Manali Trance..

Snow! She said, and thus began the planning. A simple search on Google didn't leave us with too many options for 'Snow in India', given the limited results we locked in 'Manali'. Date for the trip was fixed for 20th November, with a total of 4 days for travel (Yes, we know flights exist, but my wife's too scared! That's a thing) and 6 days in Manali. Quick search on the IRCTC revealed a 36-42 hour journey from Bangalore to Delhi, followed by a bus/cab drive to Manali. Sharing some Train schedules (AC is preferred, for hygeinic & safety reasons) and bus timings that are befitting:

- Rajdhani Express (Preferred)- Lowest at 33 hours + reasonably good food
- Duranto Express
- Sampark Kranti Express
- Kingu Express

Train fares range from INR1100 to INR 2800, again basis your interest on a comfortable journey.
Buses (Volvos preferred) are available at regular intervals so nothing to share, preferably book through a known operator like- Sharma, National, etc or like us you'll end up in a bus called 'Personal LCD Luxury Bus' that you end up using as mirror (so 10 hours of zero entertainment!). This again will set you back by 1000-2000/head

You can also consider a train to Chandigarh
Considering the 36 hour train journey was us talking and sharing our stories, some funny others that will have you ROFL, skipping details here. But a good idea to carry some entertainment: headphones, portable charger, a fully charged mobile/player (coincidentally everyone wants the charging point at the same time), cards, board games, some munchies, and whatever else that floats your boat.

A quick list of places that are a 'Must see':
- Solang Valley
- Naggar Castle
- Tibetian Monasteries
- Van Vihar National Park
- River Beas
- Manu Temple
- Arjun Gufa
- Vashisht Baths
- Pandoh Dam
- Bhrigu Lake
- Jogini Waterfall

Local commute is pretty easily available, it's best to consider a cab for local commute (about 75/km, yes thats right). We booked are stay at Hadimba Palace Hotel and also fixed the tour package with them (4 nights, 5 days plus sight seeing all at INR 10,000)

We planned the trip ourselves, so it might seem a little more relaxed than the ones available through operators, but no complains. Rest of the journey we've captured through our lens, it doesn't do justice to the cool breeze and the aura of the hills.