Tabo via Nako, Himachal Pradesh

On a sunny morning, we started early since the destination is a long way of around 8 -10 hours journey, Tabo via Nako village. Tabo is popular for its thousand years old monastery and fortunately we got our accommodation during our stay at Tabo in this old monastery guest house. We booked it early from Kolkata after we had a bad experience of booking hotels at Tabo through Yatra.com who falsely promises us that they had booked our accommodation at Tabo which in reality proved false about which we came to know only after we cross checked with the concerned hotel authority about our booking. When we contacted with the Yatra.com authority they apologised and refunded our amount completely surrendering themselves. Now, the thing that made us worry had already happened. We have already booked all our hotels as per our plan and we need to stay at Tabo one night as per that. Somehow, fortunately during browsing Internet, we came to know about the accommodation of Tabo monastery and Mr. Ranjit is the responsible person for this booking. Actually, Mr. Ranjit is the owner of a homestay at Tabo and he also is the manager for Tabo guest house. He takes the responsibility of the hospitality of tourist in Tabo by providing every necessary goods such as foods (that tourist has to take from his homestay), toilet kits and other necessary ones. He is typical nice, reliable, soft-spoken hilly person who struggles hard to run his family in such remotest part of India.

On the way to Nako

The distance from Kalpa to Tabo is almost 150 km and it takes around 8-10 hours to reach there via Nako village which is famous tourist spot for a lake, popularly known as Nako lake. Before leaving Kalpa we had least idea of what is awaiting us on the path of Tabo. Generally, people make their plans upto Kalpa via Sarahan or Kullu for this tribal belt of Himachal Pradesh. So, eventually, many tourist vehicles take a turn from Kalpa towards Shimla and only a few take the journey to such extend since the roads are not in a good condition because of its remote location. We started at around 6 AM from Kalpa and took our breakfast, Aloo paratha with Curd at a roadside dhaba at Ribba, a small industrial place at around 8.30AM. The scenic beauty of the road is not so mesmerizing however we had a few falls en route and it was river Baspa that continuously keeps one reminding of her existence with her roaring. After a few miles, the time and spot came from where we need to bid adieu to Baspa and embrace river Spiti who is going to be our all time companion for the next couple of days.

Ribba, Himachal Pradesh

The Kinnaur Police verifies the permission papers once again after we crossed Ribba. We get another area called Poo after Ribba and the more we drove the more we felt that the roads and the areas are becoming less populated.

Route map of Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

After a narrow, winding drive of almost 3 hours amidst rocky hills we reached Nako village at around 12 PM situated at an altitude 11800ft and almost 103 kms away from Reckong Peo and it was amazing. The lake is surrounded by the local tribal houses typical built in tribal architecture with mud and woods. Nako comprises the local tribal people and a monastery of around thousand years old. The lake is the only source of water here where local people and cattles are a regular visitor.

Nako lake in October first week

The tribal houses of Nako are really worth visiting since they represent the typical tribal architecture of this region. During our sojourn over there, I was spellbound to think how these people live in such a jovial manner in such location which is regarded as the remotest part of India and the closest one of Tibet that images of which we could find in each and every monastery we visited in this part of Himachal Pradesh, especially Kinnaur district.

Tribal houses at Nako village

Nako is a hamlet at the Trans-Himalayan region with its own typical distinguished features and facilities for its inhabitants. We spotted a UCO Bank, grocery shops, stationery shops and several other of such kinds at Nako. By 12.30 -. 45 PM we became very hungry and were in search of a place to have our lunch since we had a long way to go ahead to reach to Tabo. Fortunately, we spotted one restaurant of a Kinnaur family just a few meters away  and there we had our delicious lunch of Rice with rajma dal and some of us took chowmin and some others preferred chapatis. They served such tasty foods in a very reasonable rate.

Now, it's time to roll again to reach to Tabo before evening.

