[India] Day 4 – Solang Nala (Valley)

Another reason why we were in Manali was also to get information about the situation on the Rohtang Pass. On the night we arrived in Manali, there were alot of 4WD cars parked in Manali town hearing that the pass was closed. Apparently there was a landslide and I think a lorry also had fallen off the side of the mountain. They were clearing the pass so there was no way we could have pushed off the next day.

The Rohtang pass is the mountain road that we would have to take to go towards Spiti or Leh. On the day we were set to head up to the pass, word got round that the pass was stilled closed but we could try our luck. So off we went.

About 14km away from Manali on the way to the pass, we detoured to Solang Nala (Valley) at the top of the Kullu Valley. This place is known for its giant slopes of lawn and in winter is a popular ski resort. In summer, sports activities such as parachuting, paragliding, skating, horse riding and zorbing is available.

Zorbing is like this giant plastic ball that rolls down the hill. It’s double-section with one ball inside another with a layer of air in between. Me and Rohit decided to give it a go. First time for both of us.

What I find hilarious is how chaotic the area is. It’s like human bowling! If you’re standing at the bottom of the hill, and you weren’t looking, you’d probably get bowled over by one of these giant plastic balls!

Here’s a video from inside the Zorb!