My Travel Diary: Palchan

Moving from Kasol, Palchan is around 86 kilometers by road. Palchan village is located in Manali Tehsil of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is situated 50 kilometers  away from district headquarter Manali and is the sub-district headquarters of Palchan village.

Palchan is the perfect spot to explore Manali’s fascinating cultural sights and attractions. Also, it is little secluded from the crowded Manali and one can have a peaceful time. An array of attractions, including Transit Camp, is a must-see while visiting the neighborhood.

From Palchan, one can trek till Solang Valley which is short 2.5 kilometer walk. Paragliding in Solang Valley is also very famous. It is a side valley at the top of the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, on the way to Rohtang Pass, and is known for its summer and winter sport conditions. Apart from paragliding other sports such as, parachuting, skating and zorbing is also offered. Giant slopes of lawn comprise Solang Valley and provide its reputation as a popular ski resort. A few ski agencies offering courses and equipment reside here and operate only during winters.

Located at a height of 3980 meters, Rohtang Pass once served as a crucial trade route and still remains the gateway to the districts of Lahaul and Spiti. The Pass is open from June to November each year and provides wonderful views of the entire surroundings. One has to get a pass made for Rohtang Pass which is approximately Rs.1000/- to Rs.3000/- if you rent a car/cab (3 days before you plan to visit). Since our plan was spontaneous, we parked our car at the main check point and decided to trek till Rohtang Pass (42 kilometers).

Best experience: while we were trekking on the way to Rohtang Pass, we were lucky enough to get a lift from BRO (Border Road Organization) truck. There were already two men so we somehow managed to fit in ourselves in the given space. Throughout we were sharing our experience with them, while they were educating us about the route. They dropped us till Marhi for a break. Marhi is located midway between Manali and Rohtang on the Manali-Leh highway at the height of 11,020 ft. The place has ample number of indoor as well as outdoor restaurants which are surrounded by lush green meadows.

Coming back to old Manali, Hadimba Devi Temple is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimdi Devi, sister of Hidimba, who was a character in the Indian epic, Mahabharata. The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest at the foot of the Himalayas. The sanctuary is built over a huge rock cutting out of the ground, which was worshiped as an image of the deity.

If you are looking for a peaceful place to spend your time, then moving little away from the main Manali market, Ride Inn Café is the place to be. Owned and run by a beautiful couple, Ride Inn is a delightful guest house and biker cafe run by bikers for bikers & travelers. It is an amazingly beautiful property offering breathtaking view and mouth-watering food. (We went there 5 times in 3 days!).

Escapist

All photos are taken by me.