Enchanting Himachal Experience
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Every summer we usually plan for short vacations in India with my inlaws family.This year we decided to explore northern part of India,preferably hill station so as to escape from the hot weather.It was difficult for us to choose between Nainital or Shimla &Manali .We googled to find the best option and selected Shimla & Manali as our destination.When the destination was fixed, we checked for the exciting tourpackages to make the holiday worth reminiscing .After much of research we decided to go for Cox and Kings and opted for 7 days 6 nights tour package covering Shimla,Manali,Chandigarh from Delhi with airpackage price.
My kids (twin boys of 10 years age ) and my sisterinlaws kids (3 boys) were super excited and were looking forward to experience the fun family holiday .Even we were thrilled to experience the snow and chill for the first time ever.
DAY1-31st may(Chennai- New Delhi)
The wait was finally over and few more hours left for us to catch jet connect flight at 9 am.With all the luggages packed we were waiting for the call taxi to drop us to the airport.We were nervous and restless until we boarded the flight.The boys were too excited as this was the first time they were travelling together in flight. Looking at 5 boys of almost equal age many were asking us whether we r taking them on school excursion.
we landed at delhi airport ,and our tempo travel was waiting out.The guide cum driver introduced himself and we started our long awaited tour.
The day long boring journey from Delhi to Shimla seemed to be too tedious.We didn’t eat much on our way because we didn’t want to feel uneasy during the drive. The only thing we all were afraid of in this tour was the long journeys that too road ways.we managed to kill the time of travel by watching movie in the ipad .After few hours of travel the driver took a break at a dhabha in Chandigarh and asked us to eat our lunch.Though the food was okay ,it cannot compete with the flavours of south.Its been just a day and I am already missing my south Indian food.
Kids became restless as they were not used to such long travels.When we were close to reaching Shimla ,cool breeze welcomed us.The picturesque beauty and invigorating cold winds of Shimla shooed of the pains of an inevitably tiring journey.In contrast to city life,the ambience was silent soothing to heart and mind.
After a long drive,we reached kurfi holiday resort at around 8pm.It was cool but manageable without winter clothes.We had booked two rooms and it was at a height,by the time we reached there we all were exhausted.We ordered soup from the restaurant which was refreshing .The journey was so tiredsome that we all straightaway hit the bed after finishing our soup.
DAY2 -1st june (kufri)
We woke up early in the morning ,prepared hot tea and stepped out of the room..The view from the cottage was tremendous we had clouds and towering mountains all around us.The resort was located in a calm and peaceful area and was close to nature with beautiful view of the valley.
The view and climate refreshed us and we dressed up quickly and had breakfast provided in the resort.The buffet breakfast was pretty good and actually value for money.Nice spread of dishes were laid out and we enjoyed tasting different dishes.
There was free wifi at the reception ,I and my hubbby were busy taking pictures and posting them instantly in the social media.Our guide cum driver told us the itenary for the day .He said after our visit to kurfi which is nearby to our resort he will pick us to the mall road .The moment we stepped out of the resort we were crowded with pony riders proposing us to take a package of rs 380 per person to Fagu or drop us at kufri fun world.We were excited about the pony ride ,except for my motherinlaw who preferred to stay at resort as it wasn’t advisable for aged person to ride on pony.
We were a group of 8 people and he arranged 8 horses .I noticed most of the horses were chained to each other in a group of three and on eperson was heading this group of 3 horses .We were bit scary as it was our first experience on horses.The approach road to the hill was completely filled with horse dung and it was very smelly.I could see many opted to walk as they were scared of riding on horse ,but its notat all advisable as the path was too horrible to walk.The experience was tremendous but bit scary as the horses were coming and going along the same path,banging on us,hitting on our legs.We managed to click few snaps of us in the pony.We also rented a photographer who accomplanied us to take few photos .
Finally we reached the top ,the sun was not strong.We saw 10 famous spots around shimla via telescope ,the charges are rs 100 per person .We enjoyed taking pictures in traditional himachal attire. There were many activities and the place looked so lively .It was difficult for kids to choose activities.
We enjoyed the ropeway which was thrilling and adventurous.we spent around 3 hours visiting Nagdev temple,apple orchards,haunting(thrilling experience for kids),shooting , posing on yak . .
We were in no mood to return as it was completely different atmosphere all together at kufri,but we had to leave as my motherinlaw was all alone in the resort.We called the ponydriver 20 mins before we decided to leave and were waiting for the pony ride yet again while returning back.I would suggest pony ride for all those who are fit and fine,but not for aged persons .When we returned kids were explaining in detail about their wonderful experience at kufri to their grandmother ,my motherinlaw was little disappointed as she missed the fun,but it wasnot safe for aged person to do pony ride though that is the only option.
Our next destination was mall road which is the nerve of shimla.As soon as kids heard about the mall road they were not ready to leave the resort as they hate shopping.To reach the place is a big task we were roaming in the vehicle for more than 2 hour as we couldn’t get parking atlast the driver managed to park at one place from there we walked to reach the place.Mall road is good place for shopping lovers .There are lots of shops of all kinds.Handicrafts,shawls,caps,etc.Some incline to the streets makes it interesting.Can call it a purely pedestrian street with full of people.We didn’t spend much of time there as kids got bored doing window shopping so we headed to a restaurant nearby.kids became expert in ordering all northi indian foods like naan ,alooparatha ,roti,channa.We had a pretty good lunch and asked the driver to drop us back to the resort as we loved the calm and peaceful atmosphere of the resort .kids had nice time at the resort playing cricket with all the staff member out there and few guests too joined their team and it was fun watching them play .We had buffet dinner in the resort which had more of vegetarian varieties and just few chicken items.We hit the bed early that day as the next day we got to leave to Manali.It was a mixed feeling for us though we were excited about our trip to Manali ,it was hard for us to leave Shimla as it became so close to our heart .
DAY3- 2nd june To Manali via Kullu (270 kms approx 10 hours drive)
We woke up early checked out at 9 am and were ready to leave.A final glimpse of the beautiful place made it really hard for me to say goodbye .There was sudden drops of drizzle on me,It was as if I was experiencing the rain drops for the first time …I felt it so fresh …though I posed with an umbrella …I really felt like throwing it away and dancing to the tune of rain forgetting all the pain.The quiet place really made me feel like a poet.
We got in our tempo
s