Important facts to know about Manali

A few things you must know before you plan your Manali Holiday. This knowledge will help you to save Money, Time and will give you a sense of what to expect in Manali. 

Manali is one of the famous travel destinations in Himachal Pradesh, India. Manali is liked for its scenic views and heritages. Apart from this there is a tourist attraction near Manali called Rohtang Pass, you can experience the snow here throughout the year. Rohtang remain closed during winter due to heavy snow and opens for public from May till December. So if you are interested in playing with snow in peak summers then you should definitely plan a trip for Manali. Please watch the video of Rohtang Pass taken by me in the first week of July.

If you are planning for a day out sightseeing of Rohtang Pass then you must know a few things. It requires a permit to travel to Rohtang Pass and total 1200 vehicles are permitted to go to Rohtang pass for tourism purpose out of which 800 permits for petrol and 400 for diesel vehicles. It is very difficult to obtain the permit since all the permits are sold within 2 minutes during peak season. The permit window opens two days advance of the planned travel date to Rohtang. I will guide on how you can apply for Rohtang Pass Permit. Check all the mandatory fields in the form and note then in a excel sheet preferably. Enter all the details within maximum 2 minutes from opening the window and you would surely be getting the permit but I don't give any guarantee. There is a captcha and if after submission it said wrong captcha even when you have entered the correct details simply means you have exceeded the time allowed and you wouldn't get the permit. This is a trick, I have obtained the permit twice out of my 10 tries with this trick. Rohtang Pass Permit >>> Link

If you dont't get the permit then no need to worry too much. Alternatively you can check of HRTC website and can book a ticket of special electric bus service plying to Rohtang Pass. HRTC Website >>>Link

Note: Please carry your woolen clothes along with you if you are planning to go to Rohtang Pass. It will be very cold even in peak summer. Additionally, if you carry your clothes and shoes then you can save at least ₹250 per person because anyhow you will have to take them on rent from the market.

Image Credit: Ravinder Thakur

Let's discuss another important points before you plan Manali holiday. Manali is very expensive during peak seasons, first during summer season which starts from mid of April till first week of July and second during winter, Xmass and New Year.

During summer season Manali remains mostly packed. Most people from across India travel to Manali beat couples, families and school students. Due to overbooking there is very less scope for bargaining with hotels on price. Refrain form going to Manali without advance booking of a hotel room during peak season and there are chances that you don't get any room and will have to sleep in your car or if going through bus then you can imagine how would you spend your night. But if you have already reached there in peak season without having advance hotel booking then check the hotels in local market near the Mall, Manali and if you would be lucky then you will get a room but no guarantee.

The cost of local transportation is very high during peak season but if you are travelling by your own vehicle, then no need to worry except traffic jam. If you want to avoid the horrible traffic then just plan your sightseeing early morning.The early the better.

Never take lunch in your meal plan with hotel. It will be a wastage of money as you would more likely be outside on the sightseeing during lunch time so it is better to enjoy the lunch outside. This way you can save your money from being wasted by not booking the lunch with hotel.

Second most peak season is during X-mass and New Year. Manali is expected to get the snowfall in last week of December. Once Manali get the snowfall then everything from Hotels to transport become expensive. You wouldn't be able to walk as the snow might go above 3 feet in height. Normal vehicles can't ply on snow so local taxi operators arrange special vehicles with chains wrapped around the tires of taxis' and are expensive from fares standpoint. Other than that everything is OK.

So all above is for people who have made their mind up to book the holiday for summer season. Now check below questions and even if one is relevant to you then read further.
1. I want to spend my holiday in peaceful environment.
2. I want to breath a pollution free air.
3. I don't want to bear unnecessary cost
4. I don't want to stuck in traffic.

