MANALI: A Tale of Beauty and Amazement

Manali is one of the most popular, beautiful and awe-inspiring hill stations in India, situated at a staggering height of 6000 plus feet above sea level. It got its name from Manu, the man behind the restoration of mankind. Exalted with some very spectacular and beautiful landscapes, it is a paradise with deep gorges, lofty snow peaks, fast flowing rivers, lush green valleys, enchanting mountain lakes, beautiful temples, flower bedecked meadows and monasteries. The towering mountains and grassy terrain of Manali attract adventure travelers for heli-skiing, hiking, mountaineering and river rafting. Like a slender delicate-hued fern gleaming in the morning dew, the vale spreads out its charisma on the either side of the Beas River. Running from north to south, the place is only 80 km long and 2 km wide; in spite of this, a wide area is open for the visitors to enjoy the scenes of multicolored mountain scenery.

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A dazzling hill station encircled by pinewood forests and snow-clad mountains; Manali is famous for its breathtaking Himalayan beauty. The major magnetisms are the Chandrakhani Pass, Solang Valley, Parvati Valley, Vashisht village, and Beas Kund. Manali also is a charming pause for the one who is driving up to Ladakh. In addition, the popular treks from Manali are- Chandrakhani-Malana trail, Beas Kund Trek, and Bhrigu Lake Trek.

There are a number of things you can do, depending on your mood and the season. For trekkers and nature freaks Manali offers biking, trekking, rafting, hiking, mountaineering, and paragliding. It also has temples like the Raghunath temple, Vaishno Devi, Hadimba Temple, Jagannath Devi Temple and Bijli Mahadev Temple, which all tourists and devotees love to visit. Places like Kothi has a favorite haunt for rock pigeons along with some breathtaking views of the mountains, Solang Valley offers views of the glaciers and snow-capped mountain peaks, Rahla Falls has some charming spot for picnics, Manali Sanctuary has musk deer, monal, brown bear and even ibex, overnight camping is possible.

The scenery is so magnificent that sky is seen to be bowing down just to kiss the mountain ranges, clouds create a haze and undefined beauty, cool wind creates a chilly atmosphere and the zig- zag narrow paths act as gateways to enthralling mountain passes, defining Manali as a natural paradise. Tourists travel to Manali to feel a pinch of the cool wind and enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of nature.

Situated at one end of the Kullu Valley, Manali has attractions such as the Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley. Rohtang Pass which is covered with snow all over the year is a good experience in itself. At Solang Valley, one can enjoy the snow and snow-based activities. Manali is the ideal place for tourists to chill out and rejuvenate in the womb of nature. There is no place more pulsating and appealing than this in the country. This town also has a huge number of options for tourists who are looking for adventurous activities like trekking, paragliding, skiing, zorbing, white water rafting etc.

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The hill station glitters with wonderful restaurants, and cafes, that can easily take care of any needs, wishes or cravings that the visitors may have. They serve pizzas, momos, banana pancakes and apple pies. You can also try Yak’s cheese here. Along with these, there are samosas, aloo tikki, bread pakoras, pav bhaji, gulab jamun and more filling the streets with colors and fragrances. The city has an equally rich platter of local Himachal food.

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The best time to go to Manali is after the retreating monsoon. Just after the monsoon, the hill station rises to new foliage and releases many interesting trekking destinations. Spring followed by summer, from March to June, presents a pleasant climate to visit this place. Manali can be crowded during peak seasons and is slightly difficult to access as it is 8 hours from nearest major airport but is great for someone who is looking to experience snow in winters. It is perfect for adventure enthusiasts, and family holidays. Manali welcomes tourists from all over the world.

Image Credits: HolidifyVasantkamal ToursTour My IndiaMakeMyTrip