Jispa instead of Sarchu
Day 1
9-8-08
Manali
It had stopped raining and we continued our journey to Manali. It was around 10 AM when we finally reached Manali. Vishal had booked our rooms in Hotel Aryavath in Vasisht kund village. The hotel was very close to the Vasisht temple dedicated to Sage Vasisht in Hindu mythology, the spiritual master of Lord Rama. Its also famous for its 'hotwater springs'. The water here is believed to possess medicinal properties.
Even though the hotel had nice bathroom with hot water, some of us wanted to take bath in the sulphur spring. So we went to the temple, took bath and came back and had our breakfast of Paratta, Aachhar and Coffee.
We knew that Sanjay was tired and the 3 hr sleep wouldn't have been suffucient for him. However as per the itinerary, we were supposed to reach Serchu in the evening. But we knew we cannot make it before 8 or 9 PM. Once again we let Sanjay sleep for some more time. Around 1:30 PM, we started to the next point - Sarchu (220 km from Manali - 10 hrs) crossing a few villages on the way: Rohtang Pass - Tandi – Keylong – Darcha – Jispa.
Our first halt was Rothang Pass a popular tourist spot for any tourist coming to Manali. Most of us had already touched Rothang earlier, but have not gone beyond. It was almost two years back when I came here for the first time during the same August month. However, even before that, I had heard a lot about this place from my college friends who came here on their final year. "The Snow covered Manali... long walks with the loved ones... a group of guys getting away from others for a drink and puff..." god.. i'm becoming nostalgic!
We stopped in Rothang for some time and had our lunch omlette and maggi along with roasted corn and coffee.Soon we were on the road once again and we had a long distance to cover that day.
Hills.. hills amd more hills. From Manali to Rothang you will see lot of tourists and taxis on the way. But once you cross Rothang, everything changes. Beyond that its only you and the green hills. Occasionally you see hundreds of sheeps grazing on the meadows. Again you are alone.
My friends back home ask me whats so special about that landscape? Sometimes I don't get an answer. How will I explain them the beauty of the vast emptiness around you and the lesson you learn from there... You become just a dot in that vast landscape and it reminds you how small we are in this universe. And yet people fight daily to show who's the greatest.
We enjoyed our journey listening to the music, discussing about the next days plans and also pulling each others legs! In a whole we were having a great time away from the tensions and confusions of the city life!
It became dark around 6:00 PM and we were still some 100 km before Sarchu. Once again it became difficult to drive in the night and in the petrol pump in Tandi (that said, last filling station, before Leh 365 km) the road beyond Jispa is very bad at this time! We decided we'll go as far as we can and then if we still dont reach Sarchu by 9:00 PM, we'll halt somewhere.
It was pitch black by 9:00 PM and we were still some 80 km before Sarchu. Note that electricty was not available in those places and you dont even see a tiny light for miles and miles! We knew that Sarchu is not possible tonight and decided to check in into some 5 star hotels in Jispa... (just kidding yaar)
When we reached Jispa (i dont know why. but the name brought back memories of my childhood friend Jisha and her dad's LML Vespa) it was pitch black and the ever vigillant Shoyeb spotted tents in the dark. It was known that in such a trip we had to be prepared for everything and cannot expect luxury whereever you go. We went to check the tents and called out for someone in the dark. Someone came with a lamp and he informed us that 3 tents are available. Toilets are far from the tents and hence you cannot go there without torch which by the way wasnt working. You wont get hot water tomorrow morning and food is over tonight. The rent per tent is something around 450/-
We thanked him and went further looking for another hotel. We were surprised to see a big hotel 'Hotel Ibex'. But there also rooms was not available and he was asking for 1250- for one hall. We decided to look somewhere else and he suggested to check in 'Hotel Padma', 1 km ahead. There also we were disappointed when the boy in charge asked 650/- per room and no hot water and food.
We thought we will look further and if we don't get anything we will come back here. Luckily we saw a board, 'Jispa trekking and mountaineering institute. Rooms available' we were happy and called the caretaker. He was a cheerful person who opened a big dormitory with lot of beds. Since no one was there it was all ours and that too for just 75 per bed! We checked in and after keeping our luggage we went in search of food.
The caretaker of the institute informed that there is a hotel near by and phone is also available. As soon as the phone was seen, those who had Dear and Near ones back home started their calls. The lesser fortunate ones just stood nearby and started pulling their legs!
Soon hot rice, dal and chappati was ready along with omlette! After having a great dinner, we went to our room, said good nights and slept peacefully on bed. (We had missed it the previous night!)
