SHIMLA - MANALI

Shimla-Manali: My wife had always dreamt of seeing the snow covered mountains and I decided that would be a perfect 3rd Anniversary gift for her. We had the entire trip planned out- Took the Indigo flight to Delhi and stayed at Ginger hotel in Delhi for a day, the early next morning we had a train to catch to Kalka from where we boarded the toy train to Shimla. The journey in Toy Train (shivalik Express) was very pleasing, we were served good breakfast in the train as well. The sunrise from behind the valleys was a beautiful view, the train passed through 103 tunnels. 

Rail Motor Car (single coach train)

Railway station enroute Shimla

Shivalik Express @ Shimla Station

We reached Shimla at around 8am where a car was waiting for us to take us to the Kufri Hotel. We were too excited to relax, therefore took just a few mins to freshen up and were on our way for sightseeing. Our first stop was the Green valley view from where we could see the greenery and then headed to Fagu Point with is the highest point in Kufri. To go to the point we had to ride a horse and inspite of knowing that the horses were perfectly trained, the up and down of the hill was a scary ride. When we reached the point, we got the first glimpse of the snow peaked mountains.

View From Fagu Point

 The next day we headed to Manali by car (as there is no other connection).While traveling we were accompanied by the Beas river and got a chance to see a number of water falls... nature was at its best.!! 

Beas River Shimla-Manali Rd

Beas River Shimla-Manali Rd

One of the many Waterfalls on Shimla-Manali Rd

 After an 7hrs drive we reached Manali in the evening and checked into the Quality Inn hotel which was very beautiful with a luxurious view of the Beas river and the snow covered mountains. On our anniversary (9th Dec) we planned to go to the snow peak- Rothang pass. We had to start early in the morning and passed through solang valley. On the way we had to hire snow jackets, skiing kit and a guide. We stopped at a small canteen on our way to Rothang, which was the only canteen we would see for hours. In the chilled weather, hot steaming Maggi was our breakfast and that’s when we realized how delicious maggi can be!!! 

The only dhaba on Rohtang rd

While we started our journey upwards, we were passing through narrow slippery roads & snow pockets (snow covered on both sides and very narrow road to pass through) which was very exciting. Frozen waterfalls are truly a photographer’s paradise. We reached Rhotang in about 4hrs.  The car was stopped at a given point and when we stepped out the only thing we could see till far was Snow and accompanied with it was chilled wind, truly mesmerizing!!! Inspite of all the jackets that we had worn we were freezing. With the help of the guide, we did some good skiing and threw loads of snowballs on each other. We took loads of photos in this unforgettable place which was one of the top most peaks in India (13051ft above sea level).

Frozen waterfall on Rohtang rd

Rohtang Pass

Rohtang Pass

We had to head back before sunset and by the time we reached the hotel we were dead tired, still managed to end the wonderful anniversary with a candle light dinner at the restaurant at the hotel. The next day we went for sightseeing to the Hidimba temple and Vashit Hot springs. We headed back to Shimla again by the 8hrs drive, did a bit of sightseeing in Shimla by visiting the Mall road, Advance Research Center (Place of Shimla Agreement), Sankat Mochan Temple. 

Mall rd

Chruch

Shimla Agreement (India-Pak)was signed on this table

Advance Research center

Taking the evening train we reached Kalka then back to Delhi. After a nap we went out for sightseeing in Delhi & reached airport just in time thanks to Delhi’s traffic to catch our Hyderabad flight.

Suggestions:Ginger hotel-delhi,Quality inn river country resort (Manali)

How to reach:Delhi-shimla-manali-shimla/delhi by train & road.
Nearest Aiport:Delhi/Kulu/Manali
Train:Kalka-Shimla Train
Manali can be reached only by road/flight.