Date: 22-Apr-14
Day 4 – Kullu and Manikaran
Our plan for the day was to visit Kullu and Manikaran. We were particularly excited about shopping in Kullu, as our driver had informed us that the shawls and woollen products available there were more authentic than those sold in many other tourist locations. We also looked forward to visiting Manikaran, which is known for its famous hot springs and Gurudwara.
We left Apple Bud Cottages at around 9:00 AM. As we began our journey, our driver explained the itinerary for the day and also mentioned river rafting in the Beas River.
Shopping for family in Kullu
After our experience with the snow gear rental the previous day, we were slightly cautious about activity prices. Nevertheless, we decided to keep an open mind and see what was available.
Our first stop was a garment store in Kullu. The driver mentioned that it was a government-authorized shop and that the prices would be reasonable. Although we were still a little skeptical after the previous day’s experience, we decided to have a look. The collection was impressive. The store had a beautiful range of traditional Kullu shawls and woollen products. After spending some time browsing, we purchased shawls and a few gifts for our family members back home. With our shopping completed, we continued our journey through Kullu.
An exciting rafting adventure
Along the route, we noticed several river rafting operators. Our driver stopped at one of them and enquired about the rates. The operator quoted 3,000 Rs for the two of us. We did not even attempt to negotiate and simply moved on. We had already decided that we would only consider rafting if the cost was around ₹1,500 or less.
Fortunately, at the last rafting point in the area, we found a more reasonable option. Although the initial quote was again 3,000 Rs, Thilak’s bargaining skills came to our rescue. After a lengthy discussion, he successfully negotiated the price down to 1,500 Rs. We happily agreed.
While waiting for the raft to return, I began to feel slightly nervous. The Beas river was flowing rapidly, and in several places, the water looked quite deep. To make matters worse, Thilak was not particularly reassuring about the safety aspects of rafting. The only thing that comforted me was learning that two experienced guides would accompany us throughout the ride. They would handle all the rowing and navigation, leaving us free to enjoy the experience. Although Thilak would have preferred a more hands-on rafting adventure, I was relieved.
After a short wait of 15 minutes, our raft arrived and our adventure began. The water was icy cold, and the ride lasted for approximately thirty minutes. The guides skillfully navigated the river while we sat back and enjoyed the thrill of gliding through the rapids. By the end of the experience, we both agreed that it had been well worth the money. After changing into dry clothes at the facilities provided by the rafting operators, we were ready to continue our journey.
The scenic drive to Manikaran
Before leaving Kullu, our driver gave us two options: We could either spend the day exploring 3-4 nearby attractions around Kullu or travel further to Manikaran, which was about 45 kilometres away.
Although the driver mentioned that Manikaran mainly offered a Gurudwara and hot springs, we were curious to experience both and decided to make the journey. The driver seemed slightly disappointed with our decision. We soon understood why. Although the distance was not very great, the drive took nearly two and a half hours due to the challenging mountain roads. The route, however, was absolutely spectacular. Towering mountains surrounded us throughout the journey, while the Beas River accompanied us almost the entire way. Every bend revealed another stunning view. We spent much of the drive taking photographs and videos of the scenery. At the same time, the roads were among the most challenging we had encountered in Himachal Pradesh. They were narrow, winding, and often in poor condition. While our driver concentrated on navigating the difficult terrain, we sat back and enjoyed one of the most scenic drives of the trip.
Lunch at The Himalayan Village
On the way to Manikaran, we stopped for lunch at a resort called The Himalayan Village. To this day, it remains one of the most beautiful properties I have ever visited. Nestled amidst forests and surrounded by mountains, the location felt almost magical. The architecture blended beautifully with the natural surroundings, creating an atmosphere that was both luxurious and peaceful.
As expected, the food was expensive. We decided to try Jhool, a traditional Himachali soup, along with our meal. The food was excellent, and the setting made the experience even more enjoyable.
As we were having lunch, it began to rain lightly outside. The cool mountain air, the rain, the forest surroundings, and the cosy restaurant created a wonderfully romantic atmosphere. It was one of those moments that made us pause and simply appreciate where we were.
Visiting the famous Gurudwara and hot spring of Manikaran
After lunch, we continued towards Manikaran and reached there at around 2:00 PM. Our first stop was the famous hot spring and Gurudwara.
The sight of boiling hot water emerging naturally from the ground amidst the cold mountain weather was fascinating. We were intrigued and wanted to see where the spring originated. Before exploring further, we visited the Gurudwara. Although parts of the complex appeared crowded, the main prayer hall had a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Many devotees were seated quietly in prayer. We sat there silently for a few minutes, observing the surroundings and absorbing the serenity of the place. As we prepared to leave, one of the Gurujis offered us Prasadam. The simple gesture made us feel welcome and added to the warmth of the experience.
A quick stop at Vaishno Devi Temple
The return drive was considerably quicker, and we reached Kullu in about an hour and a half. Before heading back to the hotel, we visited the Vaishno Devi Temple. The temple was beautiful and offered a different spiritual experience from what we were familiar with in South India. The style of worship and rituals felt unique and gave us an interesting glimpse into local traditions. We spent around twenty minutes exploring the temple before continuing to our hotel.
By around 5:30 PM, we were back at Apple Bud Cottages.
A candlelight dinner to remember
This was our final night in Manali. As part of our honeymoon package, we were entitled to a complimentary candlelight dinner. We had originally planned to enjoy it on this day. However, after a long day of sightseeing, we felt exhausted. The temperature had dropped to around 5°C, and neither of us felt motivated to leave the warmth of our room and head to the dining area.
We informed Giri Singh that we would skip the candlelight dinner. To our surprise, he looked genuinely disappointed. A few moments later, he came up with an alternative idea. He suggested bringing the entire candlelight dinner setup to our room so that we could enjoy the experience without having to step out into the cold. We were touched by his thoughtfulness and immediately agreed. A little later, he arrived carrying dinner and a beautiful decorative candle. We had expected a simple candle on the table, but what he arranged was far more special. He carefully set up the table, switched off all the room lights, and lit the large decorative candle. The soft glow transformed the room completely. The atmosphere was warm, cosy, and incredibly romantic. After he left, we spent some time taking photographs before enjoying our dinner together. It turned out to be one of the most memorable evenings of our honeymoon.
A heartfelt thank you goes to Giri Singh. Without his thoughtful gesture, we would have missed out on a truly special experience.
Travel snapshot
The day had everything we could have asked for. We enjoyed an exciting river rafting adventure, travelled through some of the most scenic mountain roads in Himachal Pradesh, witnessed the fascinating hot springs of Manikaran, explored the Gurudwara and temples, and ended the day with a beautiful candlelight dinner.
Above all, the kindness and hospitality shown by the people we met made the experience even more memorable. It was a perfect final day in Manali and a wonderful chapter in our honeymoon journey.
- Route Travelled: Apple Bud Cottage > Kullu Garment Shop > Kullu Rafting Spot > Manikaran > Kullu (Vaishno Devi Temple) > Apple Bud Cottage.
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That was so sweet of Giri Singh. I like the warmth & hospitality of people from mountains. 🙂
Nice post. Loved reading it.
Thanks Nisha..
Yes.. we also loved the hospitality they showed on us. 🙂