Even if one matches to your preference then you should avoid your Manali Holiday during peak seasons. Since Manali is a seasonable tourist destination, parking arrangements and traffic control systems are not adequate to handle such a huge volume of tourist and vehicles coming in to the city. During season time everyone will be in haste, beat hoteliers, taxi operators and other services provider i.e. camping, trekking, river rafting and paragliding. The traffic will start accumulating everywhere from morning to late night and the pollution can be seen with ware eyes. You would inhale more polluted air than in metro cities like Delhi moreover you would stuck in traffic for hours even if you are travelling to 1km. You will see people running around everywhere. Costs are way too high for everything.

If you want to spend your holiday in peace and comfort then peak season in not the ideal time. 

Mussoorie

Mussoorie

Mussoorie (Garhwali/Hindi: Masūrī) is a hill station and a municipal board in the Dehradun District of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is about 35 kilometres (22 mi) from the state capital of Dehradun and 290 km (180 mi) north of the national capital of New Delhi. This hill station is in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan range. The adjoining town of Landour, which includes a military cantonment, is considered part of 'greater Mussoorie', as are the townships of Barlowganj and Jharipani. The pin code for Mussoorie is 248179.

Being at an average altitude of 1,880 metres (6,170 ft), Mussoorie, with its green hills and varied flora and fauna, is a fascinating hill. Commanding snow ranges to the northeast and glittering views of the Doon Valley and Shiwalik ranges in the south, the town was once said to present a 'fairyland' atmosphere to tourists. The second highest point is the original Lal Tibba in Landour, with a height of over 2,275 metres (7,464 ft). For more details click on this link on Wikipedia Click here for Hot Deals on Mussoorie Tour Packages

Darjeeling

Darjeeling

Darjeeling is a town and a municipality in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located in the Lesser Himalayas at an elevation of 6,700 ft (2,042.2 m). It is noted for its tea industry, its views of the Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain, and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Darjeeling is the headquarters of the Darjeeling District which has a partially autonomous status within the state of West Bengal. It is also a popular tourist destination in India.

The recorded history of the town starts from the early 19th century when the colonial administration under the British Rule set up a sanatorium and a military depot in the region. Subsequently, extensive tea plantations were established in the region and tea growers developed hybrids of black tea and created new fermentation techniques. The resultant distinctive Darjeeling tea is internationally recognized and ranks among the most popular black teas in the world.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway connects the town with the plains and has some of the few steam locomotives still in service in India.

Darjeeling has several British-style public schools, which attract pupils from all over India and a few neighboring countries. The varied culture of the town reflects its diverse demographic milieu comprising indigenous Bengali, Nepali, Lepcha, Bhutia, Tibetan, and other mainland Indian ethno-linguistic groups. Darjeeling, alongside its neighboring town of Kalimpong, was the centre of the Gorkhaland movement in the 1980s. The town's fragile ecology has been threatened by a rising demand for environmental resources, stemming from growing tourist traffic and poorly planned urbanization. For more details visit Wikipedia

Best Season to visit Manali

Manali (मनाली ): Manali is one the beautiful places in north India. It is situated in Himahcal Pradesh and it is very popular hill station and remain cold during peak summer even. There are no fans and ACs in Manali since the weather is so pleasant that there is no need of them. It has snow during December-February and throughout the year it remains cold and naturally beautiful. Hotels are not so expensive. During off-season a 2 Stat+ hotel can be availed @ Rs. 1,000 per room per night for maximum 2 guests.

Best Time to Travel Manali: Though people prefer to go to Manali during summer starting from May till July and during winter from 25th December end to first week of January. Ideally these are the best time to visit Manali and Manali remains houseful during these 2 seasons but there are some major challenges during these season I would explain one-by-one.

1. Challenges During Summer Season: First Hotels and then Transportation remain very expensive. Mostly traffic jams everywhere and it becomes more polluted due to very heavy traffic and jams. But you can smartly deal with it wisely. How? If you plan for the sightseeing then go in early morning and you would feel lucky as would hardly face any traffic situation.

