Himachal Backpacking – Manali-Kasol-Jibhi

DAY 1   Delhi to Manali

• We all gather at Kashmere Gate around 7:00 PM and that is where you meet your fellow travellers and your Driftmates trip captain for the first time.
• Your captain will walk you through the route, what to expect on the road, and anything else you need to know. Bring all your questions.
• We board the overnight bus to Manali and say bye-bye to Delhi for the next seven days.

The city disappears behind you pretty quickly. Sleep well because tomorrow Manali receives you and there is a lot to explore.

DAY 2   Arrival in Manali

• We arrive in Manali by morning, check in, and take a little time to rest and freshen up after the overnight journey.
• First stop is the Hadimba Temple, a 16th-century wooden temple dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, sitting quietly inside tall cedar forests. The pagoda-style architecture and the forest around it make no it feel genuinely peaceful.
• We walk through Mall Road, pick up whatever you need, try the local street food, and soak in the energy of the town.
• The evening belongs to Old Manali, the laid-back part of town with wooden houses, riverside cafes, and music playing somewhere in the background. Cafe hop, eat well, and enjoy the mountain atmosphere. 

First night in the mountains. Tomorrow is an adventure day in Solang Valley and it is going to be a good one.

 DAY 3   Solang Valley and Sissu

• After breakfast we drive to Solang Valley, about 13 km from Manali, surrounded by high peaks and alpine meadows.
• We go ziplining and do the Rocket Bungee, which gives you views of the valley you will not get any other way. Other activities like ATV rides, zorbing, and skiing in season are available if you want more. (Activities are leisure)
• We then drive through the Atal Tunnel, one of the longest high-altitude tunnels in the world, and come out into Lahaul Valley on the other side. The landscape change is immediate and dramatic.
• We spend some time in Sissu, a quiet village with wide open valley views and a waterfall you can hear before you see it.
• We drive back to Manali for dinner and an overnight stay.

Good day today. Tomorrow we leave Manali and head into the Parvati Valley. Pack tonight so the morning is easy.

DAY 4   Manali to Kasol

• After breakfast we check out and drive toward Kasol, a small village in the Parvati Valley known for its pine forests, the Parvati River running beside it, and a vibe that makes everyone want to stay longer than planned.
• In the evening we visit Manikaran Sahib, one of the most sacred sites in the region. It has both a temple and a gurudwara, and natural hot springs bubbling up right from the ground. The langar here is cooked using the heat from those springs. Worth every minute.
• After Manikaran we come back to Kasol, walk through the market, find a riverside cafe, and take the evening at your own pace.

Kasol has a way of slowing you down and that is exactly the point. Tomorrow morning starts with a walk to Chalal before we move on.

DAY 5   Kasol to Jibhi

• The morning starts with a short hike to Chalal, a peaceful village just across the Parvati River from Kasol. The trail passes through forests and traditional houses and the views of the valley are really good.
• After the hike we drive toward Jibhi, a quiet village in the Tirthan Valley that most people have not heard of yet. Wooden cottages, dense forests, and a pace of life that is the complete opposite of the city.
• On the way we stop near Jhiri village for river rafting, where the fast mountain water makes for a really fun afternoon.
• We reach Jibhi by evening and visit the Jibhi Waterfall, a small cascade tucked into the forest. After that the evening is yours, find a cafe, sit by the water, do nothing if that is what you feel like.

Jibhi is the kind of village that people come to for a night and end up extending by two days. Tomorrow we do Jalori Pass and Serolsar Lake, one of the highlights of the whole trip.

DAY 6   Jalori Pass and Serolsar Lake Trek

• After breakfast we drive up to Jalori Pass at around 3,000M, which gives you sweeping views of the Himalayan ranges spread out in every direction.
• From the pass we trek through dense oak and pine forests to Serolsar Lake, a beautiful high-altitude lake that sits quietly in a clearing in the woods. Beside it is the ancient Budhi Nagin Temple, which locals have been visiting for generations.
• The trail is gradual and the lake feels like a reward. Spend some time here before we trek back to the pass.
• We drive toward Aut, where we board the overnight bus back to Delhi.

Last night on the road. Seven days of mountains, rivers, forests, and good company. The bus ride back gives you a lot of time to think about when you are coming back.

DAY 7   Delhi Arrival

• We arrive in Delhi around 9:00 AM. The city is already moving at full speed and you step back into it carrying a week of mountains.
• The trip officially ends here, but the cedar forests, the riverside cafes, the rafting, the lake, and those slow Jibhi mornings, all of that stays.

Mountain cafes.  River walks.  Hidden villages.And exactly the kind of trip you needed.

Inclusions

✔ Volvo / AC Semi-Sleeper Bus Tickets for Delhi-Manali and Aut-Delhi (as per itinerary).

✔ All Internal Transfers in Tempo Traveler / Private Vehicle for sightseeing and travel between Manali, Kasol, Jibhi, and Jalori Pass as mentioned in the itinerary.

✔ Accommodation for 4 Nights in hotels / guesthouses (Manali – 2 nights, Kasol – 1 night, Jibhi – 1 night) on triple sharing basis.

Double sharing available at additional cost (subject to availability).

✔ Meals as per itinerary:

• Day 2 Dinner
• Day 3 Breakfast & Dinner
• Day 4 Breakfast & Dinner
• Day 5 Breakfast & Dinner
• Day 6 Breakfast

✔ Adventure Activities in Solang Valley:

Zipline and Rocket Bungee (included as per itinerary).

✔ River Rafting Experience near Jhiri (as mentioned in the itinerary).

✔ Experienced Driftmates Trip Leader / Captain throughout the trip.

✔ All Sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary, including Manali, Solang Valley, Kasol, Manikaran, Jibhi, Jalori Pass, and Serolsar Lake trek.

✔ Driver Allowance, Toll Taxes, Parking Fees & State Permits.

✔ Basic First Aid Support carried by the trip leader.

Exclusions

✘ Any meals not specifically mentioned in the inclusions (Lunches are excluded).

✘ Personal expenses such as snacks, bottled water, cafe bills, shopping, laundry, tips, etc.

✘ Entry tickets to monuments, camera/video charges (if applicable).

✘ Adventure activities not mentioned in the itinerary (ATV rides, skiing, zorbing, etc.).

✘ Travel insurance and personal medical expenses.

✘ Any additional costs due to weather conditions, landslides, road closures, or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.

✘ Heater charges at hotels (if applicable and payable directly at the property).

✘ Any transportation not mentioned in the itinerary.

✘ Anything not explicitly mentioned in the “Inclusions” section.

Payment Policy

✔ To confirm your booking, a minimum of 30% of the total trip cost must be paid at the time of booking.

✔ The remaining 70% of the total amount must be cleared at least 30 days prior to the departure date.

✔ In case the booking is made within 30 days of departure, 100% payment is required at the time of booking.

✔ Failure to adhere to the payment schedule may result in automatic cancellation of the booking without prior notice, and applicable cancellation charges will apply.

Cancellation Policy

✔ The booking amount (30%) is non-refundable under all circumstances.

✔ Cancellations made 30 days or more prior to the departure date will attract a cancellation charge of 20% of the total trip cost.

✔ Cancellations made within 30 days of departure will attract 100% cancellation charges (no refund).

✔ If the remaining balance payment is not cleared within the specified timeline, the booking will stand cancelled automatically and the amount paid will be forfeited without refund.

✔ No refund will be provided for unused services, no-shows, or early exit from the trip.