Manali Diaries - Adventure activities at Solang valley

Manali Diaries - Adventure activities at Solang valley 

Dates: 10th April 2026

Adventurers : Irish & Stuti Pereira

Driver : Mr. Kamlesh Verma (Mob : 98058 37732)

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Prologue:
It was quick trip to Manali from 08th April to 10th April 2026. Being onset of summers in Manali, we never expected any snowfall activity. However when we reached Manali on 08th April, the weather forecast had changed by Grace of Almighty. 

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On day 1, we actually had plans to explore Sissu through ATAL TUNNEL. However due to rainfall, there was heavy snowfall expected on higher regions of Manali. Due to which we postponed Atal Tunnel route for last day in Manali.

After spending 2 wonderful days exploring Gulaba and Sethan and enjoying live snowfalls, we decided to visit Sissu and Koksar past Atal Tunnel on 3rd day.

On day 3 the weather was clear with bright sunlight and it was perfect time to visit Atal Tunnel.  It is an 45 mins to hour journey from Manali Mall Road to Atal Tunnel.  If there happens heavy snowfall, the Manali Traffic police will allow only 4x4 Vehicle past Solang Valley in between Manali and tunnel. Hence in that case Atal Tunnel cannot be visited.

The Solang valley was dry on that day as being April the snow has melted. The river flowing at Solang was also almost dry. The last snow available at Solang is upto mid March. 

There are lots of adventure activities available at Solang like Zipline, Giant Swing, Zorbing, Paragliding, Archery etc.

We had booked Adventure activities package on the way to Solang valley. 

The activities included in the package were as follows:

1. 1500 metre Zipline

2. Giant Swing

3. Snow Tubing

4. Snow Surfing

5. Yak Ride

Out of above, only 2 activities namely Zipline and giant swing were to be done in Solang valley and balance 3 activbities were planned at Koksar.

The Zipline across river was awesome. We both did teh activity together and was really breathtaking and adventurous.

Stuti was some how not ready fro giant swing. Hence i was accompanied by Kamlesh brother our driver in Giant Swing. It was adrenaline rushing activity. Kamlesh brother felt giddy and nauseating after the activity.

Giant Swing - Myself and Kamlesh

Zipline - 1500 metres

Zipline across the river

Summary : It got our adrenaline gushing while doing adventure activities at Solang Valley.  All Thanks to Almighty God who made it possible.

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For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/

Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!

Manali Diaries - Hotel Vista Resort

 Manali Diaries - Hotel Vista Resort 

Dates: 08-10th April 2026

Tourists : Irish & Stuti Pereira

Room type : Deluxe AC room

Rates : INR 3000 + taxes  - 2 nights with breakfast and dinner plan

Link - https://www.makemytrip.com/hotels/review-of-vista_resort_centrally_heated_and_air_cooled-details-manali.html

Prologue:
It was quick trip to Manali from 08th April to 10th April 2026. Being onset of summers in Manali, we never expected any snowfall activity. However when we reached Manali on 08th April, the weather forecast had changed by Grace of Almighty. And it was chilly rainy morning when we reached Manali. 

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Once our Manali tour was confirmed, we had searched for decent budget stay in Manali on Makemy trip. We were specifically looking for stay in vicinity of Mall Road. Finally after reviewing multiple hotels, we finally settled on the Hotel Vista Resort on Gurudwara road.

The Hotel New Vista Resort was 7-8 mins uphill walking from Manali Mall road. However it is much serene and peaceful as compared to hustling and noisy mall road. 

The rooms are clean, well furnished and mostly importantly air conditioned. Believe me when I say that having a AC to heat your room is a luxury in Manali especially in winters. One should opt for AC room or with heater facility in the room plan itself. Otherwise the heater cost would be equal to room rates. The hotel has nice terrace area with beautiful view. Being on hillside, one can view Mall road from the terrace.

The walls and floors were wood finished to maintain warmth in cold weather. Having AC for heating was very useful to maintian warmth while the temperatures at night were almost near zero degrees.

We had choosed Breakfast and dinner plan. However the food served here is veg and limited. Due to Middle East crisis in Iran, they had outsourced food from outside due cooking gas shortage. The breakfast served is poha or Aloo partha with tea. 

However having breakfast on terrace under bright sunlight was magical.

