After your arrival and a restful check-in, enjoy a slow, late-morning stroll to Van Vihar for fresh pine-scented air and easy lakeside paths ideal for stretching travel-weary legs; there are benches and local stalls where you can sip hot tea and try momos. Follow this with a relaxed brunch at Johnson's Cafe in Old Manali (famous for hearty breakfasts and mountain views), then wander the nearby lanes to discover boutique shops and local bakeries before returning to the hotel to rest and prepare for the afternoon's light exploration.
Ease into Manali's rhythm with a leisurely walk through Old Village Manali-explore wooden houses, tiny tea stalls, and local artisans selling shawls and woolens, perfect for picking up a cozy souvenir. As dusk approaches, head to Cafe 1947 on the riverbank for hot soup or pasta and a fireside seat, then finish with a gentle sunset stroll across the footbridge to enjoy river views and the first glimpses of the snow-capped peaks.
As night settles, wander to Manali Sanctuary (Sidh Baba Ka Mandir area) for a quiet, starlit walk where you'll often hear distant river and village sounds-a calming way to soak in mountain air before dinner. Follow this with a cozy meal at The Lazy Dog or Il Forno (both close by) for wood-fired pizza or Himachali specialties, then finish the evening with a warming cup of chai at Drifter's Cafe while planning tomorrow's full-day explorations.
Start your morning with a peaceful walk through the cedar-shaded lanes to Hadimba Devi Temple, absorbing the carved pagoda architecture and listening to temple bells as local worshippers arrive; nearby, pop into the small Himalayan Nature Park for glimpses of local wildlife and panoramic valley views. Afterward, head to The Riverside Cafe in Old Manali for a riverside breakfast of steaming Tibetan bread and chai, then browse the nearby lanes for handcrafted shawls and vintage finds at the Old Manali Bazaar before returning to your hotel for a short rest and to prepare for the afternoon's mall-road stroll.
After a restful morning, wander toward the bustling heart of town to explore Mall Road, browsing shops for local spices, woollens and handmade jewelry before stopping at Café Sol for a warming cup of masala chai and freshly baked pastries. Continue with a calm riverside walk to Vashisht Village to soak in the hot sulphur springs and visit the quaint Vashisht Temple, then relax at a teahouse overlooking the river while watching locals and pilgrims drift by-an easy-paced way to transition from sightseeing to an evening of dinner and cultural strolling.
As twilight deepens, head to Riverside Bistro (near the Beas) for a cozy riverside table where you can sample local trout or a spiced Himachali thali while listening to flowing water and soft acoustic music. After dinner, wander up to Clubhouse Viewpoint for a short, easy walk that opens onto sweeping night-lit valley vistas, then finish with a nightcap at Chai Thala - their saffron chai and cardamom cookies are perfect for reflecting on the day's discoveries before returning to your hotel.
Leave Manali early for a crisp drive up to Solang Valley, arriving as the slopes brighten and the air smells of pine; start with a guided snowmobiling session near the lower meadow to get an adrenaline kick and panoramic valley views. Afterward, warm up with a hot chocolate at Solang Ski Resort's café before taking a short ropeway ride toward the higher snowfields for beginner-friendly sledging and a brief lesson in basic skiing techniques from local instructors.
After a high-energy morning, head to Anjani Mahadev Temple viewpoint area for a gentle acclimatizing walk and panoramic photos of the surrounding peaks, then descend to Gulaba meadows for a relaxed picnic on a sunny patch of snow with thermos chai and local snacks. Later, try a guided zipline session at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Adventure Park or book a paragliding tandem from the lower slopes for bird's-eye views of the valley before returning to Manali as daylight softens.
As daylight cools, wind down at Solang Riverside Café for steaming momos and hot butter tea while watching the valley lights begin to twinkle; this relaxed riverside stop lets you swap photos and stories from the day's adventures. After dinner, take a calm, moonlit stroll toward Beas Viewpoint for wide, restful vistas of the river and peaks, then return to Manali via the scenic backroute, pausing at Gulaba Tea Stall for a final cup of chai before bed.
Set out pre-dawn (to beat crowds and maximize pass access) for the dramatic alpine approach to Atal Tunnel viewpoint-pause at the scenic pullouts for sunrise photos over the Lahaul ranges, then continue toward the high ridges where you'll stop for a guided short snow-walk near Rani Nallah to learn about glacial streams and capture sweeping valley panoramas. If Rohtang is closed, pivot to an exhilarating drive up to Kothi Dugh and the Bara Pathar meadows for a gentle guided trek across high-altitude grasslands and a warming roadside breakfast of local kedgeree and chai at a shepherd hut.
