Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Start at Hidimba Devi Temple in Old Manali, ideally around 8:00–9:00am, when the cedar grove is quieter; allow about an hour. The temple is generally open during daylight hours, and entry is free, though timings can change. From there, walk uphill through Old Manali to Manu Temple—allow roughly 20–30 minutes for the climb and about 45 minutes at the temple. Wear shoes with good grip: the lanes can be steep and uneven.
Walk back down and spend about an hour wandering Old Manali’s village lanes and small shops before settling in at Cafe 1947 for lunch by the river. Budget around ₹500–1,000 per person and allow about 1.5 hours; check the day’s opening hours locally, as they can vary. Keep the afternoon unhurried—tomorrow’s early start is a better reason to save your energy than to squeeze in another outing.
Take a taxi or auto from Old Manali to Mall Road, Manali (usually around 10–20 minutes, depending on traffic) and spend about an hour picking up any small essentials. Confirm your trek operator’s checklist, the next morning’s pickup point and time, and current road and trail conditions; don’t assume a shop will have specialist gear, so buy anything important earlier. Have an early dinner, pack tonight, and get to bed early for the pre-dawn departure.
Leave Manali around 5:30–6:00am in a pre-arranged taxi to Gulaba; the drive on the Manali–Rohtang road usually takes 1.5–2 hours and costs roughly ₹2,500–4,000 per vehicle one way. Confirm road access, any local permissions and trail conditions with your trek operator the evening before—snow, rain or road restrictions can change the plan. Start trekking promptly from Gulaba and pace the steady climb through forest toward the Bhrigu Meadow trail. Allow about 4–5 hours to reach the upper meadows, with unhurried breaks for water and to adjust to the altitude.
Continue across the open grassland to Pandu Ropa, a good place to pause for your packed or trek-provided lunch and take in the mountain views; allow 45–60 minutes, and pack out every wrapper. From here, follow your guide’s route to Rola Kholi campsite. The full trek from Gulaba typically takes 5–6 hours, so expect to arrive in the afternoon or late afternoon. Check in with your trek team, drink water and layer up before the temperature falls; keep a waterproof layer handy, as conditions can shift quickly at altitude.
Have the trek-provided meal at the Rola Kholi camp kitchen and keep the evening restful—your next day’s high-altitude walking will feel easier if you eat, hydrate and sleep well. Meals are usually included in organized trek packages, but confirm this with your operator; bring a headlamp and warm layers, since nights are cold even when the day has been sunny.
Leave Rola Kholi at first light with your guide—typically around 4:00–5:00am, with the exact start set by your operator and the forecast. The steep climb to Bhrigu Lake takes roughly 4–5 hours; go steadily, take short water breaks and tell your guide promptly if you feel unwell. At around 4,300 metres, altitude and fast-changing weather matter more than pace. Carry warm layers, waterproofs, water and a packed snack, and follow your guide’s call if snow, poor visibility or wind makes continuing unsafe.
Allow about 30–45 minutes for the Bhrigu Lake ridgeline viewpoints, but go above the lake only if conditions are settled and your guide says the route is safe. The views can open across the surrounding Himalayan peaks, though cloud may roll in quickly. Treat Bhrigu Lake respectfully as a sacred alpine site: keep the shoreline clean and don’t swim. This is a long summit day—keep your stop brief enough to leave plenty of daylight for the return.
Descend by the Rola Kholi descent trail, allowing roughly 3–4 hours and taking extra care on loose, snowy or slippery ground; trekking poles help if you have them. The full outing can run to 8–10 hours, so don’t linger on the ridge and let your guide adjust the plan to weather and your condition. Back at Rola Kholi camp, refuel at the Rola Kholi camp kitchen with the trek-provided meal and rest; confirm meal and packed-food arrangements with your operator before setting out.
Start down from Rola Kholi with your guide, aiming to reach Gulaba in about 3–4 hours; the descent can be slippery, so take your time rather than racing the clock. Your pre-arranged taxi will meet you at the roadhead for the roughly 1.5–2-hour drive back to Manali. Keep pickup timing flexible—trail pace and road conditions can shift—and confirm the meeting point with your driver before setting off.
After dropping your pack and freshening up, head to Vashisht Temple and hot springs in Vashisht village for a gentle change of pace. Allow around 1–1.5 hours, but check locally for current access and bathing arrangements; facilities and rules can vary. If you’re tired after the trek, a short wander through the village is plenty.
Settle in for a proper meal at Johnson’s Cafe, near Manali Nature Park; budget roughly ₹600–1,200 per person and allow about 1.5 hours. Then, if your legs and the daylight are up for it, take an easy one-hour shaded riverside walk through Manali Nature Park. Keep the afternoon unhurried: after a high-altitude trek, resting at your hotel is a perfectly good alternative to extending the walk.
No packing list attached yet.