Top tips to Enjoy Himachal in Summer Vacation
Himachal Pradesh, a place of immense beauty and charm with clear and serene lakes, lofty mountains, ancient temples, and cheerful people and is one of the best places to visit in summers in India. It’s cool and pleasant weather attracts a large number of tourists every year.
Think beyond Shimla and Manali
Shimla and Manali are really very populated. The traffic will ruin your holidays. Instead try going to places like Kalpa, Sangla and Tirthan Valley which gives you the satisfaction that Shimla and Manali won’t. Kalpa and Sangla are near Shimla and they also provide the view of Himalayas. But the road is quite adventurous so don’t go if you don’t like an adventure. In that case, go to Tirthan Valley - Banjar Valley Area. It’s near to Kullu and better road connectivity. Kullu has Air connectivity.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit these places would be from February end till March beginning. You also need not take permission for Rohtang pass as you would find snow in Gulaba and Solang Valley. You would also find less traffic at that time. And don’t forget to take permission for Rohtang pass 6 days prior to when you are planning to visit from online as it opens exactly 6 days before. It opens for one date at a time. When you go to Manali, you should definitely visit Jana Falls. It is a less popular place and you will get to see a magnificent scene if you climb up.
Tirthan Valley
The American poet Ralph Emerson once said:
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
Perched at an altitude of over 1600 meters above sea level, the riverside retreat of Tirthan is an adventure-centric getaway blessed with a wealth of nature’s treasures. Located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, Tirthan Valley derives its name from the Tirthan River, which winds its way through it. The pristine river originates from the icy cold glacial springs of Hanskund, a snow-capped peak in the verdant Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP). Tirthan is an offbeat destination that has something for everyone. This quiet valley is ideal for trekking, fishing, wildlife watching, and discovering under-explored hill villages. There’s also the option of doing absolutely nothing as you relax among the pine trees in the valley. So if you like to scout around uncharted terrain, pack your bags and head towards Tirthan. The idyllic backdrop of Tirthan valley is dominated by cloud-kissed mountains, dense coniferous forests, and sprawling alpine meadows.
Amidst the realm of rock and ice that rule the high peaks and ridges, lies the breathtaking Serolsar Lake. A 6 km trek from the Jalori Pass, the shimmering waters of the serene lake reflect the blue of the sky and the green of the pine forest. There is also a tiny temple devoted to Goddess Buddhi Nagin, the mother of the 60 Nag Devtas of Himachali folklore, who is believed to reside in the Serolsar Lake.
Jibhi is a small town near Tirthan valley and the waterfall near Jibhi is just mesmerizing. You will have to walk about 5-10 mins to reach near the falls. The place is neatly done with wooden lovely small bridges over the stream which is flowing down from the waterfalls. The area at the waterfalls is also nicely paved with stone and cement. So it appears like a pool where you would feel like swimming. Surrounding the falls its deep forest in all directions. The Ambiance is wonderful.
There are many riverside cottages and you can have a blissful evening while drinking coffee near the river bank. You can arrange to go to Tirthan valley after Shimla on the way to Manali.
Good Food
You will find good food on the Mall road in both Shimla and Manali. In Shimla, restaurants like La Pino's Pizza and Domino’s Pizza are also there on the mall road. In Manali, the Chopsticks and The Corner restaurants are really good. On the way to Solang Valley from Manali, there’s a restaurant named The Taste of India which really has good food.
Fruits like cherries and strawberries are really very delicious and you should buy them from any local market to get good quality and cheap. Vendors on the roads often take high charges. There are many such markets while going to Manali from Kullu which is just some km away from Manali.
Another must-do experience is river rafting. You will get many rafting stalls in Kullu. But the stalls, in the beginning, are very crowded so I would suggest you visit the stalls which come far behind. And yes, there are some people on the road who will guide you to a stall in between but they usually take heavy prices.
Hope you found this blog useful and have a great time in your holidays.
