Winter Holidays in Kullu – Manali

If you have a plan to spend winter holidays in North India, just pack your bags and head to these amazing destinations, Kullu and Manali. You will enjoy like anything and return with memories of your life in these picturesque locations.

After spending three days in Shimla, we headed for Manali in a cab which traversed through scenic roads and valleys. The road also passes through various tunnels including one in Kullu area which is around 8-9 km long.

The drive from Shimla to Manali was absolutely beautiful — every mile offered stunning views, winding roads, towering and snow-capped mountains and rustic roadside Dhabas that made the journey even more memorable. The flavor of that Aloo paratha (potato-stuffed flatbread) from a roadside restaurant still lingers in my memory. It was, without doubt, the best Aloo paratha I’ve ever tasted anywhere in India.

It took about 7-8 hours to reach the resort town of Manali. However, throughout the entire journey, we were immersed in the stunning beauty of majestic Himalayan mountains and the scenic landscapes around us.

Embracing Manali

Manali is a spectacular hill station located in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, India. This resort town is positioned in the captivating snow-peaked mountains and attract tourists from all over India.

The picturesque locations with breathtaking views of snowy mountains, swaying eucalyptus, lovely curved roads and valleys are truly a feast for our eyes. Kullu – Manali trip is a perfect plan for spending winter holidays in the Northern part of India.

The temperature dropped as low as 1°C during the nights and stayed around 14–15°C during the days in December. However, we absolutely loved the freshness of the air and the tranquil environment in Manali.

The water there is crystal clear and always tastes pure, as it originates from the glaciers of the great Himalayas. Along the winding mountain roads, the sight of frozen waterfalls cascading down the slopes is truly a treat for the eyes.

Shop’ n’ taste Manali

A lot of people from all over India travel to Manali not only to experience the mesmerizing beauty of the location, but also for its famous shopping destination – Mall Road.

The Mall Road is renowned for street shopping and a number of shops are lined up with famous items like Kashmiri and Kullu shawls, carpets, woolen items, antiques, artificial jewellery etc. Bustling with activities throughout the day till night, the Mall Road remains the focal point of Manali.

Another aspect of Manali is the traditional and delicious mouth-watering Himachal cuisines. A lot of eateries are in Mall Road and around the town with variety of North Indian foods. They provide traditional Himachal foods and other North Indian dishes.

The streets bring alive the flavors and aroma of delicious Himachal cuisine in all its authentic and traditional best. One should never miss tasting the local specialties like Red Rice and Khadi Chawal, which perfectly capture the warmth and richness of Himachal’s food culture.

After experiencing the chilling climate in Shimla and Manali for five memorable days, it was time to bid farewell to the mountains. We were happy to be joined once again by the same friendly driver who had been with us throughout the trip in Himachal Pradesh. Together, we began our journey towards Chandigarh — our next stop before reaching Amritsar.