Well this was my very first trip to the so called Holy Mountains. We 3 (Swaps, Pop.E and me) have been planning on some kinda trip since past 10 years. Nothing used to work out and as always we used to head to near by places in Maharashtra. But then we kept on trying and working hard towards achieving the best. And finally the time came. We decided to head up north. Then Karan also decided to join us. That was a good thing for us.

Swaps’ coming with us was dicey till the end. But then somehow all was managed and we happened to go all together. Swaps and I know each other for more then 13-14 years. And we both know Pop.E for more then 10 years. We are really good friends since so many years no matter what happened...

We (Pop.E and me) were too excited about this trip. We both did a lot of research on the net. We 1st knew the places we had to visit. Thanks to the many friends who posted for us on Isra as well as Indiamike forum. Also Oran (the Isra mod) helped a lot. He told me to just head to Kasol and rest all would be sorted. I was like ok. And when I actually was there. I came to know what he meant.

Booked the tickets from Bombay to Delhi. We opted for that as the flight was early morning and we wanted to travel to Himachal in the day time. Since Swaps joining us was decided at the last moment, we asked him to get on the train a day in advance. I dropped him at the station on the 11th early morning. Pop.E got his ass to Pune the same day at around 11am. Karan was already in Kullu and was supposed to join us there.

We reached Delhi early morning. Swaps called us at the right time and we met up at CP. Everything was bang on time. Thus we went to Pahadganj to look for a cab or bus. The travel ppl told us that the buses were only in the evening. We then were kinda let off. Also the cabs were charging us a lot as they would charge to and fro, which was not good for our pockets. Thus we decided to head to ISBT and then check. We reached ISBT and we saw a bus for Manali leaving. We just got on the bus and there on it was a crazy journey. The bus driver was going full on. Honking hardcore and racing with other fellow buses. It was kinda scary at times.

We reached Chandigarh and I kinda lost patience and so did Swaps. We told the local boy Pop.E to look for some cab as the bus was gonna halt for more then 30 mins. We didn’t wanna go thru the same shit till Manali. Pop.E went looking for one while Swaps and I did some time pass. He came back with positive looks and we knew, it was all sorted. We got a cab from Chandi to Kullu for 2.5k. It was a good deal. We got a Qualis for just 3 of us. The journey was good, peaceful.

We reached Kullu around 12.30am and we went to the same place where Karan was staying and had booked a room for us too. Place was ok for an overnight stay. Next morning as Holi. They play holi for 2 days. Wow. The locals told us that we should leave soon as we might be harassed by the locals who would be usually drunk during Holi. So we decided to take off ASAP to Kasol. The bus stand was near by and we were there by 11.30am. We hunted for the bus and got to know that it would not move before 1pm. We got to know from the bus conductor. He was a good fellow. He told us to wait and eat something. It would be already 1 then. In the meantime Orans words struck me. I asked the bus conductor whether it was possible to go on top of the bus. He gave a kinda negative reaction so then I instantly told him that it’s ok if it’s from bhuntar, He said that’s good and he was all ok with it. But then we guys din wanna wait till 1pm. So we looked here and there for cabs and we got one at a good deal. 500 bucks. Not bad. So we took the cab and headed to Kasol. From Kullu there is a shortcut to get on to the other side crossing Beas River. Otherwise one has to head to Bhuntar and then take a diversion. We were on the other side and we came across river Parvati. It was really amazing. The other side was totally different. It had a killer aroma. Soon we reached Kasol.

