Manali is a beautiful destination to take us a little closer to the hills, but does it really fill your appetite to see the mountain ranges from a distance?
When in Manali, go see a couple of peaks man!
Be sure to add these destinations on your next Manali trip, the markets are going nowhere.
Jogni waterfalls
If you’re too lazy to get off your butt (as we all are sometimes), go do Jogini. It’s an easy day hike with a glorious reward in the end - the waterfalls. The trek takes about 4-5 hours in total.
We’ve walked through enough alpine meadows, it’s time for the apples orchids to show their faces. Many tiny waterfalls will accompany you as you make your way through the forest.
Reaching the falls is extremely refreshing. Imagine a larger than life waterfall (150 feet tall) falling in front of you with such vigor that the droplets give your face mini-slaps. That’s the stuff right? Nature’s precious element up all in your face like that.
Hampta Pass Trek
Hampta is a beloved trek amongst many travelers because of how much it has to offer in under a week. The trek takes you through maple forests, breathtaking valleys, and shiny blue lakes resting next to huge desert mountains.
What stands out for me is the converging mountains paving a path to walk on. I mean, a lot of the stuff you find on this trek can be found on other treks too, but the valleys are beautiful y'all.
The trek is almost like a Ladakh doppelganger when it reaches the Spiti part so you’d probably like to keep that in mind.
Bhrigu Lake Trek
An ancient British route takes you to the meditation spot of Sage Bhrigu. Ironic to the endless efforts of the Brits exploiting ancient India, this British army paved path actually leads to an ancient Indian jewel, the Bhrigu Lake.
The Bhrigu Lake when frozen in extreme winters looks like just another dent in the surface of the mighty mountain When summers come around, the lake emerges blue in colour with a carpet of green around it.
The trek goes through dense forests and refreshing river streams that can be utilized to refill your water bottles on the way. Make sure to check out the variety of forests you cross before the tree line.
Beas Kund Trek
You must’ve seen stripped tigers for sure, but how about stripped mountains? The most peculiar thing I noticed on the trek was how the mountains have a pattern of snow lines on it. It almost looks like nature is trying to teach us a thing or two about design. Makes sense since all the design ideas EVER CREATED are inspired by nature.
What does it mean to you to be indulged completely in nature? For me it would be in the presence of untouched boulders next to an ever-flowing river. Beas Kund trek offers just that. Trekking on boulders feels almost relaxing since it’s not a steep ascent neither is it a narrow trail. Step wherever you like!
My hypothesis is that early men often settled down on these boulders next to flowing rivers, and they passed down their feelings of security associated with the boulders to us, the modern humans. Hence we like walking on them so much.
Sar Pass Trek
They do call it India's Narnia, do you know why? It’s not only a winter wonderland, It also includes walking on slanting mountains sprinkled with layers of snow. How incredibly daring to walk on the side of a mountain right?
The base camp of the Aar pass trek is Kasol, a favorite spot for many Himachal travelers. What’s really striking about this trek is the various campsite locations you'll get to stay at. One night you’ll sleep on a green meadow while the other you’ll be sleeping on a mountain’s snowy belly. The dynamic imagery to wake up to is endless with this trek.
SNOW FIGHTS! A walk on a frozen lake asked for a good snow bashing don’t you think?
Manali still stands proud as everybody's favorite destination for good food, good cafes' good hostels, AND THE BEST BASE CAMP FOR TREKS!