To escape the biting loo of Delhi and the busy city life, traffic jams and of course the humdrum file work of office, we (my family and a friend, philosopher and guide viz Shri M.L. Sharma, also a very good orator and preacher) decided to go to Himachal Pradesh (to Kinnaur etc) for a few days. Himachal Pradesh is called the land of gods (Devabhoomi). The climate of Kinnaur is most suited for growing fruits. Apart from chilgozas (pine nut), Kinnaur also produces yummy apples, almonds, peaches and apricots in the country. Kinnaur is blessed with many rivers. One of them is Sutlej, which divides the district in almost two parts. Though the initial plan was to go up to Kinnaur, subsequently, it extended to Kaza. We were a group of 5 : Shri M.L. Sharma (hereinafter referred to as Sir), my wife Seema(always ready to go outstation as if she has wheels in her feet), my son Aditya (an upcoming engineer in the bud, a second year student of B.Tech(Civil) at IIT, Delhi), and Shri Sanju (who drives in a manner as if the steering wheels dances in his hands) and myself, Ravindra Kumar (full of inertia unless pushed). We started on the 16th June, 2009 at 7.00 am.
The milestones:
Chandigarh. (254 km)
Shimla(99 km)
Theog (32 km)
Reckong Peo(via Narkanda, RamPur and Karchham(250 km)
Kalpa. ( 15 km))
Kaza. (via Khab, Nako Lake and Tabo) (250 km)
Kibbar(22 km)
Mandi(via Kunzam Pass, Batal, Rohtang Pass, Manali and Kullu)(325 km)
Chandigarh (220 km)
Delhi.(250 km)
Shimla
The drive from Delhi takes one along NH2, past Panipat, Karnal, Kurushetra, Ambala, Chandigarh and then Shimla. We first drove to Chandigarh, took our lunch and left for sir’s residence, where we parked our car. From there we boarded another vehicle for our onward journey. We started from Chandigarh at around 3.30 PM and reached Shimla at around 6 PM.
The traffic at road was quite heavy. Thus we decided to take a stroll at Mall, Ridge and Lakkar Bazar, while Shri Sanju struggled with the traffic on way to drive to Lakkar Bazar. The Mall at Shimla was very crowded mostly with Delhites. It looked as if almost half of Delhi was at Shimla. After spending an hour at Mall, and thereafter travelling for about an hour and a half we reached JNV,Theog and spent our night there.Date: 16/06/2009
Theog
Theog is at a height about 1000 ft. higher than Shimla. The JNV Theog is built on a hill and is further surrounded by other hills. Sir, the founder Principal of this Vidyalaya, is totally nostalgic about it. The trees, the wind and every other surrounding here appear to welcome him. Next day Sir had to attend some valediction ceremony at the Vidyalaya. Thus we started late at 11 am.
On our way to Kinnaur, we crossed Fagu, Narkanda, Rampur, Jeori, Wangtoo, Karchham and Powari. From Wangtoo, we drove along Satluj River, one of the main rivers in Himachal Pradesh. The surroundings along the Satluj were very spectacular. On way to Reckong Peo, we saw many projects like Naptha Jhakri Hydroelectric Power Project, Karchham Dam Proje
ct and other projects which were under construction. Some farther from Karchcham, one road leads to Sangala valley on the right. We however took the straight road which leads to Powari.Reckong Peo
We reached Reckong Peo approx. at 5 PM. After staying at Reckong Peo for an hour we moved for Kalpa. It was raining at Reckong Peo. We were told that
rains had started in this area only two to three years ago. Earlier there used to be no rainfall in this area and it got only snowfall.On our way to Kalpa, we saw trees of apples and Chilgoje (Pine nut, a type of dry fruit, which is found only in this area of Himachal or in Afganistan). About Chilgoje, we were told that these are wild trees, which grow by themselves and cannot be farmed. Since we reached late at Kalpa, we took our dinner and straight went to bed. It was quite cold at Kalpa and one felt quite comfortable with woolens.
Date: 17/06/2009
Kalpa
Kalpa has all the makings of an Indian Fairyland. It is located at the base of the imposing Kinner Kailash ranges and Shivling peaks which rise upto 20,000 feet, towering above the clouds, kissing the heavens, encircling the area around. We got up early in the morning and were
dumbstruck by the scene outside. Spectacular snow clad mountain peaks of Himalayan range welcomed us from our window. The temptation to go out was uncontrollable. This is a spectacular sight as the rising sun touches the snowy peaks with crimson and gold light. The beauty of snow clad mountains and the valley down below was beyond words and we of course did some photography. Since the weather was clear that day, we were blessed by Shiva God to see ‘Kinnaur Kailash’. ‘Kinnaur Kailash’ is of the shape of ‘Shivaling’. The locals have faith in it. They regularly visit there, although it takes two days to reach that difficult hill. After taking breakfa
st, we moved from Kalpa. On our way, we crossed Jang – Lebrang – Puh – Khab – Yangthan and reached Nako Village. At Lebrang pass, there is a Prayag (i.e. meeting point of two rivers). Satluj River coming from Tibbet meets Spiti here. From here we drove along Spiti River. At Khab, there are two paths. One goes upwards to Tibet where no one is allowed to go. The other goes straight which leads to Yangthan.Nako Lake
Nako village is situated approx. at the height of 4662 meters. There is a small lake named after Nako which is a tourist place in this area. The view of houses and hills
here is very beautiful. For one from city, where one doesn’t find space between persons, it was refreshing not to find persons in the immesurable space. From Nako, we moved towards Tabo. On our way to Tabo, we saw clay hills. One is wonderstruck to see clay hills come in between the rocks because there is no apparent source of clay. The beauty here is marvellous.Tabo
At Tabo, we were welcomed by putting a piece of cloth around our necks (a style of tibbeten
culture of greeting guests). Here we saw a Monastry, which is the oldest continuously functioning Buddhist monastery in India. The Tabo monastery contains the largest number and the best preserved group of Buddhist monuments in Himachal Pradesh. After spending some time at Tabo, we moved towards Kaza(approx.46 kms.). 
