As the travel industry is steadily operating and travelers are hitting the roads again – keeping all safety precautions in mind – we are here to tell you everything you need to know while you embark on a rejuvenating trip to Manali.
Recently, we spent four nights in Manali and rediscovered paradise. Wondering how? Follow us on Instagram to see our best travel moments in Manali and what magic we witnessed there! Amidst all the excitement to travel somewhere after so long, we often get puzzled when we actually sit to plan or pack for the trip. Fret not. Here’s a detailed account from us on everything you should know before going on a trip to Manali –
When to visit?
We travelled in December and it was very cold. The temperature throughout our trip was 10 degrees to minus 4 degrees. The best time to travel completely depends on what kind of weather you like.
From November to March it is cold and the temperature ranges from 10 to 20 degrees.
From April to June it is very pleasant and the temperature varies from 12 degrees to 28 degrees.
During the months of July To Mid October, it is not a good time to travel to Manali because it rains heavily, there are a lot of landslides, and many roads are blocked due to that.
End of October can be visited if you wish to see Autumn (fall season). It’s beautiful. Fall has its own charm. 🙂
What to pack?
Click here to know what to pack while traveling post lockdown.
Since we visited Manali during winters and there was snowfall, here are the essential things that we carried:
- Thermals
- Warmer socks
- Gloves
- Hoodies
- Beanies
- Legging thermal
- Warmies – these are small sachets that you can activate and use as heaters. (Portable heaters)
- Puffer Jackets – lightweight & warm jackets
Skincare is very essential especially during winters :
- Moisturiser
- Skin oil for dry skin
- Lip Balm
- Body lotion
- Body Oil works wonders in winter.
What to expect at the airport and airplane?
We boarded a flight exactly after 347 days! Wait, what? The anxiety was super high. All the trips that we did since July 2020 were road trips. Taking the flight, wearing the mask, face shield, PPE kit were giving us anxiety like never before. But excitement the levels were as high as always. The minute we saw the airport & entered the airport, we were all good.
At the airport, all the safety precautions were on point. Surprisingly, our flight was full but everything was in place. The staffs were very cooperative. They explained all the essentials well. Web check-in is compulsory to keep everything contactless. In a row of three, the middle person has to wear a PPE kit, face shield & mask. And the person on the window & aisle seat should wear a face shield. Everything is provided by the airline. If you want a meal on the flight, you’ll have to prebook it online while doing the web check-in at least 24 hours prior to the departure time. It’s a little uncomfortable for the person in the middle seat, however, the safety is on point.
Where to stay?
We stayed at Mastiff Grand Manali booked by Kalakrruti/The Trawingers. We knew that we wanted to stay in this hotel because it has a view of the river flowing right outside. It offers a combined view of the river & mountains from your room. What more can you ask for? This particular hotel used to be one of the premium hotels & was rated among the top 5 hotels in Manali. However, there are better brands and bigger hotels now. Trust us, nothing can beat the view that this hotel offers.
Before we take you to the highs of this hotel, let’s talk about some flaws. It’s not a top-rated hotel anymore because of the way it’s managed. It’s mainly visited by the people who visit Manali for work or transits. So, it’s a very basic hotel. We were here in winters and were expecting it to be centrally heated. To our surprise, it wasn’t. However, they had a small heater in the room which kept our rooms warm. Everything said this is one of the best hotels that offer good views & also the food was really good.
What to see?
Click here to read our detailed itinerary to explore Manali during winters.
And, if you’re travelling in the summers, you can go to Club House, the log hut area, old Manali, and Aleo. We couldn’t go to these places due to Covid lockdown. You can do one-day trips to – Kasol, Manikaran, and Kullu. Also, you may visit rabbit farms & shawl factories to enjoy some local experiences.
That’s it. We hope we have covered everything essential information one needs to know for a memorable and exciting trip to Manali. Rest assured, the natural splendor of Manali is going to make you go awestruck at every step for sure!
And yes, don’t forget to bookmark this blog for future references. :’)
