Page | 1 ​ ATTA ADVENTURE NEXT AGENT POST FAM TRIP Window To Himalayas Kullu - Sonaugi – Manali - Bijali Mahadev – Kullu ​ ​ 6 Days / 5 Nights - December 6 - 11 Flight Information: December 6 - Depart Bhopal to Delhi on early morning flight to arrive by 9:30am (overnight Delhi) December 7 - Fly Delhi to Kullu, departing at 6:45am December 11 - Fly Kullu to Delhi, arriving to delhi by 12:25pm; Depart Delhi for home anytime after 4:00pm. INTRODUCTION OF KULLU VALLEY Kullu valley is a broad open valley formed by the Beas River between Manali and Largi. This valley is famous for its beauty and its majestic hills covered with Pine and Deodar Forest and sprawling Apple Orchards and snow capped peaks of the valley. Kullu valley is sandwiched between the Pir Panjal, Lower Himalayan and Great Himalayan range. Kullu is the capital town of this valley & it is located on the banks of the Beas River. Kullu Valley is the largest valley in the Kullu district, in Himachal Pradesh, state of India. The Beas River runs through the middle of the valley. FACTS Country India State Himachal Pradesh Page | 2 ​ District Kullu Zonal Headquarters Kullu Elevation 1,220 m (4,000 ft) Population (2011) 18,306 (10th) Languages Hindi (Official) & Kulluvi in General KNOWN AS VALLEY OF GODS Kullu Valley, also known as the "Valley of Gods", or "Dev Bhumi” It is full of temples rather every village has a local temple. It is well known for the seven day festival of Kullu Dussehra, a celebration of Avatar Lord Rama's victory over the evil king Ravana. The festival takes place in the months of October or November, depending upon the Hindu calendar. Kullu (1,220 m or 4,000 ft) was once known as Kulanthpitha - `the end of the habitable world`. Beyond rose the forbidding heights of the Greater Himalayas and, by the banks of the shining river Beas, lay the fabled `Silver Valley’. CULTURE The customs and rituals practiced in the valley depict the simple lifestyle of the natives, living close to Nature. The people here worship deities who are sages, snake gods and other powerful gods and goddesses mentioned in ancient Indian scriptures. Every village has beautiful temples dedicated to these deities. The people of Kullu are primarily farmers, but now the population has also scattered into emerging occupations as tourism. There is a rich tradition of folk arts in Kullu. The excellent temple carvings, vibrant handicrafts, spectacular folk dances and melodious songs show the sensitivity of the people. CUISINE Kullu Valley. Paddy and maize were the main crops in mountains as climate was favorable for growing these crops. Kodra (cereal) and Salyara formed the daily meals of people. During saja (local festival) special food was cooked. It consisted of bhaturas, patrodu, vadas and vegetables. People of Kullu Valley make wine from barley and red rice in their houses, which is known as 'Chakti' and 'Lugri' respectively. In functions and marriages cooking and serving is done in the traditional way which is called 'Dham'. Breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner are called nhuari, klar, dapohri and byali respectively. Tea is the most popular drink served at any time. Milk, curd, butter, lassi (a drink made out of curd) and ghee (purified butter) are also consumed a lot. Milk, curd, butter and ghee were also in the routine diet because every house had cows. The food has everything to make a person healthy. Page | 3 ​ CLIMATE December and January during winter observe lowest temperatures ranging from 4°C to 20°C, with some snowfall. Annual highest temperature in summer ranges from 25°C to 37°C during May to August. Months of July and August are rainy because of Monsoon, having around 15 cm rainfall monthly. Climate is pleasant in October and November. MAP DETAILED PROGRAM December 6 - Day 1: Fly Bhopal - Delhi - Arrive in Delhi to overnight. Depart Bhopal on an early morning flight to Delhi to arrive by 9:30am. December 7 - Day 2: Delhi to Kullu Flight – Sonaugi ( Drive) Delhi to Kullu flight (Depart 6:40am , arrive at 8:05am); Transfer 40kms, 2hrs drive approx Day Itinerary Short flight from Delhi airport brings you into Welcome to Kullu valley (known as valley of Gods) On arrival at airport, you will be provided in time assistance at the airport followed by transfer to Sonaugi. Upon arrival check in to The Sonaugi Homestead. ● Afternoon a short Guided hike around the villages and forest for 03-04hrs approx, ​ ​ Evening return back to Lodge followed by a Head Massage (Champi) later dinner & overnight night stay. Page | 4 ​ The charming little hill station of Kullu rests in the majestic Kullu Valley. Aptly named in ancient Hindu scriptures as Kulanthapitha, or ‘The End of the Habitable World’, this extraordinarily scenic valley is also home to Manali, a popular hill station