Travel Manali

Manali is 570km from Delhi, the capital of India, and there are buses connecting the town with Delhi, Shimla, Dharamsalaand Leh. For service from Delhi to Manali and back, tickets and reservations can be made at the ISBT bus terminal and also online.

Regular busses move between Manali to Delhi on daily bases. Volvo is the best and comfortable option to reach in manali.you can easily get Volvo from Majnu ka Tila.

It's an over night journey from Delhi to manali.

The windows on Volvo buses are fixed and do not open at all. Carrying/ consuming a tablet for motion-sickness is advised before mountain journeys . Also heavy/ spicy meals just before/after boarding the bus should be avoided. Volvos offer bags that people may use if they feel like vomiting. You may enjoy a better view of the valley and the beautiful Beas river if you book seats on the right side of bus while travelling from Delhi.

Places

Hadimba temple

It is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, who was a character in the Indian epic, Mahābhārata. The temple is surrounded by a beautiful cedar forest (Dhungri Van Vihar) at the foot of the Himālayas. The sanctuary is built over a huge rock jutting out of the ground, which was worshipped as an image of the deity. The structure was built in the year 1553. If you're walking to the temple you can take a short cut up the hill through the woods instead of walking along the road.

Vashist Hot Water Springs

About 3km from Manali, across the Beas river is Vashist, a small village with natural sulphur springs. Modern bathhouses, have the hot water piped into them for the convenience of the visitors who come here to benefit from the medicinal properties. Vaishisht, also boasts a pair of old stone temples, opposite each other above the main square. Dedicated to the local patron saint Vashista, the smaller of the two opens on to a partially covered courtyard, and is adorned with elaborate woodcarvings.. The temple tanks are underground hot-water/sulfur springs. Be wary of hanging up your trousers or bags on the hooks provided, pickpocketing is a daily occurrence. Hand over your wallet to a trusted person for safekeeping before you enter the springs for a bath. Separate tanks for men and women are provided in the temple. Keep in mind these are open baths and little or no privacy is available for women except separated areas for bathing.there are many shopes you can buy stuff from there. And there is a juice shop where you can drink fresh apple juice in just 30 bugs.

Jogini Falls

Its About  2km trek from Vashisth Temple. Going to the top of the falls would need a guide and quite a bit of trekking, but if you wish you could just keep asking for directions from Vashishth temple many signs are also placed there you can easily track and reach the first level of the falls.

It's an beautiful trail if you are a nature lover you will definitely like it very much.

I want to tell you one thing on the way of this trail there are many mountain dogs which follow you constantly in the trail so you can feed them with whatever eatables items that you have.

Solang Valley

In manali its  popularly known as Snow Point, is 13 km northwest of Manali and famous for its 300m ski lift. The Ski Lift ticket is ₹500 per head for a trip both ways. It is a picturesque spot and offers splendid views of glaciers and the snow-capped mountains. Solang valley also offers attractions like paragliding, snorkeling etc. Jagatsukh, the former capital of Manali, is also an important spot.

You can rent snow suit nearby the main road of solang Valley.

In summers

In Winters

Monasteries

Manali is known for its shiny gompas or Buddhist monasteries. It is maintained by donations from the local community and by sale of hand-woven carpets in the temple workshop.

Old Manali

At a distance of 3km northwest of Manali is Old Manali, famous for its orchards and old guesthouses. Calm and serene surroundings coupled with the sound of Beas river is a very peaceful experience. There is ruined fort here by the name of Manaligarh. There is also the Manu Maharishi Temple, dedicated to sage Manu.

What to Do in Manali

• Hot natural Sulphur water bath at Kalath(6.5 Km downstream),Vashisht village (3 Km upstream) or Manikaran.
• Get your photos clicked with either rabbits or yaks (near the Hidimba Temple). It will cost about ₹30-50 for a single photo.
• One can also enjoy paddle boating in a fun park near Hidimba temple and many swings for Children.

River rafting, skiing, zorbing, trekking, snow scootering, and river crossing. One of the best adventure companies is the High Himalayan Adventure, based in Vashisht village. River rafting is closed during the monsoon.

• Hiking- Take the steps behind Himalayan Extreme Centre in Old Manali and follow the footpaths to a beautiful 1-2hrs hike alongside the Manaslu river .You'll have to come back the same way.

Trekking: There are three trails

Deo Tibba Base Camp Trek: This trek is a technical trekking trail in Manali. This trek is a famous trek among the experience climbers. This trek gives a magnificent view of Deo.

Friendship peak Trekking: This is one of the majestic mountains in the beautiful valley of Kullu. This mountain is situated at around 5289 meters above the sea level. Best way to go for this trek is from Beas Kund and Dhundi.

Hampta Pass Trek: This trek is one of the most famous trekking trails in the Manali region. This trek is suitable for those who have some prior hiking experience and are reasonably fit. This trek is passes through forests.

