Tryst with Himalayas – Drive through the Himachal..

A lazy Sunday walk through Central Park.

The summer was at its highs, people enjoying the warmth, and so it happened: I could not prevent myself overhearing a family comparing their recent visit to New York highlands to Himalayan beauty they witnessed in Manali, India.

To be honest – I was laughing all by myself as to me it seemed rather a futile comparison – as for me it was like comparing liquid state of matter to solid state! ( No offense meant to anyone )

Back at my room, thought of revisiting the old journey – and thus write up my trip through the Spiti Valley.

Some quick facts first –

I had the opportunity of making this trip some 7 years back – many things would have changed since then.
The road details and drive duration should have improved now.
And am not really prudent in penning down travel notes – so do please consider !

I do believe the beauty of the place would still be the same if not more – it would impress you to the core and be there etched in your senses. Thus I start ..

Tryst with Himalayas – Drive through the Himachal..

Let’s have the map first – The approximate drive route we planned to follow.

Plan is to start from Chandigarh then onto Shimla. Stay there for a night or two and explore the city. Then starts our drive through the Spiti Valley and enter into the Manali valley via Rohtang Pass.

Day 1 :

On-board the Delhi-Kalka train ( #12311 ) the journey starts late evening from Howrah station. The scheduled departure time is 19:40 IST. It is a long journey of 1700 kms. The soothing shake of the train puts us to sleep.

For the souls who quest for more info, found this pretty site feeding in nice details : http://goo.gl/KHBJU5

Day 2 :

Not a very eventful day as the train journey continues we make our way through the Ganges valley towards Chandigarh. En-route it stops briefly at the Old Delhi station. If someone has not been to this city – it is definitely worth a visit. ( Alert ! Don’t try to make it a day trip – the city at least needs 3 days to be spent for one to explore it comprehensively )

Day 3 :

Early morning 4am. We pull into the foggy and sleepy Chandigarh junction. The drive starts from here. Exploring the city was not on our cards – as it was more meant to be the transfer point from train to car. 110 odd kilometers was the distance

and expected to be covered in 3.5 hours.

The long train journey made us pretty tired so before embarking,we helped ourselves with “cutting chai in kulhar” – well that is flavored tea served in earthen pots.

Help yourself if you wish to know more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kulhar

With dad doing the last minute inspection of the car ( though he never drove one ! )

thus started out drive – nearly 1000 kms of it through the Himalayas ….

As the first lights of the day started to brighten the sleepy mountain valley up, the winding roads took us to Shimla. This city had been the summer capital of India during the erstwhile British rule. You can see reminiscent of Brit architecture in form of the town hall or the library, but what would refresh your tired sense after the long rider would the glimpse of the Himalayas. Though my humble capture is doing no justice, still sharing…

I could not capture the Mall Road very efficiently – It’s a wonderful strip of road where one can enjoy a nice walk and savor a cozy coffee break in the numerous quaint coffee pads by the road side.

Back in 2008, the general tourist route is usually till Shimla. Then one would trace their way back to Mandi and drive upto Manali, the higher reaches of Himalayas. From there one would further go upto the Rohtang pass where one can enjoy the lower reaches of the glacial fields. Let me try to show this on the map, again thanks to Google maps.

Now lets see the route we followed and then I would explain that in details –

The 'Special' Route — The ‘Special’ Route

Let’s have a quick round up..

Day 4

We drive from Shimla to Sarahan via Fagu and Rampur. About a 160 odd kilometers drive which is expected to take around 5 hours. With lunch break and snacks break make that 7 hours. So by late afternoon one can expect to reach Sarahan.

Sarahan houses the Bhimakali Temple, one of the 51 ‘Shakti pithas’.

In between the rocks..

Sutlej river gives us company..

Nearing Sarahan valley…

On way to Sarahan..

Bhimakali temple….

Night halt at Sarahan.

Day 5

Today the plan is to drive upto Kalpa. Located in the Kinnaur district, it is approximately 100 kilometers from Sarahan. The last few kms include a pretty steep climb up the terrain bringing you upto 3000 m above sea level.

While savouring the Kinnaur Apples, the famous produce of the area, you would have the wonderful views of Kinnaur Kailash peak.

One can also tour the temple complex …

The view of the town of Kalpa from an elevation strikes you in awe. The vastness of the Himalayas is captivating. It makes you feel the depth of nature and the world around you.

Day 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 : Kalpa to Rohtang Pass.

Now starts our drive through the edges of the Great Himalayan National park.

I would let pictures speak here, with little commentary from my side where I would not be able to suppress my thoughts !!

Kalpa to Nako….

The town of Nako… along the Nako lake…

The way to Tabo and then onto Kaza – I do not have proper words to describe the feeling when you drive through it.

Its ethereal.

Its makes you feel you are in a different world.

Towards Tabo

Near Tabo

On route to Kaza

Spiti river

Almost there… Kaza…

The town of Tabo houses the Tabo Monastery founded in 996. Yes, it is that old. This is an important seat for the Buddhists monks.

Tabo Monastery

Tabo Monastery – the renovated part

From Kaza is a day long drive to Rohtang Pass. This passes through the glacial valley of Chenub River. We would go along the Spiti valley, then climb upto Kunzam Pass and descend down toward Chenub valley. Crossing the glacial valley we would again ascend towards Rohtang Pass and cross over towards Manali.

1 day or drive, 150 kms, 2 high altitude Himalayan passes to cover, Spiti Valley, Chenub Valley – I am having goose bumps even typing this now…. !!!