5 Reasons to Visit Manali in Summers

Manali, India  Photo: Sanjay Kumar

Deemed as one of the top hill resorts in India, Manali is a picturesque town located in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu Valley. The top 5 Reasons to Visit Manali in Summers include soothing climate, ample sightseeing options, plenty of accommodations, regional events and tour operators offering various packages. The hill station, surrounded by vast stretches of snow clad mountains and lush green valleys- offers tired tourists a relief from chaotic urban life. It is also ideal for those with a penchant for adventure sports in vacations. The beautiful apple orchards, lots of cafes and restaurants also enthrall the visitors.

Ways to Reach Manali

Manali has flourished as a tourist destination in last few decades and as a result reaching the hill town has become easier. It is well connected by roads to major cities in Northern India including Delhi, Leh and Shimla. From Delhi, you get Volvo buses to Manali and the journey takes 14 hours. From Chandigarh journey time is 8 hours. Some tour operators offer bus booking along with accommodations in Manali. Hiring taxis from those cities to reach Manali is another option. Train route is not convenient but you may opt for a flight to Bhuntar airport in kullu, which is 50 km from Manali.

Getting Around

To explore and experience the charm of Manali as a tourist place, you need to opt for suitable transport options. A majority of tourists prefer hiring a cab to explore the hill city. You may book for one day or more, based on your budget. However, if you are more adventurous type- hire a bike for exploring the city and around. Mostly Pulsars and Royal Enfields are offered by rental agencies. The bus service in the city is not that good and schedule is not fixed.

Places and Things to See in Manali

In Manali, no tourist can feel bored or faces lack of activities, as it is. There are so many exciting places to visit near Manali.

A lot of tourist in Manali head to the beautiful Rohtang Pass and adjacent Dassaur Lake. The road can be rough more so in winter months. Another tourist spot near Manali is the ancient cave temple named Hadimba Temple. The place is encircled by thick cedar forest. About 6 km downstream from Manali, you will find the Kalath Hot Water Springs. There are public and private bath areas. You may also head to the Vashist Hot Water Springs, in a village where you can also see some stone temples. Another tourist destination near Manali is the Snow Point or Solang Valley. Its 300m ski lift is popular. The paragliding and snorkeling also flock to Solang valley. These spots are also ideal for shutterbugs.

Other Notable Attractions

Photo: Sanjay Kumar

If you want to skip the crowd of tourists and enjoy serenity while vacationing in Manali, that is not too tedious. There are a number of Buddhist monasteries in Manali where you can experience serenity and bliss like you have never done before! Only 3km from main town, there is Old Manali where the crowd is less. The old guesthouses exude a charm of bygone era and Apple orchards are breathtakingly beautiful. The beautiful Zana Water Fall also lures tourists with amazing scenic beauty and it is just 35 km away.

Buying and Eating

Unless you do some shopping in Manali and taste regional delicacies, your exploration of Himachal Pradesh as a tourist destination will remain incomplete. The Manali Market is ideal to buy woolen garments. You may also buy fruits and honey from the government-authorized shops. On the mall road, you get diverse eateries. The regional dishes like Chilra, Sidu and Bedhni rotis are popular with visitors.