Malana

I'm trying to plan a trip to Malana, a quirky village in northern India where the residents speak their own language and consider everyone who is not a resident to be untouchable. Not just of a lower caste, but untouchable! They fine you 1,000 rupees if you touch one of them.

I used to figure I could handle many situations, but this one sounds crazy. It's so remote you can't find it on Google maps. You have to hike in (after a 20-hour bus ride, followed by shorter cab ride), and some people go on yaks! Things sounded OK until I started trying to arrange for accommodations, querying a thread on the IndiaMike.com travel Web site. Take a look at the exchange so far:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joelelliott
So there really are no decent places to stay in Malana? I have to write an article about it, so I'm looking to work, not necessarily to rough it.

Kullukid:

Doesn't sound like the place for you!!!
I've stayed in rooms that are 50 Rs in India & the 2 or 3 G/H's in Malana are 100 times worse. Find the dingiest dirtiest G/H you can in Delhi & see how you like it, if you don't you definitely won't want to stay in Malana.
I was with an Israeli guy & the rooms were so dirty that we sat outside all night rather than go in the rooms. While we were sat there a rat the size of a cat strolled behind our chairs without batting an eyelid!!!!
....not trying to put you off by the way! If you do go please post a link to your article here.

It's possible to get a taxi from Jari to the top of the Dam project then it's a three hour climb up up up! no down or flat bit's! but you could come back down the same day if you set off very early in the morn, however the locals are not very talkative until they've seen your face around for a while.
Good Luck! KK

Click here for more of a description of the place.