Make your tour to Himachal

March 17, 2021

Make your tour to Himachal

It is fortuitous that I had brought my diary along on this Himachal trip, which has given me the chance to jot down the exhilarating experience of my 8 days tour to different popular places of Himachal. So it would not be something I will write post completion of the trip, but an everyday entry of what I have noticed and admired.

Day 1: Starting from Chandigarh to Shimla

I love Chandigarh. It has always been my favorite city to live in. In fact, during my stint in the IT industry, I tried hard to get placed in this beautiful city. Anyway, after a long time I am back in the city to begin a ‘so long hankered’ trip to Himachal.

Rather than commuting by train or airplane, which are my usual modes, I have picked a hired taxi this time. The driver has arrived at the Chandigarh airport, which is confirmed as my phone has just received a message from him. As soon as I get out of the airport, I shall be heading to Shimla.

(After coming out, I sat in the car)

Right now, I am sitting in the car and we are off to Shimla. I am glad that I picked a road trip this time, as the way to the ‘Queen of Hills’ is eye catching. There is so much to witness by road that wouldn’t have been possible if the commutation means was a train or plane.

It took us 3.5 hours to reach the city via Kalka expressway. To make the stay resplendent, I have booked a hotel that provides a magnificent view of the snow-capped Himalayan Ranges in the morning. Thereby, morning coffee with a spellbinding view would act as a calming elixir to the chaotic mind.

(Went to sightsee the city)

I am back at the hotel after visiting The Ridge and Mall road. The city has changed a lot since I visited it 10 years back. Now Mall road is not just any local bazar, as it has many musical cafes and breweries. Thus, one doesn’t miss the metropolis’s lifestyle.

Day 2: Jhakoo temple and head to Manali

(On the way to Jhakoo temple)

It was really exciting to go to Jhakoo temple via this newly launched air trolley, which took only 6-7 minutes to reach the hill top and gave a refreshing view of the city whilst being carried by the trolley.

Monkeys welcome anyone visiting the temple. After all, these messengers of Lord Hanuman are religiously stipulated to reign the area.

The driver is really a nice person and an informant who is guiding me where to eat and where to not. After receiving blessings and feeding monkeys at Jhakoo temple, we are now heading to Manali. It is going to be a long sedentary drive.

(On the way to Manali)

Way to hill sites is equally enticing as the destinations. While heading to Manali, I just have stopped at a local Dhaba, which serves freshly caught trout from the River Beas flowing through the Kullu valley. Unfortunately, I am a vegetarian. But still, the look of the fish served on the adjoining table is vociferously asking me to convert into a non-vegetarian – possible, may be in my next birth.

Finally, Manali has been reached and just after having my dinner, writing the last lines to call it a day.

Day 3: Yay! Today I am going to see snow

I have woken up early and am very excited as I am going to Rohtang Pass, one of the most sought after places to visit. I shall be able to hold the snow in my hands, make snow-mans out of it. Although I don’t know how to ski, still I can slip down from a hill top on a sled.

(After enjoying snow-sports)

Just did all I wanted to at the pass. It was so satisfying. Now the cheesy Maggie and ‘adrak wali chai’ are calling the hungry belly.

Now that’s how a day has to end. Post Rohtang Pass, I went to Hadimbba Temple. The architecture of the temple was really intriguing, and as it is situated in a dense forest of pine and deodar trees, the collusion makes it more appealing.

A few of my friends and family people had asked me to bring them souvenirs from Manali. To complete their demands, I went to Mall road that has so many shops having a variety of merchandise. I bought magnets, shawls and many other things for all my friends and family members.

Day 4: I could fly high

Oh yes! Another adventure filled day it was. Went to another nature’s treasure trove near Manali, Solang valley. I had asked the driver to keep a whole day for it, and to spend the evening seeing sunset sitting on the bank of river Beas.

Paragliding over the valley was already booked. All I had to do was wear the gears and reach the sky. From above in the sky, everything looked diminutive, the people, trees, flowing streams, et al. Nature’s art was truly attractive, which is hard to express in words, from the aerial view.  

Day 5: Manali to Dharamshala

Last night, dreams had the effect of the day outing. Perhaps, it were the lushest dreams I had that were filled gushing rivers, snow-shrouded mountains, dense forests and, of course, me in them, apparently the only human.

Mornings on this trip are blissful, and the credit for it goes to the clean air, the sound of birds and the dense mist. I could feel the assimilation of the food has also been effected by the surrounding, in a good way.

The driver has called me to get ready as it is time to see off Manali, and head to a heritage rich place in Himachal, Dharamshala.

Just stopped on the way to Palampur. This place is well known for its tea plantation. Huge mountains have been precariously cut into steps and tea farming is done on these steps. A beautiful communion of technology and agriculture, by using the laws of nature.

Day 6: Explored Dharmashala and went to Dalhousie

Mcloedganj is a place that is mostly sought by nature lovers and believers of animism. The place has many Buddhist monasteries preaching the tenets of meditation. Being spiritual myself, I have a strong proclivity towards practicing meditation. All thanks to my guru, who introduced me to the fine art of controlling the impulsive mind, 7 years back.

As I have come on a solo trip, provides me with a golden opportunity to soak an in depth knowledge of the tranquil art, under the guidance of the monks in the monasteries who are practicing meditation for many years. When I entered the sacred place, the echo of the mantras sent some magical vibes to my brain that it had constructively matched with the sound waves and reached stillness, momentarily, through the unfathomable coherence. It was like now I was able to connect more with my surrounding. The usual breathing also seemed a miracle, which was not given importance prior.

After this uncanny and exemplary familiarity, I took the road to the next destination, Dalhousie. It took around 6 hours to reach the place, after which I checked into the hotel. Strange it was that I was not excited, happy, sad, or welled up by any other emotion. The remnant from the monastery was sheer peace that was dwelling inside me. Unlike previous nights, today I slept without having any dream. The mind truly had an experience of mindfulness for the first time in the entire life, so far.

Day 7: I couldn’t miss Khajjar. So here I am.

Somehow, I missed visiting Switzerland during a trip to Europe a few years back. To compensate for that, today I went to mini Switzerland of India, Khajjar. This quaint hamlet is located on a saucer shaped plateau near Dalhousie. Similar to Switzerland, Khajjar has unending pastures of grasslands blotched with houses here and there.

I have always loved to walk. So, I preferred to explore this tiny hamlet on foot. After walking through the village, in the afternoon I had a picnic style lunch near the lake in the village. By evening, I was back in Dalhousie, visited a church and market before going back to the stay.

Day 8: End of trip.

I bought some crunchies and munchies for the final road ride. It is my last day in Himachal. I am so satisfied with this solo trip that I can’t express myself here fully. Before heading home, Delhi, I have decided to suffice another whim to stay for few days at Amritsar at my aunt’s place, where I am now going.

This trip had all viz. adventure, peace and satisfaction. The prime credit to make it happen goes to the good planning and apt choice of a hired taxi. Looking forward to many more trips in the future. I will be sharing my experience of those too likewise. Thank you!