Himachal Backpacking – Manali – Kasol –Jibhi
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If you're planning a Himachal backpacking trip, this 7-day Manali–Kasol–Jibhi itinerary offers the perfect blend of adventure, scenic beauty, and offbeat experiences—without feeling rushed.
Starting from Delhi to Manali, the journey begins in one of Himachal’s most popular mountain hubs, known for its vibrant energy and adventure activities. From here, you move into Kasol in Parvati Valley, a laid-back riverside destination ideal for café hopping and short forest hikes, and finally to Jibhi in Tirthan Valley, a peaceful hamlet surrounded by alpine forests and untouched landscapes.
What makes this route efficient is how well-connected it is. The Kasol to Jibhi distance (~90 km) ensures minimal travel fatigue, allowing you to spend more time exploring each destination. While Manali brings in thrill and movement, Kasol slows things down, and Jibhi completes the experience with quiet, offbeat charm.
With Plan The Unplanned, the focus is on creating a seamless and community-driven travel experience. From comfortable transportation and curated stays to a dedicated Trip Captain, everything is designed to keep your journey smooth, engaging, and memorable.
Trip Highlights
Himachal Pradesh has long been a trekker’s paradise. It doesn’t really matter if you are an expert trekker or are just taking your first trip, at Plan The Unplanned, everyone is welcome. And this trip in particular is great for everyone, and here is why:
- Explore the popular sites of Manali, including the Hadimba Temple, the bustling Mall Road and do some café hopping here
- At Solang Valley awaits a range of activities including zorbing, skiing, ATV rides, paragliding, zipline and more
- Through the Atal Tunnel, we take you towards Sissu, where you get spectacular views and some photo ops
- As we make our way to captivating Kasol, you get to see rivers, valleys and mountains
- Take in breathtaking views of the entire Parvati Valley from the charming village of Chalal
- Connect with your spiritual self at Manikaran Temple and Manikaran Gurudwara
- Do not miss the chance to explore the Manikaran hot springs, before we head to Jibhi
- A trip to the magnificent Jibhi Waterfall, browsing the local market, and sampling local cuisine is what you get to do next
- Your trek to Jalori Pass will give you breathtaking views of the valley and the Pir Panjal ranges
- Stop at the Sirolsar Lake to take in the beautiful pine forests and pay respects at the local temple
Gone are the days when a Himachal backpacking trip meant the same old sites and experiences. With Plan The Unplanned, we take you off the beaten paths for experiences that will last a lifetime!
Highlights
Day 1
‣ Begin overnight journey from Delhi to Manali
‣ Enjoy a comfortable Volvo or tempo traveler ride
‣ Catch up on rest before your mountain adventure begins
Day 2
‣ Arrive in Manali and check into your stay
‣ Explore local sights like Mall Road, Hadimba Temple & Old Manali
‣ Soak in the cozy mountain vibes
‣ Overnight stay in Manali
Day 3
‣ Head to Solang Valley for snow activities & adventure sports
‣ Explore more of Manali’s natural beauty and cafes
‣ Enjoy a relaxed evening in the mountains
‣ Overnight stay in Manali
Day 4
‣ Drive to Kasol – the mini Israel of India
‣ Spend your day hopping through riverside cafes and local shops
‣ Enjoy the chill vibes of Parvati Valley
‣ Overnight stay in Kasol
Day 5
‣ Explore nearby sights like Chalal village or Manikaran Sahib
‣ Post-lunch, depart for Jibhi – the hidden gem of Himachal
‣ Reach Jibhi and settle in for the night
Day 6
‣ Visit Jalori Pass – one of Himachal’s highest motorable passes
‣ Trek to the serene Serolsar Lake
‣ Begin your return journey to Delhi in the evening
Day 7
‣ Arrive in Delhi by morning
‣ Trip concludes with beautiful memories from Himachal
Day 1 - Reach Manali from Delhi
• The journey begins in the evening as the group assembles at Kashmir Gate around 7 PM.
• Meet your Trip Captain and fellow travelers, followed by a short briefing to set the tone for the days ahead.
• We then board our vehicle and begin the overnight journey to Manali, leaving behind the city lights for the mountains.
Day 2 - Explore Manali | Sightseeing at Manali
Dinner
• Arrive in Manali and check in to the hotel (standard check-in post 1 PM). Take some time to relax and freshen up.
