The strain of the year is beginning to ease as the winter holidays approach, so it seems like a good time to take a break, no?
Manali Trip is the perfect destination for you if you’re in search of history, small-town charm, tranquillity, snow-capped mountains, and hearty cuisine.
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A Lil bit of History
Manali, located on the banks of the Beas River in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.We will explore here about best places to visit in Manali. is one of the oldest settlements in the region. Manali is known as the Valley of the Gods because of its high elevation of 1950 meters. In Hindu mythology, this valley is where humanity first emerged.
Manu, the legendary founder of human civilization, is said to have landed his ark on a neighboring hill and made Manali his home. This legend gives rise to the town’s other name, Manu-alaya.
How to reach Manali?
By Road
If you are planning best places to visit in Manali then it is conveniently accessible through highway from both Delhi and Chandigarh. The distance between Kalka and Manali is about 285 kilometers, whereas between Delhi and Manali is around 550 kilometers through Chandigarh. It takes around half a day to drive from Kalka to Manali.
The most trustworthy route connects Ambala with Chandigarh through State Highway 4 and National Highway 21. The distance between Chandigarh and Manali is around 310 kilometers.
To get to the roadway from Dehradun, use National roadway 123, which connects to State Highway 1, and finally State Highway 10. Drive on State Highway 11 to reach National Highway 22, which will lead you to U.S. Route 21. Approximately 440 kilometers separate the two cities of Dehradun.
Buses and taxis may take you from any major city in the region, including Delhi, Chandigarh, and Dehradun, on this breathtaking drive over the mountains.
By Train
The nearest railhead to Manali is Jogindernagar,3-4 hours are required to go from Jogindernagar to Manali, passing through Mandi and Bhuntar if you are planning best places to visit in Manali. Well, Manali is circumferentially connected to New Delhi, Amritsar, Jammu, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bhopal, Indore, Guwahati, Patna, Kanpur, Lucknow, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chenna via the Kalka Railway Station, a terminal at the foot of the Himachal Mountains.
Another option is to reach Chandigarh or Delhi via train and then hit the road to reach the beautiful valley.
By Air
The nearest airport to Manali is in Chandigarh, which provides flights to and from every major city in the region for best places to visit in Manali. Flying into Delhi’s airport and then taking to the trails to reach Manali is another viable option.
I liked riding the train to Delhi and then boarding a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) Volvo bus to Manali. The trip was enjoyable because to the competent driving of HRTC’s drivers.
All you poets and bloggers out there will get their creative fix from the amazing beauty of the voyage.
Manali witnesses all four seasons and each of these seasons has its own charm and wonder. It depends on the traveler what they like the most or what they are looking for.
Manali Trip in Summer (March – June)
It is recommended that you visit the Valley of the Gods between March and June if you are planning places to visit in Manali. If you don’t mind crowds and booking months in advance, now is the time to visit Manali for its breathtaking vistas of snow-capped mountains and lush meadows.
Doongri forest festival, when ladies in traditional dress sing and dance in honor of the deity Hidimba Devi, is one example of the many celebrations that draw crowds at this time of year.
Visit the Solang valley in this season for paragliding, zip lining, and a scenic drive via the Atal Tunnel up to Rohtang Pass.
Yak rides are a popular activity in Rohtang, and with good reason: the surrounding mountains are very breathtaking.
Top things to do
- Take part in a trek around the Jogini Falls
- Enjoy a picnic at Rahala Falls.
- Visit the captivating Hadimba Temple amidst the Pine forest
- Soak in the enchanting Museum of Himachal Culture and Folklore
- Take on some Yoga under the warm summer weather
- Enjoy the cafes around the town
- Enjoy paragliding and other adventure sports in Solang Valley
- Drive through the Atal Tunnel
- Pay a visit to the historic Manu temple
Tips
Plan your trip in advance to avoid the unavailability of accommodation. Carry some winter clothes as the temperature drops after sunset. Beware of the rushed markets and tourist spots.
Best places to visit in Manali in Monsoon (July-September)
Due to landslides and cloudbursts, this is not a popular time for tourists to visit Manali. With the arrival of the rains, however, Manali takes on a different appearance, giving the impression of really being in the clouds. Manali is a great spot to take a break from the hectic pace of life and experience the beginning of a new world full of calm.
Despite the dark skies and steady rain, the residents of this little town are in high spirits since the Hariyali festival is being held right now. Seven varieties of seeds are sown in advance next to the household gods. The rains are welcomed after the traditional dancing and singing.
Farmers in the area also take part in the festivities with great fervor. There is a wide variety of enjoyable activities and sights to see in Manali at this time of year.
Experiences like rafting down the River Beas’ many portions will add to your fond monsoon memories. This is a great pastime to partake in during the monsoon season, namely July and August, when the water levels are at their highest.
