The
state of Himachal, a little over
55,000sq.kms rises from the foothills of the
Shivaliks to the might Himalayan mountains
that border Tibet in the north east and the
arid lands of Zanskar in the northwest.
Lofty peaks and passes stand sentinel over
vast areas of forests. Emerald green meadows
dotted with flowers, crystal clear mountain
lakes, turbulent rivers and sparkling, snow
fed streams, all reflect on unconquered
grandeur . In these Himalayas you are at one
with nature, away from the chaos of modern
civilization and the irritations of tourist
infested areas.
We are based in Manali, 280 kms. north of
Simla which was the summer capital of the
British Raj. The town of Manali lies at the
head of the Kulu valley, in the valley of
the river Beas. The original name was
Kulunthapitach which means ‘end of the
habitable world' and its is locally believed
that civilization started here after the
deluge.
This beautiful valley overlooked by
snow-clad peaks, thick forests and stunning
side valleys , became very popular with the
British during the Raj. In the mid 1800’s,
Capt. Lee of the royal Sussex regiment,
finding the climate of the valley similar to
that of his home in Devon , sent for apple,
plum, pear and cherry trees form his
father’s estates and became the pioneer of
the fruit industry in Kulu along with his
Irish friend Capt. Banon. Many British
officials followed suit and settled here,
amongst them Col l Johnson of the 5th Gurkha.
The descendants of the Banons and the
Johnsons still live in Manali.
In the spring, when the fruit trees bloom,
the valley is a palette of delicate colours
turning into a joyous pastoral landscape
during the harvest months of late summer and
autumn.
