Manali is a heaven with snow alps. Review on Manali

Do's: If you are going in the snowfall then for ladies it’s a strict caution that they should cut off their nails because once you slip and land on the ground, normally protruding nails chip off.

Beware of the wrist injury which can be caused due to slipping while walking on the ice. If possible wear a wrist band as a safety measure. Wear your winter dress and above that wear a wind-sheeter to prevent ice from penetrating in the woolen clothes already you are wearing. If rains frequently.

So carry a full size umbrella for every individual planning for an excursion. Carry snacks and water because once you leave Manali, it becomes scarce to find one. Carry good amount of cash because ATMs at the mall road area remains out of order most of the time.

There is one Corporation bank ATM and PNB ATM which will help you in case of emergency which are located on the way to old Manali. Plan your tour according to the weather conditions. Best time to watch for the live snowfall if between the Christmas and New Year. People going along with their family and children should avoid this period.

Normally snowfall can be seen during the December and March period. Watch out for the hotel with power backup and hot water supply. Electric supply is restricted during the snowfall and the normal water if close to freezing. For budget travelers local HRTC buses are the best option.

Taxis are pretty dearer and they remain in a hurry to catch other tourist. If you are planning to travel by bus then return back to Manali by 5PM because in hilly areas sunsets early and taxi operators extort good money for a return journey.

Places to visit are – Hidimba temple, Manikaran, Solang Valley, Tibet Monestry. Plan your tour starting at most by 8 or 9AM in the morning if you are travelling by bus. For those who haven’t tried Chinese or Japanese food, Chopstick restaurant is the best place with a beautiful ambiance at the mall road.

But those used to usual Panjabi food it is a less spicy. If you are planning to go to the Solang valley to enjoy snowfall then beware to carry gum boots.

They are available at mere 20 Rs for 24 hours rent from a shop named Gulti that is also in front of the Bus station. Take an extra size of the shoe because while walking on the snow it won’t cause a shoe bite. Carry some rags to insert them around the outer circumference of the gum shoe top to prevent snow getting in to the feets. A Nepali girl at the shop is pretty polite and humble.

Hope you all will also find the same. On the way to Solang valley hardly after one kilometer from mall road, there is a tea stall named Kunj Lal on the left hand side. The old man and woman there are so generous and kind that they lit bone fire for us when we were freezing with cold with wet socks. Their children are working in Delhi/NCR and that the reason why they help passerby just like their children.

Don’t:Never ever travel by a HRTC Volvo bus plying from ISBT to Manali. I had a very bad experience on my way to Manali. Actually the bus is closed and even doesn't carry a sickness bag. We had to board a bus with wet seats from ISBT.

Reason told was that just little while before some passengers vomited and the bus has to be washed. Now you can imagine how we would have travelled with the wet seats through Delhi to Manali. Same thing happened on the way when bus was travelling through the hilly region. Foul smell of vomit spoiled our joy of travelling in a Volvo after paying Rs1100 for one way journey.

Never book a hotel from the touts standing at the bus station in Manali. It is a very small town and we booked a hotel for Four people named LPS for 500/ day. They are dirt cheap and at an extra 100 or 200/- you can also book one with power backup. If you are planning to visit Manali during the winter season then carry a room heater and an immersion rod of your own.

Hotel people are very smart they charge nearly Rs200 or more for a room heater. Geysers can heat up water for just one person within half an hour. So carry an extra rod to boil water. Our hotel person was very smart. I only came to know on the last day of the trip that he used to turn off the power supply for the geyser within just half an hour in the morning. Don’t purchase angora shawls from any local shop.

There is only one authorized shop named Bhutti & Co. in front of the bus station which sells authentic woolen clothes but at a reasonable cost. Last but not the least you will find lots of people selling shilajeet, kastoori and kesar. I didn't try one and suggest you not to try also.