If you are in party or holiday mood to celebrate Christmas and New Year Eve with your family or friends, but you are not able to decide on a location to chill, you should just pack your bags and head to the Himachal where you can choose one of the dozens of beautiful locations that are ready to host you for the holiday season. With all tourist destinations of Himachal expected to remain jam-packed from December 24 to January 1 during Christmas and New Year Eve, the state is gearing up to welcome guests from all around the country. Most hotels are booked completely in advance and taxis and tourist buses are in huge demand these days. The hotel occupancy has already reached close to 40 per cent which is expected to remain above 75 per cent from December 24 onwards. Most of the good hotels in Manali, Shimla, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Kasauli, Kasol and other popular tourist places are already booked till the new year. New tourist destination Lahaul valley has also good booking. Over one hundred luxury tourist buses from Delhi are reaching Himachal every day besides taxis and private cars. Given the current booking trends, hoteliers are expecting record tourist footfall. While increasing cases of Covid-19 is a matter of concern, the possibility of fresh snowfall after Christmas may help in increasing the footfall. A fresh wave of western disturbance is expected to hit the western Himalayas from December 25 onwards. Gajender Thakur, president of the Federation of Himachal Hotels and Restaurant Association, said, tourist footfall in the state is increasing as tourists are heading to the hills in the holiday mood. “The peak tourist season will be from December 24 to January 1. Hotels are reporting good bookings. However, some hotels have average bookings. No snowfall in the last
If you are in party or holiday mood to celebrate Christmas and New Year Eve with your family or friends, but you are not able to decide on a location to chill, you should just pack your bags and head to the Himachal where you can choose one of the dozens of beautiful locations that
On this page, we shall keep you updated about the latest Himachal Tourism trends, Himachal Tourism news, views from hoteliers and travel agents and tour guides and packages of Himachal Pradesh. 2,000 tourists stranded in 500 vehicles rescued from Atal tunnel Updated on December 30, 2022 Nearly 500 vehicles carrying over 2,000 tourists that were stranded at Atal tunnel following snowfall were rescued in the late night operations that lasted for eight hours from 5pm to 1am on Thursday. A large number of tourist vehicles were stranded at both south and north portals of Atal tunnel following snowfall which made the road slippery on Thursday afternoon. While vehicles from north side were sent towards south side, vehicles started skidding on the steep road between the tunnel and Dhundi nullah, causing a long traffic jam. The vehicles eventually got stuck. Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti police helped the tourists and drivers in getting their vehicles to safe places. The last vehicle was sent towards Solang valley at about 1am. As many as 5,640 vehicles carrying tourists had entered Lahaul valley from Manali via Atal tunnel on Thursday to see snow and snowfall. 5,548 vehicles exited the tunnel towards Manali from Thursday 8am to Friday 8am. As the snow started accumulating on the road surface, vehicles started skidding and it became very difficult to drive by late evening. While some people, mostly local taxi drivers, managed to negotiate through the steep curves between the tunnel and Dhundi nullah, hundreds of other vehicles got stuck when many vehicles skid on the road and jammed it. Although the administration stopped traffic towards Atal tunnel, it was already too late. Lahaul-Spiti police started sending vehicles from Lahaul towards Manali. However, they could not move ahead due to traffic congestion at south portal of the tunnel where cops
On this page, we shall keep you updated about the latest Himachal Tourism trends, Himachal Tourism news, views from hoteliers and travel agents and tour guides and packages of Himachal Pradesh. 2,000 tourists stranded in 500 vehicles rescued from Atal tunnel Updated on December 30, 2022 Nearly 500 vehicles carrying over 2,000 tourists that were
Marhi, Rahla fall, Gulaba and many other places along Manali-Rohtang highway, which were closed for all kinds of vehicles in November following snowfall, have been reopened for tourists as snow has melted under the prevailing dry weather conditions. There is no snow in the lower areas near Manali. Hoteliers and taxi operators were demanding to reopen Rohtang pass during peak tourist season these days. Although travel to Rohtang is not safe, Kullu administration has ordered to reopen the highway upto Marhi, just below Rohtang pass from Wednesday onwards. Issuing orders, Kullu deputy commissioner Ashutosh Garg said the Manali-Rohtang highway was closed beyond Kothi on the recommendation of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and SDM Manali on November 21. “Manali SDM, DSP and BRO officials on December 21 had conducted a recce of the highway upto Marhi and found it suitable for general movement. The road was slippery at some places due to icing which has been cleared by BRO. The BRO has also agreed to help in traffic movement on the road until next snowfall,” he said. The DC said tourists and local taxi operators will have to adhere to some strict guidelines to be able to travel on this road. He said only four-wheel-drive vehicles will be allowed beyond Kothi between 10am and 4pm while other vehicles will be allowed after 12pm to 4pm. “The SDM and DSP at Manali will have the authority to suspend the traffic movement anytime after consultation with BRO to ensure public safety.” Tourists can see some snow in some shady areas near Beas nullah. Northern part of Rohtang pass has enough snow but administration will not allow vehicles to move beyond Marhi due to icing of the road. Also, in case of sudden snowfall, evacuation from Rohtang pass becomes very difficult. December month has
