Alright, buckle up for the thrilling adventure in the chilly wonderland of Manali!
Ruchika, our very own travel guru, worked her magic and got us a good deal through http://www.myholidaypoint.com/.
It was so good that I'm pretty sure we traveled to Manali on a unicorn-powered bus!
Now, picture this: a bunch of brave souls embarking on a semi-sleeper Volvo bus, ready to conquer the majestic mountains. And guess what? No motion sickness! Woohoo, we were practically rollercoaster champions!
Once we reached Manali, we discovered our hotel was as cool as ice (literally). The view from our room was so stunning that we felt like we were in a real-life snow globe. Brrr, it was chilly, though. So, we pestered the hotel staff for hot water more times than a kid asks for candy at a carnival. But hey, they were super nice to listen to all our requests!
Now, get this, the hotel had a genius idea - they offered a heater for Rs. 400 per night.
We did not fall for that and instead wore double jackets to keep us warm!
To explore the beautiful Manali, we had our very own superhero – the driver! With a cape and all, he swooped in and showed us around like a pro. We felt like we were on a secret mission to uncover all the hidden gems of the town.
Day 1: We visited the Hidimba Devi Temple and took a walk on Mall Road, just like the scene in the movie "Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani."
Image source: Google
More about Hidimba Devi Temple:
Then we saw the Himalayan Nyinmapa Buddhist Monastery, Manali.
t was such a peaceful and beautiful place! The monastery had colorful prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, and the sound of prayer bells filled the air.
The monastery's architecture was unique and adorned with intricate artwork, making it a sight to behold. We took our time to soak in the peaceful atmosphere and offer our own prayers for good luck and happiness.
Do not forget to eat Momos and Siddhu (local dish) which you can purchase from a
lady sitting at the gate.
Day 2: We went to Solang Valley where we saw lots of fresh and white snow. Most drivers there will recommend renting snowsuits and boots to keep our clothes and shoes clean. We paid Rs. 1000 for four activities (zip line, tube ride, skiing, and ATV bike ride) but you can try bargaining to get a better deal.
Believe me, bargaining skills were put to the test to get the best deals, and we managed to bring down the price for all activities. We were feeling like snow-negotiation experts!
Solang Valley snow fun – an absolute winter blast! 🌨️❄️🎿
Ziplining was a blast, soaring over the snowy landscape like superheroes. The tube ride was like sliding down fluffy clouds, with giggles and laughter trailing behind us. Skiing was a hilarious affair with us slipping and sliding all over the place, but hey, we tried our best! And the ATV bike ride was pure thrill, zooming through the snow like winter racers.
Let me tell you about the coolest part of our trip - Ruchika's birthday celebration in snowy Manali!
When the clock struck midnight, we raised a toast to Ruchika, celebrating an epic birthday adventure. It was a day of happiness, surprises, and memories that will melt our hearts forever.
So, in the snowy paradise of Manali, Ruchika's birthday became the sparkliest gem of our trip - a frosty, fabulous, and downright fun celebration! 🎉🎂🌨️
Day 3: We had an amazing experience paragliding in Manali. The ride uphill to the paragliding start point was a bit bumpy, but our driver, Kannu, was really skilled.
Kannu, our driver, was the real MVP, making sure our bumpy adventure turned into an epic flying fiesta. Check out the wild ride on my Insta, it's a thrill you won't want to miss! 🪂🎢📸
If you want, you can pay an additional Rs. 500 for a GoPro video of the experience.
I have uploaded a short clip on my Instagram handle:
Tip: Wear comfortable clothes, goggles, and shoes. After that, we had lunch at Zorba Restaurant in Kullu, which had great food, good staff, and a stunning view.
Lunch at Zorba Restaurant, Kullu:
Then we visited Roerich’s Art Gallery and Naggar Castle, which is a medieval castle turned heritage hotel.
More details: http://irmtkullu.com/
Lastly, we tried some delicious Italian food at Café 1947 in Manali, and their Hot Chocolate with rum was a real highlight!
All in all, our Manali adventure was a rollercoaster of emotions, from freezing fun to cozy dilemmas. But every moment was worth it. So, if you ever plan a winter escape to Manali, remember to pack your superhero capes, penguin suits, and unicorn repellent – you'll thank us later! Happy travels! 🚀🌟
