5 Days 4 Nights
Daily Tour
50 people
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Dist: 529 km | Time: 12 to 16 hr
You’ll embark on an evening departure from Delhi, travelling in a cab or Volvo bus for a picturesque journey to Manali. The trip will take between 10 and 16 hours, and you'll arrive at Manali the following day.
Meals: None
Night: Overnight journey by Volvo Bus or Cab
Time: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Upon arrival in Manali, check into your hotel and get settled. In the afternoon, your cab will take you on a tour of Manali’s highlights, including Mall Road, Hadimba Temple, Van Vihar, Old Manali, the Museum, and the Clubhouse.
Meals: Dinner
Night: Stay at the Hotel in Manali
Time: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
After breakfast, you will head towards Sissu, a scenic town in the Lahaul Valley. On the way, you will see Solang Valley and cross the Atal tunnel, the world’s longest highway tunnel above 10000 feet. In the evening, you will return to Manali.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Night: Stay at the Hotel in Manali
Dist: 242 km | Time: 8 to 10 hr
After spending two nights at Manali, the valley of the gods, you will depart for Shimla, the Capital of Himachal Pradesh. After driving 250 kilometres, you will reach Shimla in the evening and check into the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Night: Stay at the Hotel in Shimla
Time: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Morning: Arrive in Shimla and check into the hotel. After freshening up, enjoy a full day of local sightseeing. You will visit Jakhu Temple, Kali Bari Temple, a Church, Mall Road, Scandal Point, and a Wood Market.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Night: Stay at the Hotel in Shimla
Time: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm | Bus
After breakfast, you will enjoy a full day of local sightseeing in Kufri, India’s best holiday paradise. Kufri is a tourist hotspot because of its incredible scenery and sports activities. Late in the evening, you will depart for Delhi.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Journey by Volvo Bus or Cab
Dist: 342 km | Time: 07 to 10 hr
After a long and scenic journey of 07 to 10 hours, you will reach Delhi early in the morning. Once in the city, you can proceed to your respective destinations, carrying with you the beautiful memories, experiences, and moments from your trip.
Meals: Nil
Night: Nil
Location | Places to visit |
Shimla | Jakhu Temple, Mall Road, The Ridge, Christ Church, Scandal Point, Kufri, Viceregal Lodge & Botanical Gardens |
Manali | Mall Road, Manali, Old Manali Van Vihar, Club House, Old Manali, Solang Valley, Sissu, Jogini Waterfall (small trek), Vashisth Temple. |
Note:
We understand that plans can change, but the booking amount is non-refundable due to the costs we incur in preparing for your tour or activity. If you wish to reschedule for a different date, we'll adjust it to the same package, providing you with the necessary flexibility.
If you have paid the total amount but cancelled the package. You will be provided with a refund, as mentioned below:
Tours or activities might be cancelled due to unexpected circumstances, such as storms, heavy rainfall, sudden closures of specific areas, government restrictions or anything beyond our control. In such a scenario, we will provide an alternate tour or activity. However, no refunds will be provided.
Manali is a major tourist destination for both foreign and Indian tourists. Manali is divided into two areas: New Manali and Old Manali. All foreign tourists in Manali prefer to stay in Old Manali up the hill, where most guesthouses, restaurants, agencies, shops, etc. are located.
New Manali has all the Indian tourists. There is a large pedestrian street that is worth a visit, a bus stop, a market, restaurants, local shops, and if you don’t need it, also medical services.
The Manali forest, a large and beautiful expanse, is a natural divider between the two parts of Manali. It’s not just a forest but a place of serene beauty worth visiting.
What to do in Manali
Going on a jeep trip in the Spiti and Kinnaur valleys: People come to Manali to go on a jeep trip to the Spiti and Kinnaur valleys (about that in a separate post). It is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful and unique places we have had the chance to visit, not only in India but also in time.
A walk in the Manali forest: Between old Manali and New Manali, there is a beautiful forest that is also worth a visit if you are walking (a distance of about half an hour’s walk) between the different parts of Manali; it is; intended to go through the forest.
For those with a motorcycle license: Rent a motorcycle and take a trip on the roads around the centre and climb to Solang Nallah – this is a centre that in the winter is used as a ski resort and in the summer (the Israeli tourism seasons) as a paraglider site. The site is located about 13 km north of Manali, and for cycling enthusiasts, the natural attraction is the ride to the place against the backdrop of the Himalayas, without a doubt one of the most beautiful roads I’ve ever ridden on a motorcycle, it’s a ride of about an hour to an hour and a half, and along the way, there are local roadside restaurants where you can stop in them for a good meal.
