Ana's Green World: Manali Mountain Biking - [24th

Manali - Kullu Valley known as 'Valley of God'... Manali is known as the Queen of Hill stations at an altitude of 2,050 m (6,726 ft), most picturesque valley, located near the northern end of the Kullu Valley on the bank of Beas river... It is situated near the end of the valley on the National Highway leading to Leh...

Manali is a Beautiful resort town nestled in the picturesque Beas River valley; in the midst of Mountains. It’s a gateway for skiing in the Solang Valley & trekking in Parvati Valley. It's also a jumping-off point for Paragliding, Rafting & Mountaineering in the Pir Panjal mountains; And home to 4,000m. high Rohtang Pass.

With Lots of Curiosity and Enthusiasm, I started my first much awaited trekking journey with YHAI, National Himalayan Trekking Expeditions in the heart of Himalayas, Manali in Oct. 2013... Though it was mountain Biking (Cycling) expedition, I introduced myself to the World of ADVENTURES...

My first visit to Manali, first expedition, first batch (24th Oct-28th Oct 2013) of that year... Nobody was there to guide me, it's just that when I went to YHAI office in Chanakyapuri for booking, somebody suggested me to go to Manali through Swagatam travels, which operates from Karol Bagh... So I started my journey to Manali with Swagatam Travels... When I started from Delhi to Manali, there were so many things in my mind - How would that place be!!! Would it be safe!!! Who all will be there!!! Would I be able to manage all this!!! & so many other things!!! But I was very excited & impatient to reach to Manali...

In the morning when I opened my eyes in the bus it was unbelievable scenic beauty out there... With well-defined snow capped peaks, the Beas river with its clear water meanders through the town... On the other side are deodar n pine trees, tiny fields & fruit orchards n off course rocking Mountains!!!

I was thinking "Thank god I came here..." I have no words to explain my happiness!!! it was just out of the world feeling as it was my first time to visit to such a beautiful place in hilly area...

Finally I reached to the Youth hostel, which is located on a small Mountain near Club Mahindra in a Prini Village...

Initially I thought it must be like a hostel, as it is called as Youth hostel!!! But when I entered in the hostel & specially in the room, I was amazed to see that it was just like a hotel with all the facilities!!!

View from Youth hostel

Base camp                : Manali  Youth Hostel
Cycling Route       : Hadimba temple, old Manali & Vasisth >> Solang valley via Bhang - Palchan & coming back via Burua, Gaushal & old Manali >> Naggar via Jagatsukh, Haripur
Altitude                    ~ 2,050 m [6,726 ft]
Best time to visit   : October - June
Weather                   : Summer: 10°C to 25°C | Winter: (-1) to 18°C

24th Oct. 2013

Remote view of Youth hostel

1st day - was reporting day & I forgot to carry my photograph so I went to get the same with my new group mates & so also visited Manali market...
And that was the time, when we became very good friends... We captured so many memorable clicks everywhere throughout our walk & we came back before our lunch time...

After having lunch & rest, we all decided to visit nearby village around our hostel...

PC : Gurubhai

With all good memories captured in our camera we came back to our hostel before the Sunset... It was soup time as per YHAI schedule n after that there was an Orientation & general information about the expedition, Bike Rules & Safety Tips etc. by Mr. Mitra... After dinner we had a Camp fire by litting up a candle :) Also had some cultural activities like singing & dancing... Then bournvita time & at 10 pm lights off... n then wait for the Sunrise for a new day :)

25th Oct. 2013

2nd day - We woke up early in the morning to go for jogging n exercise... Then after an hour we came back to our hostel, had tea n breakfast... We all got ready with packed-lunch n all our Equipments (Helmet, Knee guard, gloves, etc)... n now couldn't wait to start cycling!!!

And the day came; we started cycling to Hadimba temple, old Manali & Vasisth, a famous hot water springs (18 kms)...

I was cycling after near about 15 years & that to on geared bicycle!!! Very exciting moment to do cycling in the lap of the Himalayas with beautiful greenery covered with long deodar n pine trees all over!!! Out of the world experience - never ever thought of!!! Thanks to YHAI :) lil thrilling but Amazing experience...

Finally we came back to Manali Youth Hostel in the evening... Had Tea n Snacks, then Soup n dinner & Bournvita as per the schedule...

26th Oct. 2013
3rd day - Woke up early in the morning to capture the beauty of this Wonderful place... Then after breakfast we started biking to Solang Valley via Bhang n Palchan & while coming back via Burua, Gaushal n old Manali(38 Kms) we took a ride in a ropeway in Solang valley... Very Nice experience overall...

Then again came back to Manali Youth Hostel in the evening... Had Tea n Snacks, then Soup n dinner, finally Bournvita as per the schedule...

27th Oct. 2013

4th Day - Biking to Naggar via Jagatsukh, Haripur and in Naggar (Nagger Castle - ancient Fort and famous Nicholes Reorich Art Gallery) - (34 KMs) - Good to visit place...

Located in Naggar Town, amidst breathtaking forested hills, the Naggar Castle is a magnificent historical edifice...

Made of stone & wood, this palace served as the residence of Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu...

It was built in AD 1460 in an impressive amalgamation of European & Himalayan architecture... In the year 1978, the Castle was converted into a rest house, & more recently into a Heritage hotel that is run by Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC)

The holy Beas River flows close to the castle, adding beauty & sanctity to it... No trip to Manali is actually complete if you don't pay a visit to this Attraction... Then back to Manali Youth Hostel in the evening...

28th Oct. 2013

5th day - Time to depart after breakfast... Hard feelings to leave this place with so many good n lifetime friends & this place with :) But had to leave :(

We all got our certificates for the completion of this trek...

Thats not all !!! after leaving Youth hostel in the morning our group decided to go to Rohtang pass (One of the Beautiful place, specially the route between Manali & Rohtang) by taxi so that we could come back by the evening to go back to our destinations...