Day 1, 2nd April 2009 Set off from Mumbai for New Delhi
The journey started with a lot of drama and excitements in office, as you all know that getting a leave of around 2 weeks is really tough.
But ultimately the fake stories help me win the tug of war and I boarded the Garib Rath Express from Mumbai Central with all the dreams and imaginations of seeing a whole new place once again.
My parents, sister and my maternal uncle started from Sealdah by Rajdhani and both the group headed towards New Delhi to re-unite.
Day 2, 3rd April 2009 New Delhi to Shimla
Good Morning Delhi..!!
I was over excited that day as I met my parents after a long span of 4 months and moreover the joy of going for a trip together once again after a gap of two years was overwhelming. Boarded the Paschim Express from New Delhi for Kalka and in the way one of my college friend joined us from Chandigarh till Shimla for a night only. We reached Kalka at 4:40 pm and headed towards the bus stand for Shimla. We got a Qualis and managed to reach Shimla for Rs 200.00 per pax and there were no one else except us in the car. We reached Shimla at around 8:30 pm and went straight to Shiel Hotel near Kalibari where we had stayed for the last three times we have been to Shimla since 1986 when I was 2 yrs old. My dad had already informed the manager about our arrival and our trip to Kinnaur Valley. He had made all the arrangements for car for our trip. They took Rs 1500.00 per day for 7 days trip.
The climate was cool and I set off to stroll around the Mal for a while during the night.
At Kalka Bus Stand
Day 3, 4th April 2009 Shimla to Sarahan
The day started by celebrating my uncle's 55th birthday at Shimla. We started our journey at 8:00 am after giving puja at Kalibari. Our route was through Narkanda -> Karapathar -> Rohru -> Sarahan. The road was all over full of breath taking scenic beauty of the snow capped Himalaya. We took a tea break at Narkanda. A small and beauty place to be at if any one want to avoid the crowd of Shimla.
View from the Narkanda HP Tourism Guest House:
On our way from Narkanda to Sarahan:
Temple in our way:
We reached Sarahan at around 3:00 pm. The hotel we stayed was quite nice with double bed rooms @ Rs 350.00 per day. The snow capped mountains was just standing high opposite to our verandah. It was a lovely place.
Sarahan after Sunset
There were some 4 to 5 hotels in Sarahan along with a HP Tourism Guest House. The place also had a famous Bhima Kali temple where prayers were chanted after sunset and the sound of the bell ringing in the temple made the place even more beautiful.
My dad studying the map to check the route of our trip
Day 4, 5th April 2009 Sarahan to Sangla
The day began with beautiful view of Sarahan in the morning sun. The place was so calm and quite, far far away from the traffic of Mumbai. When every body else in Mumbai was sweating in the heat I was roaming around there with all my woolen garments put on.
View from my hotel room:
Bhima Kali Temple having sun bath:
After breakfast we then departed from Sarahan for Sangla, a merely 5 hrs drive.
A road side temple where we offered pujas:
Construction of dam for Hydel power project by Jaypee Group in progress:
We reached Sangla around 2:00 pm and there we stayed at Hotel Devbhumi. A good hotel run by a bengali guy. Double bed room with running hot water was charged Rs. 300.00. The location of the hotel was beautiful, right on the edge of the mountain and just opposite to it was the snow-capped mountains standing just on the bank of the Baspa River, which has plenty of Trout fish. In between our hotel and the river was a long span stretch of apple orchard.
In the afternoon we went to visit the nearby Sangla Fort, a mere 3 km trek up the hill.
At Sangla Fort:
Localites at Sangla Fort:
From there we went don to the Baspa River. The river was flowing thick and fast and the water really chilled.
Strolling in the Baspa Valley
The apple orchard down there:
Day 5, 6th April 2009 Visit to Chitkul
A sunny morning with clear blue sky greeted us. After early break fast we headed for Chitkul. Our plan was to spend one night there but the localites informed that the guest house there had yet not opened for the tourist season so we decided to spend the whole day there and come back as it was just around 1 hr drive from Sangla.
On our way to Chitkul:
The road cuts through the lap of mother nature:
We reached Chitkul and the soon as we stepped down of our vehicle the beauty of the surroundings just forced us to utter only a single word... WOW.. it was that beautiful.
A remote village in the extreme end of India with only a very few huts and the beauty was really awesome.