If Rohtang is open, meander up to the frozen meadows near Rahala Falls viewpoint for close-up glacier vistas and short guided snow-scramble sessions, then warm up with shepherd-style stew at the roadside Naddi Tea Stall while photographing the dramatic valley folds. If the pass remains closed, drive the scenic ridge road toward Gulaba Plateau to explore sunlit snowfields on foot, visit the rustic Bara Bhangal viewpoint for uninterrupted mountain panoramas, and finish with steaming momos at a local dhaba before a relaxed return to Manali.
After returning to lower elevations, settle into a restorative, slow-paced evening at Jogini Falls viewpoint for a short, lantern-lit walk to the falls followed by tea at the nearby Local Dhaba at Dhankot where shepherd-style rajma and garlic naan warm you through. Later, meander back toward town via the scenic Baira Village lane, stopping at a family-run homestay cafe for freshly baked plum cake and storytelling with locals before a quiet night in to rest for tomorrow's valley explorations.
Rise early and drive through pine-scented roads to Naggar Castle, where you'll join a short guided tour of the medieval stone ramparts and the fascinating Russian artist Nikolai Roerich's gallery inside, then sip chai on the castle terrace with sweeping views of the Kullu Valley. After exploring the castle, wander down to the nearby traditional hamlet of Galantri to meet local artisans, try a hands-on wooden-carving demonstration, and enjoy a riverside breakfast of steaming kullu-style patties and local yogurt at Galantri Homestay Cafe before continuing into the valley.
After lunch, take a scenic lane downriver to Chundur Village for a gentle walk through terraced orchards and meet local apple growers-try a freshly pressed apple juice and learn about traditional orchard pruning. Continue to Kathgarh Temple to admire its unique wooden carvings and then relax at Riverside Cafe Kullu for chai while watching villagers fish and children play, a tranquil way to absorb everyday valley life before returning to Naggar at dusk.
As dusk falls, wander to the hillside hamlet of Nirmand Viewpoint for golden-hour panoramas of the Kullu Valley, then descend to the rustic Shasur Kund picnic spot to enjoy a simple, homestyle meal of local trout and buckwheat rotis served by a village family. Finish the evening with a short, lantern-lit guided walk through Sari Village lanes to watch smoke curling from stone hearths and join a local storyteller for folk tales and music over steaming chai.
Ease into the day with a slow breakfast at Drifter's Cafe (try their house pancakes and freshly brewed mountain coffee), then wander the bohemian lanes toward Old Manali Library Garden for a quiet read or people-watching among firs. Afterward, take a short, guided uphill walk to Beas River Lookout (Upper Spur) - a gentle 30-45 minute trail offering postcard views and a perfect spot for a thermos chai picnic before returning to town for an afternoon of browsing local crafts.
Spend a slow, indulgent afternoon wandering the boutiques of The Mall Road Plaza, hunting for handwoven Kullu shawls and locally carved trinkets, then settle into Cafe 1947 (Old Manali riverside annex) for a late lunch of wood-fired focaccia and steaming Tibetan thukpa while watching the Beas flow by. Afterward, take a short guided nature stroll up to Jogini Falls trailhead for a gentle 30-45 minute hike through cedar groves-perfect for light exercise and photos-and finish with hot ginger tea at the small hillside stall near the falls before returning to town for an easy evening.
As dusk falls, settle into a riverside table at Drifter's Terrace (the quieter annex of the town's popular café) for comforting Himachali dal chawal or a spiced trout plate while the Beas whispers nearby. After dinner, take a short, lantern-lit stroll up to Club Road Viewpoint for sweeping twilight panoramas, then pop into The Haat night bazaar to browse local jams, artisan candles and hand-painted trinkets while sampling roasted chestnuts and warm sweet chai.
After a leisurely check-out, pick up last-minute local treats at Manali Market (Tibetan Market extension)-handmade jams and dry fruits make great travel snacks-then enjoy a final riverside breakfast at Riverside Bakery & Café with fresh parathas and steaming chai as you watch the Beas glide by. Board your vehicle with time to spare for a scenic photo stop at Bara Bazaar Viewpoint to capture one last panorama of cedar-lined slopes before beginning the drive back toward Ghaziabad, easing into the journey with regular tea-and-rest stops at trusted highway dhabas.
After a relaxed riverside breakfast and check-out, make a comforting mid-day stop at Kullu Shawl Emporium (highway outlet) to pick up last-minute Kullu shawls and hand-knit caps, then stretch your legs with a short walk around the scenic Pandoh Dam viewpoint for wide-water vistas and a final mountain panorama. Break the drive with a hearty lunch of local fare at Seth Dhaba (Aut)-famous for aloo ke gutke and steaming rajma chawal-then continue toward Ghaziabad with planned tea stops at reliable highway cafés to keep the journey easy and social.
