I posted some questions about Himachal Pradesh in a forum, but could not get any answers. I am looking some information on travelling in Himachal Pradesh before I head that way next month. Below is what I posted on the forum, if you know anything about these, please do drop a comment and let me know.
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I am planning to rent a bike in Manali and drive around in Himachal Pradesh for a week. From whatever research I have done, it is possible to rent Bullet 500cc or 350cc bikes, but I did not see mention of modern bikes. I am not too particular to hire a Bullet and would rather prefer a Pulsar or equivalent and if they are not available, may be smaller bikes. Bajaj Avenger is my ideal choice though.
I will be on Manali approximately on 5th of June.
Now the info I am looking for.
1. I am wondering if any of these bikes can be hired in Manali or Bullets are the only available choice.
2. I have nearly a week for biking ex-Manali. I am thinking of riding to Darcha and back to Manali, and then via Kunzum La to Kaza and back. I presume road to Darcha would be bikeable anyway, but how about the road to Kaza? Is it worth taking? Or should I simply head to Leh instead?
3. I also want to bike to Sangla, but doing it from Manali would be too much. Will there be any bikes available for rent in Shimla?
Thanks in advance for all the information.
Backpacking, adventure travel, sightseeing, leisure travel, driving trips are all sorts of things you can see on India Travel Blog. A spiritual journey is another addition.
I have made many such journeys, some half spiritual and some completely. My trips to Rishikesh and Varanasi did have a spiritual angle to it but not entirely; seeing the places was the main agenda. But once in a while, I escape from the everyday world and spend a few days in a spiritual retreat, meditating and looking inwards.
I spent the last five days at the Art of Living center in Bangalore and have just returned back refreshed. The changes that come after five days of grind and torture are amazing. After all these days of sitting almost entire day with legs folded and pain all over the body, trying hard to follow strange instructions and trying harder not to break off in the middle and runaway, life suddenly looks a lot more better than it was five days ago. There is new energy and enthusiasm, a will to go for anything, a never fading smile and happiness oozing from every part of the body.
Meditation hall and amphitheater at the Art of Living Center, Bangalore
The intricacies and details of things spiritual are beyond my comprehension and I would rather not get into details of all the things we did on these five days and what we felt every day. Often it all looked strange and we wonder what is going on. It is not exactly pleasant when you are there, and sitting on the floor for long hours can be a pain. Some yoga exercises feel like no less than a torture and it is not surprising if you feel like running away at the end of your first day itself. But those who manage to hold on and complete(every one did) seem to find a new vigor in life and appear full of happiness and smiling all the time.
End of five days, I feel sufficiently energized that I am already thinking when should I consider another such meditation retreat!
Over the last (almost)two year, I have compiled information and travelogues on many National Parks of India, from south to north and even in the north-east. The latest additions are Eaglenest National Park. Summer is the best time to visit the parks, and some of them will be closed for visitors during monsoons. So if you had plans to see wildlife and wilderness, it is time to get ready and head that way quickly. Here is all you can read about wildlife sanctuaries and national parks of India on India Travel Blog.
1. Bandipur National Park
2. Corbett National Park trip report and images
3. Rajaji National Park
4. Periyar Tiger Reserve
5. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Eaglenest national Park
7. Nameri National Park
8. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
9. Wayanad(Muthanga and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary)
10. Nagarahole(Rajiv Gandhi) National Park
11. Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
12. Trekking in Kanchenjunga National Park – trip report and images
I am yet to write about two more places I have visited – Kaveri Wildlife Sanctuary and Banneraghatta National Park, both near Bangalore.