Road Trip to Shangarh in Snow - Entering the Paradise in Sainj Valley

Some places on Earth deserve to be isolated. Mother Nature has safeguarded such places, hidden away from human intervention. However, there are some places where nature’s pristine elegance brings heavenly beauty. Shangarh is among them. I visited Shangarh during the monsoon on my birthday trip in August which was my second trip. While I was in Nashala and my days of stay had come to an end, I decided to take a road trip to Shangarh.

Two days before this road trip, it had snowed in Nashala. That was the first snowfall of my life. However, I was yet to experience heavy snowfall. And I didn’t know that I would experience this in Shangarh. The morning in Nashala was pure and fresh. I woke up, packed up my bags, and called the driver. I had booked a cab from the penthouse to Naggar. From there, I took a bus to Aut. From Aut, I took another bus to Sainj and from Sainj, I booked a cab to Shangarh.

I have written several blogs on Shangarh and I guess I will be writing more. My love for this place is eternal and it won’t fade away. Shangarh is among my favorite go-to destinations and there’s something that always keeps me coming back. There’s something for which I can’t find words to describe. I guess some beauties deserve more than just verbal admirations. That’s where Shangarh stands for me.

Read Here – Where to Stay in Shangarh?

Heavy Snowfall and A Scenic Road Trip to Shangarh

So, from Sainj I booked a cab (Tape Raam – 9816761461). Driving from Sainj to Shangarh can consume anything from 40 minutes to an hour. And that too with some of the most scenic views that you will get to witness. So when I arrived at Sainj, it was clear. Though it was cloudy and misty. After some time, it started to rain and the surroundings outside turned misty. The visibility was reduced to almost nothing. I almost felt like passing through the clouds.

Read Here – Cafe Stories n More

Though all my previous journeys to Shangarh have been road trips only since there is no other way. Yes, and I didn’t see any helipads around if you are that lucky! You can either take your personal vehicle, a car or a bike or you can book a cab from Sainj or you can take the bus. If you are wondering how to reach Shangarh from Aut, there are two options. One, you can take a direct cab from Aut to Shangarh which will cost you a minimum of Rs 1500. Second, you can take a bus to Sainj from Aut, and from Sainj, you can take a cab to Shangarh, which will cost a minimum of Rs 700. There is a bus service from Sainj to Shangarh at 4 PM which I don’t think will suit you.

Read Here – TreeStays Shangarh

The closer I was getting to Shangarh, the mistier and cloudier it was getting. I was sitting in the front seat. The driver had played some soothing songs. The wipers were wiping off the water drops falling on the glass. Yes, it was raining. All of sudden, I felt it was more than just rain. Snowflakes! Yes, snowflakes. I spoke out of happiness…

I was expecting snow in Shangarh when I came here to celebrate the new year 2022. But it didn’t. It didn’t snow. Though I could see snow patches. It snowed a couple of days before my arrival. I was told that it even snowed a little at night. Anyways, the driver had slowed down the speed as nothing was visible. He had turned out the headlamps of the car and was driving cautiously. The soothing music perfectly synced with the atmosphere outside. This road trip to Shangarh turned out to be the best of my life so far.

We were just close to the village and the road started to turn risky. After passing through all the obstacles on the way, finally, the turn came which made me happy. Yes, the one after which Mountain View Cafe is located. Passing in front of the cafe, I took my hand off the window and tried to capture snowflakes in my hand. The driver dropped us at the cab stand. When I tried to pay him via GPay and put his number in the app, I felt deja vu. I knew this number. And then the name flashes, Tape Ram. I asked him if he remembered that I booked his cab back in August and had to cancel due to heavy rain. He said that he knew it. (I have had many road trips to Shangarh with him, a nice guy).

Does Snow Valley have snow? Now, I can tell it snows heavily in Sainj Valley. I witnessed it. I experienced it. There is no best time to visit Shangarh. This village has an evergreen beauty that has its unique elegance in every season. However, still, monsoon makes Shangarh the most beautiful thing in Sainj Valley you will ever witness. The village gets covered in white mattresses during snowfall. Pick your time!