Manali
State rank: 1 out of 35 Places To Visit In Himachal Pradesh
Weather:
Ideal duration: 2-4 days
Best time: Oct-Jun (Read More)
Nearest Airport: Chandigarh (Check Flights)
"Lover's Paradise - India's Honeymoon capital"
Manali Tourism
Nestled in between the snow-capped slopes of the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges, Manali is one of the most popular hill stations in the country. With jaw-dropping views, lush green forests, sprawling meadows carpeted with flowers, gushing blue streams, a perpetual fairy-tale like mist lingering in the air, and a persistent fragrance of pines and freshness - Manali has been blessed with extraordinary scenic beauty. From museums to temples, from quaint little hippie villages to bustling upscale streets, river adventures to trekking trails, Manali has ever a reason to be the tourist magnet it is, all year round.
Clean roads, swaying eucalyptus trees, endearing little eateries, small kitschy local market places, and cafes which serve delicious local food at unbelievable prices, Old Manali is a serene, tranquil place, whose lingering silence is broken only by the twittering of the birds and the sound of the roaring waters of the Kullu river.
Solang Valley is the of the most visited places in Manali, with the drive up to Solang being as picturesque as the valley itself. Not only does Solang Valley offer some breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, but its slopes are also a very popular skiing destination, especially during the winters. In summers, the place turns into a paragliding haven. If you?re an adventure enthusiast, Solang Valley has adrenaline-pumping activities such as zorbing and horse-riding available.
With more than 25 lakh visitors every year, Rohtang Pass easily stands out as one of the most popular scenic spots to visit in Manali. Connecting the Lahaul and Kullu valleys, the Rohtang Pass is famous among nature lovers, photographers and adventure seekers alike. Mountain biking or skiing whilst surrounded by the awe-inspiring glaciers and snow-capped peaks on all sides is an exhilarating experience.
Manali is also home to a tiny slice of history, in the form of the Naggar castle. Located among the breathtaking forests in Naggar town, the Naggar Castle is a stunning historical edifice. Once used as the residence of Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu, the castle is a fine blend of traditional Himalayan and European architecture. With majestic fireplaces, beautifully built staircases, and meticulous wood and stone works, the Naggar Castle is a must-visit when you're in Manali.
Top Things To Do In Manali
Manali Packages
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Dazzle with Kasol, Manali & 2 places | 9 Days 8 Nights
₹ 16,000 onwards
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Mesmerizing Manali, Ladakh & 3 places | 10 Days 9 Nights
₹ 42,000 onwards
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Majestic Shimla, Manali & 2 places | 7 Days 6 Nights
₹ 34,500 onwards
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Manali Reviews
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.
Manali is one of the best places to visit during this summer season. The best thing about Manali is that it is surrounded by cool mountains and amazing greenery. Not only Manali but one can enjoy places near Manali such as Kasol, Kullu, Bhuntar, Solang Valley, Rohtang pass and much more. We stayed at a hotel in Manali in April 2018 and we really enjoyed our stay. We hired a taxi from Chandigarh to Manali from City Taxi Service and the entire journey was awesome. When we reached Manali we were surprised by its beauty. We really loved this place.
Apart from the places that are considered "must-visits" (Hadimba temple, Rohtang pass, solang valley, etc) in Manali, there are numberless places, in and around Manali, that give you the real experience of the place. You can take any diversion from the national highway and you are sure to reach a breathtaking place. One such diversion leads to Jana, a place known for its beautiful waterfall. It has small food stalls that serve the most delicious authentic Himachali food. You can also go to places like Kasol, Malana, Kheerganga- all of which are very close to Manali to experience life in the mountains. If you go to Manali, make sure to go to Old Manali, which many tourists often ignore. The place has a Goa-vibe with endless rave parties that last all night and also some really good places to eat Himachali food. Of course, Manali is a really good place to go for adventure activities like rafting, paragliding, skiing, etc. However, the safety of these activities cannot be trusted.
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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.
Top Hotels in Manali
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Olive County Resort
Staring from INR 900
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Urvashi's Retreat
Staring from INR 5,997
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Tall Trees Resort
Staring from INR 4,288
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.
Read more about Nightlife in Manali
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.
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.
Latest questions by travellers on Manali
Drifters Inn and Cafe, Johnson's Cafe are some good ones