Advice needed for manali shimla trip itinerary
Hey everyone,
Planning a family trip to Himachal from May 12–18 and wanted some advice/suggestions
Current itinerary:
May 12:
Delhi → overnight Volvo to Shimla
May 13:
Shimla sightseeing:
- Jakhoo Temple
- Kufri
- Fagu
- Ridge/Mall Road
Night stay in Shimla
May 14:
Daytime drive from Shimla to Manali
Planning to stay around Old Manali/Vashisht side
May 15:
Current plan:
- Hidimba Temple
- Vashisht
- Solang Valley (short stop)
- Atal Tunnel
- Sissu
- Koksar (for possible snow patches/views)
Then night stay/camping around Sethan/Hamta side for stargazing and sunrise views.
May 16:
Relaxed Manali day / cafés / local exploring
May 17:
Return overnight to Delhi
Main goals for the trip:
- proper snow-capped Himalayan views
- scenic drives
- stargazing/camping
- peaceful places over crowded touristy spots
- family-friendly but still scenic
A few questions:
Is this itinerary realistic or too rushed?
Is Koksar currently the best option for seeing remaining snow in mid-May?
Any underrated places/viewpoints near Sissu/Koksar worth stopping at?
Suggestions for good stays/camps in Sethan or Hamta that are NOT super commercial/Instagram dome style?
Would you recommend private cab for the Sissu + Sethan route or is local transport manageable?
Any cafés, food stops, or hidden spots we absolutely shouldn’t miss?
Would really appreciate any recent ground-level suggestions, especially regarding weather/snow conditions this week.