[v&v]

We were planning a hillside trip after Kids exams and zeroed in - Shimla and around, in hope to find some snow too. So the itinerary was planned - One night at shimla, one night at Narkanda and one night at Chail. All bookings were done . HPTDC Hotel Holiday Home at shimla , Hatu at Narkanda and Ekant at Chail. Being off-season we got 20% discount on all the three hotels.
15th morning we started by 5 am. Took a good 7 hour to reach Shimla. Roads till Panipat toll is butter smooth but after that diversions make driving a bit tiresome till Ambala. The rest journey from Zirakpur to Kalka road has some diversions and traffic density is quite high. Reached Shimla at 12.15.

Shimla was as usual packed , season or offseason. Luckily Hotel holiday home had enough parking and the quality of accomodation was very good.
Places we planned to see were Mall, Ridge, Lakkar Bazaar and Jakoo Hills trekking. Mall was crowded and we had our lunch at Baljee's restaurant. There are lots of eating outlets few that I remember near the post office are Indian coffee house, Dominos, Sagar Ratna and combermere, the latter offer tasty pastries. We spent around an hour strolling the mall , then to ridge, lakkar bazaar and finally the 2 kms trek to Jakoo hill. The trek was really very difficult as the climb is very steep. It took a good one hr to reach the top to the hanuman temple. we were completly exhausted after the climb but its serene and calm at the top. Alternately one can also reach here via taxi.

Will upload photos soon after processing till then enjoy our drive to Hatu peak in our beast.

YouTube - hatu peak, narkanda,himachal,india.avi

[laluks]

Ah! now I know why you were missing here.
Waiting for the beautiful pictures. I am very much waiting to see chail.

[v&v]

Thanks laluks. Chail is a beautiful sleepy town still untouched with over commercialisation. Here are few photos processed.

Sunrise somewhere around karnal.



Shot near level crossing near Dharampur.



Pana shot near Solan



Jubbal Airport

[v&v]

More photos of shimla.
View from the hotel room




The mall, ridge, Christ Church











Mountain view from scandal point

[v&v]

After strolling around mall, we started our trek to Jakoo Hills. On the top there is a Hanuman temple. The climb is very steep and took a good one hour to climb and were totally exhausted. There are lots of monkey around and they simple attack if they see any packets.

Shot of Jakoo hills and 100 ft hanuman murti view from mall







Sun set shots













Some night shots of shimla

[v&v]

Day - 2 , We headed to Narkanda hoping to find snow. Local taxi guys have tiped that there is lots of snow on Narkanda - Thanedar road and Hatu peak road is closed due to heavy snow. Started by 9.30 am. Roads are bad from Kufri - Narkanda, it took good 2.5 hrs to cover 65kms. Some patches of good road also there between Theog - Matyana. Matyana has a apple storage center from where apple can be bought.
Since we already had booking at Hotel Hatu, we directly drove to Narkanda-Thanedar road. Just after a Km, we saw mountains and hatu peak full of snow. Kids were frantic and rest let the pictures speak.

[v&v]

Had our lunch and set to visit Hatu peak. We were informed that the road is closed due to snow and only one can trek around to the top. Six Kms no way. Still thought of giving it a try. Went on the Thanedar road and took a risk to climb the hills come what may be. To our surprise after the initial place the snow was almost melted and we climbed around 4 kms to reach some where top which was sort of hill top , where there was a mud house and frozen pond. Further we could see no road as it was fully covered with snow. parked the beast and started trekking as much as we could, only go up till another 1.5 kms as there was lots of snow in excess of 2 - 3 feet. We stayed there for an hour and returned to hotel. Mission accomplished.

Now about the road, it was drivable till the Gurjar Hut(later the hotel guys told me), from there peak is just 2 kms. Post April one can climb almost till the peak. Only concern will be if any vehicle come from opposite side, then its will be a very difficult task to give side.

[akshay4587]

Nice shots
hatu has always been my favourite getaway.
feels good to see snow there

[v&v]

Thanks akshay.
Some more pics at Hatu peak.

[PAVAN KADAM]

Nice holiday V&V.

In the next 5 days, i will be exactly at the same spot where you have taken photos

Even we are staying at Holiday Home Shimla. Any pics of the accomodation and some review about its services and food please.....

In my case, what are the chances of experiencing SNOW.....?

[v&v]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Nice holiday V&V.

In the next 5 days, i will be exactly at the same spot where you have taken photos

Even we are staying at Holiday Home Shimla. Any pics of the accomodation and some review about its services and food please.....

In my case, what are the chances of experiencing SNOW.....?

Thanks pawan. it was a sudden plan post kids exams. Our room was Deluxe Cozy. This hotel is a happening place like conferences and VIP movements too. Services and food are good. Their chilly chicken was . I have only one pic of hotel view.




You will find snow only at Hatu Peak that too last two kms. its worth the climb.

All the best for your Vacation.

[laluks]

I envy you v&v for being so near to the snow!

[Lukeskywalker]

Nice snaps V&V, I have an almost similar snap of the hut enroute Hatu Peak from our trip in Dec2011



We could drive up all the way till the top of Hatu and we found a few slopes covered with ice.

[mjothi]

You safari guys!!!! Don't have anything else than driving around those Himalayas!!!!!

Excellent Shots. Keep them flowing...

Originally Posted by Lukeskywalker

Nice snaps V&V, I have an almost similar snap of the hut enroute Hatu Peak from our trip in Dec2011

I wish I too had such Time machine

[laluks]

Originally Posted by mjothi

I wish I too had such Time machine

. Could it be possible that you leave your truck behind and travel in to the future?