3‑Day Budget Adventure in Himachal Pradesh (Manali → Kullu → Bir → Shimla)

Day 1: Manali – Snowy Peaks & Alpine Fun

Morning: Arrive at Manali Railway Station and check into a budget guesthouse. Enjoy a hearty breakfast, then head to Solang Valley for beginner‑friendly snow‑shoe walks and panoramic mountain views.

Afternoon: Continue exploring the valley with a short sled‑ding session and a quick stop at the Manali Nature Park for easy hiking trails. Return to town for a simple lunch of local thali.

Evening: Stroll through Old Manali streets, browse affordable handicraft stalls, and unwind at a cozy café while watching the sunset over the river.

Day 2: Kullu & Bir – River Thrills and Paragliding

Morning: Take an early shared taxi to Kullu (≈1 hour). Experience a short stretch of gentle river rafting on the Beas River, perfect for beginners.

Afternoon: Travel onward to Bir Billing (≈2 hours). After a light lunch, join a budget‑friendly paragliding tandem flight for stunning aerial views of the Kangra Valley.

Evening: Explore the tranquil Bir Tea Gardens, sip a cup of locally grown tea, and stay overnight at a modest homestay in Bir.

Day 3: Shimla – Snow‑capped Hills & Scenic Walks

Morning: Depart early for Shimla (≈6 hours by shared bus). Check into an economical hostel and freshen up before heading to the nearby Kufri hill station.

Afternoon: Enjoy a leisurely walk through Kufri’s snow‑covered meadows, try a simple snow‑ball game, and take the toy train ride for a nostalgic experience.

Evening: Return to Shimla’s Mall Road for budget shopping, street food, and a final sunset view from the open‑air Ridge before departing the next day.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Solang Valley – 3 hrs, ₹300 (cable car ticket)
• Manali Nature Park – 2 hrs, ₹150 (entry)
• Old Manali stroll – 2 hrs, ₹0
• Kullu river rafting – 3 hrs, ₹500 (shared group)
• Bir Billing paragliding (tandem) – 2 hrs, ₹1,200
• Bir Tea Gardens – 1.5 hrs, ₹100 (tea tasting)
• Kufri snow activities – 4 hrs, ₹400 (equipment hire)
• Kufri toy train ride – 1 hr, ₹150
• Mall Road & Ridge – 2 hrs, ₹0
• Accommodation (3 nights) – 72 hrs, ₹3,000 (hostels/guesthouses)
• Meals (budget) – 9 hrs, ₹1,200
• Local transport (buses, shared taxis) – 12 hrs, ₹1,000
• Total Estimated Cost: ₹7,900

Tips

If you have an extra day, consider adding a night in Manali to explore the hot springs at Vashisht or a short trek to the nearby Jogini Waterfall. To shorten the trip, you could skip Bir and focus solely on Manali–Kullu, reducing travel time and overall cost while still enjoying snow activities and river rafting.