Road Trip to Himachal (Manali -Tirthan - Shimla)

      It becomes very important to take your family on vacation if you are planning for a long trek. It is to balance on both sides of your life. In the same manner, I had my last Deo Tibba trek in June 17 and now was planning for next Himalayan Trek, so thought to take my family out for vacation. We were already planning to meet with family and during discussions; we thought to go out on Diwali vacation. Credit goes to Prashant (Brother in law) and Amrita (Sister in law, henceforth referred as Mini) for all the planning and bookings. For us (Me, my wife Priyanka and our kid, Parth), the trip was kind of travel package that too sponsored by my in laws.

                The plan was to gather in Noida and go out to Manali, Tirthan Valley and Shimla on our personal car. Priyanka’s parents were already reached Noida from our home town Damoh when we reached Noida from Pune. So, we took a day rest in Noida and packed our bags.

Day 1 (13-Oct-17): Noida – Chandigarh – Mandi - Manali

This was third time I was going Manali and I knew the day is going to be hectic one. The distance is around 570km and last 300km is a hilly road. So, we left on our TATA ARYA early morning to avoid traffic and cover as much as possible in first half of the day. Mini has very high motion sickness and soon started felling uneasy. We took few stops, had breakfast and lunch on the way and continued our journey. Chitchatting, looking outside and answering Parth’s queries, we completed the hectic journey till Manali with few ups and downs. Salute to Prasant’s amazing driving and patience without which, it could have been more hectic. Acharya Cottage was our booked destination which is next to Jagatsukh village and we reached there by around 9 PM. We took our dinner in the hotel which was well served amazing food and went for the rest.

Family from left, Prashant, Papaji, Priyanka, me, Mini, Mamma and Parth

Day 2 (14-Oct-17): Solang Valley, Mall Road and Hadimba Temple.

Impressed with the dinner, we took our breakfast in the hotel itself and moved to Solang Valley.

Prashant and Mini at Hotel in Manali

Parth in Solang Valley

Solang Valley

 It is around 15km from our hotel and we reached in about 30mins. Luckily no traffic on that day in Manali, may be due to Diwali week and weather was at its best. Solang valley is a beautiful small valley, especially if no crowd.


One can go for paragliding or rope way to see the beauty around. There is a temple and a water fall which is around 2 km from parking and a must to see place. Motorbikes and mules are available to reach there but I would suggest to trek. We had elders so hired motorbikes but in return; I, Prashant and Mini trekked back. After spending more than 3 hours there, we moved back to Manali and had lunch at Mall road. We spent some time in shopping and hired autos to reach till Hadimba Temple. It is around 1.5km from mall road and on little height. This is again a beautiful place. Go in the park which is behind the temple and can sit in silence. 

Mini at water fall and Shiva Temple

Sun was set and after a wonderful day, we returned back to hotel. Spent some family time, had dinner and went for the rest.

Rohtang is other major attraction of Manali but it was not in our plan looking at the health of our parents. It is a full day trip and you have to hire a local taxi or you have to get permit which is online and very hard to get. I had visited this place before and a fantastic place to go; especially to see the amazing range of Himalaya.

Day 3 (15-Oct-17): Manali – Aut – Tirthan (Gushaini).

Though, we wanted to stay in Manali for one more day. But we got bookings in Tirthan only for 15-16 Oct, so had to leave Manali on 15^th Morning. With the experience of day 1, Mini avoided the breakfast and packed one paratha for the way. The journey was around 100 Km so we prepared ourselves and started journey at around 9 am after having breakfast. Looking at the beauty that we missed on day one, taking breaks and listening PAPAJI’s favorite old songs, we continued our journey till Aut Tunnel. Just after the tunnel, straight road goes to Mandi and left goes to Tirthan valley. We took left turn and destination was around 30 km from tunnel.

Just after taking left at AUT TUNNEL

Raju Bharti guest house was the destination which 1 km before Gushaini in Tirthan Valley. As soon as we crossed the Dam, road came very near to Tirthan river and it is along the river till Gushaini and may be beyond that. This is beautiful road and crystal clear river along the way. You will have the feeling of Jindgi Na Milegi Dobara on this road. Soon we reached at the destination which was at other side of river. A small wooden bridge to cross the river is there.

Crossing Tirthan River through Wooden Bridge

Rope way is also installed, if the water level is above wooden bridge. We checked in, had lunch and went down on river bed. This is just amazing place to enjoy the silence, except river sound.

