Lover's Paradise - India's Honeymoon capital"
Manali Tourism
Surrounded by majestic hills and woody forests, the quaint charm of
Manali has captured the world's attention and has become one of the most
visited tourist destinations in India. The pristine River Beas flows
right through the town, creating a mesmerising and spellbinding
landscape. Nestled at one end of the Kullu Valley, Manali is a popular hill station with attractions such as the Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley
nearby. Rohtang Pass is covered with snow throughout the year and is a
good experience in itself. This is the ideal place for tourists looking
to unwind and rejuvenate in the lap of nature, for there is no place in
the country more vibrant and charming as Manali.
This town
also has a multitude of options for tourists looking for adventurous
activities like trekking, paragliding, skiing, zorbing, white water
rafting etc. Besides adventurous activities, Manali also has a lot of
temples which all tourists and devotees love to visit including the Raghunath temple and Jagannathi Devith Temple being one of the important ones. Hadimba Temple,
a 14th-century temple is famous for its wooden architecture and for its
religious values. Manali is also used as the base town for the
Manali-Leh highway and Leh is around 479 km from here. Lahaul and Spiti district can also be accessed from here during the summers using the same highway.
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What's Great?
Very beautiful. Snows through most of January and February. Can be visited throughout the year. Snow sports, paragliding and other adventure sports available. Starting point for drives to Spiti valley and Ladakh.
What's not so Great?
Can be crowded during peak seasons. Slightly difficult to access as it's 8 hours from nearest major airport.
For Whom
Great for someone looking to
experience snow in winters. Perfect for couples, adventure enthusiasts,
family holidays. Ideal for people in North India, but Manali sees
tourists from all over the country and also for foreigners.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Reach Manali by morning. Have breakfast and relax for a while. After freshening up, you can start your tour with the Hadimba Temple. After this, you can head out to the Mall road for some grub and a little bit of shopping. The main market is bustling with activity and you will find a number of items from woollen clothes, shawls, local handicrafts and everything you need.
Day 2 - You should head off to Rohtang Pass. It remains open from April to November. It is a two-hour road journey from Manali and you need to set off early in the morning around 4:00 in order to avoid the traffic. The entry passes are available in Manali and you need to get it a day in advance. While returning, you should stop over at Solang Valley.
Day 3 - You can also go to Vashisht hot springs. Soak yourself in the hot water springs in the winters and it feels magical. After this, you can head to Old Manali for shopping and a scrumptious lunch.
Day 4 -While returning, stopover at Bhuntar and you can go for rafting in the season. Otherwise, you can also explore Kullu's market and temples. There are a number of things you can do, depending on your mood and the season.
Nightlife in Manali
After reading
through the rocky Himalayas all day, Manali offers some of the best ways
to enjoy a tranquil nightlife. From the relaxing aromas of Cafes to
groovy Bars and Lounges, this beautiful hill station is full of vigour
and energy. Dine, party and enjoy away the night time with your friends
in exotic stations such as Johnson's bar and restaurant or Zing Zing
Bar. If you want to spend some downtime with your partner in low laid
Discotheques, The Chelsea club and Buzz are some of the top choices. The
local markets and sidewalks are also excellent spots for catching a
glimpse of traditional night routines of locals, stargazing around the
circuit street parks is also a serenading experience.
Restaurants and Local Food in Manali
Manali is a hill station glittering with amazing restaurants,
cafes and bars, that an take care of any need, desires or cravings that
its visitors may have. You will find countless restaurants with a rich
variety and some of the most delicious food on their menus. You can find
Italian, Chinese, Korean, Continental, Indian, Japanese, Thai,
Vietnamese cuisines here along with the popular Tibetan Momos
The cafes with a parallel culture of their own, cater to younger crowds. These cafes serve pizzas, momos, banana pancakes and apple pies throughout the day and you can also try Yak's cheese here. Along with these do relish the street food there with Samosas, Aloo tikki, Bread Pakoras, Paav Bhaji, Gulab Jamun
and more filling the streets with colors and fragrances. Other than
these, the city has an equally rich platter of local Himachal food.