Top things to do
- Take part in a trek around the Jogini Falls
- Visit the captivating Hadimba Temple amidst the Pine forest
- Soak in the enchanting Museum of Himachal Culture and Folklore
- Enjoy the cafes around the town
- Visit the spiritual Vashishtha Temple and soak in the sulfurous hot springs
- Pay a visit to the historic Manu temple
Tips for places to visit in Manali
Make sure to check the weather reports and accordingly plan the trip. Book a hotel with heating facilities and central to the city to avoid any connectivity issues.
Try not to engage outdoors after the evening to avoid getting trapped in unavoidable situations. Carry lightweight and waterproof clothes, and travel with raincoats and umbrellas always. Do bring winter wears as it tends to get cold.
Places to visit in Manali in Winter (October-February)
The arrival of winter, with its first snowfall, is an event in and of itself. The town seems to be wrapped in a heavy white blanket. This is when everyone gathers since it’s chilly outside and there are so many fun things to do.
Despite the widespread misconception, the Winter Carnival is not held in December but rather in February. There is a lot of snow in Manali right now, and the town is bustling with winter events.
Get your fill of hearty comfort food, brave the snow on skis, and experience local culture. Join as many clubs as you want or gorge on food if it helps your mood.
Ideal for taking a trip with your significant other or for spending quality time with the family.
Gulaba, Marhi, and Rohtang Pass are where you’ll see snow. Snowsports, such as skiing and snow tubing, may be enjoyed in the aforementioned places. In addition, this is the season to get great deals on housing, such as hotels and B&Bs.
Top things to do
- Take part in a trek around the Jogini Falls
- Enjoy a picnic at Rahala Falls.
- Visit the captivating Hadimba Temple amidst the Pine forest
- Soak in the enchanting Museum of Himachal Culture and Folklore
- Take on some Yoga
- Visit the spiritual Vashishtha Temple and soak in the sulfurous hot srings
- Enjoy the cafes around the town
- Enjoy paragliding and other adventure sports in Solang Valley
- Drive through the Atal Tunnel
- Pay a visit to the historic Manu temple
- Munch on the apples at unbelievably cheap prices
- Try apple picking
Tips
Make sure to book hotels with a heating system as the cold is spine-chilling. Carrying a number of wollen item from mittens, and shawls to jackets and extra pair of socks have never hurt anyone. Keep extra care of your feet and hands to avoid frost bites.
All in all, you can’t really go wrong when you have decided to visit the magnificent Manali. It has multi faces and all of these will appease you to the best
Some hidden gems
You’ll read a lot about all the tourist and popular places of Manali but let this blog tell you about a few hidden gems that will make your visit even more worthwhile.
The Jhonson’s Café
Who doesn’t love a cozy place, with wooden flooring and soul-warming food with a view of snow-capped mountains?
Well, look no further, the Jhonson’s café is straight out of a fairy tale. The location, food, and ambiance all constitute to the date night we all dream of. One of the best places to visit and relax the overworked brain. The place hosts local musicians and the melodies are a treat to the listeners.
Old Manali
It’s the literal version of old is gold. This part of town is packed with small and amazing cafes, souvenir shops, and clothes shops.
The real charm of the place can be witnessed in the evening, when the tourists and travellers sing and dance in different cafes these melodies can be heard throughout the streets, all somehow playing in sync with one another.
The River Cafe
Another lovely café, this one perched on the banks of the Manu River. The bakery and coffee shop is well-known in the area. Take sips of that miraculous beverage while you watch the river pass past and listen to the soothing sounds of running water.
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale as you stroll down the paths that go over the bridge. If you sit on one of the grey rocks at the river’s edge, you may watch the river bend in a variety of ways. Seeing such tranquility would inspire anybody to write poetry.
Dylon’s Café
A hot brewing cup of coffee with a Bohemian-themed café is what makes this place special. Along the streets of Old Manali lies this hidden gem. The place is known for brewing its own coffee If bliss had a physical existence it would be in form of the Dylan’s café.
Rocky’s Café
Highest situated café cum hostel in Manali. The café has an artistic taste to it, if you decide to stay here, you wake up to the view of the Great Himalayas every morning. The place has a soothing vibe and the food adds to the warmth of the place.
Ride to the Rohtang pass
The journey matters more than the destination but here both aspects are as spell bounding as anything. You’ll wonder if this is what heaven looks like. Go with your gang of friends and live a short but amazing and your version of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara here. Let the breeze help unfold all the questions you have in your mind.
Conclusion
Manali is a multifaceted destination, and once you’ve been there, you’ll feel compelled to return. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the one to find one of the numerous exciting undiscovered paths.
Please let us know if you end up visiting any other interesting locations that we didn’t include.
I really pray you benefited from this!
For the time being, we must part ways. Have a wonderful time away!
Also see – Places to visit in Assam
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