Top Tourist Places To Visit in Manali

A perfect amalgamation of the mountain adventures and a peaceful sojourn describes the valley- Manali. Settled amidst the eye-soothing and green Beas river valley, Manali is situated at an altitude of 2,050 m (6,726 ft) and full of adventures that every travel enthusiast seeks. This place is a year-round magnet that witnesses the presence of various types of travelers like backpackers, honeymooners, adventure/thrill seekers, escapists, and much more.

Manali is beautifully nestled amid the mountains of Himachal Pradesh with proximity to the northern end of the Kullu Valley. This popular hill station is known for its spellbinding landscape and nearby attractions, which are Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley. Tourists can enjoy the fresh mountain air and the taste of snow by landing on the elevation of 3978m, which is called as Rohtang La pass. Also, it is used as the base town for Manali-Leh highway as Leh is approx. 479 km away from here.

When To Visit?

Manali has its own charm that is spread throughout the year. But if you are in love with snow, then prefer the winter season (October to February). Winter starts setting in from the month of October and the temperature goes below 0° Celsius. The best time to visit Manali is ideally December to January when you can witness the snowcapped mountains. If you are visiting the place in summer (March to June), then also the place has a pleasant atmosphere and the temperature varies between 10 - 25° Celsius. This is the best time to enjoy the outdoor activities. The monsoon season (July – August) witness heavy rainfall and thus you should avoid this time.

Manali- An Adventure Hub

Thrill seekers can undertake activities like heli-skiing, hiking, mountaineering, trekking, zorbing, river rafting, etc., to settle down the crave of enrolling themselves into exciting adventures amidst the valleys. Unwind the Salong Valley, also known as Snow Valley, for activities like paragliding, parachuting, trekking, and mountaineering. You can also take participation in the winter skiing festival that is organized every year in Salong. Snow motorbikes, horse riding, zorbing and various other activities are offered here for the amusement of the tourists. Apart from indulging yourself into adventures, you can visit the top tourist attractions in Manali.

What More To Explore?

Manali is a place that equally serves the devotees. There are a lot of temples that you can visit including the Raghunath Temple and Jagannathi Devith Temple, which holds special significance. Hadimba Temple, a 14th-century temple, showcases amazing wooden architecture. Do not miss to visit Maa Sharvari Temple that is known for its picturesque location and ancestral connotation with the Kullu Kings. The top destinations in Manali are Salong Valley, Rohtang Pass, Kullu, Chandrakhani Pass and the Parvati Valley, Old Manali, Beas Kund, Manikaran, Bhunter, Nehru Kund, and much more.

Where To Stay?

Manali is certainly a bucolic retreat and has around 800 to 1000 hotels and guesthouses in and around the town providing a comfortable stay to the tourists. If you want a peaceful stay, then resorts would be the best option to choose. If you just want to relax for the day and want to stay in proximity with the town, then you can go for any budget to luxury hotels within the city depending upon your choice. Manali has a number of 3 star, 4 star, and 5-star hotels along with cottages, guest houses, villas and various other accommodation facilities.

Manali tourism provides you a lot of things to explore. Another enjoyable thing to do in Manali is shopping from the quaint roadside stalls and street markets. You will find local handicrafts, beautifully woven shawls and unique souvenirs to take along with you. Take some of Manali's bric-a-brac to home by shopping from Mall Road, Old Manali Market, Tibetan Market, and Bhuttico. You can also take the help of a Manali travel guide to know more details about the place.

Climate and Geography

The exact coordinates of Manali are 32.2396 N, 77.1887 E. The town has an elevation ranging from 1,800m to 2,000m. It is a high altitude hill station with snow-clad peaks and mountain passes. The climate here is mildly cool during summers and chilling during the winters, dropping in negative numbers. Snow fall is very common from November to February. Rainfall in Manali is more or less unpredictable.

Transportation

The nearest airport is at Bhuntar, 50km away. The roadways are a great option to get in Manali. NH1 and NH21 provide connectivity to this town. All major bus depots in north India have private and Himachal Tourism buses to get you there. Going by train is not feasible, given the distance from Manali to the nearest broad and narrow gauge is too much.