Naggar Tourism and Travel Guide

High on the east side of the Kullu Valley, sleepy Naggar was once capital of the Kullu kingdom and is perhaps the most charming village in the Kullu valley. Unlike rest of the Kullu valley’s major town located by river Beas, Naggar is ensconced high up in the mountains and has some best views to offer like Naggar Castle, the Roerich Museum and other stone and wooden Temples. Russian painter and explorer Nicholas Roerich liked it so much he settled here in the early 20th century. It's an easy day trip from Manali, but with interesting sights and fine walks including the Chandrakani Pass trek to Malana in the Parvati Valley, and some good guesthouses and restaurants, it's a fine place for a few days' Peaceful and relaxing stay. You should explore Naggar on foot there’s no better way. There are several chai shops (Tea shop) where you could rest your feet and guzzle tea or apple juice, the signature drink of Himachal.

The next day we were going to explore a virgin waterfall uphill the Naggar village. The walk to the waterfall was full with the views of the Himalayas which were breath-taking and forced me to stop and gasp at them.

We decided to move from Nagger at 3pm so that we can hit the highway and reach on time, Monday was on our head.So the delay started from the morning itself, We woke up late, Breakfast late so does the packing stuff. Soham’s home-stay got one of the best pancakes I guess and we loved the Nutella one, in short breakfast was amazing.We headed towards the castle in noon kinds, I have not really been an old building like this, It was built in 14th Century. It’s made of stone and wood, I could see minor correction in the main body it preserved well. The castle got everything as per the golden era an amazing wooden fitting staircase, Stoned walls, fire space, a basement few rooms where we were not allowed to enter.Partial part of the castle is converted in the guest house and Himachal tourism is taking care of that, I could get a chance to sneak peak in one of the traveller’s room I was impressed to see wooden bed covered with sheer curtains -cupboard with hand graved design and that large round mirror with stones around – that’s how the castle’s room supposed to be I guess, we took almost 2 hours.I like the calmness of stone, I couldn't stop touching them, always feel a connection with them.We bought some souvenirs from the local market and went to the French bakery again had lunch and there we headed toward the base “Delhi”.On our way we stopped at few places, had dinner and tea.We reached Delhi around 830 after a stretch of almost 12+ hours.To conclude, I have read lot road trips and I did many too, but this time it was quite out of my comfort zone, lot of things were coming to my mind but i was glad we made it without any hassal .......I always have some lessons learnt from my trips ...-Travelling safe will always give you a chance to travel again. Life is full of adventures not necessary to go forcefully for that.-Choose a good driver if all girls are travelling at night. He should be a gentleman should not interfere in each of your conversation, He should know where to stop the car if you are tired of seating.-Hotel booking can be done on the spot or well in advance that’s not really the matter.-You would always give most of your time to nature especially when you are in mountains but there will be always that one thing in the list which will remain untouched. Try and abide with your travel itinerary and time.That Monday was quite hectic as almost the whole night I was awake so does Garima. I could sleep only for an hour when we entered in Delhi. Henceforth I decided to take a post-holiday off and write a blog on the same its already on Tripoto .I loved the places and different culture we saw, not all mountains are the same, not all gives you same experience. Every trip I do, I learn – I live, I remember, become and storyteller.Soon you will hear about Pathankot-Dalhousie-Khajjar, New mountains, new stories.Till then keep travelling!LoveAJ

So, this morning we were supposed to leave in time for Nagger which was about 60km’s from Shoja, More towards Manali. It’s a small town proudly carrying Nagger castle and few amazing ancient temples. This city used to the former capital of Kullu city constructed in 20th Century.

On the way, we stopped at Naggar and the famous Naggar Castle Hotel. Naggar is a small village near kullu and a great place for stay for people who doesn't like the hustle-bustle of tightly-packed Manali.

By the evening we reached YHAI Base Camp -15 Mile and completed formalities at reception desk. Wherever we look there was Apple in trees, Marjwana plants, sky Reaching Mountains with ICE caps and the long lasting loud reverberation of Beas river made us to experience the place as heaven!!

The next afternoon, after a hearty brunch, the owner of Mount Happy set us up at his other house, which he called 'The Forest Cottage' because it was literally in the middle of the forest. We rented a room (at Rs. 1000/night for 3 people, Rs. 300/day for firewood and a total of Rs. 3000/- for the food supplies), which at that time had no other occupants. The three of us spent 5 days there, away from civilisation. View from The Forest Cottage

Or nearly Rs 200 from the nearby town of Naggar.To self-drive, however, take the old Manali-Kullu highway (make sure you don’t end up at the new Manali-Kullu highway) and drive nearly 18 km towards Kullu, before turning left. If you’re coming from Delhi, you don’t need to drive all the way to Manali, but only halfway from Kullu to Manali, before you’ll find the Hallan Road on your right. A no signboard indication may be confusing, but if you’ll just Google Search ‘Hallan 1’ you should be fine. Please note that there are two Hallan (Hallan 1 and Hallan 2) and we are talking about Hallan 1 here.If you’re travelling in a bus (from Chandigarh or from Delhi) get off at Kullu and take a local bus to Naggar. From Naggar, hire a taxi or ask your guest house for organizing a pickup for you.Please note that there are no cash points in Hallan Valley, so get all the cash you may need before you get there.Things To Do In Hallan

If you are travelling to Naggar, get off at Patlikuhal, which lies an hour so after Kullu. Patlikuhal is equidistant from Kullu and Manali. Most travellers from Punjab and Himachal take day trips from Manali. But I'd rather you didn't do that.Before reluctant tourists found their way to Naggar, it was the seat of the kingdom of Kullu. For 1,400 years, kings and queens of the princely state called the town their home. Naggar's significance may primarily lie in its proximity to the edifices of modern tourism (Kullu and Manali), but a glimpse of the valley from the main balcony of the Naggar Castle proves otherwise. If there was a reason for this humble town to ever be a regal throne, it lay in its streets shadowed by endless canopies of deodar trees, in the halls of ancient temples that echo laughter of school children and in the invincible goodness of people which refuses to alter to give into changing times.

Leave for Naggar, explore the areaDay Three: