Have you ever dreamed of exploring places or visiting remote areas where you feel more connected to nature? From mountains to seas and islands, I have always craved to see places like a local. With this thought, I ventured on a solo trip to Himachal Pradesh. From hamlets and hill stations to treks and camping in the Himalayas –– I did all while maintaining the belief that I am a traveller who doesn't want to stick to the beaten path. I have covered some portions of Himachal Pradesh in my trip, and there are still places that I have to visit in my next endeavour to the state. Before my visit, I had decided Old Manali, Kasol, Mcleodganj, Bir, Jibhi and Kaza to be the places I wanted to see.
Nothing more planned. Thus began my exploration!
Manali: Hill Station With Unparalleled Beauty
Although I was visiting Manali for the first time, it still felt like I have been there before. The people were charming with their hospitality, and every other unknown trail leads to a scenic picturesque.
There were plenty of memorable experiences in Manali for me, as a local and as someone who was simply amazed by the beautiful hill station. I visited this place during the off-season when it is said to be especially quiet. It was lovely to see more locals and greenery and fewer tourists.
My unexpected love affair with Old Manali started when I stayed in a hostel up in the Log Hut area. I have always ignored top places to visit that are put up by tour agencies. I believe in exploring places that are unlisted and not commercialised.
All the places I explored, things I did and the food I had, are somewhat similar to the regular tourist blogs. But the difference was venturing into these places not knowing it was famous or discussed with masses that visit the hill station.
My list begins here.
Old Manali
When in Manali, avoid the new Manali and venture into the town of Old Manali. It is located 3 km uphill from Mall Road. A small settlement lays beneath the valley filled with apple orchards divided from the new Manali by the Manalsu River. The rustic vibe of a hill station can be seen and felt. It is cleaner, less populated, and with like-minded travellers searching for stories or creating their own.
Away from the hustle-bustle, Old Manali is the perfect abode to experience beautiful mountain vibes in Himachal Pradesh.
Places to Visit in Old Manali
Old Manali Market
Walking along the lanes of Old Manali, you will find many handicrafts shops and cafes. The road goes up till the Manu Temple. From leather products to winter jackets and handmade beads and jewellery, you will find many shops with artists selling their products.
If you have time in hand and for days, you could sit with these artists and learn how to make beads, psychedelic t-shirts, and other products. They are open to teach and share their skills.
Cafes in Old Manali
I found many small and big cafes around the banks of the river, giving a soulful vibe. But few restaurants were more charming and had stories that I looked for.
Dylan’s Toasted & Roasted Coffee
Like every other Dylan fan, I ventured into this cafe to see the hype. An old rustic cafe with a pleasant owner and daughter running it. The history of the cafe caught my eye. It was started as a small idea that grew into becoming one of the most sought after cafes in Old Manali. Bob Dylan's music, along with an aromatic coffee, sets the mood here. I found the walls with pictures of Bob Dylan, his lyrics and attributes of his glorious past.
The sandwiches were delicious, and I'm sure the next time I visit Old Manali, I will be hanging out there for a couple of hours. Their coffee is the speciality.
Cafe 1947
My next exploration had to be Cafe 1947. Everyone talked about it. Every single person who had a thing for cafes visited this place.
It is located on the banks of the Manalsu River in Old Manali. I heard it was one of the first music cafes in Old Manali.
When I sat in the outdoor space with a cup of tea, all I heard was the bustling of the river, and it was a soothing musical. While I was inside, the cafe had a cosy vibe with pleasant music. Alas! I missed out on a live performance.
The Johnson's Cafe and Hotel
Although I had missed my fair chance of seeing a live performance in Cafe 1947, the thirst for live music ended at Johnson cafe in Old Manali. They had the perfect blend of interior, alcohol, pizzas and music.
I was listening to old Bollywood tracks sung by a talented singer while eating a plate of salad (I love salads). It is considered to be the best cafe in Old Manali.
Drifter’s Inn
I personally couldn't visit the place. But my hostel mates spoke about their experiences at Drifter's Inn Cafe in Old Manali. It is on my list of cafes for my next visit.
Apart from these, there are many local riverside cafes and dhabas to explore in Old Manali. Every cafe has its own mood, and you'd walk into different vibes if you're on a cafe-hopping spree.
Temples in Old Manali
Manu Temple
At the top of the market lane of Old Manali, I found the Manu Temple. The temple is dedicated to Sage Manu. It was peaceful, and tranquillity maintained the aura. The temple is built like a pagoda structure presenting a glimpse of the historical and spiritual architectures of the centuries-old traditional people living in the area.
I learnt Manali is named after Sage Manu, who is believed to be the creator of the human race. He is also considered as the Sanatan Hindu Lawmaker. Manu Temple is said to be built on the location where Sage Manu meditated.
Finding the temple may take a while. When you cross the Old Manali bridge, take a left and follow the market road that goes to the valley's top. You would find a narrow lane that leads to the shrine.
Hidimba Devi Temple
It is one of the major attractions of Manali. The ancient Hindu temple is built as a Pagoda style architecture. The locals believe Hidimba Devi protects the forest and is a guiding star for the people there.
It is located in the Log Hut area of Old Manali. It is surrounded by a lush cedar forest at the foot of the Himalayas. The architecture of the temple speaks of the unique stories about the origins of the places in folklore. Once you go inside the temple, you will find skeletons and horns or animals and other spooky elements. It brings a charm to the temple and is visited by a lot of tourists.