Sumdo, the military area en route Tabo

To reach to Tabo one has to cover Sumdo, the place where strictly Photography and Videography are prohibited without prior permission since it is situated in military belt of Indo-Tibetan border. The more we drove the more we discovered different faces of Himalayan region. From Sumdo, we had to cross a small bridge where from we had seen some small trees of yellow flowers on a raised land on opposite side. But when we started approaching nearer, we discovered to our surprise that these are not yellow flowers instead they are Green and golden apples. Actually, we were crossing Green Apple orchards. Every where we could see, there were apple trees loaded with ripen apples. However, it was evening approaching slowly and we were a bit hungry too. We could not resist ourselves to beg a few apples from these apple orchards and there was a kind hearted person who really gave us some huge green apples to eat. We, indeed, ate these apples to our heart's content in this remotest part of Himalayan region.

Approaching Lori village

After having our evening snacks of Green apple, we again started off and this time also we had to cross a small village on the banks of Spiti river, namely Lori village. The whole village is the habitat of only a handful of families and with some picturesque trees as shown in the picture above. By this time , we have travelled of almost 140kms and had been driving almost 7 hours. At last, the destination came. We reached Tabo at about 5 PM in the evening and as soon as we reached there we started looking for Mr. Ranjit for our rooms since we were extremely exhausted, hungry, sick of driving. But what to tell about Tabo! The whole village on the lap of Hills is just like dream and canvas of an artist with its long pine trees and some very crucial buildings including The Tabo monastery.

Tabo Chos-hkhor (Tabo Monastery) is a more than thousand years old monastery which hosted the great Kalachakra by the Dalai Lama in the year 1996 and the Dalai Lama, as is believed by the Lamas, is going to spend His rest of the life after retirement here. I was fortunate enough to attend the evening prayer of the newly built Monastery that starts at 6pm. On the very next day, we visited the old monastery that was built in the year 993CE. The Lamas still worship there everyday at 11 AM. The whole monastery is without any electricity and the candle lights and the sun light are the only source of light there. The whole sacred chamber is full of darkness yet visible clearly. Tabo is a hamlet with vast greenery amidst rugged hills with apple orchards. 

History of Tabo Monastery

Experience say:

1. Distance from Kalpa to Tabo via Nako is 150 kms approx;
2. Pour enough oil in vehicle as there are only a few petrol pumps en route;
3. Fill tank for safety from Reckong Peo;
4. Check the tyre of the vehicle since it's a long run ahead from Kalpa via Ribba;
5. There is a restaurant at Nako and it offers delicious foods for lunch with very cheap rate;
6. Park vehicle at Nako Monastery ground;
7. Start early from Nako to reach early to Tabo since there are lots of shooting zones en route and at some places one may face coal dust stroms from hills that create hindrance in driving;
8. Do not pluck apples from orchards;
9. Accommodations at Tabo are plenty in number but one may choose to stay at Tabo Monastery Guest House which is adjacent to old Monastery;
10. Tabo Monastery Guest House houses a rich collection books and other documents in its Library;
11. Phone number of Mr. Ranjit for booking Tabo Monastery Guest House is +919418719471;
12. Online BSNL networks work here;
13. One night at Tabo is enough;

Roghi village, Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh

One of the scariest roads that I have hardly trodden in my whole life connects Roghi, a hamlet (just 5 kms away) with Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh. Some trekkers prefer to walk on this path simply to enjoy the enchanting beauty of Himalaya through out the road upto Roghi amidst apple orchards and pine trees on such a frightening height of almost 10000 feet and for this steepness, this place is aptly said "Suicide Point". The Hill is just standing straight here and the road is on its body exactly like veins.

Apple Orchards, Roghi viollage

Actually, Roghi is famous for its apple orchards and the Vishnu and Narayan temple with highly crafted wooden work. The skilled wooden work on the wooden body of the main temple too bears the synchronisation of Hinduism with Buddhism, the quality that almost all the temples that we have seen so far bear magnificently.

 Wooden crafted Vishnu avatar on the tempel at Roghi

After a certain point of motorable road, one would have to walk on foot to reach to the temple after going downstairs at a point. Hence, one would have a chance to experience the architecture of the local houses, their lifestyles, drainage system in such remote area etc. Here people typically carry any heavy load on a wooden basket tied with a rope on their back.