The cafes with a parallel culture of their own, cater to younger crowds. These cafes serve pizzas, momos, banana pancakes and apple pies throughout the day and you can also try Yak's cheese here. Along with these do relish the street food there with Samosas, Aloo tikki, Bread Pakoras, Paav Bhaji, Gulab Jamun
and more filling the streets with colors and fragrances. Other than
these, the city has an equally rich platter of local Himachal food.Places to visit in Manali
Hadimba Temple
Museum of Himanchal Culture
Tibetan Monasteries
Manu Temple
Club House
Vashisht Hot Water Springs
Maa Sharvari Temple
Nehru Kund
Jogini Falls
Solang Valley
Kothi
Rahala Waterfalls
Gulaba
Naggar Village
Arjun Gufa
Rohtang Pass
Manikaran
1.Hadimba Temple:
This beautiful temple, said to be dedicated to Hadimba – the wife of Pandu son Bhima, is one of the best places to visit in Manali. The most striking feature of this temple is that it is located in the Dhungri Forest and is surrounded by pine trees. The pagoda-shaped Hadimba temple in Manali is not only unique in its architecture but is famous for its religious value too. The effigy of Hadimba is made up of brass and is quite awe-inspiring.2. Museum of Himanchal
A stone’s throw from the Hadimba Temple, the Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art allows a walk through time. It houses unique collection of unknown antiques including religious relics, household objects, weapons, instruments, and scale models, among many other things.Opening hours: 8 am – 8 pm; throughout the yearEntry ticket: INR 10 per person per day3 Tibetiean Monasteries
Manali also boasts of respectable Tibetan population settlement. The famous Tibetan monasteries – Himalayan Nyingmapa Gompa and Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa – draw a large number of tourists, and are among the most visited and certainly the best places to visit in Manali. Specially the Tibetan art and craft items displayed here deserve a visit.Things to do: Meditation and shopping for unique Tibetan art and craft objectsOpening hours: Like any other monastery, the Tibetan Monastery in Manali welcomes the guests at any hour of the day and on any day of the year. The main entry to the shrine, however, is open only from 7 am to 7 pm.4. Manu Temple
Nearly 3 km away from the famous Mall Road of Manali, the famous Manu Temple is among the frequently visited tourist places in Manali. Dedicated to Lord Manu, the temple’s premises offer a sense of peace and serenity to the devotees walking in. It is frequented by religious tourists and foreigners and is among the most popular attractions in Manali.Things to do: Instead of taking a hired cab, take a trek to the temple to enjoy the greenery and natural beauty of the region.Opening hours: 5 am – 9 pm; throughout the year5. Club House
The Club House is also one of the tourist places in Manali for adventure activities and indoor games. Located adjacent to the Manalsu Nallah, it has been constructed in the British style of architecture and is managed by Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC). The in-house restaurant serves a lot of delicious dishes and snacks.Things to do: Adventure activities available here include table tennis and carrom, skating, river-crossing, boating, and go-kartingOpening hours: 10 am – 8 pm; throughout the year6 Vasishta Hot Water Spring
Almost 3 km away from Manali, the Vashisht Temple is famous for its natural hot water spring. The premises enclose a pyramid-shaped stone temple dedicated to Sage Vashisht, and the water spring, which is said to have medicinal properties. Take a dip in the water to relax your body and mind. Also, there are separate bath areas for men and women, besides a Turkish bath having shower facility.Things to do: There is no way you can miss taking a dip in the hot water spring.Opening hours: 7 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 10 pm, throughout the year7. Maa Sharvari Temple
Located at the Shaminallah Village on the outskirts of the Manali city, Maa Sharvari Temple houses the idol of Kullu Kings’ Kuldevi (another form of Devi Durga). During the Dussehra festival at Kullu, the idol is beautifully decorated and taken to the temple of Raghunathji.Things to do: Trek down from main city to temple with picturesque views of the landscapes in the backdropOpening hours: 5 am – 12 pm, and 4 pm – 9 pm, throughout the year8. Nehru Kund
Located on the Leh National Highway, Nehru Kund is another must-visit tourist attraction near Manali. It is a natural spring of cold water and this water is believed to have come from the Bhrigu Lake. This lake is located at a height of 4,300 meters. Serene surrounding and lush greenery enthrals the tourists coming here. The spring is so named because Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, used to drink water from the spring during his stay in Manali.9. Jogini Falls