The Baspa River flowing through Chitkul:
Chitkul Village:
Picnic at Chitkul:
After 2:00 pm the weather suddenly changed dramatically, with clouds coming down from everywhere and within afew mins it started drizzling. The driver forecasted that it may start snowing as the clouds were really dark. We hurried to a small house of the localites and waited anxiously and enjoying the beauty. The land lady offered each of us a cup of tea and we enjoyed it till the last drop was left. After some 15 - 20 mins it stopped drizzling and we decided to better start for Sangla.
The weather really changed:
We all returned back to Sangla at around 4:00 pm with the cloud following us.
The hotel manager forecasted that we may be lucky to get snowfalls at night.
The sky slowly getting covered with cloud:
Day 6, 7th April 2009 Sangla to Nako
It was one the very few morning that I would like to remember. The first rays of the morning sun falling on the snow covered Sangla after yesterday night's snowfall. Yes..!! we were very lucky to experience that. It was not in the agenda..but GOD is great.
Good Morning Sangla:
The Hotel where we stayed:
After a heavy breakfast we started off for Nako around 6-7 hrs drive from Sangla. Nako, as I have read in the books is a small village having a small but beautiful lake and the area is just as dry as Ladakh. It was the main attraction of our tour. Very few transport ply on that route and pretty much remote in location.
On our way to Nako from Sangla:
Dad checking the road map during tea break:
After passing by Karcham and Puh we reached Nako at aroung 4:00 pm and was fortunate enough to get only a single hotel for accomodation, the other few that were there still did'nt opened for the tourist season after the winter. On our way we also went to a wrong route for about 10 km and again came back on track with guidance from the local people. The journey was really adventurous, and the cold desert type scenery of the surroundings only added on more thrills in it.
Nako Village:
Nako Lake:
The Helipad at Nako:
The stay at Nako was exactly of the kind I was dreaming of. No mobile network, no electricity, even we had to fetch our own bucket of water from a well about 10 mins from the hotel. Our dinner comprised of home made Thukpa..and omlette. When we reached Nako it was quite warm because of the heat of the sun but in late evening when we went for a walk after dinner the temperature was well near freezing temperature, such was the difference between day and night temperature there.
Day 7, 8th April 2009 Nako to Kalpa
Today we had to start out return journey. It was the day to start moving down from the mountain towards the plain, from a very remote village we had to proceed towards te hussles & bussles of the modern city.
We started our journey towards Kalpa.
After enjoying the sunrise at Nako and a tasty breakfast with Alu Paratha and tea in a dhaba near the helipad we started our jouney at around 8:30 am and for a 6 hrs drive to Kalpa. We were suspecting a bad weather in the afternoon we targetted to reach Kalpa by 2:00 pm.
Morning view from our hotel:
The mountains near Nako were full of loose rocks and many of them were rolling down from high up very frequently. Even at one place when we were crossing a small bridge from one mountain to the other quite a few of them suddenly fell on the roof of our car and at that time we were scared like never before. Luckily there was no damage done. But the loud noise did stopped the pumping of our heart for quite a while.
When we reached Kalpa, as suspected it was drizzling abut there was dark clouds all over and we could not see the sky.
Market place at Kalpa:
We stayed at Shivalik Guest House at Kalpa, managed by the same individual of Sangla Hotel. Really nicecozy rooms with all the modern ammenities and very nominal rate.
View of Kinnaur-Kailash Mountain from Kalpa:
Kinnaur-Kailash Peak from Kalpa:
We stayed a night at Kalpa and just relaxed only. Also the weather remained cloudy the next day too. So, we decided to get down to Narkanda the next day instead of going to Shimla.
Day 8, 9th April 2009 Kalpa to Narkanda
At around 10:00 am we left Kalpa and headed towards Narkanda. We had already called up the caretaker at the HP Tourism Guest House there and made booking for two rooms there.
The car that had been our mode of transport for the last 7 days:
We reached Narkanda late in the afternoon. The view from the guest house verandah was beautiful. We all enjoyed the sunset from the guest house verandah itself with a cup of coffee and hot & crispy pakodas.
View from Narkanda:
Day 9, 10th April 2009 Narkanda to Shimla
We left Narkanda for Shimla in the morning and arrived at Shimla before lunch. The day was only for taking rest and enjoying the crowd sitting at the Shimla Mal from afternoon till late evening.
Shimla Mal:
Day 10, 11th April 2009 Shimla to Delhi
The last day of our trip. At lasr the happy days came to an end and we all had to return back to our own place. We were all very happy as the tour ended up in a happy note and we all were charmed enough with the beautiful memories to live our daily schedule again.
We travelled back to Kalka and from there we bifurcated to our individual locations.
