Manali

Manali is a popular resort for all seasons and for all travellers. It has temples, sightseeing spots and adventure activites. Situated near the end of Kullu valley on the National Highway leading to Leh, it is a favourite resort for trekkers going to Lahaul, Spiti, Bara Bhangal and Zanzkar Ranges. The Beas river meanders through Manali town while snow capped peaks, deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards make it a picturesque holiday spot.
Manali is popular destination for adventure sports seekers being a staging point for a number of treks to Beas Kund, Chandrakhani Pass and sports such as white-water rafting, skiing in winters. This town also offers sightseeing opportunities like the exquisite Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Buddhist and Tibetan monasteries.
Best time to visit: March to June, October to February
Languages spoken: Hindi, Pahari, English
Climate: Cool summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall
Holy Places: Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Vashista Temple, Old temples in Jagatsukh
Adventure Tourism: Trekking, White-water rafting, Skiing
Natural Wonders: Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass

5. Naggar (HP) and road back home via Chandigarh-Rothak-Ajmer-Ahmedabad-Mumbai

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Had it not been for the book, Outlook Traveller Gateways (on HP), Naggar would not have happened. Books are still much much superior as compared to host of blogs and websites. Online forums, at best, are good for an “occasional tip” and that too happens cause people speak about the content which is quite recent. Books need to re-published. The Outlook Traveller Gateways (on HP) which I referred to was published in 2008 and two years down the line nothing much had changed….

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The Unplanned Travellers

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Harish and I was chatting over tea in office cafeteria and planning to go on a road trip somewhere in India in his car with friends. It started turning in to shape when one of our friend “Vikas” agreed to join us and finalized the destination to Goa “Mohali to Goa”. Next day he called up and cancelled his plan due to some work assignment and we were back to same stage of planning. Harish had a passion to cover Leh Ladakh on his bullet which he bought recently for this purpose only but could not plan the trip so far. Finally both of us agreed to go along on one bike 😊

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A Tryst with Himachal !

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From Naggar, one can hire bike and go around places, do hiking and on the way visit the famous Roerich Art Gallery. We kept climbing uphill for over an hour only to find ourselves in the middle of an apple orchard. We sat there for a long time plucking and eating fresh apples and berries form the trees while soaking into the amazing view and the silence all around. Coming close to nature has become a luxury for city dwellers.

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Baralacha-la pass at an altitude of 4890 meters

To Leh by road : Journey from Chandigarh – Srinagar – Kargil

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Had a lunch/prayer break at world’s second coldest inhabited place Drass (after Siberia). Winters in Drass are cold with average lows around −22 °C and as low as −45 °C at the peak of winter. The lowest temperature was recorded around −60 °C during 2005. We were told by some locals that everybody in mountain keeps at least 4 to 6 months food stock for emergencies.

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