Manali Beyond Tourist Destinations
At Empty Trails, we don’t just plan trips we personally explore the mountains, walk hidden paths, stay in local homes, and experience every destination before recommending it to you. From untouched Himalayan villages to peaceful forest trails around Manali, every journey is crafted to help you experience the mountains beyond tourism.
We believe travel should make you feel alive. That’s why our experiences are designed to help you live like a local, breathe fresh mountain air, connect with nature, discover hidden places, and find moments of peace far away from crowded city life. Whether it’s watching the sunrise over snow-covered peaks, sitting beside a flowing river, or walking through silent pine forests, Empty Trails helps you reconnect with yourself through nature.
Best Offbeat Places to Stay Near Manali
Prini – Peaceful mountain views away from tourist crowds
Old Manali – Riverside cafés, backpacker vibe, and forest surroundings
Aleo – Quiet stays with beautiful valley scenery
Vashisht – Traditional village feel with natural hot springs
Simsa – Calm location surrounded by apple orchards and mountains
Day 1
Arrive in Manali
Most tourists visit crowded places in Manali, but this itinerary is designed to help you experience the peaceful and offbeat side of the Himalayas where nature, village life, and hidden trails create unforgettable memories.
Start Your Morning With a Natural Hot Water Bath
After reaching Manali, begin your journey with a relaxing hot water bath. You have two famous options:
- Vashisht Hot Springs (Recommended)
- Kalath Hot Water Springs
We highly recommend Vashisht, where natural hot water flows through ancient Himalayan surroundings. After taking blessings at the temple of Rishi Vashisht, begin your beautiful hike towards Jogni Waterfall.
Hike Through Pine Forests to Jogni Waterfall
The hike to Jogni Waterfall takes around 1 hour and is one of the most peaceful experiences near Manali. The trail passes through pine forests, hidden cafés, painted village walls, wooden homes, and beautiful village streets that let you experience authentic Himalayan life.
As you continue deeper into the mountains, you’ll finally reach the majestic Jogni Waterfall. Most tourists stop early, but make sure to continue till the larger waterfall section where nature feels untouched and raw. Sit beside the waterfall, feel the cold droplets coming directly from Himalayan glaciers, and spend time listening to the sound of flowing water and forests.
This experience will easily take your first half of the day not because it’s rushed, but because it’s meant to be felt slowly.
Evening Escape to Sethan Village
In the second half of the day, head towards the peaceful village of Sethan, one of the hidden gems near Manali surrounded by wide Himalayan views.
Enjoy fresh handmade pizzas at the famous Pizza House in Sethan Village while soaking in the calm mountain atmosphere. You can also enjoy activities like ziplining and short mountain walks around the village.
From Sethan, continue further towards the starting point of the Hampta Pass trail. The open landscapes, mountain silence, and sunset views from this place feel unreal. Stay there until sunset and watch the sky slowly disappear behind the Himalayan peaks a moment truly worth living.
End your day surrounded by silence, cold mountain air, and memories that feel far away from ordinary tourism.
Day 2
Rohtang Pass
Start your day early and head towards Rohtang Pass, where the cold mountain winds, snow covered peaks, and dramatic Himalayan landscapes create one of the most unforgettable drives in Himachal Pradesh. Once an ancient trade route connecting Manali to the remote valleys of Lahaul and Spiti, the road itself feels like a journey through changing worlds.
Koksar
From Rohtang, continue towards Koksar a peaceful high-altitude village surrounded by rugged mountains, glacier-fed rivers, and barren landscapes that feel completely different from the green valleys of Manali. Koksar is known for its raw Himalayan beauty, traditional mountain homes, quiet roads, and stunning views of the Chandra River. The crisp air, dramatic terrain, and slow village life make it one of the most underrated stops in the region.
Atal Tunnel
From Koksar, drive towards Atal Tunnel and witness the engineering marvel known as the world’s longest highway tunnel above 10,000 feet. Passing through the tunnel feels surreal as the scenery transforms instantly from the green Kullu Valley to the cold desert landscapes of Lahaul.
Sissu Waterfall
Now head towards Sissu, a beautiful Himalayan village famous for its waterfall, snow peaks, and peaceful surroundings. Take a short trek to the stunning Sissu Waterfall and spend some time near the river while enjoying the untouched beauty of the valley.
Tandi
Continue further till Tandi to experience the raw roads and landscapes of Lahaul, where rugged mountains, open valleys, and winding Himalayan roads create an unforgettable road-trip experience.
Gulaba
While returning, take the route back through Atal Tunnel and head once again towards the Rohtang side till Gulaba. Sit peacefully in the meadows, breathe in the cold mountain air, and witness a magical Himalayan sunset as the golden light slowly disappears behind the snow-covered peaks.
