From Kurali to Manali Road Trip: A Drive I’ll Never Forget

Hey readers,

So, I recently took my Maruti Suzuki Jimny on a Kurali to Manali road trip, and honestly, this one is going to stay in my memory for a long time. We packed everything a day before because none of us wanted to do that last-minute scramble in the morning. The idea was simple: two main bags and two laptop bags, so the car wouldn’t feel like a storage room.

Now, the real challenge was Mehak. Everyone who knows her, can relate how she loves carrying extra clothes, extra shoes, extra everything – because apparently every location needs a different look. This time though, she shocked all of us by fitting her stuff into a small trolley bag. I still don’t know how she did it.

The Crew (And the “Mehak Situations”)

We were four on this trip — me, my wife, and my cousins, Rishab and Mehak.

And speaking of Mehak… her expectations always deserve their own paragraph.
She wants to go near the river, but she doesn’t want to feel cold. She wants perfect photos, but the wind must not mess up her hair. And she needs a bathroom break every hour. Not “almost” every hour. Every. Single. Hour. Even on routes where finding a washroom is basically a treasure hunt.

These little things annoy us while we’re on the road, but later they become the funniest stories of the trip.

Early Morning Start

We left Kurali at 6:30 AM, when the roads are quiet and the air still feels fresh. The route till Ropar and Kiratpur Sahib was smooth as always. After crossing the Himachal border, we got onto the new NHAI-built highway, and trust me, these new roads have changed the game. The tunnels and the 4-lane stretch make the drive feel much faster and a lot more relaxed.

First Stop: Sundar Nagar

After roughly 100 km, we stopped near Sundar Nagar for Tea break at a small dhaba. Chai in 5°C weather hits differently. The cold was sharp, but it’s that kind of cold that reminds you you’re finally in Himachal.

Crossing Ner Chowk, Mandi & Pandoh

We continued toward Ner Chowk and Mandi, and then came the Pandoh stretch — one of my favourite parts of the drive. Passing the Pandoh Dam with the Beas River running right beside us always feels peaceful. No matter how many times I see it, it still looks new.

On the Old Manali Road

After Pandoh, we had to switch to the old Manali road because the new tunnels and sections are still under construction. This part of the drive is narrow, one lane, and hugs the river on one side and mountains on the other. It looks beautiful, but you have to stay alert while driving.

Second Break Near Bhuntar

We passed Aut and stopped near Bhuntar for our second break to have Breakfast (Parantha with Tea). By now, the temperature was dropping even more. We stretched, took a few pictures, and had another round of chai. You could feel that classic Manali chill starting to hit.

Reaching Manali

We finally reached Manali around 11:30 AM and checked into Mastiff Grand Manali Resort. After hours of driving, that warm room felt perfect.

Exploring Manali – Day 1

After settling in, we didn’t waste any time and headed straight to Naggar Castle. The castle was closed for maintenance, but the area around it is full of small cafés and bakeries, so we explored those instead. We ended up at a German Bakery nearby and ordered an Irish coffee with a cake — a combination that instantly revived our energy.

From there, we moved toward the local market, where we found a small stall run by a local lady selling Siddu and Momos. Both were incredibly tasty — the kind of authentic Himachali flavours that stay with you long after the trip.

While chatting with her, she recommended a waterfall around 12 km from Naggar Castle called Jaana Waterfall. So, we decided to go for it.

The Drive to Jaana Waterfall

The route from Naggar Castle to Jaana Waterfall took us through quiet villages, apple orchards, and a forest reserve. The waterfall didn’t have much water at this time of the year, but the drive itself made the whole detour worth it.

Near the waterfall, we found a small dhaba serving an authentic local thali — and honestly, it was so delicious I can still recall the taste.

A Short Trek & A Classic “Mehak Moment”

We did a small trek to reach the middle section of the waterfall, and of course, Mehak found trouble again. She touched some wild jungle grass that caused itching and heat in her fingers.
We went back to the same dhaba to ask for a remedy, and they suggested dipping her fingers in ghee — surprisingly, it worked instantly.

Local Shopping & Back to the Hotel

On our way back, my wife and Mehak spotted a shop selling handmade sheep wool mufflers and socks. A quick shopping detour later, we wrapped up our visit to Naggar and Jaana and drove back to the hotel.

Evening in Old Manali

After resting at the hotel for about an hour, we headed out again — this time to explore the cafés in Old Manali. Based on reviews, we first went to Lazy Dog Café. The ambience was good, but the food turned out to be pretty average.

