Some Small Budget Travelling Tips for Kullu-Manali

Day 0: Take a Non-AC Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus from Kashmiri gate ISBT, Delhi around 7-8 pm. It takes 12-13 hours (in winter, it takes bit longer) to reach Manali. If you prefer to visit in a AC bus, pre-booking (online booking available) is advisable and carry some food for dinner with you. AC bus stops only at very high end dabha.

Day 1: Reach Manali by 9-10 am. If you are in a group, send the best bargainer (rest wait at bus-stop, carrying luggage makes no sense) to scout some hotels along the river Beas. Do not take a hotel at Mall road as they are costly and worse. Near Hotel Beas, the Govt. hotel, you would get several good hotels at cheap price. A double bed room should not cost more than Rs. 400/500. Dumping the luggage, you can sit and enjoy beautiful Beas and during evening take a walk on crowded mall road. If you drink, do try local fruit wine (kiwi, plam, orange wine are really good), they are cheap, low on alcohol content and really good. Do not forget to book a taxi for next day's trip to Solang valley. Taxi rates are mostly reasonable and fixed (google for rates).

Day 2: Leave for Solang valley as early as possible, spend the day on adventure sports, yes, they are costly. So spend as much as you want. Visiting Solang valley on winter is really great. In summer it is still okay. However, in summer, (if Rohtang Pass is open), instead of Solang valley visit upto snow point at Rohtang. Once again pre-book a taxi for next day's trip.

Day 3: Wake up very early and book your return ticket from Manali bus stop. Visit one of the several local routes available (like Hadimba temple, Naggar castle, Jagatsukh temple etc etc). It depends on your choice. Leave for Delhi by 6-7 pm. Don't be very late. Jam near Azadpur crossing gets pathetic after 9 am.

If you have more days in hand, visit Kullu, Kasol Valley and Manikaran (frequent buses available from Manali) and stay there for a day. Buses of Delhi from Manali goes via Kullu. So from Manikaran/Kasol, there is no need to go back to Manali.