The tour prgram that was made before we set off for the trip:
The journey started with a lot of drama and excitements in office, as you all know that getting a leave of around 2 weeks is really tough.
But ultimately the fake stories help me win the tug of war and I boarded the Garib Rath Express from Mumbai Central with all the dreams and imaginations of seeing a whole new place once again.My parents, sister and my maternal uncle started from Sealdah by Rajdhani and both the group headed towards New Delhi to re-unite.
Day 2, 3rd April 2009 New Delhi to Shimla
Good Morning Delhi..!!
I was over excited that day as I met my parents after a long span of 4 months and moreover the joy of going for a trip together once again after a gap of two years was overwhelming. Boarded the Paschim Express from New Delhi for Kalka and in the way one of my college friend joined us from Chandigarh till Shimla for a night only. We reached Kalka at 4:40 pm and headed towards the bus stand for Shimla. We got a Qualis and managed to reach Shimla for Rs 200.00 per pax and there were no one else except us in the car. We reached Shimla at around 8:30 pm and went straight to Shiel Hotel near Kalibari where we had stayed for the last three times we have been to Shimla since 1986 when I was 2 yrs old. My dad had already informed the manager about our arrival and our trip to Kinnaur Valley. He had made all the arrangements for car for our trip. They took Rs 1500.00 per day for 7 days trip.
The climate was cool and I set off to stroll around the Mal for a while during the night.
At Kalka Bus Stand
Day 3, 4th April 2009 Shimla to Sarahan
The day started by celebrating my uncle's 55th birthday at Shimla. We started our journey at 8:00 am after giving puja at Kalibari. Our route was through Narkanda -> Karapathar -> Rohru -> Sarahan. The road was all over full of breath taking scenic beauty of the snow capped Himalaya.
We took a tea break at Narkanda. A small and beauty place to be at if any one want to avoid the crowd of Shimla.View from the Narkanda HP Tourism Guest House:
On our way from Narkanda to Sarahan:
Temple in our way:
We reached Sarahan at around 3:00 pm. The hotel we stayed was quite nice with double bed rooms @ Rs 350.00 per day. The snow capped mountains was just standing high opposite to our verandah. It was a lovely place.
Sarahan after Sunset
There were some 4 to 5 hotels in Sarahan along with a HP Tourism Guest House. The place also had a famous Bhima Kali temple where prayers were chanted after sunset and the sound of the bell ringing in the temple made the place even more beautiful.
My dad studying the map to check the route of our trip
Day 4, 5th April 2009 Sarahan to Sangla
The day began with beautiful view of Sarahan in the morning sun. The place was so calm and quite, far far away from the traffic of Mumbai. When every body else in Mumbai was sweating in the heat I was roaming around there with all my woolen garments put on.
View from my hotel room:
Bhima Kali Temple having sun bath:
After breakfast we then departed from Sarahan for Sangla, a merely 5 hrs drive.
A road side temple where we offered pujas:
Construction of dam for Hydel power project by Jaypee Group in progress:
We reached Sangla around 2:00 pm and there we stayed at Hotel Devbhumi. A good hotel run by a bengali guy. Double bed room with running hot water was charged Rs. 300.00. The location of the hotel was beautiful, right on the edge of the mountain and just opposite to it was the snow-capped mountains standing just on the bank of the Baspa River, which has plenty of Trout fish. In between our hotel and the river was a long span stretch of apple orchard.
In the afternoon we went to visit the nearby Sangla Fort, a mere 3 km trek up the hill.
At Sangla Fort:
Localites at Sangla Fort:
From there we went don to the Baspa River. The river was flowing thick and fast and the water really chilled.
Strolling in the Baspa Valley
The apple orchard down there:
Day 5, 6th April 2009 Visit to Chitkul
A sunny morning with clear blue sky greeted us. After early break fast we headed for Chitkul. Our plan was to spend one night there but the localites informed that the guest house there had yet not opened for the tourist season so we decided to spend the whole day there and come back as it was just around 1 hr drive from Sangla.
On our way to Chitkul:
The road cuts through the lap of mother nature:
We reached Chitkul and the soon as we stepped down of our vehicle the beauty of the surroundings just forced us to utter only a single word... WOW.. it was that beautiful.
A remote village in the extreme end of India with only a very few huts and the beauty was really awesome.
