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Day 01:
Reach Park Woods Forest
Retreat, Shoghi (near Shimla) in the afternoon.
For nature lovers and / or adventure seekers, there is nothing
to compare with Parkwoods - 18 kms short of Shimla. Bamboo cottages with all modern
facilities in the middle of a pine forest on a ridge. The locale
is surrounded by untouched countryside with panoramic views,
numerous village treks, jungle walks in pine, oak and
rhododendron forests. Also on offer are numerous activities. A
perfect juxtaposition of comfort, safety and serenity.
After settling down, loosen your limbs and test your physical
and mental strength. Partake in interesting activities
on the obstacle course like
tyre web, tree bridge, commando net, cat walk. Surprise yourself
with how much more you can actually do than you ever imagined!
Later, enjoy hot tea
and cookies at
Westend in Parkwoods from where you get to see mesmerizing
sunsets with the
sky a riot of blazing colors.
A quick nap, and you are ready for the bonfire under
the star spangled sky.
The evening is reserved for
soulful songs with moonlight spreading radiance thru' pines
adding to the inimitable ambience and the the sounds of
nature adding to the music.
After dinner your
snug cottages await you for a well deserved sleep.
Overnight at Parkwoods Forest Retreat, Shoghi.
Day 02:
Parkwoods Shimla Kufri Fagu - Narkanda, 85 kms, 11 AM 4
PM
Early risers, after morning tea, take a pre-breakfast nature
walk amongst the
Himalayan flora & fauna in the surrounding pine forest along our
marked trails. Here you get to see a lot of birdlife blue
tailed magpies, brown fronted woodpeckers, khalij pheasants and
many more. The experience is absolutely meditative and
invigorating. Binoculars and guides are available at Parkwoods
on hire.
After a leisurely breakfast move
out in your private vehicle Scorpio / Innova - (arranged by
us) to Narkanda.
Enroute, in Shimla, stop at the erstwhile Viceregal
Lodge first. The
imposing six-storey edifice, with its manicured gardens is today
the Institute for Advanced Studies. There is also a small
Pheasantry and Bird Park nearby. If interested one can go till
The Ridge one of the most happening places in Shimla!
Continue on the offbeat trail to Kufri climbing upto 8600
feet. As you
approach the hamlet, do not miss the verdant deodar filled
emerald forested slopes on the right. The helipad
up from Wildflower Hall commands
the best views of the countryside and of course Kufri with its
pony rides and mini zoo (though crowded in season) is a must do!
Enchanting views of the Himalayan ranges and snow capped peak on
clear days.
Carry onwards crossing Fagu on
the way, perhaps stopping for a hot cuppa as you once again get
an uninterrupted view of the snow ranges.
Soon after, reach
Narkanda at 9240 feet. With its calm and serene
surroundings, the area is lush green with pine and rhododendron
forests. Built at a picturesque location the hotel rooms offer
splendid views of the Himalayas, villages and valleys.
After an early dinner,
retire to rejuvenate for the next day.
Overnight at Tethys
at Narkanda Retreat
or at Hotel Hatu.
Click here for more details on Narkanda >>
Day 03:
Narkanda Hatu Peak Jaubagh Kotgarh - Tani Jubbar Lake -
Narkanda, 40 kms, 11 AM 5 PM.
Wake up at leisure and with your morning
tea just take in the splendor and beauty of nature all around
verdant forested valleys, emerald rolling meadows, misty
mountains.
Today you discover the best of what the mountains have to offer.
After breakfast,
drive upto the Hatu
Peak at 11,152 feet. The 8 km jeep track is interesting and
will take you through pine, oak, deodars, silver fur and
rhododendron trees with a wild profusion of flowers and herbs.
Midway you pass a small water-body and gujjar hut at Jhamunda.It
is a nice viewpoint and a camping site.
Hatu hillock provides beautiful and majestic views of the
Himalayas and the surrounding pahari hamlets. It also has a
small Kali temple.
From Hatu, for those interested, we take you for a short one
hour round trek upto the alpine meadow of Jaubagh. The
perfect place for a picnic
lunch.
In the late afternoon, drive to Kotgarh you pass by apple
orchards one of the things Himachal Pradesh is best known for.
During the summers you can see
the beautiful rosy
pink flowers blooming on the apple trees and
August onwards the orchards are laden by green and red
apples. In the evening, spend time at the Tani Jubbar
Lake.
As dusk sets head back to Narkanda.
Overnight at Tethys
at Narkanda Resorts
or at Hotel Hatu.
