SHIMLA – CHINDI – NARKANDA – SHIMLA

AN INTRODUCTION

Chindi sure is a dream. Its mostly apple country side, lush green and quiet. The mornings here sing a prayer with the birds as chorus and the forests as audience. The afternoons are like memories you would put on a canvas or in words and the nights are calm as a child to sleep. Reached from Tattapani or Chail Chowk near Sunder nagar Chindi is a delight. 88kms from Chail chowk and 130kms from Shimla, Chindi and nearby places have a network of trails which would leave you spellbound. Treks from nearby Bakrote (2kms) lead to Shikari Devi Temple and Janjehli. Karsog and Pangna nearby are also absolute delights.

THE ITINERARY

DAY 00

We will all meet at Himachal Bhavan, Safdar Hashmi Marg, Delhi at 1900hrs and board the Volvo bus to Shimla.

DAY 01 

We arrive at Shimla early morning at 6:00 AM and check into our hotel for freshening up and a quick breakfast at 8:00AM. Start the ride at 9:30AM. The route holds thick woods where practically every tree of the region grows – Himalayan Cedar (the almost legendary ‘Deodar’), Spruce, Oak, Rhododendron, Horse-Chestnut, Birch and Pine. Depending on the time of year, a variety of wildflowers grace the hillsides – the rhododendrons flower a dark red in spring, summer has banks of roses, daises and buttercups, the monsoons speckle the luxuriant grass with lilies-of-the-valley and peonies. The trail crosses picture-perfect hamlets where the word ‘time’ seems to mean only the seasons and the passing years – and where life has followed a steady pace for centuries. Trace fast flowing streams, cross a ‘sacred grove’ whose majestic trees have stood undisturbed for centuries, watch village craftsmen at work, listen to legends that seem as old as the hills – and in a single day, take a lifetime’s memory of some of the marvels that the lower Himalayas hold. We cycle past Mashobra and descend 16 kms to Thaila and a further 6km to Gumma, a thrilling 22kms downhill ride, thereafter the road flattens out till Basantpur and Tattapani. We get into our support vehicles here and drive the remaining 35kms to Chindi.

DAY 02

Welcome to Chindi (1850mts, 6070ft), a small hamlet dotted with apple orchards and a dense forest cover, at the base of Shikari Devi. Start the ride after breakfast and descend towards Karsog valley. Would you believe it, almost a 60kms downhill brings us to the banks of the Sutlej River at Sainj. We board our support vehicles here and drive towards Narkanda. Overnight in Hotel.

DAY 03

After breakfast dash towards Hatu peak. After seeking the blessings from the goddess we start our ride from the top and descend to the base of Hatu, further down through apple orchards and small villages towards Tutupani and then the climb towards Shilaru (the highest hockey turf in the world). We board our support vehicles here and drive towards Shimla to catch the Volvo in time back to our homes.

INCLUSIONS

1. Mountain Bikes (Canondale, GT, Trek, Scott Hardtail Bikes)
2. 2 Support Vehicles (Equipment, Luggage, Back up)
3. An Outdoor Concierge who is also your Mountain Cycling expert in the mountains.
4. First aid/Medical Support. We carry all emergency medicines/supplies and oxygen cylinders. In a situation demanding more than this all our routes have primary and community health centers.
5. Hydration and Cycling Nutrition Support (Chocolates, Dry Fruit Packs, Energy bars / Chikki, bottled water, juice, ORS, fruits)
6. Accommodation on twin sharing basis. (In hotels, B&B, Tents as mentioned in the itinerary)
7. Welcome Kit (T shirt, Sipper, Cap)

EXCLUSIONS

1. GST
2. Insurance
3. Personal Expenses (tips, non alcoholic/alcoholic beverages etc.)
4. Costs arising due to landslides, route/road closure, bad weather, act of God.
5. Evacuation if any, during an emergency.
6. Transport other than mentioned in the itinerary.

ADD – ONS (at an extra cost, Please enquire if you require any add-on to make your trip a notch above our standard offering.)

• Single Supplement (a tent all to yourself or a room, maybe!. Subject to availability.)
• Return Volvo tickets (to and fro from Delhi, Chandigarh or Shimla, Manali and Dharamshala)
• Pick up and Drop services.
• Masseur (Ayurveda massage for the evenings after the ride/walk)
• Physiotherapist
• Yoga instructor and Specialist. An introductory  Yoga session/s for the duration of your trip in the outdoors.
• Extensions to your holiday planning.