A Quaint Village near Manali
Why do I say ‘Winter wonderland? Because Manali is jam-packed in the winter season. Kothi is where you want to be for the best views away from the bustling town. This is a place that is easily accessible from Manali and offers majestic views of the snow-clad mountains with a pinch of adventure.
We planned our trip from Delhi to Manali keeping in mind the weather forecast. Our sole purpose was to experience the winter season at its peak and let me tell you we weren’t disappointed.
Witnessing snowfall in Manali is a dream of many. Manali can get very crowded in the winter season. So, we decided to stay at an offbeat place nearby. There’s a small village nearby Manali which has good stay options and magnificent views. Kothi was undoubtedly an amazing offbeat place.
We took a taxi from Manali for 800 INR and began our journey to find a homestay to spend the night in. As we arrived in the morning, the sun was shining brightly and there wasn’t any sign of snow. Late at night, when we had gone to bed, it started snowing very softly. We got up to witness the snowfall with chai to keep ourselves warm.
The next morning was absolutely beautiful, we went straight to the ground right below our hotel to experience the fresh snow. It was all white as far as I could look, the splendid deodar trees added more charm to the scenery.
After having breakfast, we took a walk in the snow to get down to the main highway to get something to eat.
Location
Kothi sits between the splendid mountains and the Beas River which flows through a very deep and narrow gully at this point. Kothi used to be a camping site when people had to cross the Rohtang pass on foot. Now, you can reach there by bus or take a cab from Manali.
Route from Manali
The village is located along the route to Rohtang Pass from Manali on Leh – Manali Highway. It is at a distance of 13.5 km from the Manali Bus Stand. The roads are beautiful and comfortable but if there has already been a snowfall, the chances of having a traffic jam are very high.
Luckily for us, we reached Kothi before the snowfall. The ride back to Manali at the end of our trip was, however, another story. It was hard to find a taxi because it had been snowing non-stop for 4 days. On our way back, we got stuck on the road as taxi prices were soaring high. After a couple of hours of waiting, we finally found a taxi and headed back to Manali. It took us 4 hours to reach due to the weather conditions.
Stay Options near Manali
We found our stay at Kothi Lodge which is a 5-minute walk up from the highway. It’s perfect for anyone who’s looking to stay in an isolated place, you will find yourself engulfed by the clouds, nature, and the snow.
There is also a PWD Circuit House in Kothi, for those of you who’d like to book one.
Worth it?
As I woke up the first morning in Kothi, the snow blanketing entirely everything, that single view was the best treat. Everything from the journey to the stay and most importantly the weather was on point and so absolutely worth it.
In terms of budget, we found our Lodge to be a perfect value-for-money spot. It was perched upon the mountains with a spectacular view of snow peaks. The rooms and the service were very comfortable and commendable.
This was one of those trips where we experienced a breathtaking snowfall in Manali like never before.
Travel Tips
For travellers visiting in the winter season, I’d recommend:
- That you check the weather forecasts before planning your journey.
- Make sure you’ve contacted your chosen hotel/homestay for a hassle-free stay.
- Be prepared with the right kind of clothing and gear because it gets pretty cold when it snows. You’ll need boots/ gaiter / or waterproof shoes and the warmest jacket you have.
- You might like to carry some ready to eat food in case of any adverse condition.