How epic fantasy writers like Tolkien and Martin imagine their surreal worlds? It is places like Manali, and its surreal and dream-like landscape make those magical worlds.
Manali is more than just any hill station. From solitude hilltop hotels to busy markets, from relaxing hot springs to adventure sports, from various sightseeing spots to ancient temples, Manali is the ultimate destination package.
In this article, let us see 12 reasons why Manali Should Be on everyone’s Bucket List.
Manali is a paradise for trekking enthusiasts. The most famous trekking trail of Manali is the Hampta Pass. It starts at JobriNala. Other treks include Beas KundBhrigu Lake, Dashaur Lake, Patalsu Peak, Lamadugh, and Deo-Tibba base camp.
The real beauty of nature is the Van Vihar. At the entrance, you find a park with big trees. Moving ahead, you discover the pond where you can enjoy boating at nominal charges. Exploring this place is like unwrapping concealed gems.
With Paragliding in Manali, you can fly like a bird. Solang Valley is famous in all over India for Paragliding. The most suitable time for paragliding in Manali is from January to May and from October to December.
In summers, go for Rafting in the waters of Beas River. The 14 km rafting starts from Manali and terminates at Jhiri. The most suitable time to do river rafting in Manali is from April to June.
Rohtang Pass is 52 km away from Manali. It is an absolute paradise for adventure lovers. Rohtang is called the Snow Point in Manali. Due to its higher altitude, snow lasts there till monsoon. The entire place is full of surreal scenery of glaciers and enchanting snow peaks rising above clouds.
Solang Valley is the second most popular site in Manali, after Rohtang. You can enjoy activities like cable-car ride, paragliding, etc. Solang Valley is ideal for beginners who want to learn skiing. If you are in Manali in summer, you can enjoy paragliding in Solang Valley.
Mall Road is the lifeline of Manali. You will find the vast Tibetan market and shop for clothes and souvenirs. Old Manali is where you should go if you are looking to explore Himachali culture.
Manali is also home to various ancient temples. Temple architecture in Manali is Pagoda type structure. The most famous of them is the Hadimba Temple (or Hidimba Temple). It is devoted to goddess Hadimba Devi, the most revered Goddess of Kulu-Manali region. Also, there are Manu Temple, Vashisht, etc.
The mountain roads are apt for a magnificent bike or scooter ride. You can rent a bike or scooter, and enjoy the view of the mountains and river streams on the way.
You can take a dip at the hot sulphur-springs in Vashisth. The natural hot water springs remind me of Winterfell, a castle from George R.R. Martin’s book ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’. The castle in the book was built over hot springs to make people comfortable even in the frostiest of winters. In the same way, you can take bath in hot water spring at Vashisht Temple in Winters.
You can sit for hours enjoying the gushing sound of Jogini Waterfalls. It is 7.5 km from the main city. The place is perfect for spending quality time with your loved ones, or alone.
For refreshments during the journey, there are a lot of stops for food in Manali. Walk down the Mall Road, you can also taste hot GulabJamuns from street vendors. You can also visit Cafe1947 and enjoy Italian food, with some music. Or, visit Johnson’s cafe to try Himalayan Trout.