Manali - Rohtang, Himachal Pradesh - Travel Guide

As soon as I noticed an extended weekend sneaking up on the calendar, my inner wanderlust did a happy dance. I quickly applied for an extra day off (because why not extend an already extended weekend?) and finally zeroed in on Manali, Himachal Pradesh. I'd always wanted to go, but connectivity issues had held me back. The nearest railway station is Chandigarh—about 350 km away—and the closest airport is Kullu, 40 km from Manali. So, road trip it was!

After some deliberation - to self drive or book a taxi - I finalized on bus ride - Himachal Tourism Volvo to cover the 550 km stretch from Delhi to Manali, which promised a 14-hour roller-coaster ride through mountains, valleys, and my patience.

The Road Trip Begins (and My Back Regrets It)

Mountains fascinate me, so I was buzzing with excitement. Packing was miraculously handled by my wife the day before (she’s basically the real MVP). Office done, bags packed, we raced to the bus terminal only to wrestle with the chaos there until we finally settled into our seats, eyes sparkling with adventure.

The Volvo seats were comfortable—until I leaned back and realized my seat was basically a medieval torture device disguised as upholstery. My wife, of course, relaxed and giggled at my suffering. Somehow, time passed, and the next thing I knew, we were in Kullu. My back was stiff enough to audition for a contortionist show, but at least the tea there was heavenly.

Another two hours of winding roads later, we arrived in Manali and checked into our hotel, conveniently located near Mall Road and the bus station. After munching on some snacks and letting my poor back sigh in relief, we decided to explore.

Temple Hopping with a Side of Bargaining

After lunch we decided to cover few places in Manali. Instead of taxi, we preferred local auto who ply on all tourists destinations.With her legendary bargaining skills, my wife secured a deal that would make any economist proud. Off we went!

Manali has lot of famous temples and so we were going to. All these sight-seeing places are located within 5 kms of diameter.

Off we go as our auto driver accelerated and we visited following temples/places

• Manu Temple: Dedicated to the sage Manu located in old Manali.
• Vashishta Temple: Known for its famous hot springs.
• Tibetian Monastry: Manali has three, but we visited the one near our hotel. Tranquility guaranteed.
• Club House: The Club House that includes a roller skating rink, an auditorium, billiards, a library, a bar and restaurant. Bungee jumping, river crossing is also provided there. It is located just at the bank of river beas. We spent few hours at the bank of river and it really felt peaceful.
• Hadimba Temple: Built in 1533 A.D. with a superbly crafted four tiered pagoda roof, it is famous for its exquisitely carved doorway. We clicked few pics as my wife wanted to get clicked with yark and rabbits over there.

Vashishta Temple

Tibetan Monastery

Kids at Monastery

Incredible India

Hadimba Temple

By evening, we roamed Mall Road, sipping coffee as the November chill crept in. My wife went on a woolen shopping spree, leaving me as the unwilling luggage mule. Dinner followed, and we booked a cab for the next day to tick off my ultimate dream: Rohtang Pass.

Rohtang Pass: Where Adventure Meets Snow (and My Inner Child)

A little trivia: “Rohtang” means "pile of corpses"—a grim reminder of the pass’s treacherous history. At 3,978 m (13,051 ft) above sea level, it connects Kullu Valley to the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys.

En route Rohtang Pass

Bad roads on the way

No trees at Rohtang Pass

We didn’t leave early (classic us) and finally rolled out at 9 AM. The sun was shining, and the mountains were dusted with fresh snow. First stop: renting snow suits, because hypothermia is NOT on my bucket list.

Bad turned worse

Snowfall at Rohtang Pass

The road to Rohtang is breathtaking. Snow-capped peaks, massive mountains, and serene valleys made me question if Earth had secretly become heaven. Soon, the roads got rough, the trees disappeared, and the weather turned moody. Snow began to fall, and our driver skillfully navigated potholes like a Himalayan ninja.

At Rohtang, it was snowball fight time. We tried skiing but mostly perfected the art of posing for Instagram. One hour later, the high altitude and lack of trees were catching up to us, and the snow turned serious. Time to retreat.

On the way back, we stopped at Rala Falls. I attempted to climb rocks like a hero, only to slip spectacularly. Canon came to the rescue, capturing all my heroic (and not-so-heroic) moments.

En route Manali

Solang Valley: Adventure and Egg Maggi

Next, we visited Solang Valley, 14 km from Manali, famous for horse riding, paragliding, and zorbing. Naturally, we tried zorbing - Rolling down a hill uncontrollably is hilariously terrifying. Would I do it again? Absolutely NOT. Unless, there are some perks - someone offering me a million dollars, maybe?

Post-zorbing, we devoured the famous egg Maggi, which tasted like victory in a bowl.

Old Manali & Van Vihar: Peace at Last

The following day, we explored Old Manali and savored local delicacies. Walking instead of taking autos gave us time to stumble upon Van Vihar, a serene park with massive Deodar trees so dense that sunlight barely touched the ground. The Beas River trickled by, inviting us to relax on its banks, soak in the sun, and reflect on our snowy adventures.

Van Vihar

                                         

Beas river

Heading Back

After two magical days of mountains, temples, snow, and food, it was time to return to our city of chaos: New Delhi. Our hearts were full, our camera rolls were bursting, and my back… well, it eventually forgave me.

Travel Tips for Manali & Rohtang Pass

Best Time to Visit: September to November for snow and clear skies, or March to June for summer greenery.

How to Reach:

• By road: Volvo buses from Delhi or Chandigarh (best for scenic experience).
• By air: Kullu airport, 40 km from Manali.
• By train: Chandigarh, 350 km away, then road transfer.

Food Recommendations: Egg Maggi at Solang, local Himachali thalis, hot coffee at Mall Road cafes, snacks from local bakeries.

If you’re looking for a trip that combines adventure, spirituality, shopping, and pure snow bliss, Manali has it all. Just make sure your back is ready for Volvo buses and your heart is ready for snowball fights—you’ll thank me later.