Few weeks back we we were returning from Hamirpur to Delhi and we started early in morning. Since we had enough time, we thought of taking some unusual route and explore some of the places, we had always heard or seen from distance. This journey inspired me to write this post and it would be helpful for anyone who is coming back from Manali to Delhi via own vehicle and want to explore places like Rewalsar Lake, Govind sagar Lake and Bhakhra Dam. These are just few known names, but you explore a very different part of Himachal Pradesh, which people miss. Is Himachal only about high hills, summer vacations, snow covered peaks etc?
So the main highway from Manali to Chandigarh & Delhi, goes via Mandi, Sundernagar, Bilaspur and Kiratpur. Here I propose to take new highway, which is in pretty good condition now. Earlier, it was narrow and not that well maintained. This highway cuts from Ner Chowk (near Mandi) towards Una. This highway takes you through different kind of landscapes and habitat. One can plan to visit Rewalsar Lake and if you intend to take a day break, you can plan to visit Saat Sarovar as well and stay in one of the Home Stays around this region of Himachal Pradesh. You can start the journey towards Jahu and then take the road through Jahu, Lathiani. All these stations are on highway which connects you to Una.
At Lathiani, you can take a small cut on the left which takes you close to Govind Sagar Lake. It’s 5 minutes drive from Lathiani town to the lake. It’s a beautiful sight and must visit if you are taking this route. Now you have 2 options. If you are driving on a bike then you can cross the lake in boat with your bike and drive towards Bhakhra. It cuts down 35 kilometers. And if you are driving in car/temo-traveller and have a driver with you. You can take the boat to cross the lake and ask the driver to meet on other side.
And if you are not keen on taking above options, simply drive towards Thanakalan (which is on highway) and take left. This cut takes you to Bhakhra Dam, which is 30 kilometers from this cut and then Nangal is 16 kilometers from Bhakhra Dam. Please note one thing that it’s not highway but road condition is good (which may vary over a period of time).
If you intend to go inside the dam and take their official tour, that’s not possible because the permission and pass can only be procured from office in Nagal. If this is a high priority, it’s recommended to go to Nangal first and then come back to Bhakhra Dam, which can be done during your next trip to Mcleodganj :).
Now sure how exciting it sounds to you, but these are very different terrains of Himachal and very few people dare to take such routes. No tourists except a few at Rewalsar.
All photographs shared in this post are clicked with mobile camera (Honor 5X).
If you wish to know more about this region of Himachal Pradesh and have further queries, do write a comment below and we shall try to respond shortly.
If you liked this post and found it helpful, I would request you to follow these things when traveling -
- Manage your waste well and don’t litter
- Use dustbins. Tell us if you went to a place and found it hard to locate a dustbin.
- Avoid bottle waters in hills. Usually you get clean water in hills and water bottles create lot of mess in our ecosystem.
- Say big no to plastic and avoid those unhealthy snacks packed in plastic bags. Rather buy fruits.
- Don't play loud blaring music in forests of jungle camps. You are a guest in that ecosystem and disturbing the locals (humans and animals) is not polite
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