Manali

Q1) Where to see the best views of the Himalayan peaks?

1. Rohtang Pass: Manali is between Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal Range. Hence your best bet to see the Himalayan peaks is a travel to the Rohtang pass, which is at the end of the Pir Panjal range. The elevation is 3798 m above sea level.
2. Deo Tibba Peak: The Deo Tibba peak is one of the most beautiful peaks from the Kullu valley at 6001 m. The best way to reach it is by trekking. It is an easy trek in terms of difficulty level.
3. Hanuman Tibba Peak- 5860m
4. Shitidhar Peak- 5290 m

These are peaks visible only through trekking.

 

Q2 ) Which are the best sightseeing areas in Manali?

1. Solang Valley is a short, drivable distance from Manali, about 14 km away. It is the ideal place for zorbing and paragliding in the summer. Cable car rides are the best way to view the panoramic view of the Himalayas.

Cost: INR 2000 and above for adventure sports

Entry fee: INR 500

2. Rohtang Pass- It is a must-visit destination 51 km from Manali. The Rohtang Pass is best for a close-up view of the Himalayas and is famous for winter fun, like skiing.

Mode of transport: private cars, taxis, buses

Permits: One-day permits are issued

Cost: INR 500 for permits + upto INR 100 for congestion charge

Overall cost by taxi: INR 2500 to 4500

 

3. Jogini Waterfalls is a picturesque locale near Manali, reachable via a short trek. It is a popular picnic spot. Views of the Rohtang pass and the River Beas are a pull factor. The old shrines of Vashishth temple 3 km away are worth a visit.

Cost of the trek: INR 1799 onwards

4. Hidimba Devi temple- A one-of-a-kind temple dedicated to the wife of legendary Bheema, it is a significant place to visit. The wooden structure of the temple is unique and has a pleasant location surrounded by cedar trees.

Time: 8 am to 6 pm

5. Manali Gompa- Decorative Tibetan designs mark the Gandhan Thekchhongling Gompa built by the Tibetan refugees around the 1960s. Enjoy some calm around the calm mountain surroundings. Inside the Gompa, see the murals to state the importance of Buddhism. Shop for Tibetan handicrafts and souvenirs in the areas within the complex.

Entry Fee: None

6. Bhrigu Lake: The Bhrigu Lake journey of 19 km from Manali is possible only via trek. This high-elevation water body at 4000 m above sea level is worth the effort for scenic snow views of the Pir Panjal range.

Tip: Needs acclimatisation for the trek

7. Vashishth Hot water Springs: Located in the Vashishth village near Manali is a revered place of the temple and hot springs with healing properties. One can visit the temple nearby.

Time: 7 am to 9 am

8. Himalayan Nyingmapa Buddhist temple: A lively play of colours come alive at this Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple near Manali Mall Road. The Pagoda-style architecture is good to view with the Sakyamuni idol and wall paintings in the interior. Enjoy the serenity of the surroundings amidst the busy city centre. Do spin the prayer wheels as your step outside.

Time: 7 am to 9 pm

Entry Fee: None; Camera fee: INR 20

9. Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art: Get a glimpse of the state's rich cultural heritage at the Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art. Colourful masks, traditional costumes and typical musical instruments are the exhibits on display.

Time: 9 am to 7 pm (April to November); 10 am to 6 pm (December to March)

Entry Fee: INR 10 per person

10. Great Himalayan National Park: Visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Manali. View the diversity of the Himalayan flora and fauna at the place. Thousands of plant species, with two hundred plus bird and a sizable mammal species, makes the visit worthwhile. Wildflowers here are a photographer's delight. Designated hiking areas are there within the complex.

Timing: 10 am to 5.30 pm

Entry Fee: INR 50 (for Indian nationals); INR 200 (for others)

 

 

Q3) Where can I go for treks in Manali?

Manali is an ideal base and hub for adventurous souls who love trekking. Below are a few must-do treks:

1. Beas kund Trek- Journey your way up to the origin of the Beas river in the Himachal. The origin point of this trek is the Solan Valley, 13 km from Manali. Reach the summit and view the Beas Kund Lake at 12,100 feet.

Best time: May to mid-October

Distance: 16 km

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty level: Moderate

2. Chanderkhani trek- Breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas await you at the Chandrakhani trek. View the Deo Tibba, Parbati peaks and Pir Panjal range at this trek that reaches 12000 feet.

Distance: 22 km

Duration: 3 days

Difficulty level: Moderate

3. Pin Parvati trek- The Pin Parvati Trek is more for seasoned trekkers that reach up to 17,457 feet. The challenging hike gives way to the mesmerising Parvati valley meadows and quaint Buddhist villages in the Trans-Himalayan Spiti area.

