Shimla Manali Budget Trip in Summer: Best Itinerary & Cheapest Tour Packages

Shimla Manali Budget Trip in Summer: Best Itinerary & Cheapest Tour Packages

Are you planning to book a Shimla Manali tour package? If yes, plan a trip to Shimla Manali in the summer as it is the perfect way to avoid the heat. These are two of the main places in Himachal Pradesh. They present great sites, good weather, and several adventure activities.  

However, you have to plan various things while going on a trip. If you are also confused about how to start planning for this and why summer is the best time to explore Shimla and Manali, etc., then this useful guide provides the best route, tips to save money, and details on the cheapest tour packages available.

Why Summer is the Best Time for Shimla Manali Tour Plan

Some reasons why summer is the best time to visit Shimla and Manali include:

1. Perfect Weather: In the month of summer, the travellers don’t see heavy snow. It makes travelling easy. The temperatures in summer usually vary from 15-30 degrees Celsius. The days are warmer and the nights are pleasantly cool.
2. Adventure Activities: Best for trekking, paragliding, river rafting, and camping.
3. Improved Accessibility: Rohtang Pass remains open. The travellers can placed at high locations.
4. Local Festivals: The travellers can enjoy old-style Himachali festivals and events. These are planned during the summer months.
5. Budget-Friendly Travel: Unlike winter, when prices increase due to snowfall, summer offers relatively lower stay and transport rates.

Cheapest Shimla-Manali Tour Packages

Refer to the table below to check the best travel agency for Shimla Manali tour. These rates are provided by different travel agents:

Travel Agency	Duration	Price	Website
Mysterious Himachal	5 Nights 6 Days	INR 9,990
The Five Hills	6Nights 7 Days	INR 10,499
Japji Travel	5 Days	19000/- (Based on 2 Adults	25 Shimla Manali Tour Packages Start From Delhi Rs 16500/- Book Now
Yatra	4 Nights	INR 7190
Make My Trip	6 Nights / 7 Days	INR 8,999 (Min. 2 Pax)

 

How to Plan This Trip Under INR 10,000

Do you have a fixed budget and planning a Shimla Manali tour plan? Then, don’t be upset as you can plan a trip under INR 10,000:
Cost Breakdown at a Glance:

Category	Rough Price (INR)
Travel (Round Trip)	2,500 - 3,500
Stay (5 Nights)	1,500 - 2,500
Food (5 Days)	1,500 - 2,000
Sightseeing & Activities	1,000 - 1,500
Local Transport	500 - 1,000
Others	500 - 1,000
Total	7,000 - 10,000

 

Travel Budget

• Delhi to Shimla: You can take a Volvo bus or an HRTC bus. The charges vary from INR 800 to INR 1,200 one way.
• Shimla to Manali: Private or HRTC buses cost around INR 500 to INR 700.
• Manali to Delhi: Return fare is also the same, around INR 1,000 to INR 1,200.

Budget Accommodation (INR1,500 - INR2,500 for 5 Days)

• Shimla: You can book budget hotels or guesthouses in areas like Lakkar Bazaar or Mall Road. The cost for the same will be around INR 300 to INR 600 per night.
• Manali: Manali also has some budget-friendly hostels or guesthouse options in Old Manali. The rates for the same start from INR 300 to INR 800 per night.

Food Budget (INR 1,500 – INR 2,000 for 5 Days)

What to Eat:

• Shimla: Enjoy local dishes.
• Manali: Try Tibetan momos, Thukpa, and Butter Tea.

The travellers can enjoy street food which ranges from INR 100 – to INR 200 per meal at nearby hotels. Also, there are many local cafes. One can enjoy meals between INR 250 - 400 per meal during their Shimla Manali tour plan.

Sightseeing & Activities (INR1,000 - INR1,500)

Popular Places to See in Shimla

• The Ridge & Mall Road: Free to travel, best to shop and street food.
• Kufri: Adventure activities like horse riding, etc. It will cost around INR 300 – INR 500.
• Jakhoo Temple: Free entry with scenic views of the city.

