The tall mountains and luscious green forest surrounding this quaint town are the most colourful hotspot for tourists and nature lovers. The breathtaking view of Manali tucked in the upper Himalayas is a fabulous place to spend time away from the humdrum of the cities. The town, a prominent location on the hippie trail of Himalayan bohemians, has laid back to be a part of the vibe.
The divine beauty has been luring travellers to its forbidden slopes. Rightly to be praised, the Valley of Gods by idealizing its tranquil landscape. Manali is a complete go-to-vacation having some hide and seeks with the flavour of romance on a canopy.
After exciting trails of adventure, I halted at Rampur Bushahr, unplanned, as my next trip to Sikkim was postponed. I took it as an opportunity and started gathering details to reach Manali. The fabulous hill station is a go-to vacation spot for leisure seekers on a budget with active night events and festivals. The state has already intrigued me with its beauty and solace.
I was fortunate when I reached Manali as the surrounding mountains had already experienced snow which makes the breathtaking view of tall distant snow-capped mountains. The buzzing Beas river with fairytale-like fog surrounding the small hidden cottage and the lingering sweet scent of pines put me under the magic spell. Let’s bask in the blissful weather in a paradise of mountains with your backpacks.
Short Tale of Manali
The history of Manali is quite a mythical story that dates back to when Manu recreated human life after the Holocaust. The presence of temples and shrines is associated with evidence of mythological stories. During ancient periods it was surrounded by dense forest and the home of nomad hunters. Later, shepherds came to settle in Kangra Valley and gradually adopted farming as an occupation. The town flourished during the British era when they established it as a hill station. They introduced apple, pine tree and trout fish to the grandeur of this hill station.
Checklist of Things To Do in Manali
Manali is a popular tourist destination beckoning travellers from all over the world. The Beas River giggles down the gorges surrounded by snowy peaks of the Himalayas, striving to touch the sky. All the backpackers and tourists use it as a base to loosen up at the plethora of funky cafes, restaurants and bars to hang out. The place was ideal for me to take a break and enjoy the solitude in peace with seeking some adventure. The endless options suit the needs of people from all walks of life, who have a travel mindset. Here is a travel guide to probe the activities suitable for newly-wed couples, adventure-loving friends, families with kids and solo wanderers to plan a comfortable and happy trip.
Stroll around Mall Road
Mall Road, the heart and soul of Manali, is a perfect place to purchase souvenirs and handicrafts for your loved ones. The Tibetan shops with shawls, rugs and woollen caps offer plenty of prospects. I moved around to taste some local cuisines catching the pulse of Manali. The ambience provides a more Westernized and hippie setting with colourful cafes, restaurants and food corners.
The cobblestone streets of Mall Road are precisely different as there are two parts to the world of Manali. The place buzzes with tourists, backpackers and locals in the evening. If you are looking for a budget alternative, then Tibetian Market is better to buy handicrafts – shawls, prayer wheels, and Buddhist paintings.
Jogini Waterfalls
The Jogini waterfalls is a 160-foot cascade located near Vashisht village in Manali. As I love to walk around mountains and the waterfall is well-marked on GPS, I opted to take slow to enjoy a roadside view with mesmerizing surroundings of shops and traditional houses through the small, narrow passage between houses. I bent in front of the Vaishist temple for blessings before starting the trek to the Jogini waterfalls.
The route passes through the alley of the village crossing a few fenced apple orchards and finally through the forest. It is the only way to reach one of the best waterfalls in the area. The refreshing view of the natural pool with the beautiful rainbow created by Nature adds splendid beauty to Jogini waterfalls.
Hidimba Temple
This 15th-century temple is associated with the narrative of Mahabharata, the great Indian epic. Hidimba and her son Ghatotkcha are two important characters of Mahabharata. The temple devoted to Hidimba Devi is fascinating and rare as she is praised only in this town. A walk through the forest to the temple gave me a vibe of an oasis of tranquillity surrounded by towering groves of Deodar trees.
The unique style of architecture resembles Japanese pagodas – roofs shaped as shingles with beautifully carved-out wooden doors and a base made up of whitewashed stone. Inside it is an enormous rock worshipped as Devi Hidimba with a small 3-inch-tall brass idol.
Timing: 8am – 6pm.
Rohtang Pass
The stunning Himalayas, pristine white snow into the Eastern Pir Panjal lies Rohtang Pass, a beautiful place 50 km to the north of Manali. The pass connects two valleys of Himachal Pradesh – Manali and Lahaul & Spiti. Fans of Bollywood must have spotted this place on the screens as Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, Jab We Met, Highway, and the list continues.
The moment for its mind-blowing landscape with snow-covered mountains is the perfect place for a vacation. I felt the absolute pleasure of having a hot beverage in the cold weather with people who wanted to explore snow in a spell-binding nature. Sledge ride, snow scooter riding, skiing and tyre dropping are a few of the most famous activities in Rohtang Pass.
Solang Valley
One of the adventurous places lies between Solang village and Beas Kund. The beautiful valley is lavished with a sports institute that conducts various courses on adventure sports. The steep slopes of the valley are perfect for skiing during winter and as the snow melts in summer, one can enjoy paragliding, parachuting, and horse riding.
I took a cable car to reach the top of the hill at the cost of Rs.650 to witness the beautiful panoramic view. It was a pleasant place to walk around with the crowd buzzing along with the hawkers. The valley has gained popularity over time for its adventure sports activity surrounded by stunning and mystical hills.
Timing: 9 am – 6 pm
Best Time to Visit?
Classic mountain weather with chilly and snowy winters and pleasant, warm summers remains packed year-round with tourists. April to June is when tourists from most Northern parts of India invade this place. If you plan to hit for skiing, December to February is the best time. Heavy rainfall and floods are witnessed in July and September, causing landslides and roadblocks. The spring-summer months are better to enjoy all outdoor activities when the temperature is very conducive.