Have you ever been camping?
Ever since my first trip to Manali, one dream has stayed in my heart: to go camping there. Not just a short trip or a hotel stay—I mean real camping, under the stars, with nothing but the mountains, silence, and a small fire to keep us company. I made plans many times, but somehow, it never happened. It’s still a lifetime goal for me. I know I’ll make it happen one day.
Initially, my friends and I planned to camp in Manali, but they weren’t really cooperative. Another concern was the cold—Manali gets really cold at night, so we dropped the idea. But during one of our trips to Kullu for river rafting, I saw a campsite. It had about 12 tents, and people were actually staying there.
That place gave off a real camping vibe—safe, social, and thrilling. At night, everyone gathered around, chatted, made new friends, shared food, and then slept in tents. I saw solo bikers camping with their wives or girlfriends, groups of female travelers, and groups of male riders too. It felt like a little society formed in the mountains, where everyone was connected through travel and nature.
I once told my friend Manoj, “We need to travel and stay somewhere truly remote. Somewhere lonely. That’s where life speaks to us. That’s where we can understand ourselves better.”
Manoj is usually very sophisticated and comfortable in city life, but something in my words struck him. Without even telling me, he went on a solo trip for two days. Later, when I asked him about it, he said, “It was good. I tried to understand myself better. It helped me think about life in a different way.”
That moment made me feel proud—and inspired. I realized that sometimes, nature and solitude can give us answers we never find in busy city life.
Whenever I feel low or confused, I just take my bike out for a long ride. That trip, that feeling of wind, roads, and silence—it answers everything.
I know how to set up a tent, I know what gear I need, and I know the kind of place I want: somewhere safe, peaceful, and full of nature, like Manali.
This year, I’m determined to make it happen.
Camping under the Manali sky—just me, the mountains, and a dream finally fulfilled.