Priyanka, Relaxing in Tirthan River

After spending some quality family time, taken dinner, played cards and went on to rest except me and Papaji. We played few games of Chess.

Day 4 (16-Oct-17): Tirthan (Gushaini).

After breakfast, we went to GHNP office in Shairopa and walked into the jungle capturing few memorable moments in cameras and came back to resort.

Mini, Collecting wild flower at Shairopa

After lunch, we planned to visit a water fall which is near to jalori pass and around 19km from Gushaini. I must say, it was not a good idea. Though, it is only 19km, but road is dangerous and not for outside drivers. Again Hats off to Prashant for his driving. There was a political rally in Banjar town and we turned back to resort looking at the road and traffic due to rally. This was a great decision and we came back to resort before sun set, had little walk on the road and we spent rest of the time in resort and river. We arranged campfire in night and after dinner, we went on to bed.

About the Guest House and Nearby Places

I must say, Raju Bharti Guest house is not the guest house but a fantastic resort. It has two sections, few rooms at lower level, near the river and B cottage is upper side for which you have to trek for a minute. Both have their own uniqueness. From lower cottage, you can have the river view while from upper cottage, you can see the top view of the beauty around. The guest house has lots of flower, apple trees and persimmon trees. Everything available there is kind of included in package. We got the booking 1500 per person per night including breakfast, tea, lunch, evening snacks, dinner (Veg/Non-Veg) and anything available in the kitchen. Food is awesome, Karan (Owner) and his brother is managing the resort and very humble guys. They do everything that they can for you. Three dogs and few cats are also the part of the resort and good for your safety. This is very good, beautiful resort if you are looking for some peace of mind and relax for your body. Nothing to see there, you can just sit on the river bed and enjoy the silence. One can go to fishing (Paid service), or a waterfall near the resort (Have to walk for 1 km) or in the Great Himalayan National Park. Don’t get confused, the office of GNHP is before guest house (Shairopa) but nothing to see there. Actual national park is 8 km from the resort called Rohilla. Car goes till the gate and then you can pay at entrance and walk in the park. We missed it but have the plan to trek in this national park till Rakhundi in 2018.

Mamma and Papaji in Resort

Mini and Prashant in River

Me and Priyanka at Campfire Hut in Resort

Me and Prashant at Masti time

Family Time

Our Room in Resort

Mini, on persimmon hunt

Day 5 (17-Oct-17): Tirthan – Mandi - Shimla.

There are two roads for Shimla, one is the same Banjar road which is short but dangerous and other is long one via. Mandi. Based on our previous day's experience, we took the long road via Mandi. We left little late to digest breakfast and to avoid motion sickness, but of no use. The route was boring and hectic as we were coming out of the beautiful scenery to dusty roads with full of traffic. With few ups and downs, we reached Shimla at 9 PM and checked in to Hotel Samrat, which was on mall road. Hotel was good and we were all tired so soon went for the rest.

Day 6 (18-Oct-17): Shimla

Jab we Met at Mall Road, Shimla. The young gang

We had a plan to visit Kufri today but last day was quite hectic so we decided to relax. After breakfast, we went on to mall road. We had photo sessions, shopping, eating, chilling out and came back to the hotel for some rest.

At Mall Road, Some relaxing moments

We again went on to mall road to enjoy the evening and it was worth to spent an evening there. On every stairs going up, I was imaging the movie scene of Jab We Met where Kareena met Shahid. One can visit to few nearby places, like Church and shop in local market.

Day 7 (19-Oct-17): Shimla – Noida

It was Dipawali today and the last day of our memorable trip and only back travel was remaining. It was kind of coming down to earth from heaven. Prashant was all set for long drive, we mostly focused on the way and Diwali planning. With no issues or sickness, we came back to Noida by 5PM and when we noted the milometer, we had traveled 1300 KM.

Special Thanks to Papaji for sponsoring the trip, hope we will have many more such SPONSORED vacations.

PLEASE DO NOT POLLUTE THE PLACE, IT IS BEAUTIFUL AND LET IT BE BEAUTIFUL. PLEASE, PLEASE TAKE BACK YOUR PLASTIC WRAPPERS BACK TO CITY, DO NOT LITTER PLASTIC AT ANY NATURAL or TOURIST PLACE.