Tips for Budget Travellers 

1.Off Season Travel:  Manali is an evergreen destination. You'll love it in the summer, but winter will reveal another snowy side of Manali you would love to witness. It really depends on how well you can handle freezing temperatures.

2.Prefer staying at Hostel or far from mall road:

You can find good backacking hostels like

The Lost Tribe Hostels - 300-600 per night

YHAI - 300-500 per night

Zostel - 400/500 per night

Rockway Hostel - 300/400 per night.

You can also go for OYO or other hotels in old manali in off season they are also cheap.

I had also stay in tourist nest OYO hotel in 300 bugs only in off season. 

3.Dont eat in the restaurant on the mall go for the restaurant behind the mall road near Buddhist monasterie.the quality of food is also good there.

4. Try to Share Vehicles with other tourists instead of Hiring one for sight visiting. This will save you a tremendous amount of cost. Even better.... hire a scooty 400-700 /bike 800 -1500 bugs(exclude petrol)to roam around in Manali.

5.visit the cafes at Old Manali or Vashisht Village for Food. They are tasty, cheap, and you will meet the most interesting people over there, though few. And you can spend as much time as you want in these cafes.. they have books and indoor playing games for passing some lazy time.

Places to Eat

Old Manali is one of the best places to hang out in the evening. It has a great collection of restaurants/bars and shops. It is also not crowded like the Mall Road, with the crowd consisting mostly of foreigners. You can get a nibble of Yak's cheese in the restaurant's here.

• The Lazy Dog has an extensive multi-cuisine menu, featuring an assortment from Korean, Japanese, Thai, Italian, Vietnamese, Continental and Indian Cuisine. The food is excellent and the ambiance is great. The restaurant sits on a sheer cliff right by the river Manalsu. With free wifi and gracious hosts, this is one of the favorite hang-outs in all of Manali. .
  

• RedHouse Cafe (RedHouse), Behind Clubhouse, Old Manali (up the stairs - in the street directly behind the Clubhouse).Pick any of the house guitars - strum, sing; else Saturday Nights almost always have Live Music . Its also one of the few places left in Manali where you can soak in the sun on it's many beautiful days. 

• Andhra Bojanalayam near Piccadilly theatre serves south Indian tiffins, full meals(Rs.150 per plate) and snacks. Morning 8am to 10pm. Very good. Pure Veg only.

• Bob Dylan's Cafe (also known as Roasted and Toasted) is in the heart of old Manali. It serves the most delicious cookies and sandwiches. With its extremely good menu and pocket friendly price, it remains one of the most popular destinations after a day's sightseeing. Also, at no extra cost you have a very comfortable movie theater where you can choose among some 100 movie titles and watch as you munch on those delicious cookies. And yes, they do play Bob Dylan's songs. Must visit.
  

• Shere Punjab In mall road it Serves good butter chicken with butter naan. You can also get a beer which is not mentioned in the menu, if you ask for.

• Cafe m 1947, Old Manali, . The 1st Music Cafe in Old Manali(near the Bridge), located on the banks of the River Manalsu. Cuisines from all around the globe and known for its dishes like the "Burger Of Bodom", "UFO", and "The Terminator". Travelers can also pacify themselves by playing instruments in rhythm with the Voice of the River. Also, there are Unplugged Concerts held time to time
  
• Blue Elephant Cafe is a small eatery with good Indian and Western spread at very reasonable rates close to the bridge on Beas river. You get the option of sitting and enjoying the food right next to the river gushing by. Try out the freshly made parathas, bruschettas, omelettes and traditional Indian tea.
• Pizza Olive has the best pizza in town and is worth the trek to Old Manali. Also try the fabulous tiramisu.
• Green Forest cafe, lying on the Hadimba-temple old manali road, only a few hundred meters from the temple, is also a very popular destination for both locals and foreigners. It serves tibetean soups, veggie dumplings and other sandwiches and snacks.

• Moondance is right opposite the Dylan's cafe. It also has a multi-cuisine menu, and the food and ambience are all good.
• Apple Blossoms at Manali Heights Resort (near log huts area) to savour the best of local himachali menu as well as delectable Indian, european, oriental cuisines.
• Johnson's Bar and cafe located 5 minutes walk up from the mall road, it is a great place to hangout in the evening. The food and service is quite good, and is thus a very popular place.
  
  
• Chopsticks (opposite the bus stand).Really good Tibetan food.
• Mayur Restaurant (in a lane opposite the upper end of the bus stand).
• Vaishnao dhaba (in the market adjacent to the bus stand).
• Valley View Restaurant at Snow Valley Resorts (known for beautiful view and good homely buffet food).
• Madras mess is a popular mess which serves south Indian meals Unlimited meals Rs:80
• Il Forno, Original Italian pizzas prepared by an Italian cook. Prices higher than Indian average but still cheap for Italian pizza..

Also try wine or lugadi a local rice based drink ...

                            Dont litter on the mountains

Take your trash with you.