Transportation: Book an overnight HRTC ordinary bus (700INR) or book a private AC semi sleeper(1000INR) if you get an offer on redbus because its more comfortable. Don't ever opt for a day journey!
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As soon as we reached Manali at about 11am we took a cab which costed us about 150INR & reached our budget accommodation Stayer's hostel which is near Rocky cafe, Old Manali.
300INR per bed. But we got upgraded to a cozy room. So cheers to that! You can also choose to stay at The Crazy Indian Pad which is also a budget accommodation! The host at the crazy Indian pad is super sweet! Another quick tip always book a hotel in manali because the prices are comparatively low here!
Took a hot water shower & asked our host to make veg noodles & let me tell you it was the yummiest!! Sipping on hot soupy noodles as the winter sun shines behind the mountains is pure bliss❤
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Then we took a walk around Old manali.You can eat thukpas at dhabas on the way which is pretty cheap. We wanted to go to Café 1947 but unfortunately it was closed.
We hiked to Hadimba temple late evening. Go here before 5pm. The entry is free.
Don't forget to get dressed up in those colourful pahadi dresses which is only 50INR. You should really get dressed up & help these old ladies who stay here from morning till evening to make a living.
You can also carry these fluffy bunnies for 30INR
After you head out of hadimba there's a huge market. And small food joints. I ate the best puchkas (30INR) here. Don't forget to try it❤
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We headed to mall road & tried the famous Siddu(150INR)
(Eat siddu in the morning at local restaurants ), goli sized hot jamoons from a cute kid, chats(50INR per plate) , coffee ; softies😍 & we were full. There's a lot of crowd here in mall road in the evening. But enjoy the chaos. You can also shop winter clothes, handbags & many things here. Bargaining is the key! But don't ask for half the price because the owners will get angry!
Then we took an auto back to our hostel for 150INR. Because it was too dark to walk up back. If you are a group of 3 or more you can safely walk up but chances of getting lost is high so better to take an auto.
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We were too lazy to wake up & our taps had jammed up because of the cold. No electricity! It was horrible. But then we got water from a local aunt nearby and got ready and checked out from our hostel.
Kept our bags at the bus stand in mall road for 60INR each. And we went to have some amazing food at the Chopsticks on mall road.
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If you have been to Manali & haven't been to Chopsticks . you haven't been to Manali at all! This is the best restaurant you guys. You get drinks here too. Thukpa was priced at about 100 bucks and chowmein was 140bucks. I thought the prices were high until the food arrived. They serve in huge bowls! 1 dish is sufficient for 2 people. So we packed chowmein for dinner & it tasted yummy even after 10 hours. I want to go back and eat everything on their menu. This is the only reason why I want to go back! They make the best Chinese & tibetan food.
Since we were too broke to hire a cab to solang & there was too much traffic, we decided to board the next bus to Naggar. The locals usually lie to you about bus facility between manali - solang valley. The buses run during winters also. Check in the bus counter before you enquire about cabs.
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Bus from manali to Naggar costs 30 -40INR. Then you have a steep road which leads to Naggar through the village.
Entry to Naggar is 30INR.
You can also have your lunch at the restaurant inside Naggar.
Then we headed back to mall road cz we had our bus to chamba at 7pm. Strolled along mall road. had some more chats and boarded our bus
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Visit Vasisht, Jogni falls, Solang valley, Sethan if you have 3 to 4 days. Head to kasol if you haven't been already. Try walking to nearby places and take public transport everywhere. That's how you can cut down on costs. Cabs are way too expensive in peak season. That's December last week. Book your stay well in advance. Go after January 1st week. The hotel prices usually hike up if it snows because snowfall attracts a huge crowd from Delhi and other nearby states.
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