Click here for more details on Narkanda >>
Day 04:
Narkanda Baghi Tikkar Pabbar Valley Rohru, 75 kms, 11 AM
3 PM.
Today you drive to Rohru, through the winding mountain road with
lovely vistas
passing through one of the best Himalayan tropical forests.
As you cross Baghi breathtaking views of apple orchards
stretching across the deep and vast valleys, the landscape
becomes even more spectacular with the imposing Chambi Peak
sumitting the mountains across. As one approaches Tikkar,
the road opens up and you hit small green meadows a nice place
to stop and enjoy your picnic lunch. Soon after, you are
mesmerized by a silver thread down in the valley below the
Pabbar River gliding through the valley. It is a great sight
with conifers by the white river bed and the waters shining in
the sun. Unending photo ops! Crossing this you reach Rohru
and check into your hotel.
Named after the mighty Chanshal Pass, Hotel Chanshal
successfully combines modern facilities with a traditional
facade. With an excellent view of the riverfront and the valley
the place is perfect for theoffbeat traveller.
Rohru, by itself is a typical bustling, outback hill
town; by the Pabbar River. Though it can get to be warm during
the summers, it is the best base for visitng Chansal Pass at
13296 feet with stupendous views of the Himalayan ranges. Rohru
used to be on the beat of every angler worth his salt but sadly
much of the trout has been dynamited away.
Rohru
Hatkoti Rohru, 30 kms, 4.30 PM 6.30 PM.
15 kms
from Rohru on the right bank of the river Pabbar, the
classical temples of Hatkoti, executed in the nagara style
are a major attraction. The primary temple is that of Devi Durga
in her form of Mahishasuramardini, the slayer of the demon
Mahisha who stalked the world in the form of a buffalo and the
Devi is locally known as Hateshwari.
The central image is exquisitely molded in brass. The adjoining
Shiva temple is of the lattice type and has same remarkable wood
carvings. It is believed that Pandavas are regarded to have
lived here for a while.
Return to your hotel at Rohru and retire after an early dinner.
Overnight at Hotel
Chansal, Rohru.
Photo Gallery of Pabbar Valley Trail
Day 05:
Rohru Chirgaon Larot Chansal Pass Rohru, 100 kms, 9 AM
6 PM.
Today is the summit day!
15 km
from Rohru, scenically enchanting, Chirgaon has a trout
hatchery. Good fishing spots in the area are Seema, Mandi,
Sandhsu, Tikri and Dhamari. Larot is another attractive spot
near Chirgaon. This is the base for
treks to Dodra - Kwar, the Sangla Valley and to Sarahan via
Tacklech and to Nichar. From Larot to Chanshal the road
is narrow and rough but the vistas awesome. Finally you reach
Chanshal Ghati and in early summers you will find plenty of
snow here.
After spending a couple of absolutely prisitne hours and
enjoying a picnic lunch in the shadow of the mighty Himalayan
ranges start back around 2 PM in the afternoon and stop at
Chirgaon on the way back. Spend time by the Pabbar river and
exploring the ancient temples.
As the sun sets,you are back at Rohru in your hotel to rest your
aching bones and trade travellers tales in the evening.
Overnight at Hotel
Chansal, Rohru.
Day 06:
Rohru Hatkoti Jubbal Kharapathar Kotkhai Theog -
Shoghi, 145 kms, 11 AM 5 PM.
Today you start back for Shimla and Shoghi. However, you return
by a different route and after driving up 25 kms reach Jubbal
and the old palace designed by a French architect in the 1930s which is a
remarkable and picturesque mix of European and indigenous
styles. The Jubbal area also has some splendid temples with
excellent examples of local craftsmanship. About 35 kms further
on, you hit Kotkhai one of the most prosperous apple
belts in the whole of Himachal. You connect to the highway at
Theog and stop for lunch at Fagu. The last stretch takes a
couple of hours and you reach Park Woods Shoghi which seems
almost like home.
The last night in the mountains!
Overnight at Parkwoods Forest Retreat, Shoghi.
Day 07:
Wake up to a msity morning and enjoy your morning tea under the
shadow of pine trees.
After breakfast, albeit reluctantly, you check out and
proceed for your onward / return destination.
End of Tour. |
The road to
Hatu Peak, near Narkanda
Tani Jubbar
Lake near Narkanda
Chambi Peak
enroute Baghi - Rohru
Chansal Hotel
in Rohru
Enroute
Chirgaon to Chansal Ghati
Chirgaon
Enroute
Chirgaon - Larot |