Duration: 12 days

Difficulty level: Tough

4. Hampta Pass trek- Cross-over point to the Pir Panjal range; the Hampta Pass trek is among the most picturesque. Streams, hanging glaciers and grasslands greet you on the way and reach 14,039 ft.

Distance: 35 km

Duration- 5 day

Best time: Mid-June to mid-October

Difficulty- Easy to moderate

5. Sar Pass trek- If you love the changing landscape, then the Sar pass trek is for you. It originates at Kasol, 75 km from Manali. You will find meadows, quiet villages, snow-capped mountains, valley views, deep forests, speedy waterfalls and glacial lakes on your way. The elevation target reaches 13 780 ft. The frozen Sar lake is the tipping point of this trek.

Duration; 6 days

Best time: May to October

Difficulty: Moderate

 

Q4) What is the best accommodation in Manali?

Varied types of accommodation are available at the popular tourist hub of Manali. Resorts, hotels, and cottages are available to suit all tourists.

High-end resorts- INR 11000 onwards

Budget- hotels- INR 750 to 5000

Q5)  Which is the ideal time to visit Manali?

Manali is amidst mountains. It is cold in the winter and pleasantly cool in the summer. The temperature ranges in summer from 10° to 25° C. The monsoon from July to August is best avoided for the incidence of landslides that may upset travel plans.

The winter is more severe from December to March, with temperatures dropping to -1° C.

Ideal time: The peak season for Manali lasts from March to June. Most-suitable time for outdoor activities and visiting the attractions.

 

Q6)  What are the different adventure activities to take up?

Manali has been tagged the adventure capital in the Himalayas. Below are the finest ones.

1. Trekking: It s the top outdoor activity for tourists to enjoy the panoramic vistas of the Himalayas. Several trek routes are available in Manali with varying difficulty levels. Choose as per your ability.

Cost: INR 8255 to 4127 as per the number of days (food and accommodation inclusive)

2. Paragliding: Soar high free at 2000 m flowing in the snowy landscape with paragliding. It is a widespread outdoor engagement to pump some thrill into your trip. The activity is available at Solan and Parvati Valley, among others.

Best time: April to June

Cost: INR 1000 to 5000/ person (10- 20 min)

          INR 800 to 2000/ person (5 to 10 minutes)

 

3. Rafting: River rafting is a popular sport in Manali. There is short rafting for up to 7 km and long for up to 14 km. The current flow of the rapids determines the rafting levels. The rafting is mainly on the river Beas and Tattapani.

Best time: April to June; October to March

Cost: INR 2000 (accommodation for one night and food inclusive)

4. Camping: Stare at the millions of stars in the mountainous surroundings and engage in camping adventures on your trip. There are packages for camping and other outdoor adventures that take care of accommodation and food. Sethan, Bhuntar and Solang valley are some best places for camping.

Cost: INR 500 to 5000/night

5. Skiing: Skiing is the best bet if you look forward to a winter-specific outdoor adventure. Manali is the perfect heaven for such delights. Solang valley and Rohtang Pass are among the best locales for this activity.

Best time: December- January

Cost: INR 400 to 450/person to 1200-1500/ couple

 

Q7) Are homestays a good option in Manali?

Most accommodations in Manali are hotels and resorts, and boutique hotels. There are some homestays available in Manali. Convenient booking options with online portals are available.

Approximate cost: INR 600  to 3000/ night

 

Q8) How can I reach Manali?

By air: Kullu-Manali airport is the nearest 10 km from Kullu. Convenient flights are there from Delhi, Chandigarh and Simla.

By Train: Direct train connectivity is absent with Manali. One must reach the nearest railway station Joginder Nagar (narrow gauge), 120 km away. After that, travel via road to reach Manali. Alternatively, Get down at Kiratpur 200 km on the Manali-Chandigarh highway.

By Road: It is cost-effective to reach Kullu-Manali via road. It is a convenient driving distance from most cities.

Delhi to Manali- 570 km

Chandigarh- 305 km

Shimla- 260 km

Ambala- 370 km

Dehradun- 227 km

 Taxi services and bus services are available at regular intervals.

 

Q9) Where can I go shopping?

The Old Mall Road, Manu market, the Himachal Emporium and the Mall Road are the perfect regions to shop for handicrafts, trendy woollens and souvenirs in Manali.

 

Q10) Are there ATMs in Manali?

Most nationalised banks have ATMs in Kullu-Manali. Major private banks also have ATMS at tourist locations here.

 

Q11) When can I experience snowfall?

Snowfall in Manali usually occurs in the severe cold months of December to February.

 

Q12) What are the options for local transport within Manali?

Many taxis are available on a hire basis for sightseeing in and around Manali. Depending on the type of vehicle and distance travelled, the cost is variable.

Cost: INR 2000 -5000