How to plan a trip to Manali in Budget

Are you planning a visit to the pretty Manali hills, but worried about the cost? With a proper planning, you can enjoy Manali tour without breaking your bank. This Manali Travel Guide has all the things to do that will not just help you make your itinerary but sort out your budget too. We assure you that this guide will help you to find your answers without compromising your travelling experience.

As Himachal have ample of hill stations, Manali stands out to be a famous one. Be it natural beauty, adventure, culture, or history, there are a number of ways through which one can explore the best of Manali at cheap rates. It is one of the most visited weekend destination near Delhi as well as it is famous for being family vacation place and Honeymoon spot too. From finding perfect Manali Tour Packages to discovering local hotspots or from low-cost transportation options to in-budget accommodations, we will take you through every single detail.

How to Reach Manali on Budget

Reaching Manali won’t be an issue as it is nicely connected with Major cities like Delhi and Chandigarh via bus, train and flight. If you are choosing any Manali Tour Package, then it might be a convenient and budget friendly option, other than this you can go by -

By Road - The cheapest way to reach Manali is by bus. It is most easily accessible if you are willing to travel with an overnight bus from Delhi or Chandigarh. There are frequent Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses and private buses running in the AC and non-AC categories. The price normally varies from ₹500 to ₹1500 per seat, depending on kind of bus selected.

You can also go by renting a car or now a days a cool option of Carpooling is also available. If you are a solo traveller or a social butterfly then carpooling would definitely enhance your travelling experience.

By Train – There are no direct trains so you will have to take train to Shimla first. It might be a long journey, but yes it is a very cost effective way if the tickets are pre booked.

What are the Budget Friendly Accommodations in Manali?

There are a number of Hotels in Manali that will help you to make your trip Budget friendly. If you wish to choose to stay in Hotels, then here’s a list for you –

- Spring House Manali - Hadimba Temple Road, Village Dhungri, next to DPS, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131

Price starting from ₹315.

- Hotel Great Hamta Hills Manali - Hadimba Temple Road Manali, 175131 Manali

Price starting from ₹509.

 - Woods Villa Cottage Manali - Hadimba Temple Road, Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India, pin 175103

Price starting at ₹660.

- Hotel Suraj Retreat inn - Near hadimba temple, Dhungri Village, 175131

Price starting from ₹520.

- Ganga Lodge - near mall road manali, aleo road, left bank, manali, himachal pradesh,

Price starting from - ₹455.

Another option for staying in Manali are Hostels. There are number of Bag packers, solo travellers or young couples that visit Manali frequently and prefer to stay at hostels here. They are a comfortable and budget friendly places whose price range starts from ₹300. If I were travelling there on a solo trip then I would have definitely preferred them.

What are the affordable food options in Manali?

There is nothing to worry about food options in Manali, you will find a several of them that too in affordable prices. For that you must visit –

Local Dhabas – Choosing Dhabas over Restaurants would be a great idea. This is the best way to explore the actual cuisine of any place. At Local Dhabas you can have a tummy full meal at the cost of only ₹100 to ₹150. Here you will find some of the lip smacking Himachali and North Indian Delicacies.

Cafes – Manali has some of the popular yet budget friendly Cafes that offers local as well as international cuisines. If this option suits your pocket then this you should definitely try this.

Street food – This is a saviour, most pocket friendly and tasty option. You can always depend on this option.

Things to do in Manali

To have fun somewhere you don’t always have to do something fancy, sometimes you can just enjoy it by doing normal things. And when it comes to Manali, it offers a plethora of activities, without burning a hole in your pocket. Here you can try –

Trekking – Manali is the starting point for a number of trekking routes, including the Beas Kund, Bhrigu Lake, and Hampta Pass. Where organized treks are expensive you can opt for independent trek with basic equipment and turn it into a no cost activity.

Sightseeing – With marvellous attractions you can explore places like Hadimba Temple, Solang Valley, Manu Temple, Old Manali, and Mall Road. These spots are either free or require a minimal entry fee.

Nature walks – Visiting a wonder of nature and not going on a nature walk would definitely be a bad idea.

Adventure sports – If you wish to try several activities here, you book the activities on site only, these can often get you a lower rate than pre booking through agencies but do check your budget first.

How to Choose Tour Packages for Manali

If you are planning to go with tour package then do focus on the type of facilities they are providing you. There are different types of Manali tour packages available by travel agencies. Here is how you need to choose one -

• Look for packages which include transportation such as bus or train, accommodation in budget hotels or homestay, and local sightseeing. Some might also include meals and entry fees to popular tourist spots, which can save you a great amount.
• For people travelling in groups can choose group travel packages that gives discounts which can help to save a lot on the cost of individuals. Even the honeymooning crowd can look out for Manali honeymoon tour package that has everything together with romantic experiences without going over budget.
• Choose Customizable tour Packages, if you like flexibility then semi-planned packages are for you where transportation and stay would be planned, but rest of the sightseeing you can do on your own.

• If you wish explore more about Manali then you can check out these budget friendly packages too -

-  Jibhi and Manali Tour Package, Price Starting at ₹4499

- Manali Volvo Tour Package from Delhi, Price starting at ₹5,199

- Shimla Manali Tour Package, Price Starting at ₹13999

Pro tips for a Budget Manali Trip

• To save money visit such place by the time off season. The Best Time to visit Manali is in summer and winters, And Off season in Manali starts from September to November and January to March. By this time there are great deals on hotels, less rush, and you can easily participate in activities.
• If not choosing tour packages then go by local transports.
• Bargain Smartly – Whether shopping or try adventures activities always negotiate prices.

Conclusion

Planning a budget friendly trip is always possible, all you need is a guide. You can easily plan a 3 day Manali Tour under ₹5000 if travelling with someone. And if travelling solo then it might be less than that. Be it the breath taking beauty, the thrilling adventure activities in Manali, or visiting just to relax, following this Manali Travel Guide will help you in grabbing the most out of the least budget.