Enchanting Manali: A Journey Through Nature's Paradise

Welcome Manali travel blog where I will take you to the best places to visit in Manali. In 2022, just a few months after our marriage, I and my husband decided to go for a workcation on hills somewhere and the first name which we together came up with was Manali itself. We decided to stay in a homestay for 15 days and booked Guruchhaya cottages for this purpose.

Manali is one of the most famous hill stations in India. It is a hill station in the Kullu Valley district in Himachal Pradesh. Situated at a height of 2050m (6398 ft) at the banks of the Beas River is one of the busiest hill stations in terms of tourism.

Manali means the ‘Home of Manu’. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that Manu recreated human life in Manali. It is a one-stop destination for all those who are looking for beautiful views, adventure, peace and recreation. As a higher elevation hill station, it is snow-covered in winter, and its lush meadows and Deodar woods draw the attention of trekkers, skiers, and rafting all year (except monsoons).

How to Reach:

By Bus:

The connectivity to Manali via road is very nice. There are a lot of buses: local and private; available for Manali. Manali has a well-connected road between Delhi and Chandigarh. The conditions of the roads are very good and smooth. Apart from buses, several taxis: shared and private; can also take you to Manali from Delhi or Chandigarh.

By Air:

The nearest airport from Manali is Bhuntar which is 50 km from Manali. Taxis are available from Bhuntar which can take you to Manali.

By Train:

Ambala Cantt, which is 200 kilometres distant, is the nearest railway station to Manali. Another alternative is to take a train to Chandigarh, which is around 250 kilometres distant.

Places to visit in and Near Manali:

Jogini Falls

The waterfall is on several levels but the best view comes after the hardest climb to the top level of the falls. The entire hike path is incredibly gorgeous, passing through charming villages set against the backdrop of expansive landscapes. This is one of the greatest short treks in Manali for taking in the local scenery and village life. It is sacred to the village goddess Jogini & is, therefore, a place of female power, known as a Shakti Peeth.

Vashisht Village

Vashisht is a little village on the other side of the Beas River, about 3 kilometres from Manali. This lovely place is known for its sulphurous hot water springs and Vashisht temple, which is located right next to them. This spring’s water is said to be extremely therapeutic. The architecture of the temple is incredible and beautiful. The temple is believed to be of more than 400 years old and this village is named after the Rishi Vashisht.

Next to the Vashisht Temple is another old stone temple called Rama Temple. Vashisht is a major Hindu pilgrimage destination. The Beas River and Old Manali may both be seen from Vashisht.

Solang Valley

Solang Valley, commonly known as the ‘Snow Valley,’ is well-known for hosting a variety of winter adventure activities such as skiing, parachuting, paragliding, hiking, and climbing. This sparkling valley, located at an average altitude of 2,560 metres above sea level, is one of the most gorgeous vistas in Manali. It is one of the most popular hiking destinations for visitors visiting Manali. Solang Valley, located between Solang town and Beas Kund, provides breathtaking views of glaciers and snow-capped mountains.

Hadimba Temple-A religious encounter in Manali

Hadimba Temple, built in the 16th century, is one of the greatest locations to visit in Manali and is set on top of a hill amid a gorgeous Deodar forest. The temple is very important to both the villagers and the visitors who come to seek blessings from Goddess Hadimba. The temple is devoted to the Goddess Hadimba, who was also the wife of the Pandava brothers’ fiercest warrior, Bhima. The temple grounds contain a shrine of Ghatotkacha, the son of Bhima and Hadimba and a hero of the Mahabharatha conflict, whose idol is fashioned mostly of wood and lies 70 metres from the Hadimba temple.

Old Manali- A heritage sightseeing in Manali

Old Manali is a hamlet for backpackers who are living for peace and indeed works best for the people who want to go to Manali for a workcation. It is an abode full of aesthetic cafes, homestays and hostels. Situated on the banks of the Manalsu river and surrounded by Deodar trees, it is an absolute treat for all kinds of people.

Old Manali is famous for the Manu Temple. Manu Temple, dedicated to the Indian sage Manu, is located in historic Manali, 3 kilometres from the Manali Bus Stand. Manali is named after the sage Manu, who, according to tradition, was the originator of the human species on Earth and is said to have meditated here. It is the only temple of Manu in India.

Furthermore, roaming and walking around to explore new perspectives and secret pathways where one may be in the embrace of Mother Nature is a lot of pleasure. The hippy lifestyle can be felt in full force in Old Manali. Set in a bizarre landscape, this Manali hidden treasure will provide you with the right Himalayan feelings.

Atal Tunnel-Pride of Manali travel blog

The Atal Tunnel is a 9-kilometer-long tunnel on the Manali-Leh Highway traverses the Rohtang Pass. It offers all-weather access to the Lahaul Spiti Valley and northern India, cutting travel distance by 47 kilometres and travel durations by up to four hours. This tunnel has been recognised as the world’s longest single tube highway at this height by the World Book of Records, London.

Rohtang Pass

Rohtang Pass, at an elevation of 13,054 feet, serves as the entryway to Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti valleys. It is around 53 kilometres from Manali and connects Kullu valley with Lahaul and Spiti, which in turn allow access to Leh. Because of the number of individuals who died attempting to cross it, the name Rohtang translates as “ground of corpses.”

The Rohtang Pass is located in the Himalayan Pir Panjal Mountain Range. Rohtang Pass,known for its beautiful splendour, is strategically important for India.