The Baspa River flowing through Chitkul:
Chitkul Village:
Picnic at Chitkul:
After 2:00 pm the weather suddenly changed dramatically, with clouds coming down from everywhere and within afew mins it started drizzling. The driver forecasted that it may start snowing as the clouds were really dark. We hurried to a small house of the localites and waited anxiously and enjoying the beauty. The land lady offered each of us a cup of tea and we enjoyed it till the last drop was left. After some 15 - 20 mins it stopped drizzling and we decided to better start for Sangla.
The weather really changed:
We all returned back to Sangla at around 4:00 pm with the cloud following us.
The hotel manager forecasted that we may be lucky to get snowfalls at night.
The sky slowly getting covered with cloud:
Day 6, 7th April 2009 Sangla to Nako
It was one the very few morning that I would like to remember. The first rays of the morning sun falling on the snow covered Sangla after yesterday night's snowfall. Yes..!! we were very lucky to experience that. It was not in the agenda..but GOD is great.
Good Morning Sangla:
The Hotel where we stayed:
After a heavy breakfast we started off for Nako around 6-7 hrs drive from Sangla. Nako, as I have read in the books is a small village having a small but beautiful lake and the area is just as dry as Ladakh. It was the main attraction of our tour. Very few transport ply on that route and pretty much remote in location.
On our way to Nako from Sangla:
Dad checking the road map during tea break:
After passing by Karcham and Puh we reached Nako at aroung 4:00 pm and was fortunate enough to get only a single hotel for accomodation, the other few that were there still did'nt opened for the tourist season after the winter. On our way we also went to a wrong route for about 10 km and again came back on track with guidance from the local people. The journey was really adventurous, and the cold desert type scenery of the surroundings only added on more thrills in it.
Nako Village:
Nako Lake:
The Helipad at Nako:
The stay at Nako was exactly of the kind I was dreaming of. No mobile network, no electricity, even we had to fetch our own bucket of water from a well about 10 mins from the hotel. Our dinner comprised of home made Thukpa..and omlette. When we reached Nako it was quite warm because of the heat of the sun but in late evening when we went for a walk after dinner the temperature was well near freezing temperature, such was the difference between day and night temperature there.
Day 7, 8th April 2009 Nako to Kalpa
Today we had to start out return journey. It was the day to start moving down from the mountain towards the plain, from a very remote village we had to proceed towards te hussles & bussles of the modern city.
We started our journey towards Kalpa.
After enjoying the sunrise at Nako and a tasty breakfast with Alu Paratha and tea in a dhaba near the helipad we started our jouney at around 8:30 am and for a 6 hrs drive to Kalpa. We were suspecting a bad weather in the afternoon we targetted to reach Kalpa by 2:00 pm.
Morning view from our hotel:
The mountains near Nako were full of loose rocks and many of them were rolling down from high up very frequently. Even at one place when we were crossing a small bridge from one mountain to the other quite a few of them suddenly fell on the roof of our car and at that time we were scared like never before. Luckily there was no damage done. But the loud noise did stopped the pumping of our heart for quite a while.
When we reached Kalpa, as suspected it was drizzling abut there was dark clouds all over and we could not see the sky.
Market place at Kalpa:
We stayed at Shivalik Guest House at Kalpa, managed by the same individual of Sangla Hotel. Really nicecozy rooms with all the modern ammenities and very nominal rate.
View of Kinnaur-Kailash Mountain from Kalpa:
Kinnaur-Kailash Peak from Kalpa:
We stayed a night at Kalpa and just relaxed only. Also the weather remained cloudy the next day too. So, we decided to get down to Narkanda the next day instead of going to Shimla.
Day 8, 9th April 2009 Kalpa to Narkanda
At around 10:00 am we left Kalpa and headed towards Narkanda. We had already called up the caretaker at the HP Tourism Guest House there and made booking for two rooms there.
The car that had been our mode of transport for the last 7 days:
We reached Narkanda late in the afternoon. The view from the guest house verandah was beautiful. We all enjoyed the sunset from the guest house verandah itself with a cup of coffee and hot & crispy pakodas.
View from Narkanda:
Day 9, 10th April 2009 Narkanda to Shimla
We left Narkanda for Shimla in the morning and arrived at Shimla before lunch. The day was only for taking rest and enjoying the crowd sitting at the Shimla Mal from afternoon till late evening.
Shimla Mal:
Day 10, 11th April 2009 Shimla to Delhi
The last day of our trip. At lasr the happy days came to an end and we all had to return back to our own place. We were all very happy as the tour ended up in a happy note and we all were charmed enough with the beautiful memories to live our daily schedule again.
We travelled back to Kalka and from there we bifurcated to our individual locations.
The tour prgram that was made before we set off for the trip:
