Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India - Famous for adventure sports like - skiing hiking mountaineering paragliding rafting trekking kayaking mountain biking
Manali (alt. 1,950 m or 6,398 ft), is an important hill station in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, India, near the northern end of the Kullu Valley. Situated on the Beas river (and near its source), it is very popular tourist spot for Indians & Foreigners in summer and a magical, snow-covered place in winter.
Manali and the surrounding area is of great significance to Indian culture and heritage as it is said to be the home of the Saptarshi, or Seven Sages.
Geography
Manali is located at 32°10′N 77°06′E32.16°N 77.10°E. The town ranges in elevation from 1,800 m (5,900 ft) to, in the uppermost "Old Manali" section, 2,000 m (6,600 ft).
Climate
Min temp could be below 10 C from Oct till March. Dec Jan and Feb are coldest months. Rest of the year the minimum temprature would be between 10-15 C.
The average total annual precipitation is 1,520 mm (60 in). Snowfall in the region, which usually took place in the month of December, has been delayed over the last fifteen years to January or early February.
Etymology
Manali is named after the Brahmin lawgiver Manu. The word Manali literally means “the abode of Manu”. Legend has it that sage Manu stepped off his ark in Manali to recreate human life after a great flood had deluged the world.
Manali is known as the "Valley of the Gods". The Old Manali village has an ancient temple dedicated to sage Manu.
History
The British introduced apple trees and trout, which were not native to Manali flora and fauna. To this day, apple—along with plum and pear—remains the best source of income for the majority of its inhabitants.
This once quiet village in the 1970’s was transformed into a bustling town with many hotels and restaurants.
Transport
Manali, Himachal Pradesh is well connected by road to Delhi through NH-21 and NH 1, which goes on to Leh and is claimed to be world's highest motorable road. Leading up to Manali from New Delhi are the towns of Panipat, Karnal and Ambala in Haryana, Chandigarh (Union Territory), Ropar in Punjab, and Bilaspur, Sundernagar, and Mandi in Himachal. Overnight Bus Services, both private as well as of himanchal tourism are available from New Delhi to Manali everyday.
The nearest airport is at Bhuntar, which is about 50 km (31 mi) from Manali. Currently, Kingfisher Red operates daily nonstop services from Delhi, Air India provides twice a week nonstop services and MDLR Airlines provides services to Delhi six days in a week.
Tourism in Manali
Manali is a popular Himalayan Tourist Destination.
Manali is famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking. Yak skiing is a sport unique to this area.
Manali also featured in Time magazine's "Best of Asia" for its "Extreme Yak Sports". Manali offers hot springs, religious shrines and Tibetan Buddhist temples.
Manali has become the favorite destination for honeymooners in last years. Statistics show that around 550 couples reaches Manali daily for honeymoon in season (May, June, December, January) and around 350 couples reaches Manali daily in rest time.
Get Around
There are various ways of getting around in Manali, if you are not already travelling with your own vehicle. Most tourists hire a taxi (various kinds available), which takes around to all the sight seeing spots in and around Manali. [You may call our Travel Assistance at +091 9816929849]
The second most common way is to hire a bike. There are many places where you can hire a bike (easy to find if you ask around), and is the most common mode of transport for foreigners. Both cruiser bikes like Bullet and sport bikes from Honda, Bajaj, Yamaha etc are easily available.
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Manali Attractions
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 structure was built in the year
1553.
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:
Situated at Dashal Village (700 mtrs. from Sarsai) on
the main left bank Kullu Manali Highway. It is a 12th
century protected monument.
The Manali Gompa:
Manali Gompa was built in 1960. It is one of the important
places for Buddhists. Buddhists come to this place from
Ladakh, Tibet, Spiti, Lahul and Kinnaur. Manali Gompa
is world famous for a large statue of Buddha and for
its wall paintings.
The Gompa is covered with brightly coloured frescoes and a mid size Buddhist statute. It also carries a list of the martyrs killed in occupation of Tibet of 1987 to 1989.
Malana Valley:
In the valleys of Kullu and Manali below Chanderkhani
Pass, situated at an altitude of 2,76m is a little hub
of hundred houses. The village, which consists of 1,000
tribals, has an immaculate system of self-governance.
Manali Sanctuary:
This sanctuary is located in District Kullu's nearest
town, Manali. The area of this sanctuary is 3,180 hectares.
Mountaineering Institute:
The Mountaineering Institute located at Manali provides
training facilities for basic and advance climbing both
for Indian nationals and foreigners.
This institute also conducts other adventurous sports activities like high altitude trekking, minor mountaineering, rock-climbing, skiing, and high altitude rescue and relief courses.
Naggar:
Taken as an excursion from Kullu or Manali, Nagar also
known as Naggar, is a very lovely village set on a hill
surrounded by forests. Naggar was the capital of Kullu
valley in the 16th century and the monuments in the
region are witnesses to the glory it had once lived
in.
Temple Of Manu:
Slippery stones paths lead through the old village houses
up to the temple of Manu. Manali is named after the
sage Manu who meditated when he came in this area.
Tibetan Temple:
Tibetans have a base in Manali too. There is a large
modern Tibetan temple to the South of the bus stand
and also a small handicrafts centre.
Vashisth Village:
Famous for the sweeping valley views and sulphurous
hot-water springs, the large settlement of Vashisht,
formerly known as Bashist, just 3km from Manali, is
an amorphous jumble of traditional timber houses and
modern concrete cubes, divided by paved courtyards and
narrow muddy lanes.
Winter Carnival:
Snow continues to play a major part in February's festivals
and Himachal's Winter Carnival is also held this month.
Ski slopes of Kufri, Manali and Narkanda come to life
with adventure seekers competing their way downhill.
