Travelogue- Adventure and Thrill- A Road trip to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand

A quick planned trip left life long memories

Day 1 : We started our journey at 12 AM from New Delhi. Received our rented Mahindra  XUV 500 ready at the railway station, done all legal formalities and then we hit the road. Afterwards we moved from Delhi to reach Himachal Pradesh directly by road. Reached Kasol at 6 PM. 

Destination 1: Kasol, Himachal Pradesh

A small yet one of the most serene places in HP. This place is famous for the number of foreign tourists and trekkers. This small village has got everything to make your visit lovely. Surrounded by mountains with snow, Green/Brown trees. Tall green trees and pure tranquility near the Parvati river. A perfect place to stretch out your body and relax. Kasol is famous for hash and variety of other drugs. Majority of the tourists comes from Israel. 

On the way to Kasol

Parvati River

Day 2 : After leaving Kasol next destination is Manikaran. 

Destination 2 : Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh

Manikaran is located after 5 kms from Kasol, in the Parvati Valley between the rivers Beas and Parvati. One famous place for Sikh people. Gurudwara of Manikaran is one popular place to visit. With a population of more than 3,000 people, this place remains busy with pilgrims and travelers.

Gurudwara, Manikaran

Destination 3: Solang Valley, Himachal Pradesh

To reach Solang Valley one needs to travel back to Kasol followed by Kullu> Manali> Solang Valley.Total distance is 95 kms from Manikaran and approx 3 hours required to reach Solang. Solang Valley is beautiful place surrounded by snow capped mountains. During the months of April till July adventure sports like Paragliding, Zorbing and Skiing can be done. In the night we went out for camping near Nullah (water stream). One of the most starry nights we witnessed. 

View from our room at Solang Valley.

Paragliding

Night sky

Day 3: Left Solang valley to visit Gulaba.

Destination 4: Gulaba, Himachal Pradesh

Our journey covered by snow was about to start. Gulaba is a small village which comes on the way to Rohtang. Followed by Kothi, which is a small village where accommodations and food can be found. We asked the route from locals to reach the place and we had no idea what kind of place this would be. One can witness most blissful scenes from Gulaba of HP.

Day 4: Left from Kothi for Mandi

Destination 5 : Prashar Lake, Himachal Pradesh

At 2730m altitude. Prashar Lake is surrounded by mountains and only mountains. Approx 10-15 houses and one temple of saint Prashar. This place is like heaven at such a huge height. The way towards Prashar lake is not straight. One needs to travel off road for almost 50kms from Mandi. 

Prashar Lake and some near by houses

On the way to Prashar Lake

Day 5: Stayed at Prashar Lake for one night and left next morning.
Destination 6: Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Famous yet densely populated. Rishikesh is prominent place for yoga centers of India. Many legendary celebs came here for yoga. Situated on the basin of holy Ganga, this place is also popular as the only bungee jump location in India. One needs to travel for approx 20 Kms from Rishkesh. You can also stay in tents/camps after Shivpuri. They offer stay in tents for 2-4 people capacity on white sand and big stones. Their package also includes several adventure sports like Kayaking, Rafting and Volleyball too.

We have also done Bungee Jumping from 83m at Jumpin heights which is 13kms from Shivpuri.

To check out video of my bungee jump please click here : https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=857687404256884

Kayaking at camp site

Tent stay

Day 6: Left for New Delhi from Rishikesh.

For 6 days we had infinite fun and thrill. Every place mentioned above is a must visit place. For all the off road driving lovers, this entire tour is phenomenal. There are many places in HP to visit but due to high commercialization  and public reach the beauty is not the same as of earlier. We decided these place because all are less populated and people often don`t visit.

Here are some group photos of ours :)

Recommendations: 

1. Bring at least 3 layers of woolens whenever you visit between April to June.

2. Medicines for Cold, cough and fever.

3. Must keep these things with yourself always rope, knife, torch.

4. Fuel for 200kms in tank. Due to less number of petrol pumps.  

5. Have cash minimum 2000 at any time. ATMs are available everywhere but we often found them inactive.

6. ID proofs of all persons.

Conclusion : 

Started from : New Delhi
Places covered in Himachal Pradesh : Kasol, Manikaran, Solang Valley, Gulaba, Prashar Lake
Places covered in Uttarakhand : Rishikesh
Ending Point : New Delhi
Vehicle : Mahindra XUV 500 (Diesel)
Total distance covered : 1740 kms
Number of days : 6


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