Manali - Himachal Hues

Sitting in the confines of the metropolitan jungle, you dream of a vacation which would truly make you fall in love all over again with life? A vacation which would teach you to enjoy pure beauty lush green forest, wild flowers dancing to a tune played by the wind, gurgling brooks adding to the rhythm of the wind, a plethora of colors, watching the first rays of sun painting the snow clad mountains to a rich golden hue, camping and building a fire, being a part of Mother Nature Doesn't this sound like a vacation of a lifetime then discover this destination in the Valley of Gods Manali.

Whether you trek areas cuddled in the heart of pine forests and icy mountain caps, wave at or touch a passing cloud, breathe the crisp pine scented air, or photograph mini rainbows, created by sunlight darting through the River Beas, it is all about communing with nature. Manali, is literally a god sent reprieve from the hot plains, pollution and daily grind of life.

At a Glance

Manali is situated in the North eastern state of Himachal Pradesh. It is 40 kms north of the Kullu valley. It is connected to Delhi by the National Highway and is also connected to Leh between July and October. The nearest train stations are Chandigarh and Pathankot.

When to Visit:

The summers in Manali are pleasant where as the winters are bone chillers, with temperatures dipping to below Zero degree Celsius. Prepare to cover yourself up so much so only your eyes are seen. The best times to visit Manali are the summer months of April through June where you can undertake splendid mountaineering opportunities and in the winter months between October and December where you can participate in winter sports like skiing. You can avoid a visit during the rainy season as the region is prone to landslides.

Orientation & Getting Around:

Manali is best explored on foot. Auto rickshaws and taxis take you places faster. Life is slow paced and tension free and no one is in a hurry to get anywhere so take your time and soak in the beauty around.

  

Dial in code(s): City code: 01902

Distance(s):

•  565 km North from Delhi

• 280 km from Shimla 

How to Reach

Road: A long hill drive. Set off from Delhi in the pre-dawn hours Highway driving right through. The drive up the Beas after Pandoh Dam is gorgeous (14 hrs). Bus: HPTDC? S bus from Janpath (dep: 7 pm; arr: 9.30 am). It is well connected to Delhi, Chandigarh. The National highway passes through from Delhi to Manali. You can either take the bus from Delhi or you can take the train to Chandigarh and then a bus from there to Manali. It's a good 10-12 hour journey so make sure you're well prepared. You can also take buses from Kullu and travel through the picturesque scenery to reach Manali. You can also reach Manali from Shimla which is 280 kms away by bus. There are many private and government buses that ply the routes to and from Manali to various parts of Himachal Pradesh and Delhi.

Rail: The comfortable way to reach Manali is to catch the Delhi - Chandigarh- Shatabdi Express. But, the nearest railway station is at Jogindar that is 166 kms from Manali. From there you can hitch a ride on the local bus or hire a taxi available outside the railway station. Also you can travel till Chandigarh by rail and then take a bus/car from there to Manali.

Air: The nearest airport to Manali is in Bhuntar that is 77 kms from Manali. You can reach the city from the airport by bus or taxi. 

Must See, Must Do

• Hidamba temple is too beautiful to miss. You have to see the temple and enjoy the natural beauty that is abundant on the way to the temple.
• Check out the Tibetan Bazaar and some of its unique silver and turquoise jewellery. But be sure to bargain! Also get some juices and pickles that are available.
• The Afghani shawls and Pashmina shawls are very good. Grab them and again, bargain as they quote exorbitant rates.
• Try some of the Adventure sports like paragliding or skiing. It's a unique experience to view nature from this height. It’s after all, the roof of the world! 
• Enjoy Nature and the Elements. You can find paradise here like nowhere else in the world!

Activities

Trek the high hills

Being the gateway to Lahaul, Spiti, Leh and Ladakh, Rohtang sees plenty of activity in season. It's best to join a trek through a professional organization. Equipment can be hired at a nominal cost from several operators in Manali. The frozen Beas Kund, the source of the Beas, or Chandratal Lake are good options. The trekking season runs from early April to mid-June and then again from mid-September to mid-October.