• Head out to explore the town, starting with the iconic Hadimba Temple, surrounded by cedar forests.
• Walk through Mall Road and spend time café hopping in Old Manali, soaking in the local vibe.
• Dinner and overnight stay in Manali.
Highlights: Hadimba Temple, Mall Road, Old Manali cafés
Day 3 - Manali Sightseeing - Departure for Kasol
Atal Tunnel
Sissu Valley
Breakfast, Dinner
• After breakfast, we drive to Solang Valley, known for its scenic views and adventure activities.
• Enjoy included experiences like Zipline and Rocket Bungee, or try additional activities like ATV rides, zorbing, or skiing (at your own expense).
• Continue the journey through the Atal Tunnel to reach Sissu Valley, offering stunning Himalayan landscapes.
• Return to Manali by evening. Dinner and overnight stay in Manali.
Note: Visit to Atal Tunnel/Sissu depends on weather and road conditions.
Day 4 - Exploring Kasol & Sightseeing at Kasol
Breakfast, Dinner
• After an early breakfast, we check out and drive towards Kasol, a quaint hamlet in the Kullu district known for its riverside charm, lush forests, and laid-back vibe.
• Upon arrival, check in to the stay and take some time to unwind. Later, we head to Manikaran Sahib, visiting both the temple and gurudwara, followed by a stop at the sacred hot water springs.
• Spend the evening exploring Kasol at your own pace—café hopping, trying local food, and strolling through the vibrant flea markets.
• Dinner and overnight stay in Kasol.
Day 5 - Kasol to Jibhi | Chalal & Riverside Experiences
Breakfast, Dinner
• Start the day with a short hike to Chalal village, offering scenic views of Parvati Valley.
• Later, drive towards Jibhi, a hidden gem in Tirthan Valley, surrounded by pine forests and quiet landscapes.
• En route, stop at Jhiri village and enjoy a river rafting experience ( self-sponsored )
• On reaching Jibhi, check in and explore the area—visit Jibhi Waterfall, stroll through local markets, and relax at cafés.
• Dinner and overnight stay in Jibhi.
Day 6 - Jibhi to Jalori pass and Sirolsar Lake - Departure for Delhi
Breakfast
• After breakfast, check out and drive to Jalori Pass, offering panoramic views of the Pir Panjal ranges.
• Begin the trek to Serolsar Lake, a serene high-altitude lake surrounded by dense alpine forests, along with a sacred temple nearby.
• After descending, proceed towards Aut and board the overnight bus back to Delhi.
Note: Standard check-out time is 11 AM.
Day 7 - Arrive Delhi by morning
Private Vehicle
Stay Not Applicable
At 9:00am we should be in Delhi. Carrying the memories and the cameras filled with stories, we reach a moment where we have to part with our other travel companions- now friends, and embark on home; the end of this journey: unforgettable.
The journey concludes officially, although the adventure spirit and the friendships made are bound to endure a lot longer than the highway.
Meet your host
Plan The Unplanned
- Verified Host
- Logout's Trusted
- Traveler's Choice
What’s life without adventure? Isn’t the real purpose of life to travel, to experience new places, and witness the sunrise from new mountaintops? This thought is what united Jatin and Tarun over a cup of chai, in spite of being from two unrelated backgrounds (CA and IT). They knew each other since the time Jatin was helping Tarun learn the ways of the wilderness through weekend treks and outings with another traveling group. Their love for traveling and trekking together motivated them to start something of their own. Thus was born “Plan The Unplanned”, where travel goals come true. Under the Companies Act, Plan The Unplanned is incorporated as Unplanned Journeys Private Limited They started their journey on unsteady ground, much like any other company, but they shared an infatuation for travel and adventure with their customers, which amplified their determination, and thus, Plan the Unplanned family keeps getting bigger every day! Just about any travel idea can come alive with Plan The Unplanned…treks, adventure activities like rock climbing, kayaking, rafting, backpacking trips across the country, cultural outings, photo walks; everything that fellow travelers need, to explore the great outdoors together. Well now that the wanderlust has kicked in and you can already see a vacation in your nearest future, here’s what we have to offer!