From nature walks, camping, trekking to photography, you can take your time to explore the whole area here.
The temple is open all days from 8 AM to 6 PM and has no entry fee.
Where to Stay in Old Manali?
The options are next to unlimited. The place has varieties of stays that range from 200 INR to 10000 INR. It depends on the budget and luxury you prefer. You can find hotels, hostels, cottages, wooden cottages, resorts and homestays. You can also find couch surfing here if you are on a very tight budget.
Old Manali Hostels
For backpackers and budget travellers, Old Manali has numerous hostels to stay at. You can rent a bed for a minimum of 200 INR (during the off-season). This is as low as you can get. For a premium stay in dorms, you can look for Zostel, Alt Life, Hosteller, GoStops and YoloBackpackers.
Old Manali Hotels
Many resorts and hotels in Old Manali give a luxury stay with picturesque views and are gentle on the wallet. The premium hotels and resorts include Apple Orchards and Snow Valley resort.
Once your stay is decided and you have seen places in and around Old Manali, it is about time to venture into the other parts of the hill station.
Other Places to Visit in Manali
After 6 days of exploring the scenic Old Manali, it was time to explore other places around Manali.
Solang Valley
Suppose you are looking for wandering sky patterns over snow-clad mountains in Manali. In that case, Solang Valley is the place you should visit. Although a prominent tourist spot for all the recreational adventures in Manali, Solang Valley has its charm for nature lovers. Distance from Old Manali to Solang Valley is around 13-14 km and has panoramic views to keep you entertained.
For adventurers, paragliding, quad biking, snowmobiling, skiing, gondola ride, camping and trekking are a must. Places near Solang, where I visited include Kothi Village, Rohtang Pass and Rahalla Fall. The winter skiing festival in Solang Valley is a must-visit if you travel to Manali during the festival.
It is a winter wonderland for tourists and travellers, and the best time to visit is December.
Rohtang Pass
It is 50 km away from Manali in the Eastern Pir Panjal Range. An essential hub for biking enthusiasts, Rohtang Pass connects two beautiful valleys, Lahaul and Spiti. Rohtang pass is famous for the number of lives lost while crossing this pass.
Although I didn't venture with a bike, I travelled to this pass by hitchhiking. The breathtaking views of nature and the snow-clad Himalayas is not for everyone. It is for those who seek adventures and are risk-takers. With every turn, the view changes and shows another spectacle to be in awe.
Jogini Falls Trek
The fall is 160 feet cascade that plays over the mountains and into the Beas River. The fall is located near Vashisht village and is named after the village goddess Jogini. It is a 4 kilometres trek from Manali, and the trail goes through Vashisht village. Usually, tourists go to the Vashisht Temple in their vehicles and head to Jogini Falls from there. It takes an hour and a half to reach the Jogini Falls.
If you plan on visiting the fall, keep a half-day out of your Manali itinerary to cherish your time in the fall. You can go swimming, take photos and relax by the waterfall.
Best Time To Visit Manali
I would always suggest off-season as the best time to visit, but there are some restrictions then. Mostly Rohtang Pass stays closed during that period. To get the optimum benefit of travelling, visit Manali in May or June else in late August or September or October.
If you want to spend time during winter, December and January are the best time to visit. Snowfall in Manali starts in late November and continues till the end of January.
The off-season is from late January to March. The best part about this period is the onset of spring and the less crowd.
The weather in Manali has 3 major seasons, summer, monsoon and winter. The magnificent hill station looks splendid in all the 3 seasons. The charm changes and the views too, but the vibe stays the same.
How To Reach Manali
You can travel by road or by air. I would not recommend trains as it is more of a hassle.
Reach Manali By Air
The nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport and is around 50 km from Manali. You have flights connected from Chandigarh and New Delhi. If you are planning to come by air, Bhuntar Airport is as close as you can get.
The following airport is at Shimla and is 200+ km away.
Travel To Manali By Road
This by far the most convenient option. Buses from New Delhi and Chandigarh are connected every day. You can quickly get an air-conditioned bus for as low as 850 INR. It takes almost 14 hours from New Delhi.
If you plan on coming by bus, make sure you take an evening bus. You would save the daylight for sightseeing once you reach Manali.
If you plan to visit by private car or personal motorcycle, you have Google Maps to help you out. Apart from that, the road connectivity is well thought that I hardly think maps would be required.
Network Connectivity in Manali
For digital nomads and those planning on workstation or staycation in Manali, you do not have to worry about network connectivity. The remote areas in Manali have Airtel and Jio connectivity. During my exploration, I used to trek early morning to sit on a mountain top and work. I never had any network issues.
Also, all the hostels, homestays, cottages, hotels and resorts in Old Manali and Manali have WiFi. Personally, I had never relied on them as I hardly used to be at the hostel. I had my bed to just spend the night. I always used my mobile network for work.
In Short:
In my 10 days of exploration, I could explore the above in detail. There are some places that I haven't mentioned. The monastery in the market area of Manali, Vashisht Temple, Museum Of Himachal Culture And Folk Arts and Himalayan National park are amongst them. These places are places I went but didn't explore well enough to articulate in this blog. You can read about them just by Googling.
If you are planning a trip and have questions that are not answered, write in the comments below, and I will try to help you out.
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