On the drive back, pause for a relaxed riverside dinner at Sidu Café (Aut bypass) where you can savour steaming kullu-style trout and buttery buckwheat rotis while stretching your legs. Later, make a final scenic stop at Nalagarh Fort Viewpoint for twilight valley panoramas and a last round of chai from the roadside Highway Chai Stall, then settle into the journey home with soft music and shared photos of the trip.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Van Vihar (Manali) | Free |
| Tea & momos at local stalls (Van Vihar area) | ₹150 |
| Johnson's Cafe (Old Manali) - brunch per person | ₹600 |
| Old Manali lanes browsing (shopping) | ₹300 |
| Manali Sanctuary / Sidh Baba Ka Mandir area (walk) | Free |
| Cafe 1947 (riverbank) - meal/drinks per person | ₹650 |
| Cafe 1947 riverside annex (Day 6 lunch) | ₹650 |
| The Lazy Dog - dinner per person | ₹700 |
| Il Forno - dinner per person | ₹700 |
| Drifter's Cafe - chai/dessert | ₹250 |
| Hadimba Devi Temple - entry | Free |
| Himalayan Nature Park (near Hadimba) - entry | ₹50 |
| The Riverside Cafe (Old Manali) - breakfast | ₹350 |
| Old Manali Bazaar shopping | ₹400 |
| Mall Road browsing (shopping) | ₹400 |
| Café Sol - tea/pastry | ₹250 |
| Vashisht Village hot springs (public) | Free |
| Vashisht Temple (visit) | Free |
| Riverside Bistro - dinner per person | ₹600 |
| Clubhouse Viewpoint walk | Free |
| Chai Thala - chai & cookies | ₹150 |
| Solang Valley - transfer (shared/local taxi per person roundtrip from Manali) | ₹300 |
| Snowmobiling (Solang) - per person (short session) | ₹1500 |
| Solang Ski Resort café - drinks/snack | ₹250 |
| Ropeway (Solang cable car/ropeway) - per person | ₹400 |
| Sledging / beginner ski lesson (local instructor) - per person | ₹1000 |
| Anjani Mahadev viewpoint (walk) | Free |
| Gulaba meadows picnic (snacks/thermos) | ₹200 |
| Atal Bihari Vajpayee Adventure Park - zipline / activity per person | ₹1200 |
| Paragliding tandem (Solang) - per person | ₹3500 |
| Solang Riverside Café - dinner/snack | ₹350 |
| Beas Viewpoint (Solang/Gulaba) | Free |
| Gulaba Tea Stall - chai | ₹50 |
| Atal Tunnel viewpoint (drive) - visit | Free |
| Rani Nallah snow-walk (guided short) | ₹300 |
| Rohtang Pass permit/entry (if open) - per person (permit/transport surcharges vary) | ₹500 |
| Kothi Dugh / Bara Pathar alternative drive & guided trek | ₹400 |
| Rahala Falls viewpoint visit | Free |
| Naddi Tea Stall shepherd stew/snack | ₹200 |
| Gulaba Plateau / Bara Bhangal viewpoint (alternate) | Free |
| Jogini Falls viewpoint (evening visit) | Free |
| Local Dhaba at Dhankot - dinner per person | ₹300 |
| Baira Village homestay cafe - plum cake & tea | ₹200 |
| Naggar Castle - entry + Roerich Art Gallery per person (guided tour) | ₹200 |
| Galantri hamlet - wooden-carving demo & breakfast | ₹350 |
| Chundur Village orchard visit & fresh apple juice | ₹150 |
| Kathgarh Temple (visit) | Free |
| Riverside Cafe Kullu - chai/snack | ₹200 |
| Nirmand Viewpoint (golden hour) | Free |
| Shasur Kund picnic meal (homestyle trout/buckwheat) - per person | ₹400 |
| Sari Village lantern walk & storyteller (community fee/donation) | ₹150 |
| Drifter's Cafe / Terrace - breakfast or dinner | ₹500 |
| Old Manali Library Garden (visit) | Free |
| Beas River Lookout (Upper Spur) guided short walk | ₹200 |
| The Mall Road Plaza shopping budget | ₹500 |
| Jogini Falls trailhead guided stroll (Day 6) | ₹200 |
| The Haat night bazaar shopping/snacks | ₹300 |
| Manali Market (Tibetan Market extension) - last-minute treats shopping | ₹400 |
| Riverside Bakery & Café - final riverside breakfast | ₹300 |
| Bara Bazaar Viewpoint (photo stop) | Free |
| Kullu Shawl Emporium (highway outlet) shopping budget | ₹800 |
| Pandoh Dam viewpoint (visit) | Free |
| Seth Dhaba (Aut) - lunch per person | ₹300 |
| Sidu Café (Aut bypass) - dinner per person | ₹400 |
| Nalagarh Fort Viewpoint stop | Free |
| Highway chai stall stops (multiple) - per person total | ₹200 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | ₹21950 |