I Went Camping And Rappelling In Manali

By Author: Shewta
Total Articles: 21
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I decided to take a trip up north and enjoy the cold for a bit, away from the humidity of this coastal city that is Mumbai. To make my trip more interesting I included adventure sports to my list of activities. I had never been camping in India so I decided to camp in Manali and of course rappelling was a must. This trip in the literal sense was a breath of fresh air.

Camping in Manali made me feel like I had been transported to an alternate universe. The breathtaking views with clean and refreshing air to breathe in was such a good change. The mountain hamlet is a camper’s paradise and one which left me stunned. Camping sites were set amidst serene and scenic forests of pine and cedar at 7200 feet above sea level, and alongside stunning rivers. I had the chance to go to Beas River to enjoy water sports and rediscover the tranquillity and silence of nature that is so often lost in the busy city life.

I explored the quaint little streets and hidden gems of old Manali. I woke up to the morning mist of this mystical hill station and relaxed as I witnessed the breath-taking views of snow-capped mountains of the ...
... Indian Himalayas. I took a short drive to venture out in the city and explore the natural and cultural wonders of Manali. I visited the ancient temples of Hadimba and Manu to admire the delicate sculptures of ancient India that decorate the temple walls.

I shopped at the Tibetan markets and the famous Manali’s Mall road and brought a lot of quirky souvenirs for my friends and family. At night I returned to the vast apple orchards and camped at a stone’s throw away from the Beas River. I was looking for a real escape from people and civilization and I found it nestled away in a hill station near the Indian Himalayas. I spent the day walking through pine-scented forests, over sweet grass meadows, past rivers and streams.

While camping in India you also get options to try several other adventure activities. I went for rafting in the Beas river post which was one of the most thrilling things I had tried till date. I also had the opportunity to try rappelling too at a nearby waterfall. It was so exciting and I was really nervous when I was right at the top and had to take the first few steps across the perpendicular rock walls of the waterfalls.

I camped near the Bhrigu Lake at an altitude of 14,100 feet. I soaked up the serenity of the lush green meadows, with a lake nestled in the middle of it. The lake changed colour and turned a deep royal blue. I was told the change in color takes place depending on the weather and on some days it may turn a shimmering green as well. I found solace from the summer heat, under the cool breeze of pine forest. Camping in Manali, rafting and rappelling during the summer months was wonderful and perfect way to reconnect with nature and escape the heat of cities.

Shewta, a travel enthusiast writes about her first experience with camping in India where she tried rafting and rappelling in Manali