Manali—the “Honeymoon Capital of India”—is full of breathtaking natural scenes that attract tourists from all over the country. The cozy weather and stunning landscapes make it an ideal destination for newlywed couples. Located in the Kullu Valley, Manali offers a serene environment to tourists who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Manali's name was derived from “Manu-Alaya,” which means “the abode of Manu.” According to a legend, Manu saved humanity after a flood and stepped into Manali with his ark. Due to this event, Manali holds a special place in the hearts of Hindu devotees. Nestled in the beautiful Himalayas, Manali is not just a destination for vacationers but also for adventure enthusiasts. You will enjoy a large number of adventure activities such as horse riding, skiing, zorbing, and paragliding when you are here.
Best Places to Visit in Manali
Whether you are an adventure enthusiast, a nature lover, or just a traveler, you will find a plethora of places to visit in Manali. Some of the famous places to visit here are:
Solang Valley
Situated 14 kilometers away from Manali, this valley is famous for its adventure activities and stunning landscapes. Solang Valley is highly popular for zorbing, trekking, paragliding, and skiing. Surrounded by lush greenery and snow-covered mountains, this is one of the most visited places in Himachal Pradesh. Adventure lovers from different parts of the country come here to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. This is the ideal spot for nature lovers and thrill-seekers. Skiing is a popular sport here, as you will find many skiing training centers in this valley. However, zorbing takes the place of skiing once the snow melts. This is another popular sport in Solang Valley. Rolling down the slope in a huge transparent ball will be a highly enjoyable activity for the tourists in the valley. Other adventurous activities in Solang Valley include paragliding, camping, zip-lining, etc.
Hidimba Devi Temple
Located amidst the snow-covered peaks of Manali, Hidimba Devi is one of the unique temples of this place. Surrounded by beautiful cedar forests, Hidimba Devi is set atop a rock that resembles Goddess Hidimba. Well known as Dhungari Temple, it is different from other temples due to its wooden walls, doorways, and cone-shaped roof. There is a legend attached to this temple. According to it, Hidimba Devi was born as a Rakshasi, and her brother Hidimb was the king of the Kamyaka forest. The temple is visited by a large number of tourists during the Navratri festival. The local people seek the blessings of Hidimba Devi after visiting this temple. In Dussehra, people take the Devi Hidimba statue to Dhalpur Maidan. From this place, she showers her blessings on a ceremonial horse. The tradition of blessing the horse is called “Ghor Puja”.
Vashisht Temple
This temple is one of the most important and revered Hindu pilgrim destinations. Dedicated to Sage Vashisht, the temple features intricate carvings and stunning architecture. You can find hot springs here that rejuvenate your mind and body. The temple also houses a meditation center, a yoga center, and a souvenir shop. People get a rich cultural experience after visiting the Vashisht Temple. The temple has intricate wooden carvings that represent the traditional Himalayan architecture. The temple is attached to a legend. According to it, Sage Vashisht meditated here and was blessed with hot springs as a gift from a divine soul. The sage had a rivalry with King Vishwamitra, who killed his children. He was saddened by their death and jumped into the Beas River. It is believed that this river has saved the life of the sage. The temple was believed to have been constructed at the very spot where the sage meditated.
Manikaran
Nestled amidst the beautiful Himalayas, Manikaran Sahib is a prominent religious site for Hindus and Sikhs. Here, you will find many ancient temples, a Gurudwara, and hot springs. The tourists who come to this place appreciate the stunning landscapes here. They visit this religious place and soak in the spirituality of this divine area. This site is quite popular for its hot springs. These springs have healing properties that attract tourists and devotees to this place.
You will find a gurudwara here named Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurudwara. It holds an important place in the hearts of the devotees. It is said that Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited this very site during a journey. The Hindu temples situated here are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. They attract pilgrims from different parts of the country. People who visit this site can also enjoy traditional dishes such as thukpa, babru, siddu, etc. You can also take part in various festivals that are organized here, such as the Maha Shivratri festival and Guru Nanak Jayanti.
Jogini Waterfall
Located 3 kilometers away from Vashisht Village, Jogini Waterfall is one of the most popular tourist attractions near Manali. This scenic waterfall cascades from 160 feet and mesmerizes tourists who come here from different parts of the country. Adventure enthusiasts will love to trek to Jogini Waterfall, as the surrounding area of the falls is extremely beautiful. Thus, don’t forget to bring a camera with you while climbing the waterfall.
