Himachal Road Trip Circuit: Delhi – Mandi – Prashar Lake – Parvati Valley – Manali – Delhi

A road trip around Himachal, with close friends and family, is the routine for long weekends for people living in cities like Delhi and Chandigarh. The proximity of the hills of Himachal is a major factor for the numerous short road trips that people from these cities make. Are you looking for road trip ideas for the next long weekend? You need not to look further as here is a crisp road trip circuit for you: Delhi – Mandi – Prashar Lake – Kasol – Delhi.

Delhi – Mandi

The town of Mandi is located in central Himachal, on the banks of River Beas. Mandi is an important trading center situated on the Pathankot-Kullu road. The town is the gateway to Himachal’s most famous valleys – Kullu, Manali, Lahaul, and Spiti. It falls on the Kullu-Shimla road connected via Bilaspur. You can start your road trip from Delhi early in the morning, the distance between Mandi and Delhi is about 400- 450 km.

The total time incurred in the journey from Delhi to Mandi can vary from anywhere between 10 and 12 hours. Mandi is also known as the “Varanasi of Hills” owing to the presence of 81 temples in the town. Mandi is also the hub of traders as it falls on the Pathankot-Kullu trade route. The town has a wide range of hotels right from budget guesthouses to luxurious hotels and resorts.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Prashar Lake

The unblemished waters of Prashar lake are located at a height of 2730 m above sea level. The depth of the lake is unknown and it has been noted that a fully grown (30m) cedar tree completely disappears in it. The trek to Prashar Lake can be a fun activity for you after a break on your road trip at Mandi. The charming trail from Mandi to Prashar lake takes you through a forest and several rivulets. The trek begins at Kantlu, and it is 2 hours long drive from Mandi. The lake has a floating island and it offers stunning views of the Dhauladhar Range. You can halt the night in the dorms and guest houses nearby. Trek back to Kalu and drive off to Parvati valley from there.

Image Source – Sougata Sinha (Flickr)

Kasol / Parvati Valley

The Indian Rastafari paradise, Kasol is situated in the Parvati Valley along the banks of River Parvati. It has now become one of the rising tourist hubs of Himachal Pradesh. The drive from Mandi to Kasol takes about 2 hours and on the route, you will be mesmerized at almost every corner by the majestic views of the scenic hills. Kasol has now become a fairly large town with numerous hotels, homestays, and resorts. It also attracts many religious pilgrims who stop there on their route to the hot springs of the temple town of Manikaran.

Tosh is a beautiful village nestled high up in the mountains, it is an hour’s drive away from Kasol. You can relax and stroll along the streets of Kasol to brush off the weariness of the road trip. The other villages of Parvati valley including Grahan, Kalga and Malana are also great options to explore.

Source: sabamonin (flickr)

Manali 

Reaching Manali from Kasol could take up to 3-4 hours. Manali offers breathtaking views with scenic valleys, lush forests, and snow-capped mountains. Some of the places that be explored in Manali include the ancient Hadimba Temple and the Vashisht Temple with its hot springs. Adventure enthusiasts can indulge in activities like trekking, paragliding, river rafting, and skiing in and around Manali.

The Atal Tunnel, which connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti, is a must-visit place near Manali. Sissu, a small village located about 2 hours from Manali, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Sethan, a scenic village located 15 km from Manali, is known for its peaceful environment and beautiful landscapes. Rohtang Pass, located about 50 km from Manali, offers stunning views of the snow-capped mountains and is a popular destination for adventure activities like skiing and snowboarding. Solang Valley, around 15 km from Manali, offers a host of options to travelers.

In short, Manali is the perfect place to wrap up the road trip and prepare to head back to Delhi.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Driving back to Delhi from Manali might take about 14-15 hours, so you can stop at Chandigarh to break your journey. This short Himachal road trip circuit is best when explored in the spring just after the snow melts down. You will have an awesome time with your family friends and loved ones on this circuit.

Do let us know what you think about this circuit in the comment section below.