Himachal Pradesh has lured travelers for centuries: once a tapestry of small Himalayan kingdoms and caravan trails, today it’s a mosaic of apple orchards, cedar forests, Buddhist monasteries, and wood-carved villages. Manali rose to fame on the hippie trail and now anchors adventures into Solang Valley and Lahaul. Nearby Jibhi and the Tirthan Valley remain quieter—perfect for slow mornings by a river and evenings around a homestay kitchen.

Expect crisp mountain air, terraced fields, and a cuisine built on grains, greens, ghee, and trout. Himachali “dham” feasts, steamed siddu, and local mountain honey are worth seeking out. Shopping runs from handloom Kullu shawls and caps to Tibetan silver and thangka art on Manali’s Mall Road and Old Manali’s lanes.

Practical notes: the best weather is Mar–Jun and Sep–Nov; winters bring snow (great for Sethan/Solang) and monsoon can cause landslides (Jul–Aug). Distances are short but mountain roads are winding—plan generous buffers. Cash is useful beyond Manali; mobile data can be patchy in Jibhi/Tirthan. Always check local advisories for road closures, and carry layers.

Manali

Manali blends cedar forests with a lively cafe scene and easy access to high-altitude valleys. From the carved Hadimba Devi Temple to Vashisht’s hot springs and the adrenaline of Solang’s slopes, it’s a great base to start your Himachal week.

• Top sights: Hadimba Devi Temple, Old Manali Bridge and Village, Vashisht hot springs, Solang Valley, Manu Temple, Arjun Gufa cave, Naggar Castle (en route south).
• Food & cafes: Try Café 1947 (riverside Italian and live music), Johnson’s Café & Hotel (trout and Himalayan specials), IL Forno (wood-fired pizzas, garden views), Dylan’s Toasted & Roasted (espresso and cookies), and The Lazy Dog (global grub, river deck).
• Shopping: Mall Road’s Himachal emporiums for handloom shawls and caps; Tibetan Market for silver and thangkas; Old Manali for indie boutiques and woolens.
• Stay (mid-range): Consider a boutique stay around Old Manali or Log Huts area for quiet nights and forest walks. Browse VRBO Manali and Hotels.com Manali.

Getting there: Fly to Kullu–Bhuntar (KUU) from Delhi/Chandigarh (about 1h15m). Search fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. KUU to Manali is a 1.5–2 hour drive by taxi. Overland from Delhi is 12–14 hours by overnight Volvo bus; by train, reach Chandigarh/Una and continue by road (check Trip.com Trains for rail options to the plains).

Jibhi

Jibhi is a pine-fragrant hamlet tucked off the main road, with wooden cottages, a clear stream, and cafe verandas built for lingering. It’s your springboard to Jalori Pass, Serolsar Lake, and the medieval stone tower of Chaini Kothi.

• Top sights: Jibhi Waterfall, Jalori Pass (3,120 m), Serolsar Lake trail, Chaini Kothi via Bagi village.
• Cafes & eats: Jibhi Café & Bakery (pancakes, coffee), Café Jungle Valley (thukpa, momos, views), The Pine Café (parathas and tea), seasonal roadside dhabas at Jalori (rajma-chawal, maggi, chai).
• Stay: Rustic cabins and homestays abound; look for river-facing rooms. Browse VRBO Jibhi and Hotels.com Jibhi.

Tirthan Valley

Base yourself around Gushaini/Nagini and you’ll hear the Tirthan River before you see it. This UNESCO-designated Great Himalayan National Park (buffer) is tailored to gentle valley walks, birding, trout angling, and slow-cooked homestay meals.

• Top sights: GHNP entry at Sai Ropa, Rolla trail along the Tirthan, waterfalls near Gushaini, village walks in Nagini and Gaidhar.
• Eat like a local: Try grilled trout at Himalayan Trout House (Nagini), and ask homestays for a hearty Himachali dham (festive thali).
• Stay: Riverside cottages and family-run lodges shine here. Browse VRBO Tirthan Valley and Hotels.com Tirthan Valley.

Day 1: Arrive Manali, settle into the mountains

Morning: Travel to Kullu–Bhuntar (KUU) by air via Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Private taxi to Manali (1.5–2 hours; ₹2,000–3,500) through apple orchards and the Beas River valley.

Afternoon: Check in, then stretch your legs in the cedar groves around Hadimba Devi Temple—a 16th‑century pagoda with intricate woodwork. Coffee and a cookie at Dylan’s Toasted & Roasted; pick up a Kullu cap on Mall Road.

Evening: Join this 2‑hour culture walk to orient yourself: Heritage & Cultural Walking Tour Manali.

Dine at IL Forno for wood‑fired pizzas and garden views, or Johnson’s Café for Himalayan trout (₹400–900 mains).

Day 2: Trails, temples, hot springs, and market browsing

Morning: Tackle a guided hike with varied routes to suit fitness: Private One Day Hiking Trip in Manali.

Expect deodar and pine forests, village paths, and wide Beas views. Pack a light layer; mornings can be cool even in summer.

