Manali

An Escapade: Tales of Trails, Mountain Splendors, and Thrilling Adventures!

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This was my first trip with friends. We took a bus from Delhi to reach Manali and returned to Delhi the same way. The trip started with us almost being so late that the bus would have left without us. The trip ended the same way for us too!

If you are planning a trip to Manali, it is natural to be engaged with the question ‘how to reach Manali’ because it is not completely connected by rail or airways. However, roads take you to the heart of Manali. If you are not traveling with a group of experienced drivers, I would recommend taking a bus, a private one if your wallet agrees. A private bus should cost anywhere between Rs. 800 to 1500 on average. Keep in mind that only semi-sleeper buses are allowed on mountains, so be prepared to sleep while sitting. Taking a train is also an option, but the nearest major station is Chandigarh, and you'll have to take a taxi or bus from there anyways.

The bus journey is truly amazing. To even our surprise none of us felt motion sickness, not even the most fragile ones. The change in the scenery is so conspicuous that it will force you to wake up and be amazed. The curvy roads, brownish mountains with patches of green vegetation, and the Beas River try to conceal the snow-capped Himalayas, but they always offer glimpses. And, as soon as you reach Manali, the snowy mountains appear to have descended from the skies above just to fool you with the illusion that you can touch them if you ran towards them. If you have not planned your trip well, no worries! The local taxi waale bhaiyas do not only provide vehicles but also serve as valuable sources of information. Locals, any of them, are your best source of information after some legitimate internet resources. Ask them whenever and wherever stuck and do not blindly trust any other tourist, they are most likely as uninformed as you, if only more.

Now, where to stay? This is very crucial to answer because your place of stay decides whether you will beat the city noise (that you probably are trying to escape from already). If you are traveling with friends, Old Manali is the place to be. Hostel stays are not only wallet-friendly but also safe and away from the noise. If you get a hostel stay, you should expect to carry your luggage down some trails for a couple of meters as they are not built on the main roads. It might appear inconvenient but it is good to be right in the middle of nature on a mountain, away from the hassle. Personally, I like mountain trails, they remind me that I am not in a city but out here in this calmness. However, if you are planning a family trip, you should not consider a hostel stay. If you find a good Hotel in Old Manali, go for it! Old Manali is, as I have already emphasized, quiet and peaceful, besides river Beas and has major attractions of Manali nearby.

Manu temple road, the main market road in Old Manali is filled with beautiful but sometimes expensive cafes. They are perfect for hanging out, going on a date, working, and most importantly finding a delicious meal. My personal favorite food joint for breakfast and snacks was Mingma’s, which knows what your stomach and wallet want. Lunch and dinner can sometimes be a task as there are too many options. However, for lunch, a quick suggestion would be to opt for a river-facing food joint to treat both your tummy and eyes. I promise if you are a peace-lover, you will find the food already extra delicious when water blesses you by rushing through the stream in front of you. For dinner head to some food joint with music on and enjoy Manali's nightlife! There are various events happening in the evening in Manali, so watch out for posters too. I would also recommend you try some Tibetan and Nepali delicacies and don't forget to munch on Siddu, the local delicacy of Manali. At Mall Road, if you are a sweet tooth like me, don’t miss Balaji’s Indian deserts, especially, their amazing jalebi rabdi. Just imagine having a war desert on a hill station! Cornerhouse is also a nice option for a good meal, the burger there is amazing.

Where to wander in Manali? You can cover Mall Road, Van Vihar (if you are here with kids, you will have a fun time), Manu temple, and Hidimba temple, but what you should not miss is the Jogini waterfalls day trek. The trek is not difficult unless you have any health issues or injury. I did this trek with 13 other people and I guarantee you it is an experience you will cherish. If you decide to go on this trek, do not forget to take an additional trek of about 35 minutes to the pinnacle of the waterfall because that is where the magic happens. You will find yourself splashed with water from the fall from 100 meters away and there is a stream created by it. You will find yourself encountering this stream again and again while you trek, a true natural beauty. So don't forget to charge your devices and free up your storage before the trek! The best way to end the trek would be with a hot bath right? Don’t worry if your stay doesn’t, Vashishth Temple has got you covered. One route of returning from the trek would lead you straight to the doors of the Guru Vashishth Temple, which has a kund blessed with natural hot water. Take a dip and you shall feel energetic again! The Ramayana epic agrees with my claim here.

Now, this mostly exhausts your day travel options within Manali. You can visit some nearby village areas like Sethan and Malana, they are extremely beautiful and calm. You can also increase the thrill meter with some proper trekking and camping experience. Bhrigu Lake, Kheerganga, Parvati Valley, and Hampta Pass are some of the most popular treks. If you want your Manali trip to be truly memorable, plan a trip ahead of the Atal tunnel. If you can do so, skip Solang Valley in the summers. Head to Rohtang Pass and if closed, head to Koksar. En route, you can visit Sissu Valley, which is a picturesque situated in the Lahaul Spiti region but don’t spend too much time there as Koksar/ Rohtang has breathtaking views. If you have reached Kokasr or Rohtang and you can see an ample amount of snow, rent suits and boots for Rs. 250 to save yourself from freezing because your clothes might get wet otherwise. Another quick tip is to believe your luck, you might witness snowfall. We experienced it in mid-may in 2023, and my dad did too with his friends in September of 1997, both off-season. So, be ready, and don't forget to hope! You do not need to worry about more things, throw snowballs and enjoy the heavenly experience!

There are many adventure sports activities that you can pursue like paragliding, ATV bike riding, skiing, zip-lining, and many more. However, note that the availability of all these activities depends upon weather conditions, so plan according. You can never go wrong with a bike ride, there are plenty of options to choose from and renting shops can be found at literally every nook and corner of Manali. If you like driving, rent a bike and head to Solang Valley, the road is nice, the scenery is amazing and the valley is only 20-30 minutes away from Manali. However, be cautious if you're not an experienced driver, as hilly roads can be challenging. A day trip to Kasol, Shimla, Kullu, Dharamshala, Dehradun, or other nearby hill stations is also possible. However, plan beforehand and contact a travel agency if you want to cover multiple hill stations. In the end, you must have a cheerful time instead of being busy booking and bargaining on the spot. Don’t forget to enjoy the common spaces of your own hostel/ hotel stay as they might be blessed with extremely beautiful scenic views, make memories, and have fun!

Contact me for any relevant details you would want to know.