Let's hop on to a colourful and lovely road trip to the Himalayan Ranges

Have you ever wanted to admire the majestic Himalayan Ranges but don't want to trek to see it?  Then this trip is for you.  I have decided to make this Himalayan ranges road trip a colourful one by coinciding with Holi Festival.  Holi Festival also known as Festival of Colours is a celebration of love, forgiving, victory over evil, and all things good.  Before starting the road trip let's visit the Taj Mahal, widely considered as the most beautiful building in the world and also a symbol of love.  As such I believe this trip will be especially memorable.  So come join me in this memorable trip.

View of Himalayan Ranges from Manali

Highlights
- Visit Taj Mahal, a UNESCO site recognized as the jewel of Muslim art in India, a winner of the New7Wonders of the World
- Celebrate Holi Festival also known as Festival of Love and Festival of Colours
- Visit another UNESCO site for its outstanding significance for biodiversity conservation, Great Himalayan National Park
- Explore Kullu Valley, this valley is famous for its temples, beauty and its majestic hills
- Explore Manali nicknamed the “Valley of Gods” and "Switzerland of Asia"
- Visit Solang Valley, a resort town, jumping point for paragliding, rafting, and many other sports
- Visit Kasol nicknamed the "Mini Israel of India" and "Little Amsterdam"

Colourful celebration of Holi Festival

Holi Festival, also known as "festival of colours" or the "festival of love". The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.   It is also celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest. It lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the Purnima (Full Moon day) in Mar.  Let's join in the fun and get colourful.

Kasol Village in the evening

Parvati Village River

Kasol, nicknamed the Mini Israel of India due to strong Jewish history and heritage found here.  Also, the 'Little Amsterdam’ as it is flanked by hippies from everywhere.  Kasol village is also famous for its hot springs.  We will visit Kasol Market, explore cafes, restaurants, and the local food are the few of things we can try.  After this, sit on the banks of river Parvati and enjoy the calmness around. 

Great Himalayan National Park

Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), is one of India's national parks, is located in Kullu region. UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites for its outstanding significance for biodiversity conservation. 

View of Himalayan from Old Manali 

Another sunset view of Himalayan from Manali 

Manali was barely inhabited by people and the unending natural beauty, rightfully earned it the nickname of “Valley of Gods”.  Within Manali the Old Manali, has an exotic charm; not foreign, not entirely Indian. It is as if you have crossed into another country. Old Manali has somehow chiseled out a world of its own guarded by Manalsu River. The village is as idle as a fairy tale but at the same time a bridge away from the modern world.  We will wander around the old village and experience its charms.

Solang Valley

Solang Valley is a resort town nestled in the mountains of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It's also a jumping-off point for paragliding, rafting, gondolo ride of 1.3km that rise up 500m, and hiking around.  Let's try some of the activities.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1631, to be built in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, a Persian princess who died giving birth to their 14th child.  The imperial court documenting Shah Jahan's grief after the death of his wife tells the love story, the inspiration for the Taj Mahal.