Come fall in love ...with Nature itself!. Review on Manali

''Kahin tho jaana hai'' my wife kept on chiming at regular intervals, lest I forget.Less than one year down the marriage and my wife was already looking forward to a second honeymoon.We had a vacations of thirty days and I turned to the internet to help me make a choice.

The computer threw up so many options in India itself that I ended up more confused than ever before .Finally my friend who loves to dangle from the rocks,suggested MANALI as one good place to visit.The next step was to plan the journey and that again wasn't all that easy.I was to start and terminate my journey in Dehradun and the vantage point for MANALI is CHANDIGARH.

Initial investigations revealed that the there were no luxury buses from Doon and the ordinary state junk...err..bus..took 16 hours to reach MANALI.The next available option was to go via Chandigarh or to hire a direct TAxI,which costed 900 IRS per day in addition to the fuel cost.Taxi takes around 10-12 hours to cover the same patch of journey.Just for reference ,Journey from Chandigarh to Manali by bus takes a good 11 hour(Bus fare - 250IRS/Taxi - 1500 to 2500).Here I can offer one good piece of advice ,travel to MANALI from CAHNDIGARH only during the DAY TIME.Otherwise you will miss out on the breathtaking views on the way.The River BEAS ,flows along the road.Seat yourself on the opposite side of the driver and you are set for a lovely journey.On the way you will also pass through KULLU,which is famous for its shawls and the ANGOORA RABBIT farm but otherwise the place is pretty congested.

Once you reach MANALI, you know your journey was very much worth it.The place is absolutely mindblowing.I was under the wrong notion that such places exist only in our bollywood song sequences.Plastic bags are a taboo and the place is very well maintained.

Upon your arrival you are immediately surrounded by the hotel agents each one trying to outdo the others.I would suggest that you go in for a hotel which is not too far off from the main market and at the same time gives you a good view of the river and the mountains.The prices of the hotel vary a lot and the offseason prices would be around 40% of the peak season tariff.A bit of haggling over the tariff is also acceptable.I stayed in the HOTEL BEAS VIEW which was pretty decent.(Tariff 1200IRS -Peak Season / 500IRS- Off Season).I guess you will need to book in advance if you are travelling during the peak months of May,June & July.

Fortunately, we visted MANALI in the mid of September,just after the rainy season and the place was very peaceful.

For sightseeing of MANALI you need approximately 3-4 days and if you are a kind of person who loves outdoor,even few months are less.

Local sightseeing is best done in the taxis available in the main market.The drivers are expert and are able to handle the mountain roads with considerable ease.

The first tour(700 IRS) that is recommended takes you right upto THE ROHTANG PASS through a very scenic drive,which is at a height of 13,000 feet and some 51KMS away from MANALI in the same tour you can also negotiate for the SOLANG VALLEY(an extra 100 IRS).ROHTANG PASS is the threshold to the district of Lahoul & Spiti of HP & to Leh & Ladhakh.You also get to see the ''Sonepati Glacier''.There is also a small lake with a single paddle boat, but its better to just walk around and absorb the beauty thats wraps you up.In case you have forgotten your warm clothes ,not to worry there are ample warm clothes available on rent ,still its advisable to carry your own set with you.On the way you will also pass the RAHLA WATER FALLS,which is a good spot for photography.SOLANG VALLEY doubles up as green meadows in summers and ski-slopes in winter.

The Second ''NAGGAR & MANIKARAN'' tour costs approx. 900 -1100 IRS and a complete day ,hence its advisable to start early.The tour takes you to the spectacular NAGGAR CASTLE(Entry 10 IRS/per person) & further to the informative NICOLAS ROERICH ART GALLERY(Entry 20 IRS/per person).Both the spots are worth visiting.Further the tour covers the KOSOL VALLEY, which is a definete place to get down and take a stroll, & MANIKARAN which is famous for the hot water springs.MANIKARAN is a pretty crowded place and the hot water springs are now religous spots.This tour will also take you to the KULLU VALLEY famous for its SHAWLS.ANGOORA RABBIT farm are also worth visiting.

The third day can be utilized to cover the LOCAL SPOTS.These places can be covered in the AUTORICKSHAWS too and the charges are around 200 IRS for a 3 hour tour.The highlights of this tour is the picturesque HADIMBA TEMPLE ,VASHISHT HOT WATER SPRINGS TEMPLE & the MANALI CLUB HOUSE(Entry fee 10 IRS/Per head).Finally don't miss out on walk in the PARK which is right next to the MALL ROAD.

There are ample eating joints in MANALI and most of them are located on the MALL ROAD itself.The 4 in 1 softies should not be missed out.

All I can say is that no matter how much I write, I won't be able to capture the beauty that awaits you in MANALI. My purpose of writing this article is to help you guys prepare & plan your trip.

Finally,have a great time & fall in love with nature!