Popular Places to See in Manali

• Solang Valley: Paragliding and zorbing start from INR 800 – INR 1,200.
• Hadimba Temple & Manu Temple: Free to visit.
• Vashisht Hot Springs: Free entry, perfect for relaxing.

Budget-Friendly Plan for 5-7 Days Shimla Manali Tour Plan

Day-01: Delhi — Shimla

Book a Volvo from Delhi to reach Shimla for Shimla Manali tour package. On the way, the travellers can see Pinjore Garden, Timber Trail, etc. Shimla was the former Capital of “British India”. It is located in the middle of the Snow-covered Shivalik Mountain. Enjoy shopping in Shimla Town. This large open space in the heart of town presents lovely views of the mountain ranges.
Shimla Landmarks:- The Neo-Gothic Structure of “Christ-Church” and the NeoTudor – “Library building”, “Jakhu Temple”, “Sankat Mochan”, “Inst. Of Advance Study”. Overnight stay at a hotel in Shimla.

Day-02: Shimla — Kufri — Manali

After having a healthy breakfast, continue to Shimla for and around local places in Shimla. You can see places like Green Valley, Indira Tourist Park, Himalayan Nature Park, Chini Bungalow, and Fagu Valley. Also, you can visit the best holiday place - Kufri in Shimla. It is located at a height of 2,622 meters. The place is a tourist place for its lovely scenic and sports activities.
Afternoon leaves for Manali. On the way, you can see places like Sunder Nagar Lake, Pandoh Dam, Vaishno Devi Temple, “KULLU”, River-Rafting, and Shawls-Factory. Overnight stay at the Hotel in Manali.

Day-03: Manali — Local -Sightseeing

Morning, after breakfast visit local places in Manali- Hadimba Temple”. It was built in 1553 with a lovely roof. Club House has many facilities. The Tourists can enjoy roller skating, billiards, etc. Also, this place has a bar, and a restaurant.
Tourists also visit– the Tibetian Monastery, Van Vihar, Jogani Water Fall, Manu Temple, “Vashist Temple, etc. These are some of the famous places. In the evening, visit the famous “Mall Road”. Overnight stay at a hotel in Manali.

Day-04: Manali – Solang Valley – Atal Tunnel

After breakfast, continue for a full-day local trip. It is a part of the Shimla Manali tour package. You can see places like Valley, Atal Tunnel, Nehru Kund, Gulaba, Kothi Village, and Him Valley. Overnight stay at the hotel in Manali. While visiting Solang Valley one must do fun-filled activities.
You can enjoy activities like – Paragliding, Cable Car Ropeway, Zorbing, Snow Scooter, Skiing, Horse Riding, etc.

Day-05: Manali — Kullu — Delhi

Morning, after breakfast check out from the hotel. On the way visit – “KULLU”. While coming back, you can visit key places like Kullu Market, Kullu Valley, River-Rafting, and Shawls Factory. Drive from the Chandigarh route and drop at your final destination- Delhi.

Cheap Transport Options for the Shimla Manali Tour

While planning a budget-friendly trip, one of the main costs is transportation. If you are visiting a beautiful hill station like Shimla or Manali, then you must choose the right mode of transport. It will make a huge difference in managing your travel costs.  Refer to the table below to learn about all the travelling options.

Mode of Transport	Average Cost	Pros	Cons
Volvo Buses	INR 800 – INR 1,500	Happy, reliable, regular exits	Limited flexibility, fixed schedules
Trains	INR 500 – INR 1,000	Budget-friendly, scenic views, eco-friendly	Less comfortable in sleeper class, slower travel
Carpooling	INR 500 – INR 1,000	Cheap, flexible, social	Depending on driver availability, less control over stops
Self-Drive	INR 3,000 – INR 5,000	Freedom to see, private space	Expensive for solo travellers, tiredness

 

Volvo Buses – Comfortable Yet Budget-Friendly

Budget-friendly passengers opt for Volvo buses for the Shimla Manali tour package as these vehicles combine low prices with both high-quality comfort and cheapness. The buses come with wide seats paired with large legroom and AC facility for travellers. By taking these buses from Delhi, travellers can easily reach various hill stations such as Shimla, Manali, etc.
The fare for Volvo bus tickets charged by the best travel agency for Shimla Manali tour varies from INR 800 to INR 1,500. The cost depends upon the bus company and the travel distance.

