Incredible Places To Visit On A Weekend Trip To Manali

‘People don’t take trips, trips take people’. John Steinbeck

Like other people working in the city, Swati was trying to complete her work in time so she could go home and watch the crappy Bollywood award shows on New year, a plan which had remained consistent for some years now. While browsing through Facebook, she came across the TravelTriangle page and saw the Manali New year tour package ad, which convinced her to enquire about the trip and book a package for herself.

Trip Duration: 2 nights/3 days
Cost: INR 5000 per person on quad-sharing basis
Inclusions: Transportation (via volvo),Solang valley and Kasol-Manikaran Tour, accommodation, meals, and DJ night with bonfire.
Distance from Delhi to Manali: 550 Kms
Month of Travel: December 2016
Weather in Manali: Pleasant in Summer months(April-October), very cold in winter months(October-March). Expect snowfall from December-February

I really wanted to do something different this New year. I came across the TravelTriangle ad in Facebook inviting people for various weekend trip across many locations in North India. This looked interesting, so I put up a query on the page.

After talking to Angshu, the travel representative, who had responded to my query, I was sure that I wanted to spend my new year in Manali. Luckily, two of my friends also decided to accompany me, so we booked our package, finished our office work on time (Thank God!) and left for what would later be remembered as our favorite trip to the hills.

Day 0: Of dhabas and happy people

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We were to catch our bus from Jhandewalan in the evening so we assembled there with our luggage by 6 pm. Our bus took off for Manali on time. Our fellow travelers in the bus were warm and lovely, and it felt really nice connecting with them. There were different families traveling in the bus, each of whom had its own stories to tell.

We had our dinner at a dhaba and after talking to each other for sometime, we slept off till early morning hours. In the morning once again, we stopped at a dhaba for a quick breakfast of bread, butter, and tea. The tea was lovely and with its every warm sip, my excitement for Manali doubled.

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Day 1: For the love of Chai and temples

We reached Manali around 10 am, but, due to heavy traffic, it took us some time to finally reach our hotel. After we reached our hotel, we kept our luggage and took off for a walk to the Beas river banks. The route to the banks was beautiful and the sound of gushing waters added a soothing effect to our senses.
“I could have spent hours sitting here!”

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After relaxing there for a while, we went to the mall road. It was one of the best places for sightseeing in Manali since it offered a great view of the city. Later, post our lunch at an awesome restaurant, we indulged in some shopping which turned out to be a lot of fun.

Tip: Manali markets offered a lot of opportunity for shopping to your heart’s content. One can buy local handicrafts, junk jewelry and souvenirs.

After shopping till we got tired, we came back to our hotel by evening and got ready for our bonfire and dj night. We danced the whole night away, making beautiful memories and smiling gleefully.

Day2: Tales from the Solang Valley

Next morning, after breakfast, we all left for Solang valley. This was probably my favorite part of the trip. Solang valley is a little far from Manali so it took us sometime to reach there, although one can easily cover it on the weekend trip to Manali.
But the journey was worth it and Solang valley turned out to be one the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. The weather here too was extreme; While in Manali I had witnessed a sunny climate, here, it was biting cold with the temperature diving down to – 8 degrees.

In and around Solang Valley
Fun in Solang valley
Snowfall in Solang Valley
Sightseeing in and around Manali

I finally experienced the first snowfall of my life here and the entire day was spent in playing in the snow, clicking loads of pictures and having fun in the lap of mountains.

We left the valley in the evening and on our way to the hotel, we stopped at the Mall road for some delicious tea and snacks. Back at the hotel, post dinner, we ignored our tiredness and played UNO in our room throughout the night. Frankly, I don’t remember the last time I was this relaxed and happy.

Day 3: Goodbye to the mountains

This was our last day. We had an early breakfast post which we took off for Delhi. On our way, we stopped at Kasol. I thought I’ll get to visit one hill station but ended up visiting two. Kasol was a beautiful hill station and we loved it so much that we stayed there for a couple of hours.

Some of the things that we did in Kasol included – relaxing at the Alpine guest house, watching the serene Parvati river flowing towards the Beas, the German bakery, and a couple of more cafes.

Tip: The cafes of Kasol are a must try and the people serving are also very warm and friendly. They make you feel at home and the hospitality is truly commendable. Must try for all!

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It was finally time to say goodbye to Kasol. We left for Delhi at around 5 30 pm and reached the next day.

Looking back, I think I couldn’t have made a better decision of how to spend the new year. This Manali Weekend trip included a lot of firsts – the first snowfall, first trek and I am so glad that I took this trip as it has given me and my friends beautiful memories, something I will cherish throughout my life. Kudos to the TravelTriangle team for helping me plan the perfect budget trip.

Highlights:

The snowfall in the Solang valley was epic
Kasol stopover turned out to be a wonderful experience

Low points:

There was no snowfall in main Manali town.

Tips for future travelers:

Carry warm clothes. There is a huge difference between the temperature in Manali and that in places like Solang Valley.

Do you need a trip like this too? Book a weekend Manali tour package and go explore the beauty that lies there!

Frequently Asked Questions About Trip To Manali

What is the best time to visit Manali?

The best time to visit Manali is October to February and if you wish to experience snowfall then January is the month you should plan your trip for. The temperatures even go below zero degrees Celsius and it’s extremely cold.

What are the famous places to visit in Manali?

Some of the most famous places to visit on a trip to Manali are the Manali Mall Road, Solang Valley, Hadimba Temple, and Manali Sanctuary. Manali is an eye candy and even your soul will be happy here.

Are there any good cafes in Manali?

There are not just one or two but plenty of good cafes in Manali which offer scrumptious delicacies and a good time. Some of the great cafes in Manali are Cafe 1947, Johnson’s Cafe, Casa Bella Vista, and Born Free Cafe.

Is Manali worth visiting?

Yes, Manali is definitely worth visiting and that too not just once but many times. It is one of the most beautiful North Indian hill stations and you will be awestruck by its charm. If you are a nature lover then you won’t feel like coming back from here.

Where can I shop for in Manali?

Shopping in a Manali is a unique and one of a kind of experience. It is special and unforgettable. Some of the best places to shop at in Manali are Manu Market, The Mall Road, Old Manali Market, and the Tibetan Market.

Does Manali receive snowfall?

Yes, Manali receives heavy snowfall in January. In fact, the whole city is covered in snow and the temperatures drop down and go even below zero degrees Celsius.

Is Manali safe for solo female travelers?

Yes, Manali is absolutely and completely safe for female solo travelers. Manali has good connectivity, great hotels and amazing cafes making the place a comfortable and developed one.