With a backpack full of excitement and mountain nostalgia we set out for one more time to Manali from Delhi. No bahanas (excuse)this time, cause delhi is also freezing!! With car full of friends, obvious old musics to engage ourselves and avoid the naked roads until Chandigarh. Brunch at Murthal done, Lunch again near Rupnagar (punjabi roadside dhaba) done. Its true the journey is more beautiful than the destination and sharing old memories with few pegs down, Wow!! Bro code on play. Dinner time around 2100 hrs as we have reached Himachal and not a 24*7 state. Due a lil mismatch with time we stared late by 6 hrs although 1 hr has already been covered till dinner time. Hoping to reach Manali by 8 Am in the next morning. Roads are not at the best and the cold breeze outside is giving the feeling how hard it will be to survive next morning! Still on our cab and crossing miles towards the destination. I am not sure about long naps but beautiful naps I have taken until every hard curve a road bumps. Night is on the move.
We reached our hotel around 8:30 in the morning. The scenic beauty of roads and snowcapped mountains glowing like gold after sunkissed seems to be easily wiped out from memories once got hit by the -4°c. We just hurried and checked into our hotel. After breakfast we decided to take rest for couple of hours and head out for Mall road in Manali town which is 3km ahead of our hotel. Alright good night or whatever for now, needed a sleep. As usual few hours turned into long 5 hours and its 3PM in the afternoon. We freshen up quickly and head out for Mall rd. From previous experience we stared exploring the galis(alley)of Mall to find ourselves the best suitable lunch to warm the the body. That's the best if you wanna have the authentic Tibbetian taste as well as avoid fancy decorated food(save money too). Once done with food we again decided to rent bikes for the next day adventure though there is snowfall predictions. Fortunately we got our bikes at good price and also got permission from the shop owner to take them with us today itself. Test riding done and already evening by then, we went for some liquor shopping for the night.
What a morning it is!!! Snowfall at night, now all covered with snow. Plan is to visit Gulaba today. Bike warmed up, breakfast done so trip for Gulaba is on. Snow started melting already due sun being up. Rear tire of the bikes are sliding in fresh snow from the night. Despite of all the hurdles our journey is still progressing towards the destination! Long traffic jams caused by landslides and partial road blocks delayed our journey. Also a friend slipped from his bikes as we faced heavy snow on roads also a mini truck got stuck in the middle. Somehow we managed not to fall and proceed from there with our bikes. Time for some pictures now. We thought bad roads are over now and ride will be smooth but how?? can we even think such things. Journey towards the checkpoint for Rohtang pass has more to offer. But all the difficulties at one side and the view on the another side. Though pictures have been uploaded I am telling you that's nowhere close to justice for the beauty! We parked our bikes at check point and proceed farther is not permitted. So we relaxed there and couple pictures clicked and few families out there and kids busy with artistic hand for a snow man. Hours spent but it still felt like a minute, the beauty of the Himalayas will always amuse you no matter what season of the year you visit. Not wanted but time for reverse journey now as roads can be dangerous in the evening. After 2 hours ride with breaks for tea and famous Maggie. Too tiered to think of anything else. Next morning is for some adventure so saved our energy and went to sleep.
Another blissful morning with the scenic beauty of Himalayas. Once breakfast done we started our journey to Bhuntar and from there to Kasol. The adventure with Parvati valley will be added in the next blog with some tips for things to do!
Just a tip to all whoever reading this: There is no perfect day for travel and that too Himalayas. Pack your bag with Tripto and take an overview of the upcoming weather if no major warnings out there just make it happen. Do anything you want there but do it. Don't worry a out the destination, an unknown location in middle of your journey will also blow your mind with beauty on offer.
And budget travel really do exists in these places. It ain't gonna make a big hole to your savings until you want it lavish like a 4star and above stay, chauffeured by a big fancy cars and etc.etc.
Signing out now, will see you with the next blog!!