Manali

OVERVIEW

Kullu and Manali:– Kullu and Manali always have plenty to offer to everyone from food, captivating sight, beautiful temples, to various activities. It is a place that goes through four season changes. Each season has its beauty and hues. Because of the high elevation in Kullu and Manali, you are unveiled to cool and chilled weather. In winters, Manali is covered with thick layers of snow, which is a beautiful view to see. Enjoying the snow in Manali will help you feel full glory. Also, you can enjoy adventure sports like rafting, camping, and skiing. The temperature at the time of snow falling goes to zero levels. The famous destinations in Kullu are Bijli Mahadev, Manikaran, Kheerganga trek, pin Parvati pass, tosh, and kasol. And for Manali, the famous destinations are Handima temple, Solang Nala, Rohtang pass, Jogini waterfalls, Rahala waterfalls, and ghatotkacha temple. A family holiday, backpacker’s paradise, a place to hang out with friends, or a honeymoon trip, Manali has something to offer to every traveler. So, when you are in Manali, there are few places that you shouldn’t miss out on.

Best time to visit:-

The ideal time to visit Manali is from October to February as you can enjoy most of the sports activities in winter.
The ideal time to visit Kullu is from March to June, as it is the best time for
sightseeing.

Altitude:-

Manali is 2050 meter above from sea level
Kullu is 1279 meter above from sea level

Climate and temperature:-

The climate here is quite cold.
The average temperature here is 15.1 °C | 59.3 °F

Manali Mall Road: One of the top places to visit during the winter, this is the heart of Manali. Experience the thriving place with local shops, restaurants, cages, and emporiums—a place where you can indulge all your senses.

Solang Valley: Indulge in various adventure sports and activities that you want to take part in while enjoying the scenic view. The place is also the starting point for several trekking routes in Manali.

Old Manali: Away from the Manali city center, you can enjoy the amalgamation of traditional Himachali culture, historical temples with contemporary cafes and restaurants.

Gulaba: Nestled within the mountains, the village of Gulaba is at an altitude of 4,300 meters from sea level. During the winter, you can enjoy a wide range of adventure sports, and it is the place to be during winter when Rohtang Pass is closed due to the heavy snowfall. A short distance from Gulaba, you can visit the Bhrigu lake, an adventure hotspot known for being a glacial lake.

Hampta Pass: A small corridor connects Kullu valley with Lahaul at the Pir Panjal range. Situated at an altitude of 4,270 meters offers an enchanting view of the green Kullu mountains and the cold arid desert of Lahaul to the trekkers.

Beas Kund: A popular trekking site for visitors to Manali. It is considered an easy trek that offers a spectacular view of several peaks like Ladakhi peak, Hanuman Tibba, and Friendship peak.

Dechen Choekhor Mahavihara: Located in the Kullu Valley is a Tibetan monastery with its counterpart in Tibet. You can enjoy the quiet place that promotes and preserves Tibetan Buddhism living traditions. It is a non-profit organization.

Chandrakhani Pass: This is categorized between moderate to advanced level trekking routes leading to the Malana village across Ramsu village and Pulag. The scenic beauty of the entire trek is breathtaking.

Gauri Shankar Temple: A 12th-century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is near the Naggar castle. The temple is an architectural marvel with intricate carvings.

Kasol: A must-visit destination when you are in Manali. A small village that has become a backpacker’s paradise offers a peaceful stay. You can even camp on the riverside.

Kheerganga: Trek through the mountains to reach this off-beat old-village near Manali, located at an altitude of 3,960 meters. The trekking trail will take you through the Rudranag waterfall and gorgeous landscapes. You can take a break at different cafes during the journey.

Kullu Valley: One of the most popular destinations when visiting Manali offers a view that will enthrall you. Known as the ‘Valley of Gods,’ the valley is nestled within the majestic Himalayan ranges. The place also offers a range of adventure sports to satiate your adrenaline rush.

Tosh: A village you pass when you trek to the Pin Parvati Pass. The place is a confluence of Parvati Rivers and Tosh. Set amidst the majestic ranges of the Himalayas, you will witness a magnificent view.

Manikaran: Take a detour and make a quick stop to Manikaran, located on the River Parvati valley is also known as Israel’s capital of the country. You can also taste authentic Israeli cuisine as you walk about or trek through the trails of the place. You can also visit Manikaran Sahib, a place of immense significance for Sikhs.

Rohtang Pass: If you are not visiting Manali during the winter, then a stop at the Rohtang La Pass is a must. The road itself is very dreamy and filmy, and it has become even more after being featured in quite a few popular Hindi films. You can also indulge your adventurous side with ice-skiing, paragliding, skiing, and other such activities.

Vashisht Kund: Rejuvenate in the hot springs of Vashisht Kund. This rustic place is believed to have water that has healing properties. As a result, it is frequented by locals too. Do not miss the Vashisht temple; you can hear interesting stories and mythologies about the place.

Hidimba Devi Temple: The cave temple, also known as Dhugri temple, is a place revered by locals and tourists, dedicated to the demon goddess Hidimba, wife of Bhima of the Mahabharata.

Jogini Waterfall: One of the less-traveled trekking routes of Manali but is an easy trail is the Jogni or the Jugni waterfalls. You can also reach the place by car if you do not want to walk 3 km from Manali’s main market.

Manali Wildlife Sanctuary: Spread over 3,000 hectares is just 2 km from Manali city, where you can see a range of wildlife in their natural habitat.

Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art: Learn about Himachal Pradesh’s culture and folk art at this exhibition center. Established in 1998, you can see the evolving tradition and the colorful costumes of the Himachali people.

Tibetan Monasteries: Kullu Manali has one of the largest Tibetan population, and their monasteries are a testament to their traditions, Tibetan Buddhist lifestyle, spiritual beliefs, and more. At these monasteries, you can witness the murals that narrate the stories of Buddha, the Dalai Lama, and also the everchanging lives of the Tibetan people residing in Manali. These places are living histories of Tibetan people that houses their scriptures and artifacts. Tibetan monasteries are a must-visit when you are in Manali.

Rahalla Falls: Only 16 km from the town, the Rahalla or Rehala Falls cascades from the height of 8,500 ft. You can visit this place on the way to Rohtang Pass. The falls are formed from melted glaciers of the mountains.

Manu Temple: The only temple dedicated to Sage Manu in India is a sacred pilgrimage for locals and tourists alike. This is situated near the Old Manali region. The temple also boasts scenic beauty as you can see the snow-clad mountains in the background when you visit the place.

Van Vihar National Park: On the Mall road of Manali, this place of one of the most frequented places of visit by the tourist. You can see a wide variety of wildlife in the national park while you can relax under the shades of birch, deodar, and pine trees.

Some honorary mentions:
• Paragliding in Manali
• Riverside camping
• Rafting
• Zorbing
• Siyali Mahadev
• Bhrigu Lake
• Nehru Kund
• Naggar