Manali to Leh

The Leh-Manali highway will cross some known highest mountain  passes in the world.
1. Rohtang Pass ( or 'La' as in Pass)
2. Baralacha Pass
3. Taglang Pass
Keeping aside minimum 3 days for travel and some three more for getting acclimatized to the 'low-oxygen' levels and cold weather conditions, it would take almost a week to refurbish yourself for the actual tourist-adventure in Leh. Althoug the Border Roads Organization and the Indian Army are always the most challenging and helpful ones while you head towards your journey, it would still be advisable if  you get these things clear before the movement:
a.  A medical aid box consisting of paracetamol and cetrizine, pills to tackle headache and cold problems and other medicines.
b.  Make sure the vehicle-whether its a taxi or  your own private vehicle- is well equipped with technical- repair tools in case of any failure.
c.  Keep sojourning if you feel sick due to high altitude or keeping taking some 15 to 20 minute breaks as you push higher.
d. Plan your trip only in summers and get all the reservations and bookings done in advance as this will reduce further hassles such as air-travel ticket fare hikes and cancellations later on.

Chandigarh to Shimla

The phase II journey would be apt from Chandigarh to Shimla as it takes nearly 282 kms to reach to the Circuit House of Manali. This should take not more than 4 to 5 hours which includes your tea or snack breaks here and there. Enroute to Manali comes Shimla that is sure to allure and invoke your senses by its magnanimous beauty of the flora and fauna. The city is seen ornamented with oaks, rhododendron, pine and deodar trees. So as you move away from Chandigarh towards the domain of hills and peaks, a sudden sense of tranquilty and peace would set in refreshing your soul. Known as a Summer capital of the British Raj and famous for its 2,205 meters located 'Queen of Hills', Shimla is one of the popular tourish destinations that a tourish can look forward to have.

From Shimla to Manali it would take another 250 Kms. Manali is the starting  point for higher altitude locations such as Ladakh or Himalayas via the valley of Lahaul, Spiti and the famous Rohtang pass. Remember that these routes are only open during the peak time of summers for tourists as snowfall makes it difficult to be accessible in winter time. Tourism is at a standstill during the winters as well as the road services.  Ideally the journey will show some colour if you keep sojourning rather than opting in for a hectic one day travel straight to Manali.

Road Journey To Ladakh- Some Tips For a Safe and Sound Travel

Road Journey To Ladakh Begins

Have you ever tried travelling by road towards the mountains of northern India?  If you are determined and are an adventure freak like me then I’m sure you will enjoy the journey without missing out on scenic splendours and fantastic picnic spots to give you a break as you sojourn while you travel.  Reaching Ladakh by road will undoubtedly take at least 5 to 6 days but will satiate most of your desires of a romantic or a thrilling drive towards the sturdy lords.

Hundreds of both Indian as well as foreign tourists see Delhi as the main junction to travel towards the north. Of course you have flights or rail routes from major other cities such as Mumbai or Bangalore, but if you want to seek the adventure travelling through roadways then Delhi is apt to ‘begin’ with the same.

The Road Journey Guide-I

Delhi to Chandigarh

The route from Delhi to Chandigarh is a comfortable one, try it anyways.  There are frequent domestic airlines that will drop you to Chandigarh from Delhi in just 40 minutes. Trains like Shatabdi Express will take not more than 3 hours to reach to Chandigarh. Add one more hour and you can safely travel by roadways as well.  The total distance is around 250 kilometres.  I would suggest you carry some nuts or a pack of munchies along with a few juice packs to satiate your hunger on the way. The inns or small hotels that serve food on the highway may not always be of your taste.  Yet, if you are a food freak then trying is simply fun. Go for a normal Punjabi cuisine that can be prepared quickly and with expertise rather than going for any exotic out-of-the –track dishes such as pasta or burgers. Try them only if you find any franchisees around like Macdonald’s (You may find that close to the city like Ambala that falls in the way to Chandigarh).  Don’t miss out reading the city names on the highway boards such as Sonipat, Panipat, and Ambala and so on.  Well, once you reach Chandigarh you have arrived to a hub of Malls and fantastic food joints.  

