Van Vihar, Manali

Picnic: Flanked with majestic deodar trees and host to a diverse avifauna, Van Vihar makes a perfect picnic destination.

Relaxation: Under the shade of the dense trees, there are many wooden and concrete benches installed throughout the park. You can come here to unwind after a long day, stroll or jog along the specially made track and just to relax.

Boating: Taking a boat ride on the crystal-clear lake something you should do when you visit the Van Vihar. The waters are still, and you can see little fish coming up to the water. The boats seat 2 to 4 people in a boat and are manually operated by oars. There are self-operable paddle boats too here that glide slowly along the water as you pedal along.

The trip to the Van Vihar would be an escape from the blistering heat into the relaxing laps of nature. While the park's charm is appreciable throughout the year, you can plan your visit here according to the climate you find favourable. Between March and June, the park experiences amicable weather with temperatures ranging between 10 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius. This kind of weather allows you to roam around the park and explore its beauty without the extra baggage of woollens and sweaters.

Winter starts approaching in September and snowfall starts in December. Witnessing the entire park being covered in an untouched blanket of milk-white snow is undoubtedly an enthralling sight. The lake is frozen during this period, so you cannot go boating.

Manali experiences monsoon showers between July and August. This may not be the best time to visit the park because the ground is damp and muddy and routes leading up to the park may be affected by landslides.

Manali is better connected by road than it is by rail. The closest rail head is Jogindernagar Railway Station which is 165 kms away, a four and half hour drive. It is best to reach Van Vihar National Park by road.

The Himachal Pradesh State bus service has arranged for a massive fleet of buses that ply to and from Manali very frequently throughout the day. These buses go around all the famous landmarks of the city, including Van Vihar National Park. Several private as well as luxury buses keep pulling in and out of the city and pass from this place. You can opt to hitch a bus ride to the park or hire a cab that will take you to the Van Vihar National Park directly and at economic rates.