BHPian PointZero recently shared this with other enthusiasts: In December 2024, as winter cast its icy spell, we finally set out on the long-awaited journey to Manang-a trip that had been postponed for two years. What was meant to be an adventure in December 2022, testing the limits of our THAR, now proudly named “Snow Leopard,” took an unexpected turn due to an accident. Instead of navigating the rugged trails of Manang, we found ourselves exploring the beauty of Kashmir during the same period. If you’ve followed our travelogue, you already know how plans changed. But every setback has its silver lining-over the past two years, my brother gained the confidence and skill to take on any road with ease. And now, with experience on our side and an unfulfilled dream calling, we knew it was finally time to conquer Manang. Manang is often called the “Crown Jewel” of the Annapurna Circuit Trek, offering breathtaking views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Annapurna, and the iconic Mt. Machhapuchhre, also known as the “Fishtail Mountain.” Locals refer to Manang and Mustang as “Himal Pari Ko Jilla,” meaning “the district beyond the Himalayas,” a name that beautifully reflects the charm of these places. The journey felt like stepping into an entirely different world. At times, it was as though we were exploring a unique part of the Himalayas, completely separate from the regions we had visited before. While both Manang and Mustang are fascinating destinations in Nepal, to me, they feel completely different. Mustang offers wide views that give you a true sense of a cold desert. On the other hand, Manang feels narrower in many areas, as if you’re traveling through a tight space surrounded by tall mountains on both sides. The lush greenery along the way makes it hard to believe you’re in a cold desert. It’s only a few kilometers before reaching Manang that you begin to feel the desert vibe. I’ll share more details and pictures of Manang as I describe the journey day by day, but for now, let me finish up a few other things.Legacy:It was March 2017 when I visited Mustang, accompanied by my trusted companion, Lazy Turtle. Back then, there was hardly any information available about Mustang, and I wasn’t sure if my RWD Bolero would be up for the challenge. Interestingly, even after 7 years and 9 months, people continue to post videos on YouTube with thumbnails claiming “1st Indian road trip to Muktinath.” Organizations like India Book of Records even issue certificates for such trips, including one from November 2018:India Book of Records CertificateMy Previous Nepal TravelogueFalse Certification DiscussionClaims of “first trip,” “epic journey,” and the like will always exist. But honestly, if you’re someone who loves traveling and exploring new places, does it even matter? Whether it’s the car, the hotel, or the camera, what truly counts is how deeply connected you feel to the place and how much it ignites your passion for discovery. Enough of the philosophy, though cause I hate it – let’s dive into the journey and relive a slice of what we experienced!Preparation: It was winter, and we were heading to Manang, so there was a lot to prepare. The most important things were getting the vehicle ready and taking care of our health. I didn’t spend much time researching the place or watching videos, but my brother did. He spent hours watching videos about the roads and even memorized the names of most of the villages on the way to Manang, which I realized during the trip. Meanwhile, I focused on packing essential items we might need to ensure a safe journey back home and spent the first day of 2025 with family. The price of a Mahindra THAR-LX 4×4 MT in Nepal ranges between NPR 65,00,000 and NPR 80,00,000. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure the vehicle is in excellent mechanical condition to avoid breakdowns, as recovery or repair can be very expensive. Below is the list of things that we carried on the trip which might be useful:Miscellaneous Equipment for Vehicle:40L diesel jerry can with spoutJump-start cableOBD driveTowing rope and hooksTyre inflatorTyre chains compatible with 255/65-R18 for THARMANNOL 9983 diesel additive (received just a day before the trip; performance untested)Additional battery (borrowed from my Bolero for extra safety)Ample supply of bungee cords and parachute cordsPlastic cover to protect the vehicle in low temperaturesCamping Equipment:Sleeping bags rated for -20C x 2Gas stove with butane canisters5L drinking water containers (in addition to regular water bottles) x 2Large thermos flasks x 2Hiking polesInstant noodles and other packaged food itemsOther Utilities:Head torchPacking tapeDC to AC 220V adapterTent light (carried even though we didn’t bring a tent this time)Oxygen cylinder with regulator (brought for safety but unused)Basic medicinesPermit Procedure:Permit for vehicle: If you need the permit for more than 7 days, the officer might say it’s only available for 7 days. However, if you explain your travel plan, they will usually approve it after a short discussion. For more details about the “Bhansar,” you can check here. This permit can take from 10 minutes to 30 minutes depending on the border you have chosen, for us it took 10 minutes. Driving License: Indian driving license is valid and no additional formalities required. For Manang, you don’t need to pay any extra fees or get additional permits for your vehicle beyond the “Bhansar.” Sample Permit – Tourist Permit: Getting the permit is very easy and takes only 5-10 minutes. You need to bring your passport (or an Indian voter ID), one passport-size photo, and NPR 1,000 (about INR 625) per person. Unlike other permits, you don’t need photocopies for checkposts. Instead, you just stamp your original permit at every checkpost. The cost is the same no matter how many days you plan to stay. Also, there are no extra fees for vehicle permits in this area. Office location picture – Sample Permit – Currency Exchange:Although this is not part of any permit process, it might be useful information. You can exchange your money at the border with an exchange rate of 1:1.6, and there’s no limit to the amount you can exchange. However, the Indian BSF may check the cash you’re carrying. Typically, they allow INR 20,000-30,000 per person, but this can vary depending on the duty officer’s discretion. In our case, we didn’t face any issues and carried 48,000 NPR and 5,000 INR with us. Most fuel pumps accept INR, usually at an exchange rate of 1:1.5, although some may agree to 1:1.6.Glimpse:Feeling overwhelmed by all this information and procedures? Same here! Let’s take a break and dive straight into some highlights and the story. A serene escape into nature. Modernization connecting people and nature Mountains of clouds Standing with PRIDE Where time stands still HIDE & SEEK Who doesn’t want that BACKDROP Escaping from the graspItinerary:Day 01: Kolkata – Forbesganj (Bihar)Day 02: Forbesganj – Bhimnagar – Koshi Barrage – Mahendra Highway – Bharatpur ( Napal )Day 03: Bharatpur – Pokhara ( Nepal )Day 04: Pokhara – Udipur Valley – Bagaicha, Simpani – Dharapani ( Nepal )Day 05: Dharapani – Koto – Pisang – Manang ( Nepal )Day 06: Manang – Khangsar – Gangapurna lake – Green Lake – Pisang – Tal ( Nepal )Day 07: Tal – Nagarkot Day 08: Nagarkot – Nagarkot Panoromic Sunrise Point – Panchkhal – Kalinchown / Kuri Village ( Nepal)Day 09: Kalinchowk – Kadambas – Dhukikhel – Dumja ( Nepal )Day 10: Dumja – B.P Highway – Mahendra Highway – Koshi Barrage – Dalkhola – Raiganj Day 11: Raiganj – Kolkata Continue reading about PointZero’s driving expedition for BHPian comments, insights and more information.
