Manali Tour Packages

Places to Visit in Manali

Hadimba Temple: Located amidst the snow-covered hills of Manali, the Hadimba Temple is a unique shrine dedicated to Hidimba 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 goddess Hidimba herself.

Manu temple: The Manu Temple is said to be the only temple dedicated to the King Manu, who was later known as Sage Manu in India. The temple is a pagoda structure that offers a glimpse into history and spirituality through its fascinating architecture. Some may find it difficult to reach Manu Temple because there is only a narrow road that leads to the shrine; however, the journey is certainly pleasant. 

Van Vihar: Adorned with sky touching deodar trees, Van Vihar National Park is located near the Mall Road making it easily accessible. The favourite attraction of this park is a man-made lake that is open for boating.

Manali Club House: The Club House in Manali is an amusement and adventure retreat set up on the banks of the Manalsu Nalla, a branch of the breathtaking Beas River. It has indoor and outdoor activities like Billiards, Carom, Video Games, Table Tennis, Roller skating rink, River crossing, Go-karting, Zip lining and Ropeway. It also has a restaurant and bar along with some small stalls for local shopping.

Manikaran: Manikaran is  a famous pilgrimage destination for both Sikhs and Hindus. It is known for Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib and the hot springs. There are three hot springs where one can take a bath, one being inside the Gurudwara itself and the other two being privatised by the guesthouses. Different sections for men and women are made at the bathing place. The water in these springs contains sulphur which is believed to cure many diseases.

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. It is famous for adventure activities like parachuting, paragliding, horse riding, driving mini-open jeeps, zorbing, etc. During winters, Solang valley is covered with snow, making skiing is a popular sport here.

Rohtang Pass: Located at a distance of just 51 kilometres from Manali, Rohtang Pass can be reached only by road. The pass is located at a massive height of 3978 metres on Manali- Keylong road. Activities like sledging, mountain biking and skiing are popular here. Due to heavy snowfall in winters, the pass remains closed from November to May. 

Atal Tunnel: Also referred to as the Rohtang Tunnel, Atal Tunnel is a horseshoe-shaped highway tunnel that connects Manali and the Lahaul-Spiti valley, reducing the time taken by around 4-5 hours. Named after the former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the tunnel is the world’s longest one above 10,000 feet and is constructed in the Pir Panjal ranges, under the Rohtang Pass. 

Jogini Waterfalls: Jogini Waterfall is located about 3 kilometres away from the bustling town of Manali and around 2 kilometres away from Vashisht Temple. What makes it a popular tourist spot is the trek from Vashisht Temple, through pine trees and orchards, to the mesmerising Jogini Waterfalls cascading from a height of 160 feet. It is considered as one of the most romantic attractions in Manali.

Vashisht Baths: Located inside the very famous Vashisht Temple in Manali, Vashisht Baths is a hot water spring, believed to possess medicinal values. Also known as Vashisht Springs, it is visited by a lot of tourists, many of whom take a dip in the holy water to rid themselves of skin diseases and infections.

Kullu: Kullu, a popular tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh is located on the banks of the Beas river. Kullu is generally coupled with its sister town Manali. It has few important temples like the Raghunath Temple and Jagannath Devi Temple. There are many treks that also originate from this area include the Bijli Mahadev Temple Trek, Parvati Valley Trek, etc. With panoramic views and majestic hills covered with Deodar and Pine trees, Kullu is a nature lover’s paradise. Rafting is a popular activity here that starts from Pirni, around 4 km away from Kullu.

Things to Do in Manali

Skiing: Manali is known for its excellent skiing conditions with skiing enthusiasts visiting from all over the country. The undulating slopes of Solang Valley and Rohtang Pass are perfect for skiing. They are popular for amateurs to learn their first move while ideal grounds for professional skiing in Manali. 

Paragliding: The hillside town of Manali is famous for paragliding. Starting with a basic training course, the operators are well organized, competent and trustworthy. Medium flights involve a 15-minute flight, while long/high flights last between 40 minutes and 1 hour. Individuals with a paragliding license can opt for solo flights while amateurs are allowed to take tandem flights – where a pilot accompanies the individual and navigates the glider.

River Rafting: River Rafting in Kullu Manali is done along the River Beas and is considered ideal for expert rafters as well as beginners. The section of rafting starts from a small district called Pirdi and it flows through various locations like Bajaura, Sarabai, Bhuntar, Shamshi, Mohal, Raisol and Katrain. Rafting in Kullu Manali usually starts at 10:00 AM and takes about 1.5 hours. It is open throughout the year and people are advised to avoid the time when there is heavy rainfall which can lead to the rise in water level. 

Trek to Beas Kund: The Beas Kund trek is a perfect weekend getaway from Manali. Get a chance to feast your eyes on the outstanding views of Pir Pinjal mountain ranges over the Beas river, let your soul get wooed by the spectacular meadows of Dhundi and Bakarthach and finally, the glacial lake at Beas Kund which is worth all the hiking. 

Visit Old Manali: Away from the hustle and bustle that the town of Manali holds, Old Manali is a backpacker’s paradise. Lying at a distance of 3 kilometers uphill from the central city, Old Manali is often frequented by tourists from all across the world. Here you can sit back and relax in the lap of nature, away from the hullabaloo of city life. Along with the myriad other things, this is one of the topmost things to do in Manali.

Zorbing: Zorbing is a fun hill-sport in this region that takes advantage of the picturesque downward slopes of the Himalayas. The thrill of rolling down picturesque views at a speed that is not in your control is not just exhilarating but also alluring for zorbers. While zorbing has become a popular recreational activity, Zorbing in Solang Valley is a wholly new experience. Professional instructors ensure that you are well instructed and safe throughout the activity.

Food in Manali

Manali isn’t really known for its own cuisine but for a number of dishes from all over North India. So, when you are visiting, you can try out a diverse range of food items. Some popular dishes to try in Manali include:

• Momos which is a Chinese or Indo-Chinese dish made up of a thin sheet of flour stuffed with chopped vegetables or minced meat and is eaten with a chilli dip.
• Khatta made using pumpkin, dry mango powder and boondi.
• Sidu, a steamed bun with sweet or savoury fillings, is also a famous food item here,
• Babru is made of soaked black garam dal paste that is shaped like a patty, rolled, fried and served with chutney.
• Trout, which is thoroughly marinated before cooking, is also sold in many restaurants.
• Other dishes to try out include chana madra and bhelpuri.
• The Lazy Dog, Johnson’s Cafe, Mount View Restaurant and La Plage are some famous eateries here.

Shopping in Manali

Manali is known for a wide variety of home decor items, handlooms, jewellery, spices, woollens, handicrafts, etc.

• Given its proximity to the northern borders, you would find a bunch of street markets and stores selling different kinds of Tibetan and Himalayan souvenirs such as masks of deities, jewellery, Thangka paintings, dorjes, prayer wheels, straw/grass slippers, Tibetan knives, rugs, etc.
• You would also find woollen items like gloves, sweaters and cardigans, stoles, mufflers, etc. Manali is also known to sell Kinnauri and Kullu shawls and caps which are famous for their beautiful patterns, bright colours and soft texture.
• Kesar or saffron, an expensive spice, is also widely sold in Manali.
• Mall Road, Manu Market, Tibetan Market, Himachal Emporium and Bhuttico are some of the well-known shopping spots.