Chandigarh + Manali + Hampta pass trek

The good thing about documenting a trek done 4 months ago is the memory stores only the relevant stuff. While there is no excuse for being late, atleast I can be positive about it.  So, rather than going about the chronological order, I would just pen down some of the memories that have stayed with me from this whole trip.

~First trek with Kanishka. Interesting experience! In a good way :)
~ Chandigarh is amazingly well planned. There is atleast 10ft difference between where the road ends and the boundary wall of the adjacent house/building.
~Rock garden is huge :) The lake is ok.  Afghani restaurant in Chandigarh is quite good.
~ Bus ride from Chandigarh to Manali is beautiful.
~Stayed on a tree house. Very nice people and amazing homestay. Lingdi pickle was a delight.
~One day tour to Naagar, a small town. Calm, serene, good waterfalls, interesting temple architecture, museums and cafes
~ Hadimba temple has tall Deodar trees. Very very tall.
~ Trek day 1 was good. Hampta pass terrain was more in the lines of Kashmir great lakes trek. Green.
~ Trekked on snow several times with clamp-ons. Also rolled down a snow slope. Instead of sliding, I was tumbling down. Someone should have shot the video.
~ Day 3 camp-spot has 6-7 waterfalls in our vicinity. The next day morning, a rainbow was visible on falling water.
~ IndiaHikes support was as always awesome. Not only in terms of food but also helping trekkers along the route.
~ The idea to use a garbage bag for trash and cleaning up the trails was an excellent idea.
~ Hampta pass was all snow climb. Loved the feeling. Also saw an avalanche on a nearby mountain.
~ Chandrataal was beautiful, but that camping spot near Chandrataal was even better.
~Did not like that trek involved a drive component as well.
~ Trek was short, would have liked a longer one.
~ Day 3 scenery was very beautiful.
~ Did two river crossing. Cold water. Feet still goes numb as i think about it.
~Rohtang pass was all covered in fog. We ate Bhuttas there :)
~ Mall road on Manali is quite interesting. Crowded but amazing food and shopping options.

See all pics here - https://plus.google.com/photos/104532372595633553382/albums/6049116595257649649?authkey=CNmSwerWoZud_QE