See Plan The Unplanned's other listingsInclusions
- AC Volvo bus travel from Delhi to Manali and Aut to Delhi
- Local transportation in a Tempo Traveller for all sightseeing as per the itinerary
- Accommodation on sharing basis throughout the trip
- Meal Plan (MAPAI) – Total 8 meals included:
- Dinner on Day 2 , Breakfast and Dinner on Day 3, 4 & 5, Breakfast on Day 6
- A dedicated Plan The Unplanned Trip Captain throughout the journey
- All required permits and entry formalities
- Basic first aid support for emergencies
- Driver allowance, toll taxes, parking charges, and all applicable state taxes included
Exclusions
- 5% GST
- Early check-in (before 1:00 PM) and late check-out (after 11:00 AM) at the hotel
- Any personal expenses such as snacks, shopping, or additional services
- Any additional accommodation or meals due to delays in travel
- Lunch and any meals not mentioned in the inclusions
- Any airfare or rail fare not specified in the inclusions
- Entry fees, parking charges, and monument tickets during sightseeing
- Any kind adventure activities (ATV rides, zorbing, skiing ,zipline, river rafting, rocket bungee, etc )
- Costs arising due to unforeseen situations such as flight cancellations, landslides, roadblocks, or weather conditions
- If the vehicle cannot operate due to heavy snowfall, a 4x4 vehicle will be arranged at an additional cost (payable on the spot)
- Any other services not mentioned in the inclusions
Things to carry
✅ Day backpack (20–30 litres) for local sightseeing
✅ Floaters or sandals for relaxing and ease of movement
✅ 1 insulated down/main jacket to layer up in the cold
✅ 1 pair of thermals to stay warm in low temperatures
✅ Lightweight outdoor shoes with sturdy grip for trekking
✅ 3 quick-dry t-shirts for easy washing and hygiene
✅ 3 pairs of cotton socks – lightweight and comfortable
✅ 1 pair of woollen socks (preferably merino) for warmth at night
✅ 1 poncho for complete rain protection including your backpack
✅ Quick-dry towel to stay fresh and avoid bacterial growth
✅ Insulated gloves to retain body heat in cold conditions
✅ Hand sanitizer for maintaining hand hygiene on the go
✅ Lightweight sun cap with flaps for sun protection
✅ Lip balm to protect lips from cold and wind
✅ Cold cream & sunscreen (SPF 40+) for skin protection
✅ 1-litre water bottle – refillable and essential for hydration
✅ Ziplock bag for toiletries – napkins, toothpaste, paper soap, etc.
✅ Personal medical kit with bandages, Dettol, and basic meds
✅ Sunglasses / photochromic glasses for eye protection
✅ Mobile charger / power bank for emergency charging
✅ Valid ID documents – Aadhaar, Driver’s License, etc.
✅ Travel laundry bag for wet or used clothes
✅ Camera with extra memory and batteries to capture your journey
Policy and more
Himalayan/ Backpacking Trip Refund/Cancellation Policy
Intimation Period* | Cancellation Fee** |
30 days or more | 10% of the total invoice value |
Between 15-29days | 50% of the total invoice value |
Between 0-14 days | 90% of the total invoice value |
*Intimation Period means the number of days before the tour is scheduled to start
**Cancellation Fee is the amount of money that will be deducted from the total billing amount before offering a refund.
NOTE:
Last-minute cancellations due to work, health issues, etc., any kind of emergencies will not be entertained and no refund or transfer shall be allowed for the same.
You can transfer your bookings to anyone who is willing to join the event to avoid loss of money!
The tickets once booked cannot be moved to any other dates.
In the pandemic everything is unpredictable, and we are doing our best to give you the finest services. We are also abiding by guidelines laid by government for everyone’s safety. In this, if the government issues a lockdown notice 48 hours before the departure date, we will issue full refund. The money will be directly credited to your account.
In another scenario, if lockdown notice is imposed on the departure date, we will secure your amount in the form of credits that you can use for further bookings. Consider it your bank for future bookings. Your money is safe with us.
In the rare event that we cancel your trek, this is the cancellation policy we follow:
During/After the Trek: In case of extreme weather conditions, considering trekkers’ safety, a day can be cut or the trek can be called off altogether. There will be no refund in any case whatsoever.
