Himachal Diaries: Part Two

Day Two (02.07.2024): Road trip from Shimla to Rampur via Narkanda

Good morning from Shimla! I woke up at 6am, got ready for the day, feeling better than yesterday, had paratha breakfast at 7am. Luggage was loaded in the vehicles. We had to go through the morning ritual before getting into the vehicles, else no lunch for the day! Hrishikesh would brief us on the whole day, we had already received the WhatsApp message from Sanket, then we pray to god and start our day.

Shimla: Queen of hills

This charming hill station, summer capital of HP, is surrounded by forests and valleys of oak and pine. Since 8am we were driving on the road in the canopy of the tall pine trees and ascending towards the peak. At 10:15am, we halted at a fruit shop. 

We reached Hatu Peak at 11am. The atmosphere was foggy. Hence we could not see the surroundings.

Hatu Peak

It is located in the Narkanda hills at 11200ft above sea level. At the summit, there is a wooden temple of Kali Mata (Hatu Mata). The temple is built in a pagoda style and is dedicated to Mandodari, the wife of King Ravana. According to legend, the Pandavas found refuge at Hatu Peak during their exile and built a temple to Goddess Durga.

We wondered in the surrounding till 11:30am and then drove ahead to Rampur. We halted at VJ Regency for maggi break at 12:30pm. 

We reached Hotel KC Regency at 3pm and had lunch. 

The kitchen team would be traveling with us now on till we reach Manali. They will take care of breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, tea, coffee,etc. My room no was 404. 

Here again I dozed off till Sanket called up for the evening tea. Few of the travellers explored Padam Palace and did some fruit shopping. The Padam Palace is a magnificent royal residence located in Rampur Bushahr.

This is the first group in which travellers shopped for a variety of fruits and shared it with all. Thanks to them, we got to taste different fruits. We had dinner at 9pm. 

Hrishikesh briefed on the next day itinerary. I got the bag ready for tomorrow and dozed off.