It’s been a long time since I had a visit to the hills. Suddenly out of nowhere raised an opportunity but this one was going to be unique. As it was the honeymoon trip, of course It had to be special. After much thought on Malaysia, Andaman and Nicobar, Kerala, Goa, Himachal we both decided that we shall go somewhere which shall be known to us and of course shall be beautiful.

The only beautiful place among the list known to us was Himachal to relax and enjoy. Finally, it was decided that we will go to Manali and Naggar. Immediately after the decision I went on with the bookings. I always dreamt of staying in cottages and huts with someone special, so searched the Internet and finalized on Hadimba Cottages, HPTDC for Manali and Naggar Castle, Naggar. In my research I never found any photos or pictorial details how did these Hadimba cottages look but I had fair idea of Naggar Castle and its breathtaking views. So there was always an apprehension for Hadimba Cottages. But never mind to make it easy for you guys I compiled a review of both hotels here viz. Hadimba Cottages and Naggar Castle

I did the booking of hotels and Volvo bus tickets from the HPTDC Tourism Office at Chanderlok Building C.P., New Delhi. For more details on bookings you can check my Hotel Reviews for Naggar Castle or Hadimba Cottages

Day 1,2 – November 10th / 11th, 2009 | Delhi to Manali

Coming back to the travelogue it started on 10^th November, 2009 when we left from home at 5 P.M. and almost missed the bus Feel the HPTDC guyz are really strict on timings and I fell they should be. Bus started at 6.45 PM for over a 12 hour journey and first stop was Mirchi restaurant near Ambala, if I am not wrong. The dinner we had was pretty nice in fact and mineral water bottles were sponsored by the HPTDC bus service. It was the first time I was traveling in a bus for traveling purposes and my wife too and in the morning, yes, it was the first time that I had some stomach-trouble or felt like puking while traveling in the hills. May be driver had wrong speed ratio while turning on curves. My wife too had a rough journey but thankfully none of us puked. Finally after 15 hrs or so we reached Manali bus stand at 9.30 AM on 11^th November, 2009.

Getting down from the bus was such a relief I can’t explain but there are always two sides bad and good. As soon as we got down we were flooded by local taxi walas, hotel agents etc for hiring a taxi or hotel accommodations. Somehow I managed to get out of that crowd and asked one lonely Cab driver for a drop to Hadimba Cottages. He agreed on Rs. 40 and it was fine considering the fact that auto-rickshaws take Rs 40 for a drop till Old Manali from Mall road. Finally we reached our cottage where we checked in and got our welcome drink as Tea along with some breakfast as butter toasts. It was just OK, not so good but we were tired, we had that and just went to sleep. But in between when the breakfast was coming I was quick to click few shots.

Reception……

A Passerby…

View from Cottage Window…

It was extremely chilly out there proving the fact that Manali did get a snowfall two days before and it had happened after very long time in Manali (snowfall in November ). We kept sleeping for next 6 hours that day, so nothing much to explain. In the evening we just roam in the so visible garden in front of cottages and checked to see if there are any other tourists as well. But sadly there were none. Meanwhile we took these photographs.

Outside View…

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