Many of us love adventures and driving to hilly areas in our car adds adventure to our routine lives. But, is it safe to drive to Manali by car via Delhi or Chandigarh? Let’s find out which route you should take, the preparations you will need, and whether is it safe to drive to Manali by car or not.
Various places come to mind when listing down the places to visit in the mountains. Tourist attractions like Manali, Shimla, Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley, and more. The best time to visit these places depends on the atmosphere and if the mountain roads are open or not.
The best route to take from Delhi to Manali by Road
If you are planning to travel from Delhi to Manali by car, you should take the Delhi-Chandigarh highway and select the outer ring road of Chandigarh to continue your journey toward Manali via Sundarnagar, Mandi, and Kullu. The road is maintained and well-built. If you are traveling to Manali by car at the right time, you will be able to see the golden hours on the scenic roads on your journey.
The Delhi to Manali by car trip will be fun with both flats and hills on the way. It is truly a magical experience in itself.
The best route to take from Chandigarh to Manali by Road
Chandigarh to Manali is one of the most popular routes to take. If you have selected to drive this route by car, you can simply take the Sundarnagar, Mandi, and Kullu highways to reach Manali by car. Try to reach Manali in daylight to avoid driving the ghat section in the low-light conditions and check in to your hotel on time.
Various car rental services are also available for Delhi to Chandigarh and Delhi to Manali travel as well. So, you can book a Delhi to Manali tour plan as well and cover your dream road trip with the help of local drivers. That is also a great way to experience the Kullu Manali holiday.
What preparations should you make before going to Manali by car?
Manali is located in the strong Himalayas, thus, you should do some preparations before leaving for Manali by car. As, the mountains are infamous for the landslide, traffic, and twisted roads on the go. Manali is situated at 2050m above the sea level – that means your car also has to be fit to reach there. Here are some preparations you should make before leaving for Manali by car.
- Pack ample food and water for your journey. If a landslide takes place, you will end up sitting in your car for hours, and the food will come in handy.
- Get your car checked by a professional. Check oil pressure, tire tread depth, air pressure, servicing, and so on.
- Keep the fuel level above half-tank all the time if possible.
- Get your lights checked or upgraded if needed. It is required to have a powerful headlamp in the hills to see roads.
- Take ample rest and sleep the day before you start your journey.
- Plan your journey, and make sure to include halts on the way to Manali.
- If you do not have experience driving in hilly areas, take some time and get used to the roads before pushing your car.
Things to know about Manali – Explore Manali
Manali is a beautiful small hill station in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. There are various beautiful hill stations near Delhi. However, if you want to experience a memorable road trip with friends, the trip from Delhi to Manali is one of the best things to do. The road distance is approximately 520 km from Delhi to Manali.
You can visit various temples, visit mall roads, have amazing local food, and make your Manali trip memorable. Snowfall in Manali generally takes place from the end of December month till the end of January and the beginning of February. So, you can visit Manali during this period to enjoy the snow and cold.
There are various things to do in Manali. Things like paragliding, snow activities, ziplining, enjoying food, and more are famous among tourists and visitors.
Is it safe to travel to Manali by car?
Yes, it is safe to travel to Manali by car. Just make sure that the driving conditions are appropriate for the time you are traveling and keep the following things in mind before making a trip to Manali by car:
- Ensure your vehicle is in good working condition and properly maintained before the roads. This includes checking the tires, brakes, and fluid levels.
- Plan your route plus be familiar with the road conditions you might encounter. Have ample food and water supply with you to pass your time in the road landslide and other traffic conditions along the way.
- Make sure to follow all traffic laws and drive defensively, rather than pushing your vehicle hard on the mountain roads. This includes obeying speed limits, using turn & horn as signals, and maintaining a safe following distance to avoid any sort of collision.
- Keep an eye on the weather conditions and adjust your driving accordingly. For rain and fog, you should slow down and increase your following distance. Similarly, for icy roads, make sure to prepare your tires with snow chains before hitting the road.
- Make sure you have a valid driver’s license and all necessary documents with you while driving.
- Keep an emergency kit in your car, including a first aid kit, flashlight, and supplies such as water, food, and blankets. This will not only help you in emergency conditions, but it will also allow you to help others if needed.
By following these precautions, you can help ensure a safe and enjoyable road trip to Manali by car.