Hello everyone, this is Pulkit, and I'm excited to take you to another amazing place in the Himalayas. After reading this blog, I hope you'll add this place to your travel list.
Sainj Valley is an offbeat destination in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India, located on the banks of the Sainj River. The valley is around 500 km from Delhi, the capital of India, and it takes approximately 10 hours to reach there.
How to reach:
By Flight:
The nearest airports are in Shimla and Chandigarh. From Chandigarh, it will take 6 hours to reach, and from Shimla, it will take 4-5 hours to reach the valley by taking a private cab or bus.
By Bus:
You can take a bus from ISBT Delhi to Manali. The bus will drop you at Aut Tunnel, from where you have to take a taxi or local bus.
By Train:
The nearest railway station is at Joginder Nagar, and from there, it will take around 2 hours to reach Sainj by taxi.
By Car:
You can also drive as the roads are very good except for the last 20 km when you enter the valley, where the roads are a little narrow.
Places to Visit:
Sainj Valley has many small villages where you can spend a peaceful and rejuvenating time away from the hustle and bustle of big cities.
Shangarh:
It is a small village located under the Great Himalayan National Park, famous for its big meadow, temples, and views of the snow-clad Himalayas. The meadow is a grazing ground for cattle, a playing ground for local children, and a picnic ground for tourists. It is surrounded by big pine trees, making a ring around the meadow, and further surrounded by the Great Himalayas.
Shangchul Mahadev Temple:
This place is very unique because of its architecture. The building has several floors and looks like a tower. The main deity resides on the top floor, and only the priest is allowed to go up there. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. There is another temple in the meadow, which is also the Shangchul Temple, made in recent times, and it adds to the beauty of the meadow.
Raila Waterfall:
From Shangarh, you have to travel 3 km to reach Raila and then trek for another 5 km to reach the beautiful waterfall. You will pass through dense forests and small homestays along the way to Raila. There are some small shops where you can find momos, Maggi, and cold drinks for refreshment. Don't forget to carry your water bottle if you are trekking to the waterfall.
Places to Stay:
Sainj Valley is an offbeat place, so you will not find hotels here to stay. There are homestays and hostels. We stayed at Aashirwad Homestay, which has a couple of rooms and cottages. The prices are minimal, and the food and views will make you want to visit again.
You can visit the riverside at any time of the day. As the water is freezing, you can dip your legs in the water or take a bath.
On your way to Sainj Valley, you will find River Tirthan, which is coming from the next valley, Tirthan, and Sainj River meeting and forming Sainj, which further merges into the Beas River.
You can also spend a couple of days in Tirthan Valley. I have a blog on Tirthan Valley and also visit Shimla, which is the capital of Himachal Pradesh, famous for its Ridge, Mall Road, food, shopping, and breathtaking views. The night view of Shimla makes you realize that it looks like Switzerland.
So, this is my travel story. I'll see you soon to take you on another virtual trip to some other place.
Note:
All the content is mine unless stated otherwise.