Few days back I had seen a movie “Into the Wild”. A guy leaves all his material possessions and chooses to live in absolute solace into the wild. However that was somehow related to his family circumstances but it compels me to think that, can’t it be the way of life. We used to live a market driven life in big cities, persuaded by marketing managers of big corporate, which brand to buy, what kind of life to live…spend major part in rat race leaving family and our loved ones waiting and still not getting those beautiful aspects of life that we want to cherish like traveling, reading, sitting relaxed and watching movies, few leisurely moment with loved ones without getting in hurry and at the same time doing work which is for our growth and as per our need.
I would like to share few beautiful lines from this movie before starting my travel experience.
It’s a mystery to me
We have a greed
With which we have agreed
You think you have to want more than you need
Until you have it all you won’t be freed
Society you are a crazy breed
I hope you are not lonely without me
When you want more than you have
You think you need
And when think more than you want
Your thoughts begin to bleed
I think I need to find a bigger place
Because when you have more than you think
You need more space
Society you are a crazy breed
I hope you are not lonely without me
Society, crazy indeed
I hope you are not lonely without me
Everybody has its own reasons to visit a place. I usually prefer some offbeat location, to be with myself and to cherish the nature and most importantly to get away from the chaos and madness which is part and parcel of our life. One such place I found 65 km ahead of Shimla, an amazingly beautiful place called Narkanda. It is a place of sun kissed White Mountains. Highest point in Narkanda i.e. Hatu peak is at 11152 ft.
 |
| A view from Hatu Peak, Narkanda |
We started at 8 from ISBT Delhi and took a bus to Shimla. By 6 AM we reached there. Taxi charges for Narkanda was 1600-1800 Rs. which was quite against of our smart and budget traveling motto. So we walked till “Lakkad Bazar” and waited for long route taxis. It is always a good option to get a long route cab from highways itself, because it actually gets cheap. We managed to get a Xylo for 600 bucks, made some friendly conversation with driver and he happily stopped en route to click some pictures.
 |
| I love the clouds in hills
|
 |
| Our angel cab driver too deserve a photo |
The road was in real pathetic condition and we came to know that from last one year it is like this. In two and a half hour we reached Narkanda. We had idea about hotel Hatu, but near to bus stand there was a PWD guest house, so we decided to try our luck. And guess what for just 370 Rs. we get a room with all amenities.
 |
| View from hotel lounge
|
 |
| Sipping a cup of tea here was a divine experience
|
After getting fresh we first went to this restaurant which is highly recommended in Narkanda. Amazing food to savor our test buds.
 |
| Best food option in Narkanda Market
|
Now it was time for some real action. The taxi charges for Hatu peak is 500 Rs. to and fro. We took the taxi for dropping only thinking to repeat the same fun of Kunjapuri i.e walking down the hill, that I had posted in my previous post “Eureka”. The route was a single narrow lane and its really difficult to drive here. Sometimes two vehicle just stuck leaving no room to breathe.
 |
| Driving to Hatu Peak is really challenging |
Well Hatu peak was out of the world. Look at it.
 |
| One can sit here for endless hour |
 |
| Behind me you can see the newly built Hatu temple
|
 |
| Snow was about to melt |
 |
| Top of the world
|
 |
| I never been to this much height before |
We heard about a nearby place called “Jobag” which is supposingly at a distance of 2-3 km inside the deep forest. We didn’t realized the risk, that we came to know next day from the same cab driver, and we went there.
 |
| See the surrounding…amazing
|
 |
| In complete solace |
 |
| This place was in deep forest 3 km from Hatu peak |
It was a completely isolated place but quite a discovery. Later we came to know that it was a house of several wild animals.
Finally we decided to come back unwillingly from this heaven. Clicked some more pics.
 |
| The root becomes rock
|
 |
| In the middle of nowhere this house came as a surprise
|
 |
| Although walking down was not easy but yet rewarding |
 |
| The middle path leads to Hatu peak
|
 |
| Take this note seriously
|
This time we realized that it was not easy walk as Kunjapuri. I guess altogether we walked around 12-15 km to reach to our guest house. Completely tired and devastated.