Marhi, Rahla fall, Gulaba and many other places along Manali-Rohtang highway, which were closed for all kinds of vehicles in November following snowfall, have been reopened for tourists as snow has melted under the prevailing dry weather conditions. There is no snow in the lower areas near Manali. Hoteliers and taxi operators were demanding to
Paragliding is as safe as you make it. The safety checks, quality of equipment, preparedness, wind, air pressure and visibility are the main factors that decide how safe the flight would be. With a large number of paragliding sites came up in recent years, Himachal has emerged as the top destination for paragliding in the country. With nearly a lakh tourist trying hand at (tandem) paragliding, Kullu-Manali tops the list in terms of number. And the Kullu district is also topping the list of most fatal paragliding accidents. Five persons have died in four accidents this year only while many have sustained injuries. Human error is the main reason behind maximum accidents. Tourists generally go for a tandem flight but nobody asks pilots for their license, registration and quality of the equipment. In many accidents, pilots were found to be flying without a valid license and registration with the tourism department. The pilots, who always remain in hurry to finish the flight to catch another customer, never brief the dos and don’ts to the customers who always remain in suspense that what to do next. Almost 100 per cent of the clients here are tourists. On Monday, a tourist from Chennai was killed in similar accident where tourist slipped off the safety harness and fell on the ground from altitude of hundreds of feet near Falayan in Kullu. He died on the spot. The matter, according to police, appeared to be negligence in safety check. Similar incident had happened in May 2015 when a Mumbai tourist had died of harness failure at Solang valley. Falayan, Solang, Majhach, Diyar and Kharahal are the main paragliding spots in Kullu district where thousands of tourists enjoy joy-rides. The most operators at these sites are not following the proper safety procedures. While some are
Paragliding is as safe as you make it. The safety checks, quality of equipment, preparedness, wind, air pressure and visibility are the main factors that decide how safe the flight would be. With a large number of paragliding sites came up in recent years, Himachal has emerged as the top destination for paragliding in the
On this page, we shall keep you updated about all happenings, news, work progress, history, VIP visits and everything happening at Atal Tunnel, Rohtang in Manali. Work on Atal Tunnel, a 9.02 km long engineering marvel connecting Manali with Lahaul on Manali-Leh highway, started on June 28, 2010 and it will be dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2020. Timeline of sequence of events at Atal Tunnel, Rohtang December 16, 2022: As five-day deadline to reinstall the foundation stone plaque of Sonia Gandhi at Atal tunnel ended despite chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s strict order, the officials said the order can be followed only after direction from the BRO headquarters in Delhi or Ministry of Defence. The officials of district administration in Kullu said they had visited the spot to finalise the location to install the stone plaque but Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which built the tunnel and now is responsible for its maintenance, will follow the order from higher authorities in Delhi. December 11, 2022: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, immediately after assuming the post of chief minister of Himachal, raised the issue of removing the foundation stone plaque of Sonia Gandhi from Atal tunnel, Rohtang, after the matter was brought to his notice by MLA from Lahaul-Spiti, Ravi Thakur. The CM directed the officials to reinstall the stone plaque within five days. The then UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi laid the foundation stone of the Rohtang tunnel project (now Atal tunnel) on June 28, 2010. Before this, the foundation stone of the approach road from Palchan to south portal of the tunnel at Dhundi was laid by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the tunnel on October 3, 2020. To the surprise of the Congress supporters and leaders, the foundation
On this page, we shall keep you updated about all happenings, news, work progress, history, VIP visits and everything happening at Atal Tunnel, Rohtang in Manali. Work on Atal Tunnel, a 9.02 km long engineering marvel connecting Manali with Lahaul on Manali-Leh highway, started on June 28, 2010 and it will be dedicated to the