The breath-taking Jogini Falls, located a lot beyond Vashisht Hot Springs towards the Vashisht Village, is another major tourist attraction near Manali. Melodious sounds of nature, stunning views, and some sumptuous authentic Himachali delicacies – Jogini Falls has it all for the backpackers and nature lovers.10. Solang Valley
When heading to Manali for a vacation, two absolutely essential destinations in the itinerary are Rohtang and Solang Valley. 14 kilometres to the north west of the main town of Manali, Solang Valley is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh. Situated on the way to Rohtang from Manali, every year the valley welcomes tourists in huge numbers. A favorite for adventure enthusiasts, Parachuting to paragliding, horse riding to driving mini open jeeps specially available for tourists of all age groups, Solang has it all.During winters, as the valley is covered with snow, skiing is a popular sport here, with training institutes and trainers located in the valley to supervise skiers and train beginners. As the snow melts, skiing is taken over by zorbing. Another popular attraction of the valley, taking advantage of the slopes of the valley, you are likely to spot a huge transparent ball with mostly two people inside it rolling down the slope during summers, it is as much fun as it looks like. One of the most vibrant and enjoyable places in Manali, there is no way one can possibly miss this valley, while hereParagliding and other activities in Solang Valley
Solang Valley is easily every adventure lover's paradise. There are a wide variety of activities and adventure sports here, where you can really challenge the daredevil in you. Among these, paragliding is perhaps the most pursued activity here. In this sport, you are supposed to jump from a higher altitude such that a parachute opens up and allows to cover some horizontal distance as well. Here at the Solang Valley, ample arrangements are in place such that both freshers and experienced paragliders can enjoy this activity. Best time for paragliding varies according to seasons. In case you are planning to visit from January to May or October to December, then 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM is the time slot for paragliding. This activity is generally shut down during the monsoon season due to unfavourable weather conditions. Cost of paragliding varies from INR 600 - 1800. It is an extremely thrilling activity which will push you to your limits.
Another activity you can try out here is the skiing, where you are allowed to slide down a slope covered with snow with the appropriate gear and supervision. If you catch the sight of people rolling away down the valley whilst in a giant transparent ball, you have just witnessed zorbing! Zorbing can be pursued here at a price of INR 500 per head and is a definite must try. There are overhead cable car rides available as well, which gives a breathtaking view of the entire valley.
Apart from the wide variety of adventure sports available here, there are swings at the base of the valley for the kids. Other leisure activities like Horse riding, fancy photography are the other attractions that keep tourists engaged and maintains a fair-like the atmosphere in the valley throughout the day.Solang Valley Snowfall Time
The crystal snow in Solang starts making an appearance towards the beginning of October. With the onset of core winter months, the temperature can drop down to -1 °C with nights being especially chilly, so carrying plenty of woollens is advisable. December to January is the peak time for snowfall and is the ideal time to enjoy adventure sports.Solang Valley Snowfall Time
The crystal snow in Solang starts making an appearance towards the beginning of October. With the onset of core winter months, the temperature can drop down to -1 °C with nights being especially chilly, so carrying plenty of woollens is advisable. December to January is the peak time for snowfall and is the ideal time to enjoy adventure sportsBest time to visit Solang Valley
The best part about Solang Valley is that it is an all season place. Visiting Solang, hence depends on your purpose. If you want to enjoy winter sports, visiting Solang from November to February is recommended as the valley is covered with snow during that time of the year. Winters are also preferred for the lovely weather. The valley when covered in snow looks magnificent. During summers, the valley experiences mildly hot afternoons while it continues to be cold in the mornings and evenings. Adventure sports change depending on the season. Choose your pick.How to Reach Solang Valley
The HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) runs regular buses from neighbouring states of Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. NH21 connects the city of Kullu- Manali to the rest of north India through Chandigarh. It is a beautiful highway with river Beas flowing on one side and many river side cafes and restaurants, where tables are placed on the shore and guests, can actually dip their feet in the cold water of Beas and enjoy their meal.Sightseeing in Solang Valley
The Solang Valley of Himachal is a picturesque scenic beauty that has undeniable virgin charms. Lush green grass carpets the entire valley, while the backdrop is of mighty mountains covered in scintillating snow. And if you visit this destination during the colder months, snow makes its way into the valley area too! Enjoy a laid back day out with friends and family here as you enjoy the serene scenery with a bubbling burst of energy from all the tourists here. Making a snowman here from the is a must!The Solang Valley Experience
The locals here are convincing and soft spoken, while you might be sitting in your quiet corner, some local vender is bound to approach you with a smiling face and a humble request of trying the local traditional attires and posing for a picture (for which you will be charged), you might also come across furry rabbits and yaks and cobras which a tourist can pose with and get clicked. Mind you, every click and change of protagonist is taken note of and counted. Bargain, do not accept photography or adventure sports deal as offered. Leave your hotel early, spend the entire day in the valley and leave in time so that you can cover Hidimba temple on your way back to Manali.Itinerary
Solang can be visited as a part of your trip to Manali, or one could head to enjoy the valley specifically, for a few days. If you are focusing on Manali then a day trip to Solang would suffice, a day spent in the valley would be totally jam packed with adventure sports back to back depending on your choice. Come early, choose your adventure sports, have lunch, rest for while and leave for Hidimba temple. If planning a holiday to Solang specifically, a 2-3 days trip should be good, there are however a lot of packages available for holidaying in the valley with each day planned for some sort of special activity and sports.11. Kothi
Kothi is a beautiful village nestled amidst verdant land and forests. It is located on the road going towards the Solang Valley, almost 16 km away from Manali. The rustic charm of villages is pretty evident here. Painters, poets, and writers love to spend time here and unleash their creativity, while enjoying breathtaking views around.Distance from Manali: 16 km
Things to do: Trekking to Rohtang Pass, paragliding, and other snow sports
Opening hours: Open throughout the year; Adventure sports can be done between 6 am and 6 pm
12. Rahala Waterfalls
A famous picnic spot, Rahala waterfall is located almost 16 km away from Manali. The source of these magnificent falls is the water melting from the glaciers and precipitous rocks. Thick forest with birch and deodar trees looks truly magnificent. Behind this impressive waterfall, amazing views of snow-clad Himalayan ranges can be seen.Distance from Manali: 16 km
13. Gulaba
Gulaba is an alternate destination to visit during November – May when Rohtang Pass is inaccessible due to heavy snow. During these months, snow activities can be enjoyed at Gulaba. It is less crowded than the valleys of Rohtang & Solang and provides better experiences of the snow activities.Distance from Manali: 16 kmThings to do: Snow activities such as tobogganing & skiing and paraglidingOpening hours: Open throughout the year; Adventure sports can be done between 6 am and 6 pm
14. Naggar Village
At a short drive from Manali, Naggar Village is another beautiful destination that nature lovers must visit. Situated on the left bank of River Beas, the village is only 19 km from the main city of Manali. It boasts of amazing views of the Beas Valley. The highlight of this attraction is the famous Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery where paintings of some of the magnificent Himalayan Views have been showcased. Temples like Tripura Sundari and Gauri Shankar are also famous.
Distance from Manali: 19 km
Things to do: Visit the Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery, Tripura Sundari temple, and Gauri Shankar temple.
15. Arjun Gufa
Arjuna Cave is located near Prini Village where the Pandava Arjuna meditated to earn the powers of Pashupati Astra from Lord Indra. Because of the mythological significance of the place, the cave and the nearby temple have become a popular tourist destination located very close to Manali.
Distance from Manali: 20 km
With a long list of places to visit in Manali and its precincts, tourists have several options to explore on their trip to the beautiful town on the banks of the river Beas.
