Manali is one of the most popular tourist places in Northern India. Located in Himachal Pradesh on the river Beas at an altitude of 1950 meters. It is a paradise in India. It is a perfect getaway with your friends, family, and couples.
Planning a vacation with your female friend’s group or traveling as a solo female? Manali is the perfect destination for you. Donna Wanderer is a female travel group. The team assists with travel itineraries, couple travel, and all-female travel plans.
Below are a few essential things to keep in mind while planning a trip to Manali.
How to reach Manali:
Manali is a very well-developed area, and you can reach there by either road, train, or air. All the modes of transportation are open for the whole year. If you plan on traveling by your vehicle by road, here’s a route from Delhi to Manali. If you are from another state, you follow the same route after reaching Chandigarh.
- From Delhi to Panipat to Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala to Chandigarh, Rupnagar to Bilaspur, and Sundar Nagar to Mandi via Bhuntar to Naggar, and then you reach Manali.
The journey by road can take many hours, so leave early in the morning as driving in the dark can be dangerous. Also, there are chances of traffic jams on the way, which might add a few more hours to the total time.
From Delhi to Manali, it will take approximately 12 to 14 hours. If you are traveling in a female group or a solo female traveler, it is advised to travel in Volvos that directly connect Manali. Also, local traveling in Manali is very safe for female travelers.
Choosing the best season for you to visit Manali:
The Manali weather offers a variety throughout the year. Manali is situated at 6730 ft above sea level. Due to these high altitudes, the weather is cold throughout the year. Need to decide which time of the year you plan to visit Manali.
Manali is a tourist spot for the whole year. It depends on you to determine what time is right for you. It is up to you; what kind of experience you want will choose the right time for you. According to localities, the best time to plan a trip to Manali is June to October.
This is the ideal time of year for people of any age group who want to enjoy the vista and the ones who wish to trek, raft, and camp.
But if you want to see Manali in its snow-clad avatar, then the best time to visit Manali is December to February. Winter months may see snowfall. Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass, and Manali all have snow to enjoy. It is the ideal time for winter sports in Manali.
Also, it is best to avoid the monsoon season, that is, the months from July to August. These are the months of heavy rainfall. Sometimes it gets pretty dangerous to travel in the mountains during monsoon. Landslides and flooding are common on Manali highways during monsoon time.
Choosing a stay in Manali:
After reaching your destination, you should be able to stay in a comfortable place. It is recommended to pre-book a place in Manali in advance. It will prevent the trouble you will have to go through to find a place to stay after you get there.
Manali is always full of tourists, and there’s always a rush at hotels and accommodations. It will be more difficult if you’re traveling with elderly people. Thus, it would be beneficial to select and book a place a few days in advance.
There are various accommodations available in Manali. You can find high-end hotels, budget-friendly stays, hostels, and dormitories. Mountain-view resorts, city-view hilltop resorts, and river-side resorts are also available.
You should also check that the holiday provides food as it is a necessity you might need. You should also ask for woolen blankets and hot water for 24 hours. Without these, it might get difficult for you to stay at night due to the low temperatures.
Himachal Pradesh government provides hotels that can be booked through the HPTDC website in advance. These are charming resorts and also budget-friendly. Also, in winter, HPTDC gives around 30% off-season discounts. Many tourists have given positive reviews about them. Here are the details of these HPTDC hotels for you:-
- HPTDC, Kunzum: Hotel Kunzum is a hotel on the Mall road. The hotel provides you with all the things you need on the Mall road. It will allow you to see the culture there because the mall road is close. Everything will be nearby and within walking distance. It is the perfect stay for families with kids as you can get all the necessities. The price range is between Rs 1700 to Rs 3000.
- HPTDC, Hadimba Cottages / Hamta Huts: This property is perfect for honeymoon and couples. It is located a little outside of Manali and is isolated from the city. It is also usually available during the off-tourist season.
- HPTDC, Rohtang Manalsu & The Beas: Hotel is located away from the town’s busy life. The budget-friendly hotel costs between Rs 650 to Rs 2000. Stay here if you are a bit low on budget.
Having the proper clothing:
While traveling to Manali, it is essential to have the right set of clothes with you. A simple tip is to carry sweaters in all seasons with you to Manali. There is a high chance of experiencing cold nights even if the days are mildly cold. Cotton or cotton-like fabrics are appropriate during the day in summers.
At night, the temperatures dropdown. The winters are freezing in Manali. The temperatures can go below the freezing point. Carry warm clothes like sweaters, scarves, shawls, jackets, etc. Take a few pairs of inner thermals cots to keep you warm. Also, take long woolen socks to help keep your feet warm. Airtight shoes would also be helpful.
Manali also offers the best woolen clothes to beat the cold. You can also buy warm clothes from there. Also, the place where you stay should provide you with warm blankets for the nights.
Carry raincoats and rain boots with you to visit Manali during the monsoon season. If you’re doing winter adventure sports and going in the snow. You do not need to carry snowshoes and coats with you. You will find many shops in Manali that will provide you snow-appropriate clothes for rent which are very affordable price. It will also help you not have a lot of luggage as snow coats, and boots can be heavy and filling.
Another vital tip is always to carry sunscreen with you and apply it. As the Manali sun can easily damage and burn your skin. You should also take sunglasses if you are traveling in the summer
Planning activities to do in Manali
Manali is the center of several tourism-related activities. It provides you with various activities that you can spend days doing and not get bored of. Here’s a list of activities you can choose from and plan on doing in Manali:
Paragliding
Manali is one of the main hubs for paragliding in the mountains. Flying like a bird among the lush green valleys around the mountains is a feeling one of its kind. You can never get enough of this fantastic experience no matter how many times you do it. Paragliding is a must-do adventure sport if you’re visiting Manali.
River Rafting
River rafting is another of the biggest adventure sports Manali is known for. The entire coast drive from Kullu to Manali is filled with Rafting and adventure sports centers. You will find a variety of packages offered in Rafting from different people. The cost of Rafting depends on the distance you want to cover and the total number of people. It can cost up to Rs. 2000 per person. The price also depends on your negotiating skills. Rafting is a must-try adventure sport if you plan a trip to Manali.
Skiing
Skiing in Manali is another one of the most popular winter adventure sports activities. It is available the whole year. During winter, you can witness snow in nearby areas like Solang Valley. In summers, you have to hike to Rohtang Pass.
Camping & Trekking
If you’re a nature lover, you will like camping and trekking. Manali offers you many hikes and camping sights to explore on your next trip. It is perfect for spending some time out of the regular city life. There are several treks like the Hampta Pass. You will get to walk through the green valleys and sleep in tents.
Other treks around Manali vary from 1-5 day treks. Bright Lake, Chandra Taal, and Chandrakhani are some of the significant hikes.
Take a walk along Mall Road
An evening walk at the Mall Road in Manali is an activity you should not miss. It is fun to explore Manali with your family or friends. You can eat authentic Manali food, shop some things, and have a good experience.
Zorbing
Zorbing is a fun adventure sport in which a person is slid into a giant transparent plastic zorb ball, and the ball is rolled down a mountain slope. It is a fun experience for kids and youngsters.
Get your pictures clicked in traditional Manali local clothes and with local animals like yaks or rabbits (near the Hidimba Temple)
Always carry physical documentation: It is of utmost importance to take hard copies of all your IDs, reservations, permissions documents, etc. You can be asked to produce these documents at hotels, security check-ins, police, and local transport providers. Also, RTPCR is very important during the COVID times to travel in Manali.
So, when planning a trip to Manali hills, take care of these points. Your journey will be unique. Have a fun vacation with your friends and family and have an experience cherished for life.