Meanwhile, I had an office meeting lined up. I took out my laptop, but the staff politely told me laptops weren’t allowed. So, I had to make a quick exit and hunt for a place where I could sit and work.

I ended up at Johnsons Café, and honestly, it was a blessing in disguise. Great food (I ordered a salad and a café mocha), super chill ambience, and a bonfire right next to my table. I enjoyed the view, soaked in the warmth, and took my meeting comfortably — way better than what I expected from the evening.

After wrapping up, we returned to the hotel to call it a day.

Day 2 – The Unplanned Adventure

We woke up the next morning with no fixed itinerary. The idea was to relax, maybe stroll around, maybe not. But then someone said “Deepak Tal chalte hain,” and suddenly the whole plan changed. Deepak Tal is around 120 km from Manali, and the route is completely dependent on weather and road conditions.

We checked with one of our knowns to see if the road was open. He wasn’t fully sure, but he gave us one clear suggestion — drive until the police stop you; follow their guidance; and return if required.
Simple, practical advice.

Our original plan was to leave by 6 AM to reach Deepak Tal early, but based on his suggestion, we pushed the start time to 8 AM.

Towards Atal Tunnel

Monsoons had hit the region hard in the past few years, and you could see the road damage as soon as we left Manali. Still, the drive was scenic and refreshing. We crossed Solang Valley and reached the entry of the Atal Tunnel in about an hour and a half.

We stopped for photos — because honestly, no one crosses Atal Tunnel without clicking a few.

Then we continued the journey deeper into Lahaul.

Sissu → Keylong → Jispa → Darcha

As soon as we exited Atal Tunnel, the entire landscape changed. Snow-covered peaks, the Chenab running next to us, and those massive Himalayan stretches — it was mesmerising in every sense.

We passed Sissu, then Keylong, then Jispa, and finally reached Darcha, home to the longest bridge in Himachal Pradesh.
We took a break there, had Maggi and tea, and soaked in the raw mountain silence.

From there, we rolled towards the police checkpoint for the final confirmation about Deepak Tal.

Deepak Tal Closed… New Plan: Shinkula Top

At the checkpoint, the police informed us that Deepak Tal was closed for visitors.

But then they suggested something we hadn’t even considered —
“Shinkula Top jaa lo.”

We weren’t prepared for that. Not mentally, not physically, definitely not gear-wise.

But we asked the most important question: “Is there black ice on the road?”
Because none of us had experience driving on it, and we weren’t carrying snow chains or any winter gear.

The officers assured us the roads were clear, well maintained, and safe to drive.
Plus, having a 4×4 Jimny gave that extra bit of confidence.

Shinkula Top was around 40 km from Darcha — and off we went.

The Climb to Shinkula Top

The road conditions were surprisingly good, exactly as the police had described. And the views? Next level.

Every kilometre, the mountains grew whiter. Sunlight bounced off the fresh snow, and the whole landscape started to feel unreal — like driving through a postcard.

The temperature kept dropping as we climbed. By the time we reached Shinkula Top, it hit –17°C.

And that’s when reality hit us too.

No proper winter clothes.
No oxygen cylinder.
No preparation for such thin air or harsh cold winds.
Just enthusiasm… and overconfidence.

The moment I stepped out of the car, I felt the lack of oxygen immediately. A little dizziness, slight discomfort — but the views just overpowered everything. It truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

We stayed there for almost an hour, soaking in the views, clicking pictures, and trying not to freeze.

Off-Roading Break on the Way Back

On the return drive, we spotted a perfect patch near the river — too tempting to ignore. So we stopped again and decided to test the Jimny’s off-road capabilities.

The car handled everything effortlessly while Mehak and Ayushi happily clicked pictures on the side. That little detour made the adventure even better.

Back to Manali

After crossing back into the greener landscapes and leaving the snow behind, we drove straight towards Manali.
On the way, we made one mandatory pit stop — Johnsons Café, this time only for coffee.

By evening, we were back at the hotel, tired but satisfied. Two days… and a trip that felt much larger than that.

A spontaneous decision, unexpected weather, unplanned routes, and experiences we’ll talk about for years — that’s exactly what made this Manali trip special.

The Jimny’s Performance

This was our second long trip with the Jimny (the first being Chandigarh to Ahmedabad via Jaipur and Udaipur), and the car handled the hills smoothly again. It’s compact, steady, and feels reliable on mountain roads — exactly what you need for drives like this.