Keep in mind some famous sectors for shopping and eats:

1.       Sector 17

2.       Sector 21

3.       Keep driving straight ahead of Chandigarh if you don’t want to break your journey and you will definitely find plenty of hotels and malls on the way too.

Happy Sojourning at this clean and green city before you begin for the actual adventure.

Leh – The Prime Junction For all Tourist Spots

Leh – The Prime Junction For all Tourist Spots

Ladakh has innumerable beautiful places to visit and explore. From monasteries to highest located lakes, from colourful Tibetan bazaars to the hot springs located in the north, Ladakh is truly mesmerizing. However one should understand that to a newcomer, Leh serves as a prime junction. Whether you travel a distance of 150 kms for the famous Pangong-Tso Lake or the scenic Tso-Morari Lake, you will have to return back to the junction that is Leh and plan for another location’s visit the next day. Of course there are facilities for sojourning overnight at such vibrantly beautiful places but the return back to the junction is inevitable.

For shoppers, Leh serves as a prime destination for antiques and handicrafts. You will also come across shops selling the famous Chinese brocade. Don’t miss out the famous Kashmiri ‘Kahewa’ ( a blend of Kashmiri aromatic spices such as the rich saffron, tea leaves, dry fruits and other condiments to form a rich flavor for that luxurious warm drink in winters) which a tourist  can easily find in any of the Kashmir stores selling their traditional handicrafts, wool and other related items.  Leh is the only place with a balanced population during the summers.

The winters are a witness to sparseness when it comes to its own residents. Most of the tradesmen and business class public fluctuates to places like Goa or Delhi for business. The winters here are harsh and severe. So there’s hardly any chance of profit for these people beginning from October to May.

A Lake Paradise- Nainital

 A Lake Paradise- Nainital

The ‘Lake District’ of the state of Uttaranchal one of the precious jewels proudly studded in the crown of Himalayas, Nainital comes as a wonder destination in the northern India en-route to Ladakh.  Visit this place during summers (especially from July to September) to enjoy the picturesque and scenic splendour of this place. In case you are a winter-freak then find yourselves mesmerized with the snow fall which generally occurs during this time.

Nainital serves everything in one single platter right from a romantic honey-moon location to adventure sprawl.  It would prove delightful and more relaxing if the tourist stayed for at least a week to experience the charm that this hill-station exudes.

Some serious leisure

Break the monotonous routine and take a leisure boat-ride on the Nainital Lake. If you are accompanied by kids then is an ideal location for picnicking and fun.  The Nainital Lake and the dense greenery of Pines and other tall trees find its perfect description in Jim Corbett’s domain.  Although modernity seems to mushroom here as well, the Lake District still retains its bygone charm in its own unique way exuding tranquillity, peace and romance.  The visitors can fun and frolic in the ‘pedal boats’ commonly found here.  Don’t forget to shop as you get everything right from the Himachal-shawls to woollen stuff suiting to your tastes.

Vintage attraction

The vintage attraction is worth watching.  The British were the ones to find a real retreat here exploring the plethora of monuments which is why this place is an icon of historical importance as well. The presence of Churches and ethnic colonial buildings reinforces the invisible presence of the British of ‘those’ times.  Around 4 kms from the main town are the Nani Devi temple and the Hanumangarh temple which should not be missed out by the traveller.  Choose the ropeway walk if you are an adventurer to reach to these religious domain.

The Nostalgic visit to the Cemetery

One of the most known and visited spots is the cemetery and graveyard of the British bringing immense nostalgia and derelict.

Handloom products, the Kumaon woollens and beautiful candles from the Mall in Nainital can elude and attract just about anyone who is a shopaholic. Eating freaks can enjoy eateries ranging from the famous Tikki-in-the bun at Lakshmi, Pizzas, Burgers and other snacks at the Machan, Shiva Restaurant while satisfying the sweet tooth at the Heritage Restaurant.

