Manali is an idyllic hill station that offers an excellent opportunity for a delightful vacation. The destination is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, blissful weather, scenic splendor, and jolly vibes, making it one of the most sought-after and captivating hill stations. Manali is a paradise for adventure travelers and mountain lovers alike, with a plethora of options for sightseeing, adventure, pilgrimage, history, shopping, food, and agriculture. If you want to plan a comfortable and happy trip to Manali within your budget is waiting for you right here.
This time I was in Dehradun, I had a training session scheduled with my colleagues. Although I had already visited Manali during my college days, I decided to join them instead of embarking on a solo trip to another destination. We boarded an overnight bus from Dehradun to Manali, which was a long and comfortable journey. We arrived in Manali in the morning.
Upon arriving in a new city in the morning, our first task is to secure accommodation. Online booking is not a feasible option since check-in is typically not permitted before noon. Thus, We roamed across the mall road and after searching for an hour, we got a decent hotel.
SISSU
Sissu is indeed the best Manali sightseeing place. We hired a local taxi for the day and headed straight to Sissu. The area was covered in snow, and the landscape was dominated by towering mountains on both sides of the road. Despite the temperature being below zero degrees, we were able to tolerate the cold. We had an exhilarating experience ziplining over the Jamuna River, which offered a magnificent view. We took our time admiring the astounding beauty of the location, which was one of the most picturesque places. A few camps were set up by locals to sell refreshments to visitors. Needless to say, we indulged in Maggie, paratha, and hot tea in such weather.
Sissu is an incredibly stunning and scenic part of the Lahaul Valley. The stunning glaciers, snow-peak Himalaya ranges, and willow trees all contribute to Sissu’s charm. Sissu’s popularity has grown since the Atal Tunnel opened. Sissu is covered in snow and experiences heavy snowfall during the winter. Sissu is more pleasant in the summer, with temperatures ranging from 18 to 25 degrees.
SOLANG VALLEY
Solang Valley is one of the most visited spots in Manali. It is a stunning and thrilling location known for skiing and other exciting activities such as paragliding, zorbing, biking, ropeway, trekking, and camping. The Solang Holiday Restaurant is a must-visit spot if you are hungry. The Pizza Olive Restaurant is also well-known, offering an outdoor setting with a beautiful valley view, and it is best for Pizza or Pasta lovers.
We wished to stay longer and didn’t want to leave soon, but we had to hurry since it was getting dark. We were munching hot parathas and bread omelets in front of a bonfire. The temperature was below zero degrees, and it was challenging to survive, especially at night due to the high cold wind flow. The bonfire and hot snacks were our saviors.
ROHTANG PASS
Rohtang Pass is one of the most spectacular natural delights of India. The Rohtang Paas is covered in snow throughout the year, and the roads are closed during the winter season. The temperature goes below freezing point during the winter. This area is very popular, and we started our journey early in the morning. However, we still encountered a long queue of vehicles on the road to reach the highest point of Rohtang Pass. It takes an entire day to witness this heavenly location. Make sure you are well prepared to face the challenging terrain and bad weather. The slopes of Rohtang Pass offer an opportunity to try skiing and tubing. The Rohtang Pass is not accessible during winter, but tourists are allowed during summer once they secure the necessary permits. It’s a protected area, which is why visitors need a permit to enter the region. The pass can be applied online from the Himachal Tourism website. This permit is valid for a single day and allows to and fro access. The documents required for a permit are identity proof, a pollution check for your vehicle, and a registration document for your vehicle.
HIDIMBA DEVI TEMPLE
The Hidimba Devi Temple is also a popular Manali sightseeing attraction. Hidimba Devi is said to be the wife of Bhima, a Mahabharat character. The temple is a very old cave that is surrounded by towering groves of Deodar trees. Hidimba Devi is considered a mountain deity among the locals and is worshiped by them fervently. The temple is incredibly beautiful, and visitors relish taking photographs of the forest, caves, and local fauna like fluffy rabbits and mountain goats.
MALL ROAD
Mall Road is the heart of Manali and is the most attractive tourist spot, where crowds gather in the evening to indulge in street food and shopping. I am a foodie, so I visited as many stalls as possible and particularly enjoyed Rabdi Jalebi and Babru. We went to a Bakery where people were singing and playing guitar. The ambiance was cheerful and full of delight. Mall Road is lined with numerous hotels, restaurants, and shopping opportunities, therefore It is the perfect place to buy souvenirs. Shawls and woolen items are very famous here, and If you are looking for adventure products like backpacks, trekking shoes, local handicrafts, and prayer wheels, then the Tibetan market is a must-visit.
ATAL TUNNEL
The Border Roads Organisation constructed a 9.02 km long tunnel that connects Manali to the Lahaul-Spiti valley, making it the world’s longest highway tunnel. The experience of entering and exiting the tunnel is exhilarating, as the view changes suddenly to reveal massive mountains that are a sight to behold.
We were traveling from Sissu and stopped at Atal Tunnel to witness the night view. We spent some time here, and it was worth it. The weather was frigid, with a significant temperature disparity between the interior and exterior of the car.
