Kothi is the name of a pristine village in Manali, which
is placed in the bottom of the Rothang Pass. It is one of the popular tourist
places in Manali. Apart from its scenic surroundings another reason which makes
this place a popular destination among the visitors of this region is that it
is located at a distance of just 15 to 20 km from the main bus stand in Manali.
This beautiful village is situated along the Lahaul Spiti Leh Highway. Kothi is
bestowed with immense natural beauty and offers some picturesque views of the
surrounding regions. The village is frequently visited by nature lovers and
other kinds of vacationers throughout the year.
Before, when people used to get to Rothang Pass by
travelling on foot, Kothi village used to be the camping area of the trek. Now,
the renowned pass is easily accessible by various modes of transportation, like
jeep, bus or a pony ride.
Attractions
One of the chief highlights of Kothi is the Kothi Gorge,
where the charming River Beas flows through it. The gorge lies at a height of
about 2,500 m above sea level. It takes about an hour to reach the gorge from
the village and along the way you will find many rocks involving thermals,
which is a favorite place for the eagles of this area. You can also enjoy paragliding at this spot
as it serves as the base camp for this adventurous sport.
Kothi is also a famous destination for the ones who are
looking to spend some time in retreat, away from the usual chaotic life of the
cities. The place is bestowed with immense natural beauty and tranquil
surroundings. Over here tourists can also enjoy the mesmerizing views of the
Beas River meandering through the deep gorge.
Accommodation
There is an excellent rest house, which is managed by
P.W.D. The rest house is placed amidst the open surroundings due to which one
can enjoy stunning views of the glaciers and the snow capped peaks from this
place.
Eat
As for the eating options at this place, there is a fine
restaurant called Café Zeppelinn, which serves scrumptious momos, pastas,
pizzaz and sandwiches. You can also enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding
region from this restaurant and it remains open throughout the day for its
customers.
If you are thinking that the accommodation and eating
facility is limited at this place, you can always get to the main town of
Manali, which is dotted with different ranges of hotels and lodges along with
some excellent quality restaurants.
Best Time to Visit
Due to the pleasant climate of this place, Kothi can be
visited throughout the year, yet the best time to visit this place is from
October to May.
How to Reach
By Road: The village is easily accessible by
road from the main town of Manali. Regular bus services are available from the
main bus stand of Manali to the Kothi village. The village is also well linked
by road with the various other neighboring major places of the region.
By Air: The nearest airport to this village
is Bhuntar, which is located at a distance of about 50 km from Manali. The
airport conducts regular flights from Delhi, which is also the major airport
close to this place, located at a distance of about 565 km from Manali.
By Train: The nearest railway station to this
village is Joginder Nagar, which is located at a distance of about 166 km from
Manali. As it is a narrow gauge railway station, it does not have good
connectivity. Other major railway stations to Manali are Chandigarh (310 km)
and Ambala (300 km).
