By private taxi
By train
Get around
See
Rohtang Pass, at an altitude of 3979 m (13,050 ft) above sea level, is another adventure tourist site where it can be cold even on a summer day. It is the highest point on the Manali-Keylong road and provides a wide panoramic view of mountains rising far above clouds, which is truly breath taking. Close by is a small lake called Dassaur Lake. Beas Kund, the source of river Beas, is also nearby. In winter, the road of Rothang Pass is closed.
Hidimba Temple: It is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, who was a character in the Indian epic, Mahābhārata. The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest at the foot of the Himālayas. The sanctuary is built over a huge rock jutting out of the ground, which was worshiped as an image of the deity. The structure was built in the year 1553.
Vashist Hot Water Springs and Temple: Around 3 km from Manali, across the Beas river is Vashist, a small village with natural sulphur springs. Modern bathhouses, with Turkish-style showers, have the hot water piped into them for the convenience of the visitors who come here to benefit from the medicinal properties. Vaishisht, also boasts a pair of old stone temples, opposite each other above the main square. Dedicated to the local patron saint Vashista, the smaller of the two opens on to a partially covered courtyard, and is adorned with elaborate woodcarvings. Those lining the interior of the shrine, blackened by years of oil-lamp and incense smoke, are particularly fine. The temple tanks are underground hot-water/sulfur springs.
Solang Valley popularly known as Snow Point, is 13 km northwest of Manali and famous for its 300-meter ski lift. It is a picturesque spot and offers splendid views of glaciers and the snow-capped mountains. Jagatsukh, the former capital of Manali, is also an important spot.
Rahala waterfalls: About 16 km from Manali at the start of the climb to the Rohtang Pass, are the beautiful Rahalla Falls at an altitude of 2,501 m.
Monasteries: Manali is known for its shiny gompas or Buddhist monasteries. It is maintained by donations from the local community and by sale of hand-woven carpets in the temple workshop.
Old Manali: At a distance of 3 km northwest of Manali is Old Manali, famous for its orchards and old guesthouses. There is ruined fort here by the name of Manaligarh. There is also the Manu Maharishi Temple, dedicated to sage Manu.
Gauri Shankar Temple at DASHAL village(700 mtrs. from Sarsai )on the main left bank Kullu Manali Highway.It is a 12th century protected monument.Also see lush green apple orchards,play with water stream out there Fun park' near Hadimba Temple
There are some interesting temples of Tibetan Buddhist lineages located between old and new Manali. Naggar Castle and Art gallery is another place to see and so as beautiful Log Hut Area and club house. In fact both this places especially log hut area has some good hotels to stay as well
Do
- One can also enjoy paddle boating in a fun park near Hidimba temple.
- River rafting, skiing, zorbing, paragliding, trekking, snow scootering, and river crossing.
- As with other touristed locations, beware of the saffron vendors.
- Rock climbing- there are some fabulous routes, however, go with a reputable company that can provide you suitable gear, otherwise this can become a dangerous sport. Look for the bright orange building across from Pizza Olive. The company also does abseiling trips, in which you can swing down into 9 tiers of a waterfall using rock-climbing equipment.
- If interested in books, there is a very good book stall called BookWorm near the main market. It has very good collection, specially of adventure, trekking and related books.
- Early morning walks as manali is best enjoyed before the town wakes up
Buy
Keychains, name plates, etc which are customized to ones own message are worth buying as mementos. Also one can get his name carved/written on a single grain of rice. One can also visit Manali Market to buy woolen stuff like sweaters, pull overs, shawls, blankets, etc. Hippie clothes/ jewellery can be found in Old Manali.
Eat
Manali market is key place for eatables. Right from chat to Indian (veg/nonveg) to international cuisine like Italian/Chinese are available in the main market which is just opposite the Manali Bus stand. The mall road has a variety of eating options ranging from stalls and dhabas to fancy restaurants. Deeper into the lanes of the town, one can find more local eating places, catering to special tastes and habits ranging from Tibetan food, to Vaishnavi Dhabhas. You are sure to find something without hunting around too much.
- Pizza Olive has the best pizza in town and is worth the trek to Old Manali. Also try the fabulous tiramisu.
- Apple Blossoms at Manali Heights Resort (near log huts area) to savour the best of local himachali menu as well as delectable Indian, european, oriental cuisines.
- Chopsticks (opposite the bus stand).Really good Tibetan food.
- Mayur Restaurant (in a lane opposite the upper end of the bus stand).
- Vaishnao dhaba (in the market adjacent to the bus stand).
- Valley View Restaurant at Snow Valley Resorts (known for beautiful view and good homely buffet food).