Next morning we decided to explore a nearby place called “Tani Jubbar Lake”.
 |
| Lake on hills are always fascinating
|
 |
| See the beauty… |
We saw lot and lot of apple trees that were started to blossom in nearby village.
 |
| Apple trees
|
 |
| Villagers in relaxing mood
|
To protect apple flowers they use nets.
 |
| Looks like someone is camping…but it is net on apple trees |
We then visited skiing place of Narkanda. That time some cricket tournament was going on. One thing that I specially noticed about young residents of Narkanda, is the feel good factor among them. They seems quite happy in this relatively remote area. Nice haircut, shades, high awareness level, leaving their life king size.
 |
| IPL music was playing on loudspeaker
|
 |
| Even Sachin would love to play here
|
What about this classroom location? India is really incredible!
 |
| Who can stop us?
|
There is another part of this life, which is not bed of roses. A boy collecting woods for domestic purpose.
Whatever the circumstances, life goes on.
Farewell Narkanda. Before leaving this place I found some new destinations to travel.
Around 3 we started our backward journey to Shimla. Visited mall road for some time and finally took the 8 PM bus to Delhi. It was first trip of Shimla for my friend and he was in love with it, before leaving the place he renamed Shimla as a metro of hill stations. Quite precise I guess!
What to say. Leaving something that we enjoy most, going to a place which seems to be a rooster coop, trying to find a middle way which can lead to a balance, and somehow more determined that present destination is not my destiny, there are something else waiting for.
Too good :) Have been to Shimla and Narkanda a couple of time but never explored further. I guess, next will be time :)
Thanks Rohit. Narkanda is a very quite, amazingly beautiful and small destination. You can explore Hatu Peak, Tani Jubbar Lake and Thanedar around it. Try to get PWD guest house in Narkanda, It has got best location.
Beautiful photographs.
When did u visit there?
Thanks Vinay Bhai. I went there last month, 24 & 25th April 2011. It was so chilled even in April that you can see snow in pics and in night we needed two blankets.
Truly awesome!
very well written post equally supported with beautiful pictures.
Thank you Mahesh Ji.
Been to Narkanda once but didn’t explore Hatu, it was a halt we took on the way to Sangla, Kaza.
We might be driving this side sometime soon and Hatu seems like a very apt choice for a 2 day stopover. Thank you Amit.
You are most welcome. I am sure you will love to explore this place. As I suggested Rohit, try to get PWD rest house, you’ll love the view.
Thanks Amit, very informative post on Narkanda. Beautiful pictures too.
You are most welcome Venkatt. Thanks for your time.
Splendid pics, most of them. Only if…..
Completely agreed. I too feel that I shouldn’t be there in any of the frame. Objection noted and next time it’ll be taken care off. Thanks for your time.
:-) Smart guy you are.
:-)
Have you heard these words of Kabir….
Nindak niyare rakhiye, Angan kuti chawai,
bin pani sabun bina, nirmal kare subhaiy
Hi Amit, I just stumbled upon this travelogue and it refreshed my memory of Hatu peak.
Last September i camped at Hatu peak for 4 days. i was accompanied by the only residents of that place a Pandit from the temple, a Care taker, 2 dogs and a Monkey called Gopi.
My jouney still continues since then and now i am moving about in Arunachal Pradesh. Please do check my blog in http://www.furtherandbeyond.com for the piece on Himachal leg of my Journey.
Cheers
Merwyn.
Hi Merwyn,
Believe me what you are doing is simply awesome. It requires lots of guts besides the biggest sacrifice i.e stepping out from your comfort zone. I am too in similar state of mind and looking for some solution. I am very glad that you take your time to contact me. Hats off to you brother. Keep in touch.
Check my blog.
http://avidnomad.blogspot.com
Amit ,
Very nice. You really refreshed my last month memories. I too liked Narkanda very much but the road ahead Shimla somewhat annoyed me. My car really felt quite bad as the road condition was just pathetic. Last year also I went to Narkanda but it is really a pity to see that the Shimla – Narkanda stretch is deteorating every year . Last year this stretch was much better than this year.
Sahil
Thanks Sahil. I am completely agreed to you. If the road condition would have been better, then the whole experience would have increased many folds. But thanks to government.
bahut hi sundar,
shandar photographs
Thanks Ashok ji. It is indeed a beautiful place.