Hardworking people of Roghi village

Roghi has its own post office and panchayat too.

Roghi village, Kalpa

Experience say:

1. Roghi situates 5 km away from Kalpa HPTDC Hotel;

2. It takes 30-40 mins walking to reach to Roghi;

3. It takes 10-15 mins by car to reach to Roghi;

4. Walking is the best option to enjoy the killer beauty of Himalaya;

5. There is no Suicide Point as such but the winding road is supposed to be so;

6. The Narayana temple is a must visit for travellers;

For any further queries, please post your comment. I would love to reply fothwith.

Kothi village, Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh

If Kalpa is thought of a bride, Kothi can, undoubtedly, be its 'sindur' (vermillion) and I am sure those who ever visited Kothi while staying at Kalpa know by heart that I am not exaggerating. Indeed, Kothi possesses such beauty that definitely holds you spellbound. It is situated a bit lower area of Kalpa HPTDC guest house. From words of mouth of local people and the waiter of the HPTDC, we have come to know of this place. We then decided to go there on the very next day. And WHAT A JOURNEY IT WAS! It is about 5 km away from HPTDC Kinnaur-Kailash Hotel. Our Tempo Traveller seemed to be a bit large for the roads that lead to Kothi. However, with the help of Navigation of Google Map, we started our journey amidst the Apple orchards of Kalpa. Truly, I have never seen such beautiful scenario in my whole life. Here and there, only Apple trees loaded with ripen apples of different colours-red, green, golden. It seemed that as if we could pluck apples from the window of the car but we didn't. Somehow, we thought this kind activity may bother other local people and moreover, our conscience. At the entrance of the Kothi village, there is a huge gate crafted with wooden works. So, we had to walk at least 500 meter. But, those moments of walking seemed to be everlasting ones to us since here for the first time we encountered the hospitality of Himalayan people and of course the people Kinnaur people. Just we stepped 10-15 meters from the main entrance, we came across a Kinnaur family basking in the sunlight. They had a a green apple tree on their lawn and I was busy taking pictures of some kids of the family who were watching us with an amaze bewilderment. Suddenly, I requested them to give us some apples. And they were very kind enough to accept our request and asked me to pluck apples myself. I was so happy that immediately I took a few snaps of myself plucking those Green Apples from the trees. There I saw an angel of Kinnaur and she is really a Kinnauri, an apostrophe that really suits the woman of this region.

A Kinnauri at Kothi village, Kalpa

Kothi is a village on the lap of Kailash-Kinnaur range of Himalaya. The very first thing one can encounter in his visit to Kothi is the Durga Mata temple. The temple bears the same typical notion of a fusion of Hinduism and Buddhism which is a feature of the temples of Himachal Preadesh. When we entered the temple, it was a prayer time of Durga Mata and it is the custom of them that to enter the temple one must wear the typical Himachali cap on head and we did same and entered the temple. They worship the Goddess with their own customs and tradition. They use huge musical instruments like sehnai, flute type instruments and tasa type things. 

Devotee and musician of Kothi

During their worship, I noticed that they were very devoted to their Goddess and since I was taking pictures through my camera, they asked me not to take any picture of Devima. The Temple has a huge bell in front gate and there is a main mandir some small rooms for the devotees surrounding this main mandir. Overall, we had a great time inside the temple.

Musical instrument for worship

After spending an hour and so, we came out of the temple and started to roam about in the village. It was fantastic to see such an independent village in this remote area of India. It had a huge Shiv Temple just opposite the Durga Mata Temple though we could not get into it since the gate was locked. There was small falls that runs the village with its gushing sound day and night. We spotted some grocery shops, a post office, a doctors chamber, a primary school in Kothi village.

Gram Panchayat, Kothi

and of course the village is surrounded by many Apple orchards though we could not spot any apple inside the village. However, visiting such a place on the lap of Kinnaur-Kailash Range just above Reckong Peo seems to create a dreamlike state in me now especially when I sit to write my blog on Kothi and I recall again again the images that we lived once thousands of miles away from the our busy city life.