2. Challenges During Winter Season:  

During winter there are very high chances of snowfall and you would love to see it. But after heavy snowfall you might stuck inside your room. The transportation is very expensive and there will be either 4X4 cars or SUVs having steel chains rapped with their tire to make them drive-able on snow. You can't walk on snow for long so it becomes the compulsion to hire those cars and they charge anything between Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,000 for merely 2 km. But if you are interested in seeing snowfall happening then any hotel near Manai mall and lower area is recommended.

Apart from these season tourist can opt to go there in off season from Septemere-November because there will not much crowd, hotels and transportation will be economic and easily available.

Tourist Attractions near Manali:

Places: Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley, Hadimba Temple, Naggar Castle, Rahala Waterfall, Manikaran, Kasol

Adventure Activities: River Rafting, Paragliding and ICE Skating.

Written by: Ghumo Duniya Travel - www.ghumoduniya.com

Adventure Activities to do in Manali

Manali is a beautiful tourist destination down Himalayas. Apart from it's beauty and heritages Manali has many more fun activities to do. Check below to find what all fun and adventure activities you can do in Manali.

1. Trekking: 
Manali is a good place for trekking.While trekking you will be inhaling the fresh and pollution free air. Undoubted along with the fun, trekking will also make you tired and will burn your energy. It will be a real test of your stamina and if you have your partner (female in particular) then you can carry your girl on your back or can carry in arms. I have done it myself and my wife enjoyed it and she remember it always. 

Malana Village Trek, Beas Kund Trek, Deo Tibba Base Camp, Hampta Pass Trek, Chandratal Lake Trek, Bhrigu Lake Trek, Bara Banghal,  Bir Trek, Chandrakhani Pass Trek are a few famous trekking sports in Manali.

Trekking is not advisable remain closed during rainy season and winters.

2. Camping:
If you want to feel the nature more closely then camping is one of the best option. It will be you and nature, no concrete walls. Camping should be done often to be in the touch of the nature because almost all the camps have Jungle theme and there are no Fans or Air Conditioners. Camping can be done in any season specially in hill stations because the air conditioners are not required there in summer time too because the evergreen pleasant weather. In winter you would enjoy the bone fire sitting outside your camp.

Camping options in Manali: River side camping and Jungle Side camping.

3. Paragliding:
Paragliding will be a real adventure for people who believe in enjoying the life to the fullest. It is not affordable in compare to other parts of India but also exciting as you would love to fly over mountains like a free bird.

For now paragliding is available in Kullu only since National Green Tribunal has banned paragliding in Solang Valley. Ideally paragliding starts from ₹3,000 per person. 

4. River Rafting:
Everyone who has done river rafting at once wants to do it again and again. It is a very pleasant experience to flow with water.   

The rafting track is around 16 K.M. from Pirdi to Jhiri. This track has grade II and grade III rapids. Rafting costs around ₹500 per person.

5. Bike Riding:
You can easily hire a bike in Manali with minimum formalities. At least you need to own a driving license (Two wheeler approved). A bike can be hired in a budget starting from ₹1,200 - ₹2,000 per day depending upon the brand and CC power of the bike. 

Click here to hire a bike in Manali

6. Sightseeing:
There are many tourists attraction in Manali and nearby. Starting from half day local sightseeing to full day sightseeing. Some locations are famous for religious reasons and some are for beauty.

Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley, Manikaran, Naggar, Gulaba, Kullu, Hadimba Devi Temple and Local Manali are some famous sightseeing locations. Sightseeing price start from ₹1,500 to ₹4,000 per 4+1 seater private taxi.

Click here to know more about sightseeing in Manali

7. Ice Skating:
Ice skating will be an unforgettable experience. It is done during winter only

8. Zobring: 
Zorbing is one of the most interesting adventure sports that people enjoy doing in Manali. Due to the hilly region, it makes the experience of zorbing even better. 


There are great zorbing options available in Manali and the Solang valley offers the best experience. The place is also favourable for other adventure sports like paragliding and skiing. 

