After the long covid scare, we were very cautious about traveling. Being located in Chandigarh it is very easy for us to travel to mountains as merely after 30 minutes drive we can have a view and feel of Himalayas. But since the day covid arrived, we were locked and scared to move out and this has created an unsaid fear in mind regarding traveling.
So finally after along time, when all covid restrictions were taken off , we decided to have a shot trip of 4-5 days to Kasol. Originally our plan was for Kasol only but later we covered Manali, Sissu and Tirathan Valley.
As an experiment traveller let me share onething to you. If you are coming from Delhi or Chandigarh to hiamchal , you are going either to Shimal side or Manali side or Dharamnshala side. Personally is like to travel to Shimla side and it is a gateway to Kufri, narkanda , kinnaur and many other beautiful Valles and roads are well maintained . But towards Manali side condition of roads is very bad and you can face a lot of traffic jams near Mandi, Sunday nagar and bilaspur. But the finally destinations like kasol, tirthan are very beautiful but if you are driving by your self then you have to have extra patience.
Our day starts at 6 am from Chandigarh towards our destination kasol. Upto Kumarsaini roads we good , but as we crossed kimarsaini the condition of roads were pathetic and there was huge rush of trucks and heavy vehicle causing a lot of delay in our traveling time. You will face a lot of heavy vehicle traffic upto Bilaspur and from Bilaspur to Mandi road construction work is on and you will face alot of traffic jams and blockages.
But after struggling with all this, finally we reach kasol around 3 pm and the view of parvati river which starts from 5-6 kms before kasol we truly a relaxing dose for us. Personal I am mountain lover kind of person and this view of river, mountains and the noise of flowing water was truly awesome.
We have advance booking for our stay.
But if you are camping fan then kasol can offer you alot of tent stays for camping. But personally I am not a fan of staying g in tents because of hygiene issues and comfort.
Day 2 starts at 6:30 am because it was pre decided that we will go for a walk to enjoy the valley and to feel the nature to detox ourself from city life. So , we head towards chalal for a trek , this is hardly 4-5 km of easy trek.
After coming back from Chalal , we went back to our hotel room and them we decided to head towards Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib in the afternoon and the experined was so spiritual in all means. To be in Himalayas along a river and praying in a gurdwara was totally out of this world. If you have a spiritual side in you then you must come to this place to feel the magic.
Day 3 I got up by 6:30 am again, as I am mountains lover person so I had planned not to miss even a single sunsire scene.
This whole day we kept of self relaxed by confing our self to room to enjoy nature and in afternoon we went to explore few cafes around this small town.
If you are non veg then this place an offer you alot of different things. Bit for vegetarian there are lot of options too.
So met came across a cafe with beautiful view of river and spent a day sitting there and sipping coffee.
Day 4 again starts at 7 am & this day after discussing with hotel person , we came to know a out a village Garhan which is very close to Kasol and has moderate level to trek to reach there. So we decided to head towards Garhan.
You can go there by bike or car too. But we decided to park our car at the starting point to enjoy nature as we did.
You will witness bird chirping om the way to garhan, you will witness pure silence , crystal clean river water and may more magical things.
The day we spent in this valley just lazing around here and there in the lap of nature after so long time.
Om day 5 we planned to head back to Chandigarh,but I have a problem with me. When ever I go to hills I never feel like going back to home and start that boring routine again 😁😁.
So we made a guick plan and start heading towards Manali. From manli we planned to cross Atal tunnel which connects Manali to lahaul valley, and it's pure magic because after crossing Atal tunnel which is 10 km in length you wi reach a place which is at 10000 Mt height from sea level and the view and fell of mountains us totally different. We witnessed snow clad mountains in months of April when it was around 40 degree celcuis in plain area.
We spent 4-5 hours in Ladaul Valley and drove around 150 kms and it was purely life changing experience and after covid this was a must have trip to unwind your self.
If you want to know about anything regarding this trip please write to me at upinder10@gmail.com.
Although I am not good at writing but I hope that my experience will help you select places and plan your trip in a good way.