You can also make halts during the trek and enjoy hot tea and tasty local snacks at one of the restaurants situated on the route. The trek to the waterfall will begin from the Vashisht temple and pass through a narrow path. During the journey, you will get to see the beautiful apple orchards, pine trees, and streams. You can enjoy the scenic views of the Himalayas and spend quality time near the stream.
According to a legend, this waterfall is named after Goddess Jogini, who was Lord Indra’s daughter. Local people take this place as a Shakti Peetha. Thus, devotees also visit this region, as there are many temples nearby, such as Jogini Mata Temple, Vashisht Temple, etc.
Van Vihar
Situated at Mall Road, Van Vihar is one of the most visited places in Manali. Well known for its lush greenery, this is the best place to enjoy with your family. The towering deodar trees in the park look beautiful and offer a picturesque and serene view. While you are here, you can explore the large lake that offers the best boating opportunities to visitors. It has proper walking paths where people can stroll and enjoy being close to nature. You will find many wooden benches in the park where you can sit and have a peaceful time.
Best Things to Do in Manali
You won’t have a dearth of activities to enjoy once you are in Manali. Some of the popular activities that you can enjoy here are:
River Rafting
This sport will give extreme enjoyment to you if you are an adventurous person. Whether you have done rafting earlier or are doing it for the first time, you will love to do river rafting at the Beas River in Manali. This is one of the favorite adventure sports for adventure lovers. The best time to do river rafting here is the summer season. If you are doing rafting for the first time, you can get help from the rafting guides. They will tell you the right way to do rafting.
Skiing
Enjoying skiing will also be a great experience for you when you are in Manali. This is the best adventure activity that you can do in winter. Solang Valley is the best place to enjoy skiing. This valley is quite popular for its snow-clad slopes. You can enjoy skiing in the Solang Valley from December to February. Whether you are a professional or a beginner, you can indulge in skiing at Solang Valley. You will find many instructors here who will assist you during your skiing activity. You will get all the necessary gear here before the skiing activity.
Trekking
You will find a variety of trekking trails in Manali that will provide you with the much-needed thrill. Each trekking trail you undertake in Manali will offer you an opportunity to see the breathtaking scenery of this hill station. Adventure enthusiasts from different parts of the country come here to enjoy trekking. They can choose the right trek according to their requirements. All the trekking trails in Manali offer you an opportunity to see the dense wildlife, tall trees, and exotic flowers. During the trek, you will find many trekking camps where you can relax. Trekking in Manali also lets you know about its culture, as you will get an opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about their lifestyle.
Camping in Solang Valley
This is another popular activity that you can try in Manali. Solang Valley is the best place for camping activities. Many adventure enthusiasts come here for camping purposes. Once you are here, you can choose the best camping activity. The ideal time to visit Solang for a camping activity is from May to October. During this time, the weather is favorable, which attracts sports lovers from around the country. There are many campsites in this valley that you can choose from according to your requirements. The tents they provide are popular for their facilities. Some of them have attached washrooms, hot and cold-water facilities, king-size beds, comfortable furnishings, spacious interiors, etc. You can also get additional facilities in some of the campsites, such as bonfires, room service, music, etc.
Rock Climbing
Manali is the best place to indulge in a rock-climbing activity. Whether you are a professional rock climber or trying this activity for the first time, you can have a great rock-climbing experience here. This is one of the most popular activities to do in Manali. This thrilling activity increases your adrenaline rush and satiates your adventure lust. The best time to do rock climbing in Manali is during March. At this time, the snow in this region melts, which makes it easy for you to climb the rocks. Another suitable time for rock climbing is during December. Manali has no dearth of rock-climbing sites where you can enjoy the thrill you are looking for.
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking in Manali will be an unforgettable experience for you. Due to its rough slopes, Manali offers the best mountain biking opportunities for the adventure junkies. This region has a plethora of rugged paths that are perfect for mountain biking. However, the best time to visit Manali for mountain biking is from June to September. Once you are here, you can choose the right path according to your difficulty level.
Best Time to Visit Manali
Most people don’t plan their Manali tour judiciously. They choose any time of the year for their trip. However, most of them regret their decision. Thus, you must only choose the right time to go there. Refer to the following information to choose a suitable time for your Manali tour:
Summer Season
Manali offers the visitors a respite from the scorching heat of the sun. In the summer season, many people visit this place. During this time, you will experience pleasant weather here. If you are an adventure junkie, you can head to Manali during this season. This is the best place to indulge in outdoor activities. The temperature of Manali in this season is between 10 °C to 25°C, which is the reason why it is overcrowded during this season. If you are visiting Manali in the summer season, you must carry warm clothes for yourself, as the nights are colder than the days during this time.