Cost starts from Rs. 500 per person and may be high and low depending upon the season.

Book your train tickets through SMS

Registered users (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited) can now book their train tickets through a simple text-messaging-based-SMS facility or a menu-based dialing service. For SMS Bookings, users need to send a Booking SMS in specified format with information of date of journey, class , train number and passenger details. After this, one shall receive a seat availability information. In the second SMS, users can make the payment which can be initiated in two ways. The Booking confirmation SMS will be sent by the IRCTC. 

Instructions pertaining to the train bookings.

11 Mysterious Places in the World

1. Bermuda Triangle

What secrets lurk in the triangle of ocean between Florida's southern tip, Bermuda and San Juan, Puerto Rico? The Bermuda triangle is said to gobble up ships and airplanes without a trace. Slight problem with the legend: Most of the "mysterious disappearances" cited by believers weren't mysterious at all, but occurred during storms or didn't even sink within the triangle's borders

2. Area 51

Among the several strange stops on our tour is Area 51. But is it actually strange at all? This military based is about 80 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Its claim to fame is that it's supposedly the top-secret site where alien bodies and technology were taken after a UFO crash-landing in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947. While it's true the military base is secretive (most military bases are), many of the conspiracy claims surrounding Area 51 have been thoroughly debunked.

3. The Lost City of Atlantis

Can it be one of the weirdest places on Earth if no one knows where it is and it's actually just a legend? Let's go with yes — after all, many people are convinced that there really was a peaceful utopia that sunk beneath the sea in time immemorial, and they've tried to pinpoint it in spots all over the world. Even Google Earth once fed the legend with a data glitch that created a grid-like pattern on the ocean floor. Keen-eyed observers speculated that it might be the lost streets of Atlantis. 

4. The Great Pyramids of Giza

The trio of pyramids at Giza is so familiar that it can be easy to forget how unusual they really are. The Great Pyramid of Khufu was built between 2589 BC and 2504 BC, and reached a height of 481 feet (146 meters). Now consider this: Khufu's pyramid remained the tallest building in the world until the 14th century, when England's Lincoln Cathedral took the record. Plenty of mystery remains about how ancient builders constructed the huge pyramids out of 2.5-ton stones.

5. Stonehenge

What was the purpose of this ancient icon? A burial ground? A UFO landing site? A winter solstice monument? 

It's probably not that last one. But Stonehenge's purpose does remain a mystery. The farmers and herders who built the structure starting 5,000 years ago continued to add to it over a period of 700 years. They left no written records behind, only a circle of striking stones near what is today Salisbury, England.

 6. Teotihuacan

The great pyramid-filled city of Teotihuacan went into decline about 1,400 years ago and was left in such ruins that no one  knows who its builders were or what they  called their home. The Aztecs, who would  later make pilgrimages to the site, gave it its modern name, which means "the place where the gods were created." 

Teotihuacan was a major urban area. It covered about 8 square miles (20 square kilometers) and was likely home to 100,000 people, many living in apartment-like multi-family structures. But the city is best known for its expansive "Avenue of the Dead" and major pyramid complexes. 

7. Cahokia

The banks of the Mississippi in the Midwest aren't necessarily known for world-class cities (sorry, St. Louis). But between A.D. 1050 and A.D. 1200, a city flourished right across from what is today St. Louis that was larger than London in size. 

Cahokia was spread over six square miles (16 square km) and was home to as many as 20,000 people. Modern development covers much of the site, but archaeologists have discovered that Cahokians drank caffeinated beverages and played a game known as "Chunkey." The city may have included a wooden temple and a wooden Stonehenge-like structure, perhaps important for keeping track of solstices and equinoxes.

 

8. Easter Island

The giant carvings on Easter Island are up to 40 feet tall. There are about 1,000 of them, and their torsos are buried, leaving only human-like faces above ground. It remains a mystery how they were moved into place, but one leading theory is that they were walked from quarries on stone platforms.Easter Island

The giant carvings on Easter Island are up to 40 feet tall. There are about 1,000 of them, and their torsos are buried, leaving only human-like faces above ground. It remains a mystery how they were moved into place, but one leading theory is that they were walked from quarries on stone platforms.

