Up To The Rohtang Pass

Lotus Flower at our Hotel

Zig-zag road up the Rohtang Pass

Nice Yak

Yak Yak 

Tom / Scott / Cliff / Cathy / Vijay / Manooj and Yak at 13,000 Feet top of the Rohtang Pass

Tibetan Buddhist Shrine

Since the trip began (and actually before we left from Los Angeles), there was one item on the itinerary that we were very unsure about. It was a drive to the top of the Rohtang Pass. In Manali we are already at 6700 feet and feeling the altitude. To drive to the top of the Rohtang Pass is to go up to 13,051 feet. The road is one of the most dangerous in the world. This is the source of the Beas River which flows through the Kullu Valley. The Pass connects the primarily Hindu Kullu Valley with the arid Buddhist Lahaul and Spiti Valleys.

We had previous seen Ice Road Truckers on TV, and in several of these episodes the best American truck drivers were sent to drive the Rohtang Pass. All but one driver QUIT. You can watch an episode by clicking this link: IRT. It freaked us out to watch the show. We never thought we would be on that road.

So we have been wondering why would they want us to drive the road? Our trusted driver, Vijay, says “No Problem, trust me”. Cathy can get car sick and doesn’t like twisty roads. This is the twisty road to end all twisty roads. We finally decided to do it in two cars. We needed two cars anyway because the road is so narrow at places a wide van wouldn’t make it. Vijay said if Cathy got sick or hated the ride he would turn around and take her back to Manali, and the other car would proceed to the top.

The road is only open from May to November, because of the heavy snows. It is primarily one lane. When two vehicles approach one moves to the side to let the other pass. Most of the road does not have guard rails. There is no reason to put your seat belts on, if you go over the side, it is a long way down. In fact, however we do use the seatbelts to keep us in our seats when we go over bumpy sections that have been washed out. The road needs constant repair in the summer from the damage caused by the storms in the winter. It has hundreds of switchbacks as it climbs to the top of the pass. It is one long zig-zag with switch backs up the mountain. Many places the road has been washed away and you are driving on mud or dirt.

Here is a clip of the drive up through the Rohtang Pass.

We never felt uncomfortable with Vijay driving. We just stared out the window of the car in amazement as we saw spectacular vistas, mountains, trees, waterfalls, and glaciers. As we climbed up the mountain we would occasionally stop and take pictures. The temperature kept dropping. Soon we were above the tree line. When we started it was lightly raining (a bad omen for mountain driving), but at the peak it cleared up. The peak is flat plateau and it was very cold. We then had the best surprise, we rounded a turn and there in field was a herd of Yaks. I have never seen a yak before. They are shaggy, although the males have horns they are apparently peaceful. (Of course they would be, they are tended by Buddhists). We stayed up on top admiring the view, the yaks, ourselves for braving the ride and especially Vijay for his driving skills.

Here is a clip at the top of the Rohtang Pass.

Here is a clip of the Yaks (our new favorite shaggy animal).

We eventually started down and stopped for some Tea and Naan Bread. Cathy noticed there were hangliders in the sky. We then realized there was  a paragliding business across the street. Tom and Scott decided to try it. I decided to photograph their flight. They loved it. I liked photographing it. Everyone was happy!

Here is a Clip of Tom Paragliding.

Tom / Scott Cathy and I had cocktails on our small deck overlooking the Himalayas. I ordered peanut masala, which is like peanuts combined with a Mexican Salsa. It was perfect with the three bottles of wine we would drink.

We had dinner at the hotel, combination Indian and Chinese. There are a lot of Chinese restaurants in India, but none compare to my favorite in Los Angeles, Newport Seafood.