New Year Edition – How to Plan a Budget Trip to Manali

The budget trip to Manali will look after your taste of the region’s famous tourist attractions and its friendliness will hold you to visit Manali again. Manali and its mountains will never cease to fascinate you, whether you are on a solo quest for inner peace and adventure backpacking trip with your besties, or a honeymoon trip with your beloved.

Manali, one of Himachal’s most popular hill stations, provides breathtaking views of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges, which are covered in snow for most of the year. The hill town has evolved into a haven for the wandering heart, with cultural treasures unique to this part of the world.

You want to spend your New Year viewing the Beas from Old Manali, visiting Vashist temples and therapeutic hot springs, or traveling to Solang Valley for a hill roll (Zorbing) or even a jump are some of the activities available in your budget trip to Manali. Other Tibetan monasteries to visit include the Manu Temple, Hadimba Temple, and the Pin Valley National Park.

Check out these tips and tricks to make your budget trip to Manali an unforgettable one!!

1. Take a bus from Delhi NCR

A budget trip to Manali will be unforgettable and pocket-friendly if you travel by bus. Buses run from Delhi to Manali every day. Consider taking an HPTDC bus for a reasonable fare.

The distance between Delhi and Manali is about 530 kilometers, and it takes about 12 hours to get there. The boarding locations are the Delhi ISBT (Inter-State Bus Terminus) and Himachal Bhawan in Central Delhi. The cost of an AC bus will be INR 1400.

2. Stay at Hostels

During this time of the year, the prices of the hotels will be high which is why to choose hostels to make your budget trip to Manali more pocket-friendly. During this time of staying at the hostel, you will get a chance to interact with other folks and will be astonished by the cultural diversity and ethics. The stay at any hostel will only cost INR 200.

3. Food

Maggie and chai will not be your companion for a trip of 3-4days, you gotta explore the fresh menu to make your budget trip to Manali more refreshing and intriguing.

Daily food will cost you INR 400 that will include your breakfast, lunch and dinner. Wake up your taste buds by a few of the delicacies of Manali, do check them out – Khatta, sidu, babru, trout, patande, bhey, aktori and tudkiya bhat.

4. Rent a vehicle

You can rent a scooter to explore around for INR 400 per day. A photo ID and license are required. Local means of transportation are also available there but it is quite difficult to find.

If you are good with your bargaining then local means is best for you but if you are your own driver then a scooter is the best available option there in Manali. Renting a vehicle is one of the best things to do if you want to make your budget trip to Manali a terrific one.

Tourist Attractions for your Budget Trip to Manali

1. Mall Road

The Mall Road in Manali is often referred to as the city’s center, and it is the most popular tourist site for Himachal visitors. The Mall Road in Manali, known for its street shopping adventures and bustling with a plethora of activities, has plenty to keep you occupied for the day.

Begin your journey down the Mall road by visiting the Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple. It has the right combination of architectural flavors and colorful tones for you to photograph with your cameras. The Sakyamuni shrine is the focus of the main shrine. The Tibetan-style handicrafts on display are just incredible and indeed are a perfect gift that will fill the bill and will also not be a spoiler for your budget trip to Manali.

Some shops still have that Tibetan-style incense stick and unusual singing bowls. There are few shops on Mall road that sell Kullu and Kinnauri shawls in a variety of spectacular patterns and colors. If you’re on Mall Road you can buy prayer wheels, Kullu caps, Dorjes, Bamboo souvenirs, turquoise and silver jewelry, and other local souvenirs. Visiting Mall Road is one of the best things to do if you want to make your budget trip to Manali a terrific one.

Location – Located on the main street of Manali, Himachal Pradesh. 

Timing – It remains functional on all days of the week from 09:00 a.m to 09:00 p.m. 

Duration – You need one whole day to explore the Mall Road

2. Winter Carnival

How about a budget-friendly carnival? Yes, you got it right! Winter Carnival is one of the best places to visit on your budget trip to Manali. Every year around New Year’s Eve, Himachal Pradesh prepares to welcome the new year with aplomb and festivities, and it’s one of the most exciting Manali tourist destinations. The festival’s name is Himachal Winter Carnival, and it is without a doubt one of the most unique and thrilling cultural experiences.