Backside View

2nd Floor Verandha

Superior AC room

Terrace siting areas with beautiful view

Breakfast - Aloo Partha and tea

Titanic pose

Hotel Vicinity and surroundings

Summary:

It was good budget stay option with cleanliness, warmth and beautiful terrace. The stay here was peaceful and enjoyable. Food options however were limited.

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For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/

Happy Eating, Keep Exploring!!!!

Manali Diaries - Khoksar & Sissu

 Manali Diaries - Koksar & Sissu

Dates: 10th April 2026

Adventurers : Irish & Stuti Pereira

Driver : Mr. Kamlesh Verma (Mob : 98058 37732)

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Prologue:
It was quick trip to Manali from 08th April to 10th April 2026. Being onset of summers in Manali, we never expected any snowfall activity. However when we reached Manali on 08th April, the weather forecast had changed by Grace of Almighty. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On day 1, we actually had plans to explore Sissu through ATAL TUNNEL. However due to rainfall, there was heavy snowfall expected on higher regions of Manali. Due to which we postponed Atal Tunnel route for last day in Manali.

After spending 2 wonderful days exploring Gulaba and Sethan and enjoying live snowfalls, we decided to visit Sissu and Koksar past Atal Tunnel.

On day 3 the weather was clear with bright sunlight and it was perfect time to visit Atal Tunnel.  It is an 45 mins to hour journey from Manali Mall Road to Atal Tunnel.  If there happens heavy snowfall, the Manali Traffic police will allow only 4x4 Vehicle past Solang Valley in between Manali and tunnel. Hence in that case Atal Tunnel cannot be visited.

We had planned to visit Koksar and Sissu past Atal Tunnel in North side and had decided to return early to mitigate with any weather change. The weather on both sides of Atal tunnel varies significantly and one cannot predict weather on either side.

After crossing Atal Tunnel on the North portal there is a iron bridge on the Chandra River. Just past the bridge, the road diverts on left to Sissu that extends upto Leh. While Right side road diverts upto Rohtang Pass via Koksar.

We first visited Koksar to enjoy snow activities and later we visited Sissu.  

Koksar has iron bridge and snow mountain on other side. We enjoyed snow tubing, Yak ride, Snow surfing at Koksar. The package was booked in Manali itself. We just had to show receipt to do the activities.

After spending an hour and half at Koksar, we set our towards Sissu. 

However there was no much snow in Sissu Helipad area. The snow was available past the chandra river for which one have to Zipline. We had enough fun in snow and hence decided to skip the same. 

The Sissu waterfall is one of the scenic points in Sissu. There is a beautiful lake near Helipad area.

We had a quick tea at Sissu and bid adeiu to the place due to time limitations. We wanted to avoid evening rush at Atal Tunnel.

We entered back from North Portal at 4:45 to reach Manali at 5:40 PM.

Summary : It was a dream come true to visit Sissu and Koksar across the worlds highest tunnel - The Atal Tunnel.  All Thanks to Almighty God who made it possible.

At Sissu Lake

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For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/

Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!

 Manali Diaries - Raju Lama Chinese 

Gastronomic funda:  Himalayan Foodtour to Raju Lama Chinese Restaurant

Date : 10th April 2026

Address: First Floor, Tibetan Market, near Van Vihar, Manali, Himachal Pradesh (175131).

Specialties: Authentic momos, thukpa, and chowmein.

Cuisine: Chinese and Tibetan fast food.

Gastronomers: 2

Damages: INR 450

Restaurant Ratings 

Food quality: 5 / 5

Ambience: 3/5

Service: 4 /5

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It was day 1 evening when we were back from Gulaba. After enjoying live snowfall we were feeling cold and requested our driver Mr Kamlesh for any Chinese restaurant. He suggested Raju Lama Chinese in Tibet market area on Manali Mall Road.

The place is based on narrow lane on 1st floor based on top of clothes and woolen market.

Stairs leading to the Raju Lama Chinese

          

The restaurant is hustling place with 3- 4 open siting rooms where sat on table. It is managed by a Tibetan lady and her sons. The Mom along with cook manage teh kitchen while her 2 sons serves to the customers.

We ordered for Chicken Momos and Chinese soup. The service was is quick. The Momos here are accompanied with bowl of clear stock soup.  Eating hot momos and gulping down soupl in cold weather is heavenly. 

