Manali India – Your Quick Travel Guide

In a nutshell

The fresh mountain air, the serene landscape and the symphony of chirpy rivers is what awaits you in Manali. One of the most beautiful hill stations in India, Manali, which is situated on the banks of the Beas River, is really one of God’s best works. Every turn and step here reveals natural wonders which just take your breath away.

Why go to Manali

It would not be wrong to assume that Manali has a lot of interesting places being so blessed with natural beauty. In fact, the Indian epic, Mahabharata, has an entire section set in Manali when the Pandava brothers were in exile and there are a lot of interesting places based on literature. Be it the Arjuna cave, Kunti temple, Bhrigu Lake, Rozy falls or the Rohtang Pass, Manali has a lot of interesting things and places which have a lot of historical significance and natural beauty.

There is a special temple in Manali which is dedicated to lord Manu, the creator of the human race according to the Hindu mythology. It is the only temple in India which is dedicated to him.

There are also a lot of adventure activities that you can take part in in Manali like going on long treks, paragliding, rafting and rock climbing. Manali has also a number of hot springs which are said to have been blessed by the Gods themselves and a number of tourists take a dip in these waters. It would be impossible to list out all the reasons to visit Manali. There are too many of them. But the one which we find the most important is that it is simply beautiful. And the best activity to engage in here is just sit in one of the curves of the river Beas and gaze at the majestic mountains surrounding it.

When to go to Manali

Being a hill station, Manali has very cold winters and it often snows here. And if you are one of those who love the snow, then December and January is the best time to visit Manali. But the weather in Manali is pleasant throughout the year and it is an ideal destination for a visit in the summer as the temperatures are neither too high nor too low.

Where to stay in Manali

Manali is a perfect place for backpackers with a number of trekking trails surrounding it. And as such, there are a number of places which cater foro backpackers in Manali where one can get great travel advice along with a comfortable stay.

The Nomad’s Den, Zostel and Bonfire hostels are some amazing options for backpackers where one can get a bed in a dormitory starting from INR 400.

There are also a lot of resorts and hotels in Manali which will make extremely memorable holidays with families. The areas of Old Manali, Mall road and Naggar are especially full of staying options which suit all budgets. The hotels The Greenfields, The Valerian, The Snowcrests Manor are some of the places where you can get a room in the range of INR 1500 – INR 3000 with very good facilities.

Manali is also one of the favourite honeymoon spots in India and as such there are a lot of luxury options as well like ManuAllaya Resortspa, Urvashi’s Retreat and the Sandhya where you get the best of amenities with prices starting from INR 7000 per night.

Where and what to eat in Manali

The food in Manali is especially good. There are a lot of local dishes that you must try like siddu, which is basically the bread made from local dough, mittha which is a local sweet, chana madra, a preparation of chickpea and tudkiya bhath, cooked rice.

The food scene in Manali is very diverse as a lot of travellers from all over the world come here and some of them make Manali their home as well. Casa belle Vista, Dylan’s toasted and roasted and Johnson’s café are some of the best places to eat in Manali with cuisines from all over the world which are run by foreigners who have settled in India. The Mall road area in Manali is another place where you must try the food as there are quaint little cafés and restaurants which serve delicious food with an amazing view of the mountains. The Chopsticks, the Forno, the Mount View restaurant and the Adarsh restaurant are some places you should definitely try out in Manali.

How to get around Manali

Travelling in Manali is not too difficult. The pleasant weather and beautiful sceneries make the perfect setting for taking long strolls around the town and soaking in its beauty. And there are a lot of options for local transport in Manali in case you are tired or are not up for those long walks. There are plenty of autos, a three wheeler vehicle, which take you to different places in the city.

The autos are generally shared or you can book an entire one for yourself. They are very affordable and the fares are usually about INR 10 per kilometre. The drivers of these autos are very knowledgeable about the places in and around Manali, and when we struck up a good conversation with one of them, he took us to some breath-taking places.

There are multiple cab services also available in Manali and they are the best way to see the towns and villages around Manali. Most of the hotels have ties with cab drivers who will take you around the town and in case you are planning a visit to the Rohtang pass, it is better to book in advance as the permits are not easy to get. A trip to Rohtang from Manali and back will cost about INR 8,000.

How to get to and from Manali

Getting to Manali is a little tricky because of its mountainous landscape.

By air

The nearest airport is in Bhuntar, which is about 50 km away from the town. The airport is connected to other cities in the country by frequent flights and a flight from Delhi would cost about INR 4500.

However, the weather in Manali is not too reliable especially during the winter months and flights tend to get delayed or cancelled.

By car or taxi

The best option for reaching Manali is to drive there as the road is fantastic. The road takes you through the hills and there are many lovely sights to see along the way. Although if you are uncomfortable driving in the hills, it is better to hire a taxi as the local drivers are used to driving in those conditions.

A cab from Chandigarh to Manali would cost about INR 4000 and it is the best way to travel as getting to Chandigarh is very easy thanks to its international airport and the drive is absolutely breath-taking.

By bus

The bus service which connects Manali with other cities is also very good as there are a number of operators and options to choose from. There are routes to Delhi and Chandigarh with options like Sleeper, Volvo and State transport to choose from. The fares from Delhi start from INR 600 and go up depending on the kind of bus you choose.

Manali also serves as a stop over point for the more remote destinations of India like Leh, Laddakh and Spiti valley. There are a number of buses which connect Manali to these places and it is advisable to choose this option when travelling to these remote places as the roads are not easy to navigate.

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Manali is an absolute must visit for all travellers as it offers a view of nature in its full, snowy glory. Not just Manali itself, but its surrounding towns and villages like Solang and Naggar are also very pretty and will make a perfect getaway from the city life.