The Manali Winter Carnival, Himachal’s largest tourism event promoting local culture and winter sports to attract tourists during the lean winter season. To know more please check 30 top tourist places in Manali that reflect the beauty of the hill-town!

You will be exposed to local culture, dancing, singing, sports, local foods, tableaus, winter sports, and moreover within the course of just five days. These 5 days, you will extract the maximum entertainment and it is often the best source to make your budget trip to Manali more intriguing. Winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding will be organized in the Solang valley near the town, while the colorful programming aimed at attracting tourists will continue. Almost 4,000 local ladies will take part in the event to give it a local flavor.

Start Date – 02 January 2022 

End Date – 06 January 2022

Timing – Inaugural will take place on 02, January at 07:00 a.m. 

Location – Manali, Himachal Pradesh

3. Rohtang Pass

The Rohtang Pass is well-known among visitors to Ladakh, but the unpredictability of avalanches and harsh weather conditions can make it dangerous at times. Nonetheless, it has made a trip to Ladakh a once-in-a-lifetime experience for adventure seekers.

The Rohtang Pass, at 3978 meters above sea level, is only 51 kilometers from Manali. It is one of Kullu’s most notable attractions, and it is part of the illustrious Pir Panjal Range of the majestic Himalayas. It is often the best source to make your budget trip to Manali more intriguing. To know more, please check the astounding and adventurous Beas Kund Trek.

Location – Leh Manali Highway, Himachal Pradesh 

Entry Fee– INR 550 per person

4. Old Manali

Simply cross the Manalsu River bridge into the ‘Old Manali’ section of Manali to see the other side of the town and the tourist traps. The unusual charm of the village will make you feel as if you’ve stepped into another world. The city is frequently praised by visitors, particularly lone travelers, as a place to relax and unwind. Old Manali is one of the best places to visit on your budget trip to Manali.

It is serene and serene, yet mesmerizingly beautiful. The small town is also only a minor stop on the Southeast Asian pancake banana trail. In addition, wandering around the city and taking in the lush green tropics is a popular pastime in Old Manali. To know more please check the 15 most intriguing places to visit in Manali at night.

Location – It is just 2kms away from the City Centre. Travelers can take local transportation to reach Old Manali. 

5. Solang Valley

Solang Valley is located 13 kilometers from Manali, between Beas Kund and Solang Village. The valley is well-known among visitors for its spectacular views of snow-capped mountains and majestic glaciers, which attract skiers from all over the world. Solang Valley is one of the best places to visit on your budget trip to Manali.

Solang Valley’s beauty is unparalleled, and many people visit each year to marvel at its pristine, snow-white splendor. The entire site appears to be straight out of a movie, especially in the winter when it is blanketed in beautiful, milky white snow. Solang is absolutely stunning in the winter, with groves of emerald green trees dotting the spotless white landscape, crystal blue skies, and breathtaking mountains as far as the eye can see.

Location – Between Solang Village and Beas Kund Manali

Entry Fee – Entry is free for everyone 

Best Activities to do – Camping, Zorbing, Skiing, Quad Biking, Paragliding

6. Jogini Waterfall Trek

The Jogini Waterfalls, near Manali, is one of the most breathtaking views, leading to an incredible route that leads to the flowing Waterfalls in Vashisht. The Jogini Falls is surrounded by lush vegetation, and the splashes of water are a visual treat. Jogini Waterfall Trek is one of the best things to do on your budget trip to Manali.

The trek follows a short alley by the temple’s side, past tall pine trees and apple orchids. As you travel, you may notice the Beas river and the Rohtang snow peaks on your left. Take a trip to the top to see the Valley’s breathtaking views.

Location (Starting Point) – Hadimba Road, Manali  

Timing – 09:00 a.m. – 03:00 p.m.

 Prices – INR 1500 per person