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS), Manali, has been voted as an associate member of the prestigious International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA). One of the top mountaineering institutes in the world, ABVIMAS was voted in as an associate member of the federation at the general assembly held in Banff, Canada on October 29. The membership will be effective from January 1. This association with the federation will not only provide international recognition to the institute but it will be useful for skill exchange and updation of the training techniques to keep the institute and mountaineers of the country at par with the international standards of mountaineering. ABVIMAS director Avinash Negi said, “The association was long awaited. We freshly applied for it with revitalised interest. After careful deliberation, the UIAA general assembly has voted positively for us. This membership will help us in our aims of always improving, advancement in the field of mountaineering, international recognition of our meticulously designed training programs, efforts for environmental protection and more.” He said the candidates of the institute can have the honour of representing India at various international climbing competitions held by the UIAA. He said ABVIMAS had trained thousands of people in mountaineering techniques from India and abroad. The government institute has many sub-centres across the state. International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation, known as Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme (UIAA), is headquartered in Bern, Switzerland. Major mountaineering associations and clubs of a large number of countries including the USA, Canada, China, Japan, Italy and Pakistan are already its members. Indian Mountaineering Federation, Nehru Institute of Mountaineering and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute are its old members. About UIAA The International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) was founded in 1932 and has a global presence on six continents representing 90 member
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS), Manali, has been voted as an associate member of the prestigious International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA). One of the top mountaineering institutes in the world, ABVIMAS was voted in as an associate member of the federation at the general assembly held in Banff, Canada
In an effort to make popular tourist place Hamta near Manali more tourist friendly with care for environment, Kullu administration has not only limited the daily quota of number of vehicles that can visit the area but also made it mandatory to seek only permit after paying congest charges. The vehicles can go to Hamta only between 6am and 6pm. The daily limit of vehicles will be 520 which includes 400 light vehicles, 100 motorbikes and 20 travellers (mid size vehicles). The light vehicles will have to pay Rs 250 and travellers will pay Rs 500 as congestion charges. The motorbikes will be charged Rs 200 for one trip. The visitors will have to apply online at kullupermits.in where they will have to fill in the required details and pay congestion charges. They will then get a permit with QR code which will be their entry pass to Hamta. Kullu deputy commissioner Ashutosh Garg said there were already some restrictions to visit Hamta but now some more rules will have to be followed by the visitors. “The visitors will have to show the congestion fee receipt with QR code at the barrier of tourism development council. They will scan it and will allow the vehicle. The vehicles will be allowed only between 6am and 6pm. The vehicles going to hotels built on this road will be allowed upto 10pm,” he said. As Hamta area is religiously important for residents of nearby villages, the DC said residents of Prini and Chachoga panchayats will be allowed without restriction but according to rules framed by SDM, Manali. “The barrier at Prini village will be manned by three home guard jawans from tourism development council, one policeman besides management support from AD Hydroelectric project who maintains the road for its project. Wireless and other
In an effort to make popular tourist place Hamta near Manali more tourist friendly with care for environment, Kullu administration has not only limited the daily quota of number of vehicles that can visit the area but also made it mandatory to seek only permit after paying congest charges. The vehicles can go to Hamta
Asian Rafting Championships will be organised in Beas river in Kullu from September 16 with participation of 25 teams from the Asian nations, an official said on Saturday. The event will be organised under the joint aegis of World Rafting Federation and Indian Rafting Association from September 16 to 25. The races will be conducted in both men and women categories. The race will start form Raison and end at Babeli with total length of the course about 20km. Kullu deputy commissioner Ashutosh Garg said, “25 teams from Asian countries will participate in the event in both men and women categories. A team from Himachal will also compete in the event. We have started preparations in advance. A meeting in this regard was called on Saturday.” The DC said the inaugural ceremony of the championships will be organised at Manali on September 16 and the closing ceremony will be held at Kullu on September 25. “More than 100 players will participate in the event. Different committees have been formed for effective and smooth conduct. It is matter of pride for Himachal to get opportunity to host this popular event in Kullu. It will help in tourism promotion,” he added. Indian Rafting Association president Saukat Sikandar briefed in detailed the different aspects of the championship. He also discussed about lodging, meals and other facilities to the participants. He also said that 15 high quality rafts are being imported from France for the event. River rafting and all other water sports are banned in Himachal following monsoon rains upto September 15. The ban is imposed every year after water level rises dangerously. As ban will be lifted on September 15, the championship will start from the next day. Kullu is a renowned destination for adventure sports including river rafting. Many rafting competitions
