Manali

Manali is a town in Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh. Manali was named after the great India sage Manu. It is around 310 KM from state capital Shimla and 40KM from Kullu Town. Manali lies in the North of Kullu Valley. The valley is often referred to as the ‘Valley of the Gods’. It is a popular tourist destination primarily among honeymoon couples, but it is equally liked by family and group travelers. The snow-covered peaks in winter make it a popular honeymoon destination in India. Manali serves as the gateway to Lahaul and Leh.

Quick Facts

Below are some quick facts about Manali
Country: India
State: Himachal Pradesh
District: Kullu
Telephone Code: +911902
Language spoken: Hindi, English
Famous for: Paragliding, Trekking, Relaxing
Best suited for: Individual, Couple, Group, Family
Best time to visit: Any time, based on your interest.

How to reach Manali

BY AIR:
The nearest airport to Manali is Bhuntar Airport (IATA code KUU). It is at Bhuntar town, about 50 km from south of Manali and 10 km south of Kullu town. You can also choose Chandigarh or Delhi as your preferred Airport as there are frequent flights to Delhi and Chandigarh than Bhuntar from major cities in India.

BY RAIL:
Manali does not have any railway station. The nearest Railway junction is Chandigarh about 310 kms away and Ambala about 310 kms away. Jogindernagar railway station is the nearest railway station, which connects Manali to nearby cities. Jogindernagar railway station is about 50 Kms from Manali.

BY ROAD:
The preferred way to reach Manali is by road. There are regular bus service of Himachal State Road Transport Corporation (HSRTC) from major cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Ambala and Jaipur. There are private bus operators as well that provide volvo bus services from major cities. If you are traveling from Delhi, Chandigarh you can also book a private cab.

Distance from major cities and destinations:
Delhi to Manali road distance is around 537 kms
Chandigarh to Manali road distance is around 289 kms
Gurgaon to Manali road distance is around 565 kms

Recommendations

If you really want to see the snow in Manali, than Best time to visit is after 15 December to March.

Activities

Below are the activities that you can do while in Manali:

• Skiing
• Enjoy the snow trails to upper Manali and Old Manali
• Walk to Hadimba Temple
• Adventure sports like snow sledding and snowmobile.
• Snow treks like Bhrigu lake and Beas Kund.
• Relax

Important Note

• Heavy snowfall can void the electric and water supply.
• It can also cause landslides, especially on Naggar roadside, so be careful and check the weather before you plan your trip.
• You might have to spend whole day inside your room due to heavy snowfall which puts the whole city to a stop. So, choose your hotel wisely.
• Don’t try to drive or ride on the roads which are prohibited to use at the time of snow. Your inexperience can prove costly.
• No one is going to take you to Rohtang Pass when there is heavy snowfall, so don’t fall to such false promises.

Where to stay in Manali

Hotel Kunjum of HPTDC is on mall road and easily accessible from all points, I stayed here during my visit. The price is also reasonable.

Some other hotels that you can consider for your stay in Manali are below:

• The Manali Inn
• Hotel Mountain face by Snow City Hotels
• Honeymoon Inn Manali
• The Orchard Greens
• Hotel The Conifer
• Apple Paradise Manali Hotel

Attractions in Manali and nearby

• • Hadimba Temple
  • Museum of Himachal Culture: Opening hours: 8 am – 8 pm; throughout the year Entry ticket: INR 10 per person per day.
  • Vashisht Hot Water Spring: Almost 3 km away from Manali Opening hours: 7 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 10 pm, throughout the year.
  • Maa Sharvari Temple: Opening hours: 5 am – 12 pm, and 4 pm – 9 pm, throughout the year.
  • Jogini Falls
  • Solang Valley
  • Rahal Waterfalls
  • Gulaba
  • Naggar Village
  • Arjun Gufa