13th - 20th August
Manali, in the northern end of the Kullu River, is in the alpine region of Himachal Pradesh. Manali itself is a popular resort town for holidaying, Indians escaping the heat of lower India. Manu, the Hindu version of Noah, is reported to have arrived here after the floods to re-create life on earth and hence the name of the town, 'Manali - Home of Noah'.
We set ourselves up at the Drifters Inn in Old Manali about 2.5 kilometres from The Mall in Manali. 2.5 kilometres up a winding steep, narrow road. Our room was a further three flights up. If you need to get fit for trekking this is the place to do it!
Old Manali is a mixture of tourist enclave and the old village set among apple orchards. The walk to the main town can be accomplished via the road at the risk of being skittled or, once over the tributary river, you can choose to walk through a beautiful alpine park that stretches for about 2 kilometres along the river to The Mall.
The first day after we arrived was a designated rest day. We were now on the wet side of the ranges and the monsoon season was letting its presence be known. It didn't rain all the time but we had rain both during some of the day-time hours and most nights.When the weather was clear we would venture further afield down into Manali and along the river south of the town. There is another smaller park in the town that also follows the river and is the lunch spot for the locals. Not a bad effort for a smallish town in northern India to have two such beautiful parks. The smaller park has a small play park for the children, a paddle boat pond and seating regularly placed to enjoy the river views while chatting, resting or having a bite to eat.
We enjoyed our week here relaxing and exploring the area around us. We walked many kilometres, none of them across flat ground. The temperature during the day was a pleasant one for our wanderings but on the day that my stomach was feeling decidedly squeamish we opted for a tuk-tuk to bring us back up the hill.
Manali, in the northern end of the Kullu River, is in the alpine region of Himachal Pradesh. Manali itself is a popular resort town for holidaying, Indians escaping the heat of lower India. Manu, the Hindu version of Noah, is reported to have arrived here after the floods to re-create life on earth and hence the name of the town, 'Manali - Home of Noah'.
We set ourselves up at the Drifters Inn in Old Manali about 2.5 kilometres from The Mall in Manali. 2.5 kilometres up a winding steep, narrow road. Our room was a further three flights up. If you need to get fit for trekking this is the place to do it!
View from our Balcony to the head of the valley
Old Manali is a mixture of tourist enclave and the old village set among apple orchards. The walk to the main town can be accomplished via the road at the risk of being skittled or, once over the tributary river, you can choose to walk through a beautiful alpine park that stretches for about 2 kilometres along the river to The Mall.
The first day after we arrived was a designated rest day. We were now on the wet side of the ranges and the monsoon season was letting its presence be known. It didn't rain all the time but we had rain both during some of the day-time hours and most nights.When the weather was clear we would venture further afield down into Manali and along the river south of the town. There is another smaller park in the town that also follows the river and is the lunch spot for the locals. Not a bad effort for a smallish town in northern India to have two such beautiful parks. The smaller park has a small play park for the children, a paddle boat pond and seating regularly placed to enjoy the river views while chatting, resting or having a bite to eat.
Paddle Boat Pond
Both parks are utilised by locals to graze goats and cattle
View across main river towards Vashist
We enjoyed our week here relaxing and exploring the area around us. We walked many kilometres, none of them across flat ground. The temperature during the day was a pleasant one for our wanderings but on the day that my stomach was feeling decidedly squeamish we opted for a tuk-tuk to bring us back up the hill.
Local Hindu Festival celebrated with a procession
Manu Maharishi Temple - a modern temple constructed on the site where Manu meditated
An optimistic leap of faith to ring the bell
The village of Old Manali
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