The Tirthan Valley in Kullu District is one of the most beautiful places in Himachal. Located within the Great Himalayan National Park , the `pucca' road winds its way lazily along the river through forests and past fields and tiny hamlets with quaint names like Chalogi, Mungla, Nagini, Ghushaini……. numerous paths lead off the road to the snow fed river itself as it gushes its way over the rocks to drop into pools and spread itself out over flats where every stone is visible through its crystal clear waters, home to the wilder brown trout and its cousin, the rainbow trout.
The Himalayan Trout House Is a friendly place for locals and visiting fishermen, trekkers, campers and other holiday makers to meet each other, exchange stories, share bonfires and eatouts, read, listen to music, play games, laze in hammocks, tan .. whatever…
A modern multi cuisine kitchen serves many of the delicacies available in the city including some surprises. The highpoint of the menu is, of course the fresh wild trout from the river below accompanied by fresh salads , vegetables and herbs from our bio garden and seasonal fruit from the local orchards. You might even try your own hand at a trout recipe of your choice from the many recorded in the kitchen cookbook.
General club facilities provided include a choice of literature, children's play area, relaxation areas, fishing rods and reels, mountain cycles, trekking and climbing equipment, dartboards, archery range, astronomical and terrestrial telescopes and binoculars, art materials and a potters wheel, various kites, indoor board games for rainy days and a collection of balls for those who don't mind running down the hillside to fetch them back.
The Trout house offers different options of accommodation to suit all pockets.
There are cozy pine paneled rooms with attached bathrooms , large furnished Cottage tents for families and other teams, furnished 10 by 10 tents, and smaller trekking tents with sleeping bags for some more. Members may even pitch their own tents in an available space.
The best seasons to visit are from Mid March to June and then again from September through to November. Even at the height of summer light woolens may be required in the early mornings and late evenings. However the winters in the valley are mild (for Himachal) with many days of bright sunshine and the occasional light snowfall.
Herbal gardening
There are many definitions to the word `herb', none altogether satisfactory. To the botanist it is a plant that dies down to ground level after the growing season; medicinally the word refers to a plant that can be used in the prevention and treatment of ailments and illness; in the kitchen it refers to those parts of the plant that are used in the preparation of food. Herbs are easy to grow, disease resistant, hardy, beautiful and are useful! Many herbs are perennials which means they grow for years (unlike annuals which grow for only one season never to return!). Herbs are also inexpensive to purchase and maintain. It would cost more to buy a sprig of fresh rosemary in your local supermarket than to buy one plant and grow it into a mighty shrub that will keep you and your friends stocked with fresh, pesticide free herbs for years to come. A herbal garden is something everyone can and maybe should have. You can grow them on the front lawn of your city home. If you live in a small apartment and are limited to a small balcony, patio or no outside space at all … You can still have a container garden. |