The food quality here was just too awesome along with decent serving qty and reasonable price made it was our food stop for next 2 days. 

Next day we ordered Thukpa and Mutton noodles. The Thukpa is just awesome. Momos are authentic. To our surprise the mutton and chicken dishes are priced similarly here. Then our driver made us aware that Mutton in Manali is priced at INR 500/kg (unlike INR 850/kg at our home in Vasai)

The Tibetan steward boy with kitchen in background

Stuti with hot Chicken Momos (dont miss the steam rising from Momos)

Myself with hot Mutton Momos

Stuti trying her hand on Chopsticks

Mutton Noodles with bowl of Thupka

Summary:

It is one of the best Chinese restaurant in Manali. Authentic, superior quality, decent serving quantity and easy on pocket. Must visit place in Manali for Chinese, Thupka and Momos. 

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For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/

Disclaimer: The above restaurant in review was personally visited by Irish Pereira wherein he has paid for the full bill & does not believe in featured / sponsored reviews. The reviewer believes in anonymously visiting a hotel to present an honest account of all the factors to you.

Happy Eating, Keep Exploring!!!!

Manali Diaries - Atal Tunnel

 Manali Diaries - Atal Tunnel 

Dates: 10th April 2026

Adventurers : Irish & Stuti Pereira

Driver : Mr. Kamlesh Verma (Mob : 98058 37732)

Prologue:
It was quick trip to Manali from 08th April to 10th April 2026. Being onset of summers in Manali, we never expected any snowfall activity. However when we reached Manali on 08th April, the weather forecast had changed by Grace of Almighty. 

On day 1, we actually had plans to explore Sissu through ATAL TUNNEL. However due to rainfall, there was heavy snowfall expected on higher regions of Manali. Due to which we postponed Atal Tunnel route for last day in Manali.

After spending 2 wonderful days exploring Gulaba and Sethan and enjoying live snowfalls, we decided to visit Sissu and Koksar past Atal Tunnel.

On day 3 the weather was clear with bright sunlight and it was perfect time to visit Atal Tunnel.  It is an 45 mins to hour journey from Manali Mall Road to Atal Tunnel.  If there happens heavy snowfall, the Manali Traffic police will allow only 4x4 Vehicle past Solang Valley in between Manali and tunnel. Hence in that case Atal Tunnel cannot be visited.

We had planned to visit Koksar and Sissu past Atal Tunnel in North side and had decided to return early to mitigate with any weather change. The weather on both sides of Atal tunnle varies significatly and one cannot predict weather on either side.

The 9.02 km long, strategically significant, Atal Tunnel, that runs under the ‘Rohtang Pass’ was constructed on the Manali - Leh Highway under the challenging conditions of freezing temperatures in extremely difficult terrain. Prior to the construction of the tunnel, the highway remained closed during winter season for six months, isolating Lahaul & Spiti from the mainland. Construction of this tunnel has reduced the distance on Manali - Sarchu road by 46 km and travel time by four to five hours, providing all-weather connectivity on the Manali - Leh axis.

The construction of this tunnel, nestled in Pir Panjal Ranges of the Himalayas, has been as much a test of technical & engineering skills, as of human endurance and machine efficacy

Atal Tunnel has officially been certified by World Book of Records, as the ‘World’s Longest Highway Tunnel above 10,000 Feet’, during a landmark ceremony on 09 February 2022, in New Delhi. Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry, Director General of Border Roads Organisation (DGBR) received the award for the stupendous achievement of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in constructing this engineering marvel connecting Manali to the Lahaul - Spiti Valley.

 

On the North portal there is a iron bridge on the Chandra River. Just past the bridge, the road diverts on left to Sissu and extends upto Leh. While Right side road diverts upto Rohtang Pass via Koksar.

We first visited Koksar to enjoy snow activities and later we visited Sissu.  We entered back from North Portal at 4:45 to reach Manali at 5:40 PM.

Summary : It was a dream come true to visit worlds highest tunnel - an engineering marvel.  All Thanks to Almighty God who made it possible. 

Atal Tunnel - South Portal Entry

Snow white valley besides Atal Tunnel

Atal Tunnel - North Portal Entry

Bridge on the Chandra River

Atal Tunnel - North Portal

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For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/

Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!