For daredevils, Manali, as a base camp, offers best
opportunity for Heli-Skiing.
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Excursions from Manali
Rohtang Pass (50Km.)
Rohtang Pass is the highest point, 4,112m, on the Manali-Keylong
road, 51-km from Manali town. It provides a wide panoramic
view of mountains rising far above clouds, which is
a sight 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.
Arjun Gufa (5Km.)
On the left bank of the Beas, 5-km from Manali near
the village of Prini, is the 'Arjun Gufa' or the cave
of Arjuna. In here Arjuna practised austerities to get
Pashupata Ashtra or weapon from Lord Indra.
Beas Kund (50Km.)
It is the source of river Beas, at the Rohtang Pass
and is easily accessible. The great sage, Vyas performed
`Tapa' here during the Mahabharat times. The place is
still hallowed by the celestial light. It was because
of this that the river got the present name of Beas.
Jagatsukh Temple (6Km.)
It is one of the biggest villages in Kullu district.
About 6-km from Manali, Jagatsukh is famous for its
Shiva temple that is built in "shikhara" style
and nearby is the old and interesting Devi Sharvati
temple.
Nehru Kund (6Km.)
It is a spring of clear, cold water, named after the
late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and is 6-km from
Manali on Keylong road. Nehru used to drink water from
this Kund, while his journey to Manali.
Gulaba Camp (20Km.)
20-km from Manali, is this beautiful place famous for
sightseeing, picnic and photography.
Kothi (12Km.)
It is a pretty little village, 12-km from Manali on
the Keylong road at the foot of Rohtang Pass. There
are very fine views from Kothi, and the Beas River flows
through a very deep and narrow gorge at this point.
It is a beautiful and photographic village where tourists
can capture different thrilling views of the deep gorge
through which the Beas swiftly runs. This is an amazing
place to experience the natural beauty of high altitude
mountain.
Rahalla Falls (16Km.)
About 16-km from Manali and 4-km away from Kothi, at
the start of the climb to the Rohtang Pass, are the
beautiful Rahalla Falls at an altitude of 2,501m.
Solang Valley (14Km.)
14-km northwest of Manali in the Solang Valley, this
place offers Himachal Pradesh's best ski slopes. The
Mountaineering and Allied Sports Institute operates
a 300m high ski lift and the month of February is the
best month to ski over here.
*HMM – updating -, HPTDC runs seven-day package for ski courses with accommodation in the Hotel Rohtang Manaslu in Manali. Courses are also offered by the Mountaineering and Allied Sports Institute and the North Face Ski School.
Vashisth Hot Sulphur Springs (3Km.)
This small village near Manali is famous for its scenic
beauty. The village has a temple dedicated to Lord Rama
and Vashisth Muni. The village has some hot water springs,
which are said to carry medicinal properties. It is
a picturesque little place, 3-km out of Manali but on
foot the distance is a bit shorter.
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.
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Leisure - Manali
Shopping
Mall Street – close to our hotel rooms - HMM updating -
The Mall in Manali, Himachal Pradesh offers many interesting items to be purchased, from cloths to decorative pieces and gift items. Woollen goods are the town's real forte, particularly the brilliantly patterned shawls for which it is known for. The NSC or 'New Shopping Centre' Market near the bus stand sells a good selection. Another reliable emporium is the government - sponsored Bhutico, which has an outlet on the Mall, just opposite the tourist office. Around the bazaar there are innumerable stalls stacked with hand-woven goods and pillbox Kullu Topis. Manali's other specialty is Himalayan handicrafts, mainly assorted Tibetan curios such as prayer wheels, amulets, dorjees or thunderbolts, masks, musical instruments, jewellery and thangkas.
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.
Do
Get your photos clicked with either rabbits or yaks (near the Hidimba Temple). It will cost about 10-20 rupees (0.5$) for a single photo.
One can also enjoy paddle boating in a fun park near Hidimba temple.
River rafting, skiing, zorbing, trekking, snow scootering, and river crossing. One of the best adventure companies is the High Himalayan Adventures. Our Travel Assistance at +091 0000000000 gives honest advice instead of trying to lure you into paying more money.
Mountaineering - Himachal Pradesh has
some challenging peaks and each year expeditions are
organised by the Mountaineering Institute at Manali.
Paragliding - It is quite popular in Manali, especially
in the peak season. The scene is located at Solang Valley.
There are multiple levels, starting from the basic 1
minute flying for Rs. 450 (the most common), progressing
to a more fun 5 minute flight for Rs. 1500. But the
ultimate is the half an hour flight for Rs. 2500, for
which they take you up almost halfway to rohtang, and
bring you back to solang all the way by paragliding.
In such a long flight, wind plays a big role, and sometimes
it is not possible to fly all the way to solang, something
to keep in mind while going for it. Generally, later
in the day you go for it, better are the chances you
will do the whole flight. [You may call our Travel Assistance
at +091 9816929849] to arrange paraglading trips for
you.
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.
If interested in books, there is an upcoming library at HMM for staying guest only.
Early morning walks as Manali is best enjoyed before the town wakes up.
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.
- HMM updating -
Old Manali is one of the best places to hang out in the evening. It boasts a great collection of restaurants/bars and shops. It is also not crowded like the Mall Road, with the crowd consisting mostly of foreigners.
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. 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.
HMM’S COLLABORATION - HMM updating –
Places To Stay – Manali
There are dozens of places to stay in Manali. HPTDC runs several places and bookings can be made at the HTPDC Marketing Office on the Mall. - HMM updating –
Budget Hotel
- HMM updating – Himachal Pradesh
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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. -HMM updating
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Maps
Visit MANALIMAP.COM (For Updated Travel
Map) tours travel adventure sports