9-8-08
Manali
It had stopped raining and we continued our journey to Manali. It was around 10 AM when we finally reached Manali. Vishal had booked our rooms in Hotel Aryavath in Vasisht kund village. The hotel was very close to the Vasisht temple dedicated to Sage Vasisht in Hindu mythology, the spiritual master of Lord Rama. Its also famous for its 'hotwater springs'. The water here is believed to possess medicinal properties.
Even though the hotel had nice bathroom with hot water, some of us wanted to take bath in the sulphur spring. So we went to the temple, took bath and came back and had our breakfast of Paratta, Aachhar and Coffee.
We knew that Sanjay was tired and the 3 hr sleep wouldn't have been suffucient for him. However as per the itinerary, we were supposed to reach Serchu in the evening. But we knew we cannot make it before 8 or 9 PM. Once again we let Sanjay sleep for some more time. Around 1:30 PM, we started to the next point - Sarchu (220 km from Manali - 10 hrs) crossing a few villages on the way: Rohtang Pass - Tandi – Keylong – Darcha – Jispa.
Our first halt was Rothang Pass a popular tourist spot for any tourist coming to Manali. Most of us had already touched Rothang earlier, but have not gone beyond. It was almost two years back when I came here for the first time during the same August month. However, even before that, I had heard a lot about this place from my college friends who came here on their final year. "The Snow covered Manali... long walks with the loved ones... a group of guys getting away from others for a drink and puff..." god.. i'm becoming nostalgic!
We stopped in Rothang for some time and had our lunch omlette and maggi along with roasted corn and coffee.Soon we were on the road once again and we had a long distance to cover that day.
Hills.. hills amd more hills. From Manali to Rothang you will see lot of tourists and taxis on the way. But once you cross Rothang, everything changes. Beyond that its only you and the green hills. Occasionally you see hundreds of sheeps grazing on the meadows. Again you are alone.
My friends back home ask me whats so special about that landscape? Sometimes I don't get an answer. How will I explain them the beauty of the vast emptiness around you and the lesson you learn from there... You become just a dot in that vast landscape and it reminds you how small we are in this universe. And yet people fight daily to show who's the greatest.
We enjoyed our journey listening to the music, discussing about the next days plans and also pulling each others legs! In a whole we were having a great time away from the tensions and confusions of the city life!
It became dark around 6:00 PM and we were still some 100 km before Sarchu. Once again it became difficult to drive in the night and in the petrol pump in Tandi (that said, last filling station, before Leh 365 km) the road beyond Jispa is very bad at this time! We decided we'll go as far as we can and then if we still dont reach Sarchu by 9:00 PM, we'll halt somewhere.
It was pitch black by 9:00 PM and we were still some 80 km before Sarchu. Note that electricty was not available in those places and you dont even see a tiny light for miles and miles! We knew that Sarchu is not possible tonight and decided to check in into some 5 star hotels in Jispa... (just kidding yaar)
When we reached Jispa (i dont know why. but the name brought back memories of my childhood friend Jisha and her dad's LML Vespa) it was pitch black and the ever vigillant Shoyeb spotted tents in the dark. It was known that in such a trip we had to be prepared for everything and cannot expect luxury whereever you go. We went to check the tents and called out for someone in the dark. Someone came with a lamp and he informed us that 3 tents are available. Toilets are far from the tents and hence you cannot go there without torch which by the way wasnt working. You wont get hot water tomorrow morning and food is over tonight. The rent per tent is something around 450/-
We thanked him and went further looking for another hotel. We were surprised to see a big hotel 'Hotel Ibex'. But there also rooms was not available and he was asking for 1250- for one hall. We decided to look somewhere else and he suggested to check in 'Hotel Padma', 1 km ahead. There also we were disappointed when the boy in charge asked 650/- per room and no hot water and food.
We thought we will look further and if we don't get anything we will come back here. Luckily we saw a board, 'Jispa trekking and mountaineering institute. Rooms available' we were happy and called the caretaker. He was a cheerful person who opened a big dormitory with lot of beds. Since no one was there it was all ours and that too for just 75 per bed! We checked in and after keeping our luggage we went in search of food.
The caretaker of the institute informed that there is a hotel near by and phone is also available. As soon as the phone was seen, those who had Dear and Near ones back home started their calls. The lesser fortunate ones just stood nearby and started pulling their legs!
Soon hot rice, dal and chappati was ready along with omlette! After having a great dinner, we went to our room, said good nights and slept peacefully on bed. (We had missed it the previous night!)
Earlier...
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