Asian Rafting Championships will be organised in Beas river in Kullu from September 16 with participation of 25 teams from the Asian nations, an official said on Saturday. The event will be organised under the joint aegis of World Rafting Federation and Indian Rafting Association from September 16 to 25. The races will be conducted
FlyDining, a hanging restaurant offering delicious cuisines to the guests at a height of 160 ft from the ground, is leaving tourists thrilled in Manali. Fly Dining, the first such concept in Himachal which is claimed to be the world’s highest fly dining, has become a major tourist attraction here. A huge table with 24 seats that revolve 360 degrees are lifted above the ground with help of a crane. The setup with all the guests wearing seat belts and hosts tied to the harness belts can be lifted as high as 160ft. Not only tourists are enjoying the meal on the hanging dining table but they are also enjoying the scenic views of entire Manali town and snow-capped mountains from this height. “After Goa and Noida, this concept has been introduced to the mountains in the country for the first time,” FlyDining Manali owner Daman Kapoor said. “All required safety measures are being adopted. We hope that it will become a major tourist attraction in Manali. A large number of tourists are already experiencing the adventurous dining with us,” he said. Himachal Cabinet minister Govind Singh Thakur, who also enjoyed this thrilling experience on Tuesday, congratulated Kapoor for bringing this unique concept to Manali and advised him to introduce the same dining experience at Shimla. Jokingly he advised the owner to arrange kitty parties for women here so that they feel thrilled while gossiping and partying. The guest can book a seat or the complete table in any of the five available sessions – two lunch, one sundowner and two dinner – each for 45 minutes. Each person will be charged Rs 3,999 for this experience. The cost also includes insurance, music and professional photography. According to the owner, the rupees nine plus crore project is getting an overwhelming
FlyDining, a hanging restaurant offering delicious cuisines to the guests at a height of 160 ft from the ground, is leaving tourists thrilled in Manali. Fly Dining, the first such concept in Himachal which is claimed to be the world’s highest fly dining, has become a major tourist attraction here. A huge table with 24
First tribal festival “Margul Utsav” concludes in Lahaul Updated on May 20, 2022 A first-ever colourful tribal festival “Margul Utsav” was held at Udaipur in Himachal’s Lahaul-Spiti district with participation of cultural troops and other artists from across the state. Margul Utsav was organised by the Lahaul-Spiti administration in association with the department of tourism with the aim to promote cultural tourism in the valley. The festival, with participation from all the tribal regions of the state including Lahaul, Spiti, Pangi, Bharmaur and Kinnaur, was organised from May 18 to 20. The cultural troops presented folk dances, folk music, dresses, ornaments and other folk arts. Local cuisines were served while competitions of traditional games like chooh gumza, thippu, chholo, bangtahar and langten were also held. Participation of both men and women was ensured. A large number of tourists visited Udaipur to witness the unique culture of Himachal. The festival was inaugurated and concluded by tribal development minister Ram Lal Markanda. Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Neeraj Kumar said Margul festival will now be made an annual state-level event in Lahaul valley to promote tribal culture, arts, games, local products, dresses, cuisines and fairs. "A large number of tourists are visiting Lahaul but they mostly visit the areas close to Atal tunnel or along Manali-Leh highway. Very few tourists visit Udaipur, Pattan and Miyar valley which are extremely beautiful and full of rich culture. Margul festival is expected to promote this part of the state also," he said. Tug-of-war, knitting competition,s and many such unique events for women were centre of attraction besides cultural tableaus, craft exhibitions, and traditional dress competitions. Lajawab Lahaul, a media campaign to promote tourism in the valley was also launched. In an effort to woo the tourists to visit Lahaul in all seasons, short movies filmed in Lahaul in
First tribal festival “Margul Utsav” concludes in Lahaul Updated on May 20, 2022 A first-ever colourful tribal festival “Margul Utsav” was held at Udaipur in Himachal’s Lahaul-Spiti district with participation of cultural troops and other artists from across the state. Margul Utsav was organised by the Lahaul-Spiti administration in association with the department of tourism