Kasol was a crazy place too. As we reached we saw a lot of firangs and loads were Israelis. There were many places which served Israeli food. Sign boards in Hebrew too. We wanted to stay in a house. There were many guest houses and hotels. We wanted something good, cheap and nice view. Thus we headed towards Manikaran road and there we found a house on a small hill. It was a killer place. A lil stress full to climb up and down, but what the hell. There were already many firangs staying in the other house. One owner and 2 houses there. One house was full and the other was empty. We checked the rooms. They were pretty decent. There was nothing much in the room besides a double bed and a table. We needed something like this as we thought we wud be out thru out the time. We decided to take up 2 rooms and it came up to 70 bucks a day each room. Wow. It was pretty decent for those rooms. We settled in and then headed down to eat. We went to this cafe called Shiva Shakti cafe. It looked really nice and decent and that’s the reason we went in. There was no one. We picked a good spot outside and sat down. Ordered food and stuff. We gave the owner a cd and he played for us. So it was a killer thing. Food and psy and nature at its best. Soon loads of Israelis flocked in and started booming. We were also not far. Food quality was real good. Had food and now where to get chocolate... He he... I know what you guys are thinking. We asked some locals and they told us that nothing in Kasol but you can head to some village for it. Then we thought of asking some Israeli. He came to know that there is a village nearby called Chhlal and that should offer us. So the 4 of us decided to leave immediately to Chhlal. We took the main road and walked about 3-4 kms. We had to take a small bridge across Parvati to get to Chhlal. We saw the bridge on the way. We walked and then Pop.E told us he saw the bridge. So we headed down off road. We couldn’t see anything at all. Then Pop.E took the lead and went further and came back all in vain and tired. :)

We went further and we got the bridge. We crossed the bridge. It was amazing. Standing on the bridge and Parvati below. It really makes ya high. Beautiful would be an understatement. Anyways. Another 40 mins and Chhlal town was in sight. We meet a guy on the way and thus we asked him where we can get it. He told us how come you guys came here. There are lot of issues and stuff. Finally we got connected and he knew our friend who knows him very well which we never knew. Never mind the connection. That guy was killer. By that time, it was raining hardcore and it was getting dark. We didn’t have torch either. We got it. ;)

Now it was so late that we had to stay overnight. He told us that he would drop us and would take 15-20 mins. We were like dude we came walking so long and you can drop us on foot in 15-20 mins. Makes no sense. We would rather wait her. So he got us sorted. We stayed there in the night. Come morning it was a beautiful one. 2nd day Holi. Got some colors on. He he... Karan was still sleeping. Went looking for Swaps and Pop.E. They were not in the room. Then went out and saw them sitting aside a bonfire with a baba. I too joined and had a good time there. Had tea and then we decided to move back to Kasol. We took the other way and trust me we reached Kasol in not more then 20 mins flat. Damn. Anyways it was all good.

Once we reached Kasol it started to rain again. It rained thru out. Never stopped. Even in the night it was strong. So the next whole day we stayed in Kasol only hoping that the weather would turn better. But all in vain. So the next day we decided to head to Solang as going further up to Malana was not possible. Packed and took a cab to Solang. On the way we decided to go to Manikaran too.

Manikaran was a holy place. But it was dirty like hell. Checked the place and had lunch there. Soon we left for Solang. Solang was on the other side and ahead of Manali. We passed Manali and reached Solang. Wow. Snow all over. We went to Solang Valley Resort which we had seen on the net. The manager told us that the rates for super deluxe room were 6.6k per day and since it was off season we could avail the rooms for 3k. We did some settlement and got it down to 2.5k per day for 5 days. He stayed there for 5 days. Behind our resort was the Solang Nallah. The whole backyard was our territory. Also in the whole resort there was no one staying besides us. It was a killer place. It had everything. Tea maker, heater, TV+stand, sitting area, sofa, extra bed, writing table, killer balcony etc. It was worth 2.5k plus the backyard. :)

We spend 5 killer days there. We also visit the Solang ski area. It was a total commercial arena but then we made the best of it. Headed right up the ski slopes and climbed the tree to have chocolate. ;)

1st 2 days the snow dried off. 4th day it started raining and then it started snowing. It was amazing as we guys had never seen snowfall. We left Solang on the 5th day and wanted to head to Manali and stay there for 2 last days. On the way we also went Via Kothi which was totally commercial again and we hardly spent time there. On the way we decided to head and check Vashisht.

We reached Vashisht and decided why the hell to stay in Manali when we can here. Manali was just 30 bucks away. So we hunted for a place and found a super one called Dharma guest house. The owner was pretty cool too. Vashisht has breath taking view and a temple with hot water geyser. We went to Manali from there as we had to book our tickets for the bus to Delhi. Did all that and we back at Vashisht. 2 killer days stay and then we headed back for our journey back.

Overall it was a killer journey. All feel into place smoothly. Only thing that was sad that we couldn’t head up to Malana. But am sure that time would be coming soon. But then in the end the only things comes to my head and want to say is PARVATI ROCKS.....