Himachal Diaries: Part Seventeen

Day Ten (10.07.2024): Exploring Manali

Good morning from Manali! I woke up at 6am and had paratha breakfast at 7:30am. Today I had to board the car in which Bhumi and her family was traveling since Kalyani, Chinmay and Avadhut had already explored the sightseeing on previous trips and had another plans. We left the hotel at 8:30am and drove towards the Rohtang Pass. We had to face traffic due to road construction for a while. We reached the base at 10am. 

Rohtang Pass

It is a high mountain pass, at an elevation of 13,051ft on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, located about from Manali. It's a crucial link between the lush Kullu Valley and the starkly different landscapes of Lahaul and Spiti.

There were different snow activities: snow skiing, snow tyre slide, etc. It included yak ride as well. Few opted for the himachali dress and clicked in the snow. We had to wear the snow boots to walk in the snow. Having seen the first snow in Switzerland, any other destination doesn't amuse me now. Frankly speaking there wasn't much snow on the mountain. I stayed at the base and relished maggi with tea at 11:30am in the cold. The best maggi I had ever. 

I had already taken a painkiller in the morning post breakfast and the second one now. I was waiting in the car for Bhumi and family to come back while other three cars went to hotel. We had the ziplining activity planned to do in the Solang Valley. We crossed the Atal Tunnel at 1pm.

Atal Tunnel is a highway tunnel built under the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas on the Leh-Manali Highway. At a length of 9.02 km, it is the longest tunnel above 10,000 feet in the world and is named after former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The Solang valley offers mesmerizing views of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and lush green meadows. It's a perfect spot for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. There are a variety of activities like paragliding, ropeway ride, zorbing, ziplining, etc. We already have river rafting planned for tomorrow. 

We reached the venue, charges were Rs 500 per person and Rs 1000 including video. They would provide a selfie stick. I opted for the ride only. They tie the harness on the waist, it feels like you are hanging on the rope. Then you glide on the steel rope to the other point with breathtaking view of the river Beas. Once I reached the other point, harness is detached from the rope. I had to climb the stairs to the upper point, these stairs are circular and tricky and if you look down while climbing them, you will get an idea at what a great height you actually are at the moment. Again the harness was attached to the rope and I glided back the starting point. Bhumi's video was not captured correctly so she got a chance to do the activity again. Lucky her! I decided to change the car and travelled back to the hotel in my car alongwith Hrishikesh and Sanket. 

I had lunch at 2:30pm and we had to leave the hotel at 3pm for the next sightseeing in Manali. More on this in next post.