Manali, surrounded by the soothing Himalayas, offers the perfect mix of serenity and thrill that makes it one of the most preferred hill stations of North India. You can just laze around doing nothing or experience the most spine chilling adventure sports of all over there. It is a mystical destination surrounded by pine trees and the tempestuous Beas River.
The Location: Manali is situated at the north corner of Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh in India. It is at a distance of about six hundred kilometers from Delhi.
How to reach: The nearest railway station from Manali is about three hundred and twenty kilometers away in Chandigarh. To reach Manali one has to travel by road for a long distance but it is worth all the effort. The Himachal Tourism operates several buses and coaches from nearby cities as well as Delhi. Many people who stay in the nearby cities prefer traveling to Manali in their personal vehicles this gives them the freedom to explore this lovely hill station on their own and comfortably. From Delhi it takes fifteen hours by road to reach Manali. Many Volvos with sleepers make overnight journeys; hence, booking a sleeper in Volvo ensures that you sleep through most of the journey.
Best Time to Visit Manali: Manali is best visited in the months of March till October. The winter chill starts in the month of November and by December end Manali is covered in a thick layer of snow. It gets excessively crowded in the months of May and June as the schools in north India are closed for summer vacations and most families flock to the Kullu Valley to beat the summer heat.
Manali Thrill: Anyone who is an adventure freak will love this hill station. Hiking, rafting, fishing, skiing, parasailing, mountain climbing … you name it and you can experience it in Manali. Many tour operators organize adventure camps and tours in Manali. If you are in a mood to explore then you can even take a road trip from Manali to Leh. Some tour organizers also organize holistic camps and monastery tours where you can experience spiritual connection and better health with Yoga, Ayurveda as well as Reiki.
Hadimba Temple Festival: this festival is held in Manali every year in the month of May. This festival is a very good opportunity to experience the cultural heritage. The deities from villages are dolled up and carried to the temple in an enthusiastic manner while the local artists perform traditional dances. A carnival for small children is also organized.
Around Manali:
Vashist, a small village, is at a distance of only three kilometers from Manali. This village has amazing views around and a hot mineral spring where you can take a dip and lose all the tiredness. Another interesting place nearby is Solang, where the snow covered valleys with several waterfalls offers several trekking opportunities. Rohtang pass is another extremely commended place for a day trip. You can hire a cab from Manali to visit these nearby places. The views are unbelievable with amazing glaciers, deep valleys, the snow covered Himalayas. Warm coats and boots advised!
Places to stay in Manali: Manali has some amazing luxury resorts and hotels. There are plenty of hotels and motels of all kinds to suit ones pockets.