We reached Kaza at around 6 PM. After reaching there, we felt headache which was due to cold and lack of oxygen. We were also greeted by total power failure at Kaza which continued till we left next morning. However, since the climate was sufficiently chilly and since enough number of candles had been provided, one missed only hot water for bath next morning.Date: 18/06/2009
Kaza
At Kaza, we saw the world’s highest Petrol Pump. From Kaza, we moved towards Kibbar Village.
Kibbar
Kibber, the world’s highest village, is located at a height of about 14,200 ft in a narrow valley on the summit of a limestone rock. Kibber is a
rather pleasant village with plenty of cultivation. The moment you reach here you are greeted by lush green fields which look strikingly refreshing against the arid backdrop of lofty hills. There are very few houses in the village. The remarkable feature about the architecture is the use of stone instead of mud or adobe brick used extensively in the 
valley. It is a very beautiful and clean village, approximately 22 Kms from Kaza. The visit to the world’s highest Petrol Pump and the world’s highest village is such a rare experience that one starts feeling proud of some exclusive experience.From Kibbar we moved on to Kunzam Pass. The way was filled with natural art and sculptures as if Vishvakarma had made this.
Kunzam Pass
Kunzam Pass is situated at the height of approximately 15000 ft. The panorama as viewed from the top of the pass is enthralling and inspiring. We were at so much he
ight that the sheep grazing down the hills were looked like toys. There is a temple dedicated to Kali, known as Kunzum Devi. We bowed our heads to Kunzam Devi. On one side of Kunzam Pass was river Chanderbhaga or Chenab and on the other side is river Spiti. Kunzum provides chief access to Lahaul valley by the great Kunzum range. The lofty Shigri Glacier is seen in front in all its grandeur. On the way is 
Bara Shigri glaciers. Bara meaning big and Shigri meaning glacier in Lahauli dialect. The Shigri glacier is mountainous mass of solid ice, more than a kilometer wide and extending over a distance of ten kilometers. From Kunzam Pass, we moved towards Rohtang Pass and took a break at Batal for lunch.Batal
Batal is situated at the foot of Kunzum pass. Two small dhabas are there to feed the tourists. We took our lunch at Batal. Taking lunch, while basking under the sun in the month of June is such a rare experience for one staying in Delhi as cannot be expressed in words. The snow was all 
around. The drive thereafter was very difficult because the path was not earmarked and was not clear. The streak of the tyres print of the vehicles that had passed before was the only help. On our way, we crossed choota Data, Chhatru, Gramphoo, NH 21 and reached Rohtang Pass (60 Km from Kunzam Pass) at round 4 in the evening.
Rohtang Pass
around. The drive thereafter was very difficult because the path was not earmarked and was not clear. The streak of the tyres print of the vehicles that had passed before was the only help. On our way, we crossed choota Data, Chhatru, Gramphoo, NH 21 and reached Rohtang Pass (60 Km from Kunzam Pass) at round 4 in the evening.
Rohtang Pass
We took a short break at Rohtang Pass and visited Beas Kund. Beas kund is the origin of the river Beas. At Rohtang it had snowed heavily during the previous two days. The fresh layers of snow over the earlier one permeated by dust looked like a fresh leave sprouted on an old tree. Slowly the prestine clarity of fresh snow will be permeated by fresh dust. The cy
cle of life goes on like this. From Rohtang Pass, we reached Mandi via Manali and Kullu to spend night there.
Date: 19/06/2009
After taking breakfast, we started for Chandigarh and reached Chandigarh at around 3 PM. We took a short break at Chandigarh, picked our vehicle and started back to reach Delhi at around 9:00 PM to resume the rut.
cle of life goes on like this. From Rohtang Pass, we reached Mandi via Manali and Kullu to spend night there.Date: 19/06/2009
After taking breakfast, we started for Chandigarh and reached Chandigarh at around 3 PM. We took a short break at Chandigarh, picked our vehicle and started back to reach Delhi at around 9:00 PM to resume the rut.
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