Manali

Manali a Best Honeymoon Destination of India

Situated at a height of 6260 feet above sea level, Manali is one of the most popular, beautiful and awe-inspiring hill stations in this country.

Surrounded by majestic hills and woody forests, the quaint charm of Manali has captured the world's attention and has become one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. The pristine River Beas flows right through the town, creating a mesmerising and spellbinding landscape. Nestled at one end of the Kullu Valley, Manali is a popular hill station with attractions such as the Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley nearby. Rohtang Pass is covered with snow throughout the year and is a good experience in itself. This is the ideal place for tourists looking to unwind and rejuvenate in the lap of nature, for there is no place in the country more vibrant and charming as Manali.

This town also has a multitude of options for tourists looking for adventurous activities like trekking, paragliding, skiing, zorbing, white water rafting etc. Besides adventurous activities, Manali also has a lot of temples which all tourists and devotees love to visit including the Raghunath temple and Jagannathi Devith Temple being one of the important ones. Hadimba Temple, a 14th-century temple is famous for its wooden architecture and for its religious values. Manali is also used as the base town for the Manali-Leh highway and Leh is around 479 km from here. Lahaul and Spiti district can also be accessed from here during the summers using the same highway.

Again owing to its high popularity, tourists coming to Manali are spoilt for choice. There is a wide range of hotels here from budget to luxury resorts for those who wish to splurge. Homestays are also available here.

What's Great?

Very beautiful. Snows through most of January and February. Can be visited throughout the year. Snow sports, paragliding and other adventure sports available. Starting point for drives to Spiti valley and Ladakh.

For Whom

Great for someone looking to experience snow in winters. Perfect for couples, adventure enthusiasts, family holidays. Ideal for people in North India, but Manali sees tourists from all over the country and also for foreigners.

Top Places in Manali

1. Solang Valley, Manali Overview

When heading to Manali for a vacation, two absolutely essential destinations in the itinerary are Rohtang and Solang Valley. 14 kilometres to the north west of the main town of Manali, Solang Valley is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh. Situated on the way to Rohtang from Manali, every year the valley welcomes tourists in huge numbers. A favorite for adventure enthusiasts, Parachuting to paragliding, horse riding to driving mini open jeeps specially available for tourists of all age groups, Solang has it all. More details

2. Rohtang Pass

When planning a trip to Manali, a day off to the vista point of Rohtang is the ultimate and almost essential attraction of the itinerary. Located at a distance of just 51 kilometres from the main town, Rohtang Pass can be reached only by road. The pass is located at a massive height of 3978 metres, the way up the hills is a treat to the eyes. As the vehicle climbs higher on the Manali- Keylong road, the beauty of the landscape around will leave you awestruck. A peculiar fact behind the name of the place is that it was named so because a number of people working in CBRE died whilst trying to cross this treacherous stretch. Owing to its splendid natural beauty, Rohtang Pass is a favourite among the community of film directors. Many blockbusters ranging from 'Jab We Met' to 'Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani' have been shot here. More details

3. Hadimba Temple

Located amidst the snow covered hills of Manali, the Hadimba temple is a unique shrine dedicated to Hadimba Devi, who was the wife of Bhima and mother of Ghatothkach. Surrounded by gorgeous cedar forests, this beautiful shrine is built on a rock which is believed to be in the image of the goddess herself. The construction style of the temple is entirely different from that of any of the other temples, with its wooden doorways, walls, and cone-shaped roof. This temple is a fitting dedication to its presiding deity Hadimba. 

4. Manikaran

Manikaran is a small town situated between rivers Parvati and Beas, famous for its hot water springs and beautiful landscapes. The town has a famous Gurudwara called Manikaran Sahib and it is frequented by Sikhs from all over the country. 

There are many small temples in the town as well making it a significant pilgrimage centre for Hindus too.

5. Hampta Pass

Hampta Pass, situated in the Manali region of the Himachal Pradesh, serves as one of the most convenient and enjoyable treks. Laden with pristine form of nature, the trail comprises of dense pine forests, pristine glacial valleys, vast meadows and panoramic landscape.

A perfect trek for beginners, the place is easy to access and the adventurous experience of crossing the pass is simply exhilarating. Unlike most of the trek, this one begins from Manali town and not from a remote village. Chandratal, a crystal clear lake perched at high altitude is the highlight of the trip and a rare sight to behold. A trip of about 4-5 days, Hampta Pass trek in the lap of Himalayas is one of the exciting trips that will leave you in complete awe.

6. Kullu

This sister town to Manali too, is a hill station of dreamy landscapes and sceneries, a hub of adventure activities as well as home to a number of sacred temples and shrines.

How To Reach Manali

The nearest railway station from Manali is in Joginder Nagar which is 50 km away. However, this is a narrow gauge railway station and hence is not connected to all the major cities in the country. The broad gauge railway stations nearest to Manali are in Chandigarh (310 km) and Ambala (300 km). The nearest airport is in Bhuntar, which is also 50 km away. Buses and taxis are easily available from these places and other parts of North India to Manali. Manali can also be reached from Leh by the Leh-Manali route, though it is open for only 4 or 5 months in a year during summers when the snow is removed by the Border Road Organization of India. Still, this road is very picturesque and is one of the most beautiful ways to reach Manali.

How to Reach Manali by Flight

The nearest airport is Bhuntar, located at a distance of 50km from Manali and 10km from Kullu. Air India operates a flight from Delhi to Kullu, however, services are irregular and prices very high. You can hire a taxi to go to Manali from the airport or you can go to Kullu and take a bus which operates frequently on this route.

Nearest Airport: Chandigarh Airport (IXC) - 178 kms from Manali

How to Reach Manali by Road

There are frequent bus services from Delhi to Manali which is at a distance of 570 km. There are also bus services from Shimla, Dharamshala, Leh and Chandigarh. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi to travel to Manali. However, make sure the driver has experience driving in hilly regions.

How to Reach Manali by Train

The nearest railway station is Ambala Cantt or Chandigarh. It is well-served by rail but you will need to travel to Ambala to get a bus for Manali.

Commuting Within Manali

Taxis are easily available to cover the town. Walking is a therapeutic option.