Durga Mata Temple, Kothi

See the video https://youtu.be/yPcnFkNTmV8

Experience say:

1. Walk upto the village from the main entrance to enjoy the beauty of nature;

2. Do not hurt the local sentiment of devotees;

3. Do not take picture of the Durga Mata at main temple;

4. Do not buy apples from the local who are selling apples since they charge huge for the it;

5. Enjoy the beautifully crafted wooden work of the village;

Kalpa-Kinnaur, the heaven on earth

Today, we have to say goodbye to the Baspa river and again it's time to embrace the beauty of Sutlej since our next destination is Kalpa of Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh. Though the journey is not so long yet roads on hills especially the Himachal Pradesh are completely beyond any prediction. During coming to Chitkul from Sarahan, we took a right turn towards Sangla valley, today also we would have to cross the same road upto Karcham and then we would have to take a right turn to Powari. Reckong Peo (or locals lovingly call Peo) is the market place of Kalpa. And Kalpa resides just above Reckong Peo. Since we have already spent one night at an altitude of 11300ft, our body is quite acclimatized now to take the challenges of Kinnaur-Kailash Himalayan Range of Kalpa which is situated at an altitude of 9700ft with all her beauty of flora and fauna.

Setting Sun on Kinnaur-Kailash Range

After setting out from Chitkul on 9.30AM, we reached Kalpa at around 12.30PM. Our destination is the Kinnaur-Kailash Hotel of HPTDC since we have already booked our accommodation. During our journey, we have been experiencing so much fun and adventure on road. The steep and winding road to Kalpa gets sometimes choked due to jam but one such jam became boon for us. We got chance of having the Prasad of Kalimata on road near Powari where we had to stop due to jam on roads. And the incident got an everlasting impression on us since the temple authority were very generous to provide us all the food packets that we demanded and needless to mention, we were very hungry too. Mataji on that really saved us. See the video https://youtu.be/bBNaQpYC2Ns

Enroute temple to Kalpa

Crossing Powari temple after Powari, we took the Khwang Road taking a diversion on left that crosses Regional Hospital of Reckong Peo and Police Station of Peo, we reached our destination Kinnaur-Kailash of HPTDC at around 12.30PM. It's the last and highest spot of Kalpa and needless to remind that, the hotel is located at the best place from where the Kinnaur-Kailash Range is stone throw away.

Kinnaur-Kailash Range from HPTDC

The Kinnaur-Kailash range is closely and clearly visible from here that one can feel a presence of Himalaya in one's heart. Only thing one can do is to keep silence and enjoy the peerless beauty of Himalaya. Seriously, what a place! Apples are everywhere you can see surrounding you since it's the first week of October. Even, the HPTDC premises hosts a lot of apple trees that are overburden with ripen apples of various colours. The dining of the hotel is beautifully decorated with wooden work and completely neat and clean thereby giving the experience of dining over there a splendid touch especially when the Kinnaur-Kailash range is 180 degree visible through glass windows. It used to be my favourite moments sitting by a window and watching the setting sun igniting the peaks of the range tardily in that serene ambience.

Hotel Kinnaur-Kailash of HPTDC

Shivling is the main attraction of this range and it is custom that the trekkers and devotees of Kailash Porikroma starts their journey by worshipping this Shivling which clearly visible through open eyes from this place.

Shivling of Kailash range

The rooms of HPTDC are excessively big and quite spacious. The toilet is quipped with all modern amenities keep in mind the diverse population who flock at Kalpa every year in lakhs.