Mountain adventure at Solang

Wooded forests, snow-covered slopes, open green valleys and the fast-flowing Beas make Manali an ideal destination for mountain adventure sports. Most of the adventure activity is centered on Solang Nallah, 13 km away. The Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (Tel: 01902-252342, 253789, 252206, 252137), North Face Adventure Tours (Tel: 01902-252441), and Himalayan Adventures (Tel: 01902-252750), among others, organize activities along with the equipment and guides. You can make a day trip there by bus, taxi or car from Manali, or even camp overnight. There are 2 1/2 km of ski-runs and, come January, even beginners can try their hand at this ultimate mountain sport. HPTDC runs skiing courses here, details of which can be obtained from their office in New Delhi. If you haven't done this before, don't miss the paragliding. The 2-minute joyride will either scare you out of your wits or the spectacular views will whet your appetite for the longer 10-15-minute high rides (which cost around Rs 500 and Rs 1,700 respectively).

River-rafting

The Beas is a wild river; rafting on it requires strong nerves and stamina. The seasons last from May to mid-June and from end-September to mid-October. The trip starts at Pirdi and terminates after a 16-km lurch-and-toss ride at Jhirhi. Prices vary from Rs 600 to 1,000, and include transport, equipment and a guide.

Drive to Rohtang Pass

The 51-km climb up to the Pass, 13,060 ft above sea level, is formidable. Most people probably don't know that Rohtang means pile of corpses in Tibetan. Many of these corpses belonged to the hapless residents of the Lahaul Valley at the far north of Himachal which the Rohtang Pass connects to Kullu-Manali and the rest of India for a few months of the year at least. But once on top, the stunning panoramas of the array of snow peaks and glaciers and of the desolate Lahaul Valley below would banish all fears. So hire a four-wheel drive, and head for this wind-swept strip of land. It is best to plan your trip to Manali when the Pass is open to tourists (July-September usually), if Rohtang is your main interest. Hitting the Pass by motorcycle (Rs 300 a day, excluding petrol) from Old Manali is an exhilarating experience. You'll pass the turn-off to Solang at Palchan. The climb is steep from here on. Rohtang is cold, so rent coats, snow boots and gloves further up the road. You can stop en route at Snow Point to play in the snow, but only from January to April. At the village of Nehru Kothi, you can savour phenomenal views of the young Beas. Further along, you will pass Marhi, where touts may try to tell you that Rohtang is closed and invite you to ski instead. Just drive on over the Beas, which rudely flows over the highway here. If you can, get to Rohtang at daybreak to watch the drama of a Himalayan dawn unfold. Finally, look north for dazzling views of the Sonapani Glacier and down, at the Lahaul Valley. Don't attempt the road to Rohtang if you are an inexperienced driver.