Kothi Village

The Kothi Village is located on the Leh – Manali Highway, 13.5 kilometres from the Manali Bus Stand and 8 kilometres from Gulaba Village. Kothi is located at an elevation of 2500 metres in the foothills of the Rohtang Pass. This picturesque settlement provides a breath-taking view of snow-capped mountains and glaciers, as well as the Beas River, which flows through a very deep and tight valley at this point. It is one of the most scenic places in Manali.

Gulaba

Gulaba is well-known as a magnificent snowy location, but it is also well-known among sports and adventure fans, who flock to the town to participate in adventurous activities. The natural setting of Gulaba hamlet draws a huge number of tourists each year, who come to enjoy the beauty of the location. Gulaba is one of the rare spots in Himachal Pradesh where you can just go away from your daily lifestyle and enjoy the quiet and tranquillity. It is a well offbeat place for the trekkers and the campers.

Sajla Waterfall

Sajla Waterfall, located on the left side of the River Beas, is a lovely natural waterfall in the village of Sajla. It is approximately 10 kilometres from Manali. Sajla Falls is a wonderful picnic site surrounded by Deodar trees, Pine trees, apple orchards, and stunning snow-covered mountain peaks.

It is one of the very less travelled places when it comes to Manali. The tourist generally visits only one part of the waterfall and then they go back but there is a hidden lesser-known trail to the upper part of the falls which gives you a total experience of ‘Alice in the Wonderland.’

Soyal/ Soil Village

Soyal is a village in Naggar Tehsil in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu District. It is 22 kilometres north of the district headquarters in Kullu. Mansari hamlet in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, is the starting point for the Soyal (Soil) Village walk. The walk is met by several water streams, as well as little cafes where you can sit and enjoy some free time in between the mountains.

It is a beautiful secluded place for the people who like camping and also have cafes where you can actually cook fishes which you caught during fishing in the river there itself.

Naggar Castle

Naggar Castle is a stunning mediaeval edifice. Raja Sidhi Singh constructed the fortress in 1460 AD in an amazing blend of European and Himalayan design. The castle is built in a traditional style known as Kathkooni, which combines stones and wooden beams. It is 20 kilometres from the Manali bus station.

The castle was turned into a rest home in 1978, and more recently into a heritage hotel administered by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC (http://hptdc.in/)). The Naggar Castle was recently refurbished while preserving its historic form.

Kasol

Because of its picturesque valley, untamed mountains, and fantastic climate all year, Kasol is an ideal location for hikers, trekkers, and environment enthusiasts. It is a key starting point for treks to Sar Pass, Yanker Pass, Pin Parbat Pass, and Kheerganga.

If you wish to relax in the lap of nature, Kasol is an excellent choice for a holiday. This town is an open place on the Parvati River’s banks where one may spend peaceful days. The river is teeming with trout and is ideal for angling.

Manikaran

Manikaran is located 41 km from Kullu. It is located in the Parvati Valley created by the rivers Beas and Parvati and is adored by people of both Hindu and Sikh faiths. There are three hot springs where one could bathe, one inside the Gurudwara and the other two privatised by guesthouses. The water in these springs includes sulphur, which has the ability to heal ailments.

Sissu

Sissu, also known as Khwaling, is located in Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh, on the right bank of the Chandra River. A journey out of the Rohtang/Atal Tunnel’s North End will bring travellers to Sissu, which is surrounded by high peaks such as the Gyephang Goh.

It is situated approximately 40 km from Manali. The spectacular vista of the waterfall, known locally as Palden Lhamo Dhar, draws a large number of people. Sissu is also famous for its Sissu Lake and due to the construction of the Atal Tunnel, lots of people find a new place to stay in Sissu as it is secluded and less explored.

During the winter months, it is all covered with snow and the Chandra River also gets frozen which gives a unique experience to the travellers.

Keylong-Beauty of Manali

Keylong, in the Himachal Pradesh district of Lahaul and Spiti, is an essential halt and an excellent diversion from the Leh-Manali Highway. Keylong, a verdant meadow-like village smack dab in the heart of snowcapped peaks, is mostly a Buddhist location.

And, because Keylong is the gateway to Ladakh, there is a good probability that you will see a lot of prayer flags floating in the air while riding on the highway. Keylong is famous for places such as Suraj Tal, Bara-Lacha Pass, the Kardang Monastery and the captivating allure of the Lahaul Valley.

Jispa

Jispa is a settlement on the Manali-Leh Highway and the Chandra Bhaga River, 20 kilometres north of Keylong. It is situated 92 km from Manali. Jispa’s riverbank and Himalayan mountain background will take your breath away. Jipsa is the main settlement in the Lahaul area and is located at a height of 3200 metres.

The majestic Himalayan mountains provide an enticing background. Jispa is simply decorated by rough mountain terrains in the background, and the settlement appears little from distance as the mighty Himalayas dominate.

Moving further, we reached Darcha. Darcha valley is 11,000 feet above sea level and surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Darcha is famous for its Dracha-Padum Trek.

Koksar

Koksar is a hamlet in the Lahaul Mandal of the Lahaul and Spiti District of the Himachal Pradesh state in Northern India. Koskar is the coldest spot in Lahaul, located around 19 kilometres from Rohtang Pass.

It is a magnificent mountain location with panoramic stunning views and hiking trails. It is situated around 40 km from Manali. The community also contains a monastery, which draws a large number of tourists due to its religious significance and the monastery’s position, which is nestled within the cliff and is the only one of its sort in the valley.

Thus, Manali is much beyond Mall Road and the famous spots. Due to the construction of the Atal Tunnel, it has become simpler to visit places beyond Manali. Manali is indeed one of the best gifts of the Himalayas to the world. The decision for staying in Manali came out to be successful and it was an absolute treat.