Experience say:

1. Start early so that you can reach early at Kalpa and enjoy the beauty of Kinnaur-Kailash;

2. Generally after 2PM a strong wind starts to blow on Kalpa and it becomes quite impossible to stay outside rooms;

3. After lunch, do not loiter here and there instead do not leave the dining hall and stay there to watch the peaks becoming red slowly with setting sun;

4. Coffee, tea, and other beverages are available in the dining hall;

5. Do not be busy in capturing the sun set moments instead enjoy the sunset on Kinnaur-Kailash range since it has an ever lasting impression;

6. After sun sets, keep watching the peaks becoming white wrapped in ice and the lights of the Hotel create a dream like state;

7. Do not pluck apples from trees since it is regarded a serious offence;

8. Foods are of very good qualiy in the hotel;

9. Try to book only HPTDC hotel when you are visiting Kalpa since only the property of HPTDC is at best location with best services;

10. Carry books or other reading materials since reading a book while sipping coffee and watching the various moods of Kinnaur-Kailash outside window amidst gushing winds is going to be everlasting in you;

11. All kinds of mobile networks are available in Kalpa;

12. While visiting Kalpa, do visit the two beautiful hamlets-Kothi village and Roghi Village for their extremely beautiful wooden work with tribal touch.

Chitkul, the last inhabited village of India

After taking a mouthful, delicious breakfast of Aloo Paratha and curd at Sarahan, we set out for our next destination to Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh and the last inhabited village of India. Chitkul is the place which can truly be remembered as the place where earth meets the sky through the peaks of Kalpa range of Himalaya. From Sarahan (2100 meter, 6900ft) to reach to Chitkul (altitude of 3425 meter, 11300ft), it took around 6 hours. Chitkul is a small and last hamlet at the border of India enriched with its tribal flavour, Kagyupa temple and hard but simple lifestyle of the villagers amidst the serendipitous beauty of Himalaya. This place is also very sacred for the trekkers since it's the last point of the popular Kinnaur Parikroma.

Sangla Valley

Chitkul remains inaccessible because of its high snowfall for more than six months of a year. This picturesque village draws its lifeline from the snow melted water of Baspa river that runs like vein of its body. Surrounded by the Snow clad mountains by 360 degree and falls, this place is just like a place found in fairy tale. There is only a handful of accommodations. One hotel Alpine View, Riverside Camps by Deblok Group of Hotels, and one Govt. PWD Bungalow are only available for accommodation.

PWD Inspection Bungalow, Chitkul

We reached there after crossing Rochham, Korchham, Sangla Valley. Here in Sangla for the first time we encountered the bliss of Himachal Pradesh, i.e. Red, Golden and Green apple here and there. we became really spellbound to experience such bounty of nature. Almost the whole Sangla valley was overflowing with the sight of apples. In the middle of our journey, we found a plenty of Walnut trees. The whole Sangla valley is full of apple trees and just before reaching Chitkul, one has to cover a stretch of 5-6 kms of Alpine Trees with falls of fresh melted ice from Himalayan peaks. The air is so fresh that one can hardly stay in car.

Apple at Sangla Valley

Chitkul is inhabited by the tribal people of Himachal Pradesh. It is also the location of famous Kagyupa Temple which bears the touch of local artistic work of wooden handicraft. See the video  of Chitkul, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ4BAWxSM2g&t=20s 

Kagyupa Temple, Chitkul

Since Chitkul remains estranged from the rest of the world for more than six months in a year, the local people uses method of storing foods in order to keep their existence on earth and they are maintaining this tradition even today. They raise a platform and built square type wooden structure like a room on pillar and store foods for the winter season for the members of the village so that during crisis, food should be provided.

Food Store House, Chitkul

And they lock the store room with the traditional locks 

Typical lock used by the people of Chitkul

People of Chitkul are very industrious and during our stay we have seen they start their day at 5.30am amidst sizzling cold and arid climate.

Tribal woman at Chitkul

Hardworking people of Chitkul

From the Hotel Alpine View of Deblok Groups, it's some 5 minutes walk to the Kagyupa Temple and the village of the tribal people of Chitkul. The total population of Chitkul is 800 (Census, 2010). They produce organic products for their own and cattle use. During our visit, we have seen that they cultivate Ramdana that serves the purpose of rice to them. 

Ramdana

Experience say:

1. Do not drink alcohol if you are planning to stay at Chitkul since oxygen level falls at night;

2. Book your accommodation early;

3. Take sufficient comforter since temperature often falls below zero degree;

4. Charge the battery of gadgets early since there is a crisis of electricity;

5. Take your identity card with you since the military personnel check it before entering Chitkul;

6. Do not pluck apples from trees since this kind behaviour annoys the local people;

7. Try to reach Chitkul in daylight since it is extremely risky to drive the roads of Chitkul at night;

8. There is a bus service from Chitkul to Shimla that leaves Chitkul at about 6am.
9. Get up early in the morning to see the mountains becoming Golden to Silver with the morning sunrays.