Sojourning at Manali (En route to Ladakh)

Does the beauty of hills stations elude you? Are you attracted to reaching quiet and serene heights, capturing those miniscule yet scenic towns and villages in to your camera? Do you prefer mixing adventure with some solace in quiet mountains and cool hill tops? If you really do so then a trip to Manali in northern India before hitting Ladakh is the right destination for your family holidays. Welcome to the hill station of northern India that offers its tourists a pleasurable concoction of peace, tranquillity, romance and a thrilling adventure- Manali the ‘Switzerland of India’.

As you traverse your journey by road from the green city of Chandigarh upwards towards the Himalayas what you come across is a splendidly scenic grandeur that holds a classy display of natural beauty all over its hills. This is Manali, one of the classically popular spots for tourists in the Kullu region.  Famous amongst tourists and newly-married couples this hill-station serves as an ideal location for film shooting crews as well.

Spiritual and religious splendour

Don’t miss the Gadha Thekchoking Gompa which is located in the Tibetan area around the bottom of the Mall in Manali.  Built by the Tibetan refugees in 1960 this exquisite piece of religious art serves and amazes the tourists with its beautiful frescoes and a mid-size Buddhist statue.  If you are a hardcore India patriot then the list of martyrs killed in the war from 1987 to 1989 inside this temple would serve as a valuable piece of information and pride.

A four storey wooden temple of Goddess Hidimba Devi located in the middle of the forest comes as surprise attraction and an interesting place of worship.

Looking for a prowl in the wilderness?

Spread on the sprawling land of 3,180 hectares and a shelter to one of the most protected species, the Manali sanctuary is an important asset of the Manali wildlife authority. Ahead of this below the Chanderkhani pass, pops a small valley which is home to some few thousands of tribals living in this hilly region.   If you still haven’t satiated your desires for that thrilling adventure then take look at some known spots of Hanuman Tibba, chanderkhani pass, Deo Tibba and Rohtang Pass for Heli-Skiing.  The ideal time for you to carry out this sport is during late winters when the layers of snow have gathered making it favourable for it to be smooth and zesty.

As it is more convenient and advisable to use the helicopter service to drop the interested adventurers at the right height and spot, the cost is expensive and only fit for the ‘right’ people.  No wonder the sport is tremendously thrilling and invokes all the senses as the skier experiences the zing by rapidly zooming down to the white icy slopes.

A visit to the Indian ‘Switzerland’

Starting from the Manali town and at a distance of around 13 kms, you get to see the exuberantly attractive landscapes of ‘Solang valley’ encapsulated with snow capped mountains seen around and lavish green acres of curvy lands all around you.


Please note:  This article is now sold to an independent contractor and is not for sale
-Barkha verma ( Author).

we...The children of the village!

“What makes you come to our lands......we have not much to offer

Than smiles

With our red cheeks and running noses,

Some stars that suddenly twinkle in our eyes...

We only know that you come from faraway lands

With so many things studded inside your bags,

Pockets and .........mind...

What makes you come to our lands....out here you find only changing colours of sand,

Smooth and lonely sand, tall mountains hiding us from the world beyond

Its only sun that dares to rise and shine

Our only true visitor every day

Never misses his classes

What makes you come to our lands.....

Clicking our pictures every now and then...

Will you sell them to those angels

Who wish to know how we look? Or

Will you make fun of us showing them to

 those beautiful dolls or toys of the moving screen? or

You will keep them with you forever hidden somewhere

And show it to us when we have grown old.

Don’t ask our names for you will forget them

Don’t give us anything for we will be

unhappy after you have left

Just give us a handshake or a smile

Tell us about your lands of tall buildings,  big water tubs

And green lands.

Tell us a story so that we remember and tell them

To our teachers

For you come only once with your bags

To our land

From your faraway lands..............................