Gujju Diary

Himachal Pradesh · family trip

Manali & Tirthan Valley

We planned Solang, Sissu and Kasol. The weather had other ideas, so we played in the snow at Khoksar, took a lazy day by the river and swapped Kasol for the quiet of Tirthan Valley.

May 2026

Duration
8 days, 7 nights
Season
Late April to early May, rain and snow
Driving
About 850 km
Getting around
Flights and a car from Chandigarh
Stays
Manali, Tirthan Valley, Chandigarh

The route

We flew to Chandigarh and drove up to Manali for four nights, with a snow day near Khoksar beyond Atal Tunnel, then moved to Tirthan Valley for two nights before driving back to Chandigarh.

Manali

  1. Chandigarh fly in
  2. Manali 4 nights
  3. Khoksar snow day beyond Atal Tunnel

Via Naggar to Tirthan

Tirthan Valley

  1. Naggar lunch stop
  2. Tirthan Valley 2 nights
  3. Chandigarh 1 night

How the trip went

If you only read one part of this page, read this. The full day-by-day table is below it.

Day 1
Chandigarh to Manali

A long first day

We flew into Chandigarh and set off for Manali at 2 pm, with one stretch break by Sundernagar lake. It was a long drive, and we reached Pine Chalet at 9:45 pm, just in time for dinner and bed.

Days 2–3
Manali, Khoksar

Rain in Manali, snow beyond the tunnel

Day two was rainy, so we started late and kept it gentle: Hadimba Temple, then Mall Road. Jogini Falls was visible from a distance, but the trail was not a good idea with the kids in that weather.

The next morning we skipped crowded Solang and drove on through Atal Tunnel towards Khoksar to play in the snow. The kids did the tube slide and zipline, we skipped the skiing, and the whole day went by like that.

Draft note for Manan: the kids’ first snow play at Khoksar.

Day 4
Manali

A lazy day by the river

We gave ourselves a lazy day: a wander along Mall Road, lunch in town and an afternoon by the river near the hotel. In the evening the hotel set up a barbecue and campfire.

Days 5–6
Naggar, Tirthan Valley

Swapping Kasol for Tirthan

Instead of Kasol we headed to Tirthan Valley via Naggar, where Roots Café made a beautiful lunch stop. The last stretch of road was rough, and we reached Brightside Resort in the evening.

Day six was rainy and cold, so the planned walk to the Chhoi waterfall turned into a day of games at the property, which the kids did not mind at all.

Draft note for Manan: what made Tirthan special, even in the rain?

Days 7–8
Chandigarh

Down to Chandigarh

We started early for the six-to-seven-hour drive down to Chandigarh and spent the night there. The next morning there was time for the Rock Garden before the afternoon flight home.

Day-by-day itinerary

Distances and drive times are the ones we planned with. Optional extras are highlighted like this.

Day Route and travel Sightseeing Stay Distance
Manali
Day 1 Fly to Chandigarh, drive to Manali (left 2 pm, reached 9:45 pm) Stretch break at Sundernagar lake Pine Chalet, Manali About 300 km
Day 2 Manali (rainy, late start) Hadimba Temple, Mall Road. Jogini Falls was visible but not advisable with kids in the rain Pine Chalet, Manali
Day 3 Manali to Khoksar and back Skipped Solang and drove on to play in the snow: tube slide and zipline Skiing Pine Chalet, Manali About 100 km
Day 4 A lazy day in Manali Mall Road and lunch, riverside time near the hotel, barbecue and campfire at night Pine Chalet, Manali
Tirthan Valley
Day 5 Manali to Tirthan Valley via Naggar Lunch at Roots Café in Naggar; bad roads for the last stretch Brightside Resort, Tirthan Valley
Day 6 Tirthan Valley (rainy and cold) Games at the property instead of the Chhoi waterfall walk Brightside Resort, Tirthan Valley
Day 7 Tirthan Valley to Chandigarh (6–7 h, start early) Velvet Clarks Exotica, Chandigarh
Day 8 Chandigarh, afternoon flight home (1:55 pm) Rock Garden Flight

What has changed since our trip

  • Recent trip: This is our latest trip, so nothing has changed that we know of. Spotted a change? Tell us in the comments.

Last checked: November 2026

If you are planning this route

  • Keep the plan loose in spring. Rain and snow changed our plans almost every day; a flexible list works better than a fixed one.
  • Go beyond Atal Tunnel for snow. When Solang is crowded, the snow near Khoksar and Sissu is worth the drive.
  • Do Jogini Falls early. The trail from Vashisht is beginner-friendly but best at 6–7 am, and not in rain with young kids.
  • Bargain at Solang. Activity prices can be negotiated, and vendors offer packages.
  • Stop at Roots Café in Naggar. A beautiful lunch stop on the way to Tirthan.
  • Start early for the drive down. Tirthan to Chandigarh takes six to seven hours.