Shopping and markets in Manali
Like Dharamsala, Manali has many clothing stores competing for the pockets of Israeli backpackers. The stores sell mainly clothing such as dresses, skirts, pants, shirts, and coats at relatively low prices (think very much about haggling for the price!). In addition, you will find many imitations of Western travel brands manufactured in the East.
Manali is also famous for its many tailors, who, for a small fee, will be happy to tailor custom-made clothes for you according to your figure.
The ‘Mall’ in New Manali (“The Mall”): Near the main square in New Manali, you will find the ‘Mall’ – a pedestrian street with various street shops with almost everything, from electronics to clothing stores, housewares and pharmacies. If you are still looking for something in Old Manali – there’s a good chance you’ll find it in New Mali. In addition, in New Manali, you will find restaurants, food stalls, and various vendors wandering along the pedestrian street, selling their wares to passers-by.
The village of Vashisht: A small and very authentic village that is an alternative to Old Manali for travellers looking for a quieter place. The village lies northeast of Manali, just across the Beas River. The town is built on the side of a mountain and has one long, steep street lined with three- to four-story wooden and stone houses. At the end of the street is a temple. Next to it is a hot mineral water pool and taps from which boiling mineral water flows. The village has cheap guesthouses and restaurants serving authentic food with a western side (and, of course, Israeli). The town can be reached on foot (about an hour’s walk from Manali) or by taxi/rickshaw.
Vashisht Falls: Vashshit Falls (or in their real name, Jogini Falls) are at the end of the village, about a quarter of an hour’s walk away. Ask anyone in the town, and he will know how to get you there. The lower falls are relatively touristy, but if you make a little effort and go up to the upper falls, you can reach isolated and much more beautiful spots. We hiked there on a rainy day, about a route of half an hour to an hour from the village itself.
Overnight in Manali
Manali is a very, very touristy city. Most of the tourism in the region is domestic Indian tourism, so before arriving in the area, it is worth ensuring that there is no holiday because it will be challenging to find an available guesthouse on that day. If you visit Manali during the Holidays or the season, you will book a relatively expensive hotel. Therefore, it is recommended that you book the accommodations in advance.
Food in Manali
Old Manali is mainly known for its variety of restaurants and small size (about the size of the place). Below are some recommended places that should be noticed in Manali (and you will only visit Manali if you hear about these restaurants from other travellers).
The Nepali (German Bakery): These are the best sandwiches you can find in a tiny place in India, in the desert. You will discover baguettes with cheeses (yak/cream), avocado, tuna salad, omelette, and other exciting combinations. The owner is smiling and friendly; you will always find many foreign travellers there. The restaurant is at the top of Manali’s main street, turning right before the Dragon Hotel.
Renaissance (Renaissance Manali): A restaurant specialising in Italian food (but not only!), which is a bit expensive, soft, high-quality food with a good atmosphere. In the restaurant, you can find backgammon and other games; all the dishes we ate there were delicious and worth the price.
How to get to Manali?
There are no airports in Manali; the nearest one is in the village of Bhuntar, 2-3 hours away, not far from the city of Kullu. Flights are rare and expensive. There is no railway station in Manali and the Kullu Valley, so budget tourists and backpackers have only one option—buses.
Buses to Manali: Although Manali is relatively easy to reach and get to, it takes 16-18 hours by tourist bus from Delhi. Tourist buses to Manali, sold at the Main Bazaar, leave Delhi between 8 and 10 pm, usually from the Ramakrishna Mission, located at the end of the Main Bazaar. Bus tickets can be bought at any travel agency in Paharganj and all over Delhi or online via the Internet.
Train + Buses to Manali: The second way to get to Manali is to go from Delhi by train or fly to Shimla (Simla) – this is about half the way, and get there by bus from Shimla on transfers – at present, according to the Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation, there are no direct buses from Shimla to Manali, that is, you need to go through Mandi and Kullu. Such a trip will cost more and take more time, but if the budget allows you to stop in Shimla – there is something to see there.
Shimla
Shimla is a hill station and capital of Himachal Pradesh in the relatively low part of the Himalayas. In 1822, a British civil servant established a summer house in Shimla (Shimla), and since then, it has become a resort town. The city was built by the British in typical British colonial style. Today, it is a famous resort city in India. Due to the comfortable climate, tourists come to Shimla in summer and winter.
