Salil’s First Snowfall Experience: A Heartfelt Manali Review with Thrillophilia
One evening, I was just looking at the photo album from my childhood, spotting my cousins, guessing unfamiliar faces and narrating the stories behind them to my lovely wife.
As we flipped through the memory lane, we came across a picture of my parents in Himachal. The picture was a bit blurry but they were looking so sweet, wrapped in cute Eskimo clothes.
My wife said, “You know, Salil, I have never seen snow in real life.” I smiled and then realised, “Surprisingly, I have never seen snow either..” She looked at me with shining eyes and said, Are you thinking what I am thinking?"
And…we both yelled out in harmony, “A Manali Trip!!!!”
Then what? We found a perfect 6-day Kasol Manali Tour Package on Thrillophilia and packed our bags!
Our Spiritual Journey
We started our trip with a spiritual journey to calm our minds before all the adventures that followed. Our first stop was the Hadimba Devi Temple, nestled in the middle of a cedar forest in Manali.
I remember how peaceful it felt the moment we stepped in. "It’s so quiet here," my wife whispered, taking in the serenity around us. The tall deodar trees seemed like silent guardians of the place, and we found ourselves standing there for a while, not wanting to leave.
From there, we made our way to the Tibetan Monastery, Manali. The colourful prayer flags fluttered in the wind, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of calmness. “This place has a different kind of energy,” I said, watching the monks walk around with calm smiles on their faces. We spent time watching the prayer wheels spin, hoping for some inner peace of our own.
Next, we visited the Manu Temple, Old Manali. It was quiet, almost meditative, as we walked around, and it felt like we were miles away from the busy world outside.
At the Vashisht Temple, we found ourselves drawn to the natural hot springs. “Should we dip our feet?” she asked with a mischievous grin, her eyes lighting up. The warm water felt soothing, almost like it was washing away all the tiredness of the journey.
Our stop at the New Buddhist Monastery, Manali brought us a sense of peace that we didn’t expect. The chants filled the air as soon as we entered, and my wife, to my surprise, closed her eyes and quietly joined in. "I don’t know why, but this feels… perfect," she said later, smiling at me.
Finally, we made our way to Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara, which was by far the most humbling experience. The gurudwara's hot springs and the simplicity of the langar touched us deeply. We sat together, surrounded by the warmth of community and devotion, sharing a meal that felt like a blessing.
Our First Snow- A Magical Experience
The highlight of our trip came as we arrived at Solang Valley. The moment we stepped out of the car, we were greeted by a winter wonderland. "Look at all that snow!" my wife exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
It was our first snowfall together, and we could hardly contain our joy. We rushed to take pictures, trying to capture the magic of the moment.
In the midst of all the excitement, we decided to try on some traditional Himachali outfits for a little fun. Standing in the snow, adorned in vibrant local attire, we couldn’t stop laughing. “We look ridiculous but so cute!” she said, striking a pose. The contrast of the colourful outfits against the white snow made for some perfect photos for our album!
Afterwards, we dove into snow tubing. I’ll never forget the sight of her squealing with laughter as she slid down the slope, her cheeks flushed with exhilaration. “This is so much fun!” she shouted, and I couldn’t help but join in her laughter as I took my turn. Each slide brought a rush that made us feel like kids again, carefree and full of life.
Before leaving Solang Valley, we made one last stop at the Atal Tunnel for a few pictures. The backdrop was breathtaking, and we posed, arms around each other. “This is definitely going on our wall,” she said, and I couldn’t agree more.
Our Adventure Awaits
After the snowy thrills, we headed to the ATV ride. The cool weather in Manali made the experience even more enjoyable as we zipped around the trails. “I’ll take the lead!” she called out, her competitive spirit shining through. I chuckled, trying to keep up as we raced along the path, the fresh mountain air invigorating us.
Next on our adventure list was river rafting on the Beas River. “Are you ready for this?” I asked, looking at her with excitement and a hint of nervousness. “Let’s do it!” she replied, determination in her eyes.
Paddling through the rapids together was thrilling, with laughter and shouts echoing across the water as we navigated each wave. The cool breeze and refreshing splash of the river added to our thrill, making it an unforgettable experience.
By the end of the day, we were exhausted but filled with happiness. “I can’t believe how much we did today,” she said, leaning against me as we drove back. “This trip just kept getting better and better.”
Overall, Everything was excellent, our stays, the transfers, the food and especially the trip recommendations. Thanks, Thrillophilia.
Read More: Thrillophilia Manali Reviews