In and Around

Vasisht Baths This is a small village along the banks of the River Beas, 3 kilometers from the main city. It is famous for its hot springs that have sulphur in them and said to have medicinal properties. There is also a temple of Sage Vashisht and Lord Rama that is worth visiting. Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa This beautiful monastery is one of the most popular monasteries in Manali. Amongst the gushing life and myriad colours, there is also an all pervading air of serenity. There are many Tibetan handicrafts like carpets and durries that you can buy from here. Manali Sanctuary A small path that passes the Hidambi temple leads you to the Manali Sanctuary. It is comprised of pine trees and is a dense, but well maintained forest in its own right. It has trees like deodar, kail, horsechestnut and maple. You can commune with the wild side of nature by camping in overnight tents in this almost forest like atmosphere, at the edge of civilization. You can camp with tents at Lambadug or Galiani Thatch which are camps. Arjun Gufa – cave is located on the banks of the Beas River, near the Prini village. This is the cave where Arjun is supposed to have meditated in order to earn the Pashupata Astra or the weapon of Lord Indra. Jagatsukh Located at a distance of 6 kilometers from Manali, Jagatsukh was once the capital of Kullu. It has beautiful temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Sandhya Gayathri. It is close to the Arjun Gufa. Having Fun You can simply wander around the town of Manali's Mall Street which has many shopping arcades. There are many cafes around in Manali that host parties, but you should be careful not to get mixed up with drugs even by mistake as the police in Manali are very strict about drugs since there have been many instances of tourists who end up becoming addicts and disappear. Once you cross the old bridge across Manalsu River, you get to the quieter part of town. Besides this, there are many picnic spots around the city which have breathtaking views. It is a different kind of paradise on earth, one that is full of greenery and flowers and butterflies in the summer and ice and snow in the winter. Kothi Some of the picnic spots around Manali are Kothi that is 12 kilometres from Manali city. This is a beautiful picturesque Cliffside that is above the Beas River. This is an ideal picnic spot. Solang Valley This is 14 kilometers from Manali and is a picturesque valley that has good skiing slopes and picnic spots. Besides this you can also take a look at the breath taking glacier. You can enjoy nature in all its glory especially during the sunsets when sun beams glint off the ice from the glaciers. Skiing is popular on this valley. The mountaineering institute is situated nearby and provides training and equipment to tourists who wish to trek, ski or carry out mountaineering. Rahla Falls This is 14 kilometers from Manali and you can watch the Beas River hurtle itself from 50 meters. It is beautiful to watch and is good spot for picnics. The Club House This is situated at the edge of New Manali and has a skating rink in it. It also has a comfortable place to sit and sip drinks and enjoy the luxury of the surroundings.

Adventure and Freaking out!

If you are an adventure freak, then Manali is the place for you! The expansive adventure opportunities available here are amazing! Prepare to be one with nature and experience the exquisite beauty and ruggedness of this Himalayan town. The Mountaineering Institute that is in Aleo on the banks of the Beas River offers training as well as equipment for hikers, trekkers, mountaineers, kayaking, white water rafting and of course skiing. Skiing Manali is a paradise for skiing. You can go skiing near the Tibetan valley, on the roof of the world. You can ski from January to March in the Solang valley and during the summers in the Rohtang pass. The mountaineering institute situated near Solang Valley provides equipment for skiing and also trains people to ski. Heli Skiing Manali also has another kind adventure sports - Heli skiing. Helicopters drop skiers onto high slopes that are as high as 5000 or even 6500 meters from where they can ski down. Experience the thrill as you ski on the roof of the world! Kayaking This is also possible in the Beas River. For the those who have never done so, you can receive training in Kayaking from the Mountaineering institute situated near Solang Valley and go kayaking in the Beas River. Hiking/Trekking Getting close to nature is one of the reasons Manali attracts tourists each year. Trekking and hiking around this region is very popular and you can actually feel the elements of the Earth in this tiny town that is cradled by mountains and has many tributaries and rivers meandering through it. There are several treks and hikes from Manali. Trekking from Manali over the Hamta Pass to Chandertal Lake or the Lake of the Moon is a popular choice. Other locations include trekking to the Beas Kund which takes about 4 days and is mostly from May to October. Other locations include Beas Kund, Malana, Lamayuru, Padum and the Pin Valley. These treks are normally during May to October and span 7-8 days. Jeep Safari Exploring the rugged mountainous locations in a jeep is adventurous and requires a strong backbone! Lahaul and Spiti are two remote valleys that are popular locations for Jeep safaris. You can also travel to Leh by jeep from Manali and be back. If you have a time crunch and still want to feast your eyes on the wonders of the Himalayas, then a Jeep Safari is the thing to do. It takes roughly 5 days to travel to these locations. You can also travel to the distant Indo-Tibetan border and watch the breathtaking and serene landscapes in these locales. The best season for Jeep Safari is during summer, from Mid July to October. White water rafting on the Beas River White Water Rafting on the Beas is also gaining popularity. Rafting takes place at a stretch of around 16 - 20 kilometers and is close to the Kullu valley that is 40 kilometers from Manali. There are different levels of rafting ranging from easy to very difficult so if you are ready to get wet and manage to maneuver a boat with others, white water rafting will be very exciting. Rafting is best done during summer when the water levels are high. There are possibilities of summer showers which will not cause immense discomfort, if you are willing to remove water from the boat. There will only be more water and getting wet will be a certainty. Paragliding Imagine flying high and having an eagle eye view of the Himalayas. Breathtaking views of snow and sunlight glinting off its surface and little dots of green and brown as you glide through the clear blue skies. That's paragliding for you in the Solang Nala near Manali. The best seasons for paragliding are from February to June and September to November.