Monsoon Season
The monsoon season in Manali is from July to September. During this time, this region receives heavy rainfall, which results in landslides. Thus, it is not advisable to visit this place during this time. Although you will find lush greenery everywhere in the monsoon, this is not the right time to visit Manali. The temperature in Manali during this season is from 15° C to 25°C. However, if you are a nature lover and want to enjoy the natural beauty of Manali, you can choose the monsoon season for your visit.
Winter Season
Manali is at its best during the winter season. This is the best time to visit this place, as you can enjoy heavy snowfall here during this time. Plus, the natural beauty of this place will leave you spellbound. The temperatures in Manali in December and January are below-freezing levels. If you visit this place during the winter season, you can enjoy the annual winter carnival here. This carnival features winter sports and cultural performances, which you will enjoy the most during your trip. Plus, you can also enjoy the New Year and Christmas celebrations here.
Shopping in Manali
Manali is a great place for shopping lovers. If you are a shopaholic, you can explore various markets here. You can buy souvenirs, woolens, and Himachali artifacts here. Some of the famous markets in Manali are:
Mall Road
This is one of the most popular places to explore in Manali. This place is full of shops that offer you a complete range of items according to your needs. Whether you want to buy jewelry, handicrafts, woolens, or souvenirs, you can easily find all of them in a single market. However, make sure to bargain before buying anything from here.
Tibetan Market
If you are looking to buy Tibetan goods, the Tibetan Market is the right place for you. Right from cozy pashmina shawls to authentic Tibetan artifacts and colored prayer flags, you will find all these things at the best prices here. You can also find beautifully handcrafted carpets in this market.
Old Manali Market
Shopping in the Old Manali market will be a great experience for you. This is one of the famous markets in Manali that offers everything to visitors. Once you are here, you can buy a lot of things, such as trendy woolen clothes, t-shirts, accessories, etc.
Himachal Emporium
If you love buying handicraft goods, you must head to Himachal Emporium. You can buy a large variety of handicraft items from here at the best prices. Some of the things you can buy here are pashminas and shawls. Other items that you can buy here are toys, shoes, slippers, etc. However, the prices of all these items are fixed. If you are confused about selecting a particular item, you can contact the staff here.
Manu Market
Another market that you can explore in Manali is the Manu Market. Here, you can buy a large number of items such as crockery, artificial jewelry, footwear, utensils, and outfits. Apart from shops, you can also try delectable food in one of the local restaurants here. You will also find many photographers in the market who stand there to take snaps of the beautiful artifacts sold in the shops here.
How to Reach Manali?
Manali is one of the most popular hill stations in the country. Thus, it is well-connected with each other through several transport modes. These modes are as follows:
By Air
You can easily reach Manali by air. The nearest airport to this city is Bhuntar Airport, which is approximately 50 km away from Manali Town. You will find regular flights from your city to Bhuntar Airport. However, flights get delayed if the weather is unfavorable. You can book any flight through a travel agent in Manali.
By Rail
There is no rail network in Manali. However, you can go to Joginder Nagar, which is the nearest railway station to Manali. It is 50 km away from Manali. From the station, you can take a private taxi or car to reach your final destination in Manali. You can reach other nearby railway stations, such as Kalka Railway Station, Ambala Railway Station, and Chandigarh Railway Station, and travel to Manali from there.
By Road
Manali has a good road network. If you are traveling by road, you can opt for any bus service to reach here. Some of the bus services that you can choose to travel to Manali include HPTDC and HRTC.
Getting Around in Manali
Traveling within Manali is easy, as there are many transportation methods that you can opt for while traveling from one place to another. Some of the transport modes that you can choose from while getting around Manali:
Buses
Local people can move from one place to another in Manali through HRTC buses. However, they are overcrowded, and it is not a judicious decision to rely on them if you need to visit local sightseeing places in Manali. But they are more affordable than other local transport modes.
Taxis and Private Cabs
Tourists can also choose private cabs or taxis to travel from one place to another. They are much safer than other local transport options, and you can easily travel to any place through them, even at night. You can also book a taxi for rent, as that will be much more feasible for you if you need to travel to multiple sites within Manali.
Bike Rental Services
Just like the taxis, you can also rent bikes when you are in Manali. If you opt for a full-day bike rental service, you won’t have any problem commuting from one spot to another.
Auto Rickshaws
They are also the best means of transport to use while traveling from one site to another. However, they would be expensive for you.