What to see and prominent sites in Shimla
Viceregal Lodge: The residence of the Viceroy of India is one of the famous buildings in Shimla. Built-in the style of a Scottish stone castle, the Shimla Agreements, which regulated the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan in 1945 and 1947, were signed in the structure. Today, the building is used by the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS). You can tour a few rooms and the spacious gardens surrounding the residence.
Christ Church: The central church in Shimla is famous for its stained glass windows. It was built between 1857 and 1846 and is one of the two oldest churches in North India.
The toy train from Kalka to Shimla: A 96.54 km long mountain railway connecting the cities of Kalka and Shimla. The train was nicknamed the “toy train” because it was smaller than the known trains and had a narrower track. The train ride on the Kalka-Shimla route provides breathtaking views. Along the track are 102 tunnels and 864 bridges, all of which, except one, are built on arches similar to ancient aqueducts. Along 70% of the length of the track, the trains are in a curve. There are 18 train stations along the track, and the travel time between the end stations is between four and five hours. About seven trains run in each direction every day. In 2008, the railway was declared a world heritage site.
Chadwick Fall: A lovely waterfall is recommended to visit during the monsoon season when it flows. The waterfall can be reached by an hour’s walk from Shimla or by a local bus departing from Shimla.
Jakhu Temple: A temple dedicated to the monkey god Hanuman. The route to the temple starts at the downtown Christ Church. The route is strenuous and includes a steep and tiring ascent. The visit to the temple is entertaining, with the community of monkeys that completely took over it.
General tips and recommendations for visitors to Shimla
Orientation: Shimla is crossed by three main roads: The Ridge is the upper road, the Mall is the main road, and the main road is the lowest. Vehicles are only allowed to travel on the low road, along which the bus, train, and taxi stations are also located. Access is by foot only from the main road to the Mall and the Ridge.
How do I get to Shimla?
Flight: The nearest airport is about 23 km outside of Shimla, in a city called Jubarhati, Shimla Airport. Flights arrive at the airport from Delhi and mainly from Chandigarh airport.
Train: Shimla has a local train station close to the city centre. Kalka is the nearest central railway station to Shimla.
Private Cab or Car: Take the NH-1 road from Delhi to the NH-22 road to Shimla (about 6-7 hours’ drive).
Shimla is a resort town in the Himachal Pradesh State of India. It is famous with Indians and is used as a climbing site and a starting point for trekking. There are magical villages in the Kulu and Parvati valleys where time seems to have stood still.
The city of Manali is the central hill station in the state of Himachal Pradesh, rightly so, as it is a real gem. After a sixteen-hour bus ride from Delhi, you can look out of your room window at the apple orchards, the dense oak forests, a flowing river and the snowfields of Solang Valley, which are visible on the horizon. After you have had your fill of the view, you can go trekking and hiking in the area.
The best time to visit Shimla depends on what you want to do. If you want to enjoy snowfall and snow activities like skiing, January is the best month. If you want to visit Manali to escape from hot and humid areas in southern and central parts of india, then March, April, and June are the best months. Moreover, during these months, it is the peak season when most tourists visit this place. Another peak season is the last week of December, during which the Christmas and New Year holidays occur. During this month, the rates of properties will be the highest.
Summer is the best time to visit and enjoy pleasant weather. If you want to moderate the season with cool temperatures and snowfall, visit Shimla during winter. It is not recommended to see Shimla in the Monsoons, as landslides are common during this season.
The best way to get Shimla is by bus from Delhi. You can reach Delhi from any international airport around the world. Afterwards, you must catch an overnight Volvo bus to get to Shimla in 6 to 7 hours. Another good option is to hire a cab from Chandigarh. Chandigarh has both rail and airport connectivity. If you want to enjoy the heritage Toy train, it will only take 2 to 3 hours to get in a cab to reach Shimla from Chandigarh. You can board it at Kalka and reach Shimla by train.
Shimla is approximately 100 km from Chandigarh. The distance can be covered in 2 to 3 hours. Most of the tourists prefer this route because it is the shortest.
Shimla is 339 kilometres from Delhi. The travel takes about 7 to 8 hours. Most bus services start from Delhi early morning or late at night so that they can reach Shimla in the evening or early morning, respectively. To save time, you can also hire a cab from Delhi to Shimla, which will be comparably faster than a bus.
Shimla is famous as the Kalka-Shimla Railway's terminus and is registered as a World Heritage Site. Many tourists visit this Site. Apart from this, Shimla is also renowned for its crystals. Crystals mined in the Himalayas are called Himalayan crystals and are made of various types and shapes of minerals such as chlorite and mica. As a result, they come in a wide variety of colours, from pink to ice-clear to milky white.