- Madras mess is a popular mess which serves south Indian meals Unlimited meals Rs:50
- Il Forno, (ca. 100 m below the Hadimba Temple, in direction of New Manali). Original Italian pizzas prepared by an Italian cook. HIT Prices higher than Indian average but still cheap for Italian pizza..
Drink
There's plenty to drink in Manali. For starters, the abundant supply of spring water every where is delicious in itself and can be drunk all day. One thing that you should search for is fresh squeezed apple juice.
The locals drink two kinds of alcoholic beverages: Lugdi (plains) or Chang (Himalayan), a kind of crude beer made from fermented rice or barley and Sharab (plains) or Arak (Himalayan), an alcoholic drink distilled from Lugdi/chang. Arak can also be made from jaggery or apples or any other fruit.
It might be an interesting experience to visit a local home when the ladies make arak (quite regularly). You can sit in the fields where the ladies make it, have hot water from the distilling to wash with and "test" the product at frequent intervals.
Because there are apple orchards all around Manali, apple cider is available in plenty. Besides this, there is plenty of other alcohol available in bars, larger restaurants and the larger hotels.
Purchased liquor has high taxes levied in this state.
Mid-range
- Tree House Cottages, Village Jong, Katrain, Distt. Kullu (H.P.), +91-1902-240365, +91-98160-78765 Email: info@manalitreehousecottages.com Website: http://www.manalitreehousecottages.com.
- Snow Valley Resorts, Log Hut Area, +91 1902 253 228, 253-027, E-mail: info@snowvalleyresorts.com . This is a handsome place sprawled over the most posh area in Manali " The Log Hut area " The resorts overlook the magnificent snow capped valley and vast expanse of the apple orchards along with lush green deodar pine forests.
- Manali Heights, Log Hut Area, +91 1902 252621, 252618, +91 9316101103 E-mail: manali_hts@satyam.net.in, Situated at 6,930 feet in the Himalayas, Manali Heights is a fairytale luxury resort set along 500 years old Dhungiri forest, amidst ancient Deodars. ( approx Rs2500 per night)
- GREEN HOTELS & COTTAGES, MANALI, +91-9817072147, +91-9816710301, E Mail- greenhotels@rediffmail.com.
- Hotel Shingar Regency, Manali, : +91 98182 07870, +91 1902 257251-52, A 44 Well appointed rooms' property, walking distance from the main market, in very pristine surroundings of Hadimba Temple www.shingarregency.com.
- Himkund Cottages ,Rangri,Manali. A collection of three cottages with exquisite location in the natures lap.You are provided a set of 2-3 rooms in each cottage which are luxuriously decorated.A perfect stay at Manali.Contact 09817094200(Manali) and 09999917513(Delhi) for more details.
- Quality inn River Country Resort
Splurge
- Nature Notes Riverside Resort, 91 11 6457 9945. cel. + 91 09810006187, email: naturenotes@gmail.com
- Ambassador Resort, Ph: 01902 - 252235/38
- Sun Park Hotel & Resort Pvt Ltd. Ph:98160 23 005, (Email: hotelsunparkmanali@hotmail.com) Its a beautiful 3 star property with exclusive facilites such as Disco theque, Coffee shop, etc.
- Mapple The River Crescent Resort[ +91 11 29552047 / 48 or +91 98 185 96333 E Mail:reservations@mapplehotels.com URL www.mapplehotels.com Manali's latest 4 star addition situated at Rangree on banks of the River Beas. 50 AC rooms, centrally heated with all ameneties.
Long Stay
If you're looking to stay for a month or more, you'll do well to be away from the main Manali Road.
- Himachal Cottage Villa, Village Bashkola, Katrain, Distt. Kullu (H.P.), +91-9816417138,
http://himachalcottagevilla.blogspot.com Email: karunafly@gmail.com A lovely cottage-villa with modern amenities, surrounded by beautiful orchards and gardens.
Travelling northward from Manali is the breathtaking region of Lahaul and Spiti across the Rohtang Pass. You can hire a taxi to the Rohtang pass for Rs500 per couple ( as of 10/12/08). You can also enjoy the horse ride to cover the last mile to the top for Rs 700-850 (as of 10/12/08). Once there you can also enjoy skiing and is definitely a photographer's delight. Note: don't forget to rent out the snow overalls & shoes before you head off for the pass. You will need them once at the top.
The "highway" crosses the pass and forks at Gramphoo (12km) the left one goes to Lahaul and is the Manali Leh highway and the road on the right leads to Spiti via Kunzum La. The Rohtang pass also marks the boundary between the fertile Kullu valley with its lush greenery and the sparse vegetation Lahaul and Spiti. The Ladakh, Zanskar and Changthang areas further on are even more barren.
- Hamta Pass
- Deo Tibba
- Indrasan
- Friendship Peak
- Beas Kund
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