Before the trek: In case we cancel a trek because of natural calamities (thunderstorms, floods, landslides, earthquakes) or unexpected political unrest, curfews, local riots, government orders, forest department orders, Plan The Unplanned shall issue a VOUCHER for the full amount of your ticket.
Note: The Voucher has a validity of 1 year and it can be redeemed at any point in time.
A prior intimation as regards which trek you wish to join can be communicated to us over mail or phone
In a case where we cancel your trek, due to a limited number of bookings for a particular batch or we do not have the minimum number of required people:
PLAN THE UNPLANNED shall offer a 100% refund of the trek fee ( No transactional/internet handling charges shall be deducted)
On/After the Trek
Terms and Conditions
The purchase of any travel services offered by PLAN THE UNPLANNED (hereinafter referred as ‘PTU’) constitutes a contractual arrangement between PTU (‘First Party’) and Client (hereinafter referred as ‘You’) (‘Second Party’). Booking of services with PTU represents your unconditional acceptance of the terms & conditions set out herein. These terms and conditions shall be binding on you and all the travel companions booked by you.
Trekking and other outdoor activities provided by the PTU depend on various factors and have inherent risks associated with life. PTU does its best to reduce all types of risks, discomfort, and hazard to the best of its ability (within financial constraints), yet there are chances of accidents, mishaps, and deficiency in service.
Please ensure that you read carefully and understand these terms prior to confirming your booking.
Promotions
Pictures used on the website and collateral are meant for marketing purposes. These do not imply the inclusion of the pictorial content to be a part of your vacation or any guarantee that you will experience, encounter or view whatever is depicted through the pictures.
Fitness Responsibility
PTU offers trip(s) and trek(s) that require varying levels of fitness. The level of difficulty can be based on the extent of physical stress, the terrain, weather, and/or climate. The degree of difficulty for some trips can be physically demanding. To enable you to choose appropriately and prepare accordingly, carefully review the level of difficulty of each trip before booking the same.
PTU doesn’t have any medical expert(s) and it is your responsibility to obtain medical advice, latest health requirements including inoculations and vaccines before you join a trip. PTU takes no responsibility for your inability to cope with the level of difficulty on a trip. While there is no age limitation on any PTU trips, any disability, pregnancy, mental or physical, or any other medical condition that may affect your fitness to complete the trek must be revealed at the time of booking the trip to PTU. You also undertake that you and Your travel companions, for whom You have signed up, do not suffer from any condition or disability that could create a hazard to Your own wellbeing or to others on a trip.
Program Dates
You are solely responsible for verifying the correct dates mentioned on the travel documents.
Itinerary
PTU reserves the right to modify or cancel the trip or part of the trip under circumstances, including but not limiting to Acts of God, road blockage, political unrest, sickness, accidents, events beyond PTU’s control etc. Any extra cost arising from such circumstances shall be borne by you on the spot. Wherever possible, PTU shall intimate you of such changes in advance or while on the trip.
Luggage Responsibility
Baggage and personal effects are at your risk throughout the trip. You are solely responsible for your personal belongings while on the trip. PTU is not responsible for the loss of baggage, goods, air tickets, passport, cash, traveler’s cheques, or any other travel document or item owned by you while on tour, whatever the cause.
On-trip Behaviour
You are required to behave in a manner that is acceptable and conducive to group travel. PTU reserves the right to terminate your trip (if you are found to be causing distress/annoyance to co-travelers, endanger/damage property of any supplier or of other traveling companions), without assigning any reason whatsoever. No refund for unused services is possible in such cases.
You also agree to abide by the authority of the group leader designated by PTU. The decision of the tour leader is binding on all participants on matters that affect the safety or well-being of any person participating in the trip. Behavior that causes danger, distress, or annoyance to others, or interferes with the mobility of the group can result in the group leader terminating your participation from the trip, with no right to refund for missed or unused services.
Protect The Environment
The entire trip/ trek would be through natural trails and we would spend most of the time in eerie forests, serene valleys, soothing hillsides, or at golden beaches. You should know that it’s your duty to protect the environment and not create nuisances on the way by throwing your plastic materials and other wastes like packets of chips or wrappers of chocolates. PTU shall not consider any such behavior towards nature. We expect you to be responsible and aware adults.