9. The Nazca Lines

Atlantis may be a legend, but the mysterious Nazca lines are real. These enormous geoglyphs in arid coastal Peru depict spiders, monkeys, plants and other figures. They date back to about 500 B.C. but are best appreciated by air (though all can be seen from the ground). No one knows why the prehistoric Nazca culture went through the effort of making the geoglyphs, though they may have had a ritual role or linked up to constellations in the sky.

10. Loch Ness

Beautiful Loch Ness would be notable even without the monster sightings that made it a global name. The lake, which is in the Scottish Highlands, is the largest Scottish loch by volume. It gets as deep as 755 feet (230 m) and has a surface area of 21.8 square miles (56.4 square km). 

Perhaps this mammoth size is part of what led to rumors of a mammoth beast lurking in the lake. The Loch Ness Monster first made headlines in 1933 in an article that suggested a disturbance in the lake's surface may have been a fight between ducks. It was enough to spur rumors, however, especially when a supposed photograph of a long-necked lake monster came out in 1934. (Decades later, the photographer admitted the famous photo was a hoax.)

11. Angkor Wat

Among the largest religious monuments ever created, Angkor Wat stands out for its gorgeous towers and intricate artwork. The temple city, which sits in what is now Cambodia, was built between A.D. 1113 and 1150. Its towers are meant to elicit the mythological Hindu mountain Mount Meru, and the temple was originally built in honor of the Hindu god Vishnu. Several hundred years later, Angkor Wat was transformed into a Buddhist site.   

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10 Ways to travel the world for FREE

You read it right!!! You CAN Travel the World for Free. Here’s How to do It.

Traveling for free. It’s the ultimate dream, right?

It might sound impossible — but it’s not.

Combine some travel points with a dose of seasonal jobs, a sprinkle of creativity and voila: You really could travel for free.

I know because I did it for many years.

For the better part of a decade, I trotted the globe by using frequent flyermiles, teaching English abroad, volunteering in several countries and working a variety of seasonal adventure jobs.

All these strategies allowed me to travel for much less money than you can imagine — and often, for free.

Because I want all of you to experience the magic of exploring somewhere you’ve never been, here are 10 ways you can start traveling for free.

1. Get Free Plane Tickets

Transportation is one of the most expensive parts of travel. Without a doubt, the quickest and easiest way to get free flights is to rack up points with a rewards credit card.

For example, with the Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card, you’ll earn 2% cash back on everything you purchase. Plus this card has no annual fee and you’ll get a $100 bonus just for signing up:

What I like to do is just put my regular purchases on the card each month (groceries, gas, etc.) and then save the cash-back up until the end of the year. I’m usually able to save about $1,000, which I can use to cover the cost of 2-3 plane tickets.

And by the way, from a card with no annual fee, this is the highest reward rate we’ve seen all year.

You do need to have excellent credit to qualify for this card. Also, in order to get the maximum amount of rewards, you’ll need to have a qualified Fidelity account to deposit the rewards.

Eligible Fidelity accounts you can redeem your rewards into include most non-retirement accounts, as well as Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, SEP IRA and Fidelity®-managed 529 College Savings Plan accounts.

We advocate responsible credit card use — so, please, only get a credit card if you’ll pay the bill off in full each month. No rewards are worth going into debt over.

2. Play With Polar Bears

Due to retreating sea ice, polar bears have become classified as a threatened species.

Though we’ll hopefully figure out ways to reduce climate change and bring their numbers back up, now is still the time to see these beautiful animals in their natural habitat.

And if you spend the summer working at Deadhorse Camp in Alaska’s arctic, you’ll get to do it for free.

In addition to an hourly wage, you’ll get free lodging, three meals a day and a $1,000 end-of-season bonus to cover the costs of your plane tickets.