Please note, there is a movie called Liar's Dice that very vividly shows the life and hardwork of the people of Chitkul.

Sarahan and Bhimakali Temple, Himachal Pradesh

On 28th September, 2017, after having breakfast at our Hotel Lord's Garden at Shogi and after settling with the Traveller sent from right away Chandigarh, we set off for Sarahan, the place of Bhimakali. Since the road that we have chosen is quite steep and long as well as winding , Traveller is the best option so far the vehicle is concerned. Around 9AM we started for Sarahan, and when we reached there it was dark in the evening. The journey is very soothing with 14-15 degree temperature and it was river Sutlej (Satadru) which will be always be there beside you through out the journey. We had our lunch at a place outside Simla and beside an apple orchard. Here, for the time in our journey, we have the experience and joy of watching an apple orchard right in front of our eyes. After taking our delicious lunch with Rice, Chapati along with Rajma , we again have come on the road towards Sarahan. It took 4-5 hours more to us to reach to Sarahan since the main road that connects Sarahan with the outer world was damaged and was being repaired and we had to take a diversion inside a village road from Jeori with knowing whether we are going to make it or not. However, it proved to be adventurous to us going through the mud road of that village and through the orange and apple orchards. We were very happy because it was something more to us and of course we are on our holiday; least knowing that after a few moments our car is going to struck badly on that muddy road. Our Punjabi driver tried a lot but in vain to get his car out of that mud. After a few moments of such war with mud and the car, we spotted a few more cars on that road to Sarahan and one of them happened to be our driver's friend. He helped the car pulled out of the mud and we finally made it to Sarahan, the place of Bhimakali.

Satluj (Satadru) river

Sarahan was the capital of rulers of former Bushahr State. Bushahr dynasty earlier used to control the state from Kamroo. The capital of state later was shifted to Sonitpur. Later Raja Ram Singh made Rampur as the capital. It is believed that the country of Kinnaur was the Kailash mentioned in Puranas, the abode of Shiva. With its capital at Sonitpur this former princely state was extended up to entire area of Kinnaur where for sometimes Lord Shiva disguised himself as Kirata. Today, the then Sonitpur is known as Sarahan. Banasura, the ardent devotee of Lord Siva, eldest among the one hundred sons of great ablative demon King Bali and the great grandson of Vishnu votary Prahlad, during the Puranic age was the ruler of this princely state (Wikipedia).

The Srikhand, HPTDC Guest House, Sarahan

Shri Bhima Kali Temple is a temple at Sarahan in Himachal Pradesh in India, dedicated to the mother goddess Bhimakali, presiding deity of the rulers of former Bushahr (Hindi: बुशहर) State. The temple is situated about 180 km from Shimla and is one of 51 Shakti Peethass. The town Sarahan is known as the gate way of Kinnaur. Down below at a distance of 7 km from Sarahan is the River Satluj. Sarahan is identified with the then Sonitpur mentioned in Puranas (Wikipedia).

Bhimakali Temple, Sarahan (South Side)

Inside Bhimakali Temple, Sarahan

Shiv Temple, inside Bhimakali Temple

The devotees gathered the temple from early morning. When we were staying at Sarahan, the ex-chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, Mr. Virbhadra Singh was on his visit to the temple to pray to the mother for the upcoming election. We have heard that it is the birth village of Mr. Virbhadra Singh and he frequently visits the place and the temple. A small market surrounds the area of Bhimakali Temple adjoining the HPTDC Guest House and Sarahan Police Station. I, being estranged from my other group members, had a single delicious breakfast of Aloo Paratha with curd and it was really fantastic. We could not yet spot any apple in the apple orchard because the climate at Sarahan is favourable for apple upto August and by then, the apples are already plucked.
The Bhimakali Temple authority provides limited accommodation to guests with a minimal amount. But, we booked The Srikhand, HPTDC Guest House, online and in well advance (nearly six months ago).
For more,  please visit my YouTube channel  https://youtu.be/-CmZUeolfP0

