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As the summers hit the city this year, all we could think of an escape into a cooler and calmer locale, at least for the weekend and rejuvenate ourselves. For someone living in and breathing the Delhi air, what could be better than the quaint hill town of Manali and bask in the alpine weather for a couple of days? Nothing beats the allure of the crisp mountain air, the beauty of fresh bloom, and the peaceful environment. But it’s no fun experiencing such a place alone. So a of few cousins both of us managed to avail of an attractive and complete Delhi to Manali tour package by car, which helped manage our entire weekend trip most comprehensively. With the package, we could travel to and from Manali and also do local tours if needed.

Reaching Manali

It takes nearly 12 hours from Delhi to reach Manali town and there were about 10 of us traveling. Hence we had to get a spacious and comfortable Tempo Traveller in Delhi to make it a comfortable journey in the hot weather. Also, we decided to start late in the night so we could avoid the day heat and traffic from Delhi. Even the drive to Manali is equally exciting as spending time in the Himalayan hamlet. Leaving the concrete jungles behind and passing through the villages of Punjab and finally landing into the pine-lined winding roads and lush valleys of Himachal.

Finding a quiet corner

Summer is the peak season in Manali and we have seen how crowded the town can get during this season. And we didn’t want to jump from one urban environment to another. Also, the newer parts of the town were brimming with touristy crowd and hotels were overpriced. So, we picked a reasonably priced, small cottage on the outer fringes of Old Manali. We have always preferred the older parts of the town, for it holds the soul of the town. With the quirky cafes, quieter lanes, the better mountain views, and a very different crowd from the main town, Old Manali still manages to retain its classic charm.

The next two days looked something like this-

A peaceful few hours at the monasteries

The monasteries of Manali are the perhaps the quietest corners, especially during the peak season, when every corner of the town is occupied. Monasteries like ManaliGompa, GadhanThekchokingGompa, and the Himalayan NyingamapaGompa are not only religious places but make for a great place to sit, absorb the silence and introspect, which we always miss in city life. Hence, we resort to the hills, whenever we can find an opportunity.

Exploring Vashisht Hot Springs and Solang

One of our reasons for living in the Old Town was that some of the best places of Manali are nearby and you could easily walk around. Although we had our car with us, it is more fun to explore on foot, breathe the fresh air and feel the vibes. At barely a couple of miles from our resort, we reached the Vashisht Hot Springs. But instead of going to the temple or the springs, we headed towards the riverside, where the crowd was lesser and the views were stunning. The summer sun shone brightly over the mountains and yet it was not hot. From there we headed towards Solang Valley.

At a 14KM drive from the Manali town, we reached the Solang Valley. This huge grassland turns into a silvery blanket of snow in the winter, when it is fun to ski and sled. And in summer, we saw a very different side of this valley. It was green with a golden glow from the afternoon sun and the apple and pear trees were in full bloom with white and pink flowers. People were paragliding and zorbing across the endless meadows. We also joined in and enjoyed an hour-long paragliding tour. The mountains along the fringes of the town were still covered in snow which glistened in the bright daylight.

Absorbing the mystic evenings

Later that day, in the evening, we went shop-hopping around Old Manali. We have always found this part of Manali to be mystical. Some of us dispersed, exploring our individual. We took a long stroll down the lanes and by-lanes, some of which we have explored before, but they never cease to amaze me. Strains of music flew in from the nearby cafes and lounges and heady herbal aromas filled the air. We made our way into a nameless lounge, tucked between two big restaurants, hidden away from the main road. Two guitarists strummed some all-time classics on the acoustic while the crowd swayed in their own trance.

Nature, adventure, and the vibrant energy of Manali always manages to give us an instant dose of rejuvenation and make us feel alive.