My 6813 Kms Road Trip Covering 13 States in 17 Days


Thread Starter #46
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Hi!!!!

I really thank all of you for the lovely response to my TL. It's again inspiring me to make one more trip.

I am little tide up with my onward travel. 400 pics more to follow.

I will join you all after two days with continuation.

Thanks to everyone......once again
 
Thread Starter #47
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Day 9 : Shimla

2nd February 2013- the last day at Shimla, we had the full day to spare. Thought, we would go around and take some pics. The two guys shown on the pics had given us the best service at the Restaurant during our stay at Mushobra/Shimla. We came back to the hotel around 3 pm having lunch outside, started packing the baggage for the next days travel to Kullu and Manali.

Meantime we called up the Tourism Dept. to ascertain the weather forecast for the following day, and found out that there is a warning of heavy snowfall for 4th Feb. And around 9 pm after dinner we retired for the day.

Day 10 : Shimla to Kullu / Manali – 266 kms

3rd February 2013, we checked out from the hotel and started at 7.30 am to Manali after the fuel top up at Shimla, a distance of 266 kms to be covered. Fuel prices at Himachal is less compared to other states. It took about 8 hrs to cover the distance with some stoppages. Except for a few kms the entire stretch of the road was ok. Some of the places the roads are very narrow and dangerous due to the deep valley on one side. Heavy flow of trucks also seen on this stretch. Should be always alert.

The drive was really pleasant with an awesome panoramic view through out. As we were nearing Kullu, we found the road is on the banks of River Beas, partially covered with snow. Once we passed Kullu we could see river rafting on Beas. At 3.30 pm we reached the Hotel at Manali. Our room balcony was facing the river and was on the 2nd floor. The view of the river with a roaring sound of water was really great, apart from the snow covered mountains. The temperature was almost 1 deg C and were certain that there will be a snowfall in the night as forecasted. We were advised to have the dinner at the room itself, because the temperature was dipping below minus. At 9.30 pm we retired for the day.

More to come
 

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Thread Starter #48
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The remaining photos taken on the way to Manali
 

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Thread Starter #49
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Continuation of the pictures
 

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Thread Starter #52
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The remaining photos
 

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Hmm,

By reaching close to Manali, the mountains color started changed to white and shining with lot of snow and you have entered Manali with the most beautiful white mountains all over, excellent journey sir. Yes I dream about such a journey life and if possible with TAI friends from Delhi in future[clap]
 
Thread Starter #54
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Day11: Manali

4th February 2013, got up around 7 am, opened the balcony door and got surprised to see the heavy snow fall as forecasted. We planned to go out to the near by locations during the day, but later found all the ways and roads were closed due to thick snow. I took the opportunity to click pics and shoot video clippings as much as possible from the balcony. The out side view was totally different from last evening. For the local people its common there, even during this kind of snow fall I could see children were going to school without even a cap.

After an hour the power supply went off and later it was resumed after 42 hours. So, remained at the hotel expecting a fine weather for the next day.

Day 12 : Manali

5th February 2013, morning the weather was little fine, but totally changed in no time and started raining as well. This forced us to remain in the hotel room for day. And next day morning was our journey to Delhi. All we could do in Manali was seeing the snow fall, and missed all the locations. But it’s an awesome experience that we hardly get.
 

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Thread Starter #55
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Day 13 : Manali to Delhi – 555 kms

6th February 2013, morning we wanted to start our journey at 7 am to Delhi, with little disappointment in the mind that we couldn’t go anywhere in Manali. The hotel had a closed car parking protecting the car from snow. As we were getting ready to start, again the snowfall and rain started, and the vehicles were stranded on the roads due to snow. I found the rear wheel drive vehicles were finding it more difficult to run on the snow than the front wheel drive. Hatchback cars were more seen on road with less number of diesel cars other than SUVs.

We waited till 10 am but the weather was getting worst. So we checked out and started at 10.30 am and were ready to face the weather and the road. Almost two feet of snow on the road and could see vehicles got stranded every where. Surprisingly my Octy kept moving without any struggle even on those thick snow. The speed I maintained was only 20 to 30 kms/hr. At 12.15 pm we passed Kullu, on the way I could see a land slip right in front of us, mud and stones falling from top, waited for few minutes, and carefully crossed it before it become worst. The sight of vehicles slipped from the road was common there. At 1.30 pm we had our lunch at one of the dabhas on the way. The route to Delhi was Kullu – Bhilaspur – Chandigargh – Panipet. In so many stretches the road was very bad and the drive was taking more time. Before reaching Chandigarh it became dark and we lost the way, MMI took us through the state of Punjab and straight to Panipet. And when we entered Delhi city limits the traffic was very heavy even at 10 pm, and we reached the hotel around 11.30 pm. We checked in and retired for the day.
 

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Hmm,

That looks to be a toughest journey Sir and Kudos to your courage proceeding out of Manali !! But I am sure it will be a great memory for you for future as being in south we never encounter such situation at all[:)]
 
Thread Starter #57
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While coming down from Manali we observed the water level had increased in the river Beas.

After crossing the land slip we stopped for a second, took a deep breath and without looking back continued the drive
 

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Day 14 : Delhi

7th February 2013, we had only one day to spare in Delhi, so we thought to hire a taxi for sight seeing and shopping which could save more time than I taking my octy on an unfamiliar route. We negotiated with the hotel travel desk people for the taxi, started around 8 am after the breakfast.

The first visit was to the Birla Mandir. Spending some time there we went to India gate. The weather was very pleasant. And the taxi driver was good enough to act as guide as well. We went around and took some pics, and next was to Qutb Minar. There’s an entry fee there which is very nominal and this place has got the historical importance.

The next visit was to the Lotus Temple. People from all religions visit this place. The surroundings are maintained very well.

Next the driver took us to Rajgat. We had the lunch at a restaurant adjacent, before going inside. Spent almost one hour there.

Next was Red Fort. Again an entry fee to go inside the fort and a fee, separate to the museum inside. A brief visit took nearly two hours.

Then we came back to the hotel and after refreshing, we were taken to Karol bagh for shopping which is few kms away from the hotel. We came back around 10 pm after dinner, settled the taxi guy and retired for the day.
 

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Thread Starter #59
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Continuation from Delhi
 

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Thread Starter #60
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More from Delhi
 

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