Experience say: 

i. Get enough fuel on your car since there are only a handful of petrol pumps;

ii. Check the tyre of your vehicle since the roads are not in good condition at some places;

iii. Book hotel on prior basis as there are only few one and to enjoy best beauty, book the HPTDC Guest House only since it's in the best location with best services;

iv. Take sufficient cash from Jeori during departing Sarahan;

v. Take pull over/cover handy if you are heading towards Sangla since the roads are dusty and muddy;

vi. Always book drivers from Himachal Pradesh;

vii. Do not pluck apple from any orchards since trespassers are prosecuted and even beaten by the local garden owners;

viii.Do not panic and in trouble always get help of the local police.

 

Fraud, Cheat, Drunkard, Drug Addict Drivers

Attention! Tourists planning to visit Kalpa-Kinnaur Side of Himachal Pradesh, here is a precaution for all of you.

Herewith, I shall share with all of you the misery that we had to suffer concerning the vehicle, Traveller that we have booked from Chandigarh and thought that our journey is going to be really a memorable one (though it became but in negative sense) completely forgetting the say that "All's well that ends well". 

During our journey Delhi to Kalka via Kalka mail, when our train came to a halt at Chandigarh station, some agents handed over their cards through the window to me saying that they would arrange cars for our tour which I have already explained to them. I took the card somehow very casually and kept that if we may need it in future. Look at these:

Kindly note down the numbers on the card and the names if you are going to visit Himachal Pradesh in near future. No not because they are experts in hospitality but because they are CHEAT, FRAUD, UNHELPFUL, UNCOUTH. WE HAD THE WORST EXPERIENCE EVER FOR THEM.

During our stay at Hotel Lord's Garden at Shoghi, we contacted with the number of Mr. Sanju to book the traveller for our upcoming 11 days tour. He eventually sent two Punjabi guys from Chandigarh along with one agent Mr. Arun. We thought since Punjabis are very kind hearted and service minded, our journey needs such people. The amount confirmed as Rs. 45000 for the vehicle for Shoghi pick up to Ambala drop (since our booking for train to Delhi was from Ambala). The amount was to be paid as Rs.20000 before boarding vehicle and rest of the amount on the finish of our journey. But we had hardly any premonition that our next couple of days with them are going to be a NIGHTMARE.

The two guys-Indar and Jitendar-are DRUNKARD, DRUG ADDICTED, UNCOUTH who always demanded money with excuses of loading oil in the tank, paying for friend's tyre etc. and we being helpless in the remote areas of Kaza, Tabo, agreed with them and paid them ehat they demanded though the contract was not like that. They always showed tantrums before going to any place from Tabo though we had discussed with them and even SMSd them our tour plan before boarding their vehicle. Thus, our tour started to be nightmare.Here is the guy Jitendar (I took it quite casually at Jeori)

They could manage Rs. 35000 from us upto Kaza and always tried to dissuade us from going to Keylong and stay at Manali though we had already booked all the hotels and journey from Keylong to Udaipur & Trilokinath. It took almost 10 hours to reach to Keylong from Kaza via NH5. And as soon as we reached the Highway, they tried to make board a public transport and when we didn't accept that, though they took us to the hotel at Keylong, and left us there at the HP Tourism guest house and boldly said that they would go to Manali and would not return. We just had our earth snatched way from our feet to hear that. We were helpless completely knowing nothing of the place. Such people should not be tolerated. But what do we do? We had five female members in our group. Two senior citizens. I thought first we need to get rid of this situation by arranging some vehicle to go to Udaipur and then Mandi; then we will move on to lodge FIR against them. Somehow, we could manage to get to Delhi on schedule but with utter tension and drainage of money. Such people who do not respect the travelers for whom they can earn their bread & butter should be put immediately behind the bars. WHAT A NIGHTMARE WE HAD FOR THEM!