Delhi / Manali
Four days, mostly on a bike
Two of us on rented Himalayans, no bookings past the first night. Fast, cold, and cheaper than it sounds.
- Length
- 4 days, 3 nights
- Cost
- ₹8,400 pp
- Who with
- Friends
- Getting there
- Bike
Day by day
- 1
Delhi to Chandigarh
Out by 5am to clear the ring road before it wakes up. Breakfast at a dhaba past Karnal, then an easy afternoon into Chandigarh.
Watch outLeave after 7am and you will lose two hours to Delhi traffic alone.
- 2
Chandigarh to Manali
The long day. Kiratpur to Bilaspur is fast now, then it tightens through Mandi. The valley opens up after the Aut tunnel and the last hour is the best riding of the trip.
Worth knowingFuel up at Mandi. The stretch after it is thin on pumps.
- 3
Solang and Sissu
Up to Solang early, then through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu for the afternoon. Completely different weather on the other side, so carry a layer you can actually ride in.
Watch outThe tunnel closes without much notice in bad weather. Ask before you commit to crossing.
- 4
Back down
Straight run to Chandigarh, drop the bikes, overnight bus to Delhi. Long, but it saves a day of leave.
Things I would tell a friend
- Rent in Chandigarh, not Delhi. Cheaper, and you skip the worst 250km.
- Nobody checks bookings in October. Turning up works and costs less.
- Carry cash. Card machines stop working past Mandi more often than not.