ADVENTURE
For those seeking a heightened level of excitement and adventure, river rafting is an absolute must-try. An exhilarating experience awaits as one embarks upon the meandering course of the Beas River. The stunning mountain ranges flank the Beas River providing a breathtaking panorama for visitors to enjoy while filling their hearts with thrill. Some of my colleagues who had never tried river rafting before become frightened due to the high current flow and slopes, but rest assured, every instruction is provided, and safety is guaranteed. Zipline is also an enticing option for thrill-seekers. Zipline is an exciting and breathtaking experience that magnetizes enthusiasts.
It is now time to witness the mountain ranges and rivers from a bird’s eye view. The view from the top is sure to leave you both dizzy and delighted. Paragliding is one of the most thrilling and adventurous activities in Manali. This breathtaking activity lasts for 4 to 5 minutes and provides a memorable experience that will last a lifetime. Before embarking on this adventure sport, you will need to present a government-issued ID proof, such as an Aadhar card or passport. One of my colleagues avoided paragliding due to altitude sickness. Altitude seekers should stay away from paragliding. Instead, they should opt for river rafting, which is a much cheaper and longer activity that provides more fun.
TRAVEL PLAN
The season to visit Manali is during March to June when the temperature varies from 8 to 25 degrees. This is an ideal time to enjoy sightseeing and adventure activities such as trekking and paragliding. November and February are also opportune times to visit Manali when the city is blanketed with snow, adding to the beauty of the hilly terrain. A trip of 3 to 4 days is recommended for visitors.
How to reach Manali – The nearest airport to Manali is the Kullu Manali Airport, also known as Bhuntar Airport. Although air travel is an option, it can be expensive, and Manali does not have a railway station. The most convenient and cost-effective way to reach Manali is by Bus, generally visitors opt for overnight buses from Delhi or Chandigarh. Visitors can book buses through the RedBus website or application.
Where to stay – Footloose Camp and TreeNido are ideal for backpackers, offering stunning valley views from the hostel. Families seeking greater comfort may prefer the Shobla Pine Royale or Echor Himalaya Aurum Hotel. Budget travelers may also consider offline Hotels located near Mall Road.
Day 1 – Upon checking into your hotel, begin your local sightseeing tour. Visit the Hindimba Devi temple, Manu temple, and Vashisht temple. Afterward, head to the clubhouse for indoor and outdoor activities such as boating, zipline, ropeway, and river crossing. In the evening, explore Mall Road, and indulge in some shopping and street food.
Day 2 – Take a trip to Soland Valley, Atal Tunnel, and Sissu. Enjoys plenty of adventure activities here, which will take up your entire day.
Day 3 – Start your journey to Rohtang Pass which is approximately 45km from Manali. Enjoy your time here and indulge in adventure activities. Don’t forget to apply for a permit which can be easily done online.
Day 4 – Pack your backpack and head to Kullu. Don’t forget to try River rafting in the Beas River, which offers a long-duration ride of around 45 minutes(Rs 1000-1200 per head). Visitors can try paragliding ( Rs 2400-3000 per head and 500 fixed charges for video recording), but altitude seekers should stay away. Additionally, visitors can explore s shawl factory and the famous ancient Raghunath Ji temple.
*Note – Kasol and Manikaran are also viable destinations for visitors to explore. I’ve created a separate blog post for these places.
Taste of Manali – Must-try food that is famous in Manali includes Khatta( cooked with grown pumpkin and raw mango and topped with boondi or lentil balls), Siddu( steamed bread eaten with milk, tea, ghee or butter), Babru(deep-fried bread or puri), Autori(sweet pancake made up of buckwheat), Chha Gosht(traditional dish cooked with mutton), Tudkiya Bhat(rice dish cooked with veggies and spices), Momo( famous in Mountain), Fruits( Himachal is Apple basket of India), pears, plums, and apricots.
Activities to do – Paragliding, River Rafting, Camping, Ziplining, Skiing, Trekking, Zorbing, Ropeway, River Crossing, Snow scooter, and Fly dining.
Useful Links
Book a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine. It scours websites and airlines worldwide, ensuring no stone is left unturned.
Google Flight is another excellent resource for finding a reasonably priced flight. By entering your nearest airport and typing “anywhere” as the destination, you can view the cheapest flights available from your location.
Book your accommodation by using Hostel World. It is an ideal option for finding cheap and highly-rated hostels for foreign trips.
If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use booking.com.It is a reliable platform for booking accommodations, including guesthouses, hotels, and apartments, at the most affordable rates.
This is also one of my favorites choice for both accommodation and flight bookings, particularly for domestic travel within India.
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Travel insurance provides coverage for injury, illness, COVID-19, and theft. It is comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. Travel insurance is compulsory in many countries.
Book a train and bus from Omino for an international trip. It provides all travel options in one place
One of the best places to start looking for cheap rental cars and great deals for international trips.
Redbus offers various bus services such as a chair, sleeper, AC, and non-AC options. Redbus is India’s largest online bus ticketing platform.