Afternoon: Soak at Vashisht hot springs (carry a modest change of clothes). Slurp thukpa or bite into momos at Tibet Kitchen on Old Manali Road for a budget‑friendly late lunch (₹150–300).

Evening: Sunset stroll through Old Manali’s boutiques for shawls and silver. Try Café 1947 for ravioli and live music by the river; or The Lazy Dog for grilled plates and craft beverages.

Day 3: Solang Valley thrills and the Atal Tunnel to Sissu

Morning: Drive 30–45 minutes to Solang Valley for paragliding over meadows and snowy crags: Paragliding in Kullu Manali.

Winter brings snow activities; other seasons favor flights and ATV rides. Typical flight prices range ₹2,500–4,000.

Afternoon: Continue through the world‑record Atal Tunnel (9.02 km) into Lahaul, visit Sissu waterfall and lake, and return via Solang: Atal Tunnel Sightseeing Tour covering Sissu & Solang Valley.

Note: weather can briefly close the road in deep winter; check conditions the night before.

Evening: Warm up at Drifter’s Café (live sets some nights) or savor Himachali siddu with ghee at a local dhaba. If you prefer a guided day of highlights instead, consider Highlights of Manali (Full Day Tour) (alternative option).

Day 4: Scenic transfer to Jibhi via Naggar

Morning: Check out and drive Manali → Jibhi (95–110 km; 3–4 hours by taxi, ₹3,500–5,000). Break at Naggar Castle for wooden Kathkuni architecture and valley views; the adjacent restaurant does a fine grilled trout and chai.

Afternoon: Arrive Jibhi and settle into your cabin. Wander to the Jibhi Waterfall, a short, shaded walk with small footbridges perfect for photos. Coffee and banana bread at Jibhi Café & Bakery.

Evening: Unplug by the stream, then dinner at Café Jungle Valley (momos, fried rice, hot soups). Expect mains ₹200–450. Early night—tomorrow is for high‑altitude air.

Day 5: Jalori Pass and Serolsar Lake; Chaini Kothi side trip

Morning: Drive 45–60 minutes up to Jalori Pass (3,120 m). Tea and parathas at a pass‑side dhaba, then hike 4.5–5 km to Serolsar Lake (90 minutes each way). It’s a forested, gently undulating trail with a small shrine to Budhi Nagin; carry a light jacket and water.

Afternoon: On the return, detour to Chaini Kothi, an ancient multi-storey stone-and-wood tower reached via Bagi village. The walk passes orchards and hamlets—classic “live like a local” terrain. Late lunch back in Jibhi (simple thalis at roadside eateries; ₹150–250).

Evening: Bonfire at your homestay—ask to try making siddu (steamed wheat buns) with ghee and walnut chutney. Stargazing is excellent on clear nights.

Day 6: Into the Tirthan Valley—GHNP walks and riverside time

Morning: Short transfer Jibhi → Gushaini/Nagini (Tirthan Valley) in 45–75 minutes. Check in riverside. Stop at the Sai Ropa visitor point to inquire about Great Himalayan National Park entry (permits and guide info for buffer/core trails; carry ID and cash).

Afternoon: Walk the gentle forest path from Gushaini towards Rolla (as far as time allows; even 2–3 hours out-and-back is rewarding). Birders often spot barbets, forktails, and laughingthrushes along the river.

Evening: Dinner at Himalayan Trout House (pepper‑grilled trout, herbed butter, simple salads; mains ₹450–900). Or opt for a home-cooked Himachali dham at your homestay if available.

Day 7: Easy riverside morning, Banjar market, and departure

Morning: Slow breakfast with the sound of the Tirthan. Quick village walk, pick up local walnuts, red rice, or mountain honey. Swing by Banjar Market for woolens and Kullu caps.

Afternoon: Transfer to Kullu–Bhuntar Airport (2–3 hours depending on your base); fly onward via Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. If you’re headed by road to Chandigarh (7–9 hours), aim to leave before noon.

Evening: Travel night. If you have an extra evening in the plains, celebrate with North Indian fare before your onward flight the next day.

Budget tips (50/100): Mid-range rooms in Manali/Jibhi/Tirthan average ₹2,500–6,000 per night; hearty local meals ₹150–300, cafe mains ₹300–700, trout dishes ₹450–900. Hire point-to-point taxis for 3–4 hour transfers (₹3,500–5,000 per car). Always carry some cash for small shops and dhabas.

Responsible travel: GHNP and high-altitude meadows are fragile—pack out all waste, carry a refillable bottle, and skip single-use plastics. Winter driving needs caution; confirm road conditions and carry chains if self-driving.

Optional Manali add‑ons (seasonal): Snow days in Sethan/Hamta area are memorable. Consider Back‑Country Snow Adventures in Sethan Village (winter).

That’s your week among cedar forests, high passes, and river valleys—busy enough for adventure, slow enough for serendipity. With Manali’s cafes, Jibhi’s trails, and Tirthan’s riverside calm, you’ll leave with shawls in your bag, mountain air in your lungs, and plenty of reasons to return.