It was in mid of February that I decided to travel to Himachal and stay amidst the mountains for the next 2 months. As a conscious traveller I planned my trip and stay with all the precautions against the pandemic and packed my bags to explore the mountains. With abundant homestays and hotels available at reasonable prices, Himachal serves as a perfect Staycation for Work-From-Mountains.
Beginning a Memorable Journey By Road- From Delhi to Manali
I began my journey from Bhubaneswar landed in Delhi and took my bus to Manali from Kashmir Gate, that I had booked prior on RedBus. Staying at the junction of Old Manali and Manali was totally worth because visiting nearby off-beat attractions became much easier.
The view from the balcony of Hotel Meadows was breath-taking. I got really lucky with the price of my stay for 8 days (₹600 per day), which was a deluxe room with a wonderful view.
Staying Amongst the Serene Beauty of Manali & Exploring its Off-beat Attractions
Manali has a lot of beauty to offer, I began my exploration by visiting the Hadimba Temple that was only 500 metres away from my hotel. Other nearby attractions like Van Vihar, Tibetan Buddhist Monastery are peaceful retreats that are must visits.
To enjoy peaceful sunsets, take a stroll along the Mall Road, and watch the sun go down ever so beautifully. Hop in to the local Café’s and Restaurants to try some Pahadi food that are absolutely delicious and will make you crave for more! Chopsticks, a popular restaurant is a place to try amazing Himalayan brewed Beer known as Kati Patang, and the lip-smacking local dish Siddu resembling a Garlic Bread that tastes even better.
The lush green forest behind Van Vihar connects to Old Manali, and is a wonderful place to take a stroll at any time of the day.
Old is Gold in Manali- Exploring attractions in Old Manali
The climb to Manu Temple is truly amazing! The view you get to see from the top is unforgettable. My stay was at Hotel Kathmandu, situated right next to the river, you can imagine how scenic it must have been!
I rented a Scooty from the locals and left for Solang Valley to dive in deeper into the beauty of Himachal. There are a lot of adventure activities at Solang, where I had opted for Skiing and Zip lining. These adventure activities give you a top-of-the world experience.
On my way back, I stopped by a local Dhaba, and had Maggie and Chai. I also visited Jogini Falls, and took some peaceful time to breath in fresh air and admire the enticing view from Barwa Road Bridge.
Travel Tips:
1. Book your flights from EasyMyTrip for the cheapest deals.
2. You can book your tickets prior from Redbus to save your precious time.
3. Hotels can be booked prior at Booking.com for the best deals.
4. Choose Hostels or Homestays for most affordable stays.
5. Rent Scooty from locals for affordable travel, which will cost only ₹500 for a day.
6. Skiing and Zip Lining will cost around ₹1000. Always bargain.
Staying at Chojh Village A Village near Kasol
I took a local taxi to reach Kasol, you can also opt for local buses that are much affordable. Before moving to Kasol, I had made my mind to stay and explore this lesser-known village of Chojh. There is much more beauty at Chojh than Kasol, though both of the place share a walking distance, Chojh is especially for the lovers of solitude.
I stayed at Chojh at an affordable homestay named Mahi Homestay which cost me only ₹500 per day. A lot of unseen, less-travelled places can be covered from Chojh that will leave you mind-blown. Do not miss the Chojh Bridge that offers a mesmerizing view.
Choose to stay at Chojh if you love nature, and Kasol if you love to stay near the cacophony of crowds.
Best Trekking Experience Awaits at Manikaran And Tosh
If you are into trekking, then Manikaran and Tosh provide you with the best trekking experience of your lives. You can opt for local transports to reach Tosh. The Kheerganga Trek, is one of the most popular trek here. Stay at Tosh to enjoy a bird’s-eye view from any hotels or homestays, and then head to Manikaran to enjoy more of the natural beauty it has to share.
My whole trip for 2 months at Himachal Pradesh was absolutely amazing. The beauty of this place is inexplicable in words. Since I had stayed for 2 long months, it seems I have made Himachal my
second home, a place I can return back to, again and again… And I know, everytime I’ll visit this place, it will have something more and new to offer
Did you know?
1. Kheerganga trek largely depends on Season and weather.
Budget
The whole budget including food, travel and stay for 2 months should be around ₹ 20,000 to 25,000!
What to Pack?
Pack light. Carry warm clothes if you are travelling in mid-February like me. An umbrella is much needed to protect you from occasional showers and snowfall. Also carry ID proofs, sufficient cash because there are a few ATMs and recent Vaccination/Covid reports.
Best Time to Visit
If you want to explore peacefully with less crowds, then the time between mid-February to March is ideal for visit.
Special Tips for Female Solo Travellers!
Keep self-defence equipments with you like Pepper Sprays, Whistle, Tactical Pen, Karambit Knife and 140 db loud alarm Keychain.
