Awesome. Review on Manali

I went to Manali 14 year back just after my marriage. I have many wonderful memories of that period, that time whole of Manali was covered with ice. We went to Solang valley which was covered with ice up to several feet, which was amazing.This year it was our Ivory marriage anniversary on 24th of Jan, I made plan to visit there once again, this time our two kids accompanied us. I booked inventory with club mahindra. That is snow peak resort village Prini Manali for three nights, initially I got booking only for two nights because of non availability, but at last moment, third night was also confirmed. Other wise there was off season at Manali. You can get 50 to 60% discount in all hotels & resorts during this time.

I like self driving; I started my journey around 3 pm on 22 Jan. I took route as follow- Delhi (my home is on border of Delhi on NH; Narela) Panipat –Karnal-Ambala-Banur-Kharar-Roper – Kiratpur Sahib- Swarghat-Bilaspur-Sunder Nagar-Mandi-Pandoh-Aut-Bhunter-Kullu Bypass-Nagar –Pirni (it is 3 km before Manali, my resort is in this village) it is 532 km from my place.

There are few key points in my route-

There is over bridge on Panipat now, so whole of Panipat take only 5 minute to cross previously it took up to one hour for 8 km during rush hours.

I did not go Chandigarh to avoid mess of it. After Ambala there is two route one goes to Chandigarh, other continue with NH 1 to Jalander, I proceed on NH1, after 12 km from Ambala there is toll bridge, just 50 mts before that (you can see toll bridge from here) there is right turn it will carry you to banur after taking 18 km, here is crossing one road goes to Rajpura, other toward Chandigarh third one toward Kharar (that is straight).I took this road at Kharar I hits on NH 21 which took me to Roper. At Bhunter there is two roads one go thorough Kullu, other bypass it. you should not follow first one this is narrow road & having heavy traffic , for second one you required to cross river through a Iron bridge then with in 5 minute you will reach to the other corner of Kullu.

Here again there are two routes first one is Main manali road for that you have to cross over bridge, Main manali road is wider, straighter but it contain slightly more traffic, Other road is Nagar road, for it you should go straight don’t climb on over bridge this road is also good, no traffic but it is slightly zigzag. but by this route you can visit Nagar here is scenic beauty, three more places to visit here one is Rorick art gallery it is worth to visit it, second on is Castle it is favourite in Bollywood for shooting you can enjoy a sips of coffee in balcony of it & watch the scenic beauty of Nagar, third one is 13 km from Nagar that is Jaana water fall this road is very scenic, although narrow but you can drive quite easily. At fall you park your car then there is trekking of 10 mts on hill to watch triple water fall. Here you can enjoy local himachali food it contain red rice, rajma, kadi, poodina chatni, & makki ki roti it is nice food. From nagar to manali is around 18 km, that is straight road

I took my first break at Swarghat, here is hotel of Himachal Tourism, I reached here around 9 pm, my wife wanted to stay here for night to avoid night driving, accommodation was comfortable, and food is also good. But you can go up to bilaspur here much more type of accommodation are available.

Next morning I started journey about 8 am & took second break for lunch at Aut & reached to my resort at 2 pm. Whole road from Delhi to Manali is very good, winding roads are for just 100 km from swarghat to sunder nagger. Still winding are not so acute. At resort staff is very good, they greeted us nicely & provided us nice room which had nice view. It was one BR accommodation, having one bed room & one common room. Common room was furnished with small kitchenette having microwave, toaster, fridge, a small snack bar (chargeable), tea kettle with teabag whitener etc; sofa cum double bed, dining table; TV with cable connection.

Whole resort was centrally heated, very comfortable, a fun zone having TT table, carom, music system & few chargeable games. These things are common in all resorts of club mahindra; my personal opinion is that few more amenities should be added in fun zone for complementary basis. There was small gym, one massage centre & a small park for kids containing swings. Here was only one restaurant named orchid. It has buffet system; it is little costly further food was tasteless. We used it for one day only.

On first day, we went to Manali market, Hidimba temple &Club house. At manali market, opposite bus stand there are two eateries chopstick & Mountain View. Both are very good, we took chicken sizzler & crispy chicken honey at Mountain View both are mouth watering preparations, you should try it. Other good eateries are Johnson café near mall & Apple blossom at Old Manali.

Second day we went Solang Valley, snow point, & Dundi. Although ice is quite less because there was no recent snow fall but we enjoy a lot, few adventure sports are at solang valley. These should be tried. On third day first we had few adventure sports like rock climbing, rappelling & river crossing just near resort, for this trainer was called by in-charge of fun zone club mahindra, these was chargeable 250/- per sport per person. After that we went to Nagger & Janna water fall. On fourth day we had again local tour of manali like Vashist sulfur spring, Manu Temple at Old Manali. On 26 after flag hoisting we drove back at 10.30 am. & we reached Delhi border at 9.30 pm. It was nice holiday-good destination, comfortable resort and nice food at mall.

My advices

You can visit few more scenic places in the way like Rawalser Lake, Paraser Lake. But for that you require planning for that. – Rawalser lake is 18 km from Nerchouk; this is just after Sunder Nagar. A hotel of tourism is also here.