Himachal :Manali and Rohtang Pass

THE CLOUDS THE WHITE MOUNTAINS AND THE COLD WIND

A VIEW OF THE MOUNTAIN ON THE SIDE OF THE PASS WITH TENTS OVER THE ICE

THE VIEW BELOW THE PASS : THE TRAFFIC JAM ON THE ROAD AND THE LAKE

HOT AIR BALLOONING FOR THE BRAVEHEARTED

For years you read about the dream destination for honeymoons and very soon you realise you are at the place. Manali is a popular hill station destination : so popular that roads get choked at the prime of the season.

Hotels are lined up along the stream that gushes right across . Cross over the bridge and you feel the popularity of the place. Markets at night are a real delight : if you are as lucky as me you could see a himachali marriage procession going along the road ,with all the traditional attire and beautifully dressed ladies. Just when the lights are about to fade you see a woderfull display of firehandlers . Local performer performs his skills with sticks on fire dangling between his legs and hands.

Wake up the next morning to rush to various other destinations :the prominent being Rohtang pass. This pass connects Kyelong with Manali through a ice covered gap between two mountains. The treachorous ride along stone bordered mountain roads could stop at a lake where traffic jam causes delays of hours. Have strong legs and a will to reach the top and you trek over the rocks , over the grass over the snow. be careful while walking on the snow for it is muddy ground beneath the ice and you could get feet deep into the ice without noticing it.

You start experiencing the wild during the trek :vultures ravens rare birds grazing horses and their attendants . At a place you see parasailing activity and wish to stop but then time is what you are short of . A point comes when ice begins to dominate the otherwise greyish green collage of the surrounding and you need to put on your ice goggles. when at the top you are at the rohtang pass . Two mighty mountains of white on both sides of you and a road bordered by at least 3 feet snow on each side. There are icesporting activities going on on the ice . And there are tents the warmth of which induce you to enter them . Just when hot tea and maggie were beginning to enter your thoughts you realise that they are being sold inside the tent.

There is much more at manali if you like adventure sports: hot air ballooning and river rafting . The temples around the place and the hot water springs are some other delightful places to visit around Manali. Dont Forget to pay a visit to the Van Chetna kendra and witness aome rare species of Pheasants ( Himachal is famous for the seven species of very colourful pheasants most of which are endangered ).