This is our second visit to Manali together. This time we were not travelling as couple rather as parents. Parents of a 1.5 year old baby. So experiences are quite different from our regular travel as couple. There were some special planning for baby and itinerary of travel is quite different. Let's deep dive into the detailed day by day itinerary of Manali tour with baby. 

Day 1: Road Trip from Bahadurgarh to Manali

Manali is 550 KM from our home and google map shows a travel time of around 14 hours. We want to reach Manali before sunset so we started our trip early 5 AM in the morning. Initial journey was through KMP, GT Road. So there were no difficulty in cruising at speed of 80 to 90 as per road limits. We had our packed food for trip to avoid time consuming stop at restaurants. So our first stop at restaurant was near Roopnagar (Punjab) at Heritage Haveli after 6 hours of continuous drive with only two small stop on roadside.

Ritvik was enjoying the journey in car and we had arrangements for his cartoon videos in youtube download for interruption free playback. He also took multiple sleep since he wake with us at 3:30 AM in morning. This time we were driving our new Celerio ZXI+ Automatic. It was our first drive to hills in automatic car so we were curios to know the performance of AMT cars in hills. But it was quite smooth and relaxing specially in heavy traffic, we covered the whole journey in Auto mode. After going through multiple tunnels and amazing highway, we reached around 4 PM at Manali. 

Baby packing for Long Drive

Rather than carrying normal milk, we carried Amul cool Milk bottle, some home made snacks, fruits, sufficient water for all purpose, diapers, shades for car window for good sleep. Offline youtube videos for entertainment, juicer mixer for different shakes at hotel to avoid market juices and shakes. Hot water bottle, multiple layers of clothing as per weather needs. Since children are more susceptible to weather changes. 

Day 2: Visit to Hadimba Temple

After sound sleep, we woke up with relaxed body and there was direct sunlight on our faces from windows. Mountaina outside window are covered with fresh snowfall that happened during our sleep. In this trip we were prepared for the half day tours. Because Ritvik usually wake up late and take another sleep after breakfast and hot bath and sleeps upto 1 or 2 PM. So we had planned half day tours for everyday while he sleeps we had time to enjoy nature from window view, read books, watch movies and some quality time. 

On second day, we visited Hadimba temple, which was located at walking distance. There we had amazing views of nature and fun with the toddler. Ritvik was responding to everything new he sees. We recorded some lifelong memories in form of photos and video. After 2-3 hours of picnic, we went down to Mall road for dinner and experience the vibe of mall road. 

After reaching hotel we had enough time to watch sunset from the rooftop and recorded amazing timelapse. 

Check the timelapse below. 

Special Note:

Way to Hadimba temple from our hotel involved very less uphill walk and more downhill walk till mall road. So we carried the Ritvik on our body but from Mall road to hotel is total uphill so we booked the three wheeler and it charge around 100-150 on different days depending upon the negotiations. We followed this practice on thirds as well. 

Day 3: Visit to Van Vihar and Mall Road

There was no fan in the room so we thought of having a hot night since earlier day was too hot. But night was quite chilly and warm blanket made the night much relaxing and soothing. We had the same schedule till afternoon and walked down to Van vihar. Van vihar had entry ticket Rs. 50 for adults and Rs. 20 for children but it was free for Ritvik. Since our last trip to Manali in 2017. Van vihar had changed a lot, there were number of fun activities for children and there was newly built pond for paddle boating. Though boating area was quite small but sufficient for children picnic. We had walk on the nature trail in there and took some photos. Van vihar is located just near to mall road so while coming back we had fresh corn 🌽 and then dinner at Mall road and took the rickshaw for hotel. We also planned for taxi from Mall road for next day visit to Sissu via Atal Tunnel. 

Special Note: 

There is taxi booking counter on mall road which is govt approved so we got quote for taxi to Sissu. They asked for 3000 onwards starting with smallest car Alto. After coming back to hotel, we asked hotel reception for taxi. They booked the Ertiga for ₹ 2000. So it was shocking for us. So try multiple taxi service providers before finalizing. 

Day 4: Road Trip to Sissu

We had booked our taxi at 2 PM afternoon. We left for Sissu on time and it was our first time to visit Atal Tunnel, it is such an marvel of engineering. 9 km long Tunnel through the rocky mountain at height of 10k feet. Entry portal is south portal and exit point is North portal. Scenery from these ends resembles their names. Both ends are totally different North portal is truly amazing and feels in untouched piece of nature. It feels like raw and beauty at its peak. Roads are also fully tarmac and ride is bump free. Sissu was not far after crossing the tunnel. Every new kilometre towards Sissu boosted the beauty of nature and Sissu was amazing. There are lots of food on wheels van located on the bank of fast flowing river Chandarbhaga. Chilled air was blowing all over and there was an waterfall on other side of the river Chandarbhaga. There were number of ziplnes to cross the river and walk to bottom of the waterfall. Air was fresh with no worry about AQI. But it is an barren land only for day tours.

While coming back, we stopped at Solang valley. Solang valley is famous for adventure activities like paragliding, skiing and picnic spot with ample open area. It also has ropeway to visit snow point. There is limited parking facility so be careful when coming with personal vehicle in peak season. We had our snacks and leisure time. Ritvik enjoyed a lot. This was final destination and day of our 3 days trip. In evening, packing is done for all used and non-essential items and some are shifted to car. Next morning we moved early at 6 AM and avoided the majority of traffic congestion. Since our hotel was located in old Manali and road goes via Hadimba temple, mall road and there was lot of traffic upto kullu while coming. So we avoided all those traffic before everyone woke up. 

Overall the tour experience was much better than expected, we were worried about the toddler, his eating, his behaviour in crowded places, in cold environment. 

If you have any questions or suggestions, type in comment box below.