favoured especially by honeymooners who flock here to experience the area’s romantic snow-clad mountains, towering Deodar jungles, mighty rivers and picturesque apple orchards. This remarkably scenic environment provides an ideal outdoor playground for a wide range of adventure sports including trekking, fishing, river rafting, mountaineering, paragliding and hiking over the Himalayan glaciers. Culture enthusiasts are equally well catered for with countless timber and stone villages still inhabited by the local ‘pahari’ or ‘hill people’ many of whom continue to preserve the area’s traditional way of life. The Kullu Valley combines remarkable landscapes, wild out door adventures and intriguing local culture to form one of India’s favourite holiday retreats. Overnight: The Sonaugi Homestead The sonaugi Homestead's rooms are lovely, large and spacious – over 450-600 square feet – rather unconventional for a Himalayan house. But more than that, each room is like a miniature home with living and lounge spaces, private spot, reading corner... and dreaming corner, too if you like. Beds made from beige Himalayan maple wood are elegant. Duvets and throws are designed to entice you into sleep-land with a book for company at any point of the day... if only nature hanging out of the windows don’t catch your eye. Each of these spaces has an angularity about it, an imperfection that gives it character. Be warned you that the rooms were built as a private space and are, therefore, virtually devoid of noise-proofing and not conducive to loud anything – chats, song, stomping and what have you. The loo's are modern and each bath-bubble has running hot water showers with good old LPG as our savior-stove. They use their heating with care – the wood in the high-calorific heating stoves is dead wood either picked from the jungle or cheap commercial firewood bought from the government depot 10 km away in Nagga. Page | 5 ​ Included Full Board basis December 8 - Day 3: Sonaugi Full day hike (05-06hrs Approx) Day Itinerary Early Morning Yoga session and after finish the YOGA have the Breakfast. ● After the breakfast Full day hike in the forest near by the Sonaugi. Page | 6 ​ Evening return back to Homestead for night stay. Included Full Board basis December 9 -Day 4: Sonaugi – Manali – Sonaugi (Full day Excursion) Day Itinerary Morning after Breakfast proceed for the full day excursion to Manali, and places visit are.. Naggar Castle & Roerich Art Gallery – The Nagar Castle was ​ ​ ​ used to be the Raja’s headquarters, when Nagar was capital of Kullu Valley. The old fort is built around a courtyard with beautiful views over the valley. Inside the courtyard is a small temple. The temple of Gauri Shankar is at the foot of small bazaar below the castle. Almost opposite the front of castle is the Chatar Bhuj Temple to Vishnu. Jagat Sukh - Return drive to Manali market en route visit at ​ Jagat Sukh Temples & some very nice village stop for photo etc. On arrival continue visit at... Page | 7 ​ ● Meeting with priest of the temples. ● Interaction with local people of the village and to see interior of their houses. After the visit.. Enjoy local traditional lunch at a local family, in the village ​ ​ After having lunch continue drive to Manali. In Manali visit the Ancient Hadimba (Goddess Kali) Temple at ​ Dhungri village. Hadimba Temple: Hadimba or Dhungiri temple in Manali is ​ one of the most important temples in the region. This four-story wooden temple is located in the middle of a forest called the Dhungiri Van Vihar. ● Later on explore the market. Evening in time return back to Sonaugi. Included Full Board basis December 10 - Day 5: Sonaugi – Bijili Mahadev ( Mountain Bike Tour) (2460 m) 25 km off road Day Itinerary Morning after breakfast mountain Bike tour to Bijili Mahadev, today you will start journey to Bijli Mahadev. We will take the road transport till Jana Village. We will dismount our bicycles in Jana and start pedaling to Bijli Mahadev. The route is very scenic with virgin Beauty. It is gradual with little uphill. Today we will stay in Tents at Bijli Mahadev. Page | 8 ​ Temple Bijli Mahadev is breathtaking far away from maddening crowd one can sit in meditation posture to forget all worries of the life. The temple is dedicated to Hindu trinity god “ SHIVA’’ The temple on a steep hill has a 20 meters road on the top which is reputedly struck by Bijli(lighting) shattering the stone “LINGAM” (oneness symbol of SHIVA & SHAKTI”) inside. The priest put the “LINGAM” together each time with butter and a grain mixture until the next lighting strike breaks it apart again. Overnight: Tents In Bijli Mahadev. The bijli mahadev temple is also known as the electric mahadev temple , as the tall rods or staffs in the temple attracts blessings in the form of thunder lightning .