Besides natural charm and never-ending beauty, Manali has a reputation for unlimited adventure sports, a backpacking center, and a hub for love birds. Whether you are a loner looking for peace, a thrill-seeker, or just a traveler, Manali never disappoints you. 

One such adventurer is Shyamal Rastogi; a 21-year old recent university graduate who works as an Audit Associate. He along with his 2 other friends planned a short trip to Manali to change the everyday pace of life. 

Day 1: Chalal

Their first day started with landing in Kasol. However, on top of their list was to visit Chalal before anything. It happens to be just a 20-minute walk from the main town of Kasol. Nestled in the lap of Parvati Valley, it is a much quieter and more peaceful place to enjoy nature’s serenity. Surrounded by large fine trees and housing cozy and quaint homestays, it is perfect for people seeking solitude. En route, you might also find tent setups in the forest for overnight campings and explorations. 

Being tired from the continuous overnight journey, they explored the nearby areas and called it a day. 

Day 2: Kasol

Starting the next day early they were back in Kasol. Standing at an elevation of 1,580 meters above sea level, it stands strong in its raw natural beauty surrounded by lush conifer forests, gushing rivers, and snow-covered mountains. Nicknamed the ‘hamlet’ of the Kullu Valley, you can enjoy all sorts of activities here, from trekking and camping to hip festivals and lit parties. 

Kasol is generally crowded with thousands of travelers from all around the world. 

• Manikaran

Moving ahead, up next they went to Manikaran via shared taxi. 4kms away from Kasol, Manikaran is a small paradise, which is regarded as a Pilgrimage for Hindus and Sikhs. And that is what you will find here most, temples and Shrines. However, if you are not into that, there are quite a few worthy sunset spots and scenic points, along with the local bustling market, hot spring, and a trek at Harinder mountain. 

• Tosh

Next on Shyamal’s list was Tosh, which is another hour’s drive. Famous for its brilliant cafes and Israeli food, it is regarded as more budget-friendly than others when it comes to accommodation and food. You can take a long walk around the Parvati river and the place is also perfect for photoshoots!

• Kalga

Having spent enough time in Tosh, they hired another cab which took them to Barshaini, after that there is no motorable road; it takes about a 20-minute hike to the village. Widely known for its rocky terrains and several uncharted courses, Kalga has several trek options for you to choose from. Housing wooden cottages and plentiful apple orchids, this is a less explored gem of Himachal, where you can just be, enjoying nature and colorful cafes overlooking a beautiful valley. 

At this point, Shyamal and his friends were tired enough from all the exploration and headed back to Kasol, checked in the Hosteller, and called it a night. 

Day 3: Malana

Regarded as the Hashish Capital of Himachal by many, Malana is about an hour’s hike from Kasol. Overlooked by Chandrakhani and Deo Tibba Peaks, this village is away from the chaos of the city and has roads less explored. The overnight stay at this Village is strictly banned for the tourists. The village follows its own rules and an outsider is not allowed to take photos, videos, or even touch certain buildings or people without their verbal consent. 

So if you want to explore this natural and raw beauty, make sure to start your trek early in the morning and leave before sunset, you will not want to be stranded in the mountains after dark! 

Shyamal and his friends found themselves relaxed once they reached the top. After spending some quality time, it was time to bid goodbye to the village. 

Day 4: Manali

From day 4, here starts the main part of the trip. After treks, exploration, and appreciating natural beauty, travelers often enter Manali with adventures laid ahead of them. From skiing to paragliding, rafting, and mountaineering, Manali has it all. 

However, Shyamal did not intend to be a part of any such escapades. He and his friends planned to visit Solang Valley. Located between the Beas Kund and Solang Village, it is famous for its picturesque views and snow-clad mountains. 

• Solang Valley

They enjoyed the splendid ambiance of milky white snow, emerald green trees, under the blue heavens.  The pristine beauty and vast stretch of mountains are truly to die for!

Overwhelmed by its charm, they then decided to do the Hampta Pass trek. A crossover corridor between Chandra and Kullu valley is just like a scene out of the movie! It takes about 4-5 days to compete for this trek and is fairly moderate on the difficulty level. 

• Hampta Pass trek- Chika

However, due to unfortunate weather and heavy snow, they were only able to make it to Chika. It is the first campsite on the trek, where you can stay overnight in the tents under the starlit sky, by the bonfire. Not to mention, surrounded by maple, pine, and silver birch trees, it is a sight to behold. The stay will undoubtedly be a memorable one. 

He and his friends made a return journey from Chika since there was no way to move forward, they enjoyed every bit of it! And just like that Shayaml explored the mystifying mountains, fascinating nature, and beyond. 

To enjoy more amazing pictures and videos, check out Shyamal’s page @travelwithshyamal.

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