mall road for shopping and food
Note____: Plastic is banned in Manali, so make sure to carry your own cloth carrying bags. Do not forget to carry your own reusable water bottles instead of buying plastic bottles everywhere.
- Visit Tibetan buddhist Monastery.
- Eat at the famous ‘Delhi Chaat Bhandar’
- Have softy in the market
- Walk in the local parks nearby
Next, we visited Solang Valley which is one of the most famous places to visit in Manali. We rented our winterwear and gumboots from a local store before entering Solang Valley. We had taken a package which included our clothes, gumboots, a photographer and skiing. We took a motorbike ride to reach the main area. I also did paragliding. To reach the point from where the paragliding starts was the scariest part, I was shit scared while climbing. I couldn’t climb the mountain due to the snow. However the paragliding experience made it up for it.
All three of us tried skiing and also failed miserably.
There were yaks and rabbits there as well.
Some more pictures from Solang Valley are here.
Another famous place to visit in Manali is Rohtang Pass but it was shut during that time due to a lot of snow.
Then, we also visited Nagar Haveli.
Our next stop was Hidimba Temple, again a famous temple. Must visit if you are Manali.
Last few pics of the beautiful Manali before we end this lag of the trip.
P.S.: All the pictures are taken by me or by my parents unless mentioned that they are taken from Google Images
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REGARDS,
~RITU SHAH
(Local Guide Level 7)