Religious Places

Manu Temple This is the temple dedicated to the Rishi after whom the city is named. The temple of Manu is situated in Old Manali and the temple is a half hour walk up the hill of this picturesque place. Legend has it that this is the spot where Manu rested after the great flood, before he brought forth life. Hidambi Temple (Dhoongri Temple) This beautiful four storied temple was built in 1553 and is about 1.5 kilometers from the main city. It is dedicated to Hidambi, who is the wife of Pandava prince Bhima. She is hailed as Goddess due to her spiritual link with the Pandavas and is believed to be an avtaar of Goddess Kali. This temple is built in a Pagoda style and its architecture is beautiful. The carvings and sculptures on the doorway depict various mythological scenes and deities in the temple, making it a worthwhile tourist must-see.

Festivals

The Hadimba temple festival in May is quite popular and has a lot of dancing and singing. Dussehra and Shiv Ratri are two important festivals in Manali. During Dussehra, which is in September or October, the festivities go on for a week and there is a lot of singing and dancing. The highlight of the festival is the Rath festival on the Dussehra day. 200 idols are brought down from the hill and they all pay homage to Lord Rama who is taken in procession in a large chariot.

Shopping

All the main markets in Manali are located in the downtown area and around the corner of Mall Street. If you want woolens and shawls, the best place to go is Old Manali and Vashisht. Handicrafts and Tibetan souvenirs are also available in the town. You can also buy a variety of Silver and jewellery in the Tibetan Market or the Tibetan and Nepalese shops near the Manali post office. Other places to shop are Chari trust Tibetan Handicrafts Emporium which is on Mall Street and Kullu - Kashmir Handicraft Cooperation that is near the Bus stand. These offer a good variety of Pashmina shawls and souvenirs. There are also many small bazaars which have traditional Afghan, Kullu and Kinnawri hats are quite cheap. Go ahead and buy. Be sure to hone your bargaining skills! The Tibetan Bazaar at the south end of Manali is a very colorful place, selling colorful Tibetan carpets, shawls, caps and other woolen clothes. They also include a range of Tibetan arts and crafts, and jewellery made of silver and turquoise. Another good buy are the locally made pickles, jams and juices. For postcards and even a tolerable collection of books, you can check out the NAC Market and the Bookworm which is on the Mall Street.

Tips for you 

• It is better to book your accommodation before you come to Manali, especially in peak season, as it is quite a popular destination and hotels can get pretty much over booked.
• Carry your walking/sports shoes as it offers a variety of adventure activities.

Emergency Info

Tourist office(s):

HPTDC

New Delhi

011-23325320, 23325233

Website: himachaltourism.nic.in

HPTDC

The Mall, Manali

01901-253531, 252325

Hospital

The Lady Willingdon Hospital
Manali, Kullu district
Ph: 1902 - 252379
Fax: 1902 - 254132.

Check below links for booking holidays:

1.www.himachaltourism.net.in
2.www.coxandkings.com
3.www.makemytrip.com

Check below links for best hotels in Manali:

1.Club Mahindra
2.Holiday Inn
3.Sarovar Portico

Check below links for booking Transportation: 

1.Book your Flight here
2.Book your Railway here 
3.Book your Cab here