Three days are sufficient to visit Shimla. On days one and two, you can see local places nearby, like Mall Road, The Ridge, Christ Church, Jakhu Temple, Scandal Point, and Viceregal Lodge & Botanical Gardens. On Day three, you can visit Kufri, which is famous for snow activities like ice skating.
Both Shimla and Manali are popular Hill stations. Shimla, due to its proximity to Chandigarh and Delhi, is a popular weekend destination among the people of these two cities. Manali is comparatively far away and requires more time, so anyone who travels has to take leave and explore Manali. In this case, Manali has more area, so there are more places to see, and you have to spend more time in Manali to explore all the famous places.
Old Manali still retains rows of traditional houses made of Himalayan cedar and slate tile roofs. The architecture of this area is characterised by a large wooden second floor that juts out over the thick stone walls of the first floor, a balcony that runs around the house, and a slate roof. It is expected to see houses with weaving looms on the balcony. You may also encounter people wearing traditional hats and ethnic costumes from the Kullu Valley. Old Manali is also home to the Manu Temple, built where Manu is said to have entered meditation after arriving here, which is also the origin of the name Manali. Many statues of Hindu gods are enshrined around the main deity dedicated to Manu.
Hadimba Temple, also known as Dhungri Temple, is a wooden temple surrounded by a forest of Himalayan cedars. It is said that Goddess Hadimba helped the king of Kuru achieve independence for the region long ago, and since then, she has been worshipped as the protector of the area. Inside the four-storey temple decorated with sculptures of dancers and Hindu deities is a rock formation under which Hadimba is said to have meditated, attracting a stream of pilgrims. The temple's exterior walls are stained with the blood of sacrificial goats, and a large ibex skull is also on display. A large festival is held every May, during which many sacrifices are made in honour of Goddess Hadimba.
Here are things you can buy in Shimla Himalayan Goods offers a wide selection of wool-knitted items with beautiful, colourful geometric patterns, including socks, gloves, hats, and shawls. Each item is hand-knitted, and no two are exactly alike. Wool products are also warm, and considering the climate of this region, they are an essential winter protection item. Quartz Crystals are carefully mined one by one and processed by artisans. Crystal raw stones and processed products are exported and can be purchased in Japan through mail order, etc. However, many original products can only be bought in Shimla, so be sure to visit local shops and look for souvenirs in particular, accessories such as ornaments, pendant tops, bracelets, and necklaces featuring the Indian god Ganesha with an elephant's trunk are popular souvenirs. Shawls are carefully woven over time using looms. The materials used are wool, pashmina, angora, yak wool, etc. As they are made mainly from natural wool, they are very gentle on the skin. The designs are delicate and intricate geometric patterns with vibrant colours. They can be used indoors and outdoors, on the shoulders or feet, or as a blanket for small children.
The biggest attraction in Manali is nature. The foothills of the Himalayas are immersed in greenery, and the snow-capped peaks remind you that you are at an altitude of more than 2,000 meters. You can admire the mountains forever. For this reason, you can go on one of the many treks, ride along the local roads on a rented bike, or organise rafting on a wild river. Here is a short list of attractions and activities that are available when staying in Manali:
The best times to visit Manali are April - May- June and September- October. In September and April, the weather is sometimes calm and damp, nights can be cold, and warm clothes are a must, as the hotels have no heating. The weather in Manali in May and June, when most tourists come here, depends on the time of day - the average temperature is about 12 º C at night and about 26 º C during the day. Manali is cold from November to early March; even daytime temperatures can fall below zero.
The village of Vashisht ( Vasisht, Vashishtha) is 4 km above Manali. There are many budget guesthouses and eateries here. Vasisht is named after its mythical founder, the sage (muni) and yogi Vashisht, to whom one of the local temples is dedicated, the second is devoted to Rama. Both temples are open to foreigners and are attractive for their wood carvings on the walls. The Vashishtha temple has a bathing kunda filled with a hot spring.
Kullu is a small, bustling town in the valley of the same name, 240 km from Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Since Kullu is rather bland and small, it is a region's transport hub and is usually passed by. In the 17th century, Kullu became the principality's capital, and temples began to be built there. The earliest and most famous local temple is Raghunath Mandir, dedicated to Rama and Sita, whose richly decorated images lead the procession of the Dussehra festival, also called Durga Puja, which is a local landmark and attracts not only residents but also tourists to Kullu.
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