3. Hoard Points

Have you heard of MyPoints? It’s a cash-back site that lets you earn rewards by shopping online and printing coupons.

I use it all time because it’s an instant way to save on everything you buy, including travel accommodations. For example, it gives you up to six points for every dollar you spend on Expedia. Later, you can redeem those points for cash.

But, enough about that, here’s how to get a free $10 Amazon gift card that you can use to buy travel supplies (or anything for that matter):

1. Sign up for MyPoints using your email or Facebook account (it’s free).
2. Use the MyPoints portal the next time you need to shop online (it’s connected to thousands of stores including Walmart, Amazon, and Target).
3. As long as you spend $10 at any of those stores, MyPoints will reward you with 1,750 bonus points which you can redeem for a free $10 Amazon gift card.

4. Drive People Around the Country

If you find solace on the road and want to see the country, this is a great way to make money doing it!

As an Uber driver partner, you’re responsible for setting your schedule and motivating yourself to work — no one is keeping tabs on you. You get 80% of everything you earn as a driver (Uber keeps 20%).

Need some extra cash on your road trip? Just clock in on the app.

If you want to give it a try, there’s a few things to keep in mind. You must be at least 21 years old, have three years of driving experience, have an in-state driver’s license, a clean driving record and be able to pass a criminal background check.

Finally, your car must be a four-door, seat at least four passengers (excluding the driver), be registered in-state and be covered by in-state insurance.

5. Join the Cartel

Traveling for free takes a lot of work — otherwise everyone would do it. So sometimes it’s smart to get help from the experts.

Chris Guillebeau, one of my personal heroes, has visited every country in the world. Lucky for us mortals, he shares his secrets through the Travel Hacking Cartel.

As a Cartel member, you’ll receive several emails each week with promotions and tips to help you earn more travel rewards.

Membership only costs $1 for the first 14 days, and $15 to $39 per month after that. It also comes with a unique guarantee: Earn 100,000 miles — enough for four plane tickets — in your first year of membership, or get your money back.

I’d say that’s a bet worth taking!

6. Move to Antarctica

Want to live in one of the most remote corners of the planet?

Get a job in Antarctica.

You’ll get free housing and food — plus a decent income — for spending months on the bottom of the world.

Because you won’t have anywhere to spend the money during your stint, you’ll also leave with a significant chunk of change…

Not only that, but Antarctic employers also pay for your transportation to the continent.

Because you can still use your own frequent flyer account, these round-trip flights will earn you enough miles for a free ticket to a different destination during the off-season.

7. Participating in contests

Some companies start contest to win holiday packages which are fully company sponsored. Subscribe/Like such compaines page to stay updated about such contests and offers.

8. Eat Out at Restaurants

Cooking at home is an excellent way to save money, but sometimes you just can’t be bothered.

If you do decide to eat out, make sure you sign up for travel rewards programs first.

Major airlines such as United, Delta and American all have dining programs that give you miles when you eat at one of their affiliated restaurants. And, oftentimes, you can get a bonus just for signing up.

9. Cuddle With Baby Goats

This is a real thing that exists. 

Through World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), you can get free room and board in exchange for four to six hours of work per day. Gigs range from crushing grapes in New Zealand to cuddling goats in North Carolina.

And WWOOF is far from your only option; there are several more types of work exchanges that’ll help you travel for free.

10. Set Sail

Is there any better way to see the world than by boat?

Probably not.

But it is never gonna happen for me, unless I happen to marry a millionaire.

Since that’s looking fairly unlikely, I’ve often considered joining the crew for a sailboat or cruise ship. These travel jobs cover room and board and allow you to see many different locations within a single season.

Don’t be like the countless people who wish they could go places — but don’t want to put in the effort travel hacking requires.

From experience, I can tell you: It’s a lot of work, but it’s so worth it.

Instead of sitting around wishing you could travel, follow these tips, and explore the world for free.