Manali in Off Season Is Beautiful - Apple Orchards and Peace

I spent a week in Manali in the first week of September 2024. It was the off season for this beautiful hill station. This was the time of Apple harvesting, I plucked apples from the trees and relished the fresh and Juicy apples everyday during my stay.

River Bed of Beas River Near Manali

My Journey from Amritsar To Manali

I started my journey from Amritsar in the train up until Kiratpur Sahib. From Railway station of Kiratpur sahib I had to walk for a kilometer to hop into a bus that would take me to Sundar Nagar of Himachal. 

I reached Sundar Nagar late night and met my friend Vijay who is posted as AAO in Sundar Nagar Post Office. I stayed with him for two days and left for Manali. I took a bus from Sundar Nagar bus stand which dropped me at Mandi city. 

From Mandi city, I took another Bus that dropped me to Kullu. At Kullu bus stand I hydrated myself with a glass of Sugarcane Juice. After about 30 minutes of waiting I found a bus going to Manali and hopped on to it.

The distance from Kullu to Manali is 40 KMs, the scenic beauty of this particulary journey is worth remembering for a lifetime. 

In my observation, Kullu has Plantation of Pomegranates and Manali has more of Apple orchards. I saw the roadside plantation of both the fruits on Kullu-Manali highway. You just can't ignore the sighting of the these reddish fruits on the way!

After around an hour, the bus reached Manali Bus stop. The moment I hopped off the bus, all I could hear was the loud honking of busses and vehicles!

Outside the Bus stop is famous Mall Road, to be honest, I was not keen to go there! But still went there and decided, this is not the place to book a hotel room at.

I Chose Kalath, an Off Beat Location Near Manali For My Stay

While on the way to Manali, I saw apple orchards, in my mind I wanted to stay near them. As I was thinking about it and walking towards that place which was 7 KMs far, an auto rickshaw came. I stopped them and asked to drop me where there are apple orchards and hotels.

The auto rickshaw driver took me to Kalath, a locality of Manali, 7 KMs before Manali Bus Stop. From the road itself I could see the apples on the tree, something I wished for! 

I quickly got off the auto rickshaw, paid him his fee, and right after saw a hotel on the road with an Apple Orchard of their own! Without thinking much, I walked towards the hotel and booked a room! 

I am glad, it was the best decision. I have recorded a video as well that you can watch on my YouTube Channel to see the place and apples I pluck from the tree.

Since, it was the off season in Manali. the price of the Room I booked was almost 60% less! In honesty, this is a blessing, I not only enjoyed my stay there but also had a taste of fresh apples!

Therefore, it was a great decision choosing an off beat location for my stay. Not only it was scenic, peaceful and full of Apple Orchards but the price was also super low! I wish I could extend my stay for little longer!

Anyway, I have plans to go there again very soon! And I have taken a pledge that I will only stay at off beat locations.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

Here's a YouTube Short I recorded from my Hotel:

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