Trip diary

Noida to Manali: A 5-Day Himalayan Escape

Manali 12–16 May 2026

Duration

5 days

Travelers

Total spend

₹28,500

Transport

Volvo + local cabs

Our experience

We left Noida on a Sunday night with two backpacks and zero plan beyond "find snow". What we got: Solang Valley at sunrise, a Kasol detour for parathas, and the quietest evening at Old Manali we've had in years.

— @explorelocalwithus

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Tue, 12 May
Noida → Delhi → Overnight Volvo
Picked up the Volvo from Majnu ka Tila at 6 PM. Loaded up on momos and stretched out for the 14-hour ride.
- Majnu ka Tila Bus Stand18:00
  Volvo boarding point
Stay: Volvo sleeper (overnight)
Eats: Tibetan momos + chai
Day 2Wed, 13 May
Arrival in Manali + Old Manali stroll
Reached by 9 AM, checked in, slept till noon, then wandered Old Manali for the rest of the day.
- Manu Temple15:00
- Old Manali Cafés17:30
  Try Drifters Inn
Stay: Riverside guesthouse, Old Manali
Eats: Israeli platter at Drifters
Day 3Thu, 14 May
Solang Valley day trip
Early start to beat the crowds. Cable car up, snow at the top, paragliders everywhere.
- Solang Valley08:00
  Cable car + snow play
- Hadimba Temple16:00
Stay: Riverside guesthouse, Old Manali
Eats: Trout at Johnson's Café
Day 4Fri, 15 May
Naggar Castle + Jana Falls
Slow morning, then a drive to Naggar. The road to Jana Falls is the real highlight.
- Naggar Castle11:00
- Jana Falls14:30
  Local trout thali nearby
Stay: Riverside guesthouse, Old Manali
Eats: Jana village trout thali
Day 5Sat, 16 May
Manali → Noida (overnight)
Last café crawl, packed up, boarded the 5 PM Volvo home.
- Café 194712:00
  Lunch by the river
Stay: Volvo sleeper (overnight)
Eats: Café 1947 pasta