Trains – The Most Budget-Friendly Option

Another popular option is the train for Shimla Manali tour package. Travellers can select trains according to their budget. They can choose from common sleeper classes to luxury AC coaches.
The cost for a sleeper class train from Delhi to Kalka, Shimla varies from INR 500- 700. From Kalka, travellers can continue their journey by paying extra INR 300- 600.

Self-Drive Cars

For those who love freedom and fun, a self-driving car is the best choice. Whether you're planning a road trip to Manali, Leh, or Goa, having your vehicle lets you see places in your comfort. Enjoy the journey to the fullest.
Cost: Renting a car typically costs around INR 1,500 to INR 2,500 per day, The cost of extra fuel will cost INR 2,000 to INR 3,000 for a round trip, depending on the distance.

Low-Cost Stays in Shimla & Manali (Best budget hotels, hostels, and homestays)

Stay in Shimla: Some of the famous options are The Hostelers Homestay, Hotel Hill Bloom, New Mahivir B&B, Aston Homestay, Hotel Chaman Palace, Ganga Homestay, Shyamala Hostel, etc.
Stay in Manali: Mars Monkey Hostel & Café, ArtBuzz Manali, The Hosteller, Royal Orbit, Tourist Nest, etc. The cost of these hotels and hostels is anywhere between INR 500- 1500. It will be a good option.

Where to Find Cheap & Tasty Food in Shimla Manali Tour? 

If you want to enjoy tasty, cheap food, then check the top in the list of your budget travelling. Both Shimla and Manali have many dining places where you can enjoy old-style food without costing you an arm and a leg. There are many dhabas to cafés will fulfil your culinary needs without spending much money.
Shimla: Sita Ram & Sons (Famous for chana bhatura), Krishna Bakery (Budget-friendly snacks).
Manali: Chopsticks Restaurant (Affordable Asian cuisine), Bob Dylan’s Café (Budget breakfast).
Dhabas & Street Food: Maggi points near Kufri, Momos at Mall Road, and Himachali cuisine at local eateries.

Money-Saving Tips for a Budget Shimla Manali Tour

Some of the money-saving tips that can help you enjoy your trip without overspending are:
1. Book Buses & Hotels in Advance
The best and cheapest way to see Shimla Manali is through bookings. Travellers can make great savings through their pre-booked buses and hotels. Getting tickets early allows people to buy them at low prices.
2. Use Public Transport
Private taxis are not cheap; thus travellers consider shared cab services public buses. They also prefer walking when visiting new places. People can enjoy local culture during your Shimla Manali tour using public transport.
3. Eat at Local Dhabas
To have a budget-friendly food experience, visit the local dhabas or street food stalls. It will make good savings. These places not only serve tasty, home-style meals but are much inexpensive as well.
4. Travel in Groups
Travelling with friends or family can reduce costs. Group bookings for activities, transport, and even cabs result in great discounts.
5. Look for Combo Deals
Many travel websites and apps offer combo deals. It includes both hotel stays and transportation. So looking at the packages helps save money.
6. Don’t Come During Rush
The travellers must avoid visiting during the peak months as the charges are on the higher side. Thus, prefer coming during the non-peak seasons so that you don’t have to burn your pockets.

Conclusion

A Shimla-Manali budget trip in summer is possible with the right planning. Whether you’re a solo traveller, couple, or group of friends, knowing this plan and opting for the cheapest tour packages helps have a lovely stay.
So don’t wait any more. Pack your bags and get ready for a lovely summer trip to the hills with a Shimla Manali tour!