No Smoking Or Alcohol Consumption
PTU doesn’t support smoking or any sort of alcohol consumption during the journey and as a team, we earnestly request you to not indulge in those practices while you are with us. Smoking is not only injurious to your health but also equally bad for nature. We should ensure that there’s sustainable natural conservation and our acts, in no way, hampers that. Also, alcohol consumption might ruin your experience as well as cause discomfort to your fellow mates. No action of smoking or drinking shall be tolerated by PTU during the trip/trek.
Amenities
PTU makes every effort to ensure the comfort of our guests, but PTU requests you to understand that the amenities around the trekking region may not be the same as the ones you are accustomed to, at home. Weather is another factor that will have a direct impact on your journey. Hence, you are requested to have patience, enthusiasm and be prepared for compromising, before you choose to undertake this journey.
Awareness
You accept that the very nature of active, adventure travel requires a degree of personal risk. You are likely to visit places where political, cultural, and geographical attributes might pose certain risks, dangers, and physical challenges. By booking a tour with PTU, you accept that you are aware of the personal risks, dangers, and challenges that might arise and that you are aware of the risks involved. You hereby assume all such risk and release PTU from all claims and causes of action arising from such damages or injuries or death resulting from these inherent risks. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with customs, weather conditions, physical challenges, and laws in effect as well as your local embassy contacts in each destination.
Emergency Situations
In the event you fall ill or suffer an accident during the trip, all hospital expenses, doctor fees, repatriation expenses, evacuation from road or mountain, any other charges incurred as a direct or indirect result of your illness/accident are your responsibility.
Photography Rights
PTU reserves the right to take photographs of you during the trip and to use them for promotional purposes. By booking a trip with us, you automatically grant us a royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide, and irrevocable license for using your images in photographs and videos that may be used for promotional material, website, social media, collateral, and any other marketing and publicity materials.
Frequently Asked Questionss
Q: How is the Trip /Trek Organised?
A: For the proper organization of Backpacking Trips and Himalayan treks, Plan the Unplanned team is associated with Justwravel team that’s registered with ATOAI (Adventure Tour Operators Association of India)
Moreover, we have been working with them for 10 years. Their highly skilled staff with 20+ years of experience, professional local guides and BMC certified trek leaders are the reasons for our continuing partnership with them. The team shall manage all operations, medical and mechanical backup starting from the base location.
Only when we have over 8 bookings from Bangalore, do we send our leaders from Bangalore.
Note: To properly utilize resources, a batch from PTU is clubbed with trekkers who originally book with the local team. This is how all trekking organizations manage their treks. An exclusive PTU batch is only formed when we have a majority of bookings ( over 8 and above ) from PTU
Consumption of alcohol, intoxicants and smoking would not be tolerated during the entire course of the journey and the trek. Kindly co-operate with us to make the experience more fun.
Do not expect any luxuries on the trip. The locations that we host are at remote places and we do our best to arrange the basic facilities. The goal is to be outdoors.
The Food that shall be provided will be Basic Veg Food. We do not serve Non-Veg Food.
Put Litter in its place, do not trash your travel.
Plan The Unplanned shall not be responsible for any of your belongings, valuables, jewellery etc. Kindly do take care.
In the case of traffic delays or breakdowns, expect a little delay in reaching the destination.
Q: Who will go along with us on the Himachal Backpacking trip?
A: All our trips are led by professional trip coordinators who have a good experience in leading groups.
Q: I am the only girl in the group. Is it safe to travel solo?
A: Yes, it is; girls' safety is most important to us. All our guides and other staff are carefully chosen for trips. They are honest and reliable, but we advise taking care of your personal belongings.
Q: How can I book a Himachal Backpacking Trip with you?
A: After selecting the trip, you can book by clicking on the book now button, or you can contact us, and we will guide you in the booking.
Q: What type of food is served during the Himachal Backpacking trip?
A: We provide nutritious and healthy food during the trip. We always serve Indian vegetarian food.
Q: Can you customize the trip?
A: Yes, we can customize any trip as per your needs and feasibility.
Q: What is the best time to visit Himachal?
A: October to February is the winter season and is considered the best time to visit Himachal if you love the cold breeze, and January is best to enjoy the chilly pleasure of snowfall. Also, during the Summer months of April, May, and June, you won't be able